Author: Ray_Masamune
Date: (PT)
Subject: Soul Calibur Terminology
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The SC3 forum had one, and this forum should have one as well.
These are basically the internet terms or lingo used when associating with Soul Calibur.
The Basics
We all know what B,A,K and G stand for:
B: Vertical Hit
A: Horozontal Hit
K: Kick
G: Guard
But instead of saying something like Forward, Forward, B,A, numbers are used:
1 = d/b (Down+Back)
2 = Down
3 = d/f
4 = Back
5 = Nuetral
6 = Forward
7 = u/b
8 = Up
9 = u/f
An Easier way? Look at your Num Pad to the right of most keyboards:
7 8 9
4 5 6
1 2 3
=
...
So for example, 214 = Quarter-circle back (Slide from down to left)
Other stuff:
NC = A Natural Combo. If the first hit lands, the entire string is guaranteed.
NCC = Natural Counter Combo. Combo only guaranteed on counter hit.
WC = While Crouching: Attack used while you are... crouching.
WS = While Standing: Attack used as you let go of G to stand up.
WR = While Running: Attacks used while...er... running.
WL = While Landing: Attacks used after a delay when you jump into the air (Not in SCIV).
RO = Ring Out (Self-explanatory)
AT = Attack Throw (Attack becomes a throw on hit, but unlike a throw, can be blocked)
CH = Counter Hit (When your attack hits the opponent as they are trying to attack/input a move, back up, or sidestep - you'll deal more damage, and may stagger/stun them)
BT = Back Turned (Some moves can only be done when your back is turned)
------------------------
Advanced Terms
Ukemi
When you tap G the moment you hit the floor, you will immediately get back up to avoid additional hits on the ground. Pressing G and a direction will have you get up in the direction you choose.
Advantage/Disadvantage - Frame Trap/Tech Trap
Advantage, also known as Frame Trap is when you perform a move or tactic that leaves you with an advantage.
For example, if your opponent blocks Astaroth's 2B, it leaves them in a crouching position. Astaroth looks like he is going to have a long recovery time when in fact, they are equal.
Moves that allow you the priority of attack are advantageous and allow you to set-up mind games.
For example, Taki's AAB (which can be delayed). It leaves her in a crouching position, and if the last move hits, and the opponent tries to strike back, her WS K will get them first, resulting in a counter-hit and will stagger them. Which can then be followed up by various moves.
Another example of a Frame Trap is Zasalamel's 46B+G throw (SCIII). It leaves the opponent staggered at the end, and Zasalamel has the advantage. Zasalamel could follow up with 6B which puts the opponent into a double-over stagger which can be escaped, but Zasalamel is still in the advantage. If they escape it, they are vulnerable to another throw. If they don't, they will be launched.
So this set-up is called a Frame Trap.
A Tech Trap is basically a move that will catch your opponent when they try to techroll/ukemi after falling or hitting the ground from a stagger. For example, after a 33B launch with Setsuka into a wall, when your opponent falls to the floor, if they try to ukemi, agB will launch them for another combo.
J.I = Just Impact
When you perform a Repel Gaurd Impact against an attack, and it repels at the exact frame, you get a "Just" Impact (You'll know because the flash is red instead of white and it's louder). This gives you slightly more frame advantage and your next move becomes a Counter hit (More damage. possible Stagger/Stun effect)
However, unless you have super-human reflexes, Just Impacts are tough to do because you need to time it at the exact last moment before an attack hits you (Which is the exact 1/60th of a second)
VC = Variable Cancel
A Variable Cancel is a (hidden?) technique you can do to return to a nuetral state while performing certain moves.
For some characters, it enables you to cancel mid-throw into a nuetral stance while the opponent still takes the damage and effects of the throw (Like Setsuka's B+G, Zas's 46B+G, Taki's BT B+G) or it can be done to return to a nuetral state after attacks that would normally have a longer recovery time.
Nuetral State = Your standing and can do anything. So, basically, instead of recovering from attacking, you go back to normal instantly.
In order to do this, you must hold G and tap 22 (Down Down) and then let go of all buttons.
So G22.
Only very few moves can be Variable canceled.
Example:
When you do Zas's 46B+G, immediately VC (G22) and he will stop while attempting the throw. The opponent will still be staggered by the throw but Zas isn't doing anything. This is your chance to either launch them, or try another throw immediately afterwards while they are vulnerable.
In my opinion, VC should not be universally used, because it's a very hard thing to master and only specific moves can really make good use of it. And in the midst of an intense fight, it might not be worth it to try.
This may even be taken out of Soul Calibur IV entirely.
JF = Just Frame
Not exactly new...
But it basically means you need to input the attack at the exact time. Some Just Frames require more specific timing then others (Setsuka's 4AAA) while some aren't too hard to do (Mitsu's 214A AAA).
Terms used when describing a playing style
You know what a Turtle is right?
Turtling is when someone is always blocking. They do not ussually initiate a battle or advance offensively.
Turtle: A playing style used to describe overly defensive players who do not focus on attacking. Much like a turtle, they will block or guard impact everything in order to get an opportunity for a counter attack.
Pitbulling is the opposite.
Pitbull: The exact opposite of a turtle. Pitbulls are known for their high offense strategy that involves nothing but brute force to crack an opponent's defenses. Also known as Rushdown.
Taki-users are pit-bulls.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Any questions can be discussed in this thread.
And if there are any new terms or moves in SC4, they will be found here.
Many characters have stances that have their own abbreviations (such as Taki's Possesion (PO).
Feel free to contribute if you know a character's stance abbreviation. ^^
[color=#666666]This message was edited by Ray_Masamune on Aug 11 2008.
