FG Glossary: Your Ultimate Guide To Fighting Game Lingo

Oct 29, 2025 by SLV Team 56 views

Hey fighting game fanatics! Ever felt like you were reading a different language while watching a high-level match or browsing forums? You're not alone! The world of fighting games is filled with unique jargon and acronyms, a secret language all its own. This FG glossary is your ultimate guide to deciphering that language and leveling up your understanding. Whether you're a newbie just starting out or a seasoned veteran looking to brush up on your knowledge, this glossary will help you navigate the complex world of fighting games with confidence. So, let's dive in and break down some of the most common terms you'll encounter. Get ready to learn, and get ready to understand, because we're about to make you a more informed and capable fighting game player! The more you learn, the better you'll become!

Core Concepts: Understanding the Fundamentals

Before we jump into specific moves and strategies, let's cover some essential core concepts. These are the building blocks of understanding any fighting game, and they'll form the foundation for everything else you learn. Grasping these terms will make the rest of the glossary much easier to digest. We'll be talking about things like the different types of attacks, how to block, and what to do when you're knocked down. It's all about mastering the basics, guys, and then building from there.

Frame Data: This is the most important aspect of fighting games, as frame data is the cornerstone of understanding how moves work. Frame data refers to the specific number of frames it takes for a character to perform an action. Every action in a fighting game, from a simple jab to a complex combo, is broken down into frames. These frames determine the speed, priority, and safety of a move. Understanding frame data allows players to anticipate and react to their opponent's actions, predict when they can punish, and understand which moves are safe or unsafe on block. Key terms associated with frame data include:
- Startup Frames: The number of frames before a move's active frames. Higher startup frames mean the move is slower.
- Active Frames: The frames during which a move can hit the opponent.
- Recovery Frames: The number of frames after a move's active frames. Higher recovery frames mean the move is more punishable.
- On Block: The number of frames a character is left at after their move is blocked. Negative frame advantage means the character is at a disadvantage.
- On Hit: The number of frames a character is left at after their move hits the opponent. Positive frame advantage means the character is at an advantage.
Hitbox: An invisible area around a character or their attack that determines when a move connects with an opponent. Mastering hitboxes is critical for landing attacks and avoiding being hit. Hitboxes are often represented visually in training modes.
Hurtbox: The area around a character that can be hit by an attack. Understanding your character's hurtbox, and your opponent's, is crucial for both offense and defense.
Block: The act of defending against an opponent's attack. There are different types of blocks (high, low, and sometimes mid), and knowing which one to use is essential. Blocking is key to survival, guys! It is better to block than to eat a full combo. This is what you must remember.
Guard Crush: A state where a character's guard is broken after blocking too many attacks. This leaves them vulnerable to a punish.
Combo: A series of attacks linked together that are impossible to block once the first hit connects. Combos are a primary source of damage in fighting games. If you've been playing fighting games for a while, I'm sure you know a thing or two about combos.
Punish: Capitalizing on an opponent's vulnerable state after they've missed an attack or performed a move with high recovery frames.
Whiff: Missing an attack. Whiffing an attack leaves you open to a punish. Sometimes, you gotta take the whiff in order to have the advantage later, depending on the game.
Wakeup: The moment a character gets up from being knocked down. Knowing your wakeup options is vital for defense. This is especially true if you are knocked down near the corner.
Neutral Game: The phase of the match when neither player has a clear advantage, and both are jockeying for position and looking for an opening. The neutral game is a dance, guys. Whoever makes the first mistake loses. The neutral game is the game before the game.

Movement and Positioning: Mastering the Arena

Movement and positioning are absolutely critical in fighting games. How you move around the screen, the space you occupy, and how you control that space can make all the difference between winning and losing. Let's explore some key terms related to movement and positioning. Understanding these terms will give you a significant edge in any fighting game. Knowing the space is half the battle!

Walk Speed: The speed at which a character moves when walking forward or backward.
Dash: A quick burst of forward or backward movement, often used to close the distance or create space. Dashing is good for both offense and defense.
Backdash: A quick backward movement, often with invincibility frames, used to evade attacks and create distance.
Forward Dash: A quick forward movement, used to close the distance or apply pressure.
Jump: The act of leaping into the air, used for attacking, avoiding attacks, and controlling space. Jump mixups are the bane of every player's existence!
Spacing: Maintaining a specific distance from your opponent to control the flow of the match and dictate your offensive and defensive options. Spacing is key, guys.
Footsies: The art of controlling the space between you and your opponent with short-range attacks and movement, aiming to bait and punish. Footsies is the core of the neutral game, as mentioned previously.
Zoning: A strategy focused on controlling space with projectiles and long-range attacks. Zoning is a defensive-minded approach.
Corner Carry: The act of pushing your opponent into the corner, which often leads to advantageous situations for the attacker.
Pressure: The act of consistently attacking your opponent to force them to block and create opportunities for mixups and damage. A constant offense will wear down the opponent.

