Blessed with the shortest standing hurtbox and joint-shortest crouching hurtbox in the game, making it easier for Youmu to avoid certain attacks.
Youmu has generally good mobility when dashing, especially with her ground dashes.
Frame data on most moves is quite good even at lower spirit levels, and only gets better at higher levels.
As is somewhat typical of a sword wielder, Youmu has high priority on a lot of attacks that use it.
The only character in the game with a regular standing Normal that has to be blocked low in Standing .
Youmu is one of the best characters in the game at building Power, helped in part by the generous amount of it gained from using Specials.
Access to a strong okizeme option in Lotus Stance Cut greatly strengthens Youmu's pressure game.
The spirit meter being very equilibrium-based makes it easier for Youmu to steamroll an opponent if she is already in advantage and at the highest spirit level.
Has some of the highest combo damage output in the game when at the highest spirit level.
Has some incredibly fast and potent mix-up options when at the highest spirit level.
Cons
Saddled with only 850 Life, which is tied with Lie Meiling for the joint second lowest Life value in the game.
Has surprisingly middling regular mobility outside of dashing, which is most noticeable when using regular jumps.
Youmu has to be very cautious when using stray moves in neutral, as she is actively punished with loss of spirit for any whiffed attacks.
The spirit meter being very equilibrium-based makes it harder to make a comeback if Youmu is already in disadvantage and at lower spirit levels.
Loses a lot of damage from both raw hits and reduced combo prowess when at the lowest spirit level.
Loses access to certain mix-up options when at the lowest spirit level.
The Spirit Meter
Visual representation of the four spirit levels as seen in-game, in descending order from level 1 at the top to level Max at the bottom. Myon (the thing that follows Youmu) will change its colour to match Youmu's current spirit level if it's in wisp form.
Youmu's spirit meter is her unique mechanic for Gensokyo Reloaded, serving as an integral part of her gameplay and acting as a general indicator of how well she is performing in battle at any given time. Youmu starts a match at spirit level 2 with 35% of the gauge filled in, and must work her way up from there to the coveted level Max while also avoiding situations that can potentially lower it to the undesirable level 1. Spirit can be acquired by either successfully landing hits on an opponent or standing within 50 in-game units of them while not performing certain actions; conversely, spirit is lost when whiffing attacks or if an opponent successfully lands hits on Youmu.
The amount of spirit passively generated from being within the required opponent proximity is dependant on Youmu's current spirit level; if she's at either spirit levels 1 or 2, spirit gain is 0.3% every frame (or 18% a second), whereas if she's at spirit levels 3 or Max, spirit gain is reduced by a third to 0.2% every frame (or 12% a second). Passive generation is temporarily disabled if Youmu uses any move listed under the Movelist section, activates a dash, is successful in blocking an attack (but not if she's preparing to block one), or is in any hitstate.
The thresholds for spirit levels are as follows:
Level 1: 0% ~ <30% spirit
Level 2: 30% ~ <70% spirit
Level 3: 70% ~ <95% spirit
Level Max: 95% ~ 100% spirit
Increased spirit levels will usually provide Youmu with higher damage and/or improved frame data on most of her attacks, the latter of which can open up additional combo routes or make her pressure much safer; in addition to this, there are some target combos that only become available with higher spirit levels, which further bolster the character's mix-up and combo capabilities. At spirit level Max, Youmu gains access to a secondary last word that provides her with an extremely damaging combo finisher, which when used in conjunction with the other benefits she gains from being at that spirit level, gives her one of the most damaging combo strings in the game.
version: adds 40 spirit for each hit, deducts 40 spirit on whiff, can only hit up to 3 times. version: adds 21 spirit for each hit, deducts 40 spirit on whiff, can only hit up to 2 times. version: adds 15 spirit on hit, deducts 40 spirit on whiff.
Version
Startup
Active
Recovery
Total
Advantage
32
1~30
32
65
D
+3
29
1~30
29
59
D
-1
26
1~30
26
53
D
-5
Spell Cards
Life Ending Sword "Sword of Meditation"
Hit Damage
Spirit levels 1~3: 48x6 Spirit level Max: 52x6
Guard Damage
Spirit levels 1~3: 7x6 Spirit level Max: 8x6
Guard Type
Proration
0.92x6
P1 Power Gain
-1000
P2 Power Gain
50x6
Properties
Adds 50 spirit for each hit, deducts 50 spirit for each whiff.
"6-Root Cleansing" must be selected at the beginning of the match. Does not make contact with opponents in hitstun or blockstun. Adds 400 spirit on contact, deducts 400 spirit on whiff.
Startup
Active
Recovery
Total
Advantage
1+0
2
61
64
D
D
"Secret of Life and Death"
Hit Damage
N/A
Guard Damage
N/A
Guard Type
N/A
Proration
N/A
P1 Power Gain
-1500~3000
P2 Power Gain
N/A
Properties
"Secret of Life and Death" must be selected at the beginning of the match. Depletes all Power upon activation. Higher Power depletion increases install duration (min 4 seconds at 1500 Power, max 10 seconds at 3000 Power). Myon turns into a Youmu clone that mimics Youmu's current action, albeit delayed by 12 frames. Damage output from all attacks is reduced to 60%. The Youmu clone hitting or whiffing attacks has no effect on the spirit meter. P1 Power gains are disabled while this move remains active.
Startup
Active
Recovery
Total
Advantage
0+6
--
--
6
--
--
"Matsuyoi-Reflecting Satellite Slash"
Hit Damage
580
Guard Damage
116
Guard Type
Proration
0.2
P1 Power Gain
-3000
P2 Power Gain
600
Properties
Can only be used at spirit level Max. * Attack's damage is not affected by proration. Deducts 400 spirit on whiff.