Why Lower-Tier Styles Deserve Another Look
The Gakuran tier list clearly places Hoop Demon at the top and Boxing at the bottom. But tier lists measure general strength across all scenarios — they do not capture every situation. There are specific matchups, contexts, and playstyles where lower-tier styles perform better than their ranking suggests.
This guide examines the underrated aspects of B-tier Hakari and B-tier Boxing (sometimes ranked C at the highest competitive level). Both styles have hidden potential that the general tier list does not reflect. Understanding when and where these styles shine gives you more options and makes you a more versatile player.
Hakari: The B+ Tier Style with S-Tier Damage
Hakari sits at B+ on the general tier list, but its damage output rivals S-tier Hoop Demon. A single confirmed Burst Rush combo deals 40-50% of an opponent's health — comparable to Demon Rush combos. The reason Hakari is not S-tier is its inconsistency: Burst Rush is punishable on whiff, neutral pokes are weak, and the style depends on reads. For the complete moveset breakdown and burst timing drills, see our Hakari Style Guide.
However, in the right context, Hakari's weaknesses matter less and its strengths matter more.
When Hakari Outperforms Its Tier
Against predictable opponents. Hakari's read-based game plan works best against players who have identifiable patterns. If you can predict when an opponent will approach, Burst Rush catches them every time. Predictable opponents are Hakari's ideal target.
In 1v1 tournaments with no Hoop Demon players. If the tournament field does not include Hoop Demon, Hakari's main counter (a gap closer that outranges and out-speeds Burst Rush) is absent. Against Muay Thai and Boxing, Hakari has favorable or even matchups.
Near walls. Hakari's wall combo — Burst Rush, Finishing Slam (wall splat), Quick Strike — deals extreme damage. Near walls, Hakari's output is S-tier. If you can consistently route opponents toward walls, Hakari's effective tier rises significantly.
Against opponents who hold block. Players who over-rely on blocking feed Hakari free guard break punishes. Guard Break into Burst Rush is one of the highest-damage punishes in the game. Against blockers, Hakari does not need to read approaches — it just needs to break guards.
The Hakari Matchup-Specific Tier
| Opponent | Effective Hakari Tier | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Hoop Demon | B | Burst Rush loses to Demon Rush |
| Muay Thai | A- | Can diagonal dash through spacing |
| Boxing | A | Burst Rush outranges everything |
| Predictable players | S | Reads become consistent |
| Hold-block players | S | Guard break punishes are free |
Against Muay Thai and Boxing, and especially against predictable or block-heavy opponents, Hakari functions closer to A or S tier. The general tier list averages these matchups with the Hoop Demon disadvantage, pulling the overall rating down.
How to Maximize Hakari's Potential
- Study your opponent before committing. Spend the first 20 seconds of a fight watching their patterns. When do they approach? When do they block? Use this information to time your Burst Rush.
- Fight near walls whenever possible. Position yourself so the opponent is between you and a wall. This maximizes Hakari's damage output on every confirmed burst.
- Guard break proactively. Against blocking opponents, intentionally pressure their guard to set up Guard Break into Burst Rush. This is more reliable than fishing for neutral Burst Rush reads.
- Diagonal dash approach into Burst Rush. Use diagonal dash to bypass Muay Thai's spacing, then Burst Rush from close range. This combines two advanced techniques for a high-reward approach.
Boxing: The B Tier Style with A-Tier Fundamentals
Boxing sits at B on the general tier list because it is outclassed in range, burst damage, and approach options. At the highest competitive level, Boxing is sometimes ranked even lower — C tier — because its weaknesses are magnified against skilled opponents who exploit them consistently.
But Boxing has something no other style has: the purest fundamentals in the game. And in specific scenarios, those fundamentals matter more than flashy tools. For the full moveset breakdown and combo routes, see our Boxing Style Guide.
When Boxing Outperforms Its Tier
In gang fights and chaotic PvP. Boxing's fast recovery and low commitment make it the safest style for group fights. You can poke, disengage, and reposition quickly — something Hakari and Hoop Demon cannot do because their key moves lock them into long animations.
Against overaggressive opponents. Players who constantly approach and press buttons get destroyed by Boxing's fast jabs. The jab comes out faster than almost every other attack in the game, meaning Boxing wins the "who pressed first" exchange every time.
When fundamentals win. Some fights come down to hit-confirming, spacing, and patience — not style tools. In these fights, the player with better fundamentals wins regardless of tier placement. Boxing teaches fundamentals better than any other style, which means experienced Boxing players often have superior basic skills.
