10 Essential 2XKO Tips Every Beginner Must Know Before Jumping In

2XKO is one of the most exciting free-to-play titles releasing this year, promising an action-packed 2v2 fighting experience, featuring iconic characters from League of Legends. With the Closed Beta commencing today, you’ll need to know the basics of the game to come out on top in every fight. Here are 10 essential 2XKO tips that you need to know as a beginner before joining the battle.

1. Chain Basic Attacks

As a beginner in 2XKO, the most crucial things you must master are the basic attacks, of which there are three — Light, Medium, and Heavy. You can chain the Light, Medium, and Heavy attacks to create a three-hit combo. Perform a launcher by holding down and forward and pressing the heavy attack button to send opponents up in the air for a combo extension.

The buttons for performing a launcher are the same for every character in 2XKO, so doing basic combos with any character shouldn’t be much of a hassle. As a beginner, the easiest combo that you can do is by chaining the basic attacks, performing a launcher, and chaining the basic attacks again in the air for a simple yet efficient beatdown.

2. The Pulse Fuse Makes Combos Easier

2XKO features a mechanic called the Fuse System, consisting of multiple Fuses, and each Fuse provides an advantage or power-up to shake up your characters’ playstyle. You’ll be prompted to select a Fuse from a list of Fuses before a match begins, and once confirmed, you won’t be able to change until the game concludes.

The easiest Fuse to select as a beginner is the Pulse Fuse, which makes performing combos incredibly easier. You don’t have to think about pressing multiple buttons to do combos with the Pulse Fuse. Just mash any attack button continuously, and your character will start performing destructive combos. Fury is another elite Fuse pick as it grants extra damage and the ability to dash cancel when your health goes below 40%.

3. Master the Tag System

2XKO’s Tag System is straightforward for a beginner. Pressing the tag button makes your active character (Point) launch your enemy upwards while switching to your secondary character (Assist) or partner. Holding the tag button, on the other hand, results in a Quick Tag, switching in characters without any follow-up attack.

Along with tags, Assists are also important in 2XKO. During an assist, if you press the tag button while your secondary champion is present on screen, you can switch to them seamlessly. You can press the tag button at any moment during the assist to swap to your secondary fighter and create all sorts of devastating combos.

4. Run Your Assists

When calling Assists in 2XKO, your partner may not be able to deliver the hit simply because your opponent is standing far away from your character. A very trivial mistake that can cost you your entire fight, and it could end up being the reason why your opponent gains the upper hand during a match.

When performing an Assist, hold the tag button down. This will make your secondary fighter run towards the opponent, and once you release the button, they’ll deliver the Assist without missing a beat. Some Assists don’t have great range, which is why holding down the tag button when calling Assists is a great way of ensuring that your Assists actually deliver.

5. Perform Reversals With Every Fighter

2XKO is a fighting game where every champion can perform Reversals, which is something that you should undoubtedly keep in mind to break your opponent’s combos. If you’re knocked down to the ground and your opponent immediately attacks you as you get back up on your feet, hold any special attack buttons, and your fighter will perform a Reversal.

You can also call it a get-up attack, and as soon as you notice your opponent launching an attack while your fighter gets up, perform a Reversal, block the incoming attack, and hit them back. Your opponent can obviously block it or jump over your Reversal to dodge it, so use it strategically. However, the Reversals are universal and powerful enough to block incoming attacks at the right moment.

6. Utilize Retreating Guards

Blocking, pressing forward, and hitting your Light and Medium attack buttons does a Retreating Guard in 2XKO. This creates space, causing the opponent to miss their attack, opening up a window for punishment. Not only does it allow for a whiff punish, but it’s also free to perform. Just hold the block button, press your Light and Medium attack buttons, and move forward as the enemy is attacking to do a Retreating Guard.

However, it’s worth keeping in mind that spamming Retreating Guards can be detrimental, as you can only block highs and mids, but are vulnerable to lows. Use Retreating Guards strategically by watching for your opponent’s attack patterns. If you know their combo strings, you can easily perform Retreating Guards.

7. Perform Pushblocks for Breathing Room

Pushblocks guarantee breathing room between you and your opponent more than Retreating Guards in 2XKO. You need to block, head backwards, and hit the Light and Medium attack buttons as the enemy is attacking you, and you’ll perform a Pushblock. This will create a massive space between you and your opponent by pushing them to the other end of the screen.

Unlike Retreating Guards, Pushblocks cost one bar every time you perform them, so use this move when you desperately need the space and cannot afford to do a Retreating Guard. This will reset the neutral and allow you to strategize your next move. The chance to punish with Pushblocks is lower than that of Retreating Guards, but it’s possible if timed right.

8. Charge Attacks Lead to Dash Cancels

Charged attacks in 2XKO are the same as your Base attacks, with a different visual flair and deal more damage. However, you can turn your Charged attacks into a Dash cancel by either clicking the Light and Medium attack buttons as you perform the Charged attack, or by hitting forward twice. The Dash cancel will allow you to commit to another combo as soon as you’re done with the Charged attack.

This works with Charged attacks that are performed against blocks as well, as it will give you a major advantage with the Dash cancel. Punishing will become easier, since you’ll move quicker than your enemy. All types of Charged attacks will work for the Dash cancel, but you cannot trigger a Retreating Guard if you’re hit with one yourself.

9. Use 2XKO’s Parry System

2XKO has a Parry system, which costs a full bar to perform. Holding down your Light and Medium attack buttons together when the opponent is just about to attack will trigger a Parry. A successful Parry will also replenish your bar, which means that the Parry system rewards accuracy and timing. The Parry timing is pretty tight, so it will take some time to master Parry.

There are two types of Parries: high Parry and low Parry. High Parries can be performed against mids and highs, while low Parries can be triggered against lows. If your opponent performs a jump attack or a mid, use your high Parry. Parries are a great way to punish your opponent while simultaneously refilling your bar. Pay attention to your opponent and get the Parry timing right to deliver a devastating punishment.

10. The Last Stand Assist Has Comeback Potential

When your partner dies in 2XKO and your health drops to below 50%, you get a buff known as Last Stand Ready!, which triggers a Super Assist from your eliminated partner. Now, when you call for an Assist, your partner will perform a much stronger attack as compared to when they were still alive. However, the cooldown for the Last Stand Assist is also greater than that of the normal Assist.

Even though losing your second character isn’t ideal, it paves the way for becoming Last Stand Ready, delivering more powerful Assists and giving you a comeback shot at winning the fight. Use this mechanic wisely, and you’ll come out of battles victorious.

Are you excited for 2XKO? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comment section below.