SFxT: Gem System

The Gem System
The Gem System is an ambitious SFxT mechanic designed to allow seasoned players to customize a fighter to suit their playing styles, while also provide tools and assistance to newer players while they come to grips with what SFxT or even fighting games in general are all about.

Each fighter in a match comes with three Gem slots, located above and below the Cross Guage. These usually become active under certain predetermined conditions throughout the match, and can provide anything from increased attack power, to limited health recovery, to less use of meter used in EX specials or Supers. Most Gems can be activated only once per match, and can last anything between ten or twenty seconds.

Using Gems
Gems are divided into two specific categories: Boost Gems and Assist Gems. Boost Gems are one-time only buffs granted when a specified condition is met, while Assist Gems last the entire match, providing support intended for newer players. Any combination of three of these Gems can be equipped to each character in a tag team, assigned by way of preset Gem Units, set up from the options screen.

Boost Gems
There are five types of Boost Gem:

Attack	These gems affect the strength put behind attacks.
Defense	These gems affect the damage taken from enemy attacks.
Speed	These gems affect the pace at which you move around.
Guage	These gems affect how much meter is spent or gained from certain attacks.
Vitality	These gems affect the way health can recover.

Boost Gems can come in up to three different strengths, each with different conditions and durations, making the planning ahead of a Gem configuration necessary. Contrary to many players’ fears, however, a player with Gems will not have an advantage over one without Gems; each Gem has been formulated with balance in mind, and many come with inherent drawbacks.

Assist Gems
Only four Assist Gems have been revealed so far:

Auto-Block	Will automatically guard against attacks for players still learning how to properly defend themselves.	Cost: 1 stock of meter per blockstring
Auto-Tech	Will automatically tech out of throws for players still learning how to properly defend themselves.	Cost: 1 stock of meter per throw tech
Easy Input	Will dumb down commands as described below.	Cost: Attack Power -10%
Super Easy Input	Will dumb down commands as described below.	Cost: Attack Power -10%, some command normals disabled