In this article, you will gain insight into the intricacies of the Fighting Game Community (FGC) and its unique lexicon. As a participant in the FGC or merely an observer, understanding the multitude of terms and phrases used within this passionate gaming community will undoubtedly enhance your experience. Whether you’re trying to decipher terminology like “frame data” and “mix-ups,” or you’re simply curious to explore the vibrant language that surrounds the competitive world of fighting games, this article will provide a comprehensive guide to the FGC lingo.
Terminology
Frame Data
Frame data refers to the specific information about moves and actions in a fighting game. It includes details such as startup frames, active frames, recovery frames, and frame advantage. Frame advantage is the difference in frames between the attacker and the defender after an attack connects or is blocked. Understanding frame data is crucial to optimizing gameplay and making informed decisions during matches.
Combo
A combo is a sequence of attacks that can be performed in succession without giving the opponent the opportunity to escape or counterattack. Combos usually involve a series of hits and special moves that are linked together through precise timing and input execution. Mastering combos is essential for maximizing damage output during gameplay.
Punish
Punishing refers to capitalizing on an opponent’s mistake by executing a counterattack. When an opponent performs a move with significant recovery frames, leaving them vulnerable, a well-timed punish can deal damage and regain control of the match. Punishing requires knowledge of frame data and a keen eye for identifying opponents’ vulnerabilities.
Mix-up
Mix-ups are a core aspect of fighting games strategy. It involves using a combination of different attacks, throws, or movement options to keep the opponent guessing and prevent them from predicting your next move. Mix-ups can include overhead attacks, low attacks, throws, or even empty jumps. By keeping opponents off-balance, mix-ups can create opportunities for big damage or lead to advantageous situations.
Oki
Oki, short for okizeme, refers to the strategies employed when an opponent is knocked down and the player attempts to maintain pressure or create advantageous situations. This can involve executing specific setups, timing attacks to hit the opponent as they wake up, or using option selects to cover multiple defensive options. Effective oki can result in continued offense or force opponents into unfavorable defensive situations.
Footsies
Footsies is a term used to describe the strategic positioning and movement of characters during the neutral game. It involves utilizing precise spacing and well-timed attacks to control space and gain an advantage over opponents. Footsies can involve whiff punishing, baiting opponents into making mistakes, or using movement and attacks to control the flow of the match.
Tech
Teching refers to the act of breaking free from an opponent’s throw attempt. When an opponent tries to throw your character, a timely input of a throw command in the opposite direction can break the throw and leave both characters at a neutral state. Teching is an essential defensive skill that prevents opponents from easily controlling the match through grabs.
Neutral
Neutral refers to a state in a fighting game where neither player has a significant advantage. It typically occurs at the start of a match or after a reset situation. The neutral game focuses on careful spacing, controlling space, and reacting to opponents’ actions in order to gain an advantage. Skilled players excel at maintaining control of the neutral game and capitalizing on opportunities.
Whiff Punish
Whiff punishing refers to the act of capitalizing on an opponent’s missed or “whiffed” attack by quickly punishing with a well-timed attack of your own. This requires good observation skills and fast reaction times to recognize the opponent’s mistake and respond appropriately. Whiff punishing is a key aspect of high-level gameplay as it discourages opponents from throwing out unsafe attacks.
Blockstring
A blockstring refers to a sequence of attacks that, when blocked by the opponent, can be continued without giving the opponent an opportunity to interrupt or counterattack. It involves chaining together moves in such a way that the opponent is forced to block continuously without a chance to retaliate. Effective blockstrings create pressure on opponents and limit their options for escape or reversal.
Characters
Rushdown
Rushdown characters are aggressive fighters that excel at close-range combat. They often possess fast movement, quick attacks, and mix-up options that allow them to overwhelm opponents with relentless pressure. Rushdown characters typically prioritize offense over defense and thrive on forcing opponents into defensive situations.
Zoner
Zoner characters excel at controlling the distance between themselves and their opponents. Their primary focus is to keep opponents at bay by utilizing long-range attacks, projectiles, and space-controlling specials. Zoners typically have limited close-range options and rely on their strong defensive options to keep opponents at a distance.
Grappler
Grappler characters specialize in close-range combat and powerful throws. They possess strong command grabs that can deal substantial damage, making them a threat up close. Grapplers are often slower and have limited mobility but compensate for it with their high damage potential and ability to score big hits in exchanges.
Shoto
Shoto characters are versatile fighters that serve as a balance between rushdown and zoner playstyles. They typically have a mix of good normals, projectiles, and special moves that allow them to adapt to different situations. Shoto characters are often considered well-rounded and are commonly used as entry-level characters for beginners.
