How To Block In Jojo All Star Battle R

Okay, picture this: me, hyped out of my mind, finally got my hands on JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle R. I pick Jotaro, thinking I’m hot stuff, ready to Ora-Ora the competition into next week. First match? Total disaster. I got absolutely bodied by a Dio who clearly knew something I didn’t. He was just… standing there. Menacingly? Yeah, kinda. But also, blocking everything I threw at him. I was mashing buttons like a caffeinated chimpanzee, and he was just… chilling. Let's just say the experience left me feeling less like Jotaro and more like… well, a very defeated Koichi. It was then I realized: I needed to learn how to block. Like, really learn.

So, let's talk about blocking in JoJo ASBR. Because if you're anything like I was, you might be wondering why you keep getting pummeled despite your best button-mashing efforts. Blocking is, surprisingly, more nuanced than just holding back. (Believe me, I learned this the hard way!)

The Basics of Blocking

First things first: the fundamental input. In most fighting games, blocking is usually just holding back (or down-back if you're crouching). JoJo ASBR follows this tradition… mostly.

• Standing Block: Hold back (away from your opponent). This will block most high and mid attacks. Pretty standard stuff.
• Crouching Block: Hold down-back. This blocks low attacks. This is also pretty standard, BUT (and this is a big but) it leaves you vulnerable to overhead attacks! More on that later...

Sounds simple, right? Hold back to not get hit. Easy peasy. Except… there's more. A lot more. This isn't Street Fighter; this is JoJo. Things are gonna get weird.

Side Note: Pay attention to your opponent’s attacks. Certain moves are unblockable entirely (usually command grabs or certain special moves). Don’t just blindly hold back; observe and react!

Guard Gauge: The Hidden Enemy

This is where things get interesting, and where a lot of new players (myself included) run into trouble. You have a Guard Gauge. Think of it like a stamina bar specifically for blocking. Every time you block an attack, your guard gauge depletes. If it empties completely, you enter a Guard Crush state.

What is a Guard Crush?

Guard Crush is BAD. Very, very bad. When guard crushed, you're left completely vulnerable for a short period. Your character staggers back, giving your opponent a free opening for a combo. Basically, it's an invitation to get completely destroyed. No one wants that.

So, how do you avoid guard crushes? Good question! Here are some tips:

• Don't just hold block forever: Blocking everything is a sure-fire way to get guard crushed. Be selective about what you block.
• Learn to Perfect Block (Just Guard): This is the holy grail of defense in JoJo ASBR. It's tricky, but incredibly rewarding.

Perfect Blocking (Just Guard): The Key to JoJo Mastery

Ah, Perfect Blocking, also known as Just Guarding. This is where you separate the casual button mashers from the true JoJo masters. Perfect Blocking allows you to block an attack at the last possible moment and take minimal guard damage.

How to Perform a Perfect Block

To perform a Perfect Block, you need to press back (or down-back) just before the opponent's attack connects. The timing is strict, but with practice, you'll start to get a feel for it.

Pro Tip: Watch your opponent's animations carefully. Learn the start-up frames of their attacks. The more you know about their moves, the easier it will be to predict and Perfect Block.

Benefits of Perfect Blocking

Why bother with this difficult technique? Because the rewards are huge:

• Reduced Guard Gauge Depletion: Perfect Blocking reduces the amount of guard gauge damage you take, allowing you to block more attacks without getting guard crushed.
• Frame Advantage: In some cases, Perfect Blocking can give you a slight frame advantage, allowing you to counterattack immediately. This is HUGE for controlling the flow of the fight.
• Style Points: Let's be honest, Perfect Blocking just looks cool. It shows that you know what you're doing and that you're not just some scrub mashing buttons (like I was, once upon a time).

Side Note: Don't get discouraged if you can't nail Perfect Blocking right away. It takes practice and patience. Start by focusing on one or two specific attacks and learn their timing. Eventually, you'll be Perfect Blocking like a pro.

