Genre: Fighting Game

Expert blueprint for 2D/3D fighters emphasizing frame-perfect combat and competitive balance.

NEVER Do

• NEVER use variable frame rates — Fighting games require fixed 60fps. Implement custom frame-based loop, not _physics_process(delta).
• NEVER skip input buffering — Without 5-10 frame buffer, players miss inputs. Command inputs feel unresponsive.
• NEVER forget damage scaling — Infinite combos break competitive play. Apply 10% damage reduction per hit in combo.
• NEVER make all moves safe on block — If all attacks have +0 or better advantage on block, defense has no value. Mix safe and unsafe moves.
• NEVER use client-side hit detection for netplay — Client predicts, server validates. Peer-to-peer needs rollback netcode or desyncs occur.

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Available Scripts

MANDATORY: Read the appropriate script before implementing the corresponding pattern.

fighting_input_buffer.gd

Frame-locked input polling with motion command detection. Stores 20-frame history, fuzzy-matches QCF/DP inputs, uses _physics_process for deterministic timing.

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Core Loop

Neutral Game → Confirm Hit → Execute Combo → Advantage State → Repeat

Skill Chain

godot-project-foundations, godot-characterbody-2d, godot-input-handling, animation, godot-combat-system, godot-state-machine-advanced, multiplayer-lobby

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Frame-Based Combat System

Fighting games operate on frame data - discrete time units (typically 60fps).

Frame Data Fundamentals

class_name Attack
extends Resource

@export var name: String
@export var startup_frames: int  # Frames before hitbox becomes active
@export var active_frames: int   # Frames hitbox is active
@export var recovery_frames: int # Frames after hitbox deactivates
@export var on_hit_advantage: int # Frame advantage when attack hits
@export var on_block_advantage: int # Frame advantage when blocked
@export var damage: int
@export var hitstun: int  # Frames opponent is stunned
@export var blockstun: int # Frames opponent is in blockstun

func get_total_frames() -> int:
    return startup_frames + active_frames + recovery_frames

func is_safe_on_block() -> bool:
    return on_block_advantage >= 0

Frame-Accurate Processing

extends Node

var frame_count: int = 0
const FRAME_DURATION := 1.0 / 60.0
var accumulator: float = 0.0

func _process(delta: float) -> void:
    accumulator += delta
    while accumulator >= FRAME_DURATION:
        process_game_frame()
        frame_count += 1
        accumulator -= FRAME_DURATION

func process_game_frame() -> void:
    # All game logic runs here at fixed 60fps
    for fighter in fighters:
        fighter.process_frame()

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Input System

Input Buffering

Store inputs and execute when valid:

class_name InputBuffer
extends Node

const BUFFER_FRAMES := 8  # Industry standard: 5-10 frames
var buffer: Array[InputEvent] = []

func add_input(input: InputEvent) -> void:
    buffer.append(input)
    if buffer.size() > BUFFER_FRAMES:
        buffer.pop_front()

func consume_input(action: StringName) -> bool:
    for i in range(buffer.size() - 1, -1, -1):
        if buffer[i].is_action(action):
            buffer.remove_at(i)
            return true
    return false

Motion Input Detection (Quarter Circle, DP, etc.)

class_name MotionDetector
extends Node

const QCF := ["down", "down_forward", "forward"]  # Quarter Circle Forward
const DP := ["forward", "down", "down_forward"]   # Dragon Punch
const MOTION_WINDOW := 15  # Frames to complete motion

var direction_history: Array[String] = []

func add_direction(dir: String) -> void:
    if direction_history.is_empty() or direction_history[-1] != dir:
        direction_history.append(dir)
    # Keep last N directions
    if direction_history.size() > 20:
        direction_history.pop_front()

func check_motion(motion: Array[String]) -> bool:
    if direction_history.size() < motion.size():
        return false
    # Check if motion appears in recent history
    var recent := direction_history.slice(-MOTION_WINDOW)
    return _contains_sequence(recent, motion)

func _contains_sequence(haystack: Array, needle: Array) -> bool:
    var idx := 0
    for dir in haystack:
        if dir == needle[idx]:
            idx += 1
            if idx >= needle.size():
                return true
    return false

