Let me tell you something – when I first jumped into 2XKO, I was completely overwhelmed. As someone who’s played fighting games for years but never really mastered the complex combo systems, Pulse Combo felt like a gift from the gaming gods. But here’s the thing: knowing when to use it and when to turn it off can make or break your journey to becoming a true 2XKO champion.
I’ve spent countless hours testing both Pulse Combo and manual combos, talking with other players, and really diving deep into what makes this feature tick. Today, I’m going to share everything I’ve learned about turning Pulse Combo on or off in 2XKO, and more importantly, when you should actually use each setting.
What Exactly is Pulse Combo in 2XKO?
Before we dive into the how-to, let me break down what Pulse Combo actually is. Think of it as your training wheels in the world of 2XKO. When Pulse Combo is enabled, you can literally mash buttons and your character will automatically perform combos. It’s pretty sweet when you’re just starting out, but there’s a catch.
Pulse Combo works by having you repeatedly press Light, Medium, or Heavy attacks, and the game automatically chains them together into what looks like a pro-level combo. The purple rotating icon next to your name during champion select tells you when it’s active.
What I love about Pulse Combo is that it makes 2XKO accessible to literally everyone. My friend who’d never touched a fighting game in his life was able to pull off some impressive-looking combos within minutes of turning it on. But as I discovered, there’s a time and place for everything.
How to Turn Pulse Combo On or Off?: The Complete Guide
Alright, let’s get to the meat of what you came here for. I’ll walk you through every method I’ve discovered for toggling Pulse Combo in 2XKO.
Method 1: During Champion Select (The Quick Way)
This is my go-to method when I’m in a hurry or want to quickly toggle Pulse Combo for a specific match:
- During champion select, look for the purple icon next to your name at the top of the screen
- Xbox controller: Press RT to toggle Pulse Combo on or off
- PlayStation controller: Press R2 to toggle Pulse Combo on or off
- PC/Keyboard: Press U to toggle Pulse Combo on or off
What’s cool about this method is that you can do it right before a match starts, making it perfect for when you want to experiment with different playstyles on the fly.
Method 2: In Settings (The Permanent Way)
If you want to set Pulse Combo as your default preference, here’s how to do it through the settings menu:
- Go to the lobby (you can’t do this during a match)
- Navigate to the Settings tab – it’s the gear icon in the top menu
- Select the Controls tab from the new screen that appears
- Pulse Combo is the first option you’ll see
- Tap left or right to switch between “On” and “Off”
The best part? You don’t need to confirm anything – the change takes effect immediately. I love this method because it sets my preference for all future matches until I change it again.
Method 3: Control Presets (The Advanced Way)
For those of you who like to really customize your experience, 2XKO offers multiple control presets:
- Follow the same steps as Method 2 to get to the Controls tab
- Look for Control Presets below the Pulse Combo option
- Browse through available presets – some come with Pulse Combo enabled, others with it disabled
- Test different presets in training mode to see what feels best for you
I’ve found that having multiple presets saved is super helpful, especially when I’m switching between different champions or playstyles.
Understanding Different Types of Pulse Combos
Here’s something that blew my mind when I first discovered it – there are actually three different types of Pulse Combos in 2XKO, each with its own strengths and weaknesses.
Light Pulse Combo
What it is: 7 Light Attacks in sequence Meter cost: None Best for: Beginners learning the game, building pressure safely
When I first started, the Light Pulse Combo was my best friend. It doesn’t cost any meter, so you can use it freely without worrying about resource management. The damage isn’t amazing, but it’s consistent and safe.
Medium Pulse Combo
What it is: 5 Medium Attacks ending with a Super (if you have meter) Meter cost: 1 bar of Super Meter Best for: Players who want more damage but still need some assistance
The Medium Pulse Combo is where things start getting interesting. It costs 1 bar of your Super Meter, but the payoff is worth it – you get a Super finisher that can really turn the tide of battle. I’ve found this is perfect for when you’re comfortable with the basics but not quite ready for manual combos.
Heavy Pulse Combo
What it is: 4 Heavy Attacks ending with an Ultimate (if you have meter) Meter cost: 3 bars of Super Meter Best for: Maximum damage output, but expensive
Let me be real with you – the Heavy Pulse Combo is a double-edged sword. It costs a whopping 3 bars of your Super Meter, which is basically your entire resource pool. But when it connects? Oh man, the damage is absolutely insane. I only recommend this when you’re absolutely certain it’s going to hit, or when you’re just trying to style on your opponents for fun.
