SvC Chaos: SNK Vs Capcom/Iori Yagami

八神 庵, Yagami Iori
Difficulty	Easy
Max Mode Needed?	Up to you, but it helps
Tier Placement	Solid (B+)
Standing Hitbox	?
Crouching Hitbox	Short

Introduction

Iori Yagami, one of the most popular characters in the KOF series and SNK characters in general, and infamously one of the strongest characters in several KOF releases. Here, he's basically a copy and paste of his KOF2002 iteration, so he still holds up quite well, however due to the system changes he does suffer a bit. Most notably, no hops, no running, and no manual Max Mode activation leaves his rushdown pressure to not be quite as good. Plus, he feels a tad slower. But if you play Iori in KOF, even if just a little, you already have enough know-how to play him in this game. After all, it's Iori - he almost never changes. Even if you prefer his Orochi form, it's still recommended to play normal Iori first just to get a hang of how Iori feels in SVC.

Pros	Cons
Easy to master Good walk speed and damage Great anti-airs Great sweep Capable of both zoning and rushdown Command grab for mixups and combo extensions Taco allows him to do easy cross up combos Gets a lot of use out of Max Mode Level 1 super has a free followup for free damage	Just like Kyo, he is meter hungry... ...But needs Max Mode also No unblockable super from KOF2002 anymore Exceed is a counter Overall unsafe with what he does Useful, but really slow overhead Iffy backdash without j.4B Is not as strong at rushdown in this game compared to KOF

Moves List

Normal Moves

Close Normals

cl.A

Damage	Counter Dmg	Guard	G. Crush	Stun	Meter	Cancel	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Invulnerability
-	-	Mid	-	-	-	-	6	4	5	15	+3	+1	-
Just a Light Attack chain starter, but not the best one. Can chain into itself and other Light Attacks. Can be normal canceled too.

cl.B

Damage	Counter Dmg	Guard	G. Crush	Stun	Meter	Cancel	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Invulnerability
-	-	Low	-	-	-	-	6	3	5	14	+4	+2	-
Cancelable move that hits low. Important for mixup games, and it's Iori's main Light Attack chain ender, Can't chain into other Light Attacks, sadly. Interestingly enough, you can link a cl.HP after this move(And you can cancel it, leading for combos).

cl.C

Damage	Counter Dmg	Guard	G. Crush	Stun	Meter	Cancel	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Invulnerability
-	-	Mid	-	-	-	-	3	2, 5	14	24	-1	-3	-
Important move for his combos, but use it if you need damage.

cl.D

Damage	Counter Dmg	Guard	G. Crush	Stun	Meter	Cancel	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Invulnerability
-	-	Mid	-	-	-	-	6	6	13	25	+1	-1	-
Not that useful as a normal. Can't be normal canceled, but can catch your opponent if he jumps.

Far Normals

st.A

Damage	Counter Dmg	Guard	G. Crush	Stun	Meter	Cancel	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Invulnerability
-	-	Mid	-	-	-	-	7	3	3	13	+6	+4	-
Good as a poke, and only that, because it can't be normal canceled. I think it can chain into itself on certain characters.

st.B

Damage	Counter Dmg	Guard	G. Crush	Stun	Meter	Cancel	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Invulnerability
-	-	Mid	-	-	-	-	7	4	7	18	+1	-1	-
Use it as a poke. It has better reach than the Far move above too. Cannot be normal canceled.

st.C

Damage	Counter Dmg	Guard	G. Crush	Stun	Meter	Cancel	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Invulnerability
-	-	Mid	-	-	-	-	8	3	20	31	-3	-5	-
Just a fast scratch, cannot be normal canceled.

st.D

Damage	Counter Dmg	Guard	G. Crush	Stun	Meter	Cancel	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Invulnerability
-	-	Mid	-	-	-	-	11	8	20	39	-8	-10	-
Has the best reach on his Far normals. It's unsafe on block, your opponent can easily do a GCF and punish you after it.

