Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late[st] Wagner Spotlight

Rounding out the series of character spotlights leading up to the game’s release, European publisher PQube has released a spotlight focusing on the fourth new character in Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late[st], the Licht Kreis’ Fourth Executor Erika Wagner.

Wagner is an offensive-oriented character with an aggressive, rushdown-heavy moveset and playstyle. Fans of Tsubaki Yayoi from BlazBlue will find themselves at home with her, although Wagner has her own elements that set her apart. She has a buff system separately for her sword and shield, which buff her two main special moves or follow-ups. Her primary drawback is her lack of any kind of projectiles, which limits her range and versatility, forcing her to get in on the opponent to start applying pressure. Fortunately she has the tools to do that, with her movement speed and aggressive special attacks.

If you want to know more about Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late[st], you can check out our review here. The game launches February 9 on PS4, PS3 and PS Vita in North America and Europe. The full Wagner spotlight can be found below:

UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH Exe:Late[st] – WAGNER SPOTLIGHT

The relentless Crimson Knight joins the battle!

PQube (London, UK) February 8, 2018 – The new fighting game from legendary fighting game creators French-Bread, UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH Exe:Late[st], will be releasing tomorrow, Friday, February 9, 2018, on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita in Europe.

UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH features a revolutionary tug-of-war combat system, an extensive suite of tutorials for new players, improved online functionality and an all-new story mode. Taking a balanced approach to fighting games, UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH positions itself as the middle-ground between traditional 2D fighter gameplay and the over-the-top action of ‘anime’ fighters.

Among the new faces in UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH Exe:Late[st] is Wagner, a lady of poise and finesse who also happens to be fond of the old slam ‘n stab.

Known by the fearsome name of The Crimson Knight, Erika Wagner is a high-ranking member of the Licht Kreis, an organization dedicated to protecting people from the terrors of the Hollow Night and controlling the manifestations of the dangerous monsters known as Voids. Wagner is cold and relentless in her determination to exterminate anything that gets in her way, be they friend or foe. Her powers as an In-Birth is that of the ‘Flame Tyrant’, the EXS of Scorching Heat, that allows her to control flames. Wagner uses this ability to envelop her weapons with fire and enhance the damage of her attacks.

Wagner is a fierce close-range combatant who pressures her opponents with relentless pressure and quick attacks. She’s able to cancel her special moves into each other, making long attacking sequences and extended combos on the fly. She’s also able to power up her sword and her shield with her flame powers to change and improve the properties of her special moves.

The ‘Kugel Blitz’ is a charging sword attack where Wagner spins forward like a drill. The A version goes horizontally across the screen, while the B version goes diagonally up. Kugel Blitz passes through the opponent on hit and can be followed-up with ‘Zerlegen’ by just pressing the arrack button again, which adds another hit that pops the opponent up into the air and leaves them open for extended combos.

The EX version of Kugel Blitz is very fast diagonally up drill attack that ends with a kick that sends the opponent behind Wagner – an excellent choice when you have your back to the corner of the screen. It also opens the opponent up for a combo afterwards.

Wagner’s ‘Wackenroder’ is a classic uppercut style attack where she does a leaping, spinning attack that spreads flames all around her. The A version is very fast, while the B version has some invincibility, making it a great anti-air attack.

The EX version has full invincibility and greater damage and is a great way of challenging the opponents pressure, it’s an amazing ‘get off me’ move when Wagner is in trouble that her foes will have to respect.

‘Sturm Brecher’ is a big shield charge where Wagner rushes across the screen and slams into her opponent with her shield. The A version is quick and short, while the B version is a bit slower but moves about half a screen length. It can also be cancelled into the Kugel Blitz sword drill both on hit and on block, which allows for extended combos.

The EX version is very fast and has some invincibility during the start-up of the attack, it moves about 90% of the screen in a flash, and will cause a wall-bounce that allows for combo opportunities.

‘Lohen Schneide’ powers up Wagner’s sword by covering it in flames. It makes the Zerlegen follow-up attack to the Kugel Blitz much better, in that you no longer have to spend EX meter to follow up afterwards and it’s much easier to combo off of.

‘Lohe Garde’ powers up Wagners shield and can be used to cancel her shield special moves for tricky feints. Once powered up, her Sturm Brecher shield charge will have better attack properties and be safer on block.

The EX version powers up both her shield and her sword at the same time.

‘Sturm Schlag’ is a diving sword drill that can be comboed into from air attacks. It has the same Zerlegen follow-up with the touch of a button that Kugel Blitz has, and it sets up for extended combos quite neatly. The A and B versions travel at slightly different angles.

The EX version is faster, very safe if blocked and sets up for big extended combos.

‘Schild’ is Wagner’s Force Function (A+B): a big shield bash that can be charged up by holding A+B rather than tapping it. When charged, it becomes an overhead and has to be blocked standing. When hit by this, the opponent will be temporarily stunned and unable to defend themselves. It can be cancelled into special moves and even worked into combos for added damage.

‘Hitze Falke’ is Wagner’s Infinite Worth super attach that required full meter to perform. Wagner jumps into the air surrounded by flames and launches pillars of fire into the skies at a diagonal angle.

Wagner’s Infinite Worth EXS is called ‘Megiddo Ausserst Groesse’, an ultimate attack that will instantly end the round if it lands. It requires a full bar of meter and for Wagner to have 30% life or less left, and can be performed by pressing all four attack buttons (A+B+C+D). Wagner transforms into a fiery Phoenix and launches a massive pillar of flame from the skies that incinerates her foes.

Wagner is a very fast and mobile close combat fighter who has a variety of ways to move around the screen and apply pressure to her opponents with extended sequences of relentless attacks. Her speed and many possible angles of attack make for a very challenging situation for her opponents and if she’s cornered, she has many invincible attacks that can turn the tables on any over-eager foe. Wagner is a great pick for aggressive players who like to get in there and mix it up.

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ABOUT ARC SYSTEM WORKS

ARC SYSTEM WORKS is a Japan-based game development company, renowned for their unique and highly artistic 2D fighting action games. They have a proven track record with their big hit series: Blazblue and Guilty Gear, among many other games of all kinds of genre under their belt. From planning to production to marketing, ARC SYSTEM WORKS believes in constant value-adding for their products, striving relentlessly towards the aim of staying ahead in the forefront technology of gaming, and producing flavourful character designs to form the foundation of their extensive Intellectual Properties.

About PQube

PQube is a publisher, distributor and service provider for the interactive entertainment industry with a global reach through UK, Europe, Middle East, Australia and North and South America from its offices in Letchworth, Paris, Bristol and Bawtry. As a licensed publisher with Sony, Valve and Nintendo and Apple, PQube’s software division publishes and distributes games for PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita,Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android, PC and digital download and has established a track record of success with major franchises including: GalGun, Chaos Child, Valkyrie Drive, Cat Quest, White Day, Root Letter, BlazBlue, Guilty Gear, MotoGP, Ride, MXGP, Harvest Moon, Senran Kagura and Steins Gate. PQube’s hardware division designs, manufactures and distributes consoles and accessories including the brand new Atari ‘Retro’ range, Sinclair ZX Spectrum, SmartBoy, Retron HD, Supaboy, Sega MegaDrive, Atari Flashback, BlazeTab, BlazeGear, 8Bitdo and Retro-Bit. We thank all our partners and acknowledge all game names, brands and trademarks as properties of their respective owners.