When to Use Pulse Combo?: My Personal Recommendations
This is where things get really interesting. After hundreds of matches and countless conversations with other players, I’ve developed some strong opinions about when Pulse Combo makes sense and when you’re better off turning it off.
You Should Use Pulse Combo If:
You’re completely new to fighting games: Look, we all start somewhere. Pulse Combo is perfect for learning the fundamentals like spacing, timing, and when to attack without having to worry about complex inputs.
You’re trying out a new champion: Even as an experienced player, I still turn on Pulse Combo when I’m learning a new character. It lets me focus on understanding their moveset and timing without getting bogged down in combo execution.
You’re playing casually with friends: Sometimes you just want to have fun and not worry about dropping combos. Pulse Combo lets you enjoy the game without the stress of perfect execution.
You’re working on your neutral game: One thing I’ve learned is that getting hit by Pulse Combo is on the defender, not the attacker. If you’re struggling with your neutral game (the space between combos), Pulse Combo can help you focus on that aspect.
You Should Turn Pulse Combo Off If:
You want to deal more damage: Here’s the truth – manual combos almost always deal more damage than Pulse Combos. Once you’re comfortable with the basics, turning off Pulse Combo will significantly increase your damage output.
You need more versatility: Pulse Combos are predictable. Good players will learn to parry them consistently. Manual combos give you the flexibility to adapt to different situations and opponents.
You want better resource management: Pulse Combos, especially Medium and Heavy ones, can waste your Super Meter if they’re blocked or if you use them at the wrong time. Manual control lets you manage your resources more effectively.
You’re ready to level up your skills: At some point, you’ve got to take off the training wheels. Turning off Pulse Combo forces you to learn proper combo execution, which will make you a better player in the long run.
The Transition from Pulse Combo to Manual Combos
I remember the day I decided to turn off Pulse Combo for good. It was terrifying! I went from feeling like a combo master to barely being able to string together two hits. But here’s the thing – that struggle is where real growth happens.
My Recommended Learning Path:
Week 1-2: Use Pulse Combo exclusively. Focus on learning your champion’s moveset, understanding spacing, and getting comfortable with the game’s flow.
Week 3-4: Start experimenting with manual combos in training mode. Keep Pulse Combo on during matches but try to manual combo whenever you feel confident.
Week 5-6: Turn Pulse Combo off completely in casual matches. You’ll probably lose more at first, but that’s okay! Focus on landing one or two good manual combos per match.
Week 7+: You should be feeling comfortable with manual combos by now. Keep Pulse Combo off for ranked matches, but feel free to turn it back on when learning new champions.
Essential Manual Combo to Learn:
If you’re ready to make the switch, here’s the universal combo that works for every champion in 2XKO:
Light > Medium > Heavy > Down + Heavy (launcher) > Light > Medium > Heavy (airborne) > Special 1 > Special 2
This might look complicated, but break it down and practice each part slowly. I spent about 30 minutes a day in training mode for a week, and by the end of it, I could pull this off consistently.
Advanced Tips and Tricks
Now that you know the basics, let me share some advanced strategies I’ve picked up from playing against and talking with top players.
Mix Pulse Combo with Manual Combos
Who says you have to choose one or the other? Some of the best players I’ve faced use Pulse Combo for quick hit confirms, then switch to manual combos for maximum damage. For example:
- Use Light Pulse Combo to quickly confirm you’ve hit your opponent
- Immediately switch to manual execution for the rest of the combo
- Save your meter for when you’re sure the combo will connect
Use Pulse Combo as a Bait
Here’s a sneaky tactic I love: turn on Pulse Combo and let your opponent see the purple icon. They’ll probably expect you to use it, so they’ll prepare to parry the predictable patterns. Then, surprise them with manual combos they weren’t expecting!
Character-Specific Considerations
Not all champions are created equal when it comes to Pulse Combo effectiveness. Based on my experience:
Champions that work well with Pulse Combo:
- Darius: His fast, wide attacks make Pulse Combo pressure really effective
- Warwick: The mix of speed and power makes his Pulse Combos surprisingly dangerous
- Vi: Her light attacks combo naturally, making the transition smoother
Champions that are better with manual combos:
- Ahri: Her mobility and special moves shine with manual control
- Jinx: Her unique playstyle benefits from precise manual execution
- Yasuo: His complex combos are much more effective when controlled manually
Common Mistakes to Avoid
I’ve made plenty of mistakes while learning to use Pulse Combo effectively. Let me save you some trouble by sharing what I’ve learned.
