Lidia Sobieska made her debut into the Tekken series as the final DLC character in the last installment. I was surprised that she was not a part of the starting roster alongside Leroy Smith. Lidia can be a bit confusing to handle at first.
She is a stance focused character with great pressure potential and several parry options. The key to mastering The Warrior Prime Minister is knowing how to transition between each stance and knowing all of your options. If you’re a karate enthusiast and have a soft spot for muscly women, cast your vote for Lidia.
Key Moves to Know
Stances
Horse Stance (Forward, Left Kick+Right Kick) This stance gives Lidia powerful mixups and counter hit options. You will mainly enter this stance from two moves (Forward x2 Right Punch & Down Back ). You can enter Wolf Stance with Forward.
Cat Stance (Back, Left Kick+Right Kick) Lidia will not be able to block or cancel this stance with movement aside from back motions. She can transition into Wolf Stance by pressing Forward. Most of the time you will enter this stance off of your punishment tools.
Stalking Wolf Stance (During Horse Stance Forward) You can only enter Wolf Stance from the Horse & Cat Stances. Be warned that you can be easily hit when transitioning into the stance. It is best to use this stance when you are plus on block. You will mostly like use this stance in the middle of combos.
Heaven and Earth Stance (During Heat & Horse Stance Up) This stance requires you to be in heat to use it. You will gain access to a powerful auto counter when in this stance. This counter cannot parry low attacks. Special moves will also consume your Heat Bar. Under your health bar there is a level counter. The higher it is, the less Heat Bar is consumed when doing attacks.
Moves
Cleaving Spirit ( Up Forward Right Kick)
This is Lidia’s hop kick. This move hits twice and will automatically put Lidia into her Cat Stance.
Lightning Seikenzuki ( Forward x2 Right Punch)
This is a quick punch that hits mid and can start a combo on counter hit. You can also use this move to extend combos.
Flying Forward Kick ( Forward x2 Left Kick )
If you see a ducking opponent, this is a good move to respond with. Lidia will deliver a high kick that will launch the opponent up for a combo.
Celestial Comet Punch ( Forward x2 Right Kick Left Kick)
If you land this attack on an airborne opponent you will get a cinematic follow up. You will use this attack as a finisher for combos.
Blossom Fury ( Quarter Circle Forward Right Punch x2, Left Punch+Right Punch)
This is one of Lidia's finishing strings. This combo will hit mid then high then mid again. This move will be more effective at a wall.
Upward Thrust ( While Rising Right Punch)
You will use this move after ducking a high attack. Lidia will give a rising punch that will launch the opponent up for a combo.
Coiled Elbow Slam ( Down Forward Right Punch)
This is one of Lidia’s more useful moves. When the attack lands, you will automatically be put into Cat Stance
Ruling Party>Crushing Left Knee ( Back Right Punch, Left Kick)
This is a two hit string that will hit high then mid. This is mostly a combo filler tool.
Birds and Beasts (Back Left Kick, Right Kick, Left Punch+Right Punch)
This is another one of Lidia’s combo enders. This will be more effective at the wall.
Jion Upward Thrust (During Wolf Stance Right Punch)
This is one of Lidia's most useful combo tools. Lidia will throw out an upward punch that will pick an opponent off the ground to continue your sequel.
Heaven’s Cannon Crushing Defamation (During Heat and Heaven & Earth Left Punch+Right Punch)
When in Heat, Lidia becomes much more threatening with her Heaven and Earth stance. Heaven's Cannon is a powerful strike that hits high and is unblockable.
Combos
#1 Polish Salute
This is my personal bread and butter combo for Lidia. It makes use of a lot of key moves that can be used interchangeably in different combos. The execution of this sequence can be tricky at first but with practice you can perform this combo efficiently.
- Use this combo against ducking opponents
- This combo will break walls and balconies
- You can substitute the ending of this combo with Birds and Beasts (Back Left Kick, Right Kick, Left Punch+Right Punch)
How to perform the combo
- Forward x2 Left Kick
- Back Right Punch Left Kick
- Down Forward Right Kick Right Punch
Quarter Circle Forward Right Punch x2, Left Punch+Right Punch
#2 Surge in the Polls
This is a decent combo when rising from a crouch. This sequence utilizes Lidia’s Cat Stance to extend the combo. Be sure to learn which moves can transition into different stances to keep your combos and mixups precise
- Use this combo after ducking a high attack or throw
- This combo will break walls and balconies
- You can substitute the ending of this combo with Birds and Beasts (Back Left Kick, Right Kick, Left Punch+Right Punch)
How to perform the combo
- While Rising Right Punch
- Down Back Right Punch
- Down Forward Right Punch x2
Back Left Kick, Right Kick Left Punch+Right Punch
#3 Valiant Eagle
Lidia’s Banaku (Left Kick, Right Punch) is a great combo starter for various sequences.This is another combo that will utilize Lidia’s Cat Stance. Feel free to substitute the end of this combo with a different ender.
