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
Animation Locking is various animations taken to their extremes to produce specific results. You may sometimes hear these referred to as “Gates” or “Gating”. There’s no specific move associated with animation locks. They just happen because you’re doing these so fast that the GunZ client cannot visually replicate what you’re doing to other players.
Animation Locking
TBFLY / Slash + Block - The concept is to do a Static DBFLY into a BFLY or a Static TBFLY to get this gate. This will allow you to slash 3 times in a single jump. To get this gate, you have to slash as SOON as you jump, directly before the apex of your jump, and once more about ⅓ of the way down from the apex of your jump. When you do this correctly your opponent will not see you blocking, slashing, or jumping - just your sword pointing directly to the ground. Double Light Step / Jump + Slash Locking - By doing a double light step and never allowing your sword to stop, to your opponent you’ll look like you’re doing nothing but squatting/Taking a dump the entire time you’re moving despite jumping, dashing, and slashing.. Not useful in any particular way, just a fun mention to explain why you see some players glitch out like this.
Void Slash / Ground Slash Locking - By slashing, and holding the slash until you begin charging a massive, then repeating, you’re slashing as fast as possible with a single slash. You’re only using the massive charge to instantly reset yourself so you can slash again. If you do this as fast as possible, you’ll end up looking like you’re just holding your sword straight up and down (The frame right before you start charging a massive). A key note here is that this is only a faster option while using Kodachis - See Kodachi Style in the Advanced section for more information on utilizing this.
Void Block / Block Locking - By timing your blocks exactly right, you can in essence never have an instance of having no block up. This is extremely useful to learn to keep yourself safe while an opponent is spamming slashes on you. Your opponent will not see you blocking at all, instead your sword will glitch out and point straight to the ground on their screen. They will see the white massive glow on your sword, but that’s it.