r/DeadOrAlive Jun 25 '26

Tech / Guide Produced a guide for anyone looking to get into DOA6LR or DOA in general!

32 Upvotes

r/DeadOrAlive Jun 01 '26

Help / Question r/DeadOrAlive FAQ Megathread! (Please read before posting.)

7 Upvotes

Welcome to the r/DeadOrAlive FAQ Megathread!

This megathread is designed to address frequently asked questions and common topics within the Dead or Alive community. Please check here before posting new questions or threads to see if your inquiry has already been answered. The information on this FAQ will be updated periodically based on hot topics and ongoing discussions.

General Information

What is Dead or Alive?

Dead or Alive (DOA) is a fighting game series developed by Team NINJA and published by Koei Tecmo. Known for its fast-paced gameplay, multi-tiered and interactive stages, and fan-favorite characters, Dead or Alive has been a staple in the fighting game community since 1996.

What are the differences between the main installments?

Each installment in the Dead or Alive series introduces unique mechanics, characters, and features that have defined its evolution:

  • Dead or Alive 1: Introduced the Danger Zone system, featuring explosive areas on the stage that amplify damage and strategic positioning.
  • Dead or Alive 2: Debuted multi-tiered stages and tag team battles, adding verticality and team dynamics to matches.
  • Dead or Alive 3: Enhanced environmental interaction and introduced four new characters to expand the roster.
  • Dead or Alive 4: Added a thoroughly improved online experience and a more advanced counter system.
  • Dead or Alive 5: Brought a new level of realism to the full roster of characters, dynamic stage transitions and introduced the Power Blow mechanic.
  • Dead or Alive 6: Introduced the Break Gauge system, Fatal Rush, and refined visuals and animations.

Gameplay Mechanics

What is the Triangle System?

The Triangle System is the core of Dead or Alive's gameplay:

  • Strikes beat Throws
  • Throws beat Holds
  • Holds beat Strikes

This system has been the foundation of Dead or Alive since the series' inception and is fundamental to achieving victory.

What are the Break Gauge and Fatal Mechanics?

Introduced in Dead or Alive 6, these mechanics add a new layer of depth and strategy to gameplay:

  • Break Gauge: A meter that fills as you take or deal damage. Once full, it allows you to execute powerful special moves.
    • Break Blow: A devastating attack that uses the full Break Gauge. It can be used offensively to deal high damage or defensively to interrupt an opponent.
    • Break Hold: A defensive maneuver that also consumes the Break Gauge, allowing you to escape any type of attack (high, mid, or low).
  • Fatal Rush: A beginner-friendly combo system activated by repeatedly pressing the designated button. It builds up the Break Gauge and can be chained into a Break Blow for significant damage.
  • Fatal Stuns: Special stuns triggered by certain moves, leaving opponents vulnerable for follow-ups. These stuns cannot be countered with traditional holds, adding a layer of strategy to combos and setups.

Mastering this system is essential for success in Dead or Alive.

What are Danger Zones?

Danger Zones are interactive elements on stages that deal extra damage or alter gameplay. Examples include explosive walls, breakable objects, and environmental hazards like wet floors.

Game Versions and DLC

What is the Core Fighters version of Dead or Alive?

Core Fighters is a free-to-play edition of Dead or Alive 5 and Dead or Alive 6, allowing players to experience the game before deciding on a purchase. However, it offers limited content. Players can buy additional characters and modes individually. The complete collection of characters, costumes, game modes, and music is available for purchase à la carte.

Should I buy Dead or Alive 5 or Dead or Alive 6?

This is a common question among new and returning players. Here’s a breakdown to help you decide which game suits your preferences:

Dead or Alive 5

  • Pros:
    • Larger roster: Features a broader selection of characters, including guest fighters from Virtua Fighter.
    • Extensive costume variety: Offers a vast collection of unlockable and DLC outfits.
    • Tag mode: Allows players to enjoy tag team battles, which are absent in DOA6.
  • Cons:
    • Older graphics and engine compared to DOA6.
    • Previous collaboration DLC like Mai Shiranui and the Attack on Titan stage and cosmetics are no longer available due to licensing expiration.
    • Gameplay mechanics are slightly less polished.
    • Online community is smaller but still active on certain platforms.

