Robert E. O. Speedwagon (ロバート・E・O・スピードワゴン, Robāto Ī Ō Supīdowagon) was confirmed as a playable character alongside Mariah, Pet Shop, and Diego Brando during the Street Date trailer.[1]
His moveset is similar to that of his Eyes of Heaven appearance, with modifications and new aspects added to better fit him in with ASBR's different style of gameplay.
Having voiced Speedwagon since the Phantom Blood anime adaptation, Yoji Ueda reprises his role in this game as well. Like with the majority of the roster that have returning voice actors from Eyes of Heaven, voicelines for Speedwagon were added and re-recorded.
Speedwagon has 950 health and uses the Ogre Street Battle Style, fighting foes with his friends, Tattoo and Kempo Fighter. During a fight, he can use several different attacks that were featured in Phantom Blood.
Speedwagon switches his active companion between Tattoo and Kempo Fighter (dubbed in-game as "The Asian"), altering his available abilities. Skills involving either can only be performed if they are in a ready position (i.e. behind Speedwagon). As they act separately from him, Tattoo and Kempo Fighter will continue performing their respective skills even if Speedwagon is attacked; Inversely, they themselves can be struck by the opponent directly to interrupt their moves, even if Speedwagon himself isn't hit.
Speedwagon can quickly switch companions if this ability is chained from This guy reeks! or He smells worse than vomit!, expending half a stock of Heart Heat to do so not unlike Stand Users' Quick Stand ON Style ability.
This guy reeks!
+ ON GROUND
Speedwagon shifts forward and delivers a high kick, launching the opponent into the air. A command normal that can chain into Speedwagon's skills.
Rumble Mode (ゴゴゴモード, Gogogo Mōdo)
Activates when under 30% health
This mode is automatically activated once Jotaro falls bellow 30% health. It increases his attack power, as well as the rate at which the Heart Heat Gauge rises, while also decreasing the rate at which the Guard Guage drops.
Skills [Tattoo] (コマンド技)
Don't try to bluff, you rich little snot!
+ // ON GROUND
Speedwagon flings his bladed hat straight forward as a projectile, traveling a set distance before it reverses and flies back to him. The hat inflicts multiple hits, and can even strike an opponent as it returns. The attack button inputted determines the hat's maximum range and number of hits, but inversely affects its flight speed. (Flash Cancel comboable)
That does it!
+ // ON GROUND WHEN DOWNED
Speedwagon pulls out his sledgehammer and smashes down with it in a downwards swing, bouncing the opponent off the ground. This attack deals considerable Guard damage. The attack button inputted affects the attack's power but inversely affects its speed. This skill is a middle attack that cannot be blocked crouching, and can strike the opponent when they're downed. (Flash Cancel comboable)
Go nuts with those knives, boys!
+ // ON GROUND
Speedwagon orders Tattoo to move in front of him and deliver a thrusting stab, knocking the opponent off their feet. This attack deals high Guard damage, making it useful when trying to Guardbreak the opponent. The attack button inputted determines Tattoo's travel distance and damage. This skill cannot be Flash-Canceled.
GYAAAAAAAH!
+ // ON GROUND
Speedwagon orders Tattoo to leap upwards and come down in a diving stab, functioning as an anti-air attack. This is a middle attack that cannot be blocked crouching, and leaves the opponent crumpling and vulnerable to attack upon connecting. The attack button inputted determines Tattoo's travel distance and damage. This skill cannot be Flash-Canceled. (Comboable)
Speedwagon switches his active companion between Tattoo and Kempo Fighter (dubbed in-game as "The Asian"), altering his available abilities. Skills involving either can only be performed if they are in a ready position (i.e. behind Speedwagon). As they act separately from him, Tattoo and Kempo Fighter will continue performing their respective skills even if Speedwagon is attacked; Inversely, they themselves can be struck by the opponent directly to interrupt their moves, even if Speedwagon himself isn't hit.
Speedwagon can quickly switch companions if this ability is chained from This guy reeks! or He smells worse than vomit!, expending half a stock of Heart Heat to do so not unlike Stand Users' Quick Stand ON Style ability.
He smells worse than vomit!
+ ON GROUND
Speedwagon delivers a quick roundhouse kick, launching the opponent directly upwards. This attack is also capable of reflecting non-HHA/GHA projectiles, and is a command normal that can chain into Speedwagon's skills.
Rumble Mode (ゴゴゴモード, Gogogo Mōdo)
Activates when under 30% health
This mode is automatically activated once Jotaro falls bellow 30% health. It increases his attack power, as well as the rate at which the Heart Heat Gauge rises, while also decreasing the rate at which the Guard Guage drops.
Skills [Kempo Fighter] (コマンド技)
Don't try to bluff, you rich little snot!
+ // ON GROUND
Speedwagon flings his bladed hat straight forward as a projectile, traveling a set distance before it reverses and flies back to him. The hat inflicts multiple hits, and can even strike an opponent as it returns. The attack button inputted determines the hat's maximum range and number of hits, but inversely affects its flight speed. (Flash Cancel comboable)
You've got a lot to learn...
