Soulcalibur VI/2B/Strategy

Combat Lessons

Fighting Style

The fighting style employed by YoRHa, a division of elite android troops battling to reclaim the earth. With highly advanced bodies specially designed to eradicate their machine lifeform foes, YoRHa soldiers are the androids' ultimate weapons. YoRHa's most notable fighters are the Type-B models, masters of a wide array of weaponry who are able to simultaneously wield swords both big and small, spears, and other martial weapons to effectively engage enemies at any range. Their combat prowess is further augmented by their exceptional mobility, enabling them to punch straight through the enemy's front lines or launch lightning-fast aerial assaults to swiftly neutralize threats.

With the help of tactical support units known as "pods", Type-B androids can launch devastating ranged attacks or close-range coordinated assaults, further increasing the odds of mission success.

YoRHa soldiers fight with power and skill, driven by the belief that their actions will bring glory to their creators—mankind.

Style Lesson: Beginner

Close Combat Basics

With an abundance of multistrike techniques that can toy with an opponent, this fighting style is best suited for close combat.

Use a quick Slash Sequence (AAAA) or a Projectile Slash Sequence (6BBB) to seize the initiative when an opponent closes in, then unleash the air combo First Strike ~ Aerial Leap (3B) as a simple but effective strategy.

Slash Sequence
AAAA

AAAA - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
12	8,10,4,4,4,24	-8	KND	KND	9%

Projectile Slash Sequence
6BBB

6BB4 - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
18	10,8,6,6,6	-20	-4	LNC	12%
Normal Hit Combo. into AGS on hit or block for 5th hit upon hitting opponent from the back

First Strike ~ AL
3B

6BK - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
18	10,8,10,12	-8	2	2	7%
Normal Hit Combo, +2AP on hit or upon hitting an opponent whose stun build-up is at 9 or above

If your opponent is playing defensively, you can use Suppression: Unarmed Leg Throw (33_66_99A+G) to deal some damage.

Suppression: Unarmed Leg Throw
33_66_99A+G

A+G - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
18	45	KND	KND	KND	-

Closing Distance

The best ways to get in close to your opponent are 8-way-run moves that use 66. Mobilize: Piercing Thrust (33_66_99B) is a quick middle attack that can help you catch an opponent flat-footed, while Mobilize: Slash Pattern (33_66_99A) is a low horizontal slash that can stop an opponent in the middle of an 8-way run dead in their tracks. Both techniques are great for closing distance in a fight and even at the start of battle.

Mobilize: Piercing Thrust
33_66_99B

(2)_(8)A - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
20	12,10	-12	0	0	3%
Normal Hit Combo

Mobilize: Slash Pattern
33_66_99A

4A+G - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
18	50	KND	KND	KND	-

Play Offensively with Aggression Shift

You can hold [6] during either Mobilize: Slash Pattern or Mobilize: Piercing Thrust to transition into a special move called Aggression Shift when your attack hits or is blocked. You can also transition into this move mid-combo by holding [6] when inputting AAA during a Slash Sequence or 6BB during a Projectile Slash Sequence.

Mobilize: Slash Pattern ~ AGS
33_66_99A6

LEFT SIDE THROW A+G - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
18	70	KND	KND	KND	-

Mobilize: Piercing Thrust ~ AGS
33_66_99B6

(2)_(8)AA - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
20	12,10,16	-2	10	12	5%
Normal Hit Combo Opponent backturned normal hit

Slash Sequence ~ AGS
AAA6

AAA6 - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
12	8,10,4,4,4	6	12	12	7%
into AGS on hit or block for 5th hit

Projectile Slash Sequence ~ AGS
6BB6

6B - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
18	10,8	-12	0	4	4%

From an Aggression Shift, you can follow up with powerful attacks effective at breaking the opponent's guard. so it would be wise to make your hits land after using this technique.

Style Lesson: Adept

Break Attacks from Aggression Shift

The first Aggression Shift strategy you should try is a combination of middle and low attacks to break your opponent's guard. The middle horizontal attack Shifted Revolving Slash (AGS AA), the low attack Shifted Support Kick - Aerial Leap (AGS BB), and the throws Suppression: Composite Kick (AGS A+G) and Suppression: Composite Slash (AGS 4A+G) are solid options.

AGS ~ Shifted Revolving Slash
AGS AA

AGS 214 - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
43	-	-	-	-	-
actions in AGS possible after 39 frames

AGS ~ Shifted Support Kick ~ AL
AGS BB

AGS A8 - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
14	10,8	-14	-4	-4	2%
Normal Hit Combo. into AL

AGS ~ Suppression: Composite Kick
AGS A+G

AGS K8 - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
16	6,6,6,6	-12	-6	-6	5%
. Normal Hit Combo. into AGS

AGS ~ Suppression: Composite Slash
AGS 4A+G

AGS KK - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
16	6,6,6,6,18	-8	LNC	LNC	10%
. Counter Hit Combo

Surprise Opponents with Counters

If the attack you used to transition into Aggression Shift lands, you'll almost always be able to score another blow before your opponent can retaliate. However, if they attempt to strike back with a quick attack, responding with a Shifted Strike Sequence (AGS KK) will not only counter their attack, but will also allow you to start a combo. Furthermore, forcing your opponent to worry about this particular tactic will make it easier to successfully land low attacks and throws from an Aggression Shift later on.