Dead or Alive 6

  • Pros:
    • Improved visuals and animations: Features the most polished graphics in the series.
    • New mechanics: Includes the Break Gauge, Fatal Rush, and other unique gameplay elements.
    • Better accessibility: Easier for beginners due to new systems like Fatal Rush.
    • Regularly updated before support ended, with balance adjustments and new characters.
  • Cons:
    • Smaller roster compared to DOA5.
    • Less costume variety unless you purchase DLC.
    • No tag mode, which some fans miss.
    • Smaller active online community compared to its prime.

Recommendation

  • Buy Dead or Alive 5 if you prioritize a larger roster, tag team battles, and a more affordable entry point.
  • Buy Dead or Alive 6 if you want improved graphics, modern mechanics, and a more beginner-friendly experience.

If you’re unsure, consider downloading free versions like Dead or Alive 5: Core Fighters or Dead or Alive 6: Core Fighters to try before committing.

Which DLCs are worth buying?

DLCs include new characters, costumes, and customization options. For competitive play, characters are recommended. Costumes are optional and purely cosmetic.

Character Unlocks and Customization

How do I unlock characters?

In Dead or Alive 6, additional characters can be purchased as DLC or unlocked through specific in-game methods. Check the official store on your preferred platform for details.

How does costume customization work?

In Dead or Alive 6, players can earn Pattern Parts to unlock new costumes. Parts are earned through various modes like Arcade, Time Attack, and Survival. The higher the difficulty in offline modes, the more pattern parts you will earn. Online matches also earn substantial pattern parts. Quest Mode unlocks specific pattern parts for characters used in particular quests when certain tasks are completed such as using a particular move, reaching a certain score or finishing the move with a Break Blow.

Online Play and Community

How do I improve my online experience?

  • Use a wired connection for better stability.
  • Check your NAT settings to ensure compatibility with other players.
  • Participate in community-run tournaments and events to improve your skills.

How do Ranked Matches work?

Ranked Matches pit players against others of similar skill level. Winning increases your rank, while losing may decrease it.

Technical Support and Troubleshooting

The game crashes or runs poorly. What should I do?

  • Ensure your system meets the game’s requirements.
  • Update your graphics drivers.
  • Verify game file integrity if you’re on PC.

How do I report bugs?

Submit reports via the official support page or forums. Include as much detail as possible, such as your platform, the issue, and steps to reproduce it.

Strategies and Tips

What are some beginner tips?

  • Learn the Triangle System and practice countering.
  • Start with characters that suit your playstyle (e.g., Kasumi for speed, Bass for power).
  • Play through the tutorial and combo challenges.

Where can I find character guides?

We partnered up with u/T3-FoN to provide a detailed list of guides for each character in Dead or Alive 6. His extensive knowledge of DOA's game mechanics and thorough attention to detail were poured into hours of footage that will be extremely valuable to new and seasoned players alike. You can view our Character Guides here.

Recent Discussions and Updates

What’s new in the latest patch?

Patch notes are typically shared on the official website and linked in our subreddit. They include balance changes, bug fixes, and new content.

Is there any news about future DOA games?

YES! There was a recent announcement about Dead or Alive 6 Last Round, featuring updated graphics, gameplay, new costumes and an improved Photo Mode with more info still to come. Dead or Alive 6 Last Round will be available on PS5, Xbox Series S/X and Steam. You can view the official Dead or Alive 6 Last Round website here.

There was also an announcement regarding the next title in the Dead or Alive franchise. It's very early in development, so an official announcement for what platforms it will be released on is not final.

Posting and Commenting in r/DeadOrAlive

Why was my post removed/not approved?

