Unleashing an Instant Kill attack is generally done by pressing +, and it completely depletes the gauge.
By pressing all four attack buttons again, one returns to an empty Tension Gauge state.
Killing oneself is not possible as some HP will be left, but the next hit or any chip damage will finish the character off. When the Tension Meter is emptied, characters will gradually lose health. It decreases with time, and any Tension-required move cannot be used (e.g. Upon the activation, the Tension Gauge will change to the Instant Kill Gauge, at the same level as Tension was. In subsequent games, they are more difficult to perform, as Instant Kill Mode must be activated first by pressing + + +. An Instant Kill can also be activated by guarding attacks at the right moment. The defensive player can escape the Kill by reacting quickly and pressing + any attack button.
The move must then be completed with + any attack button ( or or or ). If it connects, the screen turns red for a few seconds, a state which is called 'Sakkai' ( 殺界 ?, lit. The player presses + as the Instant Killer starter attack. In this game, defeating an opponent with an Instant Kill will end the match immediately, regardless of its round or the opponent's health. Instant Kills first appeared in the original Guilty Gear.
