Basic Controls and Interface

Understanding the controls is your first task. Granblue Fantasy Versus Rising keeps things simple, with four main attack buttons:

• Light
• Medium
• Heavy
• Unique

You also have special moves, which you can do the traditional way (with quarter circles or inputs) or by using one-button shortcuts. These shortcuts let you activate a skill instantly by pressing a direction and a button.

Your screen shows three important things during a fight:

1. Health bar – how much damage you can take
   
   
2. Skybound gauge – lets you use your most powerful moves
   
   
3. Cooldowns – after using a special move with a shortcut, you’ll need to wait before using it again
   
   

Shortcuts are great for beginners. They help you learn how each move works without worrying about tricky inputs. As you grow, you can shift toward manual controls for faster use and combo freedom.

Core Combat Mechanics Explained

Now let’s talk about how the game actually plays. Winning isn’t just about pressing buttons—it’s about using the right moves at the right time.

Guarding and Dodging

Press back to block attacks. If you’re crouching, you can block low attacks, but not overheads. Learning to guard high or low at the right time will keep you alive.

Dodging is another tool. If you press the dodge button, your character will move out of the way. It’s risky, but it can avoid slow or predictable moves.

Cooldowns and Auto Combos

Unlike many fighting games, this one uses cooldowns for special moves if you use shortcuts. That means you can’t spam the same move over and over.

Auto combos are simple attack chains done by pressing the same button a few times. They’re great for beginners and help you understand how to follow up hits.

Spacing and Pressure

Fights in Granblue Fantasy Versus Rising are often decided in the neutral game—when both players are looking for an opening. Use your light and medium attacks to control space. Heavy attacks usually push your opponent away or create openings.

Once your opponent is in the corner, pressure them with safe attacks and throw in grabs to break their defense.

If you want to practice these mechanics without distractions, consider booking a Streamer Room. It’s a quiet and focused place to level up your gameplay.

Best Beginner Characters to Start With

Some characters are more beginner-friendly than others. If you’re new to the game, start with these:

Gran

He’s the main hero and a perfect beginner character. Gran has balanced attacks, easy combos, and no complex gimmicks. His fireball is strong for spacing, and his Skybound Art is simple to land.

Katalina

She uses long-range pokes and a solid counter. Her playstyle rewards patience. Katalina is perfect if you want to keep your opponent at a distance and control the match pace.

Lancelot

Lancelot is fast and mobile. He takes a bit more work to master, but his speed helps new players apply pressure and learn movement.

Each of these characters teaches a core part of the game—spacing, defense, or aggression. Try each one and see which fits your style. You don’t need to pick the best fighter right away. Just pick the one that feels right.

Practicing the Right Way

Practicing doesn’t mean spending hours pressing buttons. It means focused time on specific goals.

Start Small

Pick three to five moves that feel good to use. Practice those first. Learn how far they reach and what you can follow them up with.

Defense First

Most new players focus only on offense. But if you can block well, you’ll stay in the fight longer. Go into training mode and set the dummy to attack. Practice blocking high, low, and reacting to grabs.

Combos and Confirms

A “confirm” means you land a hit and follow it with a combo. For example, if your light punch hits, quickly follow it with a medium and then a special move.

You don’t need big combos. Just get used to turning a hit into something meaningful.

Track Your Progress

Set goals each week. Try to block better in five matches. Land a combo in two games. Even small wins matter.

If you want a quiet space to practice or stream your progress, use a Streamer Room. You’ll avoid distractions and improve faster.

You can also check the Game Calendar to see when training events or beginner meetups are happening.

Playing Live – Local Matches and Tournaments

Once you’re comfortable, it’s time to play against real people. Live matches teach you things training mode never will—like handling pressure and reacting to real opponents.

The local fighting game community in Las Vegas is welcoming. Beginners are encouraged to show up and learn. You don’t need to win—just participate.

Events at HyperX Arena often include beginner brackets or open play areas. These are perfect for trying out your skills in a relaxed setting.

Keep an eye on Gaming Events in Las Vegas. Granblue Fantasy Versus Rising is becoming a staple in many tournaments and meetups. You can even meet new training partners or future rivals.

Let’s Get Trained and Play with Confidence

Every expert started out unsure. You’re not behind—you’re just beginning your journey.

Granblue Fantasy Versus Rising offers a fair, clean, and beautiful way to learn how fighting games work. You don’t need to know everything. You just need to start.

Visit HyperX Arena, play a few matches, and watch other players to pick up tips. Use the Game Calendar to join local events, and consider Contacting HyperX to learn how to get involved.

You don’t have to go it alone. The fighting game community is here to help—and so are we.