Offensive Techniques: Unleashing Your Inner Fighter

Now, let's talk offense! This is where the fun begins. Offensive techniques are all about dealing damage, controlling the opponent, and winning the match. Here are some key terms to get you started on your offensive journey. Be creative, guys! Think outside the box, and create your own unique playstyle.

Basic Attacks: Simple attacks, usually light, medium, and heavy attacks, used for various purposes, from poking to starting combos.
Special Moves: Unique attacks performed by inputting specific button combinations or directional commands. Special moves are the bread and butter of your offense.
Super Moves/Supers/EX Moves: Powerful, often cinematic, attacks that consume a resource (like a super meter) and deal significant damage. Super moves are your comeback mechanics!
Combo: A sequence of attacks that connect in a predetermined order and cannot be blocked once the first hit connects.
Mixup: An offensive tactic that forces the opponent to guess between different types of attacks, such as high/low or left/right, to break their defense. Mixups are used to break the opponent's defense.
Cross-up: An attack that hits the opponent from the opposite side they are facing, making it difficult to block. Cross-ups can be a tricky thing to master.
Overhead: An attack that must be blocked standing, forcing the opponent to guess.
Low Attack: An attack that must be blocked low, forcing the opponent to guess.
Throw: A command grab that cannot be blocked and is used to break the opponent's defense. Throws are often used to reset the match.
Pressure: Applying consistent attacks to force your opponent to block and create openings for mixups. Constant pressure will wear the opponent down.

Defensive Strategies: Staying Alive in the Fray

Defense is just as important as offense, and knowing how to defend yourself is critical for survival. Here are some key defensive terms to help you withstand the onslaught. Remember, the best offense is often a good defense! Defensive techniques will help you survive the onslaught!

Block: The act of defending against an attack by pressing a specific direction or button.
High Block: Blocking while standing, defending against overhead attacks.
Low Block: Blocking while crouching, defending against low attacks.
Guard: Same as block, but sometimes refers to a specific type of blocking.
Tech/Teching: The act of performing a specific input to escape a throw. Throw techs can save you!
Counter-hit: Hitting the opponent while they are in the middle of an attack, resulting in increased damage or a combo opportunity.
Reversal: Performing an attack immediately after waking up or recovering from a knockdown, often used to punish an opponent's offensive attempts. Reversals can turn the tide of the match.
Wakeup: The actions a player can do when getting up from being knocked down.
Punish: Taking advantage of an opponent's vulnerable state after they miss an attack or perform a move with high recovery frames. Punishing is key!

Advanced Terminology: Taking Your Game to the Next Level

Once you've got a handle on the basics, you can start delving into more advanced concepts. Here are some terms that the pros use. Mastering these advanced terms will take your game to the next level. Welcome to the pros, guys!

Frame Trap: A situation where an attacker performs a move that is safe on block, but leaves the defender in a vulnerable state, allowing the attacker to follow up with another attack and start a combo. Frame traps are evil!
Option Select: A technique where you perform a specific input that covers multiple defensive options, such as blocking, teching throws, or punishing an attack.
Kara Cancel: Canceling a normal attack into a special move during the early frames of the normal's animation, often used to extend combos.
Input Reading: The act of recognizing and reacting to the opponent's inputs, often used to predict and punish their actions. Input reading is key to counter-play.
Matchup: The specific advantages and disadvantages of a character against another character. Matchup knowledge is crucial for winning!
Tier List: A ranking of characters based on their overall strength and performance in the game. Tier lists are always changing, so keep an eye out for updates.
Footsies: The art of controlling the space between you and your opponent with short-range attacks and movement. Mastering footsies is essential for winning the neutral game.
Neutral Game: The period of the match when neither player has a significant advantage and is trying to gain an edge.

Abbreviations and Acronyms: A Quick Reference

Fighting games are full of abbreviations. Here are some of the most common ones.

HP: Heavy Punch
HK: Heavy Kick
LP: Light Punch
LK: Light Kick
MP: Medium Punch
MK: Medium Kick
QCF: Quarter Circle Forward (directional input)
QCB: Quarter Circle Back (directional input)
DP: Dragon Punch (directional input, often used for uppercut-style attacks)
2K: Crouch Kick
5K: Standing Kick
2P: Crouch Punch
5P: Standing Punch
OTG: Off the ground
CH: Counter Hit
TC: Target Combo
GG: Good Game (said at the end of a match as a sign of respect).

Conclusion: Your Journey Begins Now!

There you have it, guys! This FG glossary should provide you with a solid foundation for understanding the language of fighting games. Don't be overwhelmed by the amount of information. Take it one step at a time, practice these concepts, and you'll be speaking the language of fighting games in no time. Keep learning, keep practicing, and most importantly, have fun! The journey to becoming a fighting game master is a long one, but it's also incredibly rewarding. Now go out there and dominate the competition! GG!