Crouch Normals

cr.A

Damage	Counter Dmg	Guard	G. Crush	Stun	Meter	Cancel	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Invulnerability
-	-	Mid	-	-	-	-	6	4	7	17	+1	-1	-
A simple punch that is useful for his Light Attack chains. Can chain into itself, and the other Light Attacks.

cr.B

Damage	Counter Dmg	Guard	G. Crush	Stun	Meter	Cancel	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Invulnerability
-	-	Low	-	-	-	-	6	5	5	16	+2	+0	-
Another Light Attack chain starter. It hits low, can chain into all of the other Light Attacks, but can't be normal cancelled. This is your go-to light starter for starting low hitting combos, and in some cases cl.B as well.

cr.C

Damage	Counter Dmg	Guard	G. Crush	Stun	Meter	Cancel	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Invulnerability
-	-	Mid	-	-	-	-	8	5	16	29	-1	-3	-
Anti-air, and an attack for combos. The timing to combo it after a jumping attack is a little different, so just use it if you need to punish the opponent for approaching you. You're better off using cl.C for combos but as an anti-air, it's a decent button.

cr.D

Damage	Counter Dmg	Guard	G. Crush	Stun	Meter	Cancel	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Invulnerability
-	-	Low	-	-	-	-	6	6	31	43	SKD	-19	-
The classic Iori sweep with nice reach and damage that can't be normal cancelled. Iori will move a little forward during the move. Not the longest reaching sweep in the game, but it makes for a good mixup or far reaching poke. It's more dangerous now that Front Step is a factor, so be particularly wary.

Jumping Normals

(n)j.A

Damage	Counter Dmg	Guard	G. Crush	Stun	Meter	Cancel	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Invulnerability
-	-	Overhead	-	-	-	-	4	9	-	-	-	-	-
Neutral/Diagonal Jumping Attack Basic jump punch. Can be better used as an air-to-air as it stays out for a decent time.

(n)j.B

Damage	Counter Dmg	Guard	G. Crush	Stun	Meter	Cancel	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Invulnerability
-	-	Overhead	-	-	-	-	5	7	-	-	-	-	-
Neutral/Diagonal Jumping Attack Another air-to-air, but this one has better reach and with a horizontal angle. Stays out slightly less than j.A but makes a good fast air-to-air to interrupt the opponent with.

(n)j.C

Damage	Counter Dmg	Guard	G. Crush	Stun	Meter	Cancel	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Invulnerability
-	-	Overhead	-	-	-	-	9	3	-	-	-	-	-
Neutral/Diagonal Jumping Attack A good jump-in attack for combos and a decent air-to-air if timed well. j.D has more reach for less startup, and you may find that easier to use for jump-ins instead, but j.C is still pretty decent for what it is.

(n)j.D

Damage	Counter Dmg	Guard	G. Crush	Stun	Meter	Cancel	Startup	Active	Recovery	Total	Hit Adv	Block Adv	Invulnerability
-	-	Overhead	-	-	-	-	6	3, 2	-	-	-	-	-
Neutral/Diagonal Jumping Attack Another jump-in for combos, but can be used as an air-to-air too. Possible for Iori to whiff the attack if timed poorly, but is active for slightly longer than j.C and may be easier to time as a jump-in for you. As an air-to-air it's like j.B but not as active. j.B is leass risky by staying out longer whereas j.D covers slightly more area.

Command Moves

Geshiki: Yumebiki

• f+LP - A scratch with the same animation as his f.HP. Can't be normal canceled, but it's very useful on Max Mode combos.
  • Follow-Up:
    • The name is unknown, but if you know it, add it here
      • LP - This followup is a little strange... It can be normal canceled, but the timing to make it hit needs to be perfect. This one is useful on some normal mode combos.

Geshiki: Goufu In "Shinigame"

• f+B - Just a slow overhead that can't be normal canceled, but it loses this properties if canceled into(It won't act as an overhead, and can be normal canceled. Oh, it will continue being slow too). It can't combo after a normal too, so... Just use it like an overhead(I think you can do Max Mode combos beginning with it).

