Shaolin

Shaolin is a playable hero class in For Honor.

Overview[]

The Shaolin are fierce warrior monks known for their fluid fighting style and their prowess with the staff.

The Order of Shaolin was formed long before the Cataclysm, when the first monks established a monastery and shared their martial skills with their followers.

After the Cataclysm, civil war enveloped the Empire, and the monks honed their warrior skills to preserve a spirituality that was quickly disappearing from the world. If that meant a clenched fist, then these warrior monks would be ready.

Today, they spend their days praying, training, and fighting. They hold their prayers close to them at all times and deliver their message with a spiritual force that’s unmatched.

Armor[]

The only armor the Shaolin wears are a pair of bracers and greaves. Other than that, he wears the robes and artifacts of his monastery, with tattoos of prayers covering his body.

Weapon[]

Staff - A simple but long ranged weapon, the staff is a weapon that should not be underestimated for its humble looks as it is capable of pummeling enemies in an array of swings and thrusts.

Known Shaolin[]

Wei Chang

Trivia[]

The Shaolin's staff is not static, and has proper physics that allow it to bend flexibly during certain emotes and attacks. This physics can be seen particularly when Shaolin rides on top of the staff during certain Executions and Emotes.
Shaolin was referred to being an Assassin class on the June 14th, 2018 episode of Warrior's Den. However, this was a misspoken statement, debunked in other official news and webpages that came later, stating that he is meant to be a Hybrid.
- Thus, it is likely Roman, the caster on Warrior's Den who mistakenly called Shaolin an Assassin, meant to say that Shaolin is a hybrid between the Assassin and the Vanguard classes.
- This mistake may have also come from the fact that Shaolin was the only Hybrid Hero with a Reflex Guard, a Guard type that only Assassin Heroes had. No other Hybrid Heroes was given the Guard Type, even if they were an Assassin Hybrid of some kind.
The Shaolin is based off his namesake, the Shaolin monks.
In promotional art, Shaolin is shown using the Lacquered weapon set instead of his default Ringlet weapon set.
Some of the Shaolin's designs and gear are a reference to Sun Wukong, the Monkey King, from his shouts when fighting to the inclusion of monkey masks as one line of visuals.
- Shaolin would eventually receive a Hero Skin fully based on the hero in the form of Monkey King Wukong.
The "Qi" (pronounced ch'i) in Qi Stance is a vital force that is believed, by those of traditional Chinese culture and other East Asian cultures, to exist. This vital force or energy is said to flow through and/or links all matter and living things.
The Shaolin possesses moves and stances that are part of Shaolin Kung Fu.
- In Qi Stance:
  - Top Light or side Heavy is the Gōng Bù (弓步; "Bow Stance") stance. However, his stance is too high with the body weight leaning too far over the bent knee (causing the knee to go past the foot), which are incorrect for the stance. Sometimes the back leg's knee is also bent, which is also incorrect for the stance as that knee should be straight.
  - Side Light is the Bàn Mǎ Bù (半馬步; "Half Horse Stance") stance, a modification of the Mǎ Bù (馬步; "Horse Stance") that shifts the body's weight partially towards one leg than being equally distributed.
  - Top Heavy is the Fú Hǔ Bù (伏虎步; "Taming Tiger Stance") stance, also known as the Pū Bù (仆步 "Flat Stance") stance. However, the upper body is bent over, where the proper use of the stance sees the back perpendicular to the ground and the body lower so that the entirety of the front leg is very close to the ground.
- Some moves in the Shaolin's moveset come from the staff form known as "Yīn shǒu gùn" (阴手棍; lit. "Yin hand staff"), a staff form typically taught to beginners as their introductory to the staff. Some of such moves include the Opener/Chain Top Heavies (including Shadowstep), Elegant Lotus (Side Lights from Qi Stance) and Lotus Leap (Top Heavy from Qi Stance).
In his quote for Sun Kick and Flying Kick, the Shaolin recites the short form of the Nianfo (念佛), a term commonly seen in Pureland Buddhism. It refers to the repetition of the name of Amitābha (also known as "Amida Buddha"), with its purpose being to practice mindfulness, especially during meditation, and allow the chanter to obtain birth in Amitābha's pure land. In other religious practices of Buddhism, it has other uses, such as being a greeting between monks.
- The standard form of the Nianfo in Chinese is "Ná mó ēmítuófó" (南無阿弥陀佛), while the shortened version is "Ēmítuófó" (阿弥陀佛). Although there are no direct translations of these lines, one common translation of the standard form is "(Amida) Buddha blesses you."
- The standard form of the Nianfo used to be the line for Sun Kick and Flying Monkey before it was shortened. The use of the shortened form occurred prior to January 2020, without any explanation as to why it was changed.
Elegant Lotus initiated to the left from Qi Stance (Light) will trigger any of Shaolin's quotes, including the two exclusive ones to this specific command.
- An Elegant Lotus from Qi Stance (Heavy) or to the right does not use any quotes.
- Meanwhile, Astonishing and Bounding Blossom both also initiate random quotes when successful in their Superior Block.
- It is unknown if these are bugs.
Due to having four, although randomized and non-customizable, Emotes when holding Qi Stance, Shaolin holds the most executable Fighting Emotes possible during gameplay at six. This surpasses Highlander and Medjay, who each feature a single Fighting Emote when in Offensive Stance and Axe Mode respectively, thus having three Fighting Emotes during gameplay.
Shaolin's body is tattooed with Chinese characters, as mentioned in his Armor description. While they are noted to be "prayers," many of them have been found to instead be lines from poems or references to pop culture.

