Welcome to this guide on Lydia Sobieska, Tekken 7’s last DLC addition, presented by K-Wiss, an accomplished ICFC champion and Red Bull Gaming Sphere victor. Lydia is a stance-heavy rushdown character who blends incredible whiff punishment, strong oki, and damaging pressure strings to overwhelm her opponents. If you’re willing to invest in her stance transitions and precise control, Lydia can become a devastating force in your hands.

---

Core Approach and Neutral Tools

Lydia’s game begins with her ability to control space and approach opponents safely:

• ff+4: A fast poke that’s safe at -3 and excellent on hit. Use this to pressure safely and test opponents’ reactions.
• ff+2: Transitions into Cat Foot Stance 1, enabling follow-up mixups. Be careful though—it’s linear and punishable if overused.
• Running 1: A fast advancing high that grants a guaranteed follow-up. Strong when used sparingly, but duckable and launch punishable.
• df+2: 15f mid poke that leads into Cat Foot Stance 2, also doubles as a long-range punish for high pushback moves like Paul’s Death Fist.
• 3,2: One of Lydia’s best whiff punishers. Time the second hit well to land the blue spark just frame and confirm big damage.
• db+2: A low crush poke that’s safe and reminiscent of Dragunov’s down 2.
• f+1+2: A safe 14f mid string that’s easy to hit confirm. Good for whiff punishing or approaching.
• d+1: A plus-on-block mid poke that keeps you in their face.
• df+4: Mid poke with extensions and tracking to cover her weak sidestep side.
• db+3,2: Health sweep into a strong oki situation.
• b+3: Homing high, only -3 on block.

---

Stance System: Key to Unlocking Lydia

Lydia is defined by her four key stances and the transitions between them. Understanding and optimizing these is essential to her pressure and mix-up game.

Cat Foot Stance 2 (CFS2)

Common entries: 1,2,2 (10f punish), df+2 (15f punish)

• CFS2+3: Counter hit launcher. Shuts down general mashing.
• CFS2+1+2: Beats low jab interruption (dick jabs). Safe and effective anti-mash.
• CFS2+4: Sweep that leads into guaranteed ff+3, and possibly a full launch if they tech incorrectly.
• Forward input during stance transitions into Pouncing Tiger:
  • PT+4: Low that’s only -12.
  • PT+1: Slower mid, good damage.

Cat Foot Stance 1 (CFS1)

Common entries: ff+2, 4,4,2 on hit

• CFS1+2: Mid poke and counter hit launcher. Great anti-mash tool.
• CFS1+4: Plus 8 on block. A strong counter hit threat.
• CFS1+3: NH launcher. Only -1 on block. Excellent pressure reset.
• Forward input transitions into Heaven and Earth stance:
  • H+1: Safe mid launcher.
  • H+2: Crushing low that counter hits.
  • H+f+2: Guard break at the wall → guarantees f+1+2 follow-up, or 4,2,4 for full wall combo.

Anti-Jab Options:

• In CFS2: 1+2
• In CFS1: 2

Both beat jab mashers but are -10 on block. Use with caution—but the reward on hit makes them worthwhile.

---

Combos and Conversion Efficiency

• uf+4 (Hopkick): Leads into CFS transition combo. Can extend for wall carry with jabs.
• 3,2 (blue spark): High-damage launcher with advanced follow-ups.
• For small characters, use alternate routes to avoid whiffing in combos.

Tailspin Starters (e.g., Rage Drive):

• Use a special route ending in 4,2,1+2 for max damage.
• For wall carry, switch to jab fillers → 4,2,4.

Wall Combos:

• Basic: … → f+1+2 ender.
• Advanced: Back 3 string, Butterfly combo (b+3,4 → qcf+1+2)

To guarantee the blue spark every time in butterfly combo:

• Hit 4 with downward input, then qcf+1+2 immediately.

---

Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths:

• Excellent pressure with stance mix-ups.
• High damage off simple hits.
• Incredible punish game (WS, standing, and whiff).
• Strong oki after sweep and tailspin.

Weaknesses:

• Linear offense; predictable if you autopilot.
• Can struggle to pin down evasive opponents.
• Many high approach tools (Running 1, 3,2, ff+2) can be ducked or stepped.

To succeed with Lydia, don’t fall into flowchart habits. Rotate options, delay strings, and be aware of opponent reactions. Play reactively and keep them second-guessing.

---

Final Thoughts

Lydia Sobieska is a character for players who want to dominate space, press with layers of offense, and punish carelessness with brutal efficiency. She’s not a simple rushdown character—you’ll need to control her stances with confidence and avoid becoming linear. But in the hands of a player with discipline and creativity, Lydia can shut down games before they begin.

Thanks for reading, and see you in the arena!