Soda Popinski

Fighter Behavior
Soda Popinski is the first fighter in the so-called "Red Zone" of a Single Segment Run where RNG starts to factor more heavily into the outcomes. He will open each phase with two left hooks after which there is a 25% chance he will throw two more hooks, or a 75% chance he will throw two uppercuts. This will then repeat. Uppercuts are what the speedrunner hopes to see from Soda.

When Soda kneels down, that means he is going to throw an uppercut. There are four possible delays before Soda kneels down; No delay (instantly kneels down), short delay (small pause), medium delay (longer pause), and long delay (long pause). If down is held while Soda is in the kneeling position, he will 'freeze' allowing you to land a gut punch. If his next uppercut is then canceled, you can buffer a star punch and instantly send Soda to the mat.

Soda will also throw uppercuts when Little Mac gets up from a knock-down. This is the basis for the "Select Strat" below.

Phase 1

 * Press Select on the pre-fight screen.
 * Hold onto the Down button.
 * Block the first hook from Soda.
 * Cancel his second hook with a right gut-shot.
 * Hold right and continue to hold right until Soda hits you with an uppercut. If he throws a hook, you won't have the right damage into P2, there's no real good backup here.
 * Hold down to "freeze" Soda.
 * Throw a left gut shot to earn a star.
 * Buffer start to knock Soda down.

Phase 2

 * Wait until Soda taps his gloves together, then hit him in the face with a right jab.
 * Take the next hook to get knocked down.
 * Hold down when you get up from the knockdown to freeze Soda in the crouching position.
 * Throw a left gut shot to earn a star.
 * Quick dodge his next uppercut.
 * Buffer start to knock Soda down.

Phase 3

 * Wait until Soda taps his gloves together, then hit him in the face with a right jab.
 * Cancel Soda's next hook with another right jab.
 * Dodge right and hold right until Soda ducks down to uppercut. If he throws a hook, hit him in the face with a right jab and follow on to step 2. Repeat until he throws an uppercut.
 * When you see him duck down, hold the down input to freeze soda.
 * Throw a left gut punch to earn a star.
 * Throw another left gut punch to cancel his 2nd uppercut.
 * Buffer start to TKO Soda Popinski.

Backup Strategies
TODO

"Screwdriver" Strat (~0:46.00)
In order for the Strat to work, Soda MUST give you an instant uppercut after his opening two hooks. If he gives you a hook (25% chance) or any delay on his uppercut, the strat fails.

Phase 1

 * Cancel Soda's first hook with a right gut-shot.
 * Buffer another right gut-shot to cancel his second hook.
 * Slow Right Dodge while holding right throughout the dodge.
 * Buffer a left gut shot as Mac is coming back to center.
 * Tap Down on the D-Pad as Mac returns to center to land a gut shot on Soda and earn a star. (A misdirected gut punch of sorts).
 * Cancel Soda's 2nd Uppercut with a left gut shot.
 * Buffer a star punch to knock Soda down.

Phase 2

 * Counter Soda's 1st hook with a right jab.
 * Cancel Soda's 2nd hook with a right gut-punch.
 * Slow Right Dodge while holding right throughout the dodge.
 * Buffer a left gut shot as Mac is coming back to center.
 * Tap Down on the D-Pad as Mac returns to center to land a gut shot on Soda.
 * Cancel Soda's 2nd Uppercut with a left gut shot.
 * Buffer a star punch to knock Soda down.

Phase 3

 * Counter Soda's 1st hook with a right jab.
 * Cancel Soda's 2nd hook with a right gut-punch.
 * Slow Right Dodge while holding right throughout the dodge.
 * Buffer a left gut shot as Mac is coming back to center.
 * Tap Down on the D-Pad as Mac returns to center to land a gut shot on Soda.
 * Cancel Soda's 2nd Uppercut with a left gut shot.
 * Buffer a star punch to TKO Soda Popinski.

Blindfolded
TODO

Referenced Techniques
Buffered Inputs

Misdirected Gut Punch

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