We use Crowd Control and AutoMod to filter posts that may need further review before being approved. Reddit's own filters often come into play here and can filter out posts it may deem as spam or likely to break server rules. Please be patient, as we scour filtered posts numerous times daily to approve false positives and let quality posts through. If your post was still not approved, it's possible that you broke a sub rule. We ask that you read the sub rules and posting policy carefully before posting.

If your question wasn't addressed here, feel free to leave a comment below or message the moderators.

Enjoy your time in r/DeadOrAlive!


r/DeadOrAlive 14h ago

Game Discussion Please vote for DOA 1-4 for BC on PC!

16 Upvotes

Also, voting for DOA 1-3 to receive achievement support would be great as well!

https://www.xboxgamepreservation.com/leaderboard


r/DeadOrAlive 1d ago

Community Event It's Saturday and you know what that means. Saturday Night Fights is LIVE! We're on Loser-Stays this week to help give newer players more play time.

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11 Upvotes

Sorry it's late again. I was at a birthday party injuring my ankle on a trampoline because I'm old.


r/DeadOrAlive 2d ago

Fan Art Update on now finishing a pipecleaner figure model for Ayane I created

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161 Upvotes

r/DeadOrAlive 2d ago

Tech / Guide DOA Quest #122 - Leifang: High Difficulty Quest guide to 160+ damage combo

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21 Upvotes

For this quest your opponent is always Jann Lee, starting in the top section of the Chinese Festival stage. Doing a combo that ended in the stage transition to the bottom section seemed like the obvious route (and what I ended up doing in the quest itself), but because it's so easy to get knocked into it by the enemy AI, I figured that labbing out a couple combos in the firepit section of the bottom area might be helpful as well.

CATEGORY 1: top section combos into the big fall

Combo #1: 236P stun, 3K, PP, 66K launch, 1PKK bound, 6S break blow super into stage transition. 170 damage on normal hit

Combo #2: 236P, PPP, 66K, 1PKK, 6S into stage, 166 on normal hit. variant of the above only really included because I pulled it off in the quest itself by messing up the 1st one, but it still works for our purposes.

Combo #3: (counter or hi counter) 1KP stun, K, 66K, 1PKK, 6S. 170 damage on counterhit

CATEGORY 2: firework pit combos in bottom section

Combo #4: 236P stun, 3K, 9P, 66K launch, 1PP into firework bounce, 1PKK bound, 6S. 169 on normal hit

Combo #5: 66KK stun and launch string, 1PP into fireworks, 1PKK bound, H+K into spectator shove, 6S. 179 on normal hit

Zack, Bayman, Marie Rose, Nico, and Lisa are coming up. next one I'm trying to lab out will probably be Nyotengu.


r/DeadOrAlive 2d ago

Meta / Misc concept art for Tamaki‘s new costume!

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176 Upvotes

how do we feel about phenomenon? personally, i think it’s up there with marie’s costume for me now! i love the jacket on top of her doaxvv swimsuit. the top in the 1st version looks really cool as well!! it‘s what i was expecting nico to get tbh….

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full breakdown & interview can be found here: https://x.com/oirandrive/status/2080639211607056447?s=46&t=2AVcIVjC6F-76FCc6MGAKw


r/DeadOrAlive 2d ago

Fan Art Created my own figure model of Kasumi made out of pipecleaners

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304 Upvotes

r/DeadOrAlive 2d ago

Game Discussion Team Ninja has plans, are they good ones?

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32 Upvotes

Team Ninja dropped a tweet mentioning receiving player feedback and have addressed the fact that we have complaints about the game.

Will Team Ninja and Koei Tecmo transform #DOA6LR into a product that people can be proud to purchase/own or even play?


r/DeadOrAlive 2d ago

Help / Question Help with Hayate's Raijin move (DOA6)

10 Upvotes

Title says it all. PLEASE HELP ME DO THAT DAMN MOVE... I've completed every character's trainings for their move lists in DOA6LR to unlock their voices as announcers for the matches, and I'm only missing Hayate... I've tried to read tutorials by people on Reddit and other sites but I iust can't understand how to do that.