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Hitbox/Hurtbox System

class_name HitboxComponent
extends Area2D

enum BoxType { HITBOX, HURTBOX, THROW, PROJECTILE }

@export var box_type: BoxType
@export var attack_data: Attack
@export var owner_fighter: Fighter

signal hit_confirmed(target: Fighter, attack: Attack)

func _ready() -> void:
    monitoring = (box_type == BoxType.HITBOX or box_type == BoxType.THROW)
    monitorable = (box_type == BoxType.HURTBOX)
    connect("area_entered", _on_area_entered)

func _on_area_entered(area: Area2D) -> void:
    if area is HitboxComponent:
        var other := area as HitboxComponent
        if other.box_type == BoxType.HURTBOX and other.owner_fighter != owner_fighter:
            hit_confirmed.emit(other.owner_fighter, attack_data)

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Combo System

Hit Confirmation and Combo Counter

class_name ComboTracker
extends Node

var combo_count: int = 0
var combo_damage: int = 0
var in_combo: bool = false
var damage_scaling: float = 1.0

const SCALING_PER_HIT := 0.9  # 10% reduction per hit

func start_combo() -> void:
    in_combo = true
    combo_count = 0
    combo_damage = 0
    damage_scaling = 1.0

func add_hit(base_damage: int) -> int:
    combo_count += 1
    var scaled_damage := int(base_damage * damage_scaling)
    combo_damage += scaled_damage
    damage_scaling *= SCALING_PER_HIT
    return scaled_damage

func drop_combo() -> void:
    in_combo = false
    combo_count = 0
    damage_scaling = 1.0

Cancel System

enum CancelType { NONE, NORMAL, SPECIAL, SUPER }

func can_cancel_into(from_attack: Attack, to_attack: Attack) -> bool:
    # Normal → Special → Super hierarchy
    match to_attack.cancel_type:
        CancelType.NORMAL:
            return from_attack.cancel_type == CancelType.NONE
        CancelType.SPECIAL:
            return from_attack.cancel_type in [CancelType.NONE, CancelType.NORMAL]
        CancelType.SUPER:
            return true  # Supers can cancel anything
    return false

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Character States

enum FighterState {
    IDLE, WALKING, CROUCHING, JUMPING,
    ATTACKING, BLOCKING, HITSTUN, BLOCKSTUN,
    KNOCKDOWN, WAKEUP, THROW, THROWN
}

class_name FighterStateMachine
extends Node

var current_state: FighterState = FighterState.IDLE
var state_frame: int = 0

func transition_to(new_state: FighterState) -> void:
    exit_state(current_state)
    current_state = new_state
    state_frame = 0
    enter_state(new_state)

func is_actionable() -> bool:
    return current_state in [
        FighterState.IDLE,
        FighterState.WALKING,
        FighterState.CROUCHING
    ]

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Netcode Considerations

Rollback Essentials

class_name GameState
extends Resource

# Serialize complete game state for rollback
func save_state() -> Dictionary:
    return {
        "frame": frame_count,
        "fighters": fighters.map(func(f): return f.serialize()),
        "projectiles": projectiles.map(func(p): return p.serialize())
    }

func load_state(state: Dictionary) -> void:
    frame_count = state["frame"]
    for i in fighters.size():
        fighters[i].deserialize(state["fighters"][i])
    # Reconstruct projectiles...

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Balance Guidelines

Element	Guideline
Health	10,000-15,000 for ~20 second rounds
Combo damage	Max 30-40% of health per touch
Fastest moves	3-5 frames startup (jabs)
Slowest moves	20-40 frames (supers, overheads)
Throw range	Short but reliable
Meter gain	Full bar in ~2 combos received

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Common Pitfalls

Pitfall	Solution
Infinite combos	Implement hitstun decay and gravity scaling
Unblockable setups	Ensure all attacks have counterplay
Lag input drops	Robust input buffering (8+ frames)
Desync in netplay	Deterministic physics, rollback netcode

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Godot-Specific Tips

1. Use _physics_process sparingly - implement your own frame-based loop
2. AnimationPlayer: Tie hitbox activation to animation frames
3. Custom collision: May need custom hitbox system rather than physics engine
4. Save/Load for rollback: Keep state serializable

Reference

• Master Skill: godot-master