TRIANGLE SYSTEM
Fights in Dead or Alive are based on a triangle system: strikes beat throws, throws beat holds, and holds beat strikes. When you land an attack of one type that beats another type, like landing a strike when an opponent tries to throw, that attack becomes a Hi Counter attack and does even more damage.
HOLDS
Dead or Alive fights are more than just strikes and throws. You have to know how to use holds too. Right when your opponent throws a strike, do a hold to deflect it and attack them back for a lot of damage in one move.
DANGER ZONES
These are special regions found in most stages that cause heavy damage when a fighter gets knocked into them. Danger Zones can range from basic walls to blockbuster explosions and careening cars. Some stages also have Danger Zones within the floors as well.
BLOCKBUSTER STAGES
Two fighters battle it out as the walls around them crumble, generators explode, and entire buildings collapse beneath their feet! In Dead or Alive, you don’t just watch the blockbuster action, you cause it. Use the new Power Blow move to knock your opponent into the series’ signature Danger Zones to cause major damage and mayhem!
CLIFFHANGERS
Some stages have separate upper and lower levels. You can knock an opponent over the edge, but if your opponent grabs onto the stage at the last second, there will be a playable action sequence between you: the Cliffhanger. If successful with the attack, you will inflict even more damage on your opponent.
POWER BLOWS
This is a powerful move that lets you set a direction to blow your opponent away. Once the Power Blow hits, aim the camera left or right with the directional buttons/directional pad, then send your opponent flying! Do you knock them into a Danger Zone for certain damage, or do you send them off a cliff to try for even more damage - and risk doing none?
CRITICAL STUNS
By landing specific moves, you can put the enemy into a Critical Stun state. Characters in this state are unable to block, but can still perform holds. Watch your opponent's movements carefully and follow up your attacks while avoiding their holds.
CRITICAL COMBOS
If you strike your opponent while they are in a Critical Stun state, you can prolong the amount of time they remain stunned. Although you can attack with various moves, there is a limit to the damage that can be inflicted by Critical Combos. Once that limit is reached, you will not be able to land any additional attacks.
CRITICAL BURSTS
If you land a specific strike that takes you over the damage limit of a Critical Combo, then you can cause a Critical Burst. This will leave your opponent completely defenseless, so it's the perfect chance to land juggling combos, Power Blows and other high-impact moves.
MOVE LIST
In addition to the View Move List option within the Pause Menu that shows you how to perform each of the regular moves, you can also refer to the handy on-screen Move List during battles. Additionally, you can check things like damage inflicted and frame data via Move Details.
PHOTO MODE
Within Watch Mode, not only can you watch matches between computer-controlled opponents or replays of your own matches, but you can also take photographs during the match from a position and angle of your choosing with a fully controllable camera. Photographs you take can be viewed later in the Album Mode.
