The Ultimate M1 Trading Guide for Noobs

Credit to Phonycide for the cover image, go check out his awesome basic tutorial \[JJS FUNDAMENTALS M1 Trading\] https://youtu.be/CliLqPkLFjM

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# Intro

Hello everyone, after seeing countless posts from confused new players everyday regarding “M1 trading” and “Sidedash M1,” I’ve decided to make a guide to my best capability 

My credits is i’m a decently skilled and experienced 9,000 kill player (Yuki main), though I don’t really play in unofficial tournaments. However, I believe that the tips i’ve prepared can still help 80% of you 

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# What is M1 trading?

M1 trading is when both you and your opponent are using movement, blocking, and M1’s to  start a M1 string on the other person or temporally stun them, which typically leads into a combo or evasive bait 

The part that people truly struggle with is how to fend off side dash M1’s, which I’ll go over 

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# The extreme basics

You must know the extreme basics of blocking and hitting. As you know know, you have 4 M1’s in a row that can be spaced, and then they go on a short cooldown after the 4th M1. 

There is a slight stun after every M1 you do called endlag. In this period you can not do anything. However this gap is extremely small and cannot be punished for normal M1’s (expect the 4th M1).

However, when an M1 is blocked, its endlag is increased to the user performing that attack  and it is much more realistic to punish them. Each M1 in the set has different endlags especially when blocked. 

The first and second M1 both have extremely low endlag even when blocked, which means they are typically safe to use and you can quickly return to pressing block after using the first two M1’s. The third M1 has more endlag and can be punished by the enemy if you hit their block, however it still doesn’t have much endlag and is relatively safe to use if you do not hit their block. Last of all, your 4th M1 has a lot of endlag and your enemy can easily punish you if you miss it or hit their block. 

This means that when M1 trading, your fastest and safest attack is to M1 the enemy once/twice and then return to blocking, and you should only use the 3rd or 4th M1 if you think you will catch your enemy off guard and hit them before they perform their counter attack. Just stick to two M1’s most of the time against good opponents. 

M1’s also have a 0.25 second windup, which means that although you can immediately block after the first or second M1, there is a small gap caused by their endlag + windup that can allow the enemy to hit you back easier between multiple M1’s, including the first and second. However the punishment gap is VERY small between the first and second M1, and only a few very good players with low ping can do this. 

One thing to know is that some characters have a lower M1 wind up of 0.20 seconds, and some characters have lower M1 endlag (Mei Mei). 

Finally, if you want to M1 back at your enemy faster after blocking, you should first hold down both the M1 and block button. Then once you are ready to attach, just release your finger from the block button

**TLDR**: M1 once/twice and block, then hit back once you’ve blocked their first M1’s.

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# The sidedash M1

The sidedash M1 is a method to get around your opponents’ blocks and to land your M1. 

To perform this, you must click M1 at the same time as you sidedash around your enemy, typically to their backside. However you can also dash to their left or right side if you are to far to dash behind them. 

This works because of the M1’s windup time. When you do both actions at the same time or the M1 slightly after the dash, the M1 will register/hit wherever you land and face at the end of your dash. 

Pretty simple, but requires muscle memory and practice. You should always practice being able to get behind/left/right to your enemy with a side dash from any distance, close or far. I practice this with a blocking dummy or even a light pole when I’m in public lobbies. 

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# The basic attack patterns

There are three basic attack patterns that you must learn to use. Being aware of these three alone can take you pretty far. 

You want to be aware of these three attack patterns because as the fight progresses, you should start to notice which attack pattern your opponent follows. As a result, you can predict block or counterplay easier. For the same reason, you need to to constantly mix up between these attack patterns during a 1v1 so your opponent is not able to predict you. 

**1) Two frontal M1’s** 

Execution: This is the most simple option, but surprisingly effective against experienced players when used in a mix up. Many experienced  players will preemptively turn around to predict block a side dash M1, use this to your advantage.

Counterplay: Just hold block for their first two M1’s then hit them back with two M1’s or any counterattack.  

**2) Side dash + Two backside M1’s**

Execution: As described in the previous section, simply side dash around your enemy during passive and immediately M1 their backside twice, then return to blocking

I often M1 the air in front of me to try and catch my opponent by luck, make sure NOT to do this when using this attack pattern since the endlag will delay the surprise factor of your sidedash in this technique. 

