Zafina — Matchups

Toughest

• Dragunov — Drag's `df+2` punishes Zafina's Mantis stance transitions and his `wr+2` homing breaks her sidestep escapes. Stay in Tarantula low-profile only when she has Heat to spend.
• Nina — Nina's i10 jabs interrupt Zafina's stance startup frames and SS+4 launches her Scarecrow recovery. Stick to neutral pokes; don't stance-cancel into Nina's range.
• Jin — Jin's EWHF whiff-punishes Zafina's Mantis dodge whiffs and `df+1+2` parry beats her aerial mix. Mix harder, stance less.
• Feng — Feng's parry stance neutralizes Zafina's poke game and Shifting Clouds power-crushes her low-profile launchers. Tarantula prone is risky vs Feng's `db+4` low.
• Reina — Sentai launcher catches Zafina's stance exits and EWGF beats every Mantis/Scarecrow startup frame. Block more, mix only off Heat.

Easiest

• Asuka — Asuka's parry stance can't read Zafina's stance switches in time. Mantis launchers (i14) outpace Asuka's i12 mid. Free stance pressure.
• Kuma — Huge hitbox feeds Tarantula low-profile combos. Zafina's `Tarantula 4` low launcher hits Kuma even on block-back. Easy ranked farm.
• King — Zafina's i9 jab and stance mobility evade ff+1+2 tracking grab. Stay outside throw range, then stance-mix the punish.
• Paul — Paul's Deathfist whiffs against Tarantula prone. Zafina punishes with `Tarantula 3` low launcher and stance-mix combo extension.
• Claudio — Starburst zoning fails — Zafina ducks under projectile from Mantis. Punish with `WS+2` then stance into wall-carry.

Sidestep: Zafina sidesteps LEFT against most chars, especially Mishimas (Mantis stance follow-up confirms work LEFT). Vs grapplers, never sidestep at neutral — instead use Scarecrow stance to evade throws via prone state.