Charge
Charge characters are unique fighters that require holding a specific direction for a certain amount of time to execute their special moves. They often possess strong defensive options and excel at controlling space. Charge characters typically have fewer immediate offensive options compared to other playstyles but make up for it with their defensive and zoning capabilities.
Projectile
Projectile characters are fighters that rely heavily on long-range attacks, such as fireballs or projectile-based specials. They prioritize keeping opponents at bay and controlling space. Projectile characters often have strong zoning capabilities but can be vulnerable up close. They excel at controlling the pace of the match and forcing opponents to approach on their terms.
Juggernaut
Juggernaut characters are known for their high damage output and the ability to dominate opponents with their sheer power. They typically possess strong normals and specials that can quickly turn the tide of a match. Juggernaut characters often lack mobility and defensive options but make up for it with their ability to deal significant damage and dictate the flow of the fight.
Keepaway
Keepaway characters, also known as “turtlers,” focus on evasive maneuvers and defensive playstyles to frustrate opponents. They excel at creating distance, running down the clock, and capitalizing on opponents’ mistakes. Keepaway characters often rely on strong defensive options, zoning tools, and evasive movement to frustrate aggressive opponents.
Turtle
Turtle characters emphasize strong defensive playstyles, focusing on blocking, punishing, and waiting for the opponent to make mistakes. They often possess excellent defensive options, such as reversals or counter-attacks, that discourage opponents from applying pressure. Turtle characters aim to frustrate opponents while taking advantage of defensive openings.
Anchor
Anchor refers to the position of a character in a team-based fighting game. The anchor character is typically the last to enter the fight and is chosen for their ability to make comebacks and turn the tide of a match. Anchor characters often have strong solo capabilities, high damage output, and access to powerful resources such as full super meters. They are relied upon to carry the team to victory.
Game Mechanics
Frame Advantage
Frame advantage refers to the number of frames an attacking player has before their opponent can act after successfully landing an attack. A positive frame advantage means the attacker can act before the defender, giving them an opportunity to continue their offense or apply pressure. Understanding frame advantage is crucial for optimizing combos, pressure strings, and creating advantageous situations.
Wake-up
Wake-up refers to the situation when a character rises from a knockdown position. During wake-up, the player can choose from various defensive options, such as blocking, using invincible moves, or attempting to escape pressure. Wake-up scenarios often present mind games between players, with the attacker trying to predict the defender’s defensive choice and respond accordingly.
Reversal
A reversal is an action executed immediately upon waking up from a knockdown to invulnerability frames. Reversals typically involve special moves or attacks that have invincible startup frames, allowing the character to beat or escape an opponent’s pressure. Timing and execution precision are crucial for successful reversals, as mistiming can leave the player vulnerable to punishment.
Cross-up
A cross-up occurs when an attacking player jumps or moves behind their opponent, causing their attack to hit from the opposite side. Cross-ups can be difficult to block, as they necessitate switching blocking directions at the last moment. Skilled players use cross-ups to confuse opponents, create mix-up opportunities, and land advantageous combos.
Hit Confirm
Hit confirming is the act of confirming whether an attack has connected with the opponent before committing to a longer combo string or special move. It involves executing a shorter combo or attack sequence and reacting to its success or failure. Successful hit confirms allow players to optimize damage output while minimizing unnecessary risks.
Cancel
Canceling refers to interrupting the recovery animation of one move into another move or action, instantly transitioning between them. Canceling is a fundamental technique that allows players to extend combos, create safe strings, or surprise opponents with unexpected attacks. It requires precise input execution and timing to flow seamlessly from one move to another.
Super Meter
The super meter is a resource that builds as players perform attacks or take damage. It is used to execute powerful special moves, supers, or other character-specific abilities. The super meter often rewards skilled play and offers players a chance to turn the tide of a match with high-damage or utility moves. Managing and maximizing the usage of the super meter is crucial for success.
Guard Break
A guard break occurs when an attacking player breaks through or bypasses an opponent’s guard, leaving them vulnerable to a follow-up attack. Guard breaks are often unexpected and catch opponents off-guard, allowing for big damage opportunities or advantageous situations. Skilled players utilize guard breaks to break defensive strategies and create pressure.
Option Select
An option select is an input technique that covers multiple potential outcomes of a specific action, allowing the player to react appropriately. Option selects often involve inputting multiple commands simultaneously or in rapid succession, and the game system will automatically choose the most optimal option based on the situation. Option selects are advanced techniques that require knowledge of the game mechanics and specific character options.
