Bug Fixes Stances
R is not a class select. It is the timing key the melee system is built on.
The official description gives you one line: R to change stance. It does not name the stances. Until captainwoodlegs publishes a stance encyclopedia, this page ranks habits around R, which is what actually wins on live servers.
Pair it with loadouts for katana versus musket, and with how to fight for the cut that follows the stance. The parent tier list is the short scoreboard.
What a stance is
In this melee system, a stance is a body and blade angle that makes one of E, Q, or F look honest and the others look late. Changing stance without changing cut is half a thought. Changing cut without changing stance is what mashers do. The S-tier loop is: see them, tap R, throw the matching direction, then wait.
You will not find official names like “water stance” in the description. Do not memorize fan names from random comments as if they were patch notes. Watch the shoulders. If a future update names stances, patch notes will get the names first.
Ranked habits
S — Reactive R. You change stance after you see their start-up, not as a nervous tic. Your next cut is the one that matches. This is the whole skill ceiling.
S — Neutral R. You pick a stance in the bow pause on X, then hold it until they prove you wrong. Calm. Works in honor duels described on honor.
A — Armor-weighted R. Plates change your outline. You stance-change a hair later because you trust the look. Fine if you already can cut. See armor.
A — Displace into R. G then R then cut. Good against chargers. Bad if G is your personality. Movement explains the step.
B — Pre-emptive mash R. You tap R because the other person exists. Sometimes you luck into a punish. Usually you eat a directional cut while turning.
B — Cinematic R. kurosawa is on, you cannot see the start-up, you stance-change by vibe. Cinematic mode should be off.
C — Never R. One stance, one cut, all game. Readable. Easy how to fight homework for the opponent.
D — Chat R. You opened chat to type kurosawa or a taunt and now R types rrrrrr. Close chat. Controls already warned you.
Drills that do not need a dummy
The game has no documented training dummy. Use a quiet edge of the lantern field.
- Walk, R, cut, sheath on X. Repeat until sheath is not an accident.
- R, wait a beat, then E. Then R, wait, Q. Then F. Direction must follow stance, not muscle memory.
- Invite a friend on the same online server. Call your direction before you throw it. If they always block the one you called, your stance is leaking.
- Put a kabuto on from the pray grind and repeat drill 2. Armor should not change the drill, only the camera you need.
Stance versus loadout
A musket line does not care about your beautiful R as much as a katana 1v1 does. If you are standing in the infantry clump from the gun teaser, this page is secondary. If you are under a torii with slot 2 drawn, this page is the whole rank.
Shinobi teasers may add different start-ups. Until they are a real kit, do not invent a ninja stance tier. Stay honest.
Related
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the most common questions.
How many official stances are there?
The description does not name them. Rank the way you use R, and watch patch notes if names are added.
Should I bind stance to mouse wheel?
Only if you can still choose the moment. Binding R to panic-scroll recreates the B-tier mash.
Does armor lock a stance?
No evidence. Plates change silhouette. You still press R.
Is stance useful with a musket?
Less than in a katana duel. Use the loadouts page for formation play and this page for 1v1 steel.