Quick answer
- Light attack M1 / left click — up to a 4-hit combo (hold to chain).
- Heavy attack M2 / right click — hits harder and CANNOT be blocked.
- Block / parry F — hold to block; tap on time to parry.
- Dodge Q — short cooldown, grants invincibility frames.
- Combat stance R or T* — sources still disagree; test both in Settings.
Community-sourced — verify in-gameGakuran is young and its inputs aren't fully documented in-client, so these binds are community-reported. The one input players still disagree on is the combat stance key (R vs T) — test both in a safe spot. Everything else below is consistent across current guides; confirm in your in-game Settings after updates.
Default controls (PC & controller)
| Action | PC (keyboard / mouse) | Controller |
|---|
| Move | WASD / arrow keys | Left stick |
| Camera | Mouse — Shift Lock recommended for PvP | Right stick |
| Jump | Space | A |
| Sprint | Shift (some report double-tap W) | L3 |
| Combat stance | R or T* — confirm in Settings | Combat / stance button |
| Light attack | M1 / left click | RT / R2 |
| Heavy attack | M2 / right click | Y |
| Block / parry | F | LT / L2 |
| Dodge / dash | Q | B |
| Interact | E | Context button |
| Phone | Alt | D-pad |
| Carry (downed) | B | X |
| Execute / grab (downed) | V | LB + X |
*Combat stance is the one input current guides still report differently (R vs T). All other binds are consistent across sources, but patches can rename or remap actions — re-check Settings after a big update.
Mechanics you actually need to know
Knowing the keys isn't enough — Gakuran runs a posture & parry system, so how you use block and dodge decides fights. These are community-reported; verify in-game:
- Heavy attacks (M2) can't be blocked. Your only answers are a well-timed parry, a dodge, or hitting first. Holding block into an M2 gets you guard-broken.
- Blocking drains posture. Block runs on a stamina-like "posture" bar; if it empties you're guard-broken and stunned (~2 seconds), open to a full combo.
- Parry = perfectly-timed block. Tap F right as a hit lands (facing the attacker) and you take no damage, lose no posture, and stun them for a free punish — the most important PvP skill.
- Dodge (Q) grants i-frames. A short window of invincibility to slip attacks or reposition; it currently costs no stamina, so use it to escape M2 pressure.
- Height changes your fists. Your M1 damage and hitbox scale with character height (taller = bigger and harder, but slower). See the character creation guide.
Mobile & Xbox
Mobile: the same actions map to on-screen buttons you can remap in Settings. The default layout stacks attack and block too close together — separate block and attack into different thumb zones and keep dodge near your movement thumb, so you don't heavy-attack when you meant to block. Xbox / controller: use the controller column above; move stance to a spare shoulder button if the default feels awkward.
Common control mistakes
- Holding block against a heavy (M2). M2 is unblockable — you'll get guard-broken. Parry or dodge it instead.
- Holding block forever. Every blocked hit drains posture and chip still gets through; an empty bar is a guard break. Block in taps and look to parry.
- Ignoring stance. Your attacks and defence work best in combat stance — bind R or T (whichever your build uses) somewhere instant and enter stance before you engage.
- Leaving default mobile binds. The stock layout buries dodge and stacks block on attack. Remap before serious PvP.
- Not re-checking after updates. Patches can rename or remap actions — re-open Settings after a big update.
Ready to use these? Learn the fight itself on the combat guide, then pick a style on the fighting styles page.