Executions[]

The execution "Flurry of Blows" is likely based off "Liánhuán Quán" (連環拳; lit. "rolling fist" or "chain punch"), a technique observed in some martial arts where the focus is to overwhelm the opponent with a flurry of punches.
- The execution is likely specifically inspired by a scene in the first movie of the Ip Man film series. At one point in the movie, titular protagonist Ip Man fights against ten black belts of Karate; near the end of the scene, Ip Man beats down to the ground the second-to-last black belt with a flurry of punches.
The execution "Maximum Shaolin" may be a reference to Seven-Sided Strike, a move that the monk class could use in the RPG Diablo 3. The following link is a short video demonstration of the move in the game: here.
- It could also be a reference to the Sun Wukong's ability to summon clones of himself to attack his enemy.
- This also could be a reference to the similarly named "Maximum Spider" Super move used by Spider-Man in the Marvel Vs. Capcom franchise, where Spider-Man rapidly attacks the target from all angles before delivering a final blow, similar to Shaolin's execution. A short video demonstrating the super move in game can be found here.
The execution "Feng Bo" (風伯) is the name of the Taoist deity of wind.

Quotes[]

Chinese: 就让我超度你吧 (Jiù ràng wǒ chāodù nǐ ba) - English: "Let my prayers put your soul to rest."
- Death Point Strike
Chinese: 金刚伏魔 (Jīngāng fú mó) - English: "Vajra conquers the Demon."
- Lotus Leap
Chinese: 阿弥陀佛 (Ēmítuófó) - English: "Buddha (blesses)."
- Sun Kick and Flying Monkey
Chinese: 金刚不坏 (Jīngāng bù huài) - English: "Vajra is invincible."
- Qi Stance (Enter from Light Attacks) into Elegant Lotus (Left)
- When Superior Blocking with Bound Blossom or Astonishing Blossom
Chinese: 南無阿弥陀佛 (Ná mó ēmítuófó) - English: "Buddha blesses you."
- Qi Stance (Enter from Light Attacks) into Elegant Lotus (Left)
- When Superior Blocking with Bound Blossom or Astonishing Blossom

Fighting Style[]

The Shaolin is a fast-paced combatant with a huge array of tools at his disposal. With his Staff, he is agile and can alter his combat flow by entering a special Qi Stance that gives him access to various special attacks. His attacks are quick, relentless, and unpredictable.

Difficulty: Hard
Agile fighter with a lot of options
Qi Stance

Special Capabilities[]

Qi Stance: Gains access to special moves that have various properties
Applies pressure upon his opponents with his infinite chain attacks and Qi Stance mix-ups
Wide sweeping and far-reaching attacks with the help of his staff

Perks[]

Available Perks for the Shaolin can be viewed on the Perks page.

