How to Play SUNCORE SLAM: Controls, Audio and Combat

Learn the basic controls, understand how fights work and use holographic audio to improve your timing.

1. How does SUNCORE SLAM gameplay work?

SUNCORE SLAM is a duel game with two fighters, two lanes and one shot in play.

Your objective is to catch incoming signals and send them back to your opponent.

To catch a signal, select the lane where it will land at the correct moment.

After catching it, send the signal back through either lane.

If a signal lands without being caught, the sender scores a point.

The rally speeds up after every second catch, reaching SPEED 4, also called FULL SPEED.

2. What are the keyboard controls?

You can also perform a sweep by holding the Left Arrow and pressing the Right Arrow.

The special action corresponds to the ◆ button shown on screen.

For the complete controls, open MENU > CONTROLS.

3. How do I play using a touchscreen?

On a phone or tablet:

• Tap the left or right pad to catch or send a signal.
• Hold a pad to charge a shot.
• Slide from one pad to the other to perform a sweep.
• Use the ◆ button for the action displayed.
• Tap the on-screen pause button to pause.

4. Can I use a mouse or trackpad?

Yes.

Click a lane to catch or send, hold the mouse button to charge and drag across lanes to sweep.

5. What are the four basic moves?

SINGLE

Press once to send a standard shot.

DOUBLE

Press twice quickly, moving from one lane to the other.

CHARGE

Hold a lane control briefly, then release it to send a charged shot.

SWEEP

Use SHIFT with an arrow, or slide across pads on touch devices, to send a shot that changes lanes.

These moves form the foundation of SUNCORE SLAM combat.

6. How do I win a fight?

SUNCORE SLAM uses diamond marks instead of a traditional health bar.

Each diamond represents a point needed to win.

When you score a point, one of your opponent's diamond marks breaks.

Most Road challengers and land trials are first to three points.

Warden battles and online duels are generally first to five.

7. What do PERFECT, GOOD and OK mean?

During campaign fights, catches are graded based on timing.

Online matches use different catch-speed rules. Every successful online catch returns at the same speed.

8. Why did I lose a point?

The game displays a reason when you lose a point.

Common messages include:

• LATE: The signal landed before you caught it.
• TOO EARLY: You attempted to catch before the correct moment.
• WRONG LANE: You selected the incorrect lane.
• SWEPT: The signal changed lanes.
• SECOND SHOT: You missed the second shot.
• FAKED OUT: You reacted to a fake.
• TIME: You held a caught shot too long.

To see more information during fights, open MENU > SETTINGS and set FIGHT WORDS to MORE.

9. What does "Off balance" mean?

Attempting to catch a signal when nothing is there can temporarily leave your fighter off balance.

During this moment, your fighter cannot respond normally.

If your opponent sends a signal while you are off balance, it can become a free shot.

10. What does TIME mean?

After catching a signal in the campaign, you must return it before the on-screen ring runs out.

If the timer expires, your opponent scores the point.

Online matches work differently. When the ring expires, a slow shot is automatically returned instead.

11. What is holographic audio?

Holographic audio places game sounds according to the direction of the action.

A signal in the left lane is heard through your left ear, while a signal in the right lane is heard through your right ear.

Different sounds also help identify moves, timing and the fighter sending them.

The fight audio is generated live in your browser.

12. How do I calibrate audio timing?

If you're using wireless earbuds or notice a delay between sound and visual signals:

1. Open MENU.
2. Select SETTINGS.
3. Find SOUND TIMING.
4. Select RUN THE TEST.
5. Tap along with the ten clicks while wearing your headphones.
6. Complete the calibration.

The game adjusts timing to account for your headphone delay.

SOUND TIMING settings are saved in your current browser, so repeat the test when switching devices or headphones.

13. How do I adjust game audio?

Open MENU > SETTINGS.

Available audio options include:

MUSIC

• ON
• LOW
• OFF

FIGHT SOUND

• FULL
• SOFTER

EFFECTS

• ON
• LOW
• OFF

Music is intentionally quiet during fights so you can focus on the signals.

Fight sound cannot be completely disabled through the FIGHT SOUND setting.

14. Can I reduce screen shaking and flashes?

Yes.

Open MENU > SETTINGS and set MOTION to CALM.

This reduces hit shakes and flashes.

The game also follows your device's reduced-motion setting.

15. How do I pause or restart a fight?

Press ESC on your keyboard or tap the on-screen pause button.

The PAUSED screen offers options such as RESUME and, in ordinary matches, RESTART.

Restarting or leaving an ordinary match does not record the fight.

Leaving THE GAUNTLET, however, ends your run and counts as a loss.

The game also pauses when you switch to another tab or application.

16. What are abilities, perks and fighting styles?

Abilities come from eligible accessory pieces equipped using USE IN FIGHT.

Examples include:

• FEINT: Send a fake signal.
• SCAN: Hear where a signal will land.
• STEADY: Help maintain balance when tapping early.
• FAST START: Begin serving at speed 3.

Perks add additional combat effects, such as SMASH or COUNTER.

You can also choose a fighting style:

• OPEN: Balanced and available from the beginning.
• LOUD: Faster singles, doubles and sweeps.
• TUNED: Perfect catches can build speed.

Styles change how you fight rather than acting as difficulty settings.

17. Where can I review the controls?

Open MENU > CONTROLS while playing.

For additional help, visit the SAN Discord.