Combat System — How Fighting Works
Master True Stun combat, combos, blocking, dashing, and Guard Break in ITAMI.
True Stun Combat
ITAMI uses a True Stun combat system — a skill-based fighting framework where landing M1 hits causes a brief stun on your opponent, preventing them from moving or blocking during your combo. This rewards timing, spacing, and reaction speed over button mashing.
What is True Stun?
When you land the first hit of an M1 combo, your opponent is briefly locked in place (stunned). They cannot block, dash, or attack until the stun wears off or you drop the combo. This creates a window for chaining hits and Quirk abilities.
M1 / M2 Basics
M1 — Basic Attack
Left Mouse Button — a chain of fast hits ending in a finisher. The finisher knocks the opponent back slightly, ending your combo string.
- • 4-hit chain ending in a knockback finisher
- • Causes True Stun on first hit
- • Primary combo starter — chain into Quirk abilities
- • Damage scales with Strength stat
M2 — Heavy Attack
Right Mouse Button — a slower, stronger single hit. The key tool for breaking through a blocking opponent.
- • Single heavy hit with more damage than M1
- • Breaks Block (Guard Break)
- • Slower startup — punishable if whiffed
- • Use to open up defensive players
Block & Dash Mechanics
Block (F)
Hold F to block incoming M1 attacks. Blocking reduces or negates damage from basic attacks, but you are vulnerable to M2 (Guard Break). You cannot attack while blocking. Use block to survive pressure and wait for an opening.
Dash (Q)
Press Q to perform a quick dodge in your movement direction. Dash has a short cooldown and costs Stamina. Use it to escape combos, close distance, or extend your own combos by dashing after a finisher to reset into another M1 chain.
Controls
| Action | Key | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Attack (M1) | Left Mouse Button | Chain of hits ending in a finisher. Causes True Stun. |
| Heavy Attack (M2) | Right Mouse Button | Slower, stronger hit. Breaks Block (Guard Break). |
| Move | W / A / S / D | Standard 4-directional movement. |
| Block | F | Hold to block M1 attacks. Vulnerable to M2. |
| Dash | Q | Quick dodge in movement direction. Short cooldown. |
| Sprint | Left Shift | Faster movement. Consumes Stamina. |
| Quirk Ability 1 | Z | First Quirk ability slot. |
| Quirk Ability 2 | X | Second Quirk ability slot. |
| Quirk Ability 3 | C | Third Quirk ability slot. |
| Quirk Ability 4 | V | Fourth Quirk ability slot (often Ultimate). |
| Jump / Double Jump | Space | Press once to jump, twice for double jump. |
Guard Break
Guard Break is the counter to blocking. When an opponent holds Block (F), they are immune to M1 damage but completely vulnerable to M2 (Heavy Attack). Landing an M2 on a blocking opponent shatters their guard, leaving them stunned and open for a full combo.
Rock-Paper-Scissors Triangle
ITAMI combat follows a triangle: M1 beats unguarded opponents, Block stops M1, and M2 breaks Block. Reading your opponent and choosing the right option is the core skill of high-level play.
Aerial Combat
ITAMI features aerial combat mechanics. Learning Aerial Mastery from the NPC trainer expands your combo game into the air, allowing you to continue M1 chains and use Quirk abilities while airborne. Aerial hits create new combo routes and escape opportunities.
Combat Tips
Learn M1 timing — mashing will drop your combo. Time each click for the full 4-hit chain.
Dash after the M1 finisher to reset into another M1 chain for extended combos.
Mix M1 pressure with M2 to keep opponents guessing. Never be predictable.
Use Quirk abilities (Z/X/C/V) between M1 chains for maximum damage.
Watch your Stamina — running out mid-fight means no dashes and no sprinting.
Train your stats at the Gym regularly. Higher Strength and Speed directly improve combat performance.
Practice combos in the Underground Rings where PvP is the focus.
About ITAMI Combat
ITAMI uses a True Stun combat system, confirmed by developers in multiple Discord posts. Unlike passive anime fighter systems, True Stun rewards precise timing — land your first M1 hit to lock the opponent in place, then chain your entire combo uninterrupted. This creates a high-skill ceiling where reading your opponent and reacting faster is more important than button mashing.
The combat triangle is the foundation of high-level ITAMI play: M1 beats unguarded opponents, Block counters M1, and M2 (Guard Break) shatters Block. Mastering when to switch between pressure and guard break attempts separates beginners from experienced players. The Stamina stat directly limits how many dashes you can perform in a fight — stamina management is a key skill alongside combo timing.
Aerial Mastery adds a vertical dimension to combat. A confirmed NPC mechanic (developer screenshot, January 2026) lets you learn aerial combo extensions, allowing M1 chains and Quirk abilities to continue while airborne. Aerial hits open up unique combo routes that ground-only players cannot escape from. Visit the Gym to train your stats and the Underground Rings to practice your combos in a dedicated PvP environment.
Combat FAQ
What is True Stun in ITAMI?
True Stun is the core combat mechanic in ITAMI. When you land the first hit of an M1 chain on an opponent, they are briefly stunned — unable to block, dash, or attack back. This stun window allows you to chain the full 4-hit M1 combo and transition into Quirk abilities (Z, X, C, V) for extended damage.
How do you Guard Break in ITAMI?
Guard Break is performed with M2 (Right Mouse Button), the Heavy Attack. When an opponent is holding Block (F), their guard can only be broken by landing an M2. After a successful Guard Break, the opponent is stunned and fully vulnerable to a follow-up M1 combo. This is the primary counter to defensive players.
What is the best combo in ITAMI?
The standard beginner combo is M1×4 → Quirk Ability (Z or X) → Dash → M1×4 repeat. Advanced combos use aerial extensions, ability cancels, and Dash resets to maximize damage. The best combo depends on your Quirk — check the individual Quirk guides for specific combo notation.
Does Stamina matter in combat?
Yes — Stamina governs how many dashes and sprints you can perform before running out. In a prolonged fight, low Stamina means no escape options and no dash extensions for combos. Training Stamina at the Gym is essential for Speedster builds and anyone who relies on frequent dashing.
Where is the best place to practice PvP in ITAMI?
The Underground Rings is the dedicated PvP arena — a glowing circular pit confirmed in developer screenshots. It is designed specifically for 1v1 and team fights without NPC interference. You can also fight in the open City Streets, which add the extra dynamic of destructible buildings.