> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://samthagawd.gitbook.io/samthegawd/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://samthagawd.gitbook.io/samthegawd/overview/summary/regular-or-shadow.md).

# Regular or Shadow

To or Not to Shadow Mitsuru

{% hint style="info" %}
To preface, Shadow Mitsuru is <mark style="color:red;">**not**</mark> better than Regular in every way, they both have pros in cons. If you do not like the shadow mechanic, there is hope for you as a Mitsuru player.
{% endhint %}

### <img src="https://2027099677-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FOJUmGICN4v2HVM5Q6f7g%2Fuploads%2FI69SUaGeGIrrsGsK0uRj%2Fmitsuru.webp?alt=media&amp;token=9dc68abf-6166-433b-94eb-3aa5cb12e380" alt="" data-size="line"><mark style="color:red;">**Regular**</mark><img src="https://2027099677-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FOJUmGICN4v2HVM5Q6f7g%2Fuploads%2FI69SUaGeGIrrsGsK0uRj%2Fmitsuru.webp?alt=media&amp;token=9dc68abf-6166-433b-94eb-3aa5cb12e380" alt="" data-size="line">

* <mark style="color:red;">**Auto Combo**</mark> :  Regular Mitsuru's [**Auto Combo can be followed up with a B Coup**](https://streamable.com/bwusnr) giving Regular Mitsuru a knockdown and a safe jump off any 5A hit no matter the range or position on screen, this gives Regular Mitsuru the edge on far connect 5A confirm and Shadow dwarfing regular in damage when close enough for 5AA > 5B > 2\[B] to hit.
  * Regular's Auto combo is also just better in general since the second hit is very strong for staggers and the 2nd and 3rd Hit are great in [strike/throw](/samthegawd/offense/pressure/mixup/strike-throw.md)
* <mark style="color:red;">**Consistent**</mark> : Regular is going to have consistently high damage when using meter for confirms since you can use your meter freely, and you can use [SB Bufula](/samthegawd/offense/okizeme/bufula.md) for oki
* <mark style="color:red;">**Awakening**</mark> : With awakening Mitsuru's comeback potential is still very strong when combining Mitsuru's <mark style="color:red;">**above average**</mark> health with the damage resistance given by awakening. The bonus 50 meter is also helpful since in awakening Mitsuru can rob the opponent with <mark style="color:red;">**one solid confirm**</mark>

### <img src="https://2027099677-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FOJUmGICN4v2HVM5Q6f7g%2Fuploads%2FMDYXR1vi8Aq11LHzXs6B%2Fshadow%20mitsur%20face%20emote.jpg?alt=media&amp;token=8d46a0cb-4dd3-4517-aa7f-80f22e2e5561" alt="" data-size="line"> <mark style="color:purple;">Shadow</mark> <img src="https://2027099677-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FOJUmGICN4v2HVM5Q6f7g%2Fuploads%2Fk5rYceOYqv5M74D2UdfP%2Fshadow%20mitsur%20face%20emote.jpg?alt=media&amp;token=d8cec511-f92a-468c-ba3d-82b68e40e5dc" alt="" data-size="line">

Mitsuru's kit transitions very well as a shadow character. There's multiple things that synergize together to make Shadow Mitsuru extremely strong.

* [**Auto Combo :**](https://streamable.com/cymtn5) Shadow Mitsuru's auto combo is different from reuglar Mitsuru's auto combo in many ways, but the most important part is that the **second hit** of Shadow Mitsuru's auto combo steps farther forward allowing her to do **5AA > 5B > 2\[B]** which allows Mitsuru to turn standing hits anywhere on the screen into full combos making shadow Mitsuru just better at **converting hits** in some situations.
* [**Supers :**](https://streamable.com/0e2orv) Mitsuru's awakening super **Mabufudyne** (214214C/D is very strong, but is limited in use since it has a lot of startup so it's usually reserved for combos. **Myriad Arrows** is also very strong due to the kick followup being **chargeable** for insane damage, but without Mabufudyne landing that fully charged kick is **impossible**. Having the huge meter pool from Shadow Frenzy allows Mitsuru to chain both of these super multiple times in a far more **practical** way that regular Mitsuru.
* <mark style="color:red;">**Meter Gain**</mark>**&#x20;:** Mitsuru is a character that build meter very quickly for **multiple** reasons.
  * [**Long Combos :**](https://streamable.com/r1gk21) Mitsuru's Combos are very long so they allow her to build lots of meter.
  * [**Charm :**](https://streamable.com/q81o6y) Mitsuru's 2C (Marin Karin) Inflicts charms which **steals** the opponent's meter.
  * [**All Out Attack (AoA) :**](https://streamable.com/2x6yrc) Mitsuru can combo into AoA very easily and AoA\~D gives crazy amounts of meter.

{% hint style="info" %}
For more details on Shadow Mitsuru's combo theory go [<mark style="color:red;">**here**</mark>](/samthegawd/offense/combos.md#shadow-combos).
{% endhint %}