Cut In

Screen Dimming Cut In is a battle system mechanic in the Mega Man Battle Network and Mega Man Star Force series.

Cut In Action

When the opponent uses a screen dimming Battle Chip/ Battle Card: In the period where the dimming name appears but before it fades away, the player can cut in their own dimming in response. But the opponent can then cut in another dimming in response to the player.

The exchange can be continued until the players stop cutting in, at which time only the last dimming from both players will be used. The dimming chip/card(s) earlier in the exchange are lost.

Screen Dimming Cut In can only be used during multiplayer VS battles. While there are enemies that use dimming in game's story mode, the player cannot respond with cut in (with the exception of one battle in Star Force 1).

Mega Man Battle Network

In Battle Network 3, there is a mechanic where you can press Left to halve damage during a dimming attack. Which can be seen as a precursor as the developers try to figure out how to combat dimming chips in Network Duels.

Finally implemented in Battle Network 4, the cut in works just as it would in later games but it lacks the sound effect for the "!!" visual. If the player is on the opponent's side while the cut in occurs, the chip will be used on the spot.

In Battle Network 5, a sound effect was added when the "!!" appears. If a Shadow Soul performing their Slash Behind ability uses cut in, chips will act strangely since they are flipped.

In Operate Shooting Star, cut in was implemented into Battle Network 1's system. Due to BN1's dimming system, the chips above the player disappear when a dimming chip is used. If players need to chain their cut ins, they will need to remember their order as there is no visual assistance.

Mega Man Star Force

Star Force implemented Screen Dimming Cut In from the very start. However, instead of players remaining on whatever panel they cut in on, they cancel their current move and are returned to their registered spot in their 3x1 colum. This allows cut in players to escape while Mega Attacking if the opponent caught them with a dimming chip.

Admin Battle Cut In

In Star Force 1, there is a unique case of this mechanic being used in a boss battle. The Admins (Pegasus Magic, Leo Kingdom, Dragon Sky) have a special undodgeable dimming card. When they use the card, the player can cut in as they would in a VS battle.

Link Force Big Bang / Indie Force Big Bang

In Star Force 2, performing a Tribe On with a Brother Force or IndieProof will leave a placeholder card in the Custom Screen. In a VS Match: During an opponent's Screen Dim, touching the card on the bottom screen as a Double Tribe, Triple Tribe, or Mega Man Rogue will use that form's Big Bang as a cut in. Afterwards, Mega Man will lose his form and return to his base form.

Trivia

• While the mechanic was introduced in Mega Man Battle Network 4, the terminology "cut in" was not properly mentioned in the game until Mega Man Star Force 2.
• "Cut in" is more well known in English fan-communities as "Time Freeze Counter" or TFC.