How To Just Guard

[DrakeAldan]

But what's your opinion on when to do it, as in, how frequently?

When you have a good read.

A step is for punishing predictable verticals.
Backstep, punishing predictable fast moves (which are generally short range).

JG and GI are for punishing predictable rhythm. JG is harder to do but costs no meter, GI is easier to do but costs meter and only forces a mixup.

When you throw an attack out, and your opponent is the type to immediately retaliate, you can start abusing JG. Or, if your opponent is continually attacking and rushing you down, you can JG to stop the momentum.

If you don't know your opponent's rhythm and you JG attempt at disadvantage, you're just guessing. It's not totally risky, but it's not the smartest thing, either.

If your opponent varies his attacks or rhythm, you'll get smacked. So, you shouldn't be using JG all the time. It is a defensive option, not THE defensive option.

 

[HolyCarp]

One thing I can't quite work out is whether there's risk associated with JG. I attempt to JG at frame disadvantage all the time, but because I use the G~(G) method, if I fail the JG I only end up blocking the attack normally.

Of course, I know players have their ways of countering predictable JGs. Like if I know my opponent will attempt a JG in a certain situation, I'll use a slower attack with a lot of guard burst damage knowing that they'll have no choice but to stand there and take the GB pressure after their failed JG, and throws are always good too. But still, I never really feel like I accidentally take damage from failing random JGs. I feel like the biggest risk is that they'll using a 2-hit string and I won't be able to JG the second hit due to the G~(G) method.

So is it fine how I abuse my JG attempts, or can it be a bad habit?

 

[DrakeAldan]

So is it fine how I abuse my JG attempts, or can it be a bad habit?

If you don't get punished for it, feel free to abuse it. That goes for anything, like 1A.

Overreliance on JG leaves you open to offensive pressure, since if you're JGing you're not focused on blocking low or moving or attacking. But, your opponent has to notice that you're relying on JG in order to take advantage of that.

If it works, keep doing it.

 

[Mr.MeatHook]

I believe the "risk" in JG is the execution under pressure.

Although there really is not alot, unless you consistently attempt and consistently fail.

 

[Kid]

Geez, the game has been out for a year or so, and this whole time I thought you had to press guard on the moment of impact...This changes everything...A little late on my part, but thanks!

 

[Zaden]

How do you Just Guard a Critical Edge? There is a little movie that plays before the attack.

 

[Force_of_Nature]

How do you Just Guard a Critical Edge? There is a little movie that plays before the attack.

You JG a CE the same way you JG a poke or anything else. You tap and release the Guard button the split moment right before an attack hits. Though, I only attempted it against Pyrrha's CE. Please don't attempt it against Nightmare's CE. The Risk/Reward is not in your favour.

 

[Zaden]

You JG a CE the same way you JG a poke or anything else. You tap and release the Guard button the split moment right before an attack hits. Though, I only attempted it against Pyrrha's CE. Please don't attempt it against Nightmare's CE. The Risk/Reward is not in your favour.

How does the movie affect the timing or does it?

 

[Force_of_Nature]

How does the movie affect the timing or does it?

You tap Guard the moment the cutaway animation ends. TBH, I really don't advise JGing CE's because it's not worth the risk if you screw up. CE's don't usually give any real advantage on block and can usually even be punished with good reactions. JGing CE's is purely for showboating. With that said:

1:19 = O_O ....HOLY SHIT...

 

[Gaza Memoria]

This does help me out with the timing cause I have never been able to pull off a JG once. But what has me curious, is do you have to press more than once for say, Elysiums CE and Raphael's 3B B B BE?

 

[DrakeAldan]

This does help me out with the timing cause I have never been able to pull off a JG once. But what has me curious, is do you have to press more than once for say, Elysiums CE and Raphael's 3B B B BE?

No. For attacks that hit very quickly, you will auto-JG any remaining hits. Earlier in this topic:

Attacks that aren't humanly possible to JG the follow-up hits (Maxi's 236K or Elysium's CE) get automatically JGed as long as you get the first JG. If you hit G during the autoJG then you will end up coming out of the just guard into a block.

Multi-hit attacks that have gaps in between must be individually JGed (e.g. Viola's CE); anywhere there is a gap you will probably have to tap again.

Take Cervantes' wrA+B; tap once for the initial flurry, and then tap again for the finish.

 

[FixdSwine]

No. For attacks that hit very quickly, you will auto-JG any remaining hits. Earlier in this topic:



Multi-hit attacks that have gaps in between must be individually JGed (e.g. Viola's CE); anywhere there is a gap you will probably have to tap again.

Take Cervantes' wrA+B; tap once for the initial flurry, and then tap again for the finish.

Wait people use wrA+B? Did I miss something here?