Yang Phase 2 Strategy

Learn Yang's Phase 2 strategy in Sifu. Master his evolved, complex moveset and identify the smaller windows of opportunity to counter his increased aggression.

Yang's second phase marks a significant increase in his aggression and the complexity of his attack patterns. He becomes more relentless, his combos are longer, and he introduces new, devastating techniques that demand absolute focus and mastery of defensive maneuvers. Survival here hinges on recognizing his evolved moveset and exploiting the even smaller windows of opportunity.

Yang's rapid punch and kick combos are now faster and often incorporate unexpected delays or feints, making parrying more challenging. You'll need to be exceptionally attuned to his rhythm. If you find yourself struggling with a particular combo, focus on dodging through the attacks rather than attempting to parry every single hit. A well-timed dodge can position you behind him, allowing for a quick counter-attack.

He introduces a new, powerful palm strike that he delivers with both hands. This attack has a significant wind-up and is often followed by a sweeping leg kick. The best approach is to dodge the initial palm strike to the side, then immediately be ready to jump over the subsequent leg sweep. This sequence can be punishing if you mistime your dodges.

Yang also gains access to a series of rapid staff strikes, similar to Jinfeng's but often more varied and unpredictable. Again, parrying is key here. Focus on chaining parries to break his guard. If you successfully parry a few of these, he'll be staggered, providing a brief but valuable opening for you to land a few hits. However, be prepared for him to quickly recover and launch into another attack.

His aerial attacks become more frequent and more dangerous. His dive kick now has a wider area of effect, and he often follows it up with a ground slam. Dodging backwards is generally the safest bet for the initial dive. Be prepared to immediately dodge again or block the follow-up slam.

Environmental awareness is even more critical in this phase. Yang can use the arena to his advantage, pushing you towards hazards or using the limited space to corner you. Try to keep the fight in the more open areas. If you can lure him near breakable objects, he might inadvertently damage himself or become briefly stunned if he smashes into them. Remember to utilize any throwable objects to interrupt his more overwhelming attack sequences, but do so sparingly as they are limited.

This phase is a true test of your defensive skills and your ability to adapt. Focus on surviving his onslaught, learning his new tells, and capitalizing on every small opening. Don't get discouraged by the increased difficulty; with persistence and a refined defensive strategy, Yang's second phase is surmountable.