How do I read frame data?

I'm not sure how to read frame data in this game. (I'm used to Street Fighter). The only parts of the chart I understand are "advantage on guard" and "advantage on hit." But I don't understand what part of the chart is the start up frames, active frames and recovery frames? Am I correct in thinking that "execution" means "start up frames" when studying frame data in VF?

 

Yes that is correct. The last frame in execution is the first active frame.

 

The link provided by Akai is an incredibly thorough explanation so I recommend reading it. However, I'll provide some quick vocab (at least as it applies to frame data from the command list).

Some terminology quick reference:

• Execution = Startup Frames
• Active Hit Frames= The Hit Frames which happen after execution
  • Frame advantage data is based on the first hit frame of an attack. The advantage actually increases +1 for each hit frame beyond the first. Don't dwell on this yet though, it's not that important while you are learning frames--but it will be useful later.
• Total Frames= Total # of frames of the attack (when it whiffs)
  • This is useful to know for whiff punishing as well as estimating the advantage when evading an attack (successful evade = 23 frames for the evade, but you also have to factor in when during the execution frames an attack was evaded to know what the actual frame advantage/disadvantage was).
• Recovery Advantage
  • Guard = Frame Advantage when move is Blocked
  • Normal Hit = Frame Advantage when move hits normally
  • Counter Hit (CH) = Frame Advantage when move hits opponent during the execution of opponent's attack.
  • Something not listed is "minor Counter" which is when you hit an opponent during the recovery frames of their attack (whether they whiffed or you blocked it and attacked right away). Usually the advantage seems similar to Normal Hit, but it can be different--sometimes even knockdown when normal hit does not. These cases are often the exception though, but it's good to know about them.
• Escape = Evade-able direction of the attack, relative to the attacker (Front/Back/Both/Neither).

Again, I highly recommend reading the wiki. But for whatever reason, I felt like posting this reference for you ^_^

 

If he wants a more detailed answer he can check the wiki. I'm glad you posted what you did.