Ralf likes to hit.
It's REALLY fun to say Ralf. He be a battle hardened mercenary, once for hire he now works for Heidern. Ralf made his debut in the Ikari warriors games except he was named Vince (I think of it as a codename). He now leads the Ikari team in the King Of vFighters tournaments after Heidern withdrew. That's right, even though it might seem like the Leader is Leona, it is actually Ralf.
Back in te day ('94) Ralf and Clark joined the KOF (Clark being Ralf best friend, Ralf being Clarks best friend and Liutenant or some title), with Heidern. They felt they owed Heider everything for saving them from disaster a while back and Heidern wanted Rugal's end (Go Heidern). With the "end" of Rugal in '94, The Ikari warriors part in the KOF was to end (even though Ralf had fun). But when the Baboon resurfaced with Orochi power in '95, Heidern once again called on Ralf and his friend to aid him, which they gladly did. Then rugal gone went and exploded, so Heidern decided that Leona would take his place (Ralf wanted to stay in the tournament because he thought it was fun) then things got stranger as the Ikari's involvement in the underground part of the KOF story increased.
A legendary Ikari warrior, their was no price too high to pay for the aid of Ralf (Vince) and his friend Clark (Paul). They went through many a mission together, but one fateful mission didn't go so well. A helicopter Ralf was in gone went and exploded... after it crashed and Ralf and Clark jumped to safety. Stranded and unknowing of their whereabouts, they were stuck for days around Snakes and Slugs, fueling Ralf's hatred for snakes (hence the last name Jones?). But then Heidern had rescued them and brought them to safety. Now forever in his debt,m they figure they will help Heidern in whatever he needs aid in. I personally belive that that this event took place WAY before the KOF ‘94 tournament because they were working for Heidern in Ikari warriors 3, (Heidern appeared briefely in a little scenario). Their ‘95 and ‘94 crashed Helicopter levels come from the Ikari Warriors games. Well, Ralf loves himself some knives (opposite Clark, who likes guns), so he’s got a little hobby of collecting them. HE REALLY loves the KOF tournaments, so when Heidern did leaves after ‘95 Heidern asked Leona to be part of the team, a little as a bit of training for her. Ralf took an immediate likeing to Leona (acting kind of as a big brother) and welcomed the fresh blood. Clark on the other hand... Oh, don’t forget, Ralf REALLY likes to punch things, in fact, Ralf loves fighting altogether. He doesn’t care what the fight is, if the person is weak, he enjoys pulverizing them, if not, then he enjoyes the challenge. just listen to him as he fights.
Now that Leona is with the team, they’ve been through quite a lot. In ‘96, a man from Leona’s past came out in the tournament. His presence caused Leona to go through her second Riot of Blood, and it was up to Ralf and Clark to stop her crazy rampage. Ralf actually manages to get her to smile (this is later on of course). ‘97 Just repeats all this. In the middle of a mission, Leona has flashbacks and the mission backfires. So Ralf tells Heidern to punish them by putting them in the KOF ‘97. Heidern sees through Ralf like a broken peice of glass, realizing that Ralf wants to di it to take Leona’s mind off of all her crap.
This time, Leona comes up with the idea of killing herself in order to protect her friends and others. Ralf stops her, (because is he let her, Heidern would give him a beating) actually, he thinks that he can help her get through all this stuff. That and the fact that the Orochi HAD been stopped. Good ol’ caring Ralf, kinda like a Brady Bunch episode in a twisted morbid way. Is it Rugal’s return in ‘98 that has brought all four Ikari Warriors back?
Ralf respects Heidern to no end. If Heidern told Ralf to jump off a bridge Ralf wouldn’t do it, unless it serves an important meaning, you get the idea. No matter what, Ralf is a happy guy, Clark is the quiet one unless Ralf is aroud. People just love seeing them together (especially in intro’s). Leona is to Ralf a little sister. People seem to thik that Ralf and Clark like Leona in that special way, but I don’t believe that for a second. They respect her as a partner also, so they wouldn’t care about her like that (would they? It's not confirmed). The Ikari’s are all close bonded, but Ralf sems to be the center of it all, taking kind of a How-Goro-is-to-Kyo-and-Benimaru role.
Playing Ralf is kinda simple. Do all you can to get a hit in because it will hurt. Ralf is good at all areas. Close, mid, and far range. For far range, use a Ralf Kick if you anticipate a projectile. just throw them if they get too close (Run like a mother if it's Clark, Goro, or O. Yashiro N.). Mid range is also well, but the real skinny is poking so that they jump. Ever play a level 8 difficulty Ralf? Notice how he pegs you every time you jump. If you think someone's going to jump, start jamming that weak punch button for the Vulcan punch. If they don't jump, the move doesn't leave you that open. Also, the Blitzkreig Punch hunts the air. Ralf's real power is in his supers (which can be built up in advanced mode quickly by doing a lot of Ralf Kicks and Argentine Backbreakers). The Super Vulcan Punch Goes through non ground-based projectiles (not sure about ground based). The Galactica Phantom, although buff, is hard to hit with if you're fighting the computer and you're past the second set of characters. Take advantage of human error (and it's new '98 auto block) by sweeping and then doing it. Most people don't think of rolling/dodging. The Horseriding face punches (My sister and I love this one) works like Iori's Asobi DM, it snags out of air. Trick: This works on the computer 50% of the time, and you can catch a human with MAYBE the first time unless they are super quick witted. 3 advanced stocks must be built up. POW up and hit with the horseback DM. Do the Galactica Phantom BEFORE the opponent can even slide all the way on the ground (legs must still be in air). The Punch will execute not long after they get up (works well on Mai for some reason). If you can time it to where your power wears off as you do the Horseback DM, the Galactica Phantom will execute just as they finish getting up. This is a bit more reliable. SEE? Ralf likes the hitting of the faces.
-Sho Reppadan-
Ralf: "Hakairyoku? That means destructive power, which is what i'm made of."
Return To Character Info Section
