Control Conventions

Understand Soulcalibur II's control conventions with this guide, covering button mappings, attack notations, and movement directions for PS2, GameCube, and Xbox.

This guide details the control conventions used within the Soulcalibur II FAQs, designed for clarity and ease of understanding. It also provides console-specific default button conversions for GameCube, PlayStation 2, and Xbox.

The FAQ uses a unique notation system that is more straightforward than traditional methods. It avoids confusing numbers and abbreviations, making moves lists easier to read and understand.

In-Game and FAQ Control Conventions

Basic Attacks:

• A: Horizontal Strike
• B: Vertical Strike
• K: Kick
• G: Guard
• [A]: Hold Horizontal Strike
• [B]: Hold Vertical Strike
• [K]: Hold Kick
• [G]: Hold Guard

Slide Inputs:

• aA: Double Tap A very quickly
• aB: Slide from A onto B quickly
• aK: Slide from A onto K quickly
• bA: Slide from B onto A quickly
• bB: Double Tap B very quickly
• bK: Slide from B onto K quickly
• kA: Slide from K onto A quickly
• kB: Slide from K onto B quickly
• kK: Double Tap K very quickly

Extended variations like agA (slide from A to G to A quickly) or b^B (tap B then Up then B quickly) are possible. Adapt to the situation as needed.

Movement Directions:

• *: Keep Neutral
• ->: Towards Opponent
• <-: Away from Opponent
• ^: Up
• v: Down
• ahydro: Diagonal Down/Towards
• : Diagonal Down/Away
• <: Diagonal Up/Away
• />: Diagonal Up/Towards
• [->]: Hold Towards Opponent
• [<-]: Hold Away from Opponent
• [^]: Hold Up
• [v]: Hold Down
• [\]: Hold Diagonal Down/Towards
• [: Hold Diagonal Down/Away
• [<]: Hold Diagonal Up/Away
• [/>]: Hold Diagonal Up/Towards

Miscellaneous Notations:

• ,: Press buttons or directions in sequence (e.g., ->, ->, A).
• +: Press buttons together (e.g., A+B).
• ~: Sets up into another move (stance change, Guard Break, etc.).
• (Alternative): An alternative way to perform a move.
• (Delay): Wait slightly longer between button presses.
• (Cancel): Begin a move then cancel it before completion.
• (Hold): Hold one or more buttons for a more powerful version.
• (Extended): An extended version of a move (more hits, longer duration).
• (Additional Attack): Another attack executable after a previous move.
• Buttons or directions in parentheses () indicate an alternative can be pressed.