MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls Open Beta kicks off July 24–26 on PlayStation 5 consoles and PC. Whether you’re new to fighting games or stepping into the arena with your favorite Marvel heroes for the first time, we’ve put together this beginner’s guide to help you get started. From choosing your first character to learning basic controls, combos, and team mechanics, here are a few tips to help you make the most of the Open Beta.
Find your favorite Hero or Villain
When selecting a character, take a look at the EASE OF USE rating on the character select screen.
The more stars a character has, the easier they are to use, making them a great choice for newcomers.
Some of the most beginner-friendly characters include Captain America, Ms. Marvel, and Wolverine. Iron Man and Spider-Man are also relatively easy to learn.
On the other hand, characters such as Storm and Danger offer more advanced playstyles that may take additional time to master. One of the strengths of MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls is that once you’ve learned a character, you can rely on them throughout the entire match. That’s why we recommend starting with the hero you like most and gradually expanding your roster from there.
If you’re unsure how to build a team, try combining close-range and long-range specialists. For example, Wolverine’s aggressive melee style pairs nicely with Iron Man’s powerful ranged attacks.
That said, the best team is ultimately the one made up of your favorite heroes. Experiment and create a team that feels uniquely yours.
Learn the basics with Startup Battle
Not sure where to begin? Start with Startup Battle. This mode teaches the game’s core mechanics step-by-step while you play as Captain America. You’ll learn everything from basic attacks—including Light (□), Medium (△), and Heavy (○) attacks—to combos, skills, and unique character-specific actions through hands-on tutorials.
Startup Battle is divided into two sections:
● Basics, which focuses on actions performed by an individual character.
● Assemble, which introduces team-based mechanics and cooperative actions.
Players already familiar with fighting games can skip the Basics section and jump directly into Assemble. While you don’t need to master everything right away, Startup Battle is the perfect place to learn the fundamentals before heading into battle
Master basic combos and defense
One of the first mechanics new players should learn is the Link Attack system. By repeatedly pressing the same attack button, you can easily perform beginner-friendly combo sequences. In the examples below, L, M, and H refer to Light, Medium, and Heavy attacks.
● L → L → L → L
○ Chains into a Skill and can trigger a Break (stage transition)
● M → M → M
○ Leads into a powerful Super Skill
● H → H → H
○ Leads into an even stronger Ultimate Skill
Start by learning these simple sequences to build a foundation for dealing damage.
Once you’re comfortable, try more advanced routes such as:
L → M → H → Skill → Assemble Rush → Follow-up Attack
Successfully coordinating with your teammates opens up additional combo opportunities and lets you experience the excitement of the game’s team-based combat. Of course, offense is only half the battle. Learning how to defend yourself is just as important.
The first defensive technique you’ll want to learn is Guard.
● Hold ← to perform a standing guard.
● Hold ↙ to perform a crouching guard.
Once you’re comfortable blocking attacks, try incorporating two advanced defensive options into your gameplay.
Assemble Counter is performed by pressing □ + × while not guarding. Your character performs a defensive backstep, and if an opponent attacks during the maneuver, you’ll automatically launch a counterattack.
Crossover is performed by pressing □ + × while guarding. This calls in a teammate to interrupt the opponent’s attack and create an opening for a counteroffensive.
Mastering these mechanics can turn a defensive situation into an immediate comeback opportunity. Both techniques can be practiced in Startup Battle, so be sure to give them a try.
Assists and character switching
Pressing × will call in a teammate to perform an Assemble Assist attack. You can also switch characters by pressing a directional input along with L2.
The teammate you call depends on the direction you input:
● Neutral or → : 2nd teammate
● ↓ : 3rd teammate
● ← : 4th teammate
For example:
● ↓ + × calls your third teammate as an assist.
● ← + L2 switches to your fourth teammate.
New players may find assists easier to use than direct character switching, so we recommend becoming familiar with assists first. Once you’ve gained some experience, try using assist-to-switch techniques.
After calling an assist, you’ll briefly see a “Switch?” prompt on-screen. Pressing L2 during this window allows you to seamlessly switch to that character.
It may take some practice, but mastering this mechanic lets you rotate through heroes fluidly and unleash the fast-paced team action that defines MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls.
Find the Skill Input Style That Works for You
MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls offers two ways to perform Skills. The first is traditional Command Inputs (also known as motion inputs), familiar to fighting game veterans. The second is a Quick Skill option that allows you to execute skills with a single button press. While both methods provide similar functionality,
Command Inputs offer slightly higher damage and generate more Skill Gauge. If you’re new to fighting games, we recommend starting with Quick Skills while you learn the fundamentals. As you grow more comfortable, try incorporating Command Inputs into your combos for even greater rewards. You can also customize the Quick Skill button through the control settings to suit your preferred playstyle.
Experience the story in Episode Mode
The Open Beta also includes access to part of the Amazing Guardians Episode. Players will get a glimpse of key story moments, including encounters with Promoter and Champion, and learn more about why Spider-Man ultimately forms his team.
The story is presented through immersive motion comics featuring artwork from a renowned comic artist, bringing the Marvel Universe to life in a unique and engaging format. After experiencing the story, you’ll head straight into battle. Once you’ve completed Startup Battle and learned the basics, be sure to check out Episode Mode as well.
See you in the Open Beta
We’ve covered some of the key fundamentals you’ll need to get started in MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls, from picking your first character to learning combos, defense, and team mechanics.
Don’t worry about mastering everything right away. Startup Battle and Training Mode are designed to help you learn at your own pace, and part of the fun is discovering new strategies and team combinations as you play.
MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls Open Beta runs from July 24–26 on PlayStation 5 consoles and PC. We can’t wait to see the teams you create and the battles you’ll bring to life.
See you in the Open Beta!