Check out Guilty Gear Strive newcomer Nagoriyuki in today’s Starter Guide

Two words: Vampire. Samurai.

Something a little bit different in today’s Guilty Gear Strive Starter Guide, as Arc System Works finally raises the curtain on one of the upcoming fighter’s brand new characters. Stoic, scary, as just as stylish as anyone in GG history, welcome the nightwalker – Nagoriyuki.

I could just write “Vampire Samurai” and leave it at that, but you deserve more. I’ll by noting that Nagoriyuki’s enormous frame dominates the battlefield, while his razor-sharp Katana affords him ridiculous reach and astonishing poke ability. Nagoriyuki’s vampiric tendencies also come into play via his moveset, with a “Blood Gauge” that fills as he lands strikes on his opponent. Once complete, Nagoriyuki can activate a Rage mode, which extends his reach and damage, at the cost of several special attacks.

Essentially, an efficient Nagoriyuki player will actually become more powerful as the fight progresses, but will also be entering riskier play. This is reminiscent of bloodsucker Mira from Killer Instinct, who also traded out health and options for strength as the fight continued. In addition to this mechanic, Nagoriyuki has shifting/short-teleport abilities, a command grab, and advancing combos. Already Nagoriyuki looks like an absolute force to be reckoned with, and will certainly make his impact felt when he debuts in spring.

The Guilty Gear Strive beta beings February 18 for all PS4 and PS5 players – regardless of PlayStation Plus status. Pre-order customers can jump in on the action a day earlier on February 17. Guilty Gear Strive launches April 9 on PS4, PS5, and PC via Steam. As a refresher course, check out the previous Starter Guides for May & Axl Low, Sol Badguy and Ky Kiske, Chip Zanuff & Potemkin, Faust, Millia Rage, Zato-1, Ramlethal, and Leo Whitefang.