Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising – post-beta test updates balance out Raging Strikes, buff character abilities 

Cygames announced the post-second beta updates made to Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising before the official launch. Among the battle-related updates are balancing adjustments made to Raging Strikes and Dash attacks, as well as updates to character abilities. 

Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising (GBVSR) is a sequel to the 2020 fighting game Granblue Fantasy Versus (GBVS). The original game features 24 characters from Cygames’ RPG Granblue Fantasy and boasts attractive 3D graphics and accessible gameplay, with players being able to use ultimates (Skybound Arts) with a simple button press. 

The sequel, GBVSR, introduces the four new playable characters Anila, Siegfried, Nier and Grimnir and introduces new gameplay features while maintaining GBVS’s basic original concept and accessibility . The inclusion of cross-platform online play and the switch to rollback netcode are noteworthy characteristics of the upcoming game. 

Cygames recently revealed what has changed in GBVSR since the second beta test, which was held from November 10. The second beta version had already incorporated significant changes based on the results of the first beta test held in July, and this wave of updates is the final one before the Early Access launch. 

A noteworthy battle-related change seems to be the adjustments made to balance out Raging Strikes. The new update makes it so that when you use Raging Strike twice in the same combo, the second Raging Strike results in a shorter knockback. This prevents the use of a short-range standing heavy attack after the second Raging Strike—meaning the combo can now only be followed up by a Raging Chain. This means that it will no longer be possible for players to land a long series of alternating short-range standing heavy attacks and Raging Strikes. The issue of input buffering accidentally activating a Raging Strike also seems to have been addressed. 

Furthermore, the cooldowns for all Plus Skills have been adjusted, and the damage for Light Dash Attacks has been decreased from 1000 to 600. The buffer window for Brave Counters against Raging Strikes has been “slightly extended” and it’s been made easier for players to execute a Brave Counter after their opponent has inflicted guard crush on them with a Raging Strike. 

As for character-specific adjustments, Gran’s Tempest Blade/Eternal Edge, Vaseraga’s Soul Forge and Anila’s Over the Fence have been buffed. Seox’s Empty Hand has been adjusted so that Seox becomes invincible after the leap, rather than on start-up. 

There are many entirely new elements/features mentioned in the patch notes too, such as the addition of the playable characters Grimnir and Nier, as well as frame information, character explanations and combo explanations in Training Mode. 

The Online Lobby has been updated with fast travel and the addition of a Crane Game and a feature where you can watch battles. Royale Rising in Grand Bruise! has been expanded with two new courses, as well as the “Golem Defense Force” and “Beam Bouncers” game modes. Further details can be found in the full patch notes. 

Granblue Fantasy Versus Rising is scheduled for release on December 14 for the PC (Steam)/PS4/PS5. 

Written by. Amber V based on the original Japanese article (original article’s publication date: 2023-12-09 19:20 JST)