Capcom introduced its Variable battle system, or V-System for short, in Street Fighter 5 several months ago. The V-System allows each character tap into new abilities in a number of way by using one of three mechanics: V-Skill, V-Trigger, and V-Reversal. In this particular guide, we’ll be taking a look at how exactly you can use the Variable battle system to get the leg up on your opponents through the use of V-Trigger.

What is a V-Trigger?

Before we dive into each character’s V-Trigger and their use, we thought we’d shed some light on what exactly a V-Trigger is. Unlike the V-Skill, which can be used at any time, or the V-Reversal, which depletes a chunk of your V-Gauge to produce a reversal move, the V-Trigger will either slowly deplete your V-Gauge, or outright deplete it once it becomes activated. While what the V-Trigger does is different depending on who you’re playing as, activating is the same across the board. All you need to do is push HP + HK at the same time to activate it, which stands for Hard Kick and Hard Punch.

Once you hit both HP + HK together, wisps of energy will flow around the character to signify they’ve entered V-Trigger mode. You better make good use of it as the only way you can fill up your V-Gauge is by taking damage. And not all V-Gauges are created equal as each character will need to fill up one, two, or three levels in order to be able to use their V-Trigger, depending on who you’re using.

List of V-Trigger abilities

Now that we know what a V-Trigger is, how to obtain energy in the V-Gauge, and how to activate it, let’s take a look at what each ability does based on the character that’s being used.

Ryu – Denjin Reiki

The Denjin Reiki helps Ryu give a boost to his most valuable special move: his hadouken. When his V-Trigger is activated, Ryu has access to powerful hadoukens that are faster, deal more damage, and are able to stun his opponents much quicker than his standard hadoukens. Ryu is also able to charge his hadouken, which allow it to cause even more damage, as well as break the guard of blocking opponents.

Finally, Ryu can apply his V-Trigger buff to his Shinku Hadouken, which turns it into an extremely devastating Denjin Hadouken.

Ken – Heat Rush

Ken Masters might look different this time around, but we can assure you that his fighting ability is still as ferocious as ever. When Ken’s V-Trigger is activated, his fighting energy turns into actual fire, giving him the Heat Rush ability.

When Heat Rush is activated, Ken’s special attacks deal more damage and can connect for additional hits. For those who enjoy a good combo, his trajectory alters a bit to provide a number of different combo opportunities. In other words, if Ken is put into the right hands, his Heat Rush ability could cause some serious, serious damage.

Chun-Li – Renkiko

Unlike some of the other fighters who gain stronger special or super attacks, Chun-Li’s Renkiko V-Trigger allows her to deliver additional hits on her normal attacks. Light attacks deal just a bit more damage, mediums are able to deal out an additional hit, while heavy attacks can deliver two additional hits. These attacks can also cause a soft knockdown when used as an anti-air attack, which could allow for juggle opportunities.

Cammy – Delta Drive

The Killer Bee, Cammy, can cause even more damage with all of her special moves when Delta Drive is activated. One example of this is her Spiral Arrow special attack, which now does 3 to 5 hits and is now able to pass through the opponent. Unfortunately, using her special moves while Delta Drive is active will greatly reduce the amount of energy remaining in her V-Gauge.

Outside of the obvious improvements to her special moves, Cammy’s speed is also increased.