If you’ve been lost in the whirlwind of Tekken 7’s chaotic pressure and stylish combos, don’t panic—this guide is here to help you get grounded. King J, a seasoned Tekken veteran, walks through key foundational elements in this tutorial, revealing exactly what the game doesn’t explain. Tekken doesn’t hold your hand, and with no real tutorial system, it’s up to you to learn the ropes. This breakdown captures the core essentials for beginners and those looking to clean up their fundamentals, so you can stop mashing and start dominating.
Understanding Tekken Notation (The Language of Moves)
Before diving into movement or combos, you need to understand the “notation” used by players to describe moves. Think of it as the language of Tekken. Numbers 1 through 4 represent your buttons: 1 is left punch, 2 is right punch, 3 is left kick, 4 is right kick. Directions are notated based on your position relative to your opponent: forward (6), back (4), down (2), up (8), and so on. For example, “f+2” means pressing forward and right punch simultaneously.
You’ll often see inputs like “ff+2” (forward, forward + right punch), or “df+1” (down-forward + left punch). These directional and button combinations are the bedrock of Tekken input language, and recognizing them will help you study guides and communicate with others.
Movement and the Art of the Backdash Cancel
In Tekken, standing still is asking to be hit. Movement is your defense, your offense, and your setup. But walking backward just doesn’t cut it—there’s too much recovery. That’s where backdash cancelling comes in.
Backdash cancelling involves inputting back, back, then quickly tapping down-back to cancel the animation and allow for another backdash. Repeating this allows you to glide backward quickly, creating distance and evading pressure.
Try this: back, back, down-back, repeat. With practice, you’ll chain it together fluidly. Most players do this with the ball of their thumb for speed. Once mastered, it becomes a powerful way to reset neutral and avoid oppressive strings.
Grabs and Throw Breaking
Every character has basic throws: 1+3 and 2+4, performed by pressing left punch + left kick, or right punch + right kick. These throws aren’t unblockable—you can break them by pressing either 1 or 2 in response, depending on the throw.
A 1+2 throw, however, must be broken by pressing both 1 and 2 simultaneously. Many players bind this to a shoulder button for consistency. Identifying and reacting to throws is key for defense, and breaking throws is about both timing and recognition.
The logic is simple: if you’re not breaking throws, you’re losing momentum and giving up free damage. Break throws, create space, and reset the situation on your terms.
Why Creating Space Matters
Spacing is everything. Let’s say your opponent is throwing out strings—low-high-low patterns, mashing out buttons to keep you locked down. Instead of sitting there eating mix-ups, backdash cancel out. Create space, reposition, and let them whiff something unsafe. That’s your moment to strike back.
Just walking backward won’t do it—you’ll get chased down. You need evasive movement to break their pressure. And if you’re against a wall? Learn to maneuver away, circle out, or power crush your way back into neutral.
Rage Mechanics: Rage Art and Rage Drive
Once your health drops to 25% or lower, you’ll glow red—this means your Rage is active.
- Rage Art is a cinematic super move. It does big damage, but if it’s blocked, you’re wide open to punishment. Pro players rarely throw it out raw—instead, they hit-confirm into it from a combo.
- Rage Drive is a more tactical tool. It can extend combos, create pressure, or change the situation. It’s safer than Rage Art, but still costs your Rage state. Use it when it guarantees value, like breaking through pressure or finishing a juggle.
Don’t spam Rage Art. Don’t panic Rage Drive. Use these tools when they give you the upper hand. Know when your opponent is swinging carelessly? Rage Art them. Need to flip the momentum? Rage Drive into a mix-up.
Power Crush and Armor Moves
Power Crush moves absorb incoming attacks while still executing. These armor moves are great against pressure—if someone is relentlessly attacking, a well-timed power crush can shut them down and swing momentum in your favor.
However, timing matters. Power crushes have active frames, and if you mistime it, you’ll get stuffed. Also, they’re usually unsafe on block—if your opponent doesn’t swing into it, you’re likely eating a punish. Don’t over-rely on them, but know they’re in your toolkit.
Side Stepping and Ducking: Beating the Button Mashers
A lot of new players default to mashing buttons. You can beat this with smart use of sidesteps and ducks. Recognize high attacks? Duck them. See linear strings? Sidestep them. Combine your movement knowledge with reads and you’ll climb the ranks in no time.
Keep in mind, not everything can be sidestepped—some strings track. Learn what your opponent’s options are and when to move. This knowledge makes your defense unpredictable and much harder to crack.
Final Thoughts: Build on the Basics
In this foundational walkthrough, you’ve learned:
- What Tekken notation means
- How to backdash cancel for advanced movement
- How to break throws and control space
- When to use Rage Art and Rage Drive
- How to utilize Power Crush for pressure relief
- The importance of side stepping and ducking smartly
These tools make up the core of solid Tekken gameplay. Master them first, and you’ll find that picking up characters, learning combos, and winning matches becomes much more accessible.
Next up: how to pick up new characters and start landing stylish combos—see you in the next episode!
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