How to Counter/break combos of Shoulderbash/legsweep/shieldbash | Forums

[AshSparkle]

How do I break a shoulderbash/legsweep/shield bash combo?

I encountered 3 situations where I was stunlocked indefinitely until I died. They were simple combos, so I feel stupid for not being able to counter or break it.

1) Warden shoulder bash into 2 light attacks, shoulder bash into 2 light attacks, repeat non stop. My warlord was stunned all the way from 100 to 0. I tried to block the attacks but the shoulder bash breaks me each time.

2) Conqueror shield bash. I always instinctively dodge backwards, which probably is why I still kept getting hit.

3) Warlord's headbutt spam. Was in a 1v2 situation, got revenge, but the Warlord kept headbutt spam me until my revenge was over. Couldn't do anything to break away.

4) Valk's leg sweep, heavy, shield bash leg sweep combo.

For all the 4 situations above, is the answer as simple as doing a side dodge instead of trying to block or do other moves?

When I play as Valk or Warlord, I see Kensei opponents being able to side dodge a huge distance, which whenever I side dodge, it feels like it's so short range, I wouldn't have been able to get away from those attacks in the above 4 situations.
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[Sanctus_9]

I'll tell you everything you need to know.

It is in fact as simple as a side dodge. Assassins may arguably have quicker dodges, so it's easier, but the distance of the dodge isn't relevant in the context of the situations you described. In every single situation you described, once you know the pattern (it seems you do) you know when to side dodge. And it will work with any character. Well.. except possibly shugoki. He seems to have trouble. But you're not playing him anyway.

Note that if you have quick enough light attacks, those can also be used to interrupt in certain situations. However this only works if the warden or conq are still charging up. Once they've launched the bash and are no longer stationary, the hit is guaranteed unless you dodge in time.

Now, to punish the "vortex" as it's been coined (potentially infinite combo chains) use your dodge attack if you have one. You say you play as valk. Her dodge attack can start up a combo chain, and typically in these situations you'll end up practically behind the enemy after you've dodged because her dodge is so long, thus you are usually guaranteed a decent combo chain of your own to counter with. If you are playing as warden or conq yourself, you can side dodge directly into your own shield/shoulder bash. If nothing else, you can usually at least get a guardbreak in after you've side dodged, which itself guarantees harsh punishment.

That being said, Warden and Valk are trickier. Valk's leg sweep as well as her shield bash can come out at so many different times that it can be hard to predict. But try and read her patterns, and react quickly. If you fail and are leg sweeped anyway, make sure you prevent her next attack from hitting you. Warden can feint his bash directly into a guardbreak, but a dodge attack counters both the GB and the normal bash. Warden can also feint his bash entirely, in which case he will be waiting to parry and counter your dodge attack. If he starts doing this, or you're playing as someone without a dodge attack, then just start double back rolling when hes going to bash. It will guarantee you safety from any way he chooses to do it. Otherwise, it's a dice roll on what he does (bash-light attack, bash-guardbreak, bash-feint) and you have 1/3 odds of guessing correctly (your reflexes wont be fast enough). Actually, double back rolling works well against most vortex maneuvers. Just be ready for them to adapt to that too.

This game is a mind game. You have think 1 step ahead of your enemy. Once you learn how to counter their move, they will learn how to counter your counter, and so on and so on. That's how you learn and gain a deeper understanding.

[Butonfly]

Side dodge light (if you got it). Then just use single side lights to hit them before they can activate.

Or you could just face tank them until exhausted, then knock em down and destroy them
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LY_HolCMIxQ (kidding, this isnt reliable XD )

Remember, your dodges need to be reactionary, otherwise you'll just get caught out dodging so they can take advantage of it.

[Duuklah]

I love it.. 1/3 chances of being right. So fun and fair.....

FYI the window for the dodge once they get started is like 200ms. Enjoy tryingt o reliably figure that one out with latency,....

[Butonfly]

I love it.. 1/3 chances of being right. So fun and fair.....

FYI the window for the dodge once they get started is like 200ms. Enjoy tryingt o reliably figure that one out with latency,....

A side dash is reactionary to the unblockable alert. It's any direction of your choosing (even back works in most cases) with the dash button. You don't need to react to the right direction like a block. So yeah, there's plenty of time to react to it.

