Soulcalibur VI/Glossary

The Glossary will act as a companion page to Controls & Notation, serving as a quick reference within which one can find definitions for common terminology used in discussions of Soulcalibur VI. Note that while some definitions will be given for general fighting game terminology, this glossary is intended to be strictly in the context of Soulcalibur. For more information on fighting game jargon as a whole, see (link to some external glossary or something lol).

Icon Legend

System Mechanics

Name	Abbreviation	Definition
Critical Edge		A metered super, costing one stock of Soul Gauge.
Guard Crush		The state of breaking a character's guard when their Guard Stamina is depleted.
Guard Impact		A defensive option that parries an incoming attack, providing variable reward based on the attack parried.
Reversal Edge		A high-risk, high-reward defensive option that parries attacks on startup and leads to a rock-paper-scissors clash on hit.
Soul Charge		A metered, fully-invincible burst that pushes the opponent away and puts the user into a powered-up state.
Soul Gauge		Meter to be used for Soul Charge, Critical Edge, and other metered options.

Attack Properties

Name	Abbreviation	Definition
High		An attack that hits a standing opponent and whiffs on a crouching opponent.
Mid		An attack that hits both standing and crouching opponents, but must be blocked standing.
Low		An attack that hits both standing and crouching opponents but must be blocked crouching. Whiffs on airborne opponents.
Special Mid		An attack that hits both standing and crouching opponents and can be blocked either standing or crouching. Hits airborne opponents.
Special Low		An attack that hits both standing and crouching opponents and can be blocked either standing or crouching. Whiffs on airborne opponents.
Attack Throw		A standard attack that shifts to a throw-like cutscene when certain conditions are fulfilled.
Break Attack		An attack that deals significant Guard Stamina damage, generally advantageous on block and unable to be countered by Guard Impact or Reversal Edge. Indicated by a blue lightning effect.
Brave Edge		Deprecated terminology from Soulcalibur V, can be used to refer to a character burning meter to enhance a move (Character-specific in SC6: Yoshimitsu, Geralt, etc.)
Lethal Hit		An attack that gains enhanced properties on hit if certain conditions are fulfilled.
Special Stance		An attack that transitions to a stance.
Throw		Also known as a grab, an attack that pierces a standing guard. Can be escaped.
Unblockable Attack		An attack that cannot be guarded, usually has a long startup and deals considerable damage. Indicated by the screen darkening accompanied by a flame effect.

Glossary

States

Name	Alternative Names	Definition
Standing	N/A	A character's default state of being.
Crouching	FC (Full Crouch)	A character ducking low to the ground via holding after pressing + or an attack that recovers crouching. Evades highs.
Jumping	Jump, in the air, airborne	A character leaping through the air via //+ or during an attack that causes a jump. Evades lows. See Tech Jump.
Guarding	Guard, Blocking, Block	A character who is able to block all and attacks by holding the button, but can still be hit by attacks and . A player will not take any damage if they block a normal attack. There are exceptions to this rule if characters are in Soul Charge or have special properties for certain moves. Characters cannot move while in this state, but inputting // will cause the character to enter a Jumping state.
Guarding Low	Low Guard, Crouch Block, Blocking Low	A character that is holding + and is in a Crouching and Guarding state simultaneously. In this state, characters are able to block all attacks and will evade all and attacks. Only level attacks will hit Crouch Blocking opponents, both Horizontal and Vertical.

Movement

Name	Alternative Names	Definition
Step	N/A	The movement produced by tapping once in any direction.
Run	Running	The movement produced by holding or double tapping then holding any direction. Generally refers to running straight towards the opponent using .
Step Guard	Block Step	The movement produced by taking one step in any of the cardinal directions, ///, and quickly cancelling the animation by pressing . This allows a player to take a guess to avoid an opponents attack depending on the situation. The timing of the guard cancel is different depending on which direction you are moving, and every character has a different range of movement.
Running Step	Side Stepping, Hard Stepping	The same as Run, but specifically in the up or direction and continuing the movement. Usually in regards to dodging a vertical attack.

Attack Properties

Name	Abbreviation	Definition
Tech Crouch	TC	When a move causes a character to count as crouching at some point during its duration.
Tech Jump	TJ	When a move causes a character to count as jumping at some point during its duration.
Auto Guard Impact	aGI	This describes any move or attack with GI properties that is not the standard guard impact .

