History Main / StanceSystem

* ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons 3.5'':
** In the ''Tome of Battle'' supplement, the techniques of each fighting discipline are divided into maneuvers (which function as {{Special Attack}}s) and stances (which provide passive bonuses), which are learned through separate progressions. While a character [[LimitedMoveArsenal can only access a subset of their known maneuvers at any one time]], all their known stances are always available. There are also a number of feats which provide benefits while in a stance of a specific discipline. The capstone ability of the Warblade CharacterClass is "Stance Mastery", allowing a character to remain in two stances at once. The [[JackOfAllTrades Master of Nine]] PrestigeClass receives the more limited "Dual Stance" ability, which allows them to combine stances from two different disciplines for a short time.

** The Dragon Descendant PrestigeClass is a [[BareFistedMonk monk]] who can switch between channelling the spirits of various dragon ancestors mid-combat, each granting a different benefit - Rampaging ([[BoringButPractical raw combat bonuses]] + immunity to fear), Subtle (StealthExpert + BackStab), Eldritch (has [[HandBlast a weak ranged attack]]), Enduring (SuperToughness) or Ancient (CounterAttack specialist). As they gain levels, they can switch between ancestors more quickly and eventually channel two at the same time.

** The series was one of the first to use a straightforward stance mechanic in an action game form thanks to ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry3DantesAwakening'' and its Styles system; Swordmaster allows advanced use of melee weapons, Gunslinger grants new techniques to ranged weaponry, Trickster adds advanced dodging and aerial abilities, and Royal Guard allows you to stop nearly any attack cold. Dante later obtains [[ColourCodedTimestop Quicksilver]] and [[DoppelgangerAttack Doppelganger]] as spoils for defeating Geryon and Doppelganger. Dante is restricted to only one Style at a time, which can be swapped at a Mission Start screen or Divinity Statue. In the UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch release, there's an option to use a Real-Time Style Switching feature that was implemented in later games past ''[=DMC3=]''.

* Hotaru Futaba from ''VideoGame/TheKingOfFighters'' has moves that change her stance which in turn give access to different attacks. Note that she debuted in ''[[VideoGame/FatalFury Garou: Mark of The Wolves]]'' and didn't have a StanceSystem. Only after her inclusion in ''VideoGame/NeoGeoBattleColiseum'' did she get that.
** May Lee Jinju from the same series also has a 'Hero Mode' which offers her different and more powerful attacks. Jhun Hoon also has a mode in which he stands on one leg and his attacks differ.
** Shion, the sub-boss of ''[=KoF=] XI'' can switch between using a spear or martial arts.
** OldMaster Chin Gentsai may as well be the first one to use this in the series proper, being able to attack (and dodge attacks) in a drunken stance or from a lying position. In ''XIII'' onwards, he has a new set of stances entirely, with him standing on one foot or in a ducking position.

* Toro Inoue, the Sony Cat in ''VideoGame/PlayStationAllStarsBattleRoyale'' fights like this (during the reveal, the UsefulNotes/PlayStation blog referred to Toro as having "a unique stance-based fighting style"). Justice Toro is a martial arts master who specializes in close combat, Torobi is a {{Ninja}} that uses long-ranged tactics and Oni Toro is a {{Youkai}} that prefers a wide-area assault.

!! Literature

* In ''VideoGame/SouthParkTheFracturedButWhole'', Mysterion's moveset changes [[TheyKilledKennyAgain depending on whether or not he's alive or dead]]. When alive, he's a GlassCannon who uses martial arts aided by his shadowy power. When he dies, he turns into a ghost who can debuff the enemies but never actually deal damage. His LimitBreak in each mode respectively is a SuicideAttack (he pulls out a bomb) and a revive that is the only way to bring him back to life.

*** {{Downplayed|Trope}} with the [[TheStraightAndArrowPath Stringers]], which [[{{Multishot}} launch an array of three darts]], arranged horizontally while grounded or arranged vertically while jumping. The differences in horizontal or vertical shots only come about when the shots aren't fully charged, better for inking walls and the ground and for repelling nearby opponents. While fully charged, the three reticles are bunched so close together that it hardly makes a difference in painting, but vertical shots are better for picking off foes to ensure that all three arrows strike home.

%%
%% Examples have been sorted in alphabetical order.

%% Please add new examples in order.

** To a lesser extent, there is also Ms. Fortune and Beowulf, whose moves differ depending on whether the former's head is still attached to her shoulders, and whether the latter is brandishing his folding chair.

[[folder:First Person Shooter]]

[[folder:Real Time Strategy]]

*** The S-BLAST '92 sends out long-ranged, accurate shots while grounded and a larger, closer-ranged blast while jumping that's better for taking out nearby enemies. Both firing modes deal the same amount of damage -- a [[OneHitKill One-Hit Splat]] with a direct strike, and a two-or-three-shot splat with indirect shots -- but the closer-ranged blast's area of effect is far larger than the pinprick-accuracy long-ranged burst.

