Fights in Dead or Alive 5 are based on a rock-paper-scissors like interruption system, in which strikes (normal attacks) beat throws, throws beat holds (interception counterattacks), and holds beat strikes, all of such attacks causing extra damage. The duels take place in interactive and now highly-destructive arenas, where the new feature called Power Blow (a triggered powerful attack) enables the players to knock the opponent character away in a selected direction, possibly over a cliff or into the series' signature Danger Zones, which initiates a cinematic quick time event