Mechanics

Name	Abbreviation	Definition
Ukemi	Tech, Teching	After being launched or knocked down after certain moves, the player who was hit as the option to recover from being grounded more quickly by pressing any cardinal directional input and Guard (///+) simultaneously. This allows the hit player to optionally recover from being grounded faster than they would by recovering normally, and potentially avoiding a follow up attack from their opponent that would hit them on the ground. This technique is not completely safe and can be countered using certain moves, leading to a higher damage combo or a reset of the Okizeme situation all together. The speed of your recovery does depend on which direction you Ukemi, forward being slightly faster, but leaving you within range of more attacks.
Reverse Impact	Re-GI	When a character performs a Guard Impact of their own immediately after the opponent parries their attack with a Guard Impact.
Resist Impact	RI	A metered alternative to Guard Impact that is able to parry both Break Attacks and Unblockable Attacks. Drains meter from an opponent in Soul Charge.

Techniques & Situations

Name	Abbreviation	Definition
Instant While Rising	iWR, iWS (While Standing)	Characters have a separate set of moves that can only be performed when transitioning from a crouched state back into standing. This is a separate state from full crouch (FC) and neutral/standing. To get the input, a player must start in a crouched state (+) and then release said input and immediately following up with a corresponding attack input. This technique can allow players to use certain moves in neutral or in combos if the input is done correctly.
Dead Trap	N/A	A situation where an attack hits a downed opponent who may have been able to escape via ukemi.
Ukemi Trap	Tech Trap	A situation where an attack hits an opponent who is performing an ukemi (tech), resulting in more damage or potential combo extensions for the aggressor.

Strategic Terms

Name	Abbreviation	Definition
Mashing	N/A	Pressing attack inputs while at negative frame advantage. Generally considered unwise due to the high risk of being counter hit, but can be really useful for not allowing your opponent to take greater advantage during some of their offensive situations.
Small Calibur	N/A	A kind of play characterized by minor frame exchanges, almost exclusive use of pokes, and minimal risk.
Unga	N/A	A kind of play style characterized by perceived lack of thought, bullheadedness, and reckless aggression. Usually very risky and mashy.

