Tekken 7 Zafina Guide Featuring Arslan Ash

Tekken 7 is the latest installment of the globally popular Tekken series. Its games have been around for almost thirty years, and for the majority of its lifespan, it set the golden standard for what 3D fightings should be. Nowadays, it’s one of the most regarded titles worldwide and is respected by the fans of even the most traditional 2D games.

One of the reasons for such success is the gameplay of Tekken and how many different styles it’s able to incorporate. The characters have become iconic at this point, and every new addition tries to push the envelope even further.

Zafina is a young woman introduced in Tekken 6. She’s of an unknown origin, but the rumor is she’s Egyptian. Ever since her release, she captivated everyone with her unusual fighting style and grace. Today we have partnered with mighty Arslan "Arslan Ash" Siddique himself to provide you with the best Tekken 7 Zafina guide. You can view the full video right below and go over any of the individual sections right here in the text guide.

Arslan Ash’s Zafina Guide

Zafina’s Best Moves

The Best Buttons are simple inputs that in many ways form the identity of the character. They’re likely to be your best tools for getting a grasp of any particular fighter.

• d/f1 - It’s minus on block but has several good followups.

• 1+2 - Decent range, only -12 on block, but like d/f1, has good followups.

• d3 - Anti-high move that leads you to the Mantis Stance.

• ff3 - Leads into the Scarecrow Stance.

• d2 - Activates her Tarantula Stance.

• ff4 - Long-range, homing, and causes a wallsplat.

• d/f2 - Another nice anti-high.

• WS1 - Crushes a lot of mid and high moves.

Zafina’s Stances

Stances are fundamental to Zafina’s gameplay. She has three of them:

• Scarecrow Stance

• Mantis Stance

• Tarantula Stance

Scarecrow Stance Moves:

• 1+2 - +6 on block, especially good if the opponent tries mashing.

• d/f4 - Crushes all highs and some mids, but it’s -14 on block.

• 2,2 - -10 on block, leads to good mixups.

• 4 - Crushes many moves.

Mantis Stance Moves:

• d3,1 - Gives you a combo on counterhit.

• 3 - A 22-frame move that also allows you to combo on counterhit.

• 2 - Same as above.

• d/f2 - Safe on block, combos on normal hit.

• d4 - Good move, but quite risky.

• d/f3 - -17 on block, but still hard to punish.

Tarantula Stance Moves:

• 1 - +5 on block.

• d1+2 - Hard to react to this move.

• 2 - Safe on block, gives you combo on hit.

• 4 - -22 on block, use extremely carefully.

• 4,3 - Gives you a combo on counterhit.

Zafina’s Best combos

• d/f2, u/f1, d/f1, f2,4~stance 3+4 (after tailspin) ff3+4 

• d/f2, u/f1, d/f1, f2,4~stance 3+4 (after tailspin) b1~ 1+2 (just frame) 

• ws1,2, u/f1, f2,4~stance 3+4 (after tailspin) ff3+4 

• D3(CH), In mantis d3,1, d1,4 (after tailspin) d/f4,2 

• Scarecrow 2(CH), d3,3(standing), (after tailspin) u/f1, f2,3,4 

• WS2, d/f2, d/f1, f2,4~stance 3+4 (after tailspin) ff3+4 

• 1+2(CH), N3(cancel), d/f1, f2,4~stance 3+4 (after tailspin) ff3+4 

• In mantis D3,1, d3,1, D1,4 (after tailspin) uf1, b1~1+2 just frame 

• In mantis d/f2, f4, (after tailspin) uf1, f2,3(scarecrow), 3+4

Zafina’s Gameplan and Strengths

Zafina is the queen of backdashes – she has the best backdash in the game. There are many situations that only Zafina can avoid, thanks to this. Opponents always have to think about which moves they can use as if she avoids them and they whiff, she can easily launch-punish. Zafina’s also very evasive. She has many moves at her disposal that are anti-high and anti-mid. But her biggest strength is her gameplay – her stances give her access to myriads of attacking options and mixups, leading to tons of damage.

Zafina’s Weaknesses

Zafina suffers against the characters that have long range and are very aggressive, like Gigas. They negate her backdash as they reach her before she can move out of their attack radius. Fast characters can also gain an upper hand on her. Someone like Steve is very favored in the matchup against Zafina. They can punish her long-winded moves.

Zafina’s Guide Conclusion

Zafina is one of those characters you see at the big tournaments doing some crazy moves, executed perfectly by the professional players. Then you try them out, fail, and are left wondering, exactly what the hell just happened. Zafina is an execution-heavy character that needs to be mastered to be good. But when she is, all the hell is let loose. Her stances are a menace, her evasiveness is incredibly frustrating, and she deals more damage than you would think she does. Zafina is the ultimate “git gud” character.