Reset
A reset is a technique used to interrupt a combo before it finishes and place the opponent in a vulnerable position, forcing them to guess or react quickly. By stopping a combo prematurely, the attacker can surprise the opponent with a mix-up, throw, or reset the combo itself. Resets are used to keep opponents guessing and maximize damage output while minimizing risks.
Strategies
Baiting
Baiting involves deliberately provoking an opponent into making a mistake or reacting predictably. This can be achieved by feigning vulnerability, whiffing attacks, or purposefully creating a situation that lures the opponent into an unfavorable position. Baiting opponents allows for counterattacks, opening opportunities for punishes, and gaining an advantage.
Spacing
Spacing refers to the precise positioning of a player’s character in relation to their opponent. By maintaining an optimal distance, players can control the flow of the match, punish whiffed attacks, and minimize risks. Good spacing allows for effective footsies, baiting, and defensive play, giving players a strategic advantage over opponents.
Conditioning
Conditioning involves shaping an opponent’s behavior by repeatedly using specific strategies, actions, or patterns. Over time, opponents may develop habits that can be exploited. By conditioning opponents to expect certain actions, players can surprise them with alternative strategies, mix-ups, or punishes. Conditioning requires adaptability and the ability to read opponents’ tendencies.
Guard Crush
Guard crush is a strategy of overwhelming opponents with relentless pressure to break their defense. By continuously attacking, mixing up high and low attacks, and utilizing blockstrings, players can force opponents to block for an extended period. This can lead to a guard break or a situation where the opponent is more likely to make mistakes, leaving them vulnerable to a larger combo or significant damage.
Mind Games
Mind games involve psychological strategies aimed at deceiving opponents and making them think or react in a specific way. By conveying false intentions, feigning weakness, or exploiting opponents’ expectations, players can create opportunities for punishes, mix-ups, or advantageous positions. Skilled players use mind games to manipulate opponents and gain an upper hand.
Corner Pressure
Corner pressure refers to the strategy of trapping opponents in the corner, limiting their mobility, and keeping them on the defensive. By utilizing a combination of attacks, throws, and mix-ups, players can maintain control, restrict escape options, and force opponents to make risky decisions. Effective corner pressure can lead to high damage combos, guard crush situations, or even secure victories.
Oki Setup
Oki setups are specific strategies employed after knocking down an opponent to maintain offensive pressure. This can involve timing attacks to hit the opponent as they wake up, utilizing option selects to cover multiple defensive options, or executing specific setups to force opponents into disadvantageous situations. Oki setups aim to keep opponents on the defensive and limit their options for recovery.
Zoning
Zoning is a defensive strategy centered around controlling the space between the player’s character and the opponent. This is accomplished through the careful use of projectiles, long-range attacks, and movement options to keep opponents at bay. Zoners aim to frustrate opponents, limit their movement, and force them to make risky approaches. Skilled zoning can create openings for punishing opponents and securing victory.
Footsies
Footsies is a strategy that focuses on precise spacing, movement, and quick reactions to control space and gain an advantage in the neutral game. By utilizing strong normals, well-timed whiff punishing, and baiting opponents into mistakes, players can gain control and capitalize on opportunities. Footsies emphasize adaptability, knowledge of frame data, and exploiting opponents’ vulnerabilities.
Mix-up
Mix-ups are strategies used to keep opponents guessing by utilizing a combination of different attacks, throws, or movement options. By maintaining unpredictability and varying offensive patterns, players can create confusion, disrupt opponents’ defensive strategies, and land significant hits or set up advantageous situations. Mix-ups require a good understanding of an opponent’s habits and the ability to adapt on the fly.
Tournaments
Double Elimination
Double elimination is a tournament format where players are eliminated from the competition after losing two matches. It involves a winners’ bracket and a losers’ bracket, with the winners’ bracket consisting of undefeated players and the losers’ bracket containing players who have lost at least one match. The winners of each bracket eventually meet in the grand finals.
Seeding
Seeding is the process of assigning rankings or positions to players in a tournament bracket. Players are seeded based on criteria such as previous tournament results, skill level, or other factors. Seeding aims to ensure a fair distribution of skill levels among participants, avoiding early matches between top players and allowing for more exciting matchups later in the tournament.
Pool Play
Pool play is a stage in a tournament where players are divided into smaller groups or pools, usually based on randomly-assigned or seeded positions. Players within each pool compete against each other, with the top-performing players advancing to the next stage of the tournament. Pool play helps determine the initial rankings and matchups for the later stages of the competition.
Bracket
A tournament bracket is a visual representation of matches and progression throughout a tournament. It shows the matchups between players and tracks their progress as they advance through each round. Brackets typically utilize a tree-like structure that culminates in a grand finals match between the top competitors.
