Hey everyone, we got some pretty hype Street Fighter V news today! Nope, it’s not a new character, but rather information on something that will affect all characters: the battle system. For SFV, we’re excited to talk about the new Variable System!

The V-System consists of three variable mechanics all built around the new V-Gauge, which primarily builds as your character takes damage. The three mechanics are: V-Skill, V-Trigger and V-Reversal.

V-Skill

V-Skills are unique skills per character that can be accessed at any time by pressing medium punch and medium kick together. These skills do not require use of the V-Gauge and have different uses per character (e.g. mobility, offensive, defensive). V-Skills are rather important in battle as they may help a character in an area they’re weak at or help to fill up the V-Gauge quicker. Learning how to properly and efficiently use each character’s V-Skill will be key in winning matches.

V-Trigger

V-Triggers are unique abilities per character that can only be activated once the V-Gauge is full, by pressing heavy punch and heavy kick together. V-Triggers, much like Ultras in Street Fighter IV, are a way for your character to turn the tide of battle. That, however, is where the similarities end. Activating the V-Trigger, which allows access to a character’s full potential, is merely step one. It is completely up to the player to properly utilize the benefits received from the V-Trigger to change the course of the match. As V-Triggers add quite a bit of depth to each character, mastering their use will be paramount to victory.

V-Reversals

V-Reversals take up one stock of V-Gauge, and allow a player to counter the attack of the opponent while blocking, thus creating some breathing room. They are similar to “Alpha counters” from the Street Fighter Alpha series, but this time not every counter results in a universal effect; some push the opponent back, some knock them down and some switch sides. Players should explore each character to see how their V-Reversals function.

EX Gauge

That’s not all, however, as there is also the EX Gauge, which builds as you deal damage to the opponent. The EX Gauge allows characters to perform powered up versions of their special attacks and when maxed out, their Critical Art. Critical Arts are highly damaging, cinematic attacks that are unique to each character.

V-Skill & V-Trigger Breakdown for Current Characters

Ryu V-Skill : Mind’s Eye Ryu uses his senses to “see” the opponent’s next attack and parries it accordingly. All attacks (high, low, mid) and projectiles can be parried if timed correctly. Multi hitting attacks can also be parried with the correct timing. Fans of Street Fighter III will remember that the “parry” was the core battle mechanic of that entire series! The mechanic now returns as a single V-Skill of Ryu, demonstrating how serious we are about making every character unique to one another. V-Trigger: Denjin Renki Ryu powers up and enters Denjin Renki mode. In this mode, his normal and EX Hadokens, as well as his Shinkuu Hadoken gain an electric charge, resulting in faster travel speed, higher damage, and higher stun. While in this mode, normal and EX Hadokens can also be charged, which result in even higher damage or a guard break if blocked. Additionally, his Shoryuken attack also deals additional damage when it connects against the opponent. *Note – Denjin Renki mode only lasts a short amount of time and is tied to a timer.

Chun-Li V-Skill: Rankyaku Chun-Li kicks powerfully off the ground and flies toward her opponent at an angle lower than her normal jump. While in the air, Chun-Li can use air attacks and special moves as she descends upon the opponent. V-Trigger: Renkiko Chun-Li concentrates her ki into her hands and feet which results in attacks hitting more times than normal. Light attacks have no additional benefits, medium attacks hit one extra time, heavy attacks hit two extra times. This benefit is not extended to special attacks. *Note – Renkiko only lasts a short amount of time and is tied to a timer.

Nash V-Skill: Bullet Clear Nash reaches out and absorbs any normal projectile coming his way. If close enough to the opponent, Nash can absorb their life force, causing damage. V-Trigger: Sonic Move Nash travels at supersonic speed and ends in one of three different places near the opponent based on what the player inputs. Players can choose to end up behind the opponent on the ground, behind the opponent in the air, or in front of the opponent in the air, and can act immediately once Nash appears.

M.Bison V-Skill: Psycho Reflect M.Bison uses his Psycho Power to absorb any normal projectile or attack coming his way. If the player continues to hold down the Psycho Reflect after absorbing either the projectile or attack, M.Bison will throw a Psycho Shot back at the opponent. V-Trigger: Psycho Power M.Bison completely unleashes his Psycho Power, which results in a change to his dash and certain special attacks. He now teleports during his dash, able to pass through projectiles and attacks, and also disappears and reappears during his Somersault Skull Diver and Double Knee Press attacks, making them extremely hard to track. *Note – Psycho Power only lasts a short amount of time and is tied to a timer.

So there you have it, the new Variable System for SFV. Although V-Skills and V-Triggers are easy to use, they will definitely take time to master. And with the activation command tied to a simple set of button presses, players will now have more time to concentrate on what truly lies at the heart of Street Fighter: Rising Up against the competition!

I can’t wait for you all to get your hands on this. Until next time!