Lei is probably the best TK3 character to play due to just the overall fun factor and diversity in his different stances. Well after an insane amount of money and long hours wasted at the arcade I can truly say that I have mastered Lei. I'll just list my most effective strategies and combos for Lei.
Key f=forward, b=back, d=down, u=up db=downback, uf=upforward, N=neutral, ~-right after, almost simultaneously 1=left punch, 2=right punch, 3=left kick, 4=right kick,
Basic combos: f, N, 1,2,1,2,4 -- f, N, 1,2,1,2,3 -- f, N, 4~1,2,3,4 -- f, N, 4~1,2,3,d+4 -- f+4, 2,1,2,4 -- f+4, 2,1,2,3 -- f+3,4 -- f+3,d+4 -- 1,2,1,3+4,2,1,4,1,4,4 -- 1,2,1,3+4,2,1,4,1,2,3 -- 1,2,1,3+4,3+4,3+4,1,1,2
Advanced combos--stances incorporated
uf+4,f, N, 1,2,1,2,4+d,3,4,2,3 -- long juggle combo starting off with the hop kick then rushing punches ending in mid kick. During the end mid kick hold down and you will switch to the crane stance. From here you can either juggle them with the 3,4,2,3 combo or if they are down already you can kick them with the 4.
(Combo system 1) 3,3, d+4, tap down, 2,2,2+f, either 1~2 or 1 or 3+b, 4 or 2, 1,2,1,2,4+d,3,4,2,3 -- my fav combo system, you start out with the high crescent then low trip kick (note the low trip kick has to connect for this combo string to work). If the low trip kick connects your opponent will be on the floor and you will be turned around. From here do a spinning trip d+4 and tap down during the execution of the trip to switch to the snake stance. Wait for the opponent to start to get up then hit 2,2,2+f. You will lash out three fast damaging snake punches and then switch to the panther stance. From the panther stance you have four good choices. You can wait for your opponent to get up and then quickly hit them with 1~2 or 1. Or you can trip them while they are on the ground with the 3 and if you hold back during this trip you will switch to the unblockable stance from which you hit 4 to do the unblockable flying spin kick. The best choice with the highest payoff is hitting them with the uppercut, 2, while they are getting up. This will send your opponent into the air and you can juggle them with 1,2,1,2,4+d switching to the crane stance and then either 3,4,2,3 or just 4.
1,2,1,d+1,d+1,d+1,d+4, tap down, switch to snake stance etc/ b+3+4, d+4, tap down, switch to snake stance etc -- other possible starters for the combo system mentioned above.
f, N, 1+d, switch to snake stance, 2,2+f, switch to dragon stance, 1 -- a good combo to confuse your opponent. You start with the rush punch combo but tap down during the first punch to switch to the snake stance. From here you can hit 2,2+f to switch to the dragon stance and then hit 1 for a fast unpredictable throw. Or you can do a number of other things like 2,2,2+f,switch to panther stance, (continue with combo system 1). If you feel really confident then you can try (from the snake stance) 1,1,1,1,1,1+f, switch back to snake and then do 2,2,2 and add a forward tap to either the second or third punch to change stances.
f, N, 1,2+d,1 -- two punches of the rushing punch combo then switch to dragon stance for a throw.
f, N, 1,2,1+d, (proceed with combo system 1) -- three punches of the rushing punch combo then switch to panther stance for continuation into combo system 1
f, N, 1,2,1,2+d,4 -- four punches of the rushing punch combo then switch to tiger stance for a fast sweep with the 4
d+3+4, 3+4, f, N, 1,2,1,2,4+d, 4,3,2,3 -- falling down into the play-dead position then kangaroo kick your opponent into the air with 3+4. Juggle with rushing punch combo and hold down during the last mid kick to change into the crane stance. From there you can do 4,3,2,3 combo or just 4.
f, N, 1,2,1+d, 1 -- 3 rushing punches then switch to panther stance for a fast trip punch. This surprises most average players since they expect you to carry out the rushing punches combo. As a result your opponents will want to block up while you switch to the panther stance and surprise them with a fast trip punch.
