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How Capcom Cup 2019 will shape the bouts at Red Bull Kumite 2019
As the Capcom Pro Tour concludes, Red Bull Kumite 2019 is the last chance a strong collective of Street Fighter V players will get to face each other before ringing in the new year.
The curtain has closed on Street Fighter V’s fourth season. The finale that is Capcom Cup 2019 was stacked with unpredictable upsets, matches going down to mere pixels and some of the most jaw-dropping plays the scene has laid eyes on. But there’s one more feat of strength for the top players to participate in.
The invitational known as Red Bull Kumite is the final test for numerous chosen warriors. They'll compete in an annual tournament that’ll push their skills to the limit. Every year, the brutal matches held within the cage produce some of the best Street Fighter moments to date. Judging by the attendees, this year won’t be lacking.
There is, however, a twist. Usually, the date on which Red Bull Kumite sits is during the season, but this year’s tournament will take place days after a significant new patch. New attacks and defensive measures have been introduced alongside the elemental powerhouse that is Gill. In such a raw state, there’s no telling what could happen in this fresh meta.
Hidden tech
With only days to prepare, the competitors will have to learn fast and practice hard. That makes for a unique yet still enjoyable experience, even for those playing. New tools are at the characters' disposal and this could be the platform from which unseen tech is utilised. Adel ‘Big Bird’ Anouche is excited to see how the new Rashid operates against other modified characters. Because everyone is in the same boat in terms of changes, the playing field is evenly wild for all.
Preparation in just a short amount of time is doable for players of this calibre, as many of them appeared in the Capcom Pro Tour finals. Daigo ‘The Beast’ Umehara fought against the world’s best at Capcom Cup 2019 and the legendary warrior is already looking for the next challenge. With the patch providing improvements that give Guile the ability to rain sonic booms from the air, Daigo will use this event as a test of the army man’s abilities.
Olivier ‘Luffy’ Hay meanwhile has been gaining steam all year, with the qualification and advancement through the bracket standing as an affirmation of his skills. Though his bombastic character, Rainbow Mika, is possibly weaker in this new patch, Luffy can use this event as his playground. To find out if her wings have truly been clipped, he’ll pit against the most tenacious opponents.
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Road to redemption
Being an invitational, Red Bull Kumite allows players who weren’t able to consistently participate in the tour or qualify for the Capcom Cup Pro Tour finals to show their stuff on a grand stage. Not travelling as much as others makes it difficult to make a case for being the best Dhalsim player, but YHC-Mochi could give opponents a harsh reminder of his refined yoga power.
Houmaid 'Takamura' Rabie, who was on the verge of qualification but just fell short, can finish off the year right by showing that Akuma is still more than capable of dealing out destructive damage in this fifth season. Who wouldn’t want to see how Street Fighter League contestant Haku tackles the opposition with his one of a kind F.A.N.G? Leveraging the Koryo Dokuda V-Skill 2 parry move against global talent will be a treat for viewers who don’t get to see Bison’s minion on a regular basis.
All systems go
The stage of Red Bull Kumite presents opportunity to those who seek it. During the Top 16 proceedings of Capcom Cup 2019, DC ‘Infexious’ Cole found himself at the mercy of Hajime 'Tokido' Taniguchi and his bottomless well of Akuma aggression. If the bracket happenings fall into place at the right angles, there’s a possibility the runback could happen at Red Bull Kumite 2019.
Infexious's usual focused, stoic face that wears during match breaks when his hands leave the controller. He’s elated at the possible prospect of playing Tokido again and claiming revenge, of course, but also fight strong opponents like Victor ‘Punk’ Woodley.
“I haven’t met him in a tournament setting yet,” mentions Infexious, who says Punk is usually on the opposite side of the bracket. “I’d like to play him.” But the Zeku player’s sights aren't solely on The Alpha. He’s gunning for Big Bird as well, especially after the tremendous year the Rashid player had.
Last game, last round
Heading straight into the new season of Street Fighter V, Red Bull Kumite will act as not only a celebration of the game’s previous year, but a preview of what’s to come in 2020 for the next Capcom Pro Tour circuit. Calling the invitational a teaser or a small taste of what’s to come is wrong. A congregation of many powerful players could only be a feast.
Watch the fight for Street Fighter supremacy on December 21-22.
