Guilty Gear Strive - Armor-Clad Faith (Potemkin) | Reacting To Video Game Music! 

Potemkin is from an independent state called Zepp, which was primarily constructed by India in defiance of following the rest of the world in adopting newly discovered magic. There's a lot more to dissect with the character specifically, but that's basically why there's the Buddhist themes in the music and visuals!

Potemkin was a really early example of a grappler with a functional brain during a time where most of them were either combat fanatics or straight-up monsters. Hailing from a former slave state called Zepp, Potemkin supported their fight for liberty under the command of the enigmatic Gabriel. Eventually, they were acknowledged by the World President as an independent nation, and are now helping with global peacekeeping... most of the time. But Potemkin was never just "the big guy". Unlike the verifiable smartasses of the roster, he's is a very thoughtful and sensible man who always seeks peaceful solutions where possible, and often advises others like a mentor. At the same time, he struggles with an existential crisis, questioning if his cause is truly just, or if he just remained a slave under a different banner. But in fear of losing his purpose, he keeps those questions to himself, and hides his doubts behind an almost religious sense of duty towards his people. Because of this, other characters often point out that his lack of conviction is holding him back, or may even get him killed one day.

"Is he even human?" Even though his biceps are bigger than most peoples' chests he is indeed a regular human.

we truly live in a armor clad faith

One part of Potemkin's personality that people usually gloss over is that he's usually very peaceful. He loves arts and culture, and one of his favourite activity is painting. In fact one of his biggest dislikes are paintbrushes that snap under two tons of pressure. That is also reflected in certain parts of the song. That said Potemkin's combat potential is high enough to be considered to be an entire army by himself. There were stories in previous games where he held an entire frontline in Europe by himself, with the wind pressure caused by him just punching the air destroying entire mobs of gears. Overall the guy is a huge bro to everyone.

Before this song, Potemkin was the big silly "clown" of the series, an utterly ridiculous character, a huge behemoth who suplexes people from the stratosphere. But this song single handedly unveils everything that goes on inside Potemkin's head, and how he views the very concept of him being a clown to parade around.

Jesse's heard a lot of the Strive OST by now, I think it's about time to throw him a curveball like Perfection Can't Please Me, Disaster of Passion, or The Town Inside Me. I would love to see his reaction to such a different side of Daisuke's sound.

So, the whole stuff behind the song is about the nation he helped lead a revolution is during the war of said revolution. There's a whole bunch you can dissect from this song, but the main themes was elaborated on in another video and I'll simply elaborate on here a small bit. He was forced to do something watching everyone die so that nobody else would fall, but at the same time he doesn't have true faith in his actions. Hence the name and theming. He's clad this faith of forging ahead and saving as many as possible that's shattered in armor so nothing can break it down.

This is one of my favorite Guilty Gear vocal tracks. Listening to it with you, Jesse, I also feel like it's kinda... all over the place with the Oriental instruments barging in on the guitar, but that harmony is AMAZING. But hey. I'm a fooool. I know nothiiiiing. 🎶 😆

ARMORED-CLAAAAAAAAD FAIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIITH! This is My Favorite Track in the Whole Game! I'm Glad u enjoyed this Massive Indian Man's Theme! Also Thanks for the mention 😁

Gotta suggest Requiem from GG Strive. It's the theme of I-No, aka "The Rock and Roll Witch", and it's one of my favourite character themes.

Not sure if anyone has mentioned this, but the relaxed "Nirvana" section cutting into the heavy chorus is a reference to one of his supers, "Heavenly Potemkin Buster". The animation for it is beautiful and somewhat zen as he lifts you high into the heavens and pauses for a second, before crashing down to earth, breaking your spine, and throwing your lifeless body away. In game, this super does insane damage and leads to amazing knockdown pressure for potemkin, and this is where his game really starts. This is one of many of my favourite little easter eggs Daisuke put into his songs.

In the Beta of the game when the song names hadn't been released yet. Everyone thought the song was called 'I'm a clown of fate' and not 'Armor clad faith' . And the part of 'society' just added to everyone's believe that it was the clown thing. It became a meme in the Guilty Gear community 🤣🤣

The reason why the songs in strive are formulaic is because the average match of GG is 2-4 minutes, a game can end in 2 matches, or 3 matches, if you get to a 3rd match on average you're at the 2-4 minute area, which is usually where solos or 'best parts' happen to build up third round hype.

The point about the lyrics being rhythmic and the chorus being open is probably a representation of Pot being a mindless solider with a mind. He salutes and carries out orders without fail, but he clearly thinks about things and is actually a big softie on the inside of that armor. He was actually a slave in the beginning of his overall story, and worked his way up to being a high ranking officer in the army of the nation of Zepp after taking part in the coup that liberated/founded the nation.

