Naoto Kurogane/Move List

Naoto possesses a unique ability called Enhancer, which changes properties of his special moves and Distortion Drives if he does them while dashing, or a combo after dash cancel to normal chain attacks. All enhanced specials will give Naoto a shadow after-image while he does them.

Though he doesn't have any projectile-property moves in his command list, Naoto is one of the easiest characters to pick up. However, he is very much of an easy character than any other of the easy characters who have less or a little difficulties, and is considered as a classic shoto character, due to his stance, play-style and particularly, Inferno Crusader anti-air special. His Bloodedge moves are good not only as long range pokes with solid coverage, but it works to also crush the opponent's guard as a means of pressure when fully charged. Naoto also has multiple input specials, particularly on Banishing Fang followups.

However, along with his lack of true projectiles, he lacks the range needed to be safe, and is a typical close-quarters character with rushdown and pressure, as well as relying on combos and corner carry for his overall damage output (his damage output is more akin to one such as Ragna's due to his one-shot damage not being as apparent).

His HP at 11,500 (500 more than Ragna's) tends to have him lacking in safe ways to handle punishment, as on a number of his moves, smart opponents can punish Naoto for his reckless usage on attacks with slow startup or heavy recovery (such as Inferno Crusader being his only safe offensive reversal, while Shift Sway and Phantom Pain are a solid safe-punishing tandem weak to low attacks).

While Naoto can be compared to being a "somewhat-higher health version of Ragna"; unlike him however, Naoto is more pressure-heavy on his normals, agility and overall tools while due to his higher health amount for overall better offense; thus he lacks the sustain Ragna needs for a good reason. However, Naoto in comparison lacks the range and/or disjointed hitboxes needed to poke most weapon-based fighters safely, as most of the extra range comes from his kicks.

His Overdrive, Blood Repulsor, cuts the total charge time of his Drive attacks and enhances the power of his Enhancer-based attacks.

Astral Heat
Наото Курогане/Атаки