Melty Blood/MBTL/Resources
Moon Gauge
The Moon Gauge is a new mechanic in the Melty Blood series, visually calling back to the Moon Type system in MBAACC. Comparatively, Type Lumina's Moon system acts much more like a secondary resource to manage alongside Magic Circuit. The Moon Gauge itself has 11 phases spanning from empty to full (where it will glow). Each new game starts with a full Moon Gauge, but spending it and gaining it back are an important part of Type Lumina's resource management.
Gaining Moon Gauge
There are several ways to gain Moon Gauge. The easiest way is to get hit by an opponents attack or to simply land a hit, as each hit in neutral or the first hit in a combo will build one Moon Gauge level. Using an EX move will also provide the user with three Moon Gauge levels, allowing them to gain multiple stocks per combo. Successful shields will build the defender two levels. Lastly, landing a Fatal Counter will net the attacker two Moon Gauge levels. In short:
- Land a hit or start a combo to gain one level
- Use an EX Edge move to gain three levels
- Successfully shield an attack to gain two levels
- Land a Fatal Counter to gain two levels
Spending Moon Gauge
Moon Skills are the most common way to spend Moon Gauge, costing three levels per use. However, landing a Moon Skill will refund you with one level, making it less expensive an option than it looks at first glance. Moon Drive will convert your remaining Moon Gauge into a timer and force your character into a powered-up state, but you will not be able to gain any Moon Gauge while in Moon Drive. Certain characters gain Clash frames while in Moon Drive, and successfully absorbing an attack with said clash frames will take two levels per attack. Lastly, failing to shield an attack will cost one level. To summarize:
- Moon Skills cost three levels, but refund one on connect
- Moon Drive converts your levels into a timer and powers up your character
- Clash frames absorb attacks at the cost of two levels each
- Failed shield costs one level
Moon Drive
Moon Drive can be activated when your Moon Gauge is at 50% or greater. Universally, characters get the following buffs:
- Upgraded Moon Skills
- Passive Magic Circuit gain
- Gain an additional airdash
- Gain an additional double jump
This is only the start, as characters get their own unique buffs on top of the ones listed above. Moon Drive also can be used to cancel any special moves (save for blocked invincible reversals), providing utility as a combo extension tool and a way to make risky choices safer. Lastly, it works as a universal reversal as its activation is fully invincible. Contrary to popular belief, it is not instant, but the recovery is very short.