Start with quick attacks, defense and Rage
Build your first wins around quick Punch and Kick attacks, timely blocks and close-range grabs, saving charged weapons for openings with enough space and energy. To trigger a Rage Attack, collect the red Rage token dropped by the flying UFO, then press Punch and Fierce together before Rage expires.
A local Custom Battle is a useful place to practice this rhythm with a friend. Rage Attacks are available by default in local versus play, so character leveling does not interrupt the drill. Ask your partner to alternate between attacking and defending while you learn what your monster can reach.
The inputs to learn first
| Option | Inputs |
|---|---|
| Punch | Xbox-style controller: A. Default keyboard: M. |
| Kick | Xbox-style controller: X. Default keyboard: comma. |
| Fierce attack | Xbox-style controller: B. Default keyboard: period. |
| Block | Xbox-style controller: Y. Default keyboard: slash. |
| Grab | Press Punch and Kick together. Xbox-style controller: A + X. Default keyboard dedicated Grab: H. |
| Rage Attack | While Rage is active, press Punch and Fierce together: A + B on Xbox or M + period on keyboard. |
On PlayStation and Nintendo controllers, open Settings, then Controls, to identify the buttons assigned to these actions. Learn the action names alongside the button labels so the shared combinations remain easy to remember. Start with deliberate presses before trying elaborate attack strings.
Run this drill in a local match
- Choose Heisei Godzilla for your local Custom Battle. His balanced strengths and swift claw attacks make him a comfortable starting point for learning melee. Keep using him while you learn the controls so changing monsters does not distract you from recognizing openings.
- Practice Punch and Kick against your partner. These are the fast attacks to become comfortable with before relying on slower Fierce attacks. Pay attention to whether you are close enough to connect, and resist the urge to keep pressing buttons after an attack misses.
- Add a direction to a basic attack. Direction plus Punch, Kick or Fierce produces a slower, harder variation, giving you another option once the basic move feels familiar. Compare the commitment with the neutral version before making it part of your regular offense.
- Hold Block while your partner attacks. Learn the difference between stopping ordinary attacks and defending against weapons: blocking a weapon reduces its damage rather than removing it, and grabs cannot be blocked. Against a charging weapon, practice moving behind cover instead of trusting your guard alone.
- Attempt a grab at close range using Punch and Kick together, or H on the default keyboard. This gives you a direct answer to an opponent who keeps blocking. Concentrate on judging the distance before adding throws to a longer attack sequence.
- Charge Godzilla's weapon from a safe opening with a full energy bar. Hold N on the default keyboard, or R1 on PlayStation, to practice the charged attack. Give yourself enough space to finish the charge without immediately inviting retaliation.
- Collect the red token showing Godzilla when the flying UFO drops it. This grants temporary Rage, so make the pickup your cue to prepare an attack. In a practice match with a friend, leave room to recognize the token before returning to normal fighting.
- Press Punch and Fierce simultaneously while Rage remains active. Use A + B on Xbox, M + period on the default keyboard, or Cross + Circle on PlayStation. The important habit is collecting Rage and using the combination before the temporary state ends.
When to approach, defend or charge
| Option | Practical response |
|---|---|
| Your monster favors close combat | Approach to use melee and grabs. Heisei Godzilla's relatively slow projectiles make a prolonged ranged exchange awkward, while Orga's long reach favors close and mid-range confrontations. |
| An opponent is about to attack | Defend or look for a counter. Anguirus rewards this approach because his blocking animation presents damaging rear spines, although the turn into his block is relatively slow. |
| You have distance and energy | Consider a ranged attack. King Ghidorah excels at keeping enemies away with projectiles; Heisei Godzilla's powerful pulse needs care because its slow charge leaves him open to counters. |
| Your energy is running low | Avoid spending it without a clear opening. Mechagodzilla relies on energy for flight and many ranged attacks, and becomes much less comfortable when left with sluggish melee and weak grabs. |
If your Rage input produces a roar
Punch plus Fierce also serves as the roar input outside Rage Mode. If the monster roars, check that you collected the Rage pickup and used the combination before it expired. Practicing this in local versus play keeps the single-player Rage unlock requirement out of the exercise.
In single-player, a monster's Rage Attack can remain locked behind character leveling. Check the levels tab on the monster selection screen for that monster's unlocks. Practice mode also allows Rage Attacks from the start, making it another useful place to rehearse the input.