As a secondary style. Boxing's tools complement every other style. A Muay Thai player who also knows Boxing can switch to close-range jab pressure when opponents get inside the kick zone. A Hakari player with Boxing fundamentals has better hit-confirming for Burst Rush setup.
The Boxing Context-Specific Tier
| Context | Effective Boxing Tier | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1v1 vs Hoop Demon | C | No answer for Demon Rush |
| 1v1 vs Muay Thai | B- | Cannot close range consistently |
| 1v1 vs Hakari | B | Can punish whiffed Burst Rush |
| Gang fights | A | Fast recovery, safe pokes |
| vs Overaggressive players | A | Jab beats every approach |
| Fundamentals-focused fights | A | Better basics win |
| As a secondary style | A | Complements any primary style |
In gang fights and against overaggressive opponents, Boxing functions at A tier. As a secondary style for a player who already mains Muay Thai or Hakari, Boxing is an A-tier pocket pick.
How to Maximize Boxing's Potential
- Never fight at the opponent's preferred range. Boxing loses at mid-range (Muay Thai's zone) and loses to burst approaches (Hoop Demon, Hakari). You must create situations where the fight happens at jab range.
- Use diagonal dash to close distance. Walking straight in does not work. Diagonal dash approach is mandatory for Boxing to compete at higher levels.
- Hit-confirm every chain. Boxing's biggest advantage is easy hit-confirming. Never commit to the hook finisher without confirming the jab landed. This discipline alone makes Boxing significantly better.
- Guard break mix-ups. When opponents block your light chain, mix in guard breaks. The Overhand guard break punish is one of Boxing's best damage sources.
- Wall route aggressively. Push opponents toward walls whenever possible. Boxing's wall combo is dramatically stronger than its center-stage combo.
Underrated Combat Mechanics
Beyond fighting styles, several combat mechanics are underrated by the general player base.
Stagger Pressure
Stagger pressure is underrated because it is subtle. It does not deal burst damage or create flashy combos. But against opponents who mash buttons between blocked hits, stagger pressure consistently catches them and builds damage over time. Players who dismiss stagger pressure as "basic" miss its value in disrupting rhythm and creating hit-confirm opportunities.
Wall Routing Without Wall Combos
Even if you do not land a wall-splat combo, wall routing itself is valuable. Pushing an opponent toward a wall limits their movement options, cuts off escape routes, and creates psychological pressure. Many players do not realize how much wall positioning affects the opponent's decision-making even before any wall combo happens.
Ragdoll Cancel on Soft Knockdowns
Most players learn ragdoll cancel for hard knockdowns (after Finishing Slam or Demon Slam) but neglect it on soft knockdowns. Using ragdoll cancel on soft knockdowns — where the standard get-up is faster and the oki window is smaller — can still catch opponents off-guard and deny them minor pressure opportunities.
Backdash Baiting
Backdashing is considered a basic movement option, but using it to bait approaches is underrated. Step back, let the opponent commit to an approach, then punish their commitment. This is a fundamental spacing technique that many players overlook in favor of more complex movement tech.
The Case for Style Diversity
The strongest argument for underrated styles is that style diversity makes you harder to read. If every opponent expects Hoop Demon, they prepare for Demon Rush. If you pick Hakari or Boxing instead, their preparation is less effective.
Top players who can play multiple styles have a significant advantage because they can counter-pick in tournament sets. A player who can switch from Muay Thai (to control spacing) to Hakari (to land a burst read) based on the opponent's playstyle is more dangerous than someone who only plays Hoop Demon.
Recommended Style Combinations
| Primary | Secondary | Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Muay Thai | Boxing | Mid-range spacing + close-range pressure |
| Hakari | Muay Thai | Burst damage + spacing for bad matchups |
| Boxing | Muay Thai | Fundamentals + range coverage |
| Hoop Demon | Boxing | Dominance + safe group fight option |
Each combination covers the primary style's weaknesses with the secondary style's strengths.
Summary
Hakari and Boxing are underrated because the general tier list averages their performance across all scenarios. In specific contexts — Hakari against predictable opponents or near walls, Boxing in gang fights or against aggressive players — both styles perform well above their tier placement. Additionally, underrated mechanics like stagger pressure, wall routing, and ragdoll cancel on soft knockdowns offer hidden value. Style diversity and secondary style options further increase the practical value of lower-tier picks. The tier list is a guide, not a verdict — every style has situations where it shines.