Def Jam: Fight for New York Block Canceling Guide

Def Jam: Fight for New York Block Canceling Guide

In Def Jam: Fight for New York, block canceling is a technique that lets you recover quickly from certain punch strings, giving you an advantage to continue pressuring your opponent or prepare for their response. By pressing the block button mid-combo, you can cancel recovery frames and reset faster, maximizing your control over the fight. Note, however, that this doesn’t apply to string enders, which are too slow to cancel. This Def Jam block cancelling guide covers the basics of the technique and how to use it effectively.

Step-by-Step Guide to Block Canceling

  1. Start a Punch String: Begin with a quick punch combo (e.g., a forward punch).
  2. Press Block for Quick Recovery: While mid-punch, press the block button to cancel the move’s recovery frames. This brings you back to neutral faster, letting you keep up offensive pressure.
  3. Character-Specific Combos: Each character has unique strings that allow block canceling, but the moves must be fast enough to cancel effectively. For instance, Havoc’s forward punch string works well due to its speed.

Manipulating the AI in Def Jam Fight For New York

Block canceling can also be useful for Def Jam FFNY AI manipulation. Skilled AI opponents often react to slower recovery frames, so block canceling allows you to break their rhythm, forcing them to adapt to your faster-paced movements. This unpredictability lets you set up counters, capitalize on openings, and avoid getting trapped by the AI’s defensive strategies.

Tips for AI Manipulation:

  • Bait and Cancel: The AI tends to respond to repeated punch strings, so initiating a string and canceling it mid-way can trick it into attempting a counter, opening them up to a punish.
  • Mix Up with Block Cancels: By varying between full strings and canceled punches, you can throw off the AI’s timing, creating openings where you control the pace of the fight.

Characters that Make the Most out of the Block Canceling Technique

In Def Jam: Fight for New York, some characters have punch strings that are particularly fast and effective for block canceling. The lore in this game is vast and here are a few characters known for their swift block-cancel combos:

  • Redman – Doc’s punch strings are flexible for block canceling, allowing him to adjust to the fight’s rhythm and throw off opponents who try to counter.
  • Sticky Fingaz – Known for his agility and speed, Sticky Fingaz’s combos offer good canceling opportunities, making him a top choice for players focused on block canceling.
  • Lil’ Flip – Lil’ Flip’s punch string is an extremely fast option, with timing that works well for both offensive combos and defensive canceling.
  • Havoc – Known for his forward punch string, which has a quick recovery and can be block-canceled effectively to keep up pressure or bait opponents.
  • Ghostface Killah – His punch combos have fast, consecutive hits that make them ideal for block canceling, allowing you to keep opponents guessing.
  • Crow – Crow’s combos, especially his punch strings, can be block-canceled quickly to avoid counters and maintain momentum.
  • Method Man – Blaze’s punch combos are fast and versatile, making his block cancels efficient for both offensive and defensive setups.
  • Ice-T – Ice-T’s speed makes his punch strings excellent for block canceling, giving players a way to quickly recover or chain attacks.
  • Ludacris – His punches are fast enough to make block canceling effective, providing openings to continue pressure or bait an opponent’s response.
  • Flava Flav – With quick, unpredictable combos, Flava Flav can use block canceling to mix up his game and keep opponents on edge.
  • Capone – Capone has reliable punch strings that allow for quick block canceling, which helps him create space or pivot to a defensive stance easily.
  • Busta Rhymes – Magic’s punch combos are fast, and his block canceling potential makes him great at pressuring opponents or quickly recovering to counter.

These characters stand out for their speed and ability to capitalize on Def Jam FFNY block-canceling effectively. However, keep in mind that even with these characters, practice and timing are essential for perfecting block-cancel techniques in high-level play.

The Fighter101 Visual Guide to Def Jam FFNY Block Cancels

Now that you have the theory down, it is time to take it to the ring with this video tutorial. I am using an arcade stick and I explain the details on how this is performed for optimal results. It’s important to note that you can do this with all characters, but it is not effective with many of them, while others greatly benefit from it.

I used Redman in the tutorial because he has some of the most notorious normal moves that are very fast and make him extremely dangerous.

Final Thoughts on Block Cancels in Def Jam Fight for New York

Mastering these Def Jam Fight for New York block cancels and AI manipulation techniques will help you dominate both human opponents and the game’s challenging AI. With practice, you will keep your opponent on their toes and turn every encounter to your advantage.

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