Geshiki: Yuri Ori

• b+LK(In the air only) - This one is important. Very important, I can assume. If you used him on KoF 2002, you'll most likely know what this move can do. If not, just use it in the air and try to see what it can do. Huh? You haven't got a hit? Try to crossup with it, and land a combo, to see what it can do. Just hold the button to the direction Iori is facing, and press the LK button when you're on your opponent's back. This move can be used after a backdash too, which will make you dash longer(Useful if you need to run away when the timer is reaching zero).

Special Moves

108 Shiki: Yamibarai

• QCF+P - Iori's basic ground projectile. You won't need this so much on combos, but you can use it as a meaty, or if you need to negate other projectiles. The button pressed will determine the speed of the projectile.

100 Shiki: Oniyaki

• DP+P - This DP-like move has many uses! It can be used as an anti-air(Better with the LP version), or on combos, because it can be MAX canceled(Use the HP version for that, it does 3 hits too).

311 Shiki: Tsumagushi

• DP+K - This is an interesting move for Iori. The button pressed determines the distance Iori will move. If you need to punish your opponent's projectiles, use this(While Iori's in the air, he gains autoguard hitboxes). For the hit, nothing special about it, but you MAX cancel it(That means, you can punish projectiles with a combo in Max Mode).

127 Shiki: Aoi Hana

• QCB+P(3x) - Probably Iori's most classic move. This Rekka move is very good on punish situations, and you can do good combos in normal mode with it. If you need, you can delay the hits(If the first one was blocked, you can delay the second one to make it hit). The button pressed will determine the speed of the punches(You can't change between the versions while doing the inputs). The 1st hit will let your opponent on the ground(It has some good combos on Max Mode involving this hit). The 2nd hit will send your opponent in the air(That means, you can juggle after in Max Mode). The 3rd hit will act as an overhead on each version, but is very unsafe no block(No Max Mode combos with it). Combo the LP version from the Light Attacks(The most used, Light Attack Chains rule), and the HP version from the Heavy Attacks(Most damaging, better for punish situations). Any hit can be MAX canceled too, leading for nice combos.

212 Shiki: Kototsuki In

• HCB+K - This is another classic move. Iori dashes and grabs the opponent, but it's blockable(And very unsafe on block). You can use this on combos, or as an option to dash while your opponent is knocked down.

Kuzukaze

• HCB, f+P (While near from your opponent) - This is a great grab(It's unblockable this time). It doesn't do damage, but you can followup with almost anything after it(The easiest followup is Iori's Rekka move). Iori will move a little forward during the grab. I think you can dash and followup with a combo, like on KoF 2002(But in there, you had a run, not a dash). Dunno if you can cancel a normal into it, but I think you could on KoF.

Super Moves

Kin 1211 Shiki: Yaotome

• QCF, HCB+P - Classic move. Mainly used on combos. When this move connects , Iori will do a series of attacks, ending with a grab, and an explosion. During the dash, Iori can pass under some projectiles(Like Sagat's High Tiger). Use this on combos only, because it's very unsafe on block.
  • Follow-Up:
    • Ura 306 Shiki: Saika
      • QCF(4x)+PP - If you played KoF after the 2001 edition, you'll be familiar with this followup. It's better if you learn this, because it's free damage on your opponent(I mean, you won't lose meter). Iori will slash, and after it, a flame pillar will knock your opponent down. Always try to execute it(Again, it's free damage), but it's a little hard to connect with it(For me it was, but on KoF it was very easy, I can assume).

Ura 311 Shiki: Saku Tsumagushi

• QCF(2x)+K - Remember that special move to punish projectiles? It's a super version of it. Iori yells "Ikuzo!"(Means "Let's go!"), and grabs the opponent if it connects. It will be an overhead on each version, and does decent damage. The LK version will make Iori does a (almost) fullscreen jump, and the HK version will make him do a fullscreen jump.