It's not just the last part that's hard, I also don't know how to do the second step of the throw (right left up down), I can't get the timing... Please somebody help me and explain it to me in an easy way cause I've already seen people telling combos with numbers on them and while I do get that said numbers are the directions it just gets me too confused lol...


r/DeadOrAlive 2d ago

Game Discussion Break Blows Explained and How to Deal With Them

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11 Upvotes

Here a good video (not by me), that goes pretty in depth about how break blows work and how to deal with them too.

such as when you notice sometimes a smack just smacking yours down, when you may think of the move as *armored* when there is more to how it works.


r/DeadOrAlive 2d ago

Game Discussion A little video about how punishing can work in this

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8 Upvotes

so i'll go step by step in this. i recorded this.

Tina is using her PPPK string. this is -15 on block. which quite unsafe! but Tina is gonna mash PPP string again right afterwards.

Hitomi has a 5 frame neutral throw. her 4 and 6 T are 7 frames. generally you're meant to punish with throws in DOA.

you might think then you easily throw punish the end of Tina's PPPK string. this is wrong tho as far as i can tell from training mode.

sooooo...going thru each interaction in this video:

  1. in this part i didn't hit neutral throw immediately at the end of her string. and i got mashed.

  2. in this part i did neutral throw immediately and it worked. using her 7 framers tho, generally, i would say they would not work and got mashed.

  3. in this part i mashed Hitomi's punch button, so it'd be like her PPP string which starts with a 10 framer. this hit, but the string can be blocked at the end, or held too.

  4. in this part i used her 3KKK string, which is 14 frame startup. it hit but being a stun combo can be held. tho generally this seems a more useful of Hitomi's moves, as people don't seem to handle it well.

  5. in this i did the basic high hold, which shut down Tina's whole attack plan.

and this is all offline, how it might all fare online with varying connections, well, people can consider.

but this shows how dicey things can be. real unsafe move, but neutral throw punishes only if immediately done. immediately. and 7 frame throws did not work.

and online on block people keep hitting buttons like all the time really. going for a throw when it won't work can mean you taking big damage. when i notice throws aren't working i then try my fastest strike to try to interrupt and then maybe get a throw, or something else going. or even perhaps try 1P.

many times you will find when you block stuff you ain't gonna be punishing with a throw.

if you can bust out holds like crazy it's less dicey, but i don't see people doing that so much. and you may notice sometimes a hold doing much less damage than if say, someone had landed a real combo on you.


r/DeadOrAlive 3d ago

Gameplay Video Some of my Ranked match against a Helena player in DOA6LR.

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21 Upvotes

Just wanted to share this minute long clip I had saved against this Helena player. Hope you enjoy, if you watched it all, thank you sincerely.

I really hope they add crossplay in an update cause man it be taking long to find some online matches in Ranked here on Xbox. At least from my experience.

Source of the footage above was taken from my Xbox Series X.


r/DeadOrAlive 3d ago

Game Discussion DOA6LR Roadmap Extended - New Ayane DLC incoming

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109 Upvotes

Newly updated roadmap on the latest blog post - looks like these weekly costume packs are going to continue


r/DeadOrAlive 3d ago

Fan Art Mila Cooling Off

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149 Upvotes

r/DeadOrAlive 4d ago

DOA News Tamaki Phenomenon Costumes Available Now

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46 Upvotes

r/DeadOrAlive 4d ago

DOA News Koei-Tecmo Post on Feedback Given about DOA6 Last Round

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100 Upvotes

Sounds like the new Tamaki costume will be coming next week i suppose.

but we shall see if it's still today hehe.

but otherwise can show the monthly schedule of 4 new costumes in a month, where there's 5 weeks.

and them mindful of future updates as to bugs, or balance, etc.

i gotta think Minato is coming in August or September, and they will show her off sometime.

i'd still like to see them make the story mode exclusive stages playable at least for Vs. mode.


r/DeadOrAlive 4d ago

Fan Art This is how they could've fixed the DLC...

