System Mechanics (Veil Off, Chain Shift, etc.) — Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late[cl-r] Guide

Elevate your Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late[cl-r] gameplay by mastering system mechanics like Veil Off and Chain Shift.

Understanding the core system mechanics in Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late[cl-r] is crucial for elevating your gameplay from basic combos to strategic, high-level execution. These systems provide layers of offensive and defensive options, resource management, and comeback potential. Mastering them is key to dominating the Hollow Night.

Veil Off (VO)

Veil Off is a powerful, character-specific burst mechanic that can turn the tide of a match. It's both an offensive and defensive tool, offering a variety of benefits depending on when and how you activate it.

• Activation: To activate Veil Off, press all four attack buttons (A+B+C+D) simultaneously. This consumes 100 EXS Gauge.
• Defensive Activation (Burst): If you activate Veil Off while being hit, it functions as a burst, knocking the opponent away and creating space. This is an invaluable escape option when trapped in a combo or block string.
• Offensive Activation: Activating Veil Off while neutral or during your own combo grants several significant advantages:
  • Damage Boost: Your attacks deal increased damage for the duration of Veil Off.
  • EXS Regeneration: Your EXS Gauge regenerates at an accelerated rate.
  • Special Move Enhancements: Some character's special moves gain additional properties or become stronger during Veil Off.
  • Infinite Worth EXS: During Veil Off, you gain access to your character's powerful Infinite Worth EXS attack, which costs 200 EXS and ends Veil Off.
• Duration: The duration of Veil Off is indicated by a timer above your EXS Gauge. It depletes over time or immediately ends if you use an Infinite Worth EXS.
• Strategy:
  • Comeback Mechanic: Veil Off is often best saved for when you are low on health, as the damage boost and access to Infinite Worth EXS can provide significant comeback potential.
  • Combo Extension: Skilled You can use Veil Off mid-combo to extend damage, especially when combined with Chain Shift.
  • Punish Opportunity: If your opponent whiffs a highly committal attack, activating Veil Off and immediately going for a high-damage combo can be devastating.

Chain Shift (CS)

Chain Shift is a versatile resource management tool that allows you to manipulate the flow of the EXS Gauge and extend combos. It's a fundamental mechanic for advanced play.

• Activation: To activate Chain Shift, press B+C simultaneously. This consumes a portion of your GRD Gauge, indicated by the blue segments at the bottom of the screen.
• Effects:
  • EXS Gain: Upon activation, you instantly gain EXS Gauge proportional to the amount of GRD Gauge consumed. The more GRD you have, the more EXS you gain.
  • Slowdown Effect: The game briefly slows down, allowing you to react and plan your next move.
  • Combo Extension: This slowdown is crucial for extending combos that would otherwise drop. You can use the extra time to link attacks that wouldn't normally connect.
  • GRD Cycle Reset: Activating Chain Shift resets the GRD Cycle, giving you another opportunity to win the next GRD Exchange.
• Strategy:
  • Mid-Combo EXS Generation: Use Chain Shift during a combo to generate enough EXS for an EX Special Move or even an Infinite Worth. This allows for incredibly damaging and flashy combo routes.
  • GRD Management: Don't be afraid to use Chain Shift even if you're not in a combo. If you have a significant GRD advantage, activating Chain Shift can convert that advantage into EXS, which is a more direct offensive resource.
  • Frame Advantage: In some situations, Chain Shift can be used to gain frame advantage after certain attacks, allowing you to continue pressure.
  • Punish Whiffs: If your opponent whiffs a move and you have enough GRD, a quick Chain Shift can give you the EXS needed to punish them with a powerful EX attack.

Assault (A)

Assault is your primary offensive movement option, allowing for quick, aggressive approaches and mix-ups.

• Activation: Press 6+B (forward + B button).
• Properties:
  • Forward Dash: Assault is a fast forward dash that covers a significant distance.
  • Upper Body Invincibility: During the initial frames of Assault, your character gains upper body invincibility, allowing you to pass through certain high-hitting attacks and projectiles.
  • Overhead Attack: Assault itself is an overhead attack, meaning it must be blocked standing. This makes it a powerful tool for mix-ups, especially when combined with low attacks.
• Strategy:
  • Mix-up Game: Use Assault to create a high/low mix-up. After a block string, you can either go for a low attack or an Assault to force your opponent to guess their block direction.
  • Punish Whiffs: If an opponent whiffs a move at mid-range, Assault can quickly close the distance and allow you to punish them.
  • Pressure Extension: Assault can be used to continue pressure after certain attacks, keeping your opponent on the defensive.
  • Projectile Navigation: The upper body invincibility can be used to safely pass through some projectiles, allowing you to get in on zoning characters.

