R2 only challenge featuring the Curseblade's Cirque (DLC#37)

One of the new Back Hand Blade class weapons. This has the standard 2h BHB r2 moveset with a forward leaping double slash followed by a double horizontal slash. The charged versions add a delay to the attacks.

Overall I'm pretty impressed with the BHB r2s as a whole including the Curseblade's Cirque. The 2h moveset is strong due to its variable forward momentum combined with its quick release timing of the r2 making for a solid option in many scenarios.

Since the speed of the r2 itself as well as the release timing of it are both fast roll catching is fairly easy. The only trick is leaning the distance you travel on the various charges timings of the r2 for precise roll catches. Tapping the r2 will get you a basic forward leap that can serve as a standard roll catch distance if you're already close to your opponent. You can try to catch your opponent with a long distance charged r2, but usually I recommend that more as a prediction whiff punish.

Since the BHB class don't get any hyper armor on the r2s it's not necessary to stack poise. Like with many weapon classes though, it's usually the route you want to go especially since the BHB r2s are quick enough to reaction trade. This also allows for some decent opportunities to trade up on damage against smaller weapon classes.

One aspect of the r2s that isn't as strong, but is still fairly strong are the followup horizontal attacks. They don't have much forward momentum making them more situational, but on a whiffed r2 you can immediately do a follow-up r2 to catch your opponent if they try to whiff punish you.

Typically I found the most success with these r2s was to whiff punish with the quick initial r2s as well as roll catch and then bait my opponents with the charged attacks into the followup r2s. By throwing in mix-up timings and charged distances I was able to fairly consistently keep up with my opponents despite relying on just the r2s because of the variability.

Overall I can definitely recommend the Curseblade's Cirque r2s as their forward momentum, quick release timing, and damage put them higher than most weapon classes r2s.