System & General Resources

✅ FULL SUMMARY — How To Lab in Guilty Gear Strive

Labbing in Guilty Gear Strive is not only for competitive players — it’s a simple, enjoyable, and highly rewarding way to improve. This video teaches a full workflow for learning a new character, finding counterplay, improving defense, and mastering advanced tech using training mode efficiently.

The instructor explains three main reasons to lab:

Picking up a new character

Finding counterplay after losing to something

Improving mastery of your current character

Each section provides a practical mini-curriculum for labbing.

✅ CHUNKS — DETAILED BREAKDOWN Chunk 1 — What Labbing Really Is & When to Use It Summary

Labbing = spending time in training mode to test combos, blockstrings, counterplay, and situations. It doesn’t need to be rigid; you can casually lab while multitasking. You lab when (1) learning a new character, (2) counterplaying something you lost to, or (3) deepening mastery.

Key Concepts

Labbing builds confidence and understanding

Training mode is your “practice arena”

It’s not stressful — most players lab casually

Three triggers for labbing: learning, counterplay, mastery

Comprehension Questions

What are the three main reasons to enter the lab?

Why is labbing not just for advanced players?

What kinds of things can you lab?

Answers

New character, counterplay, mastery.

It’s simple, relaxing, and useful for all play levels.

Combos, blockstrings, setups, defense, counterplay.

Action Steps

Open training mode once per session for a small purpose (combo, blockstring, punish).

After losing to something online, revisit the replay and recreate that situation in training mode.

Chunk 2 — Learning a New Character (Using Giovanna as Example) Summary

Pick Sol as the CPU since his toolkit covers many tests: 3f, 5f, DP, low profile, strong far slash. Start by checking your character’s command list, learning special move motions, and building muscle memory. Use Dustloop to see frame data, plus moves, punishable moves, and hitbox info. Learn basic confirms, simple combos, and begin forming blockstrings.

Key Concepts

Command list → special motions → muscle memory

Dustloop shows startup, on block, plus frames, punishable moves, hitboxes

Check special move properties: frame traps, plus frames, projectile invuln, etc.

Start with easy combos and hit-confirms

Comprehension Questions

Why do we use Sol as the CPU dummy?

What two frame data properties matter most early on?

Why start with simple combos?

Answers

He tests many defensive/offensive situations.

Startup and on-block values.

They build muscle memory and are consistently applicable.

Action Steps

Pick a character → review command normals and specials

Practice every special from both sides

On Dustloop, identify 3 plus moves and 3 punishable moves

Create 2–3 basic hitconfirms

Chunk 3 — Building Blockstrings (Frame Traps, Gapless Strings, Pressure) Summary

Blockstrings are the most important part of learning a new character, preventing autopilot and bad habits. Use training mode’s “After Block → 5P” to test:

Frame traps (delayed timing to catch mash)

Gapless strings (timing must be perfect so nothing comes out)

Plus-frame resets

Strike/throw sequences

Learn which buttons chain into pressure, which require delays, and which reset turns.

Key Concepts

Frame trap = intentional tiny gap

Gapless = no gap, no mash allowed

Use manual delay to make frame traps

Learn your character’s plus-frame tools to maintain pressure

Comprehension Questions

What is a frame trap?

Why lab blockstrings for each button?

What basic mix-up does Giovanna use?

Answers

A small gap that punishes opponents pressing a button.

Each button creates different pressure branches.

Strike/throw using plus frames.

Action Steps

Set dummy to mash 5P

Test every button: which links are gapless, which trap?

Build two full blockstrings involving:

Pressure starter

One frame trap

One plus-frame reset

One throw point

Chunk 4 — Finding Counterplay (Round Start, Blockstrings, Matchup Knowledge) Summary

Counterplay is one of the most rewarding uses of training mode. Use Position Reset → After Reset Action to test round-start answers. Example: solving May 2S round start by testing P options, far slash, 2S, jump normals, etc. Then test opponent blockstrings by recording their sequence and checking:

Where are the gaps?

What can you mash?

Can FD or backdash escape?

Also test character-specific answers (e.g., Goldlewis 684 catching May backdash after dolphin).

Key Concepts

Labbing round start is extremely high value

Recording enemy strings reveals their real weaknesses

FD and backdash dramatically change frame interactions

Character-specific moves can blow up opponent habits

Comprehension Questions

What tool allows you to test round start situations easily?

Name two universal defensive options to lab.

Why record opponent blockstrings?

Answers

Position Reset with After Reset Action.

