Gameplay Mechanics
Basics:
Jump
Each character has access to a ground jump. Holding down the jump button will allow you to ascend a bit higher while lightly tapping the jump button will preform a short hop.
In addition, characters can perform a wall jump by pressing against the wall then pressing the jump button. This can also be used to climb up walls by wall jumping off them and immediately moving back to the wall and repeating.
Slash
The primary attack method of the game. Pressing the slash button in any of the four cardinal directions will perform a melee attack in that direction. Slashing has momentum and will move you slightly towards the direction the slash is pointed. This can be combined with jumping to perform Sword Jumps
Like all attacks, slashing will instantly kill opponents. Slashes can reflect most projectiles into the opposite direction(Ana's bombs and Crewmate's trash are the notable exceptions) but cannot kill opponents while they are in Dash State.
When two slashes connect with each other, they will clash. Whoever swings second will be sent tumbling. If both players swing at the same time they will both tumble.
In addition, there are a variety of Alt Weapons that can modify slashes. From hit-box size to frame data and more; currently there are three alt weapons, Spear, Cleaver, and Knife. The default weapon of all samurai is the Sword while Friends can only use their unique weapon.
Shoot
Most characters start off with 3 ammo per life. By pressing the shoot button in any of the cardinal directions, Samurai fire bullets(with some slight exceptions) and currently the 3 friends in game fire unique projectiles which act drastically different from the 'main castes' bullets. Shooting consumes 1 ammo to perform. Shooting can also be done in midair.
Bullets and other projectiles can be reflected by slashes. Notably, they can kill opponents that are in Dash State. If you fire a bullet and then immediately slash you will create a Wobble Bullet; while combining them with dashes can create Super Bullets and Diagonal Bullets.
Dash
In additional to shooting, all characters have access to a dash. Pressing the dash button consumes 1 ammo and can be used in 8 directions. While dashing, you are in a Dash State that is immune to slashes, explosives, and fire, but not bullets and other projectiles.
Dashing can be combined with Bullets to create Super and Diagonal Bullets, while combining them with slashes creates Super Slashes.
Tumble
Tumbling is caused by clashing swords, causing the one who clashed slightly later to be sent into a state of tumbling. While tumbling, you cannot perform any action and will bounce off walls.
Beheading
Slashing the opponent's neck will result in a Decapitation, which will reset your sword cooldown, temporarily increase speed for Otomo, and is overall pretty cool.
Combinations:
Sword Jump
Wobble Bullet
Super Bullet
Super Bullets can be shot by shooting and dashing at the same time, Super Bullets move twice as fast as a regular bullet and they can be shot diagonally as well. If two super bullets collide with eachother they will explode, killing nearby samurais and destroying some terrains.
Diagonal Bullet
Super Slash
Advanced Techniques:
Stance Switching
Holding the Slash key will play a Stance Switch, this technique switches the slashing direction of your sword and also counts as a slash, which means that Stance Switches can also be used to kill an opponent.
Deflecting a bullet with a Stance Switch will turn the bullet into a Wobble Bullet.
Playing Dead
You can play dead by holding the Down button, this is particularly useful to ambush the opponent while they're looking for you, this strategy works best if you hide among other corpses.