[Ev1sc3Rat1oN]

I love it.. 1/3 chances of being right. So fun and fair.....

FYI the window for the dodge once they get started is like 200ms. Enjoy tryingt o reliably figure that one out with latency,....

Soooo, you mean it's reminiscent of ACTUAL combat where you have to anticipate your opponent's moves? Working as intended lol.

To paraphrase the South Park ski instructor, "If you treat For Honor like a mindless hack n slash, you're gonna have a bad time..."

[Dude_of_Valor]

I'll tell you everything you need to know.

It is in fact as simple as a side dodge. Assassins may arguably have quicker dodges, so it's easier, but the distance of the dodge isn't relevant in the context of the situations you described. In every single situation you described, once you know the pattern (it seems you do) you know when to side dodge. And it will work with any character. Well.. except possibly shugoki. He seems to have trouble. But you're not playing him anyway.

Note that if you have quick enough light attacks, those can also be used to interrupt in certain situations. However this only works if the warden or conq are still charging up. Once they've launched the bash and are no longer stationary, the hit is guaranteed unless you dodge in time.

Now, to punish the "vortex" as it's been coined (potentially infinite combo chains) use your dodge attack if you have one. You say you play as valk. Her dodge attack can start up a combo chain, and typically in these situations you'll end up practically behind the enemy after you've dodged because her dodge is so long, thus you are usually guaranteed a decent combo chain of your own to counter with. If you are playing as warden or conq yourself, you can side dodge directly into your own shield/shoulder bash. If nothing else, you can usually at least get a guardbreak in after you've side dodged, which itself guarantees harsh punishment.

That being said, Warden and Valk are trickier. Valk's leg sweep as well as her shield bash can come out at so many different times that it can be hard to predict. But try and read her patterns, and react quickly. If you fail and are leg sweeped anyway, make sure you prevent her next attack from hitting you. Warden can feint his bash directly into a guardbreak, but a dodge attack counters both the GB and the normal bash. Warden can also feint his bash entirely, in which case he will be waiting to parry and counter your dodge attack. If he starts doing this, or you're playing as someone without a dodge attack, then just start double back rolling when hes going to bash. It will guarantee you safety from any way he chooses to do it. Otherwise, it's a dice roll on what he does (bash-light attack, bash-guardbreak, bash-feint) and you have 1/3 odds of guessing correctly (your reflexes wont be fast enough). Actually, double back rolling works well against most vortex maneuvers. Just be ready for them to adapt to that too.

This game is a mind game. You have think 1 step ahead of your enemy. Once you learn how to counter their move, they will learn how to counter your counter, and so on and so on. That's how you learn and gain a deeper understanding.

This ^^^ Excellent post and the dodge back into a back roll is a great way to reset the fight. Yes nothing has happened, but you are not dead and your opponent can become frustrated.

[Netcode_err_404]

This ^^^ Excellent post and the dodge back into a back roll is a great way to reset the fight. Yes nothing has happened, but you are not dead and your opponent can become frustrated.

Thats true, nothing happened except, the one who rolled back has 50% less stamina, and the charge spammer can do it others 6-7times.

So, yes, nice counter. GGWP.

[AshSparkle]

Thank you for the tips guys! Especially Sanctus and Butonfly.

I tried Brawl using my Warlord and was faced against a Valk. Her shoulder pin was on point and her vortex was consistent. Played with the other player for like 3 brawls. Half way through, I got the hang of anticipating her leg sweep and was able to consistently side dodge it. It felt so good. Only once though, did back dodging worked against the leg sweep.

I have another question, does the direction of dodge matter for the leg sweep? Do I need to dodge towards or away from the direction it comes, or it doesn't matter?

[Munktor]

Thank you for the tips guys! Especially Sanctus and Butonfly.

I tried Brawl using my Warlord and was faced against a Valk. Her shoulder pin was on point and her vortex was consistent. Played with the other player for like 3 brawls. Half way through, I got the hang of anticipating her leg sweep and was able to consistently side dodge it. It felt so good. Only once though, did back dodging worked against the leg sweep.

I have another question, does the direction of dodge matter for the leg sweep? Do I need to dodge towards or away from the direction it comes, or it doesn't matter?

Doesn't matter, unless you're playing a hero with a deflect ability (dodging into an attack at the right time).