Counterplay: To be discussed in next section + predict 

**3) Frontal M1 + Side dash + Backside M1**

Execution: M1 the enemy’s front side once (which they will probably block), and then immediately side dash around them to M1 their backside. 

Counterplay: First of all you can always predict block, by foward blocking then immediately turning around to block. However, due to the attacker’s first blocked M1 endlag + dash time, you can actually catch your enemy with your own immediate M1 after their first M1 with more ease. Do this if you notice they are constantly using this technique. If they decide to do two frontal M1’s instead they will probably combo you instead, so be careful. 

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# Strategies against sidedash M1, including spacing  

**Technique 1**: When M1 trading against someone, create just enough space from them so you are outside their frontal m1 range. This will heavily encourage the enemy to immediately side dash behind you due to instinct since you essentially created the “perfect range” for them to use their side dash. However, you set this up on purpose and you should be already blocking behind yourself. 

**Technique 2**: Create enough space so whenever they side dash M1, there will only be able to reach right in front of you. Just keep blocking foward and you should be able to catch them 

**Technique 3**: BAIT THEIR SIDE DASH!!! Not enough people in this game understand how important it is to keep track of when your opponent has or does not have their sidedash. In this technique, you should keep moving forward and back slightly outside their side dash range until they use their side dash. Then they are essentially a sitting duck and you can choose to use any of the three attack patterns previously mentioned. Many opponents will try to use their front dash out of desperation and not wanting to be a still target, but front dashes are pretty easy to block, just be prepared.

Technique 4: Learn to predict block or develop insane reaction speed, both come with lots of time

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# Extra movement in M1 trading

Here are some movement options you shouldn’t forget about during m1 trading. 

First of all, **don’t forget about parkour**. Wall jumping can help you close the distance and end up directly above your opponents head, which allows you to sidedash M1 to ANY side of your opponent in an unpredictable fashion. Additionally they might waste their side dash trying to back up from your quickly approaching epic parkour moves.

Second of all, **don’t forget about rolling**. This can be used by pressing jump right before you land. You should fall from at least player height to use this. The larger the drop the further and faster your roll will go. Use your roll as a extra dash before your real one. You can roll to a players right then sidedash M1 to their right to catch them off guard. 

Third of all, **head jumps** can be used if your enemy immediately enters turtle mode after doing two M1’s, meaning they tend to just block and wait for your attack without throwing out any more M1’s. Just like the first movement tip, being directly above the enemy means you can unpredictable drop down + sidedash M1 to any side of them in an unpredictable fashion. However this is not used much because if your enemy is competent they will most likely just backdash safely away ASAP. 

**COMBO TECH**: If you head jump onto a player then immediately jump again, you can roll to whatever location if they choose to backslash away to, then sidedash M1 around then with the closed distance. 

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# Moves!!!

Don’t forget to use your block breaking moves. Depending on your opponent, they will likely start to block after their two m1s.

This means you should sometimes just use your quick deploy block break move (garuda stab, rapid punches, divergent fist) immediately once it is your time to counter attack and they are focused on blocking your next attack pattern. 

The downside of this is you are going to miss out on 10-14 damage of M1’s. 

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# Downslams

Jumping after your 3rd M1 then clicking (fourth) M1 on the way back down will trigger a downslam, which hits through block but has heavy endlag if you miss it.

If your enemy doesn’t have their side dash or is staying still after you throw two M1’s, you can often miss your 3rd M1 on purpose then side dash + downslam them. Then use whatever ragdoll combo you want

You can also rarely just miss 3 M1’s then go for a sidedash + downslam in rare situations

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# Final tips

Against Naoya’s, I always make enough distance to bait out their first dash, and then I only have to deal with one. 

Ethier fight yujis very close or very far. At medium range their feints are very effective at getting right above you. Don’t be scared to jump foward and m1 them every once in a while when they use aerial crushing blow or cursed strikes since they often are going to feint it 

Front dash is easily blockable if your enemy is prepared, use it only when you are a sitting duck in their side dash range or you think it will be unexpected. I only use it like 1-2 times at surprising times in fights when the enemy thinks I don’t use it at all

Sometimes add slight gaps before your first or second m1. For example if you just chill in front of them for like 0.5 seconds after your opponent preemptively block behind themselves, just wait for them to turn back and then go around

My final tip for all of you is to learn all these techniques and mix it up non-stop, never stick to the same methods against a singular person or they will learn and adapt. Do your best to learn what they typically do at the same time. Good luck! 

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Comment any more tips or suggestions