Goh Black Book Strategy

Articles - VF5 Black Book Goh
Author - YoroKage
Source - Myke
Translation - Noodalls

Goh, a master of offence and defence has a number of moves with special properties, has a number of options to jump out of disadvantage. Understand the properties of the individual moves and use it in battle.

Goh's basic fighting style
In addition to his sabaki moves to go through attacking options, he has a number of easy to apply attacks, making it easy to strike a balance between attack and defence. In addition he has a number of strong throw options, making it hard to escape from them. Apply these appropriately for the conditions, and you can throw your opponent off.
The basics are as with any character mixing up between throw and mid. At small advantage his /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/df.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif and /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif will clash with opponent's elbows. /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/df.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif will stagger crouching opponents, and on counter hit will give large advantage. It recovers quickly, so it is useful for tempting opponent's whiffs. Make sure to hit confirm ASAP.
His /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif will combo into the mid followup even on normal hit, and even on guard it is hard to be hit by even the quickest punishment. If you use it with hit confirming it is a powerful weapon.
When he is largely advantaged, go for the combo starters /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif and /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/df.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/df.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif. On counter hit you will score big damage. Against opponents who use a lot of ETEG, /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/g.gif or /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/g.gif are good to use.

Using moves properties to their fullest.
First take note of /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif. It staggers crouching opponents on hit, and on counter hit pushes them back. This move is similar to other middle kicks, however it does not advance him forwards. You can attack without closing the distance. If you use it after a stagger from /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/d.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif or /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/df.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif such that it hits at its tip you are fairly much unpunishable.
/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/b.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif knocks the opponent back a long way on normal hit, and even on guard pushes back, so like the /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif it is hard to punish. Using the knockback on hit, you can start wall combos.
On guard you can back dash into evade to avoid most of the opponent's options. If it is guarded at maximum range, /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/b.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif will beat out elbow attacks. Even if they use a long range move, the backdash into attack will let you avoid and hit them.
Goh possesses many mid mid strings, and because he can always go into the second hit it is hard to punish the first. Keeping this psychological advantage in mind, use delay and OM. In particular, /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif has no guaranteed punishment on guard, so t his will be one of your main mid moves. Mix up these moves to confuse the opponent.
- After /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/d.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif you are left at the ideal range to do moves such that they hit at their tip.
- Back dashing your opponent's attacks provides guaranteed punishment opportunities. If you can get a combo starter in, the damage return is very high.

Options from /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif
Amongst his punishment options, the most reliable is /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif. After this, if you hold /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/b.gif on the joystick you will go into BT. Even on guard BT /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif will beat out the opponent's elbow class moves. After hit, thanks to his powerful BT moves Goh is left with plentiful options.
After /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif Goh is left with a standard mixup of attack or throw, or doing things like OM. When you go into BT, you have BT /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif which gives sideturned situation on hit, or BT /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/g.gif as your main options. Bt /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif is fast, and even on guard there is little recovery, so it is easy to use. Against opponents who use fast attacks Bt /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif can be used.
Against opponents who duck the BT /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/g.gif there is a delay, so after hit you can use /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/d.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif and expect some additional damage.
Occasionally you back dash to open up space and see what options your opponent will take.
- This is catch throw that can only be done from Bt. Against opponents who fuzzy you can delay it slightly.
- When BT /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif hits on counter hit you take your opponent's side. Try to see this immediately and attack from here.
- In this case, you have OMed to your opponent's back. If they abare here
- In this instance OM /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif has hit them in the back. Depending on the situation, it can give back crumple, allowing for a back crouch throw to connect.

Situation from BT /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif
When you have taken their side, as per normal you mix up mix and throw. If you're going with an attack, /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif is good as it can start combos with large advantage. On side /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif causes side crumple on counter hit.
Using an OM can make the mixup more interesting. If you OM to their back, if they crouch you can get OM /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif for side stagger, and if they abare you can get OM /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif for back crumple. If you can get a back crouch throw from here it's big damage.
If you're going for a throw, a command throw is a given, and a catch throw is also a powerful tool. Of course if these are ducked you are left open, so don't always go for them.
You could say that Goh's options from BT /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif are his lifeline. Make sure you can hit confirm asap and go for the best option.

