#combat examples

[thewatcher727]

Combat Writing Examples:

Updated 23rd May 2026 More writing tips, review tips & writing description notes

Backhand–Hook Sweep Takedown

Combination Barrage

Double Arm Drag Takedown

Low Strike–Elbow Throw Combo

Spinning Bird Kick

Sprawl Counter

Parry–Knee Break Takedown

Blind Double Elbow Counter

Roundhouse Kick

Parry–Flank Counter Strike

Acrobat Kick Barrage

Sweep–Handstand Double Kick Combo

Suplex

Monkey Flip

Roundhouse → Hook Kick Combo

Wing Chun Chain Punch/Lin Wan Kuen

Arkham Beatdown

Hurricanrana

Cross Guard Counter Hook

Spinning Back Kick

[thewatcher727]

Combat Writing Examples: Arkham Beatdown

More combat examples

(originally posted in If You Can See It, You Can Write It)

Source: Batman: Arkham City

A description of the move:

Two palm strikes to the torso, a quick punch to the gut, another palm strike, then an upward elbow strike to the face. The sequence then repeats very quickly, making the attack look like a rapid, relentless flurry.

How I wrote it:

“The first palm strike landed with a resounding thud, knocking the wind out of the assassin's chest. The second palm strike came almost instantly after, causing the assassin to stumble back further. Espio seized the opportunity and delivered a quick, powerful punch to the assassin's lower gut, doubling them over in pain.

But Espio wasn't finished yet. He spun on his heel and delivered a swift elbow strike to the assassin's temple, sending them reeling. With impressive speed and precision, he continued the pattern of strikes, landing two palm strikes to the chest, followed by a punch to the gut, and an elbow strike to the head, all in quick succession. The assassin was completely overwhelmed, unable to keep up with Espio's lightning-fast movements."

[thewatcher727]

Combat Writing Examples: Roundhouse Kick

More combat examples

Source: Resident Evil 4

A description of the move:

The attacker pivots on one foot and swings their leg in a wide horizontal arc, striking the opponent with the shin or foot. The rotation of the hips generates significant power, allowing the kick to target the head, torso, or even an opponent’s weapon hand.

How I wrote it:

"Rouge didn't waste a second. Pivoting smoothly, she aimed a perfect roundhouse kick at the second Egg Pawn. Her boot connected with its head, the impact so precise and forceful that the robot's head was sent flying, landing several feet away with a metallic clang."

[thewatcher727]

Combat Writing Examples: Cross Guard Counter Hook

More combat examples

Source: Resident Evil 5

A description of the move:

The attacker attempts a rising knee strike toward the opponent’s chin, but the defender reacts by crossing their forearms in a tight guard, absorbing and blocking the impact before it can land cleanly. The collision halts the attack’s momentum and leaves the attacker off balance, especially if their footing is unstable.

Sensing the opening, the defender immediately retaliates with a powerful hook to the head, capitalizing on the attacker’s compromised stance and sending them crashing to the ground.

How I wrote it:

“Undeterred by the transient disorientation, Xan pressed on. His knee rose, aiming to deliver a crushing blow to Knuckles' chin, seeking to replicate the devastating maneuver he had unleashed before. But fate, whimsical as ever, intervened to disrupt his intentions.

With a warrior's instinct, Knuckles swiftly crossed his arms in a defensive crisscross, a bulwark against Xan's knee's path toward his vulnerable chin. The defensive maneuver proved effective, thwarting Xan's assault.

The precarious combination of the slippery floor and the impeded strike caused Xan's state of balance to falter. His body teetered on the precipice of imbalance, caught in an awkward stance. In a sudden display of strength and agility, Knuckles seized the opportunity, his powerful right hook arcing through the air. It connected with unerring precision, the impact resonating like a thunderclap as Xan was sent hurtling to the ground”

[thewatcher727]

Combat Writing Examples: Double Arm Drag Takedown

More combat examples

Source: Hitman: Absolution

A description of the move:

The attacker catches the opponent’s incoming strike and redirects it to the side with a sweeping motion. As the opponent tries to follow up with their other hand, the attacker repeats the motion, trapping or controlling both arms in a tangled hold. With both limbs redirected and compromised, the attacker sharply yanks the opponent’s arms to one side, using the imbalance to pull or throw them off their feet and send them crashing onto their back.

