It's definitely proper notation.
Welcome to FGC lingo 101!
The numbers are directions, as if your stick was placed right in the middle of a keyboard numpad, with 5 being the center. The letters in this case are their respective attack buttons, in this case L(ight), M(edium) and H(eavy), and S(pecial)
So a 5L would mean neutral or standing light, or jab.
2L in this case means down light, or crouching jab.
The hold input is also very important for another mechanic called negative edge. Basically, both the press and the release of a button are counted as valid inputs, and when an input is accepted this way; on the release of the button, that is negative edge. Essentially, this allows for more leeway in special inputs because you're getting two chances on every button press.
Lastly, theres the special input notations, which in this case is character specific. However, since Ryu is one of the OGs, and the names of his supers are so ubiquitous with specific motions, a lot of the time you'll see them being used in place of the actual input. Which are as follows:
Tatsu, short for Tatsumaki. Quarter circle back motion, can be written out as qcb(Button) or 214(Button)
Hado, Hadoken or Fireball. Quarter circle forward motion, qcf(Button) or 236(Button)
Shoryu, or Shoryuken. Aka Dragon Punch. One of the more confusing inputs for newer players, it's a Z motion on the stick. Usually forward, then down, then down forward. Will usually be seen written out as just DP or 623(Button)
The names are important here because, as I mentioned, they are generally ubiquitous and tend to do similar functions, even on other characters or even other games. But we don't really need to get into all that right now. I haven't even mentioned Charges, which, techincally, the superjump is one, but we'll save all that for the inevitable FGC lingo 102.
With all that being said, just from glancing at the input list, this seems like it's actually a pretty basic meter dump bnb combo. Though it may also be his old infinite combo since I see it loops fireball, low sweep into DP a couple times. It's been a while since I played UMvC3 and I never actually played Ryu much. I played Vergil, Dante and Deadpool, 'cuz it was highschool and I was an Edgelord. And I was and still am shitass at the game.
All of this was from memory, evidenced by how my dumbass just remembered the Special button, and edited all this accordingly. Why the hell would you superjump after Tatsu? It's a hard knockdown so you'll need the OtG to continue the combo. Rookie mistake...
last edited at Aug 30, 2025 2:02AM