Finding the right button configuration in Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves is one of the things you need to sort out first. Whether you're playing with a regular controller (pad), fight stick, or devilish leverless devices, you can customize the layout to your heart's content.
Unlike Street Fighter 6, Fatal Fury is considered a four-button fighting game. Instead of having three punches and kicks (light, medium, heavy), you have two of each. With that said, COTW has plenty of mechanics and macros that you'll need to map buttons to figure out an optimal configuration.
These recommendations are based on my preference and what I believe to be the best button configuration for your peripheral. If you're a veteran, you might have a more customized layout, but beginners can generally use this to get started.
Best Fatal Fury COTW Button Layout
Our first general recommendation for Arcade Style is that you bind the newly added feint macro. Knowing how to feint moves in COTW is key to making your offense and pressure more powerful. Luckily, after some feedback, SNK added the macro during open beta 2.
click to enlargeAs for Smart Style, we also recommend binding the Rev Arts button instead of having a dedicated throw macro. It will allow you to perform neutral Rev Arts more consistently.
You can perform Rev Blow by using the Kick and Smart Combo buttons, so you can also free up another bind. If you're used to DI in SF6, you might not want to do it, though.
Sadly, in terms of Supers, Smart Style only has a command to perform Ignition Gear/Redline Gear with the same button. That means if you have two bars, you won't get the choice to only spend one for a level 1 super, so keep that in mind.
Hidden Gears still require motion inputs to perform in Smart Style.
Best COTW Pad Configuration
Our recommended setup for pad players doesn't differ significantly from the standard layout. Here is our Arcade Style recommendation:
Arcade Style
| Action | PlayStation | Xbox |
|---|---|---|
| Light Punch | Square | X |
| Light Kick | X | A |
| Heavy Punch | Triangle | Y |
| Heavy Kick | Circle | B |
| Light Punch + Heavy Punch | R2 | RT |
| Light Kick + Heavy Kick | L2 | LT |
| REV Guard | R1 | RB |
| Feint | L1 | LB |
Smart Style
| Action | PlayStation | Xbox |
|---|---|---|
| Punch | Square | X |
| Kick | X | A |
| Special Move | Triangle | Y |
| Smart Combo | Circle | B |
| REV Guard | R1 | RB |
| Ignition Gear/Redline Gear | R2 | RT |
| REV Arts | L1 | LB |
| Dodge Attack | L2 | LT |
Again, I recommend you play around with the Rev Blow configuration as you might to bind Gears to that button. Keep in mind that S.P.G. isn't always available, and having one-button supers is always convenient. It all depends on how accustomed you are to using DI in Street Fighter 6.
For me, it's best to always have one button supers ready at a moment's notice.
Best COTW Stick/Leverless Configuration
For this layout, I'll assume you're using a standard eight-button stick or leverless. I know there are plenty of personalized builds, but for the most part, most will have at least eight face buttons to customize.
Most stick- or leverless controllers identify which button you are binding. If yours doesn't, assume the first four buttons on the table below are the four top ones on your controller. Going from left to right:
Arcade Style
| Action | Button |
|---|---|
| Light Punch | Square |
| Heavy Punch | Triangle |
| Rev Guard | R1 |
| Light Punch + Heavy Punch | L1 |
| Light Kick | X |
| Heavy Kick | Circle |
| Feint | R2 |
| Light Kick + Heavy Kick | L2 |
Smart Style
| Action | Button |
|---|---|
| Punch | Square |
| Special Move | Triangle |
| Rev Guard | R1 |
| Ignition Gear/Redline Gear | L1 |
| Kick | X |
| Smart Combo | Circle |
| REV Arts | R2 |
| Dodge | L2 |
And that's it. I hope you take away something from our City of Wolves button layout guide.
For more, check out how to brake moves in COTW. A unique mechanic that will up your combo game tenfold.
For more articles like this, take a look at our Guides and Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves page.