For this quick gameplay dive we’re going to look at combinations or “punches in bunches” and how to throw them in the most effective way in Undisputed. Before we dive into that, let’s go over the basics.
How To Throw Effective Combinations In Undisputed
A boxing combination is a sequence of punches and movements that you execute to attack or counter your opponent. A successful boxing combination is one where you manage to:
- Land your shots on your opponent
- Protect yourself from any counterattack from your opponent and/or
- Quickly get out of your opponent’s reach
Here is the basic punch count number system:
- 1 = Jab
- 2 = Cross
- 3 = Lead Hook
- 4 = Rear Hook
- 5 = Lead Uppercut
- 6 = Rear Uppercut
- 7 = Shovel Hook
- 8 = Overhand Rear
All of these punches, with the exception of the Overhand Rear (8), can be thrown to the body. Punches to the body are usually referenced with a “B” as in Lead Hook to the Body = 3B.
Furthermore, there are defensive mechanics that you will want to learn as you can insert a defensive action into combinations (start, middle, or finish):
- Slip Right (SR) – LS Right
- Slip Left (SL) – LS Left
- Duck – Contextual
- Feint – RB/R1
- Block – Hold RB/R1
- Weave – LB/L1
- Clench – RS/R3
Know Your Fighter’s Strength
One of the key ingredients to throwing effective combinations is knowing the strengths of your fighter. Going into fight with a Joe Frazier and trying to throw long, drawn-out combinations isn’t a smart strategy. Not only will you tire quickly, you’ll likely get beat to the punch if you’re opponent has a hand speed advantage.
On the flip side, this doesn’t mean that you should be throwing one-hitters constantly, but shorter combinations that blend a normal punch with a power shot can still be effective. In the case of more balanced fighters like Terence Crawford, combinations can result in a boost to certain punches, or in the case of Bud, combinations that carry additional damage per punch.
Know Your Opponent
Just as important as knowing the strengths and weaknesses of your own fighter, knowing the traits of who you’re in the ring against is equally as important. Unless you match up with someone using the same boxer, there’s going to be a hand-speed advantage favoring one fighter over the other. Additionally, if you’re on the short end of the power spectrum, getting in close and exchanging punches isn’t the smartest thing to do. I’ve been on the end fights where I was caught in bad situation, sometimes in a corner, and you’re taking shot after shot. Even blocking some of these will reduce your block meter so you’ll need to come with a strategy if you want to get off some combinations.
If you have a hand speed or speed advantage, you’ll want to keep your distance and pick your moments. Closing the distance, especially when Loose Footwork is employed (D-pad up) is vital but don’t get predictable. If you’re constantly backing out and then re-engaging, a good opponent will pick up and start to time you. This makes fights difficult if you don’t have the reach to keep your distance. Instead, walking in with either your guard up (if you’re a Swarmer/Brawler type) or switching up your angle if you carry less of a punching power threat is a good way to get in.
Get In & Get Out – Don’t Get Greedy
Throwing combinations drains stamina and leaves you very vulnerable to big damage as you’re tired. As you get your combinations off, always keep an eye on your opponent and your stamina. Getting greedy and trying to throw those last couple of punches could mean the difference between completely draining your stamina (in the case of throwing extra punches) or having enough stamina left (if you choose your punches carefully) to keep the pressure on your opponent.
Seeing as though this is a fighting video game, the natural tendency is to get in there and bomb away. This strategy will see you get picked off, and you will run the risk of gassing out early in the fight. Instead, get your shots in and get out. If you cannot do that, throw in a little bit of defense because if some of your punches miss the mark, then you have to expect that punches will come back.
Throwing up your guard is easier to control than stepping back where you leave your head exposed unless you’re really disciplined at keeping your guard up and moving back. Lastly, when it comes to getting out, throwing a retreating jab is a good throwaway punch to help establish distance and ward off any advancing fighter.
Mixing Up Your Shots
I mentioned your opponents timing you earlier, but as you feel your opponent out, learning where they tend to leave themselves open is something to watch for as well. One of the ways to keep your opponent off guard and get the most out of your combinations is to vary your shots between the head and body. Sure it’s lovely to just drop haymakers up top, but slowing your opponent down if you’re a boxer like Sugar Ray Leonard is a way to stay up on the cards and set your opponent up for a late-round knockout.
The aforementioned Sugar Ray doesn’t have the best power. Instead, Sugar Ray was known for — and is replicated very well in Undisputed — for his flurries (punches in bunches). The jab is the most important punch in boxing, but it can even become predictable if that’s always the first punch you throw when lining up a combination. Instead, try starting with the body first and then working your way up to the head. A good lead left hook to the body followed up by a straight rear or even a hook to the head with a rear hand punch is a quick, yet effective combination.
You get the wearing down of the body, some damage to the head, and a balanced shot by your strong hand before you can get out of dodge. Even though spamming hooks is an annoyingly effective strategy now, it’s nice to mix up between the Left, Right, and Center of the head to distribute that damage equally.
Bottom Line
As you progress up the Leaderboard or find yourself against the AI, chances are that your fights will drag on longer than expected. Being able to throw combinations effectively not only deals damage but also impresses the judges in case the fight goes the distance. I’m a fighter who tends to choose boxers with hand speed, so I’m naturally getting more comfortable with combinations, trying not to show my hand early but also taking what my opponent gives me.
Practicing patience and dragging fights out has worked for me as I can see the frustration building in my opponent. Using footwork and simple combinations early will reap benefits allowing you to get off longer combinations later in the fight. Understanding when and how to throw combinations is vital to becoming a better boxer. While we wait for Steel City Interactive to balance the game, there’s still a lot that can be learned, so hopefully this quick guide on throwing effective combinations helps!
