Zangief

To sum it up: Someone pick me, please!

Background

Zangief is a wrestler from Russia. Zangief is all about power. Originally when he had entered the Street Fighter tournaments, he thought he could win because a competitor needed to be near his opponent to be effective. Zangief used to wrestle grizzly bears to hone his wrestling skills and for a challenge. He learned that by squeezing them tightly, they would not fight back. From this he developed some of his moves and gained many scars on his body. What happened to those scars from SF2? Anyway, Zangief's Spinning Piledriver was developed when he was picked up by a tornado and spun around in a circle. Like the other SF characters in this game, Zangief is getting up there in age; he is now 42. However, few people ever use him.

Moves

Spining Pile Driver 360degrees+P
Spining Lariat 3K
Spining Clothesline 3P
Russian Bear Grab B,DB,D,DF,F
Green Fist F,D,DF+P
Air Grab F,D,DF+K
Elbow Drop F+MP
Knee Drop D+MK or D+LK
Siberian Splash D+HP

Supers

Final Atomic Buster 360degrees+3P (actually 270 degrees but go the 360 degrees to be safe)
Ultra Final Atomic Buster 360degrees+3K (same as above)
Iron Body B, D, DB+K

Iron Body Mode Moves(these are additional moves that you can only perform in this mode)

Siberian Blast B,DB,D,DF,F+P (basic move, sort of like Dhalism's Yoga Fire)
Siberian Blizzard 270 degrees+2K (one level of super)
You lose the Ultra FAB super and the Green Hand
You can't Spinning Clothesline or Spinning Lariat in Air
If you want to turn back to regular Mode: D,DB,B+3K (one level of super)

Combos

S.Forward, Spinning Lariet
S.Fierce, Spinning Clothesline
J.Fierce, C.Strong, Super Jump(Jab, Forward, Body Splash)
S.Strong, Siberian Blizzard
Knee Stomp, S.Roundhouse, Super Jump(Jab, Forward, Fierce)
In Corner:Knee Stomp, C.Strong, Super Jump(Jab, Forward, Roundhouse, Knee Stomp(OTG)), Jump(Jab, Forward, Fierce)
Setups
Knee Stomp, C.Strong, Super Jump(Jab, Forward, Air Lariet), S.Roundhouse, Final Atomic Buster
J.Roundhouse, S.Roundhouse, Super Jump(Jab, Forward, Air Lariet), S.Roundhouse, Ultra Final Atomic Buster
Body Splash, Spinning Pile Driver
Body Splash, Ultra Final Atomic Buster
Knee Stomp, S.Fierce, Fierce Green Hand, Final Atomic Buster
Body Splash, C.Strong, Super Jump(Jab, Forward, Jab Spinning Pile Driver)
J.Fierce, S.Roundhouse, Super Jump(Jab, Forward, Jab Spinning Pile Driver)

Strategy/Comments

Zangief is going to take a considerable amount of skill and planning to play with. It is essesential that you know what you want to do (ex. SPD) and have a plan as to how you wish to set this up.
Zangief is the second strongest character in the game. Only Hulk can take damage better. Zangief's attacks do a considerable amount of damage and his FAB is the most damaging level one super in the game.
The first thing I'd like to concentrate on with Zangief is getting close to your opponent. Chances are, they will be on the other side of the screen fireballing, in an attempt to keep you from getting near them. The first move I'd reccommend using is the Knee Stomp. This move leaves you close to your oponent if it connects. It will allow you to start up most of the combos you wish to perform. You have to be able to aim this move, so a little practice may be necessary to get it down pat. The next move I'd like to discuss is the Siberian Splash. This is a great move to use to get close to your opponent. If this move connects Zangief will be left within striking range to a temporarily stunned opponent. Beware, this move loses out to dragon punches and all other anti-air like moves. It will also lose out to launchers, so be careful. You may want to try jumping and blocking, if you know your oponent is going to try to pull off an air defender. Once they get caught out of position and you have landed, you should be able to pull off a massively damaging combo. The J. Roundhouse can also be an effective jump-in, so be sure to follow it up quickly into a combo. Zangief's air grab is actually a good way of moving from one side of the screen to the other. As a grab, it is difficult to connect, but when used as an air dash, it serves to be an asset to his game.
The next thing that should be discussed is defending or working towards a grab if your opponent constantly comes to you attacking. If your opponent jumps in it would be advisable to pull off a spinning lariat. This move will knock your opponent high into the sky, giving you the window of opportunity to pull off a high powered attack. This move will come out fast and your legs willl be protected. Don't use the punch version; it is slow and leaves your feet vulnerable. Keep in mind that Zangief's C. Strong should not be used as an air defender. It doesn't get the job done; don't bother using it against jump-ins. You can, however, use his S. Roundhouse. It's not bad as an air defender; just make sure you follow it up with a combo.
As a continuation of the previous discussion, I will now discuss defending against constantly dashing opponents. The concept of being able to block and counter is going to be used to its fullest here. There are two moves I'd suggest using to set up your grabs in this situation. The first is the Green Hand. This move, when used as a counter, will give you enough time to hit your somewhat stunned opponent with an FAB, etc. The second move I'd suggest is the Spinning Lariat. This move will buy you some time and then allow you to work into a special throw. Remember, if your opponent is flailing and you need space, push-block their attacks, wait until they are vulnerable, and then get to work.
The next topic is how to link into the FAB. I'd have to say that the Fierce Punch to Green Hand is one of the most effective setups going straight into this move. Also, the C.Roundhouse can experience a solid amount of success. If you time the FAB just right, your opponent will be getting up, right into your hands only to be thrown around. If they attempt to roll, they will probably find themselves rolling right into the FAB. You should also learn to block tag-ins and then FAB your opponent as he is standing there on the ground.
Spin the joystick once you connect the FAB for the extra damage. Then again, it's also fun to just watch him slam characters around like rag dolls.
The Iron Body mode should only be used in certain situations. This mode requires one meter of super. It should never be brought out against a character with an extremely effective projectile. The idea in Mega Zangief mode is to FAB and SPD your opponent almost at will. If you're not going to be able to jump in and accomplish this, don't bother turning in Mega Zangief.
Should I turn into Mega Zangief vs.....
- Captain America: Yes
- Captain Commando: No
- Chun-li: No
- Gambit: No
- Hulk: No
- Jin: Yes (Stay close, though)
- Mega Man: No
- Morrigan: No
- Ryu: No
- Spiderman: Yes
- Strider: No
- Venom: Yes
- Warmachine: Never
- Wolverine: Yes (be careful, though)
If you are going to play with Zangief, you had better get the 360 degree motion down. Yes, I know the FAB is only 270 degrees, but I use the full 360 degrees just to be safe. Zangief is all about high-powered grabs. If you can't pull them off, you probably won't win. In my Basics Section I try to discuss the motion in an understandable manner. If you're having trouble with it, maybe my Karate Kid method might help.
When playing as Zangief, never, ever do a running Bear Grab or an FAB at random. Opponents generally see this coming and launch a nasty beam super at you. Be careful and patient; you can't just run into the battle with Zangief. Discretion and execution are going to be your ticket to winning. Without them, you will have quite some difficulty in your attempts to win. Just remember, Zangief is an underdog. Enjoy yourself. Zangief is for those of you with the guts and the skill use him. Personally, I like this guy; he's not overpowered and the FAB is so cool.