- Big-Picture Summary
Daru explains how buffed Strive I-No works as a probability-based mixup monster:
Recent patches (especially the August one) turned I-No into a true rushdown: faster hoverdash, better approach, more stable okizeme and pressure.
He sees I-No as a “probability / odds” character: at almost every timing, you are forcing the opponent to guess (high/low/throw/left-right/stagger) based on the threat you’ve shown earlier.
Neutral revolves around:
Strong grounded pokes (like f.S, 2S, 5H depending on MU)
Air buttons (especially j.S and j.D)
Chemical Love (CL) to snipe buttons/approach
Stroke the Big Tree (S/H Stroke) to slide under and force respect
Off any chance (hit / blocked button / note setup), I-No wants to reach hoverdash range and run a layered guessing game:
Basic: hoverdash j.S / empty low / throw
Advanced: hoverdash j.D to blow up fuzzy guard, delayed buttons to catch mash/jump, re-dash to keep turn, etc.
Okizeme is highly pattern-based—notes, hoverdash timing, and safe jumps are pre-labbed so she can safely cover reversals, DPs, and Burst while still getting mix.
On defense, Daru uses FD, fuzzy jump/throw tech, and character-specific responses (esp. vs command grabs / rekkas) rather than always gambling on reversal.
For combos, he prefers consistent, easy routes that stabilize his gameplan and oki over flashy, fragile routes.
His strong recommendation: if you want to reach high-level players fast, learn a solid, universal I-No mix tree that works on everyone and grind it until your odds overwhelm their defense.
- Bullet-Point Quick Review
I-No identity
Rushdown, mix-heavy, “probability” character.
Patches made her stronger, especially hoverdash speed and routes into mix.
Core neutral ideas
Use strong buttons (f.S, 2S, 5H, j.S) to make them block and freeze.
Use j.D to beat fuzzy guarding and layered defense.
Chemical Love to snipe pokes, jumps, and approach recovery.
Stroke the Big Tree to go under mids and set up strike/throw.
Gameplan structure
Step 1: Condition in neutral with pokes & CL.
Step 2: Get close with dash/hoverdash.
Step 3: Run structured hoverdash mix (high/low/throw/j.D/fuzzy break).
Step 4: Use note + hoverdash to recycle into more mix.
Notes & okizeme
Note patterns are pre-set, labbed sequences to auto-cover DP, backdash, or super in key spots.
Improved hoverdash speed lets note → mix work more often and more tightly.
Defense & system use
FD to push out, Faultless Defense + throw OS and fuzzy jump vs strike/throw.
Use Yellow RC / Burst smartly, not randomly.
Specific tech vs grapplers / characters with strong command grabs.
Combos
Favor easy, repeatable combos with good corner carry & oki.
Use new patch routes (HS dive stuff, HS hover, etc.) but don’t overcomplicate.
Mindset
Prioritize simple but universal mixups that win sets vs anyone.
Think in probabilities: you never guarantee a hit, but you stack odds.
- Chunks with Q&A and Action Steps
Chunk 1 – I-No’s Identity & Patch Buffs
Content summary
Daru says even before the latest patch, he thought I-No was S-tier; the buffs only solidified it.
August patch: biggest change is hoverdash speed, making it much easier to convert neutral wins or note situations into real mix.
He calls I-No a “probability / odds” character:
No single option is guaranteed.
You constantly force guesses via high/low/throw/left-right and timings.
Your job is to shape the opponent’s defensive habits, then exploit them.
Comprehension questions
Why does Daru call I-No a “probability character”?
What patch change does he consider the most impactful for I-No’s gameplan?
How does the new hoverdash speed change her offense?
Answers
Because her gameplan is built around forcing repeated guesses (mixups) rather than guaranteed damage. You win by stacking the odds over time.
The August hoverdash buff – making it much faster and better at turning neutral wins into close-range offense.
It lets her reach the opponent sooner after note or a stray hit, turning more situations into meaty mixups, and making her feel like a true rushdown character.
Action steps
Write in your notes: “I-No = probability / odds character.”
In training mode, record a dummy doing neutral pokes into you blocking, then practice:
Blocking, then dash + hoverdash to point-blank as soon as you see whiff/block → feel the buffed speed.
Mentally shift from “I must open them up now” to “I am stacking odds every interaction.”
Chunk 2 – Neutral: Buttons, j.S / j.D, Chemical Love, Stroke
Content summary
Daru’s favorite button: j.D.
Used to break fuzzy guard (high block then crouch block timing).
When opponents try to fuzzy between mid and low, hoverdash j.D hits in the gap.
j.S: basic air approach / pressure button, sets up normal high/low.
Ground tools:
f.S / 2S / 5H (MU-dependent) to threaten space and counterhit mash.
These create the “you must block” environment that lets hoverdash become terrifying.
Chemical Love (CL):
Used at tip range to punish dashes, jump landings, or poke startup/recovery.
