Whether you’re gearing up for your first experience with Jump Force or brushing up for another round in the beta, there’s no better time than now to refine your skills. In this guide, we’re offering ten game-changing tips, backed by insights from the closed beta and seasoned input from fighting game enthusiast and anime gaming convert, BillZ. With characters like Yugi Moto and Naruto in the mix, it’s easy to get swept away by spectacle — but if you want to stand out, it all starts with fundamentals.

1. Mastering the Use of Assists

Assists in Jump Force are more than flashy extras — they’re game-deciders. Yet, many players hit the assist button out of panic or desperation, which wastes their potential. You should already have a plan before calling in your assist. If they hit? Get ready to combo. If they’re blocked? Get ready to apply pressure. The assist isn’t just a bonus — it’s a calculated part of your strategy. Your entire offensive rhythm can pivot around the assist, so treat it with the same importance as your primary attacks.

2. Prioritizing Team Order for Strategic Advantage

Once you’ve picked your team, how you order your characters matters more than most realize. The character in your second slot is the one whose assist will be active, so ideally, that slot should hold your strongest assist. Slot three can house your secondary best, though comfort can override theory — if you love leading with someone like Vegeta, do it. Just make sure the backup plan is tight. If you have to put a great assist like Vegeta’s in the first slot, ensure your third slot is another character you’re confident with so his assist becomes available when it matters most.

3. Defensive Movement: The Smart Use of Escape

Being trapped in a combo doesn’t mean you’re helpless. A well-timed L1 (or left bumper) lets you escape, becoming invulnerable while dashing away. But here’s the catch: doing so now drains your stamina entirely. That means your next mistake could cost you dearly. Use this defensive tool sparingly, and make sure it either breaks the enemy’s momentum or sets up a solid counter-attack. If you’re too trigger-happy with it, you’ll leave yourself wide open.

4. Sidestepping to Control the Flow

If you’re holding block but want to slip out of pressure without draining stamina, flicking the left thumbstick allows for a sidestep — a movement that can shift momentum in your favor. It’s perfect for punishing opponents who mash attacks recklessly. Once you show that you can dodge and retaliate, you force your opponent to think. And that’s when grabs start becoming deadly.

5. Re-evaluating Grabs: From Clunky to Clever

Grabs in Jump Force can feel awkward at first. They’re slower than many attacks and oddly short-ranged after dashes. But with proper timing and creativity, they become essential tools. Mid-string, canceling into a grab can throw off opponents who are expecting another hit. Online, players will often have to read rather than react — giving grabs a mind-game edge. Just be ready: if they predict the grab and mash attack, you’ll need a different tool to punish them.

6. Smash Attacks: Armor Up and Break Through

That tool is the smash attack. By holding light or strong attack, your character charges a strike with armor. It lets you power through enemy attacks without flinching. If they block instead of attack, keep charging — the smash will eventually break their guard. Your opponent’s outs are limited: they can try a sidestep, a backdash, or a risky grab. But if they guess wrong, you’re in control. The smash attack is all about commitment — both yours and theirs.

7. Awakening Strategy: Boost Before You Burn

The awakening gauge offers two primary uses: reawakenings and awakening techniques. While awakening techniques (your ultimate moves) wipe your gauge completely, activating a standard awakening only slowly drains it over time. This means you can benefit from the passive perks — like higher damage — while still holding your ultimate in reserve. For optimal value, always awaken before firing off your ultimate. Some characters, like Naruto in Sage of Six Paths mode, even receive new combos and movesets during awakening, adding more layers to consider.

8. Stop Wasting Specials: Combo Into Them Instead

Throwing out special attacks randomly from a distance might feel flashy, but it’s usually a waste. These moves are easy to block and cost meter. Instead, combo into them. That guarantees they land and maximizes damage for your meter spent. The same goes for Ultimates — most of them can be confirmed off a few regular attacks. Two hits and then your Ultimate? Much more effective than whiffing it across the map.

9. Specials as Counter Tools

Not all specials can be comboed into, but that doesn’t mean they’re useless. If you see someone recklessly dashing at you, a special attack can act as a perfect counter. Think of it as defensive offense — you’re not just punishing their movement; you’re forcing them to reconsider their aggression. It’s about using tools at the right moment, not just using them.

10. Meter Charging: A Risk You Must Respect

While manually charging meter is an option, it’s rarely safe in open play. Standing there charging in neutral often invites punishment. Best times to charge? After a knockdown, or when an assist is putting pressure on your opponent. If you must charge, be brief. And if both players start charging, enjoy the absurdity — but know it likely won’t fly in serious matches.

Final Thoughts: Remember to Enjoy the Chaos

It’s easy to get caught up in the competitive mindset, especially in fighting games. But remember: this is a beta. You’re here to test things, explore, have fun. Try new characters. Experiment with techniques. Watch those ridiculous ultimates at least once. Don’t be afraid to get beat — that’s how you learn. Whether you follow all these tips or none of them, what matters most is that you enjoy your time in the Jump Force universe.

Big thanks to BillZ for sharing his perspective and passion. Keep learning, keep fighting, and most of all — have fun out there.