Buffalo Head

The Buffalo Head (バッファローヘッド, Baffaroo Heddo^?) is one of Balrog's special attacks, introduced in Super Street Fighter II.

Input

All appearances	+
Street Fighter V	+ (during guard)

Description

Executed by charging down, then moving up and pressing punch, Balrog launches himself forward into the air with a flying headbutt.

In Street Fighter V, Balrog performs this move as his V-Reversal; executed by pressing forward and all three punches after blocking an attack. The name of this move is also changed to Buffalo Headbutt.

Tactics

The move is useful as an obvious anti-air for the otherwise mostly earthbound boxer, but it also works well as a combo ender or to punish from a distance (specially the EX version) if timed correctly. The startup time, horizontal distance and vertical height are determined by the strenght of the punch button pressed. The Light version has the fastest startup, but shortest range and height. The Heavy version has the longest startup, but has the most range and height. The Medium version lies somewhere in-between them.

The EX Special version introduced in Street Fighter IV has nearly no startup time, jumps both greater distance and height than heavy punch version, and hits twice (both before and during the jump).

In Street Fighter Alpha 3, its utility is fairly limited as it can only be used as a Reversal. Balrog can use the Buffalo Head as a common entry method for using the Violent Buffalo in a combo (as the Ultra Combo can juggle an opponent as they fall) in the Street Fighter IV series. The startup moment can also be used to evade projectiles, even air ones like the Zanku Hadoken, if timed correctly.

In Street Fighter V, this move serves the purpose as Balrog's V-Reversal. This move can be used to stop the opponent's pressure or to get out of tough situations. Unlike most V-Reversals, this move leaves him very close to his opponent. It's also -2 on block. If Balrog is able to score a knockdown with Buffalo Headbutt, he can turn the tide of the fight and reapply offensive pressure back to his opponent.

Sprites

Gallery

Buffalo Headbutt