MANUAL Operation Guide WM-03
Game Modes
After starting the game from the title screen you will be taken to the main menu, where you can select from six different game modes. These include Story mode, where you can experience the tale of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, and VS mode, where you can test your mettle against other players in battle.
- Story Mode
-
-
Live out the dramatic tale of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba! The story is divided into chapters, unlocked one by one as you progress.
-
Sometimes, you'll be able to explore areas like mountains or towns on foot. Proceed by completing objectives such as navigating to a destination or speaking with a certain character.
-
- VS Mode
-
-
Fight against other players or the CPU, online or offline! After an online match, your battle record will be updated and your Slayer ID will be exchanged with the other player. Head to Practice mode to brush up on the controls or master a character's combos.
-
- Rewards
-
-
Reap the rewards for your efforts! Reward boards are comprised of several panels, each of which can be unlocked by either fulfilling a certain condition or spending Kimetsu Points. Panels can unlock new playable fighters, outfits for your characters, and more.
-
- Training
-
-
Learn from the best by fighting against an instructor! Each character's training regimen is divided into ten ranks. Defeat the instructor within the time limit to unlock the next rank. Completing a rank or any of its associated tasks will earn you Kimetsu Points.
-
- Archives
-
-
Peruse the outfits, profile photos, quotes, and music tracks you have collected! This is also where you can view the conditions for obtaining ones you don't have yet.
-
- Tutorials
-
-
Review tutorials on how to play. This menu will be updated as you encounter more tutorials throughout the game. Select a topic from the list to view it again at any time.
-
*Screenshots are from the PlayStation®4 version.
Controls
PlayStation®4 & PlayStation®5
*Default controls listed.
Combat
| Left Stick | Movement |
|---|---|
| While knocked down | Rolling Recovery |
| Right Stick | Change Target *When fighting multiple enemies |
|---|
| × Button | Jump |
|---|---|
| Before hitting ground | Quick Recover |
| During normal attacks and certain skills | Quick Dodge |
| 〇 Button | Chase Dash |
|---|---|
| While opponent is airborne | Aerial Chase Dash |
| While tilting left stick | Sidestep |
| During normal attacks and certain skills | Quick Dodge |
| □ Button | Light Attack |
|---|---|
| While airborne | Aerial Attack |
| Pressed simultaneously while tilting left stick | Heavy Attack |
| While R1 is held | Throw |
| △ Button | Skill 1 |
|---|---|
| While tilting left stick | Skill 2 |
| While holding R1 | Skill 3 |
| R1 Button | Guard |
|---|---|
| While tilting left stick | Shove |
| Pressed simultaneously while tilting left stick | Parry |
| R2 Button | Ultimate Art |
|---|
| L1 Button | Support Skill 1 |
|---|---|
| While tilting left stick | Support Skill 2 |
| When getting hit | Emergency Escape |
| When held | Switch |
| L2 Button | Boost |
|---|---|
| While Boosting | Surge |
| OPTIONS Button | Pause Menu |
|---|
Exploration
| Left Stick | Run (Walk if tilted slightly) |
|---|
| Right Stick | Move Camera |
|---|
| R3 Button (press in right stick) |
Reset Camera |
|---|
| × Button | Check/Talk |
|---|
| △ Button | Full Map |
|---|
| R2 Button | Track Scent |
|---|
| OPTIONS Button | Pause Menu |
|---|
Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S
*Default controls listed.
Combat
| Left Stick | Movement |
|---|---|
| While knocked down | Rolling Recovery |
| Right Stick | Change Target *When fighting multiple enemies |
|---|
| A Button | Jump |
|---|---|
| Before hitting ground | Quick Recover |
| During normal attacks and certain skills | Quick Dodge |
| B Button | Chase Dash |
|---|---|
| While opponent is airborne | Aerial Chase Dash |
| While tilting left stick | Sidestep |
| During normal attacks and certain skills | Quick Dodge |
| X Button | Light Attack |
|---|---|
| While airborne | Aerial Attack |
| Pressed simultaneously while tilting left stick | Heavy Attack |
| While right bumper is held | Throw |
| Y Button | Skill 1 |
|---|---|
| While tilting left stick | Skill 2 |
| While holding right bumper | Skill 3 |
| Right Bumper | Guard |
|---|---|
| While tilting left stick | Shove |
| Pressed simultaneously while tilting left stick | Parry |
| Right Trigger | Ultimate Art |
|---|
| Left Bumper | Support Skill 1 |
|---|---|
| While tilting left stick | Support Skill 2 |
| When getting hit | Emergency Escape |
| When held | Switch |
| Left Trigger | Boost |
|---|---|
| While Boosting | Surge |
| Menu Button | Pause Menu |
|---|
Exploration
| Left Stick | Run (Walk if tilted slightly) |
|---|
| Right Stick | Move Camera |
|---|
| Right Stick Button (press in right stick) | Reset Camera |
|---|
| A Button | Check/Talk |
|---|
| Y Button | Full Map |
|---|
| Right Trigger | Track Scent |
|---|
| Menu Button | Pause Menu |
|---|
Steam (Controller)
*Controls shown are for Xbox Wireless Controller.
