Ling Xiaoyu — Matchups

Toughest

• Dragunov — Drag's `df+2` outpaces Xiaoyu's i14 launcher and his wr+2 homing erases her sidestep. Phoenix stance ducking doesn't save her from Drag's `db+3` low launcher.
• Reina — Sentai launcher catches Xiaoyu's AOP transitions and EWGF beats her stance startup. Mishima fundamentals destroy Xiaoyu's trick game.
• Nina — Nina's SS+4 launches Xiaoyu's whiffed Phoenix stance and i10 jabs interrupt every AOP entry. Straight poke neutral only.
• Jun — Jun's parry shuts down Xiaoyu's high-heavy spin strings and Genjitsu launcher punishes AOP recovery. Tough Heat-pressure matchup.
• Feng — Shifting Clouds power-crushes Xiaoyu's commit-heavy mix and Feng's parry erases her standing game. Stay in Phoenix; abuse her low pokes.

Easiest

• Kuma — Phoenix Stance ducks every Kuma high — half his moveset whiffs. AOP into `1,d+2,1+2` string ends Kuma rounds quickly.
• Panda — Same as Kuma — big hitbox + slow defense = Xiaoyu Phoenix dance party.
• King — Xiaoyu's mobility evades ff+1+2 tracking grab entirely. AOP into `2,1` Heat engager catches King's lumbering startup.
• Paul — Deathfist whiffs against Phoenix Stance. Xiaoyu's `df+2` launcher whiff-punishes every Paul commit cleanly.
• Steve — Steve has no lows — Xiaoyu stays in Phoenix and ducks his whole moveset. AOP launcher into Heat dash for big damage.

Sidestep: Xiaoyu sidesteps LEFT vs most chars — AOP cancel into SSL evades right-handed jabs. Vs Mishimas, AOP backdash to bait EWGF whiff for `df+2` launcher punish. Vs grapplers, Phoenix Stance is your throw-break tool.