Mastering the combo system is the fastest path to climbing the ranks in Brawlhalla. A well-executed sequence transforms a simple ground attack into a high-damage string that punishes whiffed approaches and keeps opponents helpless against the stage.
Understanding Hitboxes and Hurtboxes
The foundation of any effective combo lies in understanding the interaction between your character’s hitboxes and the opponent’s hurtboxes. Hitboxes are the invisible areas on your weapon or limbs that deal damage, while hurtboxes are the areas on your opponent that can be damaged. To start a combo, you must time your attacks so that these hitboxes connect with the hurtboxes as the opponent recovers from a previous hit or lands from a jump.
Ground to Air Starters
Most combos begin by catching an opponent on the ground. A heavy attack often provides the best launch height for follow-ups, but light attacks can be useful for low-percentage situations. The key is to immediately follow the initial hit with an aerial attack before the opponent can tech. By jumping directly after the ground attack connects, you position yourself to strike the opponent before they can influence the stage or activate their own defensive tools.
Directional Influence for Survival
When you are on the receiving end of a combo, Directional Influence (DI) is your primary survival mechanism. By pressing the left or right direction while being hit, you reduce the knockback you take, often keeping you on the stage instead of being sent flying to the blast zone. DI is also useful offensively; angling your attack strings diagonally can lead the opponent into walls or pits, turning a neutral combo into a devastating edge-guard opportunity.
Advanced Techniques: Dodging and Vaulting
High-level combo execution frequently involves mixing in movement options to confuse the opponent. Dodging an attack and immediately chasing down the opponent with a Sign Attack creates a confusing scenario where they struggle to distinguish between defense and offense. Similarly, vaulting over an opponent allows you to land behind them, turning a defensive maneuver into an immediate offensive pressure that is difficult to react to.
Utilizing Sign Attacks
Sign Attacks are the backbone of advanced Brawlhalla offense due to their low ending lag and unblockable nature. After hitting a launcher attack that sends an opponent into the air, using a Sign Attack before they reach the peak of their trajectory ensures a damaging and reliable follow-up. Each weapon has a unique Sign Attack, so practicing the timing and positioning for your main weapon is essential for maximizing damage output.
Edgeguarding and the Down Fall State
Winning a match often comes down to how well you handle the edgeguarding phase. When an opponent falls off the stage, they enter a Down Fall state where they are vulnerable to attacks before they can grab the ledge. By predicting their recovery trajectory, you can intercept them with a well-timed aerial attack or Sign Attack. Successfully landing these hits not only secures the KO but also provides a significant momentum swing in the match.
Practice and Adaptation
Combos are not static; they require adaptation based on the opponent’s survivability and stage positioning. What works at 50% damage may whiff at 120% due to increased knockback. Therefore, it is vital to practice against bots or friends to build muscle memory for the initial hits, while also studying how opponents react to pressure. The ability to switch between aggressive mix-ups and patient waiting distinguishes a competent player from a top-tier competitor.