AGS ~ Shifted Strike Sequence
AGS KK

AGS (B) - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
28	36	-12	STN	STN	9%

Follow-up Attacks When at a Disadvantage

If the attack you used to transition into Aggression Shift is blocked, both Shifted Revolving Slash (AGS AA) and Shifted Strike Sequence (AGS KK) leave you open to counter attacks. In this case. Pod Program R020: Mirage (AGS A+B) and Shifted Crushing Rocket (AGS B+K) are good alternatives.

AGS ~ Pod Program R020: Mirage
AGS A+B

AGS K - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
16	6,6,6,6	-12	-6	-6	5%
. Normal Hit Combo

AGS ~ Shifted Crushing Rocket
AGS B+K

AGS K4 - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
16	6,6,6,6	-16	-10	-10	5%
. Normal Hit Combo. into AGS

Of course. 6 isn't your only option when using Aggression Shift. A clever tactic is to occasionally use 4 and mix in a Back Step ~ Aggression Shift to vary your distance and timing.

Style Lesson: Master

The Small Sword: A Close-Range Weapon

This fighting style utilizes multiple weapons with different commands. and understanding the unique properties of each is key to coming out on top in a battle. The small sword will serve as your main weapon when fighting up close. Many of its techniques, such as Slash Sequence (AAAA). Lower Slash (2A), and Rising Slash Sequence (while rising A), excel at suppressing your opponent's 8—way run movement.

Lower Slash
2A

2A - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
12	12	-6	6	6	1%

Rising Slash Sequence
WR A

WR A - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
18	10,14	-4	6	6	3%
Tech Crouch

The Large Sword: High Risk, High Return

Large sword techniques like Assault Pattern (4BBB) and Mobilize: Rotating Slash Assault (11_44_77B) have a long reach, do lots of damage, and can quickly reduce your opponent's guard stamina. However, you leave yourself wide open if you miss, so make sure to carefully gauge the situation before swinging.

Assault Pattern
4BBB

4B - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
24	24	-14	LNC	LNC	9%

Mobilize: Rotating Slash Assault
11_44_77B

(3)_(6)_(9)B8 - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
16	22	-16	-4	STN	5%
into AL on hit or block

The Spear: Long Reach, Mid Range

Spears are weapons that benefit from a bit of distance. Effective, easy-to-use techniques include Mobilize: Skewer (22_88B), a move perfect for retaliating after using an 8-way run to make your opponent miss, and Mobilize: Scatter Spear (22_88B+K), a move good for forcing an opponent to guard long enough to let you move in close.

Mobilize: Skewer
22_88B

(1)_(4)_(7)(A) - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
36	22,8,8,8,15	-16	KND	KND	10%
Normal Hit Combo

Mobilize: Scatter Spear
22_88B+K

(2)_(8)K(K) - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
22	20,4,4,4,40	6	KND	LNC	12%
.

Combat Bracers: Built for Quick Assaults

Combat bracers are perfect for rush attacks at point-blank range. They make up for their terribly short range by enabling you to barrage your opponent with an endless series of blows, regardless of whether any individual strike hits or is blocked. Techniques such as the blazing fast Muitistrike Kick (6KK) and Mobilize: Spinning Strike (22_88K[K]), which starts with a low attack, will definitely come in handy when you're up close and personal.

Multistrike Kick
6KK

6K8 - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
16	6,4,6	-22	-10	-2	5%
Normal Hit Combo. into AL on hit or block for 3rd hit

Mobilize: Spinning Strike
22_88K[K]

(1)_(4)_(7)(B)6 - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
40	50	6	STN	KND	15%
. . into AGS on hit or block

Unarmed Strikes: Analyze the Opponent and Aim for a Lethal Hit

Among the techniques available to you when unarmed, there are those that help you analyze the enemy by stacking up analysis points when you hit. These carry over between rounds, and when enough have been accumulated, attacks such as Core Disruption (4K) become lethal hits that will greatly restore your guard stamina. Using unarmed strikes early on to analyze your opponent and then aiming for lethal hits near the match's end can be a deadly strategy. Check the move list to see which attacks stack analysis points.