[[folder:Other]]

** Pugilists and Monks have three stances: Fists of Wind (increased movement speed), Fists of Earth (improved defense), and Fists of Fire (increased damage output).

** Astrologians can switch between Diurnal Sect and Nocturnal Sect when out of combat, which give certain healing spells an additional regeneration or shielding effect, respectively. Their Level 80 ability Neutral Sect temporarily gives their spells the effects of both stances.

[[/folder]

** However, all of them pale in comparison to Ukyo Tatsuya of ''VideoGame/KurohyoRyuGaGotokuShinso'' (and its sequel ''VideoGame/Kurohyo2RyuGaGotokuAsuraHen''), as Ukyo has the highest amount of any ''Like A Dragon'' character so far, boasting a preposterously broad '''''28''''' stances total throughout both ''Kurohyo'' games.

[[/folder]]

** ''VideoGame/LikeADragonGaidenTheManWhoErasedHisName'' gives Kiryu two stances: "Yakuza", a 'final form' of his classic moveset, and "Agent", focused on mobility and using gadgets.

* Almost a constant for jugglers and chaotic type fighters in ''VideoGame/{{Tekken}}'', from small time-window activation (Flicker Stance, Kenpo Step) to constant switches (Lei's five animal kung fu, [[BadassBack back-turning]], Hwoarang's left and right stances). ''VideoGame/Tekken7'' Season 4 newcomer Lidia even has stances ''within'' stances.

* Mito from ''The Rumble Fish'' has 2 stances, one which she swings her wooden sword in wide arcs and another where she uses mainly thrusts.

** [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyIV Cecil]] is capable of switching between his Paladin and Dark Knight classes. As a Paladin, he favors close-range aerial attacks, while as a Dark Knight, he favors ground-based ranged attacks.
** [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIII Lightning]] can switch between different Paradigms: Commando for close range combat and Ravager for ranged magic attacks, plus Medic in ''Duodecim'' to recover Bravery.

** ''VideoGame/MortalKombatDeadlyAlliance'', ''VideoGame/MortalKombatDeception'' and ''VideoGame/MortalKombatArmageddon'' actually ''called'' it Stance shifting. ''Deadly Alliance'' was one of the earliest examples to use literal switches of fighting stances and weapons to expand the move-list without compromising user-friendliness.

** [[VideoGame/XenobladeChronicles2 Pyra]] in ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosUltimate'' can [[TagTeam switch out]] with Mythra and vise versa. Compared to the other transformation characters, their differences are downplayed, as they share the same moveset besides special moves and move properties.

See also DualModeUnit and RealTimeWeaponChange. Compare JobSystem and LimitedMoveArsenal. Also compare DoubleEdgedBuff, which temporarily enhances the character's status in exchange for hindering them in another. If the change in stance is accompanied by a [[ShapeShifting change in physical form]] then you probably have a SwissArmyHero on your hands. If the change consists of swapping out for a different person, see SwapFighter.

* ''VideoGame/DragonQuestVIII:'' Party members can be assigned one of five stances. The player can override these at the start of each turn, if necessary.
** "Fight wisely" -- balance of attack and defence.
** "Show no mercy" -- all out attack, the stance that uses most magic.
** "Psyche up" -- build up a ChargedAttack.
** "Focus on healing"
** "Use no magic" -- if you want to save MP for later.

* In ''VideoGame/{{Judgment}}'' (a spinoff series of the Yakuza franchise), the protagonist Yagami fights by switching between two styles: Crane, which emphasizes crowd-control via spin-kicks and Tiger, which emphasizes focused hard-hitting attacks.
** The sequel ''VideoGame/LostJudgment'' adds in Snake, which focuses on counters and grapples as well as the self-explanatory "Boxer" style with DLC while the Kaito Files DLC gives Kaito "Bruiser" and "Tank", which are basically just Kiryu's Brawler and Beast style respectively with some additional moves.

** ''VideoGame/{{Judgment}}'' features two stances for Yagami, "Tiger" based on defensive traits and single-target attacks, and "Crane" based on acrobatic crowd-clearing attacks and dodging. ''VideoGame/LostJudgment'' adds "Snake" as a grappling style focused on parrying and disarming opponents, and the DLC "Boxer" which has a unique control scheme and a focus on dodging, breaking guards and building EX. Kaito in ''The Kaito Filex'' has two stances of his own, "Bruiser" and "Tank", which are similar to Kiryu's "Brawler" and "Beast" modes from prior.

** ''[[VideoGame/Yakuza1 Yakuza Kiwami]]'' features "Brawler, "Beast" and "Rush" again, this time with a fourth stance, "Dragon", which starts with [[MagikarpPower almost no moves and severe restrictions]] and requires NonstandardSkillLearning to unlock its abilities. [[spoiler:In ''0'', the Legendary style, "Dragon of Dojima", is this with its full moveset unlocked.]] In the former, Majima also can switch between the balanced "Thug", power-based, BatterUp-using "Slugger" and fast, capoeira-like "Breaker", [[spoiler:as well as "Mad Dog of Shimano" which favours a knife.]]