Feats[]

Tier	1st	2nd	3rd
1	Qi Trap Set a trap that reveals the position of enemies who pass over the trap for a duration. Unlocked at level 1	Stealth Passive \| Hide yourself from the HUD, Radar & Aim Assist. Unlocked at level 5	Iron Lungs Passive \| You can still Sprint when Out of Stamina. Unlocked at level 13
2	Blink Shift behind a Locked enemy and perform a Sun Kick. Unlocked at level 1	Winner's Advantage Passive \| Gain a temporary attack buff after a successful attack. Unlocked at level 7	Thick Skin Passive \| Gain moderate Damage Reduction every 3 seconds. Unlocked at level 15
3	Invigorate Passive \| Heal self and nearby allies when landing hits from Qi Stance Unlocked at level 1	Heal on Block Passive \| Blocking regenerates your Health. Unlocked at level 9	Nukekubi Gain Stamina on successful hits. Unlocked at level 17
4	Blessed Projection Shift to an Ally after a short delay. Unlocked at level 1	Slippery Activate to block all grab attempts for a while. Unlocked at level 11	Scout All enemies are Marked for Death and show up on the Radar. Unlocked at level 19

Moveset[]

General[]

Renown: Hybrid - Renown is balanced across activities. (non-Dominion/Breach gamemodes only)
Revenge Mode - Boosts Damage and Health. All Attacks are Uninterruptible. Parry and Throws knock enemies down. Attacks are Auto-Parried on activation.
Dodge: Deflect - Dodge in the direction of an incoming Attack just before impact to Deflect it. A deflect does not interrupt the incoming attack, but in trade grants a Hero access to unique follow-ups.

Hero Specific[]

Qi Stance - Shaolin has a special stance called Qi Stance which he can enter during his chains to access special attacks.
- To Qi Stance - Hold Light Attack after a Light Attack or Heavy Attack after a Heavy Attack to enter Qi Stance. Keep holding Light or Heavy to stay in Qi Stance. Cannot enter Qi Stance from a Finisher Attack.
- From Qi Stance - You can use Light or Heavy inputs to launch attacks from Qi Stance by either pressing the input or releasing the held button (exa. If holding Light, releasing the button will launch a Qi Stance Light Attack). Shaolin can also perform a bash from Qi Stance by pressing X (XB1), ⬜ (PS4) or MMB (PC) while in Qi Stance.
- Exiting Qi Stance - Press B (XB1), ◯ (PS4) or E (PC) during Qi Stance or the start-up of feintable Qi Stance moves to exit the Stance. While holding Qi Stance, Shaolin can also exit Qi Stance with a Dodge. Getting hit will force Shaolin out of Qi stance.
Qi Stance Properties - Qi Stance moves have special properties to them.
- Superior Block Qi Stance Lights - Astonishing Blossom (Qi Lights) have Superior Block properties during their start-up, gaining Crushing Counter properties (receives Unblockable and increased damage) when successful in blocking an incoming attack. Time well to counterattack.
- Enhanced Blossom - Astonishing Blossom are also Enhanced, and will not be interrupted on Block. They will still be interrupted on Superior Block.
- Undodgeable Lotus - Elegant Lotus (Qi Heavies) is Undodgeable. Much like a normal Heavy attack, it can be canceled during its start-up.
- Sun Kick Strike Combo - A Sun Kick from Qi Stance can be followed up with a Sun Kick Strike, even on-miss.
- Qi Attacks into Sun Sweep - After a Qi Attack (Astonishing Blossom, Elegant Lotus) or Sun Kick Strike, press X (XB1), ⬜ (PS4) or MMB (PC) to perform Sun Sweep, a wide sweeping move which will knockdown the target enemy if it lands. Other Heroes hit by the Sweep will be knocked back.
- Sun Sweep Cancel - Unlike other unchargeable bashes, Sun Sweep can be cancelled during its start-up with B (XB1), ◯ (PS4) or E (PC).
- Sun Sweep Follow-up - After Sun Sweep, hit or miss, initiate a Heavy Follow-up attack with RT (XB1), R2 (PS4) or RMB (PC). Sun Sweep Follow-up can be canceled with B (XB1), ◯ (PS4) or E (PC) during its start-up. If the Sweep knocked down the opponent, the follow-up is guaranteed.
- Sun Sweep Opener - Sun Sweep Follow-up counts as a Chain Opener, thus entering Relentless as a Heavy. Holding the Heavy input during the recovery will Fast Flow into Qi Stance.
Flying Monkey Opener - Flying Monkey and Flying Monkey Variant can chain into a Light or Heavy Opener, guaranteeing the Light.
Shadowstep - Shadowstep and Side Shadowstep count as a Chain Opener, thus entering Relentless as a Heavy. Holding the Heavy input during the recovery will Fast Flow into Qi Stance.
- Shadowstep Cancel - Shadowstep (not Side Shadowstep) can be canceled with B (XB1), ◯ (PS4) or E (PC) during its start-up.
- Side Shadowstep Strike - Side Shadowstep strikes opposite from the direction of the dodge.
Deflect Attack - After a Deflect, Shaolin can perform a Deflect Attack with the Heavy Input.
- Deflect Attack Chain Opener - Deflect Attack counts as a Chain Opener, thus entering Relentless as a Heavy. Holding the Heavy input during the recovery will Fast Flow into Qi Stance.
- Special Deflect - Unlike other Deflect moves, Shaolin is able to initiate an Execution if Deflect Attack deals the finishing blow. It also has Uninterruptible Stance.
Relentless Chain Finishers - Using the same attack twice (Light into a Light, Heavy into a Heavy) will end the Relentless chain. As noted above, Chain Finishers cannot enter Qi Stance.
Stunning Throws - Throws will Stun targets.
Zone Attack - Cancel Zone Attack after the first or second hit with B (XB1), ◯ (PS4) or E (PC). Shaolin can target-swap the second and third strike in order to hit different opponents.
Enhanced Top Light Opener - Top Light Opener are not interrupted on Block, but are still interrupted on Superior Block.
Death Point Strike - Landed Side Light Openers can guarantee up to two follow-up strikes from the same side in order to perform Death Point Strike. Initiating the second or final strike of Death Point Strike prevents Shaolin from entering Relentless.
- Timed Strikes - The follow-up strikes in Death Point Strike require proper timing to perform. If performed too slowly or too quickly, the inputs will initiate a normal Light Finisher or only perform the first two strikes. Compared to other timed moves, Death Point Strike's timing is lenient.
- Death Point Strike into Qi Stance - Death Point Strike can enter Qi Stance mid-combo if the Light Attack button is held during the second attack. This has a limited window of opportunity, thus requires precise timing to initiate. This is Shaolin's only means of chaining from Death Point Strike.

