Guilty Gear Strive showcases incoming balance and mechanics changes in new special clips

Guilty Gear Strive is about to get one of its largest updates to date tomorrow, December 15, which is bringing in a lot more than just the new crossplay feature.

Arc System Works has been releasing a bunch of short guide videos showcasing some of the character balance and mechanics changes arriving in patch Version 1.24.

One of the more interesting mechanical adjustments made by the developers is to help defenders out a bit by making the R.I.S.C. Level deplete faster, and once full, the attacker will stop gaining Tension Gauge.

#GGST Battle Balance Sneak Peek
◤System/Universal◢
The rate of R.I.S.C. Level depletion over time is now faster.
Also, the rate of Tension gain does not increase for the attacking character when an opponent with max R.I.S.C. Level blocks their attacks. pic.twitter.com/MbOOjSPEGu

— ArcSystemWorks (@ArcSystemWorksU) December 14, 2022

On paper, Ky’s added Guard Crush effect from Sacred Edge during Shock State and Dragon Install sounds like a nice little buff to keep his pressure going, but we’ll have to see if it makes a notable impact when the update comes out.

#GGST Battle Balance Sneak Peek
◤Ky◢
The addition of the Guard Crush effect to Sacred Edge during Shock State and Dragon Install allows him to maintain his offense regardless of range. pic.twitter.com/tzbH27IyPg

— ArcSystemWorks (@ArcSystemWorksU) December 14, 2022

Axl is getting some good improvements to his combo / pressure routes by allowing him to cancel certain buttons on recovery, and he can now use Winter Mantis as part of a string.

#GGST Battle Balance Sneak Peek
◤Axl◢
Adjustments have been made to the blowback when landing Winter Mantis during a combo.
It now works as part of a combo. pic.twitter.com/o5G6VYCL4A

— ArcSystemWorks (@ArcSystemWorksU) December 14, 2022

ArcSys is making Chipp’s guessing game a bit more dangerous by allowing his Senshuu kick to combo off of Rokusai on crouching opponents.

#GGST Battle Balance Sneak Peek
◤Chipp◢
The reduced startup for Senshuu means that it can combo from Rokusai on crouching hit, making it more rewarding depending on the situation. pic.twitter.com/b5ygOTZdsl

— ArcSystemWorks (@ArcSystemWorksU) December 14, 2022

Potemkin can draw the opponent in with his Heat Knuckle when blocked to give him some better pressure options too.

#GGST Battle Balance Sneak Peek
◤Potemkin◢
Heat Knuckle now draws the opponent in when it triggers Guard Crush. pic.twitter.com/l6lFYfwq9r

— ArcSystemWorks (@ArcSystemWorksU) December 14, 2022

Faust received a number of significant buffs, but ArcSys focuses on Scarecrow’s smaller hurtbx to show how his own items are less likely to hit him now.

#GGST Battle Balance Sneak Peek
◤Faust◢
The reduced hurtbox for Scarecrow makes strings using items more potent. pic.twitter.com/dMnHOOmKXb

— ArcSystemWorks (@ArcSystemWorksU) December 14, 2022

Millia’s got better mixups with Turbo Fall now always able to cross up, even in the corner.

#GGST Battle Balance Sneak Peek
◤Millia◢
She now has access to powerful mix-up in more situations, as she can cross-up the opponent using Turbo Fall even in the corner. pic.twitter.com/iLKTKOgPJo

— ArcSystemWorks (@ArcSystemWorksU) December 14, 2022

It seems the developers felt Zato-1 had a bit too hard of a time getting things done without Eddie, so they gave him a new knockdown option by himself.

#GGST Battle Balance Sneak Peek
◤Zato◢
The reduced recovery and knockback for →+K make it easier for Zato to score knockdowns on his own. pic.twitter.com/8kHUG0HG8s

— ArcSystemWorks (@ArcSystemWorksU) December 14, 2022

Although Ramlethal did receive some nerfs to her damage output, they did buff her crouching Heavy Slash by increasing its range for better launch combos at closer distances.

#GGST Battle Balance Sneak Peek
◤Ramlethal◢
The additional range for Crouching HS makes it easier to go into highly damaging combos, making her more threatening at close range. pic.twitter.com/OQv5E1kuKe

— ArcSystemWorks (@ArcSystemWorksU) December 14, 2022

This is only still scratching the surface on all that’s being reworked in the new Guilty Gear update, so check out the full patch notes if you haven’t already.