- How to actually apply all this theory? (2)

Master BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle combat theory! Learn to analyze attacks, build tight strings, and apply mixups effectively for relentless pressure.

This guide section focuses on applying theoretical knowledge to real battles in BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle. It emphasizes thinking about your options after each attack to execute your game plan efficiently, rather than auto-piloting. The core of applying theory involves studying your character's attacks, building tight blockstrings, and understanding your options after each move in a string.

Key Concepts:

1. Attack Properties: Understand which of your attacks are mixups (lows, overheads), when you can use them, and which are reset possibilities. Also, identify jump cancellable attacks, plus-on-block moves, and frametraps.
2. Tight Strings: Build basic strings that are gapless. A string is tight if the blockstun of the first hit equals or exceeds the startup of the second hit. An example of a tight string for Jin is 2A, 5B, 2B, 5C, 3C, 236A.
3. Options After Attacks: After each attack in your string, consider various options: go for a mixup (low, overhead, grab), repeat the normal, use a different normal, dash to re-approach, leave a gap, or jump cancel.

Example Options After Jin's 2A:

• Mixup: 6A, dash+grab, tiger knee Hizangeki (2147D), or Crush Trigger.
• Repeat 2A: For variable timing and to keep the opponent guessing.
• 5A: Can punish Throw Tech Option Selects if used correctly after a throw attempt.
• 2B: Punishes opponents who Instant Block and attempt a Dragon Punch (DP).
• Dash: For stagger/gap pressure.
• Intentional Gap: To punish FUZZY BLOCK or FUZZY JUMP Option Selects.
• Jump Cancel: Leads to aerial mixups (j.2C, j.C), crossing over, or late air dashes.

Applying Pressure:

Decide whether to use a mixup or continue the string. Mixups are effective against opponents who simply block, while continuing the string can control opponents ready to defend against mixups. Avoid overusing punishing pressure, as it can end your offense if blocked. Balance mixups with punishing pressure, using tactics like staggered dashes to keep the opponent guessing.

Developing a Game Plan:

Create a pressure strategy for each encounter. For example, aim to punish a specific anti-air response with a well-timed jump cancel and follow-up attack. Always vary your goals and adapt to the opponent's actions throughout the match. Combining different strategies within the same string, like stagger pressure followed by a jump cancellable attack, can be highly effective.