Metsu Shoryuken

The Metsu Shoryuken (滅・昇龍拳, Metsu Shouryuuken, "Destroying Rising Dragon Fist") is one of Ryu's special attacks, introduced as a Super Combo in Street Fighter Alpha 3.

Appearance	Function	Input
Street Fighter Alpha 3	Super Combo	+ (close range)
Super Street Fighter IV	Ultra Combo II	+

Origin

The move is an extremely powerful Shoryuken that was first used as a result of Ryu being pinned by Sagat during the events of the First World Warrior Tournament. Consumed with desire for victory, Ryu gave in to his rage fully, lost control, and rose up, scarring Sagat with the Metsu Shoryuken.

Description

Street Fighter Alpha 3

Ryu slides, hitting his opponent with an elbow and following with a 2-hit Shoryuken, similar to his Shin Shoryuken; the main difference is that Ryu must be close to the opponent.

Super Street Fighter IV

Ryu's Metsu Shoryuken in Super Street Fighter IV. Click to view the animation.

Ryu delivers a powerful punch to the opponent's midsection, which lifts them off their feet and then follows up by delivering the actual Metsu Shoryuken to their chin. The game slows down this part of the sequence to illustrate the force of the move, which is sufficient to crush the opponent's jaw. Ryu then follows through, blasting the opponent into the air from the force of the uppercut. Though this attack is powered by the Satsui no Hado, Ryu only uses the power to such a minor degree that it does not take him over.

If the initial hit is missed it becomes the Forbidden Shoryuken that inflicts the same multiple hits and can be used as an anti-air, and has similar damage and properties to Gouken's Forbidden Shoryuken.

Tactics

Unfortunately for Ryu, the opportunity to use Metsu Shoryuken in Super Street Fighter IV is often short, as Ryu's normal moves do not have the ability to set up a situation that would fully use the Metsu Shoryuken's full potential, and would only be used as the Forbidden Shoryuken in some of the combos that suit the Metsu Shoryuken very well.

Just like the Shin Shoryuken, it has a lengthy recovery and leaves Ryu open to attack for a significant amount of time. Its lack of flexibility restricts its primary use to counterattacks or finishing off crumpled opponents, though the alternate form, Forbidden Shoryuken, can be used to counter Ultras, punish mistakes made by the opponent, or strike the opponent in the crumpling state following a Focus Attack.

Experienced players can utilize the full power of the move by performing a clean Shakunetsu Hadoken, and then dash canceling and performing the Metsu Shoryuken before the opponent hits the floor.

Screenshots

Ryu's Metsu Shoryuken flattens Ken's chin in Super Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition.

Sprites

Video

thumb|left|300px|Metsu Shoryuken (Japanese voices).