Shield (S)

Shield is a defensive mechanic that rewards precise timing and can lead to significant advantages.

• Activation: Press 4+D (back + D button).
• Properties:
  • Guard Point: When activated, Shield creates a brief guard point. If an attack hits you during this guard point, you will block it without taking chip damage and gain a significant amount of GRD.
  • GRD Gain: Successfully shielding an attack grants a large boost to your GRD Gauge.
  • Frame Advantage: A successful Shield can leave your opponent at a disadvantage, allowing you to counter-attack.
• Strategy:
  • Defensive GRD Generation: Shield is your primary tool for gaining GRD defensively. Actively look for opportunities to Shield incoming attacks, especially during block strings.
  • Punish Gaps: If an opponent has predictable pressure or gaps in their block strings, a well-timed Shield can interrupt their offense and create a punish opportunity.
  • Baiting Opponents: Sometimes, you can intentionally leave a small gap in your defense to bait an opponent into attacking, then Shield their move for a counter.
  • Risk vs. Reward: Shield has a recovery animation if it doesn't connect, leaving you vulnerable. Use it judiciously and with good timing.

GRD Break

GRD Break is a state of vulnerability that occurs when your GRD Gauge is completely depleted.

• Condition: Your GRD Gauge reaches zero. This can happen from being hit, blocking attacks, or failing to win GRD Exchanges.
• Effects:
  • Increased Damage Taken: You take significantly more damage from all attacks while in GRD Break.
  • No EXS Gain: You cannot gain EXS Gauge while in GRD Break.
  • No GRD Gain: You cannot gain GRD Gauge while in GRD Break.
  • Vulnerability: You are highly susceptible to being comboed and taking massive damage.
• Recovery: GRD Break is a temporary state. Your GRD Gauge will slowly regenerate, and once it reaches a certain threshold, you will exit GRD Break.
• Strategy:
  • Avoid at All Costs: The primary strategy is to avoid GRD Break. Manage your GRD Gauge carefully, use Shield, and win GRD Exchanges.
  • Defensive Play: If you find yourself in GRD Break, play extremely defensively. Focus on blocking and escaping pressure until your GRD Gauge recovers.
  • Punish Opponent: If your opponent is in GRD Break, this is your prime opportunity to unleash your most damaging combos and Infinite Worth attacks. Maximizing damage during this state is crucial.

Infinite Worth (IW) & Infinite Worth EXS (IWEXS)

These are your character's ultimate attacks, dealing massive damage and often having cinematic flair.

• Infinite Worth (IW):
  • Cost: 100 EXS Gauge.
  • Activation: Specific command input (e.g., 236236+D or 632146+D).
  • Properties: High damage, often with invincibility frames on startup. Can be used as a reversal or combo finisher.
  • Strategy: Use IW to finish off opponents, punish unsafe moves, or as a powerful reversal option when under pressure.
• Infinite Worth EXS (IWEXS):
  • Cost: 200 EXS Gauge.
  • Activation: Specific command input (e.g., 236236+D or 632146+D) while in Veil Off.
  • Properties: Even higher damage than IW, often with more extensive cinematic animations. Consumes Veil Off upon activation.
  • Strategy: IWEXS is your ultimate comeback tool. It's best used when you've activated Veil Off (especially defensively) and have enough EXS to secure a round-ending blow. Aim to land it during a combo for maximum impact.

Cross-Cast Veil Off (CCVO)

Cross-Cast Veil Off is an advanced technique that allows for unique combo extensions and resource manipulation.

• Activation: Press A+B+C+D during a combo while you have at least 100 EXS Gauge.
• Properties:
  • Veil Off Activation: Immediately activates Veil Off.
  • EXS Gain: Grants a significant amount of EXS Gauge upon activation, effectively refunding some of the cost of Veil Off.
  • Combo Extension: The momentary freeze and EXS gain allow for combo extensions that would otherwise be impossible.
• Strategy:
  • Max Damage Combos: CCVO is essential for achieving the highest damage potential in many characters' combos. It allows you to chain together multiple EX moves or even transition into an IWEXS.
  • Resource Conversion: It's a way to convert a portion of your Veil Off cost into immediate EXS, setting up further offensive options.
  • Practice Required: The timing for CCVO can be strict, and specific combo routes need to be practiced in training mode to execute effectively.