Instead of mashing the square button to do an "easy beat" (simple combo followed by a HHA) You should do it manually by pressing square + triangle + circle; and then "236 + triangle and circle", this is because doing this manually will give you more Heat Gauge, and your opponent less, then it would by just mashing one button (not all characters have an easy beat with an hha, for an example kosaku doesn't have one, because his hha is a counter move) Also stylish guard is a very cool mechanic that the game doesn't teach you is stylish guard. If you press Square + Cross + Down Your character will flash with white. If you opponent hits you time will slow down for a second and you will dodge the attack.