Cancel

Cancel

In gameplay terms, moves can be visualized as nodes in a graph, and cancels are the edges connecting them. A cancel determines how and when a move transitions into another move, based on specific inputs and conditions.

Every move includes at least one cancel. A cancel list ends with a command value of 0x8000.

Structure Overview

A cancel resource consists of the following components:

  • Command
  • List of Requirements
  • Cancel Extra Data (optional properties)
  • Input Detection Window (Start)
  • Input Detection Window (End)
  • Cancel Frame
  • Move ID
  • Cancel Type

Where Cancels Are Used

Structure Definition

struct tk_cancel
{
    uint64_t command;
    tk_requirement* requirements;
    tk_cancel_extradata* extradata;
    uint32_t input_window_start;
    uint32_t input_window_end;
    uint32_t starting_frame;
    uint16_t move_id;
    uint16_t type;
};

This structure has remained consistent since Tekken 6.

Cancel Types

The type field determines how a cancel behaves. Types include:

  1. Command-Based Cancel with Requirements: Cancels to a move when both the input command and requirements are met.
  2. Condition-Based Cancel Only: Cancels to a move when requirements alone are satisfied (no input needed).
  3. Trigger Extra Properties (No Cancel): Executes extra behavior or properties without changing the move, requires input
  4. Trigger Extra Properties Based on Requirements Only: Same as above, but without requiring input.

Cancel – Command

The command field specifies the input required to trigger the cancel. It consists of:

  • Directional Input (e.g., forward, down-forward, neutral)
  • Button Input (e.g., LP, RP, Rage Art, Heat)

For detailed breakdowns, refer to the Input Extradata resource.

Special Command Values

Cancels may refer to external resources using pre-defined command values:

Value Meaning
0x8000 End of cancel list
0x8001 Double Tap Forward
0x8002 Double Tap Back
0x8003 Double Tap Forward (alternate)
0x8004 Double Tap Back (alternate)
0x8005 Double Tap Up
0x8006 Double Tap Down
0x8012 Start of Group Cancel (Tekken 8 v2.01)
0x8013 End of Group Cancel (Tekken 8 v2.01)
0x8014+ Input Sequence ID (e.g., 0x8014 = Sequence 0)

Cancel – Requirements

These are the conditions that must be met for the cancel to trigger. See Requirement for details.

Cancel – Cancel Extra Data

Used to specify additional behavior during the cancel transition. For example:

  • Frame Retention: Allows a move to retain its current frame when canceling.

    • Example: In Kazuya’s Hellsweep (CD+4), the move visually looks identical whether it's standalone or part of CD+4,1. But internally, they’re separate moves. Using a Cancel Extra Data value of 1024 ensures the frame continuity between the two.

  • Airborne Cancels: Prevents the game from resetting the character’s position to the ground.

    • Used in airborne moves like Akuma’s air flips or Clive’s jumping attacks.
    • Requires Cancel Extra Data value of 128.

  • Throw Mechanic Triggers: Attaches both characters together and simultaneously plays the action and reaction animations on the player and the opponent respectively. The reactions are applied from Hit Condition.

    • Requires value 6876 (0x1ADC).

More information is available in Cancel Extra Data.

Cancel – Input Detection Window

Specifies the timeframe during the current move in which the cancel input can be registered.

  • input_window_start: The starting frame (inclusive).
  • input_window_end: The ending frame (inclusive).

Example: If start = 10 and end = 27, you have 17 frames to input the cancel.

A value of 32767 indicates that the input is valid during the entire move duration.

Cancel – Cancel Frame

Specifies the exact frame at which the cancel is applied. If this is set to 0 along with input detection values, it means the cancel occurs at the end of the animation.

Example: EWGF (Electric Wind God Fist) has a 50-frame animation, but cancels back to idle at frame 36.

Cancel – Move ID

Defines the destination move to transition into when the cancel occurs.

Special Cases:

  • Move ID >= 32768 (0x8000) Refers to generic moves.

    • 32769 → Default standing stance
    • 32770 → Default crouching stance Refer to the Generic IDs tab in your spreadsheet.

  • Group Cancels (command == 0x8012)

    • move_id points to the starting index in the group cancel array.
    • Cancels are processed sequentially until 0x8013 is encountered.

  • move_id == 0 Indicates a self-looping cancel — the move continues to cancel into itself.

Cancel – Cancel Type

The type value determines the nature of the cancel:

  • Even values: Manual cancels (require player input)
  • Odd values: Automatic cancels (triggered only by conditions)

This distinction allows the engine to differentiate between player-controlled and system-triggered transitions.