Thank you for the suggestions. I (hopefully)fixed the sprites you mentioned, and added a held option for fspecial. You can still tap for him to go the previous distance too.

I added a sprite to test out Dagon entering a trance as well when Rudas is in command mode, but I'm not sure how useful it will be considering that commands are given in only a few frames.

As for the eye, I'm still testing different mechanics for it, but it should pop upon hitting the ground. What likely happened is that it was floating just above the ground, as it gets displaced slightly upwards after hitting the floor or a platform before floating towards Rudas's position.

sorry I didn't get to you on time, first, it seems every grounded attack using the new sprites, so all tilts and up strong shift rudas backwards, aerials are harder to judge since there is no ground to compare, but they seem fine.
Regarding my feedback with the puppet, my main thing would be making side special stop as soon as you stop holding the input, so you can precisely decide where to position it, right now it feels a bit finicky and hard to control for set ups, and second, neutral special is a bit confusing visually, I think when holding the move, instead of rudas going into that wierd transce, it should actually be the puppet to more clearly indicate that it is waiting an input from you, since it just seems like rudas is going to do something instead, Finally, the eye projectile works a bit wierd, not sure if it is meant to slide on the ground, but anyways hope this helps, good luck!

Cool idea, cant wait to see it later

I really want to see the final result, the idea is brutal and your dedication is admirable, it's almost there until it turns out incredible!

The sprites were made by Nix, who I will add as a contributor soon. I will probably adjust the dash sprite myself, as the original idea was to have him being carried by a wave of duplicated arms.

Could you point out which sprites get displaced? It's an easy fix if I know which ones they are.

Lastly, I am working on balancing the puppet. His summon time has already been reduced in my development build, and I plan on testing with more people soon to get a better idea of where to go with it.

Thank you for the feedback though, every bit helps at this point, and I am glad you are enjoying him so far.

the new sprites, even if not complete are an insane upgrade, really great job, that said, a lot of animations tend to shift the position of rudas, like when he starts walking his sprites goes back a few pixels, and this happens with a lot of other animations, also I can't help but feel like the dash is missed potential, he could've had a cool dash where he grows extra legs or sliders in a goopy form, so the roll feels a bit underwhelming, the puppet still feels rather finicky to control, but all that said, it is still a really great improvement, and I can't wait to see more

That is intentional, as the first input is to summon him. Subsequent inputs, while he is alive, are to enter command mode in order to give him a command.

Oh ty but something i have noticed a bit is you have to send out *DA BOI* and then press special again then do the input to get the move. Just figured i'd mention idk

I'm planning on releasing an update soon that makes him less buggy and makes his movement smoother. As for how to use Dagon's moves, you press neutral b, and then press the control stick in a direction. You don't need to press special a second time, only once per command. so it would look like b then < or /\ or > or \/.

Also, new sprites are in the works. I will have more detailed instructions on how the character works once I get the new sprites, since I can make one of those move description images like other workshop characters have as well as videos.

just some support (this is great btw) Dagon doesnt function most of the time. Its hard to know what hes going to do, he slides way too much or not enough, and he has seemingly three moves all attached to the same button? If you could please clear this up for me it would be great. Again, amazing mod.

Thank you, I'm glad you like it so far. Hopefully I can find a artist to help with the sprites soon.

This is a pretty nice character, I like that you're looking at adding a new playstyle to Rivals 2 by adding a puppet fighter. I can get an idea at where you're headed with Rudas and Dagon despite it not being finished yet. The sprites could use some work IMO but you already said you planned to change that and also I can't even draw/sprite so you're doing better than me at that , I'm sure in the future when you flesh Rudas and Dagon out they'll be pretty fun once someone learns them real good. Good luck on getting this duo into Rivals 2!

https://m.youtube.com/@acatwithhorns1768

Here is his YouTube, I’ll inform him about this as soon as I’m able too

Sure, that would be a huge help.

I might know someone who would be willing to do a commission, I don’t think they do pixel art but I feel like he would enjoy drawing your character, I’d have have to tell him about this but if you want I can link his YouTube (it’s the only social media of his that I know)

I knew when I first started work on a character for the contest that I wanted to make an abyss character. Although, originally he was possessed by the abyss, rather than simply being mutated by it.

Interesting take to include the abyss as a playable character