Basics

The block button is your friend. Blocking gives you 360 degrees of protection from most standard attacks. If an enemy sneaks up behind or on the side of you as you're attacking something else, you can instantly interrupt your combo and protect yourself by pressing and holding the block button. In short, anytime in combat that you're not attacking, moving, jumping, or otherwise doing something purposeful, you should have your left index finger firmly planted on the block button. Just beware that if you block too long against certain enemies, they will use throws and other unblockable attacks to break through. Learning how to balance the desire for longer, more damaging combos versus the need to conserve your health is a big key to success in the game.

Get familiar with the "Reverse Wind" roll maneuver. The nice thing about blocking is that you're not rendered immobile. You can roll in any direction if you tap the left analog stick while blocking, and you're pretty much invulnerable as you execute the maneuver. Only for a split second as you finish the maneuver are you susceptible to damage. Rolling is a great way to dodge attacks--the best way, in fact--or to simply move to a more advantageous position in battle. Furthermore, you may cancel out of Ryu's block stun animation (you'll see him stagger for a moment as he deflects an enemy attack) by executing a roll. This can make the roll a powerful tool in your offensive repertoire. Try immediately rolling towards your foe just as you deflect an attack. Oftentimes, you'll find yourself standing face to face with and ready to strike at an enemy caught in mid-recovery.

Kick them while they're down. If you can knock an enemy down, finish him off quickly. Approach his body and press the Y button while facing him. You'll administer a coup-de-grace move, slaying the foe instantly. Alternatively, you may use jumping attacks or standard attacks to keep hitting a fallen foe until it's dead. Anytime you let an enemy get back up off the ground you're not doing yourself a favor.

Press Y in mid-jump for extra height and hangtime. In midair, you can execute a devastating downward strike by pressing the Y button. As an additional advantage, this attack causes you to move a bit farther forward and upward than you normally could while jumping. Use this technique to help you reach those far-away platforms, or just to give yourself a little more time in the air if the situation looks bad on the ground.

Use walls. Your off-the-wall jumping attacks are some of the strongest moves available. Furthermore, wall running is faster than regular running. When fighting in enclosed spaces, remember that the walls can help you rather than seal you in. Try wall running to duck out of a dangerous situation, and use off-the-wall slashes to quickly deal big damage to nearby enemies, including bosses.

Read your technique scrolls as soon as you get them. The ones you get early on, especially the counterattacks and the izuna drop, are particularly vital techniques that you'll be using throughout the game. The izuna drop may be purchased from the blacksmith's shop for a relatively low price starting in Chapter 3. This relatively inexpensive technique is one of the best ways of dispatching the standard foes you'll face throughout the game.

Essence is essential. There are three types of essence in the game: Yellow, which is used for currency at the shop; blue, which restores some of your health; and red, which restores a unit of your ki. There is only one type of red essence orb, but yellow and blue come in several sizes--the larger, the better. You will automatically absorb any essence orbs in the area by standing relatively close to it. Essence disappears after a little while, so be sure to collect it before that happens. Also note that essence will not be absorbed if you're blocking. If you're being harassed by multiple enemies and you desperately need the blue essence orb floating nearby, try quickly toggling the block button; if you let up your guard for just a split second, the essence nearby will come flying to you. The secondary purpose if essence is to charge up your ultimate attacks, which are generally executed by pressing and holding the Y button. This will cause up two free-floating essence orbs in the vicinity to be absorbed by your weapon. The resulting ultimate attack will be much stronger than usual, and as an added benefit, foes killed by this attack will drop larger-than-usual essence orbs. Be careful, though, because essence orbs absorbed by your weapon do not confer their standard benefits to you, and if you're struck by an enemy while charging up, you'll lose your charge.