If you’re jumping into Injustice 2, especially as someone coming from traditional Capcom fighters like Street Fighter, you might be in for a bit of culture shock. The mechanics feel looser, the combo system plays differently, and there are environmental interactions that can completely turn the tide of a match. But once you get a handle on the basics, you’ll find a deep, rewarding system underneath. Here are six essential things to help you get started — and potentially dominate — in the DC Universe.

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1. Basic Combos & Link Fundamentals

In Injustice 2, combos are typically based on preset target strings using light, medium, and heavy attacks. The good news? These don’t require tight links like in Street Fighter. As long as you input them quickly enough, they’ll connect.

However, the real damage comes from learning which basic strings can be linked into special moves. Not all strings allow this, so it’s worth heading into practice mode to test what connects and what doesn’t. Once you find those bridges between standard strings and specials, you’ll start pushing out reliable damage.

Also, unlike traditional fighters, you don’t need to wait until you land from a jump before continuing your combo. You can input your next move right after the jumping attack connects — a timing quirk that rewards early execution and smooth muscle memory. Learning this early gives you a leg up on juggle potential and follow-ups.

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2. Environmental Interactions & Stage Transitions

One of the most unique features of Injustice 2 is how interactive the stages are. You’ll notice glowing objects around the arena. When close to them, you’ll see a small icon near your health bar indicating that an interaction is possible.

• Heavy characters will often throw these objects.
• Light, agile characters use them as evasive mobility tools, flipping over opponents or repositioning in clever ways.

Don’t overlook these — in the right context, they can extend combos or escape pressure. Combine this with stage transitions, triggered by a back + heavy near a screen edge, and you have both damage and cinematic flair in one move. You can even cancel a combo into a wall bounce to trigger these transitions. Understanding your surroundings is just as important as understanding your buttons.

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3. Choosing a Character Based on Your Playstyle

The roster in Injustice 2 is diverse and full of archetypes. Instead of trying to pick a “top tier” immediately, start by asking how you like to play. Then match that to a character:

• Rushdown/aggressive players: Try Superman, Batman, Flash, Wonder Woman, Robin, or Cheetah.
• Zoning/control space: Go with Brainiac, Green Arrow, or Doctor Fate.
• Grapplers: Bane and Swamp Thing bring powerful up-close command grabs.
• Mix-up tricksters: Harley Quinn and Supergirl bring high/low games and trickery.
• Setplay/Nastiness: Captain Cold stands out here. His icicle traps that drop from the ceiling create gnarly wake-up setups and mind games.

There’s someone for every fighting style — so pick the one that suits your instincts and lean into their strengths.

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4. Clash System: Break Combos and Regain Control

When you’re getting combo’d and you’re on your second health bar, you can trigger the Clash mechanic by holding forward + meter burn. This results in a cutscene where both players secretly wager portions of their meter.

• If you bet more, you win the clash, break the combo, and can regain some health.
• If you lose, you eat the rest of the combo.

This mechanic introduces psychological warfare:

• Do you bet everything for the guaranteed win?
• Do you bait your opponent into overcommitting?

There’s a circular logic here that leads to real mind games. Just remember: more meter is always better. Use your Clash wisely — it’s your lifeline in a pinch.

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5. Mastering Juggles for High Damage

Juggles are Injustice 2’s bread and butter. They happen whenever you land a hit while your opponent is airborne. Certain moves, like back + forward heavy, can launch or bounce opponents in a way that sets up extended combos.

Each character has unique juggle starters, extenders, and enders. The key is to:

• Identify your best launcher
• Chain into it from a string
• Follow up with special moves or meter burn attacks

It takes practice, but once it clicks, the payoff is massive. Stringing together an extended juggle that melts half your opponent’s health bar is both satisfying and devastating.

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6. Using Meter Burn Wisely: Offense & Defense

Your meter burn button opens up tons of possibilities — both offensive and defensive. Offensively, many special moves have a meter burn version that either extends a combo or amps up the damage.

Key uses:

• Right after a special connects, press meter burn to extend
• Combo cancel into ground or wall bounces with a directional input + meter burn

Defensively:

• Push block to create space
• Escape roll across the screen to flip out of pressure
• Combo breaker via Clash, as discussed above

The meter system forces you to constantly choose between more damage, better pressure, or an escape plan. Good resource management wins games.

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Final Words: Learn the System, Rule the Universe

Whether you’re here to defend or destroy the DC Universe, mastering Injustice 2 means learning its rhythm. With a solid handle on combos, environmental tools, character strengths, Clash mechanics, and meter strategy, you’re well on your way.

Experiment, hit the lab, and play around with different characters and styles. And most importantly — keep learning. If you’ve got any tips of your own or killer combo tech, drop it in the comments. Let’s all level up together.

See you in the multiverse!