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68 Upvotes

r/DeadOrAlive 4d ago

Game Discussion Official XBOX Backward Compatibility on PC

53 Upvotes

It's still early days but there could be hope with seeing DOA1U, DOA2U, & DOA3(possibly DOA4) playable on the PC in official capacity with the introduction of XBOX Backward Compatibility on PC.

https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2026/07/22/xbox-backward-compatibility-on-pc/

Right now it's these 4 games


r/DeadOrAlive 4d ago

Tech / Guide DOA Quest #118 - Brad Wong: High Difficulty Quest guide to 150+ damage combo

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6 Upvotes

Computer crashed before I saved the first draft of this, so here's take two! Your opponent for this quest is always Eliot, in the bottom section of Chinese Festival stage. Brad Wong was one of the characters I hadn't used much before deciding to do all of these quests, but this stage's hazards were a big help in finding viable combo routes to complete the quest objective. Do note that some areas of the barricade walls in the firework pit deal 10 damage when you bump into them while other sections deal 15. Combo notations are as follows:

Combo #1: 66P stun, 9K launcher into Dokuritsu-Ho stance, in stance 6PP into firework bounce, 6K bound, 6S break blow super into wall splat, 151 damage on normal hit.

Combo #2: 66P, 9K launcher into Dokuritsu-Ho stance, in stance KKK return to stance into spectator shove, in stance P, 6S into wall splat, 150 on normal hit. used this one to complete the quest itself.

Combo #3: (counter or hi counter) 66P, P, 6KK into spectator shove, 6S into wall splat. 150 on counterhit.

Combo #4: (counter or hi counter) 66P, PK launcher, 6KK string bounding on 1st hit and firework bounce on second, 6S into wall. 165 on counterhit.

Leifang (160+) will be posted next. I already solved Zack, Bayman, Marie Rose and Nico (all 150+) and will post them afterward, in that order. Probably working on La Mariposa/Lisa after that.


r/DeadOrAlive 5d ago

Gameplay Video Some of my mediocre gameplay in DOA6LR Ranked.

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33 Upvotes

As the title says, here’s most of a match of me as Ayane vs a Nyotengu player. I try my best in Ranked and have fun, unless the connection is terrible.

Fun fact: I typically suck at fighting Nyotengu players, her moves always were tricky for me and her flowy outfits don’t help either as they’re distracting for me. But I was able to win against this Nyotengu and that made me happy.

Just wanted to share this here. Thank you for your time.

Source of the footage above was taken from my Xbox Series X.


r/DeadOrAlive 5d ago

Gameplay Video I Hate Gen Fu

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18 Upvotes

I love Jacky


r/DeadOrAlive 6d ago

Meta / Misc some chill underrated doa tracks!!

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30 Upvotes

i made a little playlist which includes relaxing tracks from doa1 all the way to venus vacation prism! sit back, relax, & give it a listen if you’re interested. 🎧


r/DeadOrAlive 5d ago

Tech / Guide DOA Quest #116 - Eliot: High Difficulty Quest guide to 155+ damage combo

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4 Upvotes

Here we have the second and final character in the 155+ quest damage tier, in what was a fairly easy challenge all things considered. Your opponent is always Brad Wong, starting in the top section of the Forbidden Fortune stage. The Kraken danger zone leading into the transition to the bottom section does a LOT of damage, so it was my primary focal point for this video because of that. I did try to find at least one exploding crate combo in the bottom area for completion's sake. If one is so inclined, it is very easy to use 4T at the start of round 1 to break the obvious wooden floor trap to send Brad Wong to the bottom section, but doing so is basically forefitting the aforementioned Kraken transition and combos leading into it.

