Draggles here for the second episode of the 2XKO Weekend Warmup. The game has been fully live on all platforms for a couple of days at this point, and I’m writing this in the past so fingers crossed it went well.

You’ve probably lost a round of 2XKO, so I figure now is a good time to share exclusive insider information on how to get to grips with the game. I’ve watched players learn in a ton of different settings, from brief Evo show floor demos to LilyPichu’s years-long training arc. The path for learning 2X will vary for everyone, and ultimately depends on how much fighting game experience you have under your belt already.

Here are five helpful principles for all first-time 2XKO players.

How To Learn 2XKO

Find a champion

We want 2XKO to have a character for everyone; but not every champ will be for everyone. You might click with a design, a story you feel a connection to, or a combo that looks cool. 2XKO’s champs all play differently and have unique backgrounds, so whether you love explosions, fluffy creatures, top hats, or big metal fists, there’s a wide range of options to explore.

My recommendation is to play with whoever you think looks fun, not necessarily the champs that dominate the meta. And if our current roster doesn’t have your perfect match yet, more champs are coming this year—any one of them could be your new main.

Use Pulse Combo

Pulse Combo is 2XKO’s autocombo feature, which can help you quickly understand the flow of a match. When you’re focused on when to attack and when to block instead of what buttons to press, you can learn your basic gameplan faster. Enable Pulse Combo in champion select, then mash L, M or H to get started quickly. 

You never need to “graduate” from using Pulse, if you don’t want to. Just get out there and press some buttons. But if you want to understand more about your champion, use Combo Trials (in the Learning Hub) and Pulse Combo to study your best moves.

Find your community

The FGC’s collective resources have built up over decades of grassroots community work. In 2X, you can always go deeper with the player-run 2XKO Wiki, find friends and rivals via start.gg’s local event finder, learn the basics from the FGC Glossary, or join countless Discord servers and subreddits. However you like to play, there’s probably a community out there for you and your niche. Beyond serving as another hangout spot, smaller tight-knit spaces (IRL and offline) help you improve faster: iron sharpens iron.

Play in a duo

Once you’ve found your community, give duos a try. Unlocking those “drift compatible” moments where your gameplan comes together is really special. There are hidden benefits, too: live coaching, more meaningful wins, sharing the pain of losses, carrying (and being carried)—it’s hard to do it justice in text, so I recommend learning the game with another person by your side.

Stop worrying about being bad

Okay, I know this one looks unhelpful, but this is my soapbox: in my time learning this genre, I’ve seen “beginner guides” put too much focus on extended combos, frame data, optimal punishes, perfect execution, and top-level play. That’s great for folks who are already deep in the genre, but when you’re learning, you will drop combos. You will forget your inputs. You will lose games. It might take you many hours just to know what your champ does, and even more to figure out everyone else’s.

Keep it simple: 

• Don’t spend too much time training, go face some other people with real human brains.

• Pick a single mechanic or move, and try to land it in a game. Repeat until you understand your champ’s full kit.

• If a cheesy move works, keep using it. Repeat until it stops working, then find a different one. It’s your opponent’s problem to figure out, not yours.

If this guidance prevents even one person from introducing themselves with “I play fighting games, but I’m not very good” then it will all have been worth it. Stepping off the soapbox now.

Community Spotlight

TNS Weekly

TNS has been putting in the work over the last 15 years to run streams and tournaments for the FGC, and we’re honored that 2XKO is part of their current lineup. Later tonight, take part in the 2XKO Weekly by signing up here, or watch from 5pm PT at twitch.tv/tampaneversleeps.

2XKO Spain

Under the stewardship of Spanish FGC legend Sh4rin, you can now follow all things local to Spain via the newly launched 2XKOes socials. Y recordad… hay que jugar CON CABEZA.

Promotions

It’s launch week! Go get some free stuff!

Twitch Drops

Watch 15 minutes of 2XKO on Twitch to earn the “Live Now” player title in-game. Watch 30 minutes to earn the Private Lobby player card.

TikTok Game Rewards

Watch 3 minutes of an eligible TikTok LIVE stream to claim the “Online” player title and the Public Lobby player card. TikTok streamers can opt into this program via TikTok Studio.

Discord Quest

Play 2XKO for 15 minutes with Discord open (on PC or console) to earn the Caitlyn Cab Monster Avatar Decoration.

Chipotle Avatar Outfit (NA only)

Use code “LETSDUO” at checkout on the Chipotle app or chipotle.com to grab the Chipotle Challenger Bundle for your in-game avatar. Full rules here.

Upcoming Dates

• Jan 23: Genesis X3 registration closes (sign up here)

• Jan 29-Feb 1: Frosty Faustings XVIII (read more here)

• Jan 29: Frame Perfect skins available

• Feb 4: Twitch Drops promo ends

• Feb 4: TikTok Game Rewards promo ends

Closing Thoughts

I’ve been attending my locals recently (shoutouts to Down Back Club and Drive Rush Hour for their hospitality) and I’m reminded how important it is to take time to connect IRL with your community. The difference between the solo Ranked grind and witnessing the intensity and warmth of other fighting game players can’t be overstated, and I wholeheartedly recommend y’all give it a try and take in the vibes. In the end, we’re all we’ve got.

See y’all next week.