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Paul Burning Fist

Paul's Burning Fist, an example of an unblockable attack.

An Unblockable attack (ガード不能技 Gādofunō Waza?, Unguard-able Art/Technique) is an offensive move executed in-game. As the name suggests, it is impossible to block the attack in any way, thus the attack must be dodged to avoid taking damage. In the first two Tekken games, it was possible to jump unnaturally high, allowing the player to avoid the attack by jumping.

Later on, the high jump feature was removed, after which the options to escape unblockable attacks became sidestepping, hitting the opponent while they are charging, back-dashing, or reversing/parrying the attack. Some unblockable attacks, which aim either high or mid-range, can be evaded simply by crouching (and by proxy some low-unblockables can be low-crushed). While a risky strategy, unblockable attacks can also be countered.

Gameplay[]

Every character can perform at least one unblockable attack, either by executing it as a stand-alone move, or running four or more steps and tackling the standing or crouching opponent (this feature first appeared in Tekken 2).

The unblockable attack first appeared in Tekken. Only a few characters had unblockable attacks, such as Yoshimitsu, Nina and Anna Williams, Lee Chaolan, Marshall Law, and Jack. With the exception of Jack's stage five Gigaton Punch, which was an instant knockout, the unblockable attacks in the first Tekken only inflicted 40-60% worth of damage to a player's health, although Yoshimitsu's Quick Slash only inflicted 8% damage. It was not until Tekken 2 that unblockable attacks became both more common, not being limited to a few selected characters, and much more varied in style and power.

Unblockable attacks usually require a little bit of time to charge them up, but, if timed correctly, they are devastating on impact. A typical unblockable attack deals, on average, around 70-90 damage points. There are also weaker attacks that, in turn, require less charge time (such as Kunimitsu's Advancing Deadly Stab, dealing only 25 damage points).

While slow on startup and often impractical, some unblockable attacks have tracking/homing properties on the attacking portion itself that can sometimes make it prime to punish specific evasive getup attempts.

Trivia[]

  • The strongest unblockable attack in the game belongs to the Jacks. Their Gigaton Punch can, with a clean counter hit and fully wound up, deal 246 damage. Otherwise, it will deal 199 damage, which is still an instant knock-out by far.
    • Kuma/Panda's "Fatal Wind" deals a perfect 200.
    • Miguel's "Burla" inflicts 189.
    • While these attacks do provide an instant knock-out if they connect, the animation leading up to the attack is far too long for the attacks to be of any practical use in most instances.
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