*Default controls listed.
Combat
| Left Stick | Movement |
|---|---|
| While knocked down | Rolling Recovery |
| Right Stick | Change Target *When fighting multiple enemies |
|---|
| A Button | Jump |
|---|---|
| Before hitting ground | Quick Recover |
| During normal attacks and certain skills | Quick Dodge |
| B Button | Chase Dash |
|---|---|
| While opponent is airborne | Aerial Chase Dash |
| While tilting left stick | Sidestep |
| During normal attacks and certain skills | Quick Dodge |
| X Button | Light Attack |
|---|---|
| While airborne | Aerial Attack |
| Pressed simultaneously while tilting left stick | Heavy Attack |
| While right bumper is held | Throw |
| Y Button | Skill 1 |
|---|---|
| While tilting left stick | Skill 2 |
| While holding right bumper | Skill 3 |
| Right Bumper | Guard |
|---|---|
| While tilting left stick | Shove |
| Pressed simultaneously while tilting left stick | Parry |
| Right Trigger | Ultimate Art |
|---|
| Left Bumper | Support Skill 1 |
|---|---|
| While tilting left stick | Support Skill 2 |
| When getting hit | Emergency Escape |
| When held | Switch |
| Left Trigger | Boost |
|---|---|
| While Boosting | Surge |
| Menu Button | Pause Menu |
|---|
Exploration
| Left Stick | Run (Walk if tilted slightly) |
|---|
| Right Stick | Move Camera |
|---|
| Right Stick Button (press in right stick) | Reset Camera |
|---|
| A Button | Check/Talk |
|---|
| Y Button | Full Map |
|---|
| Right Trigger | Track Scent |
|---|
| Menu Button | Pause Menu |
|---|
Steam (Keyboard & Mouse)
*Default controls listed.
Combat
| W/A/S/D | Movement |
|---|---|
| While knocked down | Rolling Recovery |
| Arrow Keys | Change Target *When fighting multiple enemies |
|---|
| K | Jump |
|---|---|
| Before hitting ground | Quick Recover |
| During normal attacks and certain skills | Quick Dodge |
| L | Chase Dash |
|---|---|
| While opponent is airborne | Aerial Chase Dash |
| While holding W/A/S/D | Sidestep |
| During normal attacks and certain skills | Quick Dodge |
| J | Light Attack |
|---|---|
| While airborne | Aerial Attack |
| Pressed simultaneously with W/A/S/D | Heavy Attack |
| While O is held | Throw |
| I | Skill 1 |
|---|---|
| While holding W/A/S/D | Skill 2 |
| While holding O | Skill 3 |
| O | Guard |
|---|---|
| While holding W/A/S/D | Shove |
| Pressed simultaneously with W/A/S/D | Parry |
| E | Ultimate Art |
|---|
| U | Support Skill 1 |
|---|---|
| While holding W/A/S/D | Support Skill 2 |
| When getting hit | Emergency Escape |
| When held | Switch |
| Q | Boost |
|---|---|
| While Boosting | Surge |
| Spacebar | Opening Thread attack |
|---|
| Escape | Pause Menu |
|---|
Exploration
| W/A/S/D | Run |
|---|---|
| While holding left shift | Walk |
| Arrow Keys Move Mouse |
Move Camera |
|---|
| End | Reset Camera |
|---|
| Left Click | Check/Talk |
|---|
| Spacebar | Full Map |
|---|
| Left Ctrl | Track Scent |
|---|
| Escape | Pause Menu |
|---|
Combat
Screen Breakdown
- 1 Fighter icon and name
- 2 Health gauge
- Decreases when you get hit. If it runs out, you lose.
- 3 Skill gauge
- Consumed when using skills or Quick Dodge. Replenishes over time.
- 4 Wins (VS mode only)
- One will light up when you win a round. Light up all of them to win the match.
- 5 Remaining time (VS mode only)
- The amount of time remaining in the round. If time runs out, whoever has more HP remaining wins.
- 6 Support character icon
- 7 Support gauge
- Consumed when switching fighters or calling in your support to assist you. Replenishes over time.
- 8 Combo counter
- The number of hits in your current combo (consecutive successful attacks).
- 9 Combo timer
- Displayed at the start of a combo and decreases over time. Your combo will end when the gauge reaches zero. The gauge can be one of three colors: red, yellow, or green (in order of increasing length).