** In ''VideoGame/Yakuza0'' Kiryu can switch between "Brawler", a balanced style that can CounterAttack, "Beast", a slow style that can NoSell attacks and automatically use environmental weapons, and "Rush", a FragileSpeedster moveset built around dodging. Majima gets "Thug" (balanced and based on being TheGrappler), "Slugger" (power-based using BatterUp attacks), and "Breaker" (a DanceBattler focused on crowd-control and building Heat). [[spoiler:Both characters have a fourth stance based on their future combat styles, unlocked by completing their main side-mission: "Dragon of Dojima" for Kiryu, and "Mad Dog of Shimano" for Majima.

* In ''VideoGame/Yakuza0'' and ''[[VideoGame/Yakuza1 Yakuza Kiwami]]'', Kiryu can switch between "Brawler", a balanced style that can CounterAttack, "Rush", which is fast and evasive but weak, and "Beast", which is powerful and can automatically pick up environmental objects but is slow. In ''Kiwami'', he gets a fourth stance, "Dragon", which is closer to the fighting style he uses in the other games. It starts with [[MagikarpPower almost no moves and severe restrictions]] and requires NonstandardSkillLearning to unlock its abilities. [[spoiler:In ''0'', the Legendary style, "Dragon of Dojima", is this with its full moveset unlocked.]] In the former, Majima also can switch between the balanced "Thug", power-based, BatterUp-using "Slugger" and fast, capoeira-like "Breaker", [[spoiler:as well as "Mad Dog of Shimano" which favours a knife.]]

See also DualModeUnit and RealTimeWeaponChange. Compare JobSystem and LimitedMoveArsenal. If the change in stance is accompanied by a [[ShapeShifting change in physical form]] then you probably have a SwissArmyHero on your hands. If the change consists of swapping out for a different person, see SwapFighter.

* In ''VideoGame/BlazBlue'', Litchi Faye-Ling usually starts out carrying her staff, but can switch into a different stance by planting the staff on the ground and fights more on chi control and martial arts. Though she can still command her staff with telekinesis.
** In ''Chronophantasma'', Nu-13 has this system where one form she's her usual self, in another form, she took on Lambda-11's style. Newcomer Kagura Mutsuki also has this of sorts, which would change what kind of normal attacks he has, the only thing that's constant in him would be just his [[Franchise/StreetFighter Sonic Boom/Flash Kick-esque charged attacks]].

* One of the earliest examples in video games is Gen from ''Franchise/StreetFighter'', who can change between Crane and Mantis-style Kung Fu on the fly.

** As of ''VideoGame/Splatoon2'', all rollers perform a horizontal swing by pressing the ZR button while on the ground, which flings a mid-ranged sheet of ink before the player. However, pressing ZR while jumping instead performs a vertical swing, which flings a column of ink that has longer range but leaves a narrower trail. In [[VideoGame/Splatoon1 the first game]], all rollers could only perform horizontal swings.
*** This state of affairs is {{exaggerated|Trope}} with the Flingza Roller, which has quick, shorter-ranged horizontal swings, but changes shape during a long vertical swing to send ink as far as a Dynamo Roller, the heaviest, slowest, and longest-ranged roller of all.
** ''Splatoon 2'' also introduced the Squeezer, whose range and shot spread instead changes depending on whether the ZR button is tapped or held down. Tapping ZR over and over again sends out accurate, long-ranged bursts, the better for pounding faraway opponents, while holding down the trigger instead gives a medium-ranged rapid-firing setting, which is better suited for inking ground and fighting at close range.
** {{Downplayed|Trope}} with ''VideoGame/Splatoon3'''s [[TheStraightAndArrowPath Stringers]], which [[{{Multishot}} launch an array of three darts]], arranged horizontally while grounded or arranged vertically while jumping. The differences in horizontal or vertical shots only come about when the shots aren't fully charged, better for inking walls and the ground and for repelling nearby opponents. While fully charged, the three reticles are bunched so close together that it hardly makes a difference in painting, but vertical shots are better for picking off foes to ensure that all three arrows strike home.
** ''Splatoon 3'' also has the S-BLAST '92, which sends out long-ranged, accurate shots while grounded and a larger, closer-ranged blast while jumping that's better for taking out nearby enemies. Both firing modes deal the same amount of damage -- a [[OneHitKill One-Hit Splat]] with a direct strike, and a two-or-three-shot splat with indirect shots -- but the closer-ranged blast's area of effect is far larger than the pinprick-accuracy long-ranged burst.

** {{Downplayed|Trope}} with ''VideoGame/Splatoon3'''s [[TheStraightAndArrowPath Stringers]], which [[{{Multishot}} launch an array of three darts]], arranged horizontally while grounded or arranged vertically while jumping. The differences in horizontal or vertical shots only come about when the shots aren't fully charged, better for inking walls and the ground and for fighting at close range. While fully charged, the three reticles are bunched so close together that it hardly makes a difference in painting, but vertical shots are better for picking off foes to ensure that all three arrows strike home.