Different uses vs ground or air; often aims at landing recovery or big buttons.
Stroke the Big Tree (S/H):
Slides under mids and some projectiles / pokes, especially long 5S/2S type buttons.
When opponents start using lower-hitbox buttons to stop Stroke, crawl / hoverdash patterns become viable.
Comprehension questions
What defensive habit is j.D specifically designed to beat?
In neutral, why does Daru prioritize strong buttons before going into hoverdash mix?
What are the main targets for Chemical Love in neutral?
Answers
Fuzzy guard / fuzzy block (mid-high then crouch) – j.D hits in the timing gap where they switch guard.
Because forcing early respect with strong buttons makes the opponent afraid to press, so they are more likely to sit still and get opened up by hoverdash mix.
Opponent dash-in attempts, big pokes, jump landings, and certain whiffs or recoveries in mid-range.
Action steps
Lab vs a dummy using fuzzy guard (stand → crouch block):
Practice hoverdash j.S vs j.D and see which beats what.
In a real set, pick ONE neutral button (e.g. f.S) and abuse it for a game:
Watch how opponents start to freeze → then start running your mix.
Go into training mode:
Record common pokes from characters you fight.
Practice CL timing to tag their startup or recovery.
Chunk 3 – Core Hoverdash Mix & Beating Fuzzy Guard
Content summary
Daru starts most mix structure from a simple, “normal” hoverdash sequence:
Hoverdash j.S > land low
Hoverdash j.S > j.S again
Hoverdash j.S > throw
He uses this “plain” pattern to read the defender’s first layer:
Do they fuzzy (high then low)?
Do they backdash?
Do they jump?
Do they mash?
After seeing that, he layers in:
Hoverdash j.D to blow up fuzzy guard and delayed low tech.
Longer hoverdash / delayed buttons to catch backdash/jump.
Re-dash / re-hover to maintain pressure when they freeze.
The idea: you don’t need 10 fancy mixups—you need a solid base pattern and then 2–3 tailored counters per defensive habit.
Comprehension questions
Why does Daru start with a very basic hoverdash mix instead of advanced stuff?
What does hoverdash j.D specifically add to the mix structure?
How does he adapt his mix when the opponent uses multiple defensive options (not just one)?
Answers
To see how the opponent defends (fuzzy, jump, backdash, mash, etc.). The simple pattern is a “sensor” for their habits.
It blows up fuzzy guard, delayed crouch, and some attempts to switch guard timing, making bluffing with fuzzies much less safe.
He cycles through different counters (j.D, delayed overhead, re-dash, throw) and focuses more on neutral + frame traps, rather than trying to guess perfectly every time.
Action steps
In training mode, build a 3-step hoverdash tree:
Hoverdash j.S > 2K (low)
Hoverdash j.S > throw
Hoverdash j.D (fuzzy breaker)
In matches, spend round 1 mostly on the simple tree; mentally note:
Are they fuzzying? Backdashing? Jumping?
Then in round 2+, plug in the right counter:
Fuzzy → more j.D.
Backdash → deeper hoverdash / delayed button.
Jump → air-to-air or delayed button catching prejump.
Chunk 4 – Chemical Love, Stroke, and Neutral → Mix Bridge
Content summary
CL and Stroke serve as bridges from neutral to mix, not just random specials.
CL:
Whiff punishes / clips long buttons (Sol, Ky, May, etc.) especially those with hurtbox low or extended.
Also punishes dash attempts that try to slip under or through note.
Stroke:
Targets characters whose pokes have high hurtboxes with empty lower boxes.
Once they start using lower-profile moves to stop Stroke, your crawl / hoverdash / note becomes more free.
Stroke + hoverdash = pseudo-mix: they must choose between blocking low early or respecting the hoverdash overhead.
Comprehension questions
How does Daru decide when to use CL vs Stroke in neutral?
Why do CL and Stroke both count as “mix” in a broader sense?
What happens to your gameplan once the opponent starts adjusting to Stroke?
Answers
CL when he wants to snipe dashes, jumps, or big pokes; Stroke when he wants to go under mids and force low-block or whiff punish.
They condition how the opponent presses buttons and moves, which shapes the kind of mix they must respect later. They are “pre-mix” tools.
They usually switch to lower-hitting buttons, making them more vulnerable to hoverdash, crawl, and other options, opening a new layer of offense.
Action steps
For 2–3 key matchups you care about, list:
Which pokes CL punishes.
Which pokes Stroke slides under.
In sets, purposely alternate:
A round focusing on CL punishes.
A round focusing on Stroke whiff-punish & low threat.
Watch how the opponent’s button choices change.
Chunk 5 – Notes, Okizeme Patterns & Covering Reversals
Content summary
With hoverdash buffed, note → hoverdash mix is much tighter and more reliable.
Daru treats note okizeme as pattern-based:
Certain knockdowns → s