Top 8
Top 8 refers to the final stage of a tournament, where the remaining eight players compete for the highest rankings. These players have successfully advanced through earlier stages of the competition and are considered the elite contenders. Top 8 matches are often streamed and attract the most attention due to the high level of competition and exciting matchups.
BYOC
BYOC, short for “bring your own controller,” is a term used in tournament settings where participants are required to bring their own controllers or arcade sticks for gameplay. This allows players to use their preferred input devices, ensuring comfort and familiarity with their equipment.
Counter-pick
A counter-pick is a strategy where a player switches to a different character or stage specifically to exploit an opponent’s weaknesses or address unfavorable matchups. By selecting a character or stage that has an advantage against the opponent’s choice, players aim to gain an edge and increase their chances of success.
Money Match
A money match is a friendly or competitive match where players agree to wager a sum of money on the outcome. Money matches can be used to test skill levels, settle disputes, or add extra excitement to gameplay. The agreed-upon wager is typically predetermined and known to both players before the match.
Button Check
A button check is a brief period before a match begins, where players verify that their controller inputs are functional and properly configured. This includes testing buttons, checking input commands, and ensuring that there are no technical issues. Button checks help avoid misunderstandings or controller malfunctions during gameplay.
Salt
Salt is a term used to describe frustration, anger, or a negative emotional state experienced by a player after losing or encountering unfavorable situations in a tournament or match. Salty players may express their frustration through verbal outbursts, exaggerated reactions, or blaming factors outside of their control. However, it is important to maintain sportsmanship and respect for opponents’ achievements.
Online Play
Netcode
Netcode refers to the networking software or protocols used in online multiplayer games to facilitate smooth gameplay. A good netcode minimizes input lag, latency, and other issues that can affect the responsiveness of online matches. A reliable netcode is crucial for providing a seamless online experience, allowing players to enjoy competitive matches without significant gameplay drawbacks.
Ranked Match
Ranked matches are online gameplay modes where players compete against opponents of similar skill levels. In ranked matches, players earn and lose ranking points based on their performance. The matchmaking system pairs players with opponents of comparable rank to ensure challenging and fair matches. Ranked matches provide a competitive environment for players to improve their skills and climb the leaderboards.
Connection Quality
Connection quality refers to the stability and speed of the internet connection between players in an online match. A good connection quality ensures smooth gameplay, minimal lag, and a consistent experience for both players. Poor connection quality can result in input delay, dropped frames, and a frustrating online experience. Players often prefer matches with strong connection quality to ensure fair and enjoyable gameplay.
Ping
Ping is a measurement of the latency or delay between a player’s input and its effect in the game. It is typically measured in milliseconds and represents the time it takes for data to travel from the player’s device to the game server and back. Lower ping values indicate a more responsive connection, while higher ping values can cause input delay and affect gameplay.
Matchmaking
Matchmaking is the process of pairing players with suitable opponents for online matches. It considers factors such as skill level, ping, region, or other preferences to provide fair and challenging gameplay experiences. Effective matchmaking ensures that players are tested against opponents of comparable skill levels and provides an engaging environment for online play.
Player Lobby
A player lobby is an online space where players can gather, interact, and challenge each other to matches. Lobbies often provide options for chatting, spectating ongoing matches, and challenging specific players. Player lobbies allow for a more social and personalized experience, fostering a sense of community within online gameplay.
Rematch
A rematch is a feature that allows players to quickly restart a match against the same opponent without returning to the lobby or matchmaking. Rematches are typically used when players want to continue their friendly matches, practice specific strategies, or if they feel unsatisfied with the outcome of the previous match.
Rage Quit
A rage quit occurs when a player abruptly disconnects from an online match out of frustration or anger. Rage quitting is seen as unsportsmanlike behavior and can negatively impact the online experience for both players. Many games have implemented methods to discourage rage quitting, such as penalties, temporary bans, or other deterrents.
Input Lag
Input lag refers to the delay between a player’s input and the corresponding action occurring on the screen. It can be caused by various factors, including network latency, display response time, or hardware limitations. High input lag can affect gameplay responsiveness, making it difficult to execute precise inputs and react quickly to opponents’ actions.
Rollback
Rollback netcode is a type of networking technology that prioritizes preserving gameplay responsiveness and mitigating input delay. It simulates and predicts gameplay, allowing players to interact in real-time while minimizing the impact of network latency. Rollback netcode rolls back the game state if there is a discrepancy between players’ inputs and then resimulates to match the predicted outcome, resulting in smoother gameplay.