Exceed

Chi no Bousou

• HCB(2x)+PP - Iori's counter Exceed. He will turn into his Orochi form and will make a pose. If something(Not projectiles/grabs) hit him, he will do nice damage on his opponent. It should be nice if you hit-confirm it from a normal, or something like that (You can use it as a damaging anti-air, but it can be very risky if your opponent does an empty jump. I mean, he'll see the Exceed's flash).

The Basics

Iori's gameplan

Iori is a damage-based character(That means, he is fully offensive). What do you need to do? Damage(With his easy combos), crossup combos(You know how, and the crossup ones are easy to land), mixups(You have a slow overhead and a standing low-hitting move for that), anti-airs(DP is the best one for that), meaty projectiles(Free damage is still damage) and things like that(If you're doing damage, you're okay). If you need to punish, do it with a damaging combo(Especially if you use his dash super with the followup, or in case you're in Max Mode, cancel if you punished a projectile), that's how Iori works. If you're a KoF 2002 player, of course, you can use his strategies from there, but I can't say that they will work(In that game, we had short hops, which helped on Iori's offensive game). Well, that's it, be offensive, and good luck in your future games.

Advanced Strategy

Combos

(Starters)
Combo	Damage	Notes
cl.B, cl.C		Iori's link and potential starter. You can learn it if you want since it's the best followup for his crossup command normal in a combo. You can also land it on a front facing opponent, but as with almost any link in KOF, you DON'T need it. It's a pretty tight link, so it's better to just ignore it and go for his more consistent options as you lose almost nothing.
cr.B x1-2, cr.A		Consistent low hitting light starter. Chaining cr.B into cr.A takes some practice but it's easy to learn, and something you should prioritize learning if you're playing Iori in any capacity.
cl.B, f.A~A		Another light starter that also hits low, but unlike KOF, the knockback in SVC can actually prevent Iori from comboing after the f.A command normal. If this connects as a backhit, then the follow-ups afterwards are more consistent, but front hitting it's not as reliable. You can omit the second A attack if you're super cancelling to ensure the combo lands or if you're in Max Mode. Still useful to know since it doesn't drop in regular KOF, and it likely won't drop against bigger characters, just keep in mind it has consistency issues.
cl.C, (f.A~A)		Heavy starter. Since the f.A is only super or free cancellable, you usually can only do cl.C in a combo. Doing the f.A command normal will connect the first hit but the second hit will whiff.
(Without Max Mode)
(j.X) Starter, qcb+Cx3 / qcf~hcb+P > qcfx4+AC		Simple Iori BnB that you'll do in every match as it's an easy confirm/punish into rekka or Maiden Masher. Can be done both as a low starter and with a cl.C after a punish/front step.
(When Iori is in the corner) cr.A, hcb~f P, cr.A, hcb~f P, dash, cl.C, qcb+Cx3 / qcf~hcb P > qcfx4+AC		A very hard combo, but possible in a real match even though you'll likely drop it anyways. You can add a crossup attack to go in the corner too if you need a little more damage and a hit-confirm also. It might be possible to loop the cr.A > hcb~f P command grab loop midscreen as well, as it is possible in KOF, but the timing is different due to a forward dash instead of run. Combo purely for styling on the opponent. To buffer command grab, simply do half of the hcb motion, then press cr.A, and finish the motion to cancel cr.A into command grab as quickly as possible.
(With Max Mode)
(j.X) cl.C, [hcb+K(1), (C)dp+C(2)]xN, qcf~hcb+P > qcfx4+AC		One of Iori's best Max Mode combos. He has more options, but this is one of the most consistent combos while also being decently damaging. Does overall less damage than in KOF2002, but it's still a must-have if you're doing Max Mode combos to optimize Iori's damage output.
(j.X) cl.C, [dp+C(2), (C)qcb+P]xN, qcf~hcb+P > qcfx4+AC		Just another option for a combo. Harder to land than the above since the input reader can very easily mistake your DP motion as a ranbu input buffer.