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The Spinning Piledriver (スクリューパイルドライバー Sukuryuu Pairudoraibaa?, "Screw Piledriver"), also known as the Screw Pile Driver in Street Fighter V and Street Fighter 6, is one of Zangief's special attacks, and among his most recognizable. It was introduced in Street Fighter II. It is often abbreviated as "SPD".

It also appears as part of Seth's borrowed moveset in the Street Fighter IV series, Haggar can use it in Slam Masters series and it is one of the moves Ace has access to in Street Fighter EX3.

Input
All appearances Arcade Stick 360+Arcade Button Punch
Street Fighter 6
(Modern)
Neutral or Arcade-Stick-Right+Modern SP
Zangief-piledriver-art

Official artwork of Zangief's Spinning Piledriver from Street Fighter II.

Description[]

"Throw an opponent, leap into the air, and smash them into the ground with a spinning slam. Its high damage and long reach make it a key part of a grappler's arsenal."
Street Fighter 6

Both versions are executed by performing a full-circle motion in either direction and pressing punch. The strength of the punch button determines the range and amount of damage inflicted. The Light version has the longest range, but does the least damage. Conversely, the Heavy version has the shortest range, but inflicts the most damage. However, the EX Special versions have longer reach and faster execution. It also inflicts the same amount of damage as the Heavy version.

Zangief[]

Zangief attempts to grab his opponent. If successful, he holds the opponent upside down by the waist, then leaps into the air with the opponent's head between his legs while spinning rapidly, Zangief smashes the opponent headfirst against the ground for massive damage.

Seth[]

Seth also attempts to grab his opponent; if successful, he simply grabs his opponent, punches them into the air, and then teleports up to them. He performs the rest of the move as normal, slamming the foe into the ground.

Haggar[]

Haggar's version in Final Fight Revenge is identical to Zangief's, except that he yells out "Geronimo!" when performing it. In the crossover Ultimate Marvel Vs. Capcom 3, he yells "Piledriver!" instead, and grabs the opponent by the front of their waist. In Slam Masters series (Saturday Night Slam Masters & Ring Of Destruction: Slam Masters II) Haggar's SPD is identical to Zangief's original SPD.

Tactics[]

ScrewPileDriver

Zangief spiking Cammy to the ground using Screw Pile Driver in Street Fighter V

A well-timed Spinning Piledriver can grab an opponent in mid-attack, making it possible to stop some Super/Ultra Combos. The range of the Spinning Piledriver and Borscht Dynamite is far greater than that of a standard throw, meaning Zangief can surprise opponents by grabbing them from a distance as they are performing another move. Zangief can also take advantage of an opponent who is blocking by transitioning into the Spinning Piledriver as they attempt to counterattack. In Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition, the Spinning Piledriver increases its power and potential as combo finishers during Zangief's second V-Trigger, Cossack Muscle.

Typically, and depending on the game, the motion for the move is not strictly confined to HCB going upwards. As long as the joystick registers a full circle motion, regardless of where it started or where it ends, or if done clockwise or counter-clockwise, the move will connect. This can be used for surprise jump-ins, a retaliatory grab, or ticking, from pokes and confirms.

Seth's Spinning Piledriver, while similar to Zangief's visually, has significantly less range and damage compared to the original. It is instead used as a potential mix-up tool rather than being the primary option.

Borscht Dynamite[]

See: Borscht Dynamite

Trivia[]

  • 'Spinning Piledriver' or SPD for short is used as a common nickname for all moves that share the same input as Zangief's Piledriver. For example, T. Hawk's SPD or Hugo's SPD refers to the Mexican Typhoon and Moonsault Press, respectively.
  • Leo, from Red Earth, has a move that functions exactly like the Spinning Piledriver, accessible only at higher levels. The fact that Leo wields a sword and shield, and can do this move on the enemy is extremely uncharacteristic of someone of Leo's fighting style.
  • Hugo, from Street Fighter and Final Fight, has a similar move called Moonsault Press.
  • In Slam Masters series Haggar's SPD was refer as "Screw Piledriver" in the game.

Gallery[]

Sprites[]

Street Fighter Alpha series, Zangief's versionMZSP

Screenshots[]

Videos[]

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