f+2+3, 2,2+f, 2+f, 4 -- f+2+3 switches you to the snake stance, from there do two snake punches. Hold forward during the second snake punch and you'll switch to the dragon stance, from there press 2+f to do one an uppercut punch and switch to the tiger stance, from the tiger stance, press 4 to do a fast trip. Note you can also switch to the starting snake stance via (b+3+4, d+4, tap down during the trip) or (3,3, d+4, tap down during the trip)
3~4, hold up, d+1, d+1, d+1, d+4, tap down during trip, 4, 2,2,2+f, 2, f, N, 1,2,1,2,4+d, 3,4,2,3 or 4 -- Whoa! This one is the longest combo I know of and if you continue it successfully I gurantee you will have one confused and pissed opponent, hehe. Ok first of all the 3~4 initiates the hopping crescent kicks, you can do one to three of these kicks depending on how long you hold up after the 3~4. After the kicks you will land standing up with your back towards your opponent. From here do 3 spinning low punches (d+1) and then a spinning trip (d+4). Tap down during this trip and you'll switch to the snake stance. From here you can continue with combo system 1. If you connect successfully with this combo I gurantee there will be whoos and ahhs from your adoring fans and of course fuck!(s) and shit!(s) from your opponent =)
Ten Strings and Micellaneous Stuff
Ten String #1: 1,2,1, 3+4, 2,1, 4,1,4,4 --The better one out of the two ten strings that Lei has. The buttons are quite simple but the timing is tricky. Ok 1,2,1 should be tapped in quick succession, this will make Lei do two high spinning punches and then a low spinning punch. When Lei lashes out the third low hitting spin punch press 3+4, this will make Lei do a backward flip kick. Next tap 2 when Lei is in the beginning of his backward flip kick. Tap 1 near the end of the backward flip kick and then tap 4,1,4,4 in succession with a short lapse time in between the buttons. If all timed successfully Lei will do two high spinning punches then a low one, flip kick, two more punches, high kick, punch then rave spin.
Ten String #2: 1,2,1, 3+4, 2,1, 4,1,2,3 --This ten string has only one low hit, the rest all hit high or mid so it's easy to block. Use this when your opponent starts to block the first ten string effectively, in other words mix them up. The timing for this ten string is the same as the first one except that you'll tap 4,1,2,3 in succession instead of 4,1,4,4. When done correctly Lei will do two high spinning punches, one low spinning punch, backward flip kick, two punches, high kick, two punches and ending with a high spin kick.
Nine String: 1,2,1,3+4,3+4,3+4,1,1,2 --This nine string is quite slow and predictable but it's also very easy to do. Mix this up with the two ten strings to get the greatest success. The 1,2,1 should be tapped in quick succesion like in the ten strings. The 3+4,3+4,3+4,1,1,2 should be tapped in succesion with about a half-second in-between each step.
Micellaneous: f, N, 4,1,2,3, either 4 or d+4 --This is a very useful five hit combo that can be used in several juggles as well as in normal circumstances. However to execute this combo you need to tap the lp(1) button immediately after the f, N,4 with lightning speed. I have always had problems executing this combo due to the immense speed it requires. Well I have found a way to make this combo alot easier. Instead of following what the bigshot faqs dictate, I found another way to do this combo with much more effectiveness and success rate. Instead of f, N,4,1,2,4 or d+4, I improvised this method --f, N, 1+4,2,3, 4 or d+4
This is just a watered down faq describing some of Lei's best combos. Don't be discouraged by the implied complexity of Lei's moves, they are actually very easy to learn and master. Just keep this in mind when you play as Lei, confuse them with stances and if all else fails resort to the rushing punch combo. By alternating the ending kick of the rushing punch combo from a mid kick (4) to a low kick (3) you can have at least one guaranteed hit as well as a bewildered opponent. If you have any suggestions, additions, good combos that I had missed or just questions then please email them to me. P.S. sorry I am still new to this whole page thing so I don't have this faq ready for download, if you really want a copy of this email me and I'll send you one.
sw74@cornell.edu
Ithaca, NY
United States
Page full of Shaolin stances info