Demolition Man is a move used by Paul Phoenix since Tekken 4 as an extension of Bone Breaker. It has a Just Frame variant that requires more precise input. From its introduction to Tekken Tag Tournament 2, the second and third hits required an "on hit" timing to actually be performed. This was removed in Tekken 7, although the Just Frame variant still remains.
In Tekken 4, the Blue Spark variant required both the second and third hits to be at a Just Frame. Following games would ease the Blue Spark version's command to only require the last hit to be a Just Frame.
From Tekken 4 to Tekken 5, if only Bone Breaker is inputted or the last hit is mistimed, then the second hit will knock the opponent down, but if the last hit is inputted correctly, the second hit will not knockdown and will leave them grounded to be hit by the last hit.
Description[]
Paul executes his low sweep kick, a right elbow, and a heavy body blow that knocks the opponent away.
The last hit of the Just frame variant deals more damage than its normal counterpart and blue sparks surround Paul. It also sends opponents slightly farther away if they are airborne.
Usage[]
Demolition Man is Paul's most powerful low, and easily puts opponents in a 50/50 situation in combination with Phoenix Smasher, especially at the wall. However, it is massively punishable on block, and also requires a clean hit for full connection; otherwise the following 2 hits can be blocked.
Strangely, the blockstun on the 2nd hit can be cancelled with a sidestep, but attempting to do anything else either results in the character continuing to block or getting hit. Some characters can sidestep or sidewalk the 3rd hit completely this way. In Tekken 7: Fated Retribution, a few characters, such as Steve and Lee, can use an Attack Reversal during a sidestep to nullify the 3rd hit, but only if it is not inputted with b+1+3 or b+2+4; otherwise, they get counter hit. In Tekken 8, this is now only possible with certain Sabaki parries such as Leroy's Enter the Dragon due to the near-universal input change to Attack Reversals being b+1+3 or b+2+4, and said Attack Reversals being slower to activate.
The 3rd hit's pushback on block is even more massive than Phoenix Smasher's, meaning fewer reliable punishes for it exist. In later games, it can be slightly delayed due to the input leniency, making the pushback stronger still. In Tekken 7: Fated Retribution, this delay also allows more characters to sidestep/sidewalk it, or reverse it after a sidestep cancel, like Fahkumram, whose Sabaki would not be fast enough otherwise.