- Use this combo as whiff punishment
- This combo will break walls and balconies
- You can substitute the ending of this combo with Birds and Beasts (Back Left Kick, Right Kick, Left Punch+Right Punch)
How to perform the combo
- (Counter hit) Left Kick Right Punch
- Down Back Right Punch
- Down Forward Right Punch x2
Quarter Circle Forward Right Punch x2, Left Punch+Right Punch
#4 Path of Karate
This is an alternate version of the previous combo. This sequence utilizes Lidia’s horse stance extension tool. Be sure to input the second Right Punch after horse stance quickly or you will drop the combo
- Use this combo as whiff punishment
- This combo will break walls and balconies
- You can substitute the ending of this combo with Birds and Beasts (Back Left Kick, Right Kick, Left Punch+Right Punch)
How to perform the combo
- Left Kick Right Punch
- Forward x2 Right Punch x2
- Down Back Right Punch
- Down Forward Right Kick Right Punch
Forward x2 Right Kick Left Kick
#5 Rising Fighting Spirit
This is my go to combo when using Lidia’s hop kick. Its execution is not as complex but will still do a decent amount of damage. Be sure to hold back after connecting the hop kick or Lidia will go into Cat Stance
- Use this combo on crouching opponents
- The first hit of this combo will avoid low attacks
- You can substitute the ending of this combo with Birds and Beasts (Back Left Kick, Right Kick, Left Punch+Right Punch)
How to perform the combo
- Up Forward Right Kick, Hold Back
- Forward x2 Right Punch x2
Quarter Circle Forward Right Punch x2, Left Punch+Right Punch
#6 Brilliant Sunrise
This is another combo to use when rising from a crouch. You will see a lot of similarities to combo# 2 on this list though this sequence will do more damage.
- Use this combo after ducking a high attack or throw
- This combo will break walls and balconies
- You can substitute the ending of this combo with Birds and Beasts (Back Left Kick, Right Kick, Left Punch+Right Punch)
How to perform the combo
- While Rising Left Kick
- Down Forward Right Kick, Left Kick
- Back Right Punch Left Kick
Forward x2 Right Kick, Left Kick
#7 Winds of Change
This is another counter hit combo. If you whiff the first two hits of the start the third one will still cause a crumple state. Be sure to take advantage of this opportunity whenever you can for significant damage.
- Use this as whiff punishment
- Use this combo against crouching opponents
- This combo will break walls and balconies
How to perform the combo
- (Counter hit) Forward Right Kick, Left Kick, Right Kick
- Down Forward Right Kick, Right Punch
- Forward Left Kick+Right Kick Left Kick
Back Left Kick, Right Kick, Left Punch+Right Punch
#8 Like a Dragon
This combo is simple in its execution but will do significant damage on counter hit. You can use this sequence after rising from a crouch or punishing a slow low attack.
- Use this combo after ducking a high attack or throw
- Use this combo against crouching opponents
- You can substitute the ending of this combo with Birds and Beasts (Back Left Kick, Right Kick, Left Punch+Right Punch)
How to perform the combo
- (Counter hit) While Rising Left Kick
- Down Forward Right Kick Left Kick
- Forward x2 Right Punch x2
Quarter Circle Forward Right Punch x2, Left Punch+Right Punch
#9 Courage and Honor
Use this short and sweet combo while heat to do significant damage. I usually use this sequence to close out rounds. Be sure to Hold Forward after the first string to use the heat dash.
- The opponent will be blown far away unless they hit a wall
- This combo will break walls and balconies
- Use this combo to close out rounds
How to perform the combo
- (During Heat) Forward Left Punch+Right Punch Down Left Kick Forward Left Punch+Right Punch Hold Forward
Forward Left Punch+Right Punch
#10 Warrior Prime Minister
This is a special heat combo that utilizes Lidia’s Heaven and Earth Stance. The first hit will launch the enemy high into the air, making it easy to combo. This is a high damaging combo that can be used to finish off your opponent.
- This combo will do more damage in Rage
- Use this combo against crouching opponents
- This combo can break the floor on certain stages
How to perform the combo
- (During Heaven and Earth Stance) Left Punch
- Down Forward Right Kick Left Kick
- Forward x2 Right Punch x2
- Down Back Right Punch
- Forward x2 Left Kick
- Forward x2 Right Kick, Left Kick
Lidia is a fun addition to the Tekken 8 roster. She isn’t overpowered but greatly rewards players who put time in training mode. Once you understand her stances, you will be able to pull off many stylish combos.
While the Tekken franchise has always been outlandish and over the top, characters like Lidia make the combat feel more grounded in martial arts. With Heihachi confirmed as the next DLC character I can not wait to see what surprises lie in the future.
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