Using attacks that won't clash
When the opponent throws, using attacks that won't clash or will only rarely clash is one of the important basics points of VF5. Goh's options are /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/uf.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/g.gif, /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/db.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/g.gif, /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/b.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/df.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif etc. which are all fairly slow.
If these are evaded there is a large opening, .... If the disadvantage is small, you can abare with standing /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif. This damage is small, but even on guard it gives advantage, and it is quick so it is easy to work into strings.
/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif will not clash after /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif. You can add this to the list of moves to abare with. Also, the low sabaki /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/b.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/df.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif will not clash, so remember that too.

Throws from BT
In order to take advantage of 0frame throws, you should go for throws from BT. Although Goh is poor in moves that go into BT, /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/b.gif and /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/b.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/b.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif are both quick and easy to use. Goh possesses powerful options from Bt, BT /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif and BT /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/g.gif so opponents may be hesitant to throw out attacks. Mix them up to confuse the opponent.
Going for a throw after /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/uf.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/g.gif, the opponent is pushed back a little commonly. You can BT crouch back dash to get close and then if you go for a throw from close it is easy to get a 0frame throw.
After /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/b.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/b.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif etc. against an opponent who ducks it is possible to go for a crouch throw.

Forward roll ukemi
As the name suggests, this move is a forward roll, after which there is very little recovery so you can move straight away. After having a throw escaped or when you are disadvantaged this can be used to avoid your opponent's attacks. If you use it against an opponent's side roll wake up it can evade wake up kicks. Depending on the timing, after that you can get a guaranteed BT /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif or BT /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/g.gif, so go for it intently.
After the move you can also go for turn around throws, as was explained before. After having one of your attacks guarded and being in advantage, if the opponent evades you can get a side turned situation. If you are close to them, you can sometimes get BT moves to come out.
Mixing this up with OM can further confuse the opponent.

Using the properties of /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/d.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif.
/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/d.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif is one of Goh's main attacks, and even among attack it is high damage, on hit it gives stagger. On guard there is no guaranteed punishment, so you should use it enthusiastically. It has strong hit properties down low, so after a wall combo you can use it to get guaranteed damage on a downed opponent.
The thing to pay attention to is its strong avoiding properties. Because it is executed from a low stance, You can attack while avoiding the opponent's attacks.
Depending on the situation, you can avoid Jeffrey's /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif or Kage's /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/d.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/df.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif and other mid moves to hit the opponent. It is a useful abare move from disadvantage to use.
- It can hit moves with short range well.

Incorporating *BDK
The first two hits of * will combo on hit, and there are mid and high string options. The high option is neutral on guard, so you can continue to attack afterwards.
The mid option will stagger crouching opponents. On counter hit it crumples. However, on guard it is elbow punishable, so be careful.
The recovery after the first hit is quick, so even on guard it is harde to punish. Especially on normal hit, intently go for mid throw mixups. On opponents who are hesitant to attack, you can mix in Om and mid attacks from stopping at the first or second hit, and in doing so put a lot of pressure on the opponent.


Vs Goh
Be aware of sabaki moves.
When you say go, you think of plentiful sabaki moves. If you are hit by one the damage is considerable, so you must be careful. Characters who possess full circular moves should apply these to overcome the sabaki. If you get a counter hit on a sabaki move, the opponent will be more careful using them next time.
You must also be careful of the evasive /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/d.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/f.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif as you would with a sabaki move. Occasionally an evade at advantage will provide useful. You should also consider your use of moves to punish, moves that are strong against avoidance and not sabaki-able are useful.
To beat Goh, a master of balance between attack and defence, you need to pick your time to ETEG and to abare.

Focusing on moves that evade well
At close range, /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/df.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif and * have impressive damage but poor range. Of his fast moves most have poor range, so beat him down with evasive attacks.
In particular, after /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/b.gif when you are attacked by his BT /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif and BT /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif+/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/g.gif mixup, some characters can evade both options. Lau's /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/u.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif and Shun's /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/d.gif/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif are examples. Characters without these options can fuzzy to evade the above to options if done ASAP.
He also possesses many powerful throws. When you are staggered, sometimes go all out with a powerful combo starter that will not clash.

 

Thank you so much for the translation Noodalls!

 

Thank you for all the time you put into this Noodalls, it is appreciated. Cheers!

 

Nice, thanks alot Noodalls. This will be very handy to get my Goh even better. /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/laugh.gif

 

Massive thanks, Noodalls!

Perfect timing too, since one of the players in my local area really wants to work more on Goh too /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

 

Thanks for the translation, Noodalls! I'm sure these will come in handy /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif .

 

Awsome post, noodalls, this is excellent info.