- 10 Special gauge
- Dealing damage, receiving damage, or parrying attacks will cause this gauge to increase. When it fills, you will gain one special bar.
- 11 Special bar count
- Consume a special bar to Boost, Surge, or use an Ultimate Art. You can stock up to three bars.
Basic Actions
- Move
- Move in the direction you tilt the left stick.
- Jump
- Jump up (or in the direction you're moving). You can attack and sidestep while airborne.
- Sidestep
- Quickly jump in the direction you tilt the left stick. You can also sidestep while airborne.
- Chase Dash
- Dash to opponent. You can cancel this with other actions like attack, jump, sidestep, or guard.
- Guard
- Block attacks for as long as the button is held (with some exceptions). Guard strength weakens as attacks are blocked. If it runs out, your guard will break, leaving you vulnerable.
- Shove
- Push your opponent back while blocking attacks. You will recover more quickly after blocking an attack compared to a regular guard.
- Parry
- Guard for a split second. If you successfully block an attack during this time, not only will the opponent be staggered (barring certain attacks) but your special gauge will fill as well.
- Quick Recover
- When you get knocked into the air, this lets you get back on your feet before hitting the ground.
- Rolling Recovery
- When knocked down, recover in the direction of the left stick. You are invulnerable while rolling.
- Quick Dodge
- Interrupt a light attack with a sidestep, jump, or chase dash (some fighters can quick dodge during certain skills as well). Consumes 20% of the skill gauge.
- Chase Dash
-
Hitting an opponent with this will stagger them briefly. Use this chance to get your attack in.
- Guard
-
As your guard strength weakens, the color will change from blue, to yellow, to red. Guard strength recovers over time.
- Shove
-
Push your opponent back and prevent them from landing a combo on you. After a shove, you can immediately counterattack or sidestep away.
- Parry
-
Only blocks attacks in the moment you're surrounded by light, but if you succeed you'll have a chance to strike back.
* Long-range attacks by characters added in the free update cannot be parried. - Skill Gauge Recovery
-
When you've knocked your opponent down or used a support skill, that's a great time to use this technique. End this stance by taking an action like moving or guarding.
Basic Attacks
-
Light Attack
Press repeatedly to attack up to 4 times on the ground (5 if Boosting), or 2 in the air. The 4th on the ground/1st in the air change if the left stick is tilted.
-
Heavy Attack
Pack a punch without flinching, even if you're hit during it. Hold the button before releasing to increase the chance of breaking the opponent's guard.
-
Throw
Throw the opponent, dealing damage. Throws cannot be guarded.
Special Attacks
-
Skill
Consume 20% of the skill gauge to unleash a powerful attack. Each fighter has three different skills at their disposal (see Controls).
-
Ultimate Art
Consume a special bar to unleash your ultimate move. If you hit with two or more special bars stocked, all bars will be spent to increase its power.
-
Boost
Consume a special bar to briefly gain movement speed, attack power, and a 5th hit in your light attack combo. Also, the skill and support gauges will be maxed.
-
Surge
Consume a special bar while Boosting to gain even more speed and attack power. The skill and support gauges will be maxed, and skills have no cost.
Support Fighters
Generally, in combat you will control a pair of fighters as a single team. The character you aren't actively controlling is called your support fighter, staying back until summoned. Spend the support gauge to call them in for an assist or switch places with them.
- Support Skill
-
-
Support gauge consumption: 50%
Your support fighter appears and uses a skill (does not consume skill gauge). Two different skills can be used based on whether or not you tilt the left stick.
-
- Emergency Escape
-
-
Support gauge consumption: 100%
When you get hit, do this to have your support fighter swoop in and carry you away from your opponent.
-
- Switch
-
-
Support gauge consumption: 50%
Switch places with your support fighter. Health and all other gauges are shared between the two fighters.
-
*Screenshots are from the PlayStation®4 version.
Combat Tips
Counterattack after dodging or guarding!
Rather than attacking randomly, try to dodge or guard an attack and then hit your opponent back when they leave themselves open. In Story mode, your opponent will glow when they are about to use a dangerous attack, so hang back and play it safe. When in this state, you can generally see the areas their attacks will hit, so dodge them and then close in by running or using a chase dash to counterattack!
- Defeat enemies in a flash with the opening thread!
-
-
When fighting foes with a health gauge above their head in Story mode, you will sometimes catch sight of an opening thread. Press the displayed button before time runs out to defeat the enemy in a single strike! This opening thread will appear when either the enemy's HP is low, or you successfully parry an attack while the enemy has an aura.
-
- Be ready for the Final Clash!
-
When certain Story mode battles reach their climax, you will enter a special mode called Final Clash. Press the displayed buttons rapidly to fill up the flame gauge. If you earn enough flame icons, you'll get to see a special animation called a Trance Memory. You never know what awaits you in the Final Clash, so be ready for anything!
