Crouch Dash

Crouch Dash is a unique movement in Tekken. It is limited to a set of certain characters, most notably the Mishima fighters. Generally, it can be performed by inputting either f, N, d, d/f (A DP motion type where in N stands for Neutral between f and d inputs), QCF or HCF. When used effectively in rapid succession, it can help the player to approach an opponent very fast while also realigning an opponent who may attempt to sidestep out of the way of a follow-on attack.

In addition to the mobility aspect, the crouch dash also gives access to unique attacks that come from it (much like a stance might). The most notable of these attacks would be a Wind God Fist. If there is no move assigned to a specific crouch dash notation, the user performs a while rising attack instead (e.g: Jin's f,n,d,d/f+3 will yield Bamboo Splitter). Kazuya and Reina are able to use crouch dash attacks from the Mist Step and Wind Step, respectively. This method also allows the user to execute crouch dash attacks one frame faster due to the reduced inputs needed to execute the motion.

In Tekken 8 unique and official names have been assigned to this motion for each character and – in some cases – it is treated as a stance in the command lists. The unique names are as follows:

Breaking Step - Jin Kazama
Shark Step - Hwoarang
Wind God Step - Kazuya Mishima, Devil Jin, Reina, and Heihachi Mishima
Beast Step - King
Cormorant Step - Paul Phoenix
Slither Step - Bryan Fury

Crouch Dash mostly increases the difficulty of mastering otherwise easy to learn characters by adding offensive presence that an opponent must be ready to deal with, often down to the attacks coming from it being mid or high and forcing a situation where an opponent must guess how to block.

Users[]

Mishima Crouch Dash[]

Standard Crouch Dash[]

Canceling and Other Notes[]

Mishima Crouch Dash (f,n,d,d/f (DP(n))[]

Tapping Back after the Crouch Dash allows the user to execute a While Standing move. While Standing 4 can be executed by letting go of d/f before inputting the right kick button however. Jin is able to use his While Standing 3 attacks out of a crouch dash despite them not being listed as crouch dash moves.
Double-tapping Forward cancels to the fast forward motion (this is necessary to perform attacks that require a forward input, such as Right Splits Kick). As it can also be cancelled to a crouch dash, it becomes a wave dash (see below).
Moves requiring a dash (tap double-forward) such as Left Splits Kick or Demon's Paw can be performed from a crouch dash by holding forward during the crouch dash and inputting the button.
It can also be cancelled to side step by tapping up.
Jin (in Tekken Tag Tournament and in the final segment of Tekken 8's Story Mode) and Devil Jin (until Tekken 6) were able to go into a crouch dash after performing Parting Wave.
Combot can use King's Black Bomb and Bruce's Double Knee Launcher, and use them on wave dash mixups, which the aforementioned characters cannot do.
Jin can transition to crouch dash after his Mental Alertness (2) or Zenshin stance and his Rage Drive (only after the first half).
Kazuya can enter a crouch dash from Front Kick to Jab in Tekken 8 by inputting d/f. When Heat is active this transition is also possible from Devil Impact.
Jin can go into a crouch dash after Fiendish Rend, Black Wing Bolt, Brazilian Kick, or Brimstone Bite by pressing d/f in Tekken 8. Additionally whenever this is performed the Wind Hook Fist and Thrusting Uppercut will become their respective "Electric" equivalents without requiring a just frame input (also applies to the aforementioned Mental Alertness (2)/Zenshin transitions). This is denoted by Jin's eye glowing red as he performs the crouch dash. Doing this during the final segment of Tekken 8's Story Mode replaces his normal crouch dash moves with a bunch of Mishima Style moves.
All characters have at least 1 launcher (normal or counter) assigned to the crouch dash notation.
Reina possesses the ability to perform a crouch dash simply by pressing d/f+3. However she can only perform a single motion with this method and it denies her use of the enhanced versions of attacks that performing the full crouch dash motion permits.

Standard Crouch Dash (qcf)[]

Tap up afterwards to cancel to standing. The character will side step to the left (right for Player 2).
It is possible to execute While Rising moves by stopping at d/f and releasing it. From transitions, however, you will have to hold the down and forward buttons before releasing in order to input the While Rising move. Lili cannot do this because her crouch transition is input as forward as opposed to down forward.
It can be cancelled to side step by tapping up or down. Another crouch dash follow up is possible.
Tap back afterwards to cancel to standing guard, or down and back to cancel to crouching guard.
It can be cancelled to moves with jumping inputs.
Lili can cancel the crouch dash to moves with d/b inputs.
Nina can input While Rising moves by pressing u/f afterwards.
Raven and Master Raven can input the crouch dash while crouching by inputting d/f,d,d/f,f.

Trivia[]

Heihachi is the only character to have both Crouch Dash variations in all games.
In Tekken Tag Tournament 2, Combot can equip both crouch dashes at the same time.
The first King performs a pseudo Crouch Dash when setting up his Reverse Arm Slam Combo and Standing Heel Hold Combo chain-throws, however the crouch dash is part of the grab animation and cannot be canceled. King II retains the older f,d/f Reverse Arm Slam crouch dash grab, however he uses a proper crouch dash for his Standing Heel Hold and Arm Breaker combos.
Jin was unable to perform repeated crouch dashes in Tekken 4 and had to resume a neutral stance before being allowed to perform another crouch dash. This restriction was removed in Tekken 5.