Control Scheme in Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising

Accessibility is the main distinguishing feature of this fighting game when it comes to controls. Simplified input allows players to perform Special and Super Moves without complicated directional parts, such as quarter-circles. 

Technical input is an option for those who prefer the fighting games classics. And if you are up to such a challenge (or maybe it’s not a challenge for you at all), you will have the advantage of getting Skills earlier — Specials recharge faster.

Both types of controls can be used in matches simultaneously. For example, a player is okay with one quarter-circle + an attack button for Skills, but activating Skybound Arts with two quarter-circles is too much. So they use Simplified input for Specials and Technical input for Supers.

Simplified input can be turned off to avoid execution errors, which is certainly a great feature for experienced players. 

Let’s discuss the input types in more detail in this article on the control scheme in Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising. And let’s start with something that powers up both, Simplified and Technical inputs — button layout.

Button Layout

* The game is available for PlayStation and PC, but you certainly can connect Xbox or Switch Pro Controller to your computer

Normals

All characters in Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising have three types of normal attacks:

• Light
• Medium
• Heavy

They can be linked into each other in the same order L->M->H. Or there is also an auto-combo option, by repeatedly pressing any attack button.

• Triple Attack — L, M, or H repeatedly at a close range.

• Triple Attack Ender — make it Forward + L/M/H for different ending hits. Light is simply quick. Medium is low. Heavy is overhead.

It is possible to combo from a crouching normal to a standing one and then into a Triple Attack Ender.

Unique Actions are also part of the normal moveset as they are activated by a dedicated button. The exact action depends on the character.

Throw in GBVS: Rising is possible with L+U or with L1 (on PS).

Movement

In addition to the standard movement pattern, the game Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising has:

• Dash / Backward Dash — FF or L2 (on PS) / BB or B+L2

It is possible to add an attack immediately after Dash. 

• Dash Attack — F+L/M/H during Dash. Light attack is quick. Medium can be low or overhead, depending on the character. Heavy Attack is slow but damaging.

Basic Defense

Like most fighting games, GBVSR has blocks with holding Backward (against standing and overhead hits) or Down Backward (against low hits). Thanks to Simplified input, blocks are also possible by just holding R2 (on PS).

In addition to that, you can use some unusual tricks:

• Evade — B+R2 (on PS). Your character moves slightly sidewards to avoid an attack but stays on the same spot.

• Cross Over — F+R2 (on PS). Your character moves slightly sideward and forward, approaching their opponent. It doesn’t work against low attacks.

Evade and Cross Over are good options against standing pokes and projectiles.

Skills (Special Moves)

For Skills, the difference between Simplified and Technical inputs becomes much more pronounced.

Every character has a few Skills, and they can be activated by:

• One/two/three buttons input, R1 (on PS) or B/D/F+R1 (4/2/6+R1). Make it 4/2/6+R1+M/H, and you will get a stronger version of this Skill.
• Classic input with 632/214/623+L/M/H.

Let’s make Gran an example. He has three Skills, and the input for them is:

Reginleiv

• Simplified: R1 (on PS) or R1 + M/H
• Technical: 236 L/M/H

* The Skill button R1 activates the Light version of Specials

Rising Sword

• Simplified: 6+R1 or 6+R1+M/H
• Technical 623 L/M/H

Overdrive Surge

• Simplified: 4/2+R1 or 4/2+R1+M/H
• Technical 214 L/M/H

Ultimate Skills can be activated in the same way as other versions of Specials but with the Unique Action button added. Ultimate Reginleiv of Gran is R1+U and 236U.

Skybound Arts (Super Moves)

Technical input can be too complicated for many players, as it’s two quarter-circles in a row  

• 236236H — it’s a Technical version of Skybound Arts
• 236+R1 / L1+R1 — Skybound Arts with Simplified input

Super Skybound Arts can be activated with the Unique Action button added to both types of input.

• 236236U — Super Skybound Arts with technical input

• 236+R1+U / L1+R1+U — Super Skybound Arts with Simplified input

Raging System

This system is one of the new features in Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising (in comparison to the first fighting game).

• M+H — Raging Strike, an unblockable attack that costs 1 Bravery Point

• M+H + M+H — Raging Chain, a follow-up, activated right after Raging Strike; it costs 25% of SBA gauge.

Brave Counter

It’s a unique counter-attack that can be activated to stop an opponent’s offense. This move is especially useful after getting hit by Raging Strike, as your character enters the Guard Crash state and is defenseless otherwise.

M+H during block or Guard Crush — Brave Counter costs 1 Bravery Point, so it’s a good idea to keep a reserve of this resource.

The control scheme in GBVSR is quite intuitive, and it shouldn’t take long to get used to it. Hopefully, this guide on DashFight helped you find the necessary information. To practice controls, head to Missions of the Training mode.

Check out this article for everything you need to know about Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising.

The esports dimension of this fighting game will be highlighted on DashFight, so stay tuned.