Absolute Guard

Jon and Benny sit down with Roy, aka BMXer3S, aka HitmanStryker, to discuss his history in the 90s and 00s in the AZ FGC, and the beginnings of the 3rd Strike scene. Want to be featured in our intro? Submit an intro! https://www.youtube.com/shorts/5f1br57RYDU Follow us on Twitter at @absolute_guard Subscribe on YouTube at youtube.com/spiralseries Follow on Twitch at twitch.tv/spiralseries Follow u...

Jon and Benny bring back the 4-person panel format for a discussion about their recent experiences with Street Fighter 6. Want to be featured in our intro? Submit an intro! https://www.youtube.com/shorts/5f1br57RYDU Follow us on Twitter at @absolute_guard Subscribe on YouTube at youtube.com/spiralseries Follow on Twitch at twitch.tv/spiralseries Follow us on Spotify by searching for Absolute Guard...

In this AZ SF4-centric episode, Jon and Benny are joined by Mike as we take a look at his history in the AZ scene. Together, we also examine fighting games from the lens of a strength coach, and reminisce on the good old days. Want to be featured in our intro? Submit an intro! https://www.youtube.com/shorts/5f1br57RYDU Follow us on Twitter at @absolute_guard Subscribe on YouTube at youtube.com/spi...

Benny and Jon sit down with Christian, aka Crusty CYA, a man who has lived in many different states and been part of multiple local FGCs. We examine his history and our thoughts on player etiquette, Street Fighter 6 balance, and the value of local community when growing as a player. Want to be featured in our intro? Submit an intro! https://www.youtube.com/shorts/5f1br57RYDU Follow us on Twitter a...

The Absolute Guard is going global! We sat down with banky of AKG, the Alaska FGC. Benny and banky reminisce on the good ol' days in Alaska and together with Jon, we examine the road the scene has traveled up to this point, from shady arcades to articles in the local newspaper! https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/anchorage/2023/07/30/anchorage-thai-restaurant-becomes-haven-for-gamers/ Follow us on...

Jon, Benny, and Maynard reflect on the year 2023 and their views on the games they played, their other hobbies, and of course, the fighting game community. Jon also gets a phantom noise in his ear at the end of the episode! Follow us on Twitter at @absolute_guard Subscribe on YouTube at youtube.com/spiralseries Follow on Twitch at twitch.tv/spiralseries Follow us on Spotify by searching for Absolu...

KingHippo42 aka Tanner drops by to give us the current state of MK1. We also discuss gaming monetization schemes and the industry as a whole. Tanner also weighs in on the latest eSports controversy. Note: We had some technical issues during the taping of this show. We'll have another MK-focused episode soon. Follow us on Twitter at @absolute_guard Subscribe on YouTube at youtube.com/spiralseri...

Benny and Jon take a breather after the Thanksgiving holiday and catch up on old bad fighting games, and their relationship with the games they liked as kids. Follow us on Twitter at @absolute_guard Subscribe on YouTube at youtube.com/spiralseries Follow on Twitch at twitch.tv/spiralseries Follow us on Spotify by searching for Absolute Guard!

Sabre returns after a long hiatus from the Absolute Guard Podcast, and we skip neutral to get right into his hot takes! Jon and Benny sit down to discuss his impressions of Street Fighter 6 and thoughts on current community discourse around parry, drive rush, and his character Dee Jay. We also discuss potential directions for future changes to the game balance, as well as the necessity for thick s...

Fresh off the new Tekken character announcement, Jon and Benny sit down with WillGetPaid and get his impressions of Tekken 8. We also discuss the "transition period" between major releases of fighting games, and the current state of the FGC on social media. Follow us on Twitter at @absolute_guard Subscribe on YouTube at youtube.com/spiralseries Follow on Twitch at twitch.tv/spiralseries...

Jon and Benny catch up with Thrasher again as we discuss his latest win in Tucson's local Down to the Wire tournament. We also discuss global FGC issues such as this year's CPT format, event security, game balance and more. Follow us on Twitter at @absolute_guard Subscribe on YouTube at youtube.com/spiralseries Follow on Twitch at twitch.tv/spiralseries Follow us on Spotify by searching fo...

Jon, Benny, and Maynard return after a hiatus for Jon's wedding in October 2023. Together, we catch up on current events both local and in the global community! Follow us on Twitter at @absolute_guard Subscribe on YouTube at youtube.com/spiralseries Follow on Twitch at twitch.tv/spiralseries Follow us on Spotify by searching for Absolute Guard!

In the last of our "Episodes labeled out of order" Trilogy, Benny and Jon sit down with Tucson anime OG Marvin, aka Kyoku236HS for a discussion of his fighting game career. We discuss his strategies in approaching a new game after having played so many, and gameplay philosophies as a whole. Check out Marvin's upcoming novel, The Sturm Awakens: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mar...

