It does require that players have at least one V-bar to perform the shift. From neutral, pressing the Heavy Punch and Medium Kick buttons together at the same time is the button combination to pull off the V-Shift. For players to perform a V-Shift, characters have to be in a neutral position to achieve it. Move cancellations and combos will have a different feel as a character can quickly reverse them with a V-Shift. When it comes to the V-Shift, it's going to get used as a method to punish offensive characters, making them pause before dishing out damage.