Roman Cancel 101 — Guilty Gear Strive
Roman Cancels (RCs) are one of Guilty Gear Strive’s most important system mechanics. They allow you to stop your current action at almost any time by spending 50% tension, creating opportunities to extend combos, escape danger, bait opponents, and control momentum.
All Roman Cancels use the same input (any three buttons except Dust), but the timing of the input determines which RC you get. Understanding when and why to use each type is more important than mastering flashy setups.
At a basic level, Roman Cancels:
Fix mistakes
Turn hits into big damage
Help you escape pressure
Create mixups and momentum shifts
At an advanced level, they:
Slow the game down
Allow directional drifting
Extend hitstun/blockstun
Enable creative baits, side switches, and mind games
Roman Cancels cost 50% meter
Same input, different RC types based on timing
Four types: Blue, Purple, Red, Yellow
RCs can:
Pause the game briefly
Slow the opponent
Preserve momentum
Allow directional drift
Basics alone win matches; advanced tricks add creativity
Concept
A Roman Cancel instantly stops your current action and lets you act again.
Input: Any 3 buttons except Dust
Cost: 50% tension
Meter gain is high, so RCs are available frequently.
Why It Matters
The ability to stop anything at will is extremely powerful.
It turns bad situations into recoverable ones and good situations into deadly ones.
Comprehension Questions
What does a Roman Cancel fundamentally do?
Why is meter cost not as limiting as it sounds?
Answers
It stops your current action and lets you immediately act again.
Strive’s meter gain is high, so RCs are often available each round.
Action Steps
Practice RC input in training mode until it feels effortless.
Get used to spending meter proactively instead of hoarding it.
Chunk 2 — The Four Types of Roman Cancels
Types & Conditions
Blue RC – Used while not attacking or blocking
Purple RC – Used during an attack
Red RC – Used exactly when an attack hits
Yellow RC – Used while blocking
Key Uses
Blue: Neutral control, mixups, slowdown setups
Purple: Safety, mistake correction, baits
Red: Combo extensions, big damage
Yellow: Defensive escape tool (guard cancel–style)
Comprehension Questions
What determines which RC you get?
Which RC is used on defense?
Answers
The timing of the RC input.
Yellow Roman Cancel.
Action Steps
Practice triggering each RC intentionally.
Identify which RC fits offense vs defense vs recovery.
Chunk 3 — Practical “90% Use Case” RC Applications
Simple, High-Value Uses
Mistake? → Purple RC to stay safe
Hit confirmed? → Red RC for combo extension
Under pressure? → Yellow RC to escape
Why This Matters
You don’t need advanced tech to benefit.
These basics alone drastically increase consistency and survivability.
Comprehension Questions
Why are Purple RCs good for beginners?
What makes Red RCs scary for opponents?
Answers
They let you fix mistakes before being punished.
They turn almost any hit (even throws) into big damage.
Action Steps
Commit to using RC defensively instead of panicking.
Train Red RC extensions off your most common hits.
Chunk 4 — RC “Pause” Effect & Reaction Advantage
Concept
Roman Cancels briefly “pause” the game.
This gives you time to see what’s happening and react accordingly.
Examples
Purple RC after a missed anti-air → still air throw
RC to confirm jump, dash, or whiff more clearly
Comprehension Questions
How does RC help reactions?
Why is this stronger than it sounds?
Answers
It slows the situation and gives visual clarity.
It turns hard reactions into manageable decisions.
Action Steps
Use RCs as decision tools, not just combo tools.
Practice reacting during RC slowdown.
Chunk 5 — Roman Cancel Drift (Movement Control)
Concept
You can drift in any direction during an RC.
Input a dash immediately before the RC.
Dash macro is highly recommended.
Uses
Easier combo routing
Side switches
Whiff baits
Better positioning
Comprehension Questions
How do you perform an RC drift?
Why is dash macro important?
Answers
Dash, then immediately Roman Cancel.
It removes execution barriers and improves consistency.
Action Steps
Map dash to a button.
Practice forward, backward, and neutral RC drift.
Chunk 6 — Roman Cancel Slowdown Mechanics
Key Insight
RCs slow the opponent—not just movement, but hitstun and blockstun.
This enables:
New combos
Plus-on-block situations
Airtight pressure
Example
Blue RC → Dust attack becomes comboable or plus.
Comprehension Questions
What does RC slowdown affect besides movement?
Why is Blue RC especially strong?
Answers
Hitstun and blockstun duration.
It provides the longest slowdown window.
Action Steps
Experiment with Blue RC into overheads or pressure resets.
Compare Purple vs Blue RC timing in training mode.
Chunk 7 — Distance, Momentum & Advanced Quirks
Important Rules
RC slowdown only works at close range
Momentum is preserved after RC
Fast-moving attacks can “rocket” forward after RC
Applications
Full-screen punish setups
Momentum-based mixups
Character-specific tech
Comprehension Questions
Why might RC setups fail at long range?
How does momentum preservation help offense?
Answers
Slowdown doesn’t apply if you’re too far away.
It lets you carry speed into follow-ups or pressure.
Action Steps
Check spacing when RC setups fail.
Explore character-specific RC momentum tricks.
Roman Cancels are Guilty Gear Strive’s most flexible system mechanic, allowing players to stop actions, reposition, extend combos, escape danger, and manipulate time itself. All RCs share the same input but differ based on timing, producing Blue, Purple, Red, or Yellow effects. At a fundamental level, RCs let you fix mistakes, secure damage, and escape pressure. At an advanced level, RC slowdown, drifting, momentum preservation, and hitstun extension enable creative mixups, baits, and conversions. Mastering Roman Cancels isn’t about flash—it’s about control, awareness, and decision-making.
Day 1 – Fundamentals
Learn RC inputs
Identify each RC type
Practice Purple RC safety and Red RC extensions
Day 2 – Control & Movement
Practice RC drift
Experiment with Blue RC slowdown
Use RCs to react instead of guessing
Day 3 – Creativity
Test spacing limits
Explore momentum-based RC tricks
Integrate RCs into your character’s game plan
![[GGS] Gameplan: WHY IT MATTERS](https://rdl.ink/render/https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FJJf6UDWmThk%2Fmqdefault.jpg?width=92&height=&ar=&mode=&format=avif&dpr=2)
