Scuba Guides source note. This lesson is based on the older Scuba Guides and the supplied source archive. It is an independent community clarity rewrite, not an official GunZ publication; mechanics are not verified for the current Steam/remaster client.
Lesson content
While this isn’t exactly a “Don’t ever do this list” as most of these have a time and place, these are things you should try to avoid if you want to further your skill in gladiator and without frustrating your opponent unnecessarily.
Pedaling
Pedaling refers to using a combination of Lag, Tip Slash, and spam to keep your distance from the opponent and earn cheap shots. Pedaling is typically bad since it doesn’t force you to get in the proper zone to control your opponent, leaving you open to attacks from a knowledgeable gladiator. It will typically just stun your overall skill level. There’s 2 main types of Pedal to look at
Back pedaling - This refers to mostly relying on the S key to keep your distance, trying to force your opponent into your slashes while not allowing them to get close.
Side Pedaling - This refers to mostly relying on the A and D keys to circle your opponent, while staying 1 to 3 bodies away from even tip slash distance.
Tip Slashing
Tip slashing is mostly frowned upon when used in excess, since it’s only 1 step shy of pedaling. Like Pedaling, it doesn’t force you in close to control and dominate your opponent, relying on their mistakes instead to let you win.
Flipping
Flipping is largely frowned upon in serious gladiator matches. The reason for this is that flipping is an extremely low effort way to simply get free hits. It’s extremely easy to flip someone after a stun and 100 - 0 them. For that reason, it’s been deemed cheesy and virtually no skill to accomplish. Most gladiators would prefer to get their hits in with well timed and aimed slashes at your weak spots.
Spamming
In general, the most important thing in gladiator is to remain in control of yourself. Once you lose control over yourself, your opponent gains control over you. So ideally, everything you do is with purpose, and you can put the brakes on everything you try to do.
Massive Control - Simply put, learn how to hold your massives. If you throw them all over, you open yourself up to multiple free hits from your opponent. If you learn nothing else from this guide, it’s the need to control your massives.
Overusing Moves - Try not to use the same move over and over. There’s plenty to choose from to mix it up. Using the same move over and over again means your opponent; so long as they have a working brain between their ears, knows what you’re going to do next.
Overusing Patterns - Like moves, try to avoid using the same pattern over and over again. If you do this, your opponent knows where to block to dodge your damage, or recoil you. Mix it up as much as you can here. If you find yourself always going front to back, learn how to add side dashes into your pattern. This not only makes you harder to predict, it makes you more effective and adaptable.