A follow-up strike to the face is possible once the opponent hits the ground, but it is not always ideal, since closing in that way can give the opponent a chance to counterattack with their free movement or catch the attacker as they commit. A safer and more practical follow-up is a foot stomp, which lets the attacker capitalize on the knockdown while keeping distance and maintaining control.

How I wrote it:

"Shadow lunged forward, throwing a sharp right punch aimed at its head. Instead, the Gizoid caught his fist cleanly with both hands—its servos whirring as it twisted his wrist outward in a maneuver too refined for brute programming. With a sudden pivot, it flung his arm to one side, dragging his center line open.

Shadow snapped his other hand forward to counter, but the Gizoid was already moving. It shifted its hold, one hand locking around his first arm, the other darting up to meet his second strike.

Now his arms were crossed and caught in the Gizoid's grasp. The Gizoid didn't hesitate. With a single, controlled yank, it twisted both of Shadow's arms to the side, pulling him forward and off-balance. The ground turned beneath him, the sky spinning briefly in his vision as the force guided him into a fall."

[thewatcher727]

Combat Writing Examples: Acrobat Kick Barrage

More combat examples

Source: Resident Evil 5

A description of the move:

The attacker unleashes a rapid, flowing series of kicks, beginning with a reverse kick followed immediately by a high kick to keep the opponent on the defensive. They continue the pressure with a powerful front kick to drive the opponent backward, then step in with a precise knee strike to the midsection or torso.

Without breaking momentum, the attacker transitions into an acrobatic sequence—spinning to reposition before launching into a front flip, driving their heel upward into the opponent’s chin. As the opponent reels, the attacker completes the barrage with a spinning double heel drop, bringing both feet down onto the opponent with force.

How I wrote it:

“First came a reverse kick with her right leg, followed seamlessly by a high kick with her left leg. Metal Sonic barely had time to react before she delivered a punishing front kick with her right leg, the force of the impact reverberating through his metallic frame. As Metal Sonic staggered, Rouge followed up with a knee strike, her left leg connecting with devastating precision.

But Rouge wasn't finished yet. With a fluid grace, she spun around, her back now facing Metal Sonic as she locked her gaze onto him. With a swift, acrobatic movement, she performed a front flip, her heel connecting with precision under Metal Sonic's chin. As Metal Sonic reeled from the blow, Rouge wasted no time, spinning back around and executing a double heel drop, her feet connecting with brutal force.”

[thewatcher727]

Combat Writing Examples: Sprawl Counter

More combat examples

Source: Resident Evil 6

A description of the move:

When the attacker shoots in for a takedown, the defender reacts by throwing their legs back and dropping their weight downward onto the attacker’s upper body. This sprawled position prevents the attacker from securing the legs or lifting, effectively halting the takedown attempt.

As they sprawl, the defender may also spin or pivot their body to the side. This rotation helps them slip off the opponent’s center line, making it harder for the attacker to maintain their grip.

How I wrote it:

"Taking advantage of Sonic's missed strike, Blaze immediately ducked in and threw herself at his waist, attempting a takedown. Sonic reacted nimbly, sprawling his legs and dropping his weight, thwarting her attempt to bring him down and shifting the contest into a dance of strength and balance."

[thewatcher727]

Combat Writing Examples: Roundhouse → Hook Kick Combo

More combat examples

(originally posted in If You Can See It, You Can Write It)

Source: Resident Evil 4

A description of the move:

The attacker throws a roundhouse kick first, following the motion by snapping a hook kick.

How I wrote it:

“Without letting momentum die, she pivoted to the next robot and lashed out a precise roundhouse kick, the strike smashing into its midsection with enough force to dent its plating. As the machine staggered, Blaze retracted her leg, and before it could hit the ground, her right leg snapped up in a sharp hook kick that whipped across its head.”