Yes, we know the episode numbers are out of order. Will have it rectified over the next few weeks! Jon, Benny, and Maynard sit down to discuss the latest in SF6 and local fighting game community news. Follow us on Twitter at @absolute_guard Subscribe on YouTube at youtube.com/spiralseries Follow on Twitch at twitch.tv/spiralseries Follow us on Spotify by searching for Absolute Guard!

Local community figurehead, top player, professional media/journalist. Velociraptor does it all! Jon and Benny chat with Velociraptor about his history as a competitor and career-FGC personality. Follow us on Twitter at @absolute_guard Subscribe on YouTube at youtube.com/spiralseries Follow on Twitch at twitch.tv/spiralseries Follow us on Spotify by searching for Absolute Guard!

In the companion episode for the Absolute Guard Podcast Episode 56, Jon and Benny play a first to 5, Luke vs Dhalsim. Follow us on Twitter at @absolute_guard  Subscribe on YouTube at youtube.com/spiralseries Follow on Twitch at twitch.tv/spiralseries  Follow us on Spotify by searching for Absolute Guard!

Jon and Benny check out the latest AKI trailer and give their impressions on her mechanics. We also discuss our gameplay in a recent FT5. Follow us on Twitter at @absolute_guard Subscribe on YouTube at youtube.com/spiralseries Follow on Twitch at twitch.tv/spiralseries Follow us on Spotify by searching for Absolute Guard!

Jon and Benny catch up with Ernest, aka Confirmest aka Crazy_EX(E) and reflect on their competitive SF4 and SFV days. We also discuss Confirmest's current views on SF6, as well as his opinion on the current parry discourse. Follow us on Twitter at @absolute_guard Subscribe on YouTube at youtube.com/spiralseries Follow on Twitch at twitch.tv/spiralseries Follow us on Spotify by searching for Ab...

Jon, Benny, BigMac and Thrasher hang out on a call while the WNF World Warrior tournament is held. We compete in the tournament, shoot the breeze, and show what the online tourney experience is like. Follow us on Twitter at @absolute_guard Subscribe on YouTube at youtube.com/spiralseries Follow on Twitch at twitch.tv/spiralseries Follow us on Spotify by searching for Absolute Guard!

Fellow Down to the Wire (Tucson, AZ local) attendees Thrasher and BigMacCombo join Jon and Benny as we discuss the goings-on of that tournament. Together, we reflect on tournament mentality, different methods of preparation for tournaments, and conclude by leading into an upcoming Absolute Extra Episode 6, where Jon, Benny, and BigMac enter the Wednesday Night Fights World Warrior tournament. Foll...

Hot off Snake Eyez' victory in CPT NA West, Benny and Jon talk with MyGief4You about his history in the AZ FGC and the grappler mindset. We also discuss who is and isn't a grappler in Kevin's eyes. Follow us on Twitter at @absolute_guard Subscribe on YouTube at youtube.com/spiralseries Follow on Twitch at twitch.tv/spiralseries Follow us on Spotify by searching for Absolute Guard!

supersultry, Benny, and Jon reunite to talk through what it's like to start out as a beginner in fighting games, and strategies for experienced players to coach. We also discuss alternate button layouts, and improvement in the pursuit of mastery vs win/loss states. Follow us on Twitter at @absolute_guard Subscribe on YouTube at youtube.com/spiralseries Follow on Twitch at twitch.tv/spiralserie...

With Benny out on his anniversary trip and Jon recovering from post-Evo illness, supersultry (Jess) and TheXButton (Maynard) save the day! Together, the three of us talk through our experiences at Evo and Game On in the summer of 2023. MenaRD vs Daigo Umehara: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMqgTJ9b8LY Follow us on Twitter at @absolute_guard Subscribe on YouTube at youtube.com/spiralseries Follow...

DragonNinja returns to discuss SF6's Master Rank change (and the stuff of Legends) and everyone's performance in Benny's recent tournament. We also discuss the upcoming Evo 2023 and what to expect from its record-breaking numbers. Follow us on Twitter at @absolute_guard Subscribe on YouTube at youtube.com/spiralseries Follow on Twitch at twitch.tv/spiralseries Follow us on Spotify by s...

Jon and Benny are flying solo again today in a pre-recorded episode for the week of July 25th. We discuss our different roles as players and TOs, as well as recent fighting game discourse and the concept of dealing with losing. Follow us on Twitter at @absolute_guard Subscribe on YouTube at youtube.com/spiralseries Follow on Twitch at twitch.tv/spiralseries Follow us on Spotify by searching for Ab...