Character-Specific

Abbreviation	Name	Definition
AGS	Aggression Shift	A stance where 2B dashes towards the opponent at high speed.
AL	Aerial Leap	A stance where 2B jumps high into the air.
ANG (AnS)	Angler Stance	A stance where 2B sits on a holographic stool.
AmS (AS)	Amaryllis Spin	Amy's command dash stance.
LP	Lilith Parry	Amy's mid aGI stance.
MP	Merrow Parry	Amy's low aGI stance.
BP	Biondetta Parry	Amy's high aGI stance.
BoB	Beauty of Balance	Azwel's dual swords stance.
ToW	Tragedy of War	Azwel's greataxe stance.
CoE	Comedy of Errors	Azwel's spear and shield stance.
-	Almighty	A state where Azwel has each of his weapons 'equipped'.
AS	Angel Step	Cassandra's command dash stance. Term shared with Sophitia.
AT	Angel Twirl	Cassandra's backdash stance.
TS	Titanic Struggle	Cassandra's tackle attack throw.
DF	Divine Force	Cassandra's unique power-up mechanic.
DC	Dread Charge	Cervantes' iconic stance.
DS	Dread Storm	Cervantes' new stance accessed by leaning against a wall.
(H)iGDR	(Heavy) Instant Geo Da Ray	Community term for Geo Da Ray Rafaga
QR	Quen Rush	Geralt's armored Witcher Sign stance.
AVN/AVG	Avenger	Groh's split swords stance.
SN/SoN/SotN	Steed of the Night	Groh's SC-only teleport option from Avenger.
WF	Warrior's Focus	Haohmaru's command dash stance.
BKN	Bare Knuckles	Haohmaru's unarmed stance.
STG	Stagger	A state Haohmaru enters when his Power Slashes are blocked.
RG	Max Rage	Haohmaru's unique powerup.
RXP	Rage Explosion	Haohmaru's unique Soul Charge variant.
SWR	Sword Regalia	Hilde's sword powerup.
SPR	Spear Regalia	Hilde's spear powerup.
SE	Serpent's Embrace	Ivy's stance where she coils Valentine around her shoulders.
SL	Spiral Lust	Ivy's stance where she lays Valentine on the floor.
SS	Summon Suffering	Ivy's slower, unbreakable command throw.
CS	Calamity Symphony	Ivy's faster, tech crouching command throw.
MO	Monument	Kilik's stance where he holds his staff in front of him.
BP	Back Parry	Kilik's stance where he aligns his staff with his back.
HMO	Heaven Monument	Kilik's stance where he does a handstand on his staff.
BL	Behind Lower	Maxi stance
LI	Left Inner	Maxi stance
LO	Left Outer	Maxi stance
WL/NG	Wavering Light/Neutral Guard	Maxi stance
RC	Right Cross	Maxi stance
RO	Right Outer	Maxi stance
7SR	Seven Stars Rebirth	Maxi Mechanic
7SS	Seven Stars Severance	Maxi Mechanic
SS	Silent Step	Mitsurugi's command dash stance.
MST	Mist Step	Mitsurugi's Ko Gasumi stance.
RLC	Relic	Mitsurugi's iaido stance.
SB	Shura Blade	Mitsurugi's unique powerup.
NSS	Night Side Stance	Nightmare's stance where he holds his sword to his side.
NLS	Night Lower Stance	Nightmare's stance where he holds his sword against the ground.
NBS	Night Behind Stance	Nightmare's stance where he holds his sword along his back.
GS	Grim Stride	Nightmare's command dash stance.
NTC	Night Terror Charge	Nightmare's unique powerup.
Prep	Preparation	Raphael's advancing fencing stance.
AG	Arriere Gambit	Raphael's quick backstep stance.
SE	Shadow Evade	Raphael's evasive deep lean back stance.
QP	Quick Parade	Raphael's standing aGI stance.
LS	Lingering Step	Seong Mi-na's evasive backstep stance.
DH	Dawn Haze	Setsuka's forward command dash stance.
TH	Twilight Haze	Setsuka's backward command dash stance.
RoH	Ring of Heaven	Setsuka's arc jump stance.
WoH	Wings of Heaven	Setsuka's floating umbrella stance.
SKY	Shrouded Sky	Setsuka's iaido stance.
DL	Dark Legacy	Siegfried's unique powerup.
SBH	Base Hold	Siegfried's stance where he crouches and holds his sword at an angle.
SCH	Chief Hold	Siegfried's stance where he holds his sword along his back.
SSH	Side Hold	Siegfried's stance where he holds his sword to his side.
SRSH	Reverse Side Hold	Siegfried's stance where he holds his sword to his side, but using his non-dominant hand.
AS	Angel Step	Sophitia's command dash stance. Shared with Cassandra.
TAS	Twin Angel Step	Sophitia's second command dash stance, accessed from Angel Step.
PO	Possession	Taki's iconic stance.
WRO	Wind Roll	Taki's rolling stance.
DB	Distorted Breeze	Taki's stance where she hops to either side.
STK	Stalker	Taki's command jump stance.
WNC/WC	Wind Charmer	Talim's sidestep stance.
WNS/WS	Wind Sault	Talim's jumping stance.
WNF/WF	Wind Fury	Talim's sitting stance.
JS	Jolly (Side)	Tira's primary state, indicated by a Orange indicator next to her name. She also hold her weapon in a different manner than when in Gloomy.
GS	Gloomy (Side)	Tira's secondary state, indicated by a Purple indicator next to her name. She also hold her weapon in a different manner than when in Jolly.
GS+	Gloomy Coda	An upgraded form of Gloomy Side that has unlimited access to SC-only options. Obtained from performing 9 mood switches during a game.
UD	Updraft	Tira's command jump stance.
GM	Gestopft Madness	Tira's stance where she bashes her head into her ringblade.
BS	Blind Stance	Voldo when backturned.
MC	Mantis Crawl	Voldo's stance where he crawlks on all fours.
MCHT/MCFT	Mantis Crawl Head Towards/Feet Towards	Specifying which direction Voldo is facing during Mantis Crawl.
CR	Cagliostro Rush	Voldo's crawling command dash stance.
BCR	Blind Cagliostro Rush	Accessing Cagliostro Rush from Blind Stance.
DR	Death Roll	Voldo's "swimming" stance, accessible only in SC. AKA Land Fish
BHH	Bea Her Hua	Xianghua stance
LHH	Laughing Bea Her Hua	Xianghua stance
RHH	Retreating Bea Her Hua	Xianghua stance
SXS	Silent Xia Sheng	Xianghua stance
PXS	Playful Xia Sheng	Xianghua stance
HL	Hou Lee	Xianghua stance
DGF	Manji Dragonfly	Yoshimitsu stance that has him hovering in the air using his sword like a helicopter propeller.
SDGF	Super Manji Dragonfly	Much higher altitude DGF stance accessible only in SC.
FLE	Flea	Yoshmitsu stance where he balances atop the hilt of his sword with all of his limbs.
MED	Meditation	Yoshimitsu's sitting stance.
TS#	Time Stop (1, 2, 3)	Zasalamel's ability to use curse orbs to stop time. The number represents the number of orbs.