Core Disruption
4K

1K - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
20	14	-14	0	0	2%
+1AP on hit

Critical Edges

Suppression: Extermination Gambit

Properties

A quick, easy-to-use critical edge. It can also be performed by pressing A+B+K, or AAA+B+K during Aerial Leap, in which case it will restore your guard stamina during the attack throw.

Supression: Extermination Gambit/AL ~ Supression: Extermination Gambit
A+B+K/AL AAA+B+K

RE AAA - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
-	22,6,6,4,9	-12	KND	KND	38%
Normal Hit Combo. . upon winning 2nd round
RE B - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
-	14,22	-	STN	STN	50%
Normal Hit Combo. . . upon winning 2nd round

Tips

This technique is best utilized by including it in combos to increase their damage output. It also works well as a follow-up to a successful Suppression: Composite Slash (AGS 4A+G), and can even function as an effective break attack if your soul gauge is full.

Limiter Release: Self-Destruct

Properties

A critical edge only available if you are in critical condition with little health remaining. It can deal Incredible damage if it connects, but using it will cause you grievous injury as well.

Limiter Release: Self-Destruct
6A+B+K

RE (B) - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
-	19,20,20	-	LNC	LNC	50%
. . Normal Hit Combo on upon winning 2nd round

Tips

This attack is slow, which makes it difficult to land. It is not a technique to be used lightly. However, if you can crush your opponent's guard or create a large enough opening, you just might be able to pull it off.

Soul Charge

Enhanced Assault Power

While soul charged, you gain even greater options for combos that increase your ability to inhibit your opponent's movements. Severing Sequence (First Class) - Aerial Leap (during soul charge BBBB) is especially powerful as a counter hit because every strike of the combo will connect. You can delay the follow-up attack for Revolving Strike (First Class) ~ Aerial Leap (during soul charge 3AKK), allowing you to feint past an opponent's guard. This can be a valuable asset when used to vary your attacks in close-range combat.

Severing Sequence (First Class) ~ AL
SC BBBB

4A+B+K - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
6	0	0	8	8	0%
invincible since i4. Pushback happens at i6

Revolving Strike (First Class) ~ AL
SC 3AKK

6A+B+K - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
36	116	-32	KND	KND	10%
.

Greatly Increased Combo Damage

Mobilize: Piercing Assault (First Class) (during soul charge 66BB) is one of your main attacks, able to deal colossal damage and be worked into many combos. It's especially effective when used after the Aggression Shift throw Suppression: Composite Slash (AGS 4A+G).

Mobilize: Piercing Assault (First Class)
SC 33_66_99BB

SC 3AK - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
16	11,12,8,8	-10	0	2	6%
Normal Hit Combo first 2 hits and last 2 hits, delayable

Pod Assistance

Your pod will supplement your soul charge techniques in various ways, including providing cover fire when some powerful techniques leave you open, as well as helping you pull off combos you otherwise couldn't. For example. Assault Pattern (4BBB) deals a lot of damage but normally leaves you wide open. When you perform it soul charged, however, your pod will fire its Gatling gun after you swing, reducing the risk to you should your attack be blocked. Similarly, during Shifted Support Kick ~ Aerial Leap (AGS BB) your pod will aid you with a follow-up spear attack that lifts your opponent into the air, allowing you to further chain into Airborne Slash Pattern: Charged Laser (while soul charged during Aerial Leap AAA) for more damage.

Assault Pattern: Charged Gatling
SC 4BBB

236A+B+K - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
16	24,4,11	-2	4	4	9%
Normal Hit Combo

Shifted Support Kick ~ AL
SC AGS BB

SC (3)_(6)_(9)BB - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
16	23,39	-8	KND	KND	17%
Normal Hit Combo

AL ~ Airborne Slash Pattern: Charged Laser
SC AL AAA

SC AGS A - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
14	10,5,10	-3	KND	KND	4%
Normal Hit Combo

Soul Stance: Charged Support

A soul attack that puts you in a soul charged state and has your pod perform a support attack. You can switch to Aggression Shift with 6 upon hit or guard. or similarly shift to Ariel Leap with 8, giving you the chance to rush down your opponent with soul charge techniques.

Soul Stance: Charged Support
236A+B+K

A+B+K - Attack Level:
Impact	Damage	Block	Hit	Counter	Guard Burst
16	80	-16	KND	KND	10%
.

Reversal Edge

Following Up with A

AAA can be used to knock your opponent out of the ring, and is probably the best option you have when you've got your opponent cornered. If you score a lethal hit with A, you should try to follow it up with AB to chain hits and start an air combo.

Following Up with B

This attack delivers two hits with your spear. When your opponent is open for a lethal hit or guard crush, you can use [B] to deal even more damage.

Following Up with K

Landing this attack enables you to perform an Aerial Leap and subsequent air combo. Should you hit your opponent with a lethal hit, you'll proceed to knock them high Into the air with your combat bracers. making them an easy target for a heavily damaging combo.