Because Jesse is starting to understand Daisuke it would be cool for him to go listen to a few of the really different songs like May's(the disaster of passion) or Bridget's(the town inside me) theme. They work so different from the normal heavy metal formula.

As a guitarist I think you’d really enjoy I-No’s theme “requiem”. It has my favorite guitar solo on the soundtrack and is just really great all the way through.

Heck yeah I was looking forward to this one for sure. Also, I'm surprised someone else was reminded of Killswitch Engaged after hearing this song. I was a massive fan of them during my teen days and they still hold a special place in my heart, but they've long since been dethroned (By Avenged Sevenfold specifically). Here's to more Guilty Gear songs! It's always a treat to hear you break them down.

GG lore is fuckin.... all over the place. But Potemkin is like a straight up genius and truly a giant teddy bear. All he really wants is everlasting peace.

A fun fact about all the character themes in Strive: They all have the name of the song in their lyrics except for I-no's theme, Requiem

A fun fact that Daisuke had hidden riffs from the character’s original songs from the earlier guilty gears into their Strive themes. I wonder if you listened to the old ones could you catch some of the influences in the Strive songs?

So, Potemkin is from the nation of Zepp, wich is currently an airship (GG lore is bonkers) but before was India, that's where some of the instruments are coming as well as reference the reference to nirvana

This song is definitely up there as one of the top tier strive tracks. Also let me tell you, landing the heavenly pot buster on the Discord drop is one of the most satisfying things ever.

What I like about this song is that, it sounds like the longer the match, the more he seems to lose his faith. The second 'nirvana' is much more wavery, 'I may sound like a silly clown' turns into 'I take the role of a silly clown' and 'maybe I'm worthless' is added the third time around. And while it starts with 'every single breath you take is a countdown to your death' as kind of a cocky mockery of the enemy, the songs ends with him praying.

My favorite part about potemkins theme is the vocals at the beginning that sounds like it comes from a megaphone, it has such atmosphere and really fits the theme of the song and I wish there was more

Love seeing you thriving bro ❤️ keep it up!

I love your Guilty Gear reactions! you should definitely do Find your one way (Sol Badguy's theme) next!

He's from Zepp, which I believe in guilty years universe India and the USSR combined, overtime it became like one race/ nation

amazing reaction. I can't wait for alone infection (faust theme) that's one of my favorite ones

I WAS WAITING FOR THIS

I hope someone gives Jesse some Xrd songs too soon. Six Black Heavens Guns, Storyteller, Divide My Heart, Sky Should Be High... All of them, absolute bangers he would adore

The song is about pre-revolution Zepp, him being a slave to the state forced to fight for them. And helping in a revolution to overthrow their evil rulers, to bring independence to Zepp.

ARMOR.CLAD.FAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAITH!!!!! literally best track on the game don't @me you are wrong

Back in the beta we used to think the song name was 'Society' and that the chorus was 'I'm a clown of fate' Joker Potemkin was fun while it lasted.

in the lore of GG, Potemkin was born to the state of Zepp, a military junta, towards the end of a period called the Crusades. He was conscripted and enslaved then later set free and he was augmented, becoming President Gaberiel's bodyguard after Zepp had a revolution. Armor-Clad Faith is about Potemkin's struggle to find his place in the world and coming to terms with his new role in Zepp society

3:29 same reaction, not grooving to that riff is impossible!

Been lowkey waiting for this lul

Just wait, once you hear Necessary Discrepancy you’ll be so confused on the structure

Countdown to your death is referring to his bomb collar he used to wear.

Hell yeah, he finally did it, reaction on Pot theme!

And not a single ounce of glue was left as the glue eaters take over

The thing about Daisuke is that he has always makes the big guy have an extremely heavy song. Burly Heart (Potemkin"s old theme) even sounds like Kashmir.

awesome vid love it when you do guilty gear,.hopefully, some one can request requiem i-no theme someday

A recommendation to toss (that honestly might even just request) is I-no's theme, Requiem, mostly because in an already guitar centric game, she herself in guitar centric, both in design and song

In the alternate timeline of Guilty Gear, Zepp - where Potemkin is from - is approximately where India is located. Also if you want a chunky Potemkin theme, check out Burly Heart, his theme from GGX2; its definitely a chunky sort of sound.

Was cool seeing the 7 string. I like little lessons like that lol.

This song goes so hard it almost makes up for my Potemkin friend being way better than me at the game and potbuster-ing me 70x in a session

I wanna him listem "Sky Should be High" from the same game. THIS. SONG. IS. FEEEEEEEEEEEVER !!!!!

It also reminds me a lot of Soilwork, especially some of the singing parts.

