By on October 29, 2013 at 9:39 am 
Joining Faust as the final playable character in the November 2-4 location test for Arc System Works’ upcoming arcade title, Guilty Gear Xrd -SIGN-, is everyone’s favorite gentleman vampire, Slayer! This brings the number of playable characters in the upcoming test to eleven.
Slayer
“Allow me to instruct you on the ways of combat.”
An unaging, undying vampire gentleman with fighting abilities surpassing those of human capabilities. Upholding dandyism above all else, his fighting style uses only his own body as weapon. His hobbies are writing haiku and observing humans, towards whom he holds an extraordinary amount of sympathy and interest. Slayer originally established the Assassin’s Guild in order to maintain his dietary needs (blood). After meeting Sharon however, a woman who does not die or transform into a vampire no matter how many times her blood is drained, Slayer took her as his companion and left the guild, passing leadership to Zato-1. He afterwards retired to a comfortable, quiet life, but upon sensing a disturbance in the air of the world, he has once again returned to the battlefield. An aside, but while he has entered numerous haiku contests under a pseudonym, his work has never been selected.
Profile
Height: 185 cm
Weight: 70 kg
Birthday: October 31
Blood type: Cannot be analyzed
Origin: Transylvania
Hobbies: Haiku, competition, human observation
Values: Sharon
Hates: Unromantic people
Affiliations: None (Formerly Assassin’s Guild)
Command List
[column size=”one-half”]Special Moves
Mappa Hunch – 236+P or K
Bloodsucking Universe – 63214+HS
(1) Dandy Step – 214+P or K
→Pilebunker – During (1), P
→Crosswise Heel – During (1), K
→(2) Under Pressure – During (1), S
→It’s Late – During (2), S or HS
→It’s Late (HS Version) – During (1), HS
Footloose Journey – In air, 214+K
Undertow – 632146+P
Overdrive Attacks
Dead on Time – 632146+S
Eternal Wings – 236236+HS
Up and Close Dandy – In air, 214214+S
Second Location Test System Changes
The playing manual (PDF) for the second location test has also revealed a few changes that have been made to the system since the first test, including the removal of repelling clashes and its replacement by a new mechanic, Blitz Shield. Note that this is a test version and subject to change.
Roman Cancel
Roman Cancels are now listed as costing either 25% or 50% of the Tension Gauge (previously 50% only). This may be an indication of False Roman Cancels making a return. The conditions under which performing a Roman Cancel costs 25% or 50% are unlisted however.
Clash
Three types of clashes were present in the first location test: Normal clash, where two attacks of similar strength collide; Repel, where strength differences in attacks caused the weaker side to be repelled, open to counterattacks; and Danger Time, a special sequence activated by colliding powerful attacks, with the winner earning a Super Counter on the opponent.
Repels have been removed for second location test, leaving only regular clashes and Danger Time. Danger Time is stated to be rare. The exact trigger conditions are unlisted.
Blitz Shield
With no direction input, press 2 attack buttons at the same time (excluding the D Button) *Consumes 25% of the Tension Gauge
Temporarily take a stance to repel the opponent’s attacks. While in the stance the opponent’s attacks are repelled, opening a chance for a counterattack!
Can be done during a jump. Pressing ↓ + 2 buttons will activate Blitz Shield while in a crouching state. The repelled side is defenseless, but can perform certain actions such as their own Blitz Shield.
Sources: GGXrd Portal Site, GGXrd 2nd location test playing manual
