Street Fighter Alpha 3/Modes and ISMs

(Note: Much of the info provided here is taken from Kao Megura's SFA3 FAQ.)

Comparisons at a glance
* Does not include Super Combo damage.

X-ISM

 * + Longer Guard Power Gauge length (so it's harder to get Guard Crushed).
 * + All attacks, excluding Super Combos, do more damage.
 * - No air block.
 * - No ground recovery roll.
 * - No Alpha Counters.
 * - No Taunting (except for Dan).
 * - X-ISM characters have only one predetermined Super Combo.
 * - They take slightly more damage from attacks (blocked or not).

A-ISM

 * + Air blocking.
 * + Both ground and air recoveries
 * + Alpha Counters (these cost 1 level of SC power and 1 notch of your Guard Power Gauge).
 * + Taunting (once per round only, excluding Dan).
 * + SC gauge charges up faster than X-ISM's SC gauge.
 * + Access to all Super Combos (excluding Dhalsim).
 * - Damage per hit is average (less than in X-ISM).
 * - Guard Power Gauge size depends on character (certain characters are easy to Guard Crush).

V-ISM

 * + Air blocking.
 * + Both ground and air recoveries.
 * + Alpha Counters (these cost 50% of a full OC gauge and drain 1 notch from your Guard Power Gauge).
 * + Taunting (once per round only, excluding Dan).
 * + Determine which range of attacks you'll use (far or close), by leaving the controller neutral or holding it back when you press Punch or Kick (Does not apply to all characters).
 * + OC gauge also charges very quickly.
 * + Use Original Combos instead of Super Combos.
 * - Damage per hit is lower than in any other mode.
 * - It costs half an OC gauge to use an Alpha Counter.

Extra ISM-Pluses
There are twenty-six ISM-Pluses across Alpha 3's ports. The first 13 are in the PS1/Saturn versions of World Tour Mode. 12 more were added in the Dreamcast port's revamped version of World Tour Mode, as well as rewards for completing extra game modes. Examples include Arcade, Reverse Dramatic Battle, Dreamcast-only local challenges via Saikyo Dojo Mode, and various Survival Mode challenges. The final one is a reward in the PSP port, Alpha 3 MAX, for completing World Tour's Gokuentou fights. Only Alpha 3 MAX contains Edit Mode, which allows you to create a fighter with custom stats and ISM-Pluses, without playing through World Tour Mode. (Some JP names listed where applicable/known; all instances of "Alpha" use "Zero" in JP versions)


 * 1) Alpha Combo
 * 2) Alpha Cancel
 * 3) Super Alpha Cancel
 * 4) Super Guard
 * 5) ∞ Guard
 * 6) Auto Guard
 * 7) Guard Crush Plus / Gauge Power Plus
 * 8) Custom Combo / Original Combo
 * 9) Air Guard
 * 10) Alpha Counter Plus
 * 11) Super Combo Gauge Plus / Gauge Plus
 * 12) Resist Dizziness / Hard Body
 * 13) Damage Plus
 * 14) Status Plus / Guts
 * 15) Guard Smash / Guard Destroy
 * 16) Super Guard Smash
 * 17) Supreme Guard Smash / Super GP Plus
 * 18) Custom Combo Charger
 * 19) Alpha Power
 * 20) Super Alpha Power
 * 21) Supreme Alpha Power
 * 22) ∞ Auto Guard
 * 23) SC Gauge Recover
 * 24) Overall Power Up / Limit Off
 * 25) Multiple Taunt
 * 26) Air Chain Combo

Classic Mode

 * The damage rating is the same as in X-ISM (x1.2), and the gameplay is also the same (i.e. Chun-Li is in her SF2 outfit and has moves like the Sou Hakkei, etc.)
 * In addition to all of X-ISM's restrictions, you lose the ability to air recover, reduce block damage, or reduce damage taken.
 * Furthermore, you have no Super Combo gauge and no Guard Power Gauge.

Mazi (Serious) Mode

 * The damage your attacks inflict is considerably increased, regardless of the ISM used.
 * You take double damage from any attack.
 * Your opponent only needs to win one round to defeat you.

Saikyou ("Strongest") Mode
(Note: Saikyou is a reference to Dan's dojo and the interpretation of "Strongest" is meant to be sarcastic.)
 * The damage your attacks inflict is slightly lessened regardless of the ISM used.
 * Your Guard Power Gauge is drastically shortened.
 * You cannot cancel a ground attack into a special move.
 * You can get dizzied easier (your resistance is halved).