Moves[]

(From Guard Mode)

Icon Legend

Name	PC	XB1	PS4
Relentless	LMB, RMB or RMB, LMB	RB, RT or RT, RB	Infinite R1, R2 or R2, R1
Death Point Strike	A + LMB, A + LMB, A + LMB	LS← + RB, LS← + RB, LS← + RB	LS← + R1, LS← + R1, LS← + R1
Death Point Strike Alternative	D + LMB, D + LMB, D + LMB	LS→ + RB, LS→ + RB, LS→ + RB	LS→ + R1, LS→ + R1, LS→ + R1
Flying Monkey (Not in Guard Mode)	↑ + MMB	LS (press to sprint) + X	L3 (press to sprint) + ⬜
Flying Monkey Variant	W + Space, MMB	LS↑ + A, X	LS↑ + X, ⬜
Enter Qi Stance with Light Attack	Hold LMB	Hold RB	Hold R1
Enter Qi Stance with Heavy Attack	Hold RMB	Hold RT	Hold R2
Astonishing Blossom (From Qi Stance)	A or W or D + Release or Press LMB	LS← or LS↑ or LS→ + Release or Press RB	LS← or LS↑ or LS→ + Release or Press R1
Elegant Lotus (From Qi Stance)	A or W or D + Release or Press RMB	LS← or LS↑ or LS→ + Release or Press RT	LS← or LS↑ or LS→ + Release or Press R2
Sun Kick (From Qi Stance)	MMB	X	⬜
Sun Kick Strike	After a Sun Kick, LMB	After a Sun Kick, RB	After a Sun Kick, R1
Sun Sweep	After Qi Attacks or Sun Kick Strike, MMB	After Qi Attacks or Sun Kick Strike, X	After Qi Attacks or Sun Kick Strike, ⬜
Sun Sweep Follow-up	After a Sun Sweep, RMB	After a Sun Sweep, RT	After a Sun Sweep, R2
Qi Stance Taunt (During Qi Stance)	F	Y	Δ
Shadowstep	W + Space, RMB	LS↑ + A, RT	LS↑ + X, R2
Side Shadowstep	A or D + Space, RMB	LS← or LS→ + A, RT	LS← or LS→ + X, R2
Shadow Deflect	, RMB	, RT	, R2