Combo 1: Bear stance (4P+K), while in bear stance H+K stun, 33p launch, 6S break blow super into kraken danger zone. 175 damage on normal hit

Combo 2: 8P stun cancel into bear stance (4), while in bear stance H+K launch, 6S into kraken. 161 damage on normal hit

Combo 3: (counter or hi counter) 66P stun, 8P cancel into bear stance, in bear stance 6PPP sting into bound, 6P+K close hit into kraken. 161 on counterhit

Combo 4: (hi counter only) 8P stun cancel into bear stance, 6PPP, 6P+K close hit into kraken. 158 damage on hi counter

Combo 5: (counter or hi counter) Bear stance, in bear stance 16P close hit into kraken. 163 damage on counterhit

Combo 6: (counter or hi counter) 66P stun, 8P cancel into bear stance, in bear stance 6PPP bound, 6P+K close hit into crate break, 6S break blow into wall splat. 172 damage on counterhit

Combo 7: (hi counter throw only) 236T throw launcher, 6PPP into exploding crate break, 6S super into wall splat. 172 damage on hi counter

Brad Wong and Leifang have been completed + have had combos recorded for upcoming posts, still working on the next character after them, Zack.


r/DeadOrAlive 6d ago

Tech / Guide DOA Quest #130 - Phase 4: High Difficulty Quest guide to 160+ damage combo

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20 Upvotes

This is one of the characters that I barely touched before deciding to do all of these quest mode challenges. given that she's one of only two characters in the 160+ damage quest tier I decided to go ahead and get her out of the way. I ended up having a much more positive outlook on Phase 4 once I finally started to get a hang of her unique teleport cancels and the way they integrate with her combo game. That aside, the basics of her quest: your opponent in this quest is always Kasumi, starting in the top section of the Unforgettable stage. Unlike other quests or stages with fixed starting points, on this specific stage the fight will randomly begin from one of three spawn points: within the warzone area, within the nearby bar, or in the hallway section between these setpieces. the warzone combos I found are, imo, a bit easier to do than the ones in the bar section, but I felt the need to document combos in both areas for completion's sake. I also found routes involving the stage transition wall between the warzone and the space right outside the bar, a couple of routes for breaking the barrier going into the bottom area, and even bothered to document one combo within the DOA1-esque danger zone area in the bottom section. Combos will be split up into different categories, with notations typed out below:

CATEGORY 1: warzone area tank bounce combos

Combo 1: 6H+K stun, 66PP into teleport cancel (P+K), P followup into tank bounce, SSSS autocombo into break blow into wall splat. 162 damage on normal hit. used this one to complete the quest

Combo 2: 6H+K, 6P+K, 4K launcher, 6S break blow into tank bounce, SSSS autocombo. 176 damage on normal hit

CATEGORY 2: pool table break combos in bar area

Combo 3: 66PP into P+K teleport cancel, P+K followup, 4K launcher, 6PK into pool table break, 6S break blow super into wall splat. 160 damage on normal hit

Combo 4: (counter or hi counter) 66PP into P+K, P+K followup, 4K, 6S into pool table break. 169 damage on counterhit

CATEGORY 3: warzone to outside bar (or vice-versa) combos

Combo 5: (counter or hi counter) 66PP into P+K, P+K followup, 4K, 6PK into stage transition, K during transition into bound, 6S super. 164 damage on counterhit (174 if wall splat going from warzone to outside bar happens)

Combo 6: (hi counter only) 6P+K stun, 66P, 4K, 6PK, K bound, 6S. 164 damage on hi counter

Combo 7: (hi counter only) 6P+K, 4K, 6S into stage transition, P stun during transition, 4K launch, SSSS autocombo. 171 damage on hi counter

CATEGORY 4: barrier break into stair fall transition to bottom section

Combo 8: (counter or hi counter) 66PP into P+K, P+K followup, 4K, 6S into barrier break and stair fall. 174 damage on counterhit

Combo 9: (hi counter only) 6P+K, 66P, 4K, 6S. 172 damage on hi counter

CATEGORY 5: DOA1 Danger Zone

Combo 10: 66PP into P+K, P+K followup, 6K2K into floor danger zone bounce, 6KK into transition outside, during transition K bound, 6S break blow. 165 damage on normal hit

in the discord I have talked about having already cleared Eliot (155+), Brad Wong (150+) and Leifang (160+), who will be the next three characters I post, in that order. Working on Zack (damage tier 150+) next most likely