Author: Final Blade
Date: (PT)
Subject: re: Soul Calibur Terminology
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They're in numbers rather then the usual style name? Thats gay. Oh well, i don't need move lists; when i touch controllers im magical
Author: Ray_Masamune
Date: (PT)
Subject: re: Soul Calibur Terminology
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Well, most people find it easier typing 6+B~A then...
Forward plus Triangle and then press Square immediately afterwards.
Author: Final Blade
Date: (PT)
Subject: re: Soul Calibur Terminology
-------------------------------------------
quote Ray_MasamuneThat makes no sense, what does that mean?easier typing 6+B~A then...
I prefer the traditional way, since on controllers there isn't a damn number.
Author: Tiger of Wu
Date: (PT)
Subject: re: Soul Calibur Terminology
-------------------------------------------
Have you actually read the first post? If you had you'd know that;
quote Ray_MasamuneFollow that key and it makes sense.We all know what B,A,K and G stand for:
B: Vertical Hit
A: Horozontal Hit
K: Kick
G: Guard
But instead of saying something like Forward, Forward, B,A, numbers are used:
1 = d/b (Down+Back)
2 = Down
3 = d/f
4 = Back
5 = Nuetral
6 = Forward
7 = u/b
8 = Up
9 = u/f
An Easier way? Look at your Num Pad to the right of most keyboards:
7 8 9
4 5 6
1 2 3
=
So for example, 214 = Quarter-circle back (Slide from down to left)
Author: Ray_Masamune
Date: (PT)
Subject: re: Soul Calibur Terminology
-------------------------------------------
He's never played Soul Calibur, so he's not familiar with the B, A, K, G, I guess.
Regardless, get used to it if you plan on getting SCIV and becoming pro and sharing all your tips with us.
Author: Final Blade
Date: (PT)
Subject: re: Soul Calibur Terminology
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Yeah but how is there a G on a controller? Im just confused on why they can't just use the PS buttons like this:
- Back, down, forward L1+ Triangle, Square, Triangle and X
- Down, back, Down R1+ Circle, triangle and X
- Forward, back, down L1 Square and X
- Forward, Down, R1 + Circle and Triangle
Like i said it doesn't matter to me, when i play games; fighting game, its like magic i feel for the moves and i get better with them very quick
Author: Tiger of Wu
Date: (PT)
Subject: re: Soul Calibur Terminology
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quote Final BladeBecause, even though this is the PS3 SC4 forum, there are still people who use the XBOX here so it's easier (and fairer) to use the arcade buttons.Yeah but how is there a G on a controller? Im just confused on why they can't just use the PS buttons like this:
Author: Nightmare Samurai
Date: (PT)
Subject: re: Soul Calibur Terminology
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quote Final BladeI'm just skilled.They're in numbers rather then the usual style name? Thats gay. Oh well, i don't need move lists; when i touch controllers im magical
Author: Final Blade
Date: (PT)
Subject: re: Soul Calibur Terminology
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quote Tiger of WuNot really, if thats the case why don't you just have two separate ones; like 1 for xbox and 1 for Playstation. Cause not everyone who plays these games play it on an arcade system like my self. So basically its not easier or fairer at all.quote Final BladeBecause, even though this is the PS3 SC4 forum, there are still people who use the XBOX here so it's easier (and fairer) to use the arcade buttons.Yeah but how is there a G on a controller? Im just confused on why they can't just use the PS buttons like this:
Author: Ray_Masamune
Date: (PT)
Subject: re: Soul Calibur Terminology
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Every fighting game in the world has these types of abbreviations on the internet.
Soul Calibur was an arcade game before it went to consoles.
So naturally, the controls were different.
B = Vertical Attack
A = Horozontal Attack
K = Kick
G = Guard
Remembering that is not that difficult. If you've ever played SC, in the command lists and pratice modes, they refer to the commands using those codes anyway. You simply MUST know that information, at the very least.
(Also, not everyone configures their shoulder buttons the same. So using L1/R1 would be useless.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
With that out of the way, the:
789
456
123
Idea is pretty simple. If you look on the Numpad on most keyboards, that's how the numbers are placed:
789
456
123
Basically, you're using that when discussing the D-pad movement, with 5 being nuetral.
Author: Final Blade
Date: (PT)
Subject: re: Soul Calibur Terminology
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Like i said not everyone knows this. I grew up on Tekken and Street fighter where they don't show it like that, and use PS buttons thats what im used to. Thats why i think just having the normal PS buttons to show what does which, have Xbox ones show which one does which and have Arcade ones show which one does which makes sure everyone knows. I don't go on each game platform and check the terminology. I learn them in game, but i bet you many people will get confused with G and stuff that isn't on the controllers. And using numbers is far worse.
To me i like to cover all angles so everyone understands rather than assuming everyone knows the terminology, especially newbes with these games. This isn't towards you ray im just stating my thoughts.
Author: Ray_Masamune
Date: (PT)
Subject: re: Soul Calibur Terminology
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That's fine. But just don't expect anyone to listen if you ever go into a Soul-Calibur forum on the internet.
Even Tekken and Street Fighter has it's abbrvs, which involve a few numbers as well.
It wouldn't hurt to try and learn the online language.
It's easy to understand, if you open yourself to it.
Author: Final Blade
Date: (PT)
Subject: re: Soul Calibur Terminology
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Nah, i must have it simple that any person will get. Whatever i'll just use the real terminology that i know.
Listen to what its fairly simple, Light punch + heavy kick and down right left, people will get it. I mean anyone who doesn't know that is crazy.
Author: Ray_Masamune
Date: (PT)
Subject: re: Soul Calibur Terminology
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Lazy.
There is no light punch or heavy kick in Soul Calibur.
There is horozontal strike, vertical strike, kick and guard. Have fun typing those out every time you reference anything though.
And also good luck on understanding when everybody else uses the regular SC Abbrvs without trying.