FD and backdash (also mash/jump).

To identify gaps and guaranteed punish windows.

Action Steps

Pick a move you recently lost to → recreate it

Test 3 different responses (mash, jump, special)

Record one enemy blockstring → lab:

Mash timing

FD pushback

Backdash escapes

Chunk 5 — Practicing Defense (Blocking Mixups with Random Playback) Summary

Use Training Mode’s 5 recording slots set to Random to practice blocking sequences like:

High → low

High → crossup

Strike/throw

Safe jumps

You react in real time, learning muscle memory for defense.

Key Concepts

Random playback prevents predictable blocking

Two recordings are often enough for strong reps

You learn the timing, not just the option

Comprehension Questions

Why practice blocking using random recordings?

What is the defender’s fastest button?

What mistake happens if you're late on meaty timing?

Answers

It forces true reaction instead of memorization.

Throw on wakeup.

You get thrown or mashed out.

Action Steps

Record 1 overhead → low

Record 1 overhead → crossup

Set to random → block 10 reps each side

Chunk 6 — Mastering Your Character (Advanced Strings, Oki, Mixups, Rotations) Summary

After learning basics, move into mastery. Key mastery topics:

Advanced blockstrings that beat specific defensive habits

Finding new pressure routes to cover FD, mash, backdash, jump

Safe jumps & meaty timing using wakeup DP/throw tests

Advanced mixups (crossups, same-side ambiguities, TikTok/Twitter tech)

Option rotation, adapting pressure to opponent habits

Advanced combos and converting rare hits

This transforms your character knowledge into real match power.

Key Concepts

Meaty timing must beat both DP and throw when done correctly

Rotating options = tailoring your pressure to opponent habits

Learn conversions off “weird hits” for optimization

Comprehension Questions

Why learn safe jumps?

What does option rotation mean?

Why are rare-hit conversions important?

Answers

They beat reversals while still allowing offense.

Using pressure branches that counter the opponent’s specific defensive habits.

They allow high-damage routes from stray neutral hits.

Action Steps

Test safe jump setups for:

Midscreen knockdown

Corner knockdown

Create a “rotation chart”:

Opponent mashes → use frame traps

Opponent backdashes → chase

Opponent respects → throw & stagger

Learn 1 new advanced combo & 1 rare-hit confirm

✅ BULLET-POINT QUICK REVIEW

Labbing is simple, fun, and for every skill level

Reasons to lab: new character, counterplay, mastery

Learn character basics → command list → Dustloop data

Build muscle memory for specials & confirms

Create functional blockstrings (gapless, frame traps, strike/throw)

Test counterplay for round start and blockstrings

Practice defense using random recording playback

Master your character via:

Advanced strings

Oki (safe jumps, meaties)

Mixups

Defensive callouts

Option rotation

Advanced combos and conversions

✅ SUPER-SUMMARY (Under One Page)

Labbing in Guilty Gear Strive is accessible, enjoyable, and essential for all players. It involves practicing combos, blockstrings, and situational responses in training mode to build skill and confidence. You lab for three reasons: learning a new character, finding counterplay to things you struggle against, and mastering your main.

To learn a character, review their command list, practice special motions, study frame data and hitboxes on Dustloop, and establish simple hitconfirms and combos. The most important part is developing blockstrings—understanding where your strings are gapless, where frame traps exist, and how to use plus frames for strike/throw pressure.

Counterplay practice involves recreating problematic situations such as round-start options or oppressive blockstrings. Using training mode’s recording tools and FD/backdash mechanics reveals weaknesses and solutions. Character-specific anti-habits (like Goldlewis blowing up May's backdash) emerge naturally through testing.

Defense is trained by recording mixups and replaying them randomly, building reactive blocking skills. Mastery comes when you move into advanced blockstrings, meaty setups, safe jumps, option rotation (selecting strings that beat your opponent’s specific habits), and optimizing combos including rare-hit conversions.

Labbing is an ongoing, flexible process that builds knowledge, muscle memory, and adaptability — all core foundations of improvement in Strive.

✅ SPACED REVIEW PLAN (3 Days) Day 1 — Foundation

Read Chunk 1–3

Practice:

Special inputs

Basic combos

Blockstrings vs mash

Day 2 — Counterplay + Defense

Read Chunk 4–5

Lab:

Round-start situations

1 enemy blockstring

Random playback blocking

Day 3 — Mastery

Read Chunk 6

Lab:

Safe jump/meaty setup

1 advanced string

1 advanced combo

Option rotation exercise