Mistake #1: Relying Too Much on Heavy Pulse Combo
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve wasted 3 bars of meter on a Heavy Pulse Combo only to have it blocked or miss entirely. The Heavy Pulse Combo is tempting because of the Ultimate finisher, but it’s almost never worth the meter cost unless you’re absolutely certain it will hit.
Mistake #2: Forgetting to Turn It Off When Learning New Champions
This is a trap I fall into all the time. I’ll learn a new champion with Pulse Combo on, get comfortable with them, then forget to turn it off when I’m ready to learn their manual combos. Make it a habit to reassess your Pulse Combo settings whenever you switch champions.
Mistake #3: Ignoring the Neutral Game
Here’s something that took me way too long to understand: Pulse Combo doesn’t win games – good neutral game does. I see so many players relying on Pulse Combo to carry them through matches, but the reality is that if you can’t land hits in the first place, it doesn’t matter what combo system you’re using.
Mistake #4: Not Practicing Manual Combos Enough
The biggest mistake I see players make is getting too comfortable with Pulse Combo and never making the transition to manual combos. Pulse Combo is great for learning, but it will eventually hold you back if you never take the training wheels off.
Community Perspectives: What Other Players Think
I spent some time on the 2XKO subreddit and other community forums to see what other players think about Pulse Combo. The responses were pretty fascinating.
From Diamond-ranked players: “The strength in Pulse is not the combo itself, it’s confirming into the combo without needing to react to having landed the hit. I’m in Diamond and I still don’t convert into combo from light attacks all the time.”
From beginners: “This is my first fighting game, and I’m using Pulse Combos so I can practice my fundamentals. I’ll graduate eventually, but I’m having so much fun.”
From experienced fighting game players: “Pulse Combos are insanely good and honestly what’s going to keep a lot of casual players hooked on the game for a while. Most of the time it’s pretty easy to predict what they’re going to do, but damn, as a beginner in fighting games who doesn’t use it, I’m really struggling against some characters with Pulse Combo.”
What I love about these perspectives is that they show Pulse Combo is serving its purpose – making the game accessible to newcomers while still providing a path for growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change Pulse Combo settings during a match?
No, you can’t change Pulse Combo settings once a match has started. You need to either change it during champion select or in the settings menu between matches.
Does using Pulse Combo make me a worse player?
Not necessarily! Pulse Combo is a tool, and like any tool, it’s about how you use it. It’s great for learning the game and can even be effective in certain situations. However, if you want to reach higher levels of play, you’ll eventually need to learn manual combos.
Will Pulse Combo be available in ranked play?
As of 2026, Pulse Combo is available in all game modes, including ranked. However, most competitive players turn it off once they’re comfortable with manual execution.
Can my opponents tell if I’m using Pulse Combo?
Yes! There’s a purple rotating icon that appears next to your name during champion select if you have Pulse Combo enabled. Experienced players will use this information to adjust their strategy against you.
Is Pulse Combo considered cheating?
Absolutely not! Pulse Combo is an intentional feature designed by Riot Games to make 2XKO more accessible to new players. It’s completely legitimate and part of the game’s design.
Final Thoughts: Finding Your Balance
After all this time playing with and without Pulse Combo, I’ve come to realize that the best approach is finding what works for you. There’s no shame in using Pulse Combo if you’re having fun with it, and there’s no requirement to turn it off if you’re not interested in competitive play.
What I love about 2XKO’s approach is that it gives players options. You can start with Pulse Combo, learn the game, and gradually transition to manual execution at your own pace. Or you can stick with Pulse Combo forever if that’s what makes the game enjoyable for you.
The most important thing is that you’re playing and having fun. Fighting games can be intimidating, but features like Pulse Combo help break down those barriers and let more people experience the joy of pulling off awesome combos.
So whether you’re a complete beginner just starting your 2XKO journey or an experienced player looking to refine your skills, I hope this guide helps you make the most of Pulse Combo and know exactly when to turn it on or off.
Now get out there and start mashing those buttons – or don’t. The choice is yours!
Want more 2XKO tips and tricks? Check out our other gaming guides on WebComicsWeekend.com, including our Black Ops 7 strategies and FC 26 player evolution tips. Don’t forget to bookmark this page for future updates as 2XKO continues to evolve!