The King of Fighters XIII/Leona

Leona

In a nutshell

Fill this in with a general overview of the character.

Move List

Normal Moves

Name

Command

Damage

Special Properties (glossary)

Standing Light Punch

kof.lp

25

chaincancel cancel

Standing Light Kick

kof.lk

30

low cancel

Standing Heavy Punch

kof.sp

80

Close Heavy Punch

Close kof.sp

40+70

cancel

Standing Heavy Kick

kof.sk

80

Close Heavy Kick

Close kof.sk

40×2

cancel

Crouching Light Punch

d + kof.lp

25

chaincancel cancel

Crouching Light Kick

d + kof.lk

30

low chaincancel

Crouching Heavy Punch

d + kof.sp

70

1st hitbox: cancel

Crouching Heavy Kick

d + kof.sk

80

low softknockdown cancel

Blowback Attack

kof.sp + kof.sk

75

softknockdown specialcancel

Jumping Light Punch

Air kof.lp

Jump: 45
Hop: 40

high cancel

Jumping Light Kick

Air kof.lk

Jump: 45
Hop: 40

high cancel

Jumping Heavy Punch

Air kof.sp

Jump: 72
Hop: 40

high

Jumping Heavy Kick

Air kof.sk

Jump: 70
Hop: 68

high cancel

Vertical Jumping Heavy Kick

u , kof.sk

Jump: 70
Hop: 68

high cancel

Jumping Blowback Attack

Air kof.sp + kof.sk

Jump: 80
Hop: 70

softknockdown cancel

Unique Attacks

Name

Command

Damage

Special Properties (glossary)

Strike