+ // ON GROUND
Speedwagon pulls out his sledgehammer and thrusts it forward before spinning it, knocking the opponent down on the final hit. This attack deals considerable Guard damage. The attack button inputted affects the attack's hit count. (Flash Cancel comboable)
Martial Arts, the Eastern mystery!
+ // ON GROUND
Speedwagon orders Kempo Fighter to move in front of him and deliver a hand strike, staggering the opponent. Depending on the attack button inputted, a follow-up combo is then performed upon the attack connecting.
Light (): Kempo Fighter delivers only the initial hand strike, shortening the skill's recovery.
Medium (): Kempo Fighter follows up on the hand strike with a high knee, launching the opponent into the air. (Comboable)
Heavy (): Kempo Fighter delivers the high knee then follows up on it with a roundhouse kick, finishing the combo by knocking the opponent back. (Comboable)
This skill cannot be Flash-Canceled, but Speedwagon may act again around the time Kempo Fighter delivers the high knee.
Aren't you acting tough!
+ // ON GROUND
Speedwagon orders Kempo Fighter to leap upwards and come down in a diving kick, functioning as an anti-air attack. If it connects, he launches backwards off the opponent and knocks them back a fair distance. The attack button inputted determines Kempo Fighter's travel distance. (Flash Cancel comboable)
Throw (投げ技)
Bastard!
2 ATK buttons near opponent or (Rear throw with ) ON GROUND
Speedwagon shoves the opponent before taking out his sledgehammer and delivering a heavy batting swing to send them flying.
Attack type: Throw
Heart Heat Attack / Great Heat Attack (HHA / GHA)
Hand over all you've got!
+ 2 ATK Buttons ON GROUND
Readying himself, Speedwagon steps charges forward in a shoulder tackle. If it connects, he orders his companions to attack: Tattoo steps from behind him and shanks the opponent, before the Kempo Fighter flies in from their other side in a dive kick. Speedwagon finishes the team attack with a downwards sledgehammer strike to knock the opponent away.
Ha ha! The blade went right to the bone!
+ 3 ATK Buttons, or ON GROUND
Speedwagon lets out a battle cry as he wields his sledgehammer and swings it forward. If it connects, him and his two companions charge the opponent all at once to knock them down. As they recover, Speedwagon flips and launches his bladed bowler hat, curving along its path to strike them in the abdomen. The hat begins shredding into the opponent before a noise confirms that it's reached bone as their excruciatingly pained face is shown. It finally cuts through its target and flies back to Speedwagon as he catches and dons it.
Assist System (アシストシステム)
Assault Assist (アサルトアシスト, Asaruto Ashisuto)
ON GROUND
Speedwagon appears, instantly throwing his saw-hat forwards, dealing small damage, as well as slightly pushing the enemy back in hitstun.
Outside of the All-Star Battle Mode, Speedwagon has unique interaction dialogue for both his match entrances and victories when facing certain characters.
1. Land a First Attack: 1000 G 2. Use the "Ripple Breathing" style: Speedwagon Publicity Artwork 3. Land the "Zoom Punch" special: Speedwagon's Theme
Entrance Dialogue
Speedwagon: Those are some nice digs you've got there, chap. I think I'll take them! Jonathan: Hold it! No need to be hasty! I'm just here searching for the one who sells the oriental poison!
Victory Dialogue
Jonathan: I came here to help my father... You must have a mother and father, and brothers too... I don't want to cause them grief!
Defeat Dialogue
Speedwagon: I've got just one question! Why didn't you kick me full force?
1. Down your opponent: 1000 G 2. Use a Heart Heat Attack: Hermit Purple Reference Sketch 3. Land the "Go nuts with those knives, boys!" skill: Speedwagon Color Tint C
Entrance Dialogue
Old Joseph: Step aside unless you wanna get hurt, kid! Speedwagon: You're the one who needs to step down, old man!
Victory Dialogue
Speedwagon: This guy's got some crazy moves! They were kind of like Ripple, but kind of different... What were they?!
Defeat Dialogue
Old Joseph: Have I seen this thug somewhere before, or is it just me?
1. Land a 5-hit combo: 1000 G 2. Land the "This incredible power...!" throw: Jotaro Reference Sketch 3. Win with the "My Stand will be the judge!" skill: Jotaro Color Tint C
Entrance Dialogue
Jotaro: Speedwagon? So you're the one in charge of the Foundation? Speedwagon: "Foundation?" What on earth are you talking about?
Victory Dialogue
Jotaro: You're pretty young to be running a Foundation... Guess I was wrong.
Defeat Dialogue
Speedwagon: You know, lad, now that I get a good look, you look a bit like Mr. Joestar.
The player's Heart Heat Gauge continuously refills. The player's defense is decreased.
Secret Missions
1. Use the "Right hand rockout" special: 1000 G 2. Land the "I'll drag you in!" skill: Akira Reference Sketch 3. Use a Great Heat Attack: Akira Color Tint C
Entrance Dialogue
Akira: You wanna sponsor the one and only Ultra Super Guitarist? Speedwagon: Me, a sponsor? What in the world do you mean?
Victory Dialogue
Akira: Don't give me that! You're with that Foundation Jotaro Kujo mentioned!
Defeat Dialogue
Speedwagon: Speedwagon Foundation?! I suppose I would like to make a name for myself someday...