Gameplay / Controls

Learn the ins and outs of Samurai Shodown (2019) controls, including button mappings for 3 and 6-button controllers, movement, normal attacks, special moves, blocking, and throws.

This guide covers the essential gameplay mechanics and controls for Samurai Shodown (2019). Understanding these fundamentals is crucial for mastering the game.

The game screen displays your health, points, timer, and POW meter. The objective is to deplete your opponent's health to zero to win a round. Matches are best of 3 rounds.

Samurai Shodown emphasizes precise and powerful strikes. While combos are possible, knowing the range, speed, and safety of your attacks is more important than complex combos.

II. Controls

A 6-button controller is highly recommended for an easier experience, especially for executing kicks and special moves. Controls can be customized in the options menu.

6 Button Controller Layout:

3 Button Controller Layout:

Unlike the Neo Geo version, a Heavy Slash can be performed without pressing Light and Medium Slash simultaneously on a 6-button controller. This option is not available on a 3-button controller.

Movement:

• Run: Press Forward twice and hold.
• Back Dash: Press Back twice.
• Jump: Press Up.
• Triangle Jump: Some characters can perform this by pressing the opposite direction after jumping to a wall.

III. Normal Attacks

Normal attacks vary in speed and damage. Light attacks are fast but deal less damage, while Heavy attacks are slower but more powerful. The speed of an attack can depend on the character.

Proximity Normals: Some attacks have different effects depending on the distance from the opponent. For example, Light Slash might perform a sword slash when far away and a different close-range attack when up close. This applies to both standing and crouching attacks.

Normal attacks deal no damage if blocked. A blocked attack can cause your character to stagger briefly, leaving them unable to move. Attacks with longer stagger times when blocked typically deal more damage.

IV. Special Moves

Special moves are more difficult to execute, often requiring specific directional inputs combined with a button press (e.g., ↓ ↘ → + S for Haohmaru's Senpu Retsu Zan). The input is reversed when facing left (↓ ↙ ← + S).

Special moves can deal significant damage and inflict chip damage even when blocked. The strength of the button used (Light, Medium, Heavy) can alter the move's properties. For example, the Light Slash version of Senpu Retsu Zan might produce a slow projectile, while the Heavy Slash version produces a faster one.

Special moves can also be used to cancel the animation of normal attacks. This is useful for performing combos and for canceling the stagger animation that occurs when a normal attack is blocked. For instance, if an opponent blocks Haohmaru's standing Heavy Slash, he can cancel into Senpu Retsu Zan.

V. Blocking / Throws

To block, hold Back or Down + Back. Normal attacks deal no damage when blocked, but special moves inflict chip damage.

Attack Types and Blocking:

• Mid Attacks: Can be blocked while standing or crouching. Most standing attacks and many special moves are mids.
• High Attacks: Must be blocked while standing. These are often jump attacks and some special moves.
• Low Attacks: Must be blocked while crouching. Many crouching attacks are lows, but some are mids. Certain special moves can only be blocked low.

A general tip for beginners is to block crouching when the opponent is on the ground and standing when they are airborne. However, it's also possible to interrupt an opponent's aerial attack instead of blocking.

Throws:

Throws can break through an opponent's defense as they cannot be blocked. To perform a throw, press Forward + Medium Slash or Medium Kick while close to the opponent. Pressing Back instead of Forward can result in a backward throw. Some throws deal more damage if you rapidly press the buttons; mashing buttons can also help escape such grabs faster.