Skater XL: How to Do Flip Tricks

Skater XL has a steep learning curve that includes learning how to do flip tricks. Flip tricks are generally the first things players learn to do in Skater XL. Since trick animations are not predetermined in Skater XL, players must figure out how best to perform certain tricks. Although flip tricks in games like Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater are easier to complete, there are several tips players can adopt to more consistently perform the correct flip trick.

In Skater XL, each analog stick corresponds to the foot on the skater’s board. If players have a regular stance, their back foot is the right foot, and if they have a goofy stance, their back foot is the left foot. Flip tricks are performed in the same way for each stance, except the motions of each stick are performed backward.

Players must learn several base flip tricks to be built upon: shuvits, kickflips/heelflips, varials, hardflips/inward heelflips, tre flips/laser flips, and forward flips. Each of these tricks involves moving each stick in certain directions. The slightest tweak to a maneuver can result in an incomplete or different trick; players should make sure to experiment with different styles of flipping tricks to find what feels comfortable and consistent. After learning flip tricks, players can incorporate them into their grinds and liptricks.

Successfully Performing Flip Tricks In Skater XL

The following tips can help players perform base flip tricks on any of Skater XL’s maps:

Shuvits: Pull the sticks down to do an ollie, scoop the back foot left or right to do a shuvit. Scoop the back foot harder and faster to make the board keep spinning.

Kickflip/Heelflip: Pull the sticks down to ollie and flick the front foot anywhere to the left or right. If the front foot is flicked more upward, the board will flip with its nose pointed down. If the front foot is flicked more downward, the nose is pointing up. Flicking the front foot directly to the left or right will cause the board to spin cleanly and allow for multiple flips without spinning forward or backward.

Varials: Flick the front foot to the left or right like a kickflip or heelflip. Scoop the back foot like a shuvit in the same direction as the front foot. For a varial heelflip, flick a heelflip and scoop the back foot like a frontside shuvit. For a varial kickflip, flick a kickflip and scoop the back foot like a backside shuvit. Scoop softly and slowly to make sure the board doesn’t spin 360 degrees.

Hardflip/Inward Heelflip: These tricks are inverse varials. For a hardflip, flick a kickflip and scoop the back foot like a frontside shuvit. For an inward heel, flick a heelflip and scoop the back foot like a backside shuvit. After scooping the back foot, flick the back foot stick upward to get the foot out of the way. This makes the hardflip/inward heelflip spin 180 degrees more often than 360 degrees.

Tre Flip/Laser Flip: Perform the same maneuver as a varial flip, but with a harder back foot scoop. By scooping the back foot more, it causes the board to spin 360 degrees. Try to flick the front foot more upward to do a single flip. Flicking the front foot directly to the left or right can make the board flip multiple times.

Forward Flip: Push both sticks down to do a high ollie, flick a kickflip or heelfip almost directly upward, and quickly flick the back foot down to move it out of the way. Forward flips are very tricky and precise, but the key is moving the back foot out of the way. Without the back foot there, the board flips 180 degrees forward.

Skater XL is available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC.

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Joe Johnson
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Joe Johnson is a Game Guides writer from Charlotte, North Carolina. Working in journalism since his graduation from Appalachian State University, Joe is a fan of all things video games!

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