Frame data is the mathematical language of competitive fighting games like Tekken 8 and Street Fighter 6. Learn how startup frames, block stun, and recovery frames determine whether an attack is safe, plus on block, or launch-punishable.
Every attack consists of Startup frames (the animation before the hitbox appears), Active frames (when the attack can damage the opponent), and Recovery frames (vulnerable cooldown after the hit). At 60 FPS, 1 frame equals exactly 16.6 milliseconds.
Frame advantage equals Defender Block Stun minus Attacker Recovery. If your attack causes 18 frames of block stun and takes 22 frames to recover, you are -4 frames on block. If your move causes 24 frames of block stun and takes 20 frames to recover, you are +4 frames (plus on block).
In Tekken 8, the fastest universal move is a 10-frame high jab (1 or 2). Therefore, any move that is -9f or better on block is completely 'safe'. Any move between -10f and -14f is subject to guaranteed jab punishes, and moves at -15f or worse can be full launch combo punished.
When you hit an opponent with a move that leaves you +3 on block, your subsequent 10-frame jab will connect on frame 7 from your opponent's perspective. Even if they mash their fastest 10-frame jab, yours lands 3 frames earlier, yielding a guaranteed counterhit combo.
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A block punish occurs when you block an unsafe move (e.g. -12f) and strike the opponent during their unblockable recovery frames. A whiff punish occurs when an opponent attacks empty air, and you strike them during their lengthy active or recovery frames before they can block.
In Street Fighter 6, the fastest normal attack is 4 frames (crouching light punch or kick). In Tekken 8, the fastest universal standing normal is 10 frames (high jab 1), with Yoshi's Flash being a unique 6-frame stance exception.
