Vs Battle (Offline/Local Multiplayer)
The Vs Battle mode is where you and a friend can duke it out locally, testing your skills against each other with the full roster of characters and stages available. This guide will walk you through setting up your match and optimizing your experience.
Accessing Vs Battle
- From the Main Menu, navigate to the "Free Battle" option.
- Select "Vs Battle" from the subsequent menu.
- You will then be prompted to select your controllers and player sides. Ensure both controllers are connected and recognized by your system (PlayStation 4, Xbox One, etc.).
Match Setup Options
Before the battle begins, you'll have several crucial options to customize your experience:
- Battle Type:
- Single Battle: Standard 1v1 combat.
- Team Battle: Each player selects a team of three characters. You can switch between your main character and support characters during the fight.
- Number of Rounds: Choose between 1, 3, or 5 rounds. The first player to win the majority of rounds wins the match.
- Time Limit: Set the duration of each round. Options include 30, 60, 90, or Infinite seconds. For intense, strategic battles, 90 seconds is often ideal.
- Awakening Type:
- Normal: Awakening is available once your Storm Gauge is full.
- Instant: Awakening is available from the start of the match. This can lead to very aggressive, high-damage fights.
- Ultimate Jutsu Only: Only Ultimate Jutsu are available, no Awakening.
- Item Set: Decide which battle items will be available during the match.
- Default: A balanced set of Shuriken, Kunai, Explosive Tags, and Health Recovery items.
- Custom: Allows you to select specific items from your unlocked inventory. Experiment with different combinations to find what suits your playstyle or to create unique challenges.
- No Items: For a pure skill-based fight without external interference.
- Handicap: Adjust the starting health of each player. This is useful for balancing skill levels between players. A higher handicap means more starting health.
Character and Team Selection
Once your match settings are finalized, you'll move to the character selection screen. Here's what you need to know:
- Player 1 & Player 2: Each player will select their main character first. Consider character types (e.g., close-range, long-range, chakra-heavy) and their Ultimate Jutsu.
- Support Characters (Team Battle Only): After selecting your main, you'll choose two support characters. Supports can assist with attacks, defensive maneuvers, or even substitute for you. Think about synergy – do your supports complement your main character's weaknesses or amplify their strengths? For example, a character with strong close-range attacks might benefit from a support that can launch long-range projectiles.
- Costume Selection: Many characters have alternate costumes. Press the designated button (e.g., Square on PS4, X on Xbox One) to cycle through available costumes.
- Jutsu Type: Before confirming your character, you can often choose between different Jutsu sets for certain characters. This can significantly alter their playstyle and available techniques. Pay attention to the descriptions provided on screen.
Stage Selection
The final step before battle is choosing your arena. Each stage in Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 offers unique visual flair, but more importantly, some stages have environmental hazards or varying sizes that can impact gameplay. Consider:
- Open vs. Enclosed: Larger, open stages like the "Great Ninja War Battlefield" allow for more evasive maneuvers and long-range combat. Smaller, enclosed stages like the "Hidden Leaf Village (Destroyed)" can lead to more intense close-quarters brawls.
- Wall-Running Opportunities: Stages with prominent vertical structures, such as "Konoha's Forest," offer more opportunities for wall-running and aerial combat.
- Environmental Hazards: While not as prevalent as in some fighting games, some stages have destructible elements or boundaries that can be exploited.
Strategies for Local Play
- Communication is Key: If you're playing with a friend, don't be afraid to talk trash or strategize out loud (within reason!). It adds to the fun.
- Experiment with Characters: Don't stick to just one character. The joy of Vs Battle is discovering new combinations and playstyles. Try out characters you wouldn't normally use in Story Mode.
- Master Substitutions: Substitution Jutsu (L2/LT) is crucial for escaping combos and avoiding damage. Timing is everything.
- Utilize Awakening: Knowing when to activate your Awakening can turn the tide of a battle. Some Awakened states offer increased speed, power, or unique abilities.
- Practice Combos: Even simple combos can be devastating. Spend some time in Practice Mode to get a feel for your chosen character's move set.
- Observe Your Opponent: Pay attention to your friend's habits. Do they always substitute after a certain combo? Do they favor a particular Ultimate Jutsu? Exploiting these patterns can lead to victory.