Equipment[]

*Star Weapon

**Rarity unknown

	Armor Styles	Weapon Styles
Common	Nomad Glorification Shan Gui	Ringlet Mahogany Sturdy Nailed Stump Woven
Rare	Devoted Monking Taibai	Striking Holy Intricate Warring Lacquered Gutou Lusongshi Huaishu Guanzizai Defiant Sage
Heroic	Jinse Shidafu Taiyang Gongsun Sheng	Lacquered Shoutao Wise Huajian Luse Gutou Mamian*
Epic	Taifeng Combustion Ferocious Guozijian	Yu Wukong Eternal Midnight Curlicue Guanyin Xiezhi Yang* Shepi*
Legendary	Zang-fu Xingxing Qiongqi Wu Song Lu Zhishen Helibo	Intricate Wisdom Fahua Jing Cold Death Blazing Tail* Simian* Shui*
Event	Chaotic Malevolence	Pharaoh's Curse Humble Goat Bu Xu Yun Geng He Daer Yebo Tianliang Zend Belligerent Apostate Thin Squash Chimera Tongqing Chilly Snowflake Ecliptic Animality
Premium		Wyverndale Monk Pillar of Horkos Sylvan's Serenity Avant-Garde Famingjia Fabled Hetong Cursed Shazi

Executions[]

Emotes[]

Passive Stance[]

Dandelion_In_The_Wind — Dandelion In The Wind

Reluctant_Applause_(Shaolin) — Reluctant Applause (Shaolin)

Fighting Stance[]

Executions[]

Rampage_Of_Ragnarok — Rampage Of Ragnarok

Sylvan_Vaporization — Sylvan Vaporization

Sylvan_Metamorphasis — Sylvan Metamorphasis

Minified_And_Put_Aside — Minified And Put Aside

Minified_And_Magnified — Minified And Magnified

Minified_And_Stomped — Minified And Stomped

Minified_And_Kicked_Away — Minified And Kicked Away

Blades_of_the_Vanguards — Blades of the Vanguards

To_The_Great_Beyond — To The Great Beyond

Feast_Upon_The_Weak — Feast Upon The Weak

The_Masquerade_Is_Over — The Masquerade Is Over

Farewell,_Chimera_Music_Box — Farewell, Chimera Music Box

Farewell,_Chimera_Zither — Farewell, Chimera Zither

Farewell,_Horkos_Bagpipe — Farewell, Horkos Bagpipe

Farewell,_Horkos_Violin — Farewell, Horkos Violin

Sorrowful_Concision — Sorrowful Concision

Death_Metal_Triangle — Death Metal Triangle

The_Spider's_Thrall — The Spider's Thrall

Gruesome_Punishment — Gruesome Punishment

Emotes[]

Passive Stance[]

The_Bard's_Instrument — The Bard's Instrument

Volcanic_Destruction_Blast — Volcanic Destruction Blast

Shadows_of_the_Hitokiri — Shadows of the Hitokiri

Skeptically_Swaying — Skeptically Swaying

Suspicious_Tumbleweed — Suspicious Tumbleweed

The_Bard's_Triangle — The Bard's Triangle

A_Light_In_The_Dark — A Light In The Dark

Sun's_Out_Chair's_Out — Sun's Out Chair's Out

Fighting Stance[]

Executions[]

Emotes[]

Passive Stance[]

Banner_Of_Arms_(Wu_Lin) — Banner Of Arms (Wu Lin)

Media[]

Images[]

Armor

Stills

Videos[]

Heroes
Knights	Warden - Conqueror - Peacekeeper - Lawbringer -Centurion Gladiator - Black Prior - Warmonger - Gryphon
Samurai	Kensei - Shugoki - Orochi - Nobushi - Shinobi Aramusha - Hitokiri - Kyoshin - Sohei
Vikings	Raider - Warlord - Berserker - Valkyrie - Highlander Shaman - Jormungandr - Varangian Guard
Wu Lin	Tiandi - Jiang Jun - Nuxia - Shaolin - Zhanhu
Outlanders	Pirate - Medjay - Afeera - Ocelotl