Story Tips
- Study your surroundings with the map!
-
-
When exploring, you can see information on your surroundings by looking at the mini-map in the upper right, or pressing a button to view the full map. Seek out the special locations indicated here as you head to your destination!
-
Map Legend
-
Current Position
-
Objective
-
Reward Mission
-
Kimetsu Points
-
Memory Fragment
-
-
- Seek out demons by tracking their scent!
-
-
Press the Track Scent button when controlling Tanjiro to visualize the scent a demon has left behind. Following the trail will lead you straight to the source. Following these scents can also help you find clues when investigating.
-
Relive your favorite moments!
From the Storyline you can replay completed chapters from any point, as well as challenge special demon-hunting missions. Achieving a high rank on battles and minigames you encounter during the story will unlock rewards, so give it your all and aim for an S rank!
*Screenshots are from the PlayStation®4 version.
Updated Contents
- Demon Fighters
-
-
Demons always fight alone (excluding Nezuko).
When selecting a fighter, an icon indicates that the character will fight solo.
-
You can perform two different actions by pressing the L1 button/Left Bumper/U key when the demon gauge is at least 50% full.
Using the Demon Gauge
- Demon Skills
-
-
Demon Gauge cost 50%
Use one of two skills to fit the situation. The input you perform for each skill depends on your control scheme.
-
- Emergency Escape
-
-
Demon Gauge cost 100%
Press the L1 button/Left Bumper/U key when attacked by the opponent to perform an emergency escape.
-
When a demon (excluding Nezuko) begins to Boost or Surge, they will heal some HP and gradually replenish more over time. More HP will be healed with Surge compared to Boost. However, performing a Quick Step, guarding, or getting attacked by the opponent will temporarily interrupt the healing.
- Online Missions
-
Online missions are only available for a limited time. You can get Kimetsu Points by completing challenges while these missions are active.
-
-
Daily missions can be completed every day, whether in ranked matches or custom matches.
-
Seasonal missions are active for a certain period and can only be completed in ranked matches.
-
The Grudge Match is a limited-time event. During this event, ranked matches will qualify as a Grudge Match any time fighters allied with the Demon Slayer Corps are pitted against a demon fighter. The winner of a Grudge Match will be awarded Kimetsu Points.
-
Group Matches
Group Matches allow up to eight players to gather in a single room and play matches against each other.
Two players fight in each match while the other players spectate.
You need to be online in order to join a group.
- Find a Random Group
-
-
Select "Join Group" to be matched with a random group that meets your specifications in Group Settings.
◇ Group Settings
・Rounds to Win
・Rotation Rules
・Your Region
・Max Players
* You can also filter by frame rate on PlayStation®5, Steam, and Xbox Series X.
-
-
You can also choose to create a group if one that matches your settings cannot be found.
Select "Yes" to create a group.
If you select "No," you will be returned to the Join Group menu.
- Play With Friends in a Group
-
If you want to play in a group with specific people, you can either host a group by selecting "Create Private Group" or join a group someone else has created by selecting "Search Group Number."
- Creating a Group
"Create Private Group" lets you create a group with custom battle and lobby settings. Private groups can only be joined by searching for the group number.
-
◇ Group Settings
・Rounds to Win
・Rotation Rules
・Max Players
・Group Type* -
* If you set Group Type to "Friends Only," you can invite users you have friended on that platform.
- Joining a Friend's Group
-
"Search Group Number" lets you join a specific group. Enter the 12-digit room number associated with the group to join.
-
-
* When the host leaves a group, the player who has been in the group the longest will become the new host.
- Group Lobby
-
While in a group, you can see a list of other players in the room and communicate with them using preset phrases.
- 1 Menu
- From the menu on the left side you can indicate that you are ready to fight, view another player's profile or battle record, choose to only spectate matches, or manually swap players.
* By selecting "Swap Players," the host can swap a player who is next to fight with a player in the waiting list.
Swap Players
The player you choose to swap will be placed at the end of the waiting list.
- 2 Chat
- The chat log displays messages when players join or leave the group in addition to preset messages sent by players
Press the □ button to expand the log.
* Use the X button on Xbox or Steam. - 3 Fighting Next
- Shows the names of the next two players to fight.
- 4 Waiting List
- Shows the names of the players who are waiting their turn to fight.
- 5 Spectators
- Shows the names of players who have chosen to only spectate and not fight.
- 6 Group Info
- Shows information about the group, such as the time limit, number of rounds required to win a match, rotation rules, and max number of players.
* You can also see the frame rate on PlayStation®5 and Xbox Series X.
*Screenshots are from the PlayStation®4 version.