Beyond Blocking: Advanced Defensive Techniques

Okay, you've got the basics of blocking down. You're even starting to land a few Perfect Blocks. But there's still more to learn! Here are some advanced defensive techniques that will take your game to the next level:

Dodging

Dodging (usually by tapping forward or back twice quickly) can be a lifesaver. It allows you to evade attacks entirely, reposition yourself, and create openings for counterattacks.

• Learn to Dodge Cancel: You can cancel certain attacks into a dodge, allowing you to escape pressure and punish your opponent for overextending.
• Predict and Punish: Use dodges to predict your opponent's attacks and punish them with a combo.

Evading

Different from dodging, evading involves using a dedicated evade button (often a shoulder button). Evades have invincibility frames (i-frames) that allow you to phase through attacks. Evades are generally slower than dodges, but they offer more reliable invincibility.

• Time Your Evades Carefully: Evades have a specific number of i-frames. If you time it wrong, you'll still get hit.
• Use Evades to Escape Pressure: Evades can be a great way to escape corner pressure or punish predictable attack patterns.

Using Assists Defensively

Remember those assists you picked at the start of the match? They're not just for offense! You can use them defensively to interrupt your opponent's combos, create space, or even set up a counterattack.

• Interrupt Combos: Some assists can interrupt your opponent's combos, giving you a chance to escape.
• Create Space: Use assists to push your opponent away and create some breathing room.
• Set Up a Counterattack: Use assists to create a distraction and set up a counterattack.

Important Note: Be careful when using assists defensively. You can get punished for using them at the wrong time. Practice and experiment to find what works best for you.

Understanding Overhead Attacks

Remember when I mentioned crouching blocks leaving you vulnerable? That's where Overhead Attacks come in. These are attacks that must be blocked while standing. If you're crouching, you're going to get hit. Plain and simple.

Identifying Overhead Attacks

Learning to identify overhead attacks is crucial. Look for these cues:

• Visual Cues: Some overhead attacks have distinct visual cues, like characters jumping high into the air or using a specific animation.
• Sound Cues: Listen for specific sound effects that accompany overhead attacks.
• Attack Properties: Learn which attacks are overheads through trial and error (or by consulting a move list).

Dealing with Overhead Attacks

Once you can identify overhead attacks, you can start to react accordingly:

• Stand Block: Stand block instead of crouching block when you see an overhead attack coming.
• Dodge or Evade: Dodge or evade the overhead attack to avoid it completely.
• Predict and Punish: Predict when your opponent will use an overhead attack and punish them with a combo.

Personal Anecdote: I used to get destroyed by people who spammed overhead attacks. It wasn't until I started paying attention to the visual cues that I was able to consistently block them. Now, I actually look forward to facing opponents who rely on overheads, because I know I can punish them for being predictable!

Putting It All Together: Blocking in Practice

Okay, we've covered a lot of ground. But all this knowledge is useless if you can't apply it in a real match. Here are some tips for putting it all together:

• Practice, Practice, Practice: Spend time in training mode practicing your blocking, Perfect Blocking, dodging, and evading.
• Watch Replays: Watch replays of your matches to identify areas where you can improve your defense.
• Learn Your Opponent's Character: The more you know about your opponent's character, the easier it will be to predict their attacks and defend against them.
• Stay Calm: Don't panic when you're under pressure. Stay calm and focus on your defense.
• Adapt: Adjust your defensive strategy based on your opponent's playstyle.

Blocking in JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle R is more than just holding back. It's about understanding the mechanics of the game, learning your opponent's patterns, and mastering advanced defensive techniques. It's a journey, not a destination. Don’t get discouraged if you get bodied a few times (we’ve all been there). Keep practicing, keep learning, and you'll be blocking like a true Joestar in no time!

Now go forth and ORA ORA ORA... while also being able to BLOCK BLOCK BLOCK. Good luck!