Hands down my favorite character theme. From the first line shouted, the radio filtered lines, the guitar harmonies, and the strange Nirvana break before the chorus....just amazing.

I really reccomend I-No's theme Requiem. I think you'd really like it

Battle VS Moebius (Consul version, cant specify more without spoilers) FROM XENOBLADE 3 is one of my favourite battle themes ever, so i suggest a reaction to that!!

This song is on-brand with the character; “a good man goes to war.”

I think you would like Testament's theme from Guilty Gear Strive... it's a good one.

The days my mother was there J esemble version....Just check it out...

I'd love your reaction to Like a weed, Naturally, As a matter of course or The town inside me

You should check out the band Outrage it's the singers actual band

Potemkin is a wholesome big lad

You really gotta do Faust's theme (Alone Infection)

I love how Killswitch Engage this sounds, i used to listen to them when I was like 7 and still do now at 22 and listening to this as an official game soundtrack makes my day

Jesse, I’ve always meant to ask. You mentioned that you’re a part of the FGC, what game did you/do you play?

Best song in Guilty Gear Strive, no bias here, its not like I main the character and relate to him on a personal level (Big dude, good at fighting but would rather talk it out, loves to draw in his free time). Unfortunately, he doesn't have many if at all any rock references, correct me if I'm wrong.

Surprised you haven't covered Alone Infection yet.

These lyrics hit like a ton of bricks once you know Potemkin's story. Guy has done a lot, including help win a rebellion, becoming close friends with their leader, and became a famous war hero in the process; but he's doubting if the new government he helped build is actually good, but he's committed to sticking with them and praying he made the right choice.

I'm surprised Colors hasn't come up yet

Hahahahaha this is one of my fave tracks while playing

yes, Potempkin is human and actually dislikes fighting, his hobby is art of all things!

the reason why it feels a bit asian is cause on the gg verse after a lot of things happened basicallly russia india and some middle east countries fused into zepp

I really wanna see your reaction to Crawl from Strive

I'M A CLOWN ON FIIIIIIIIRRRRRE!!!

if only strive matches lasted long enough to get you to the solo in this song.

He thinks pot is the grappler but it was me kye all along

You should listen to Bridget's theme from GGST as well, whole different vibe, kinda reminiscent to Persona music. And then listen Sol's theme. It might make you want to punch small children.

We need heavy day from xrd

Guilty Gear Strive has the one of the best soundtracks ever made

All I know about Potemkin is HEAVENLY POTEMKIN BUSTER!!!. Don't jump.

I don't have strive I still enjoy the soundtrack all the same

man I wish he'd listen to Xrd vocal tracks

there's a typo in your title, it's "I'm a clown of fate"

4:54 lmao

Please react to May's theme Disaster of Passion.. I don't listen to loads of metal or rock music so this may not be 100% accurate, but to me it sounds like if Paramore did an anime intro 🔥🔥🔥

Don't want to sound rude, but I think it's time for some Ace Combat 7 OSTs! 😁 So here are my recommendations: 1. Sol Squadron 2. Siren's song 3. Battle for Farbanti 4. Archange 5. Lighthouses 6. Sighthound 7. Awakening 8. Dual Wielder I really hope you'll react to these OSTs and enjoy!

SOCIETY!

I'M A CLOWN OF FATE

Do necessary discrepancy next! It's kinda different

*S O C I E T Y*

next reaction:necessary discrepancy (ramlethal theme) please

Armor-clad faith more like Armour-CHAD Faith

Bro you gotta listen to the new sonic frontiers music by one ok rock

Request reaction play the hero, Chiip Zannuf Theme Guilty Gear Strive...

I'm sure it's already been said, but Potemkin's nation is a country that exists on an airship. The world banned traditional technology because of what was essentially a Y2K event. There were some people who did not want to give up their old tech, and so they made a giant airship to flee to. The people who did this were from India, and so their culture is influenced by real world Indian culture- hence the references to Nirvana.

From what I understand of Guilty Gear, Potemkin is a slave-turned-soldier. For years he had been a slave to the Neo-Zepp Empire. But with the guidance of President Gabriel he was able to find freedom. He became Gabriel's top enforcer, a defender of freedom. If I had to guess the divide between chaos and Nirvana is due to him simultaneously finding solace in protecting others but also still bearing trauma from his years as a slave

IIRC potemkin is indian

A recommendation. Terraria Calamity mod: The filthy mind.

React to SCREAM from FFXIV!

Please react to freesia

Jesse, love this reaction, but what happened to the Project Wingman reactions, you just seemed to stop abruptly.

Yup, Potemkin almost ways has amazing Songs....Almost. I'm not too keen on his Xrd Song, or was it SIGN? I'll confirm in a bit.

still prefer the bad lip version before the official lyrics :c

React to Happy-Chaos theme next!