Sword dair -> ground pound -> dair -> ground pound -> dair -> ground pound -> dair -> ground pound -> dair -> ground pound -> dair -> ground pound

[harison86]

Sword users often use the string in the title when you get knocked off the edge in order to essentially force you into the bottom of the screen in an awful 0 to death combo. Unlike trying to recover from the side, you only have one direction to go to recover, which is up into the enemy's sword. I want to know how to beat this. From my experience, if you don't have your dodge ready after you get knocked down, the game may as well instantly take away the stock right then and there. Is there any way to escape without dodging, or is it guaranteed death? As far as I'm aware only katars, axes, and guns are also capable of this kind of combo using their dairs (or all air moves in the case of the katars), but it's much easier to do with the sword because of the speed of the ground pound and wide range + speed of the dair. This relatively easy string (with practice) seems to make swords borderline broken (although that was already the general consensus wasn't it?).

[Abcron]

I'm sorry. I'm a little confused. What does "trying to recover from the side" mean, as in what's a 'side'?

[J1K]

Originally posted by Fluttersheep:

I'm sorry. I'm a little confused. What does "trying to recover from the side" mean, as in what's a 'side'?

probably refering the the sides of the map while the oponent is edge guarding

[harison86]

Originally posted by Fluttersheep:

I'm sorry. I'm a little confused. What does "trying to recover from the side" mean, as in what's a 'side'?

I was referring to the left or right side of the screen/map, which is generally where you end up after being knocked far by a sair.

[Abcron]

Oh, okay. Best advice I can give you is to always make your map approach from as high as possible. Gives you more options to maneuver. If you're already stuck on the edge though, I think you want to make your approach some kind of zig-zag upwards. Unless your opponent is unarmed or has katars, he can't do a decent diagonal attack. Also try and get a read on that ground pound. It can only go straight down, can't be cancelled until a certain amount of time has passed, and has a very specific hitbox. It's your window to either counter or slip past.

[cvrleroni]

You're right man, hard to counter these sword combos, but thanks for the advice, though you learned from your own experience!

[Raidhyn]

This type of edge guard typically only works if you're jumping immediately after being hit or you're trying to counter attack immediately. You have to keep moving yourself into it in order for it to work. Just keep falling a bit and then punish after they go for the next attack or fall for a bit and move away from the wall before jumping back. Also what Fluttershy said is pretty accurate. You can always return to the map high (no need to touch the wall or be below someone)

Depending on your weapon you can also directly counter this with certain moves if you know it's coming.

Hammer: Recovery
Guns: NAir
Spear: Recovery (if steered correctly)
Sword: NAir beats DAir


You can also just throw your wepaon up and when they run into the weapon you uppercut unarmed which is what I tend to do when I'm on Axe/Lance since they're a bit slower to counter this.

It's one of those things that basically only works if you keep moving into it.

Dodging through it is the best way to deal with it, but if you've used your dodge already and this happens to you...

Most weapons have similar edge guard capabilites with a few exceptions, the sword one is pretty easy to pull off which is probably why you see it more often.

[Sparrow]

Originally posted by BMG Raidhyn:

This type of edge guard typically only works if you're jumping immediately after being hit or you're trying to counter attack immediately. You have to keep moving yourself into it in order for it to work. Just keep falling a bit and then punish after they go for the next attack or fall for a bit and move away from the wall before jumping back. Also what Fluttershy said is pretty accurate. You can always return to the map high (no need to touch the wall or be below someone)

Depending on your weapon you can also directly counter this with certain moves if you know it's coming.

Hammer: Recovery
Guns: NAir
Spear: Recovery (if steered correctly)
Sword: NAir beats DAir


You can also just throw your wepaon up and when they run into the weapon you uppercut unarmed which is what I tend to do when I'm on Axe/Lance since they're a bit slower to counter this.

It's one of those things that basically only works if you keep moving into it.

Dodging through it is the best way to deal with it, but if you've used your dodge already and this happens to you...

Most weapons have similar edge guard capabilites with a few exceptions, the sword one is pretty easy to pull off which is probably why you see it more often.

I have to say, it's a fresh breath of air to see some devs in the forums, answering complaints and talking with the community. Well done and thank you.

[Raidhyn]

Originally posted by Sparrow:

I have to say, it's a fresh breath of air to see some devs in the forums, answering complaints and talking with the community. Well done and thank you.

Thanks! I'll try to keep it going. :D

[harison86]

Originally posted by BMG Raidhyn:

This type of edge guard typically only works if you're jumping immediately after being hit or you're trying to counter attack immediately. You have to keep moving yourself into it in order for it to work. Just keep falling a bit and then punish after they go for the next attack or fall for a bit and move away from the wall before jumping back. Also what Fluttershy said is pretty accurate. You can always return to the map high (no need to touch the wall or be below someone)

Depending on your weapon you can also directly counter this with certain moves if you know it's coming.

Hammer: Recovery
Guns: NAir
Spear: Recovery (if steered correctly)
Sword: NAir beats DAir


You can also just throw your wepaon up and when they run into the weapon you uppercut unarmed which is what I tend to do when I'm on Axe/Lance since they're a bit slower to counter this.

It's one of those things that basically only works if you keep moving into it.

Dodging through it is the best way to deal with it, but if you've used your dodge already and this happens to you...

Most weapons have similar edge guard capabilites with a few exceptions, the sword one is pretty easy to pull off which is probably why you see it more often.

Well gosh I wasn't excepting an answer from the man himself (love your vids, will you be making more legend spotlights?).
Thank you for a very comprehensive answer, I'll try to keep the throw -> uppercut for my lance in mind.