Mai Natsume/Gameplay

• Overview

General Strategy

Given Mai's weapon is a spear, she favors mid-ranged combat. With her longer reach zoning attacks, keep the opponent at bay, then use Juncture when you see the opponent let their guard down. Furthermore, Mai does not have a → + Normal Attack, nor does she have many routes to take in her combo path. Her controls are rather simple compared to others. Instead she can use Variable Arts. Variable Arts is a similar system to Revolver Action, but it allows you to string actions together, even when one misses.

During Variable Arts, C is Mai's main zoning tool. At mid-range, connect into it from a standing attack. Standing A → C is quick and effective. Next chain that attack into quick overhead follow-up A. If the opponent blocks while standing, close the distance with Juncture, and use a Crouching A. When you want to close the distance, Standing A → C → B or, the enhanced version of Suzuran: Blaze is effective. Both leave you with an advantage, even if the opponent blocks, so they are excellent tools.

If you're close to the opponent, connect into a Variable Arts B. Continue to press B, and Mai will transition into a stance where she lifts one leg off the ground. During this, use her Overheads ↑ + A or C, or her Low, A or C to break through opponent's guards. Against opponents that attack from midair, Crouching C is effective. If the opponent is farther away, Juncture, then go into a Himeyuri: Dipper or the anti-air Sylvan Hurricane Assault to shut them down. If you let the opponent get in really close, use a Barrier Block to spread the distance, followed by a Moon Blossom to rest the situation.

If you have Heat to spare, Floral Blizzard Blossom is extremely useful. You are able to block your opponent's attack, so use it with confidence.

BlazBlue: Central Fiction

Drive	Exseal 朱弾（ガリアスフィラ）＝アウトシール Gariasufira=Autoshīru
	Takes a deep stance and throws a spear. Charging it will allow Mai to change her stance and make the spear unblockable. Input ↓ or ↑ to alter the spear's trajectory
Overdrive	Flurry of the Winter Moon 風花雪月（ふうかせつげつ） Fūka Setsugetsu
	Shortens the charging time for drive attacks
Exceed Excel	Shearing Cherry Blossom Storm 桜花爛刃(おうからんじん) Ōkaranjin
	During OD, A + B + C + D

Technical Type

Name	Command
Special
Juncture 刹梛(せつな) Setsuna	↓↘→
→ Himeyuri 姫百璃(ひめゆり) Himeyuri	↓↘→ + A or A during Juncture
→ Himeyuri: Blaze 姫百璃・燈(ひめゆり・どう) Himeyuri・Dō	→↓↘ + B or B during Juncture
→ Himeyuri: Dipper 姫百璃・斗李(ひめゆり・とり) Himeyuri・Tori	↓↘→ + C or C during Juncture
Moon Blossom 月華（げっか） Gekka	↓↙←
→ Suzuran 須寿蘭（すずらん） Suzuran	↓↙← + A (midair also) or A during Moon Blossom
→ Suzuran: Blaze 須寿蘭・燈（すずらん・どう） Suzuran・Dō	↓↙← + B (midair also) or B during Moon Blossom
→ Suzuran: Dipper 須寿蘭・斗李（すずらん・とり） Suzuran・Tori	↓↙← + C (midair also) or C during Moon Blossom
Distortion Drive
Sylvan Hurricane Assault 断空崩蕾花(だんくうほうらいか) Dankūhōraika	↓→↘ + D (midair also) (uses 50% Heat)
Floral Blizzard Blossom 六花嵐桜閃(りっからんおうせん) Rekkaranōsen	↓↙← + D (delayable) (uses 50% Heat)
Astral Heat
Royal Crimson Sprout: "New Moon Lotus" 朱臨（しゅりん）「緋蓮蒼朔耶（ひれんそうさくや）」 Shurin: Hirensōsakuya	↓↓↓ + D (uses 100% Heat)

Stylish Type

Name	Command
Special
Juncture 刹梛(せつな) Setsuna	SP
Moon Blossom 月華（げっか） Gekka	↓ + SP
Distortion Drive
Floral Blizzard Blossom 六花嵐桜閃(りっからんおうせん) Rekkaranōsen	← + SP (uses 50% Heat)

References

• BlazBlue: Central Fiction Official Website (US), Characters - Mai Natsume
• BlazBlue: Central Fiction Official Website (JP), Mai Natsume - Command List