Okay, here's some pointers i picked up while playin my bro in versus (DoA3).

Two-hit slap (:right:P P)

One of ayane's best moves. Not only is it commandable, but it also inflicts "critical hit" status. Abusing this move together or just using the initial command (:right:P) is great for keeping your opponents guessing the second hit.

Torpedo attack (:down: :diagdownright: :right:K)

Also a great move. For opponents who like to run in after an attack that sends you afar, use this to make them think twice. From the mid-kick counter (:left: Free button) allows for good damage, especially when near a wall.

Ankle attack/Low sweep (:down:F+K)

This attack also delivers a "critical hit" state and is commandable. The uniqueness to this move is that ayane's two-hit slap (:right:P P) is guaranteed from this. Not only can you be launched from this alone, but air juggles are also a guaranteed followup.

Back throw (back must face opponent: F+P or :down:F+P)

If you decide to create a guessing/setup game with your opponent, this move makes for great damage. Counter feinds will be at a horrible disadvantage from this throw alone, and because she can also grab you from a crouching/low counter state, this throw is probably one of the best in DoA3 (aside from grapplers).

Ayane's spin/twirl (:diagdownleft: :diagdownleft:)

This command move is also noteworthy. You can evade many attacks with this if timed properly. Also if you press and hold :diagdownleft: :diagdownleft:, ayane's back will face the opponent! Once again, any of her back attacks, back-only combos or her back-throw can be executed from this manuver, which can either play in or against your favor.

A few other notations:
a) For a female kunoichi, Ayane's the hardest-hitting of them all. Her combo's are somewhat limited, but are not needed due to her highly successful "critical hit" achivement status.
b) Many of her attacks can go under high attacks. So starting up a combo with using highs first is actually a bad idea when up against an expert Ayane player.
c) Breaking combo chains that ends with her back facing you, F+P or :down: F+P is a surefire way to end matches rather quickly. If you want to place fear in counter feinds, Ayane's back throw should be abused again and again.
d) Her command throw (:up:F+P) is also great for opponents who decide to block every attack.

And now for the answer to the initial question....is Ayane better than Kasumi?

In terms of priority and roster, i would need to say.....yes. My reason is because kasumi lacks power in all of her attacks. Two-hits/Four-hits or even poking will ensure guaranteed matches. With kasumi, you must work for every win. Ayane on the other hand, has mad power hits, making it much easier to win with than kasumi.

I played against my brother using kasumi...my "deemed" best character in DoA.

My bro used Ayane after extensive practice.

(me) 02 - 08 (my brother)

He upped me by 6 wins. I felt really bad aftewards...mainly because against ayane....no matter how hard i tried with her, kasumi lacks the priority that her younger sister already has.
I was reduced to using only two-hit mixups...and even that wasn't effective against his ayane.

His abuse of critical hits, back throws and run-in prevention with Ayane made it extremely difficult for me to even attack from a defensive state.

But anyways, this should help many of the Ayane players. :yes:

Thanks for the pointers, I'll have to practice these when the game releases :cool:

Simply put, in DOA3, yes, Ayane >>>> Kasumi. She's safer, not as fast but does more damage off of a normal throw. (if the opponent ends with ANY move that has a blockstun of like, 5 or more, Ayane gets a free 4P+F 6PP (take a quick step forward)PP6K PP6PP. i think its like, 95 damage or something like that. Too good. Her 4K has tons of priority, her 4P is a safe TCing launcher thats mid and stuns when it doesnt launch i believe. Add that to her extreme versatility and ability to avoid a ton of moves and yeah, Ayane's better than Kasumi.

But then again, tiers aren't set in stone, and by no means does it judge the winner before the match begins.

That's true....yet it seems i need to completely create a new "playgame" with kasumi now....if i want to have a chance of competing against his ayane again.... :hmm:

Then the assumption is that your opponent is better then you if you're forced to adapt to the way he plays instead of vice versa.

Play against him and try to learn something, its how i get better, playing against others that know what they're doing.

Yeah, that's about all i can do at this stage. However, when i used Tina against his Ayane....he got his butt kicked. Problem is, i don't like grapplers at all.....yet they seem to be my best characters now.... :eyebrow:

Thanks for the tips. BTW, any idea on how I can start learning Ayane's back-attacks? I can win without them, but I think I could do better with them.

Dude! You forgot 4F+K!!!

That thing is like insta-limbo stun... it's god dude!! Done forget the 1P into BT launcher.... too good.

You gotta be stupid with them. If your able to get your opponent to fear your when your back is turned....you own them, litterarly.....practice is your best bet. See what your can obtain from her stance. If you have any questions, just ask me, i'll be sure to help you.

I knew i forgot something....thankx. :D

Update:

For a very high damaging combo for both tag and single play use the following...

(from mid-kick counter only) :up: P, :right: P P P, P P :left:P P :diagupleft:K

Note: Because this is from her mid kick counter, you must get the timing down as your opponent falls to ensue connection of this combo. Also watch your terrain, as you may need to input the action differently. This sequence alone does anywhere from 117 - 166 points of damage (more than half of your life bar).

And this can also turn around fights to your favor very quickly and easily if done accurately.

If you want to be real cheap with this, abuse the "infinite" found within the snow arena. Not only will you be able to tax more hits, but you may even K.O. your opponent with utter ease.

Many thankx to my brother for not only showing me this trick....but also abusing it on me in our earler fights. That "Ayane".....really begining to irk my nerves.....

:ranting: :heh heh: :argh:

Hahahaha! Yeah right? I have about the same chance of being able to use that combo as I do having Kasumi whip out her sword and cut my opponent up. I have never been good with long combos.

You just need to take time to practice the longer combos. Start with only the first few moves using practice mode so you can easily redo it. Keep doing it until you can do it fairly easily. Then start adding the remaining pieces to it one or two at a time and you will get it eventually. It may take several days to get to the point of being able to do the full thing fairly easily depending on how long you practice, but I'm sure being able to pull it off is worth the effort. That combo is a bit more difficult than your average combo because the timing has to be perfect for it to work with the mid-kick hold, but still with enough practice I'm sure you could get it to work.

Actually if you practice enough it's very easy to use this Combo. I'm using this one since DOA:HC and I'm loving it! Thanx Blueboy for all the work! Hopefully we're going to see a bit more of your talent another time, maybe even online! :yes: