Yamato can use wooden art technique (ninjutsu) because Orochimaru experimented with him. Yamato can follow the steps of the First Hokage's techniques. So keep in mind that Yamato pretty much uses wood for (almost) all of his attacks/techniques.

He is a Konoha Shinobi and his rival is Orochimaru. He didn't choose the wood life, the wood life chose him (because of Orochimaru). Furthermore was Yamato a former ANBU ninja before he was assigned to walk into Kakashi's steps and be the squad leader of Team Kakashi, which now only include Naruto and Sakura, so it's 50% Team Kakashi with only those 2 + Yamato and Sai. Kakashi was the teacher (?) of Yamato back in the day and those two have a bit of a history together. (I won't say anything about that because of spoilers).

- Yamato's second ninja outfit in the game is his ANBU gear (with the mask).

- Yamato's name is not really Yamato but more like a temporary name, since he is an ANBU member, his true identity must be kept secret.

Long-Range: Good
Mid-Range: Moderate/Good
Close-Range: Could be better/faster / Moderate
Grab-distance: Good

NOTE: With B I mean the melee button and with R2/RT I mean the block button

So the basics of Yamato start with the B combo. After the ~4th B press the left analog stick up to punch the player in the air after that you could follow him in the air to resume your beating with Y and then A with the left analog stick directed to the opponent.

If you want to punch the opponent to the ground and keep them on the ground, use the B combo and then after the ~4th B hold your left analog stick down. After this you can't resume your comboa until the opponent stands up. Use this time to charge your chakra.

When you just use the B combo and still want to let him lie down, press the B button for about 4 ~ 6 times until the end of the combo. Don't move your left analog stick at all. Let Yamato do the work for you.

When you want to grab the enemy, use the R2/RT (block) button and then press B. Yamato has a great advantage in grabbing. He can grab from a greater distance than other characters like Sasuke (Part 1), Neji, Naruto (Part 1) etc. This comes in handy when the opponent wants to use close-combat all the time and you can't keep up with him. This is a very good tactic to use if you want to buy some time to get away from the opponent.

You can perform this Ultimate Ninjutsu when the chakra surpasses the little arrow which is at about 75 - 80% of the chakra bar. Yamato's Ultimate Ninjutsu can reach ANYWHERE. He does not throw anything, he does not run to you but he makes wood come out of the ground on the place where the opponent stands. No matter how far or close the opponent is. The opponent can evade or block this though.

Yamto's Ninjutsu shoots pieces of wood to the enemy. It's highly detectable but it let's you damage the opponent from near and far.

This is a close combat attack for Yamato's combat. Here he just kind of punches the person. To make this work, move the left analog stick a bit and then wait ~0.5 seconds, after that, press B.

This list will be updated if I have more information to add. I will be making guides for other characters too. If anyone has a request for anything, just tell me and I'll try to make it work :)