Uploaded February 2023 | Updated September 2026, 9 hours ago

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Normally, it takes 9 slips to defeat Yami in phase 2, if you don't use any unnecessary brush techniques or attacks. However, it's possible to skip using a slip by attacking Yami at least 8 times during the phase. Using a slip takes about 40-45 frames, and you lose about 3 frames to hitstop for each attack, so ideally you'd save around 25-30 frames, which is a little under a second. Unfortunately, it's kinda hard to get in hits without wasting additional time getting closer to Yami.

The best I was able to find is, you can get in around 6 hits during the phase. You might be able to get 1 or 2 more by standing under Yami during the transition from phase 1 and using preserved speed to get more attacks in before retrieving Cherry Bomb (the first technique of the phase). Getting in 10 attacks to skip 2 slips is probably not possible without burning more frames to get more attacks in, which is probably not worth it.

Another thing to note is, after getting Cherry Bomb, Yami will always turn gray after 32 frames, or a little over a second. If you use a slip before this point, it will do damage, but will not put Yami into the bouncing state that leads to receiving a technique. You'll have to use another slip to knock it out of the gray state. I'm pretty sure it's better to just wait for Yami to turn gray and then use the slip.

After retrieving Waterspout (the second technique), Yami has no recoil animation until it cloaks itself in flames and you use Waterspout on it. Thus, this is the time when it makes most sense to unload slips while you hold up to get closer. I was able to just barely get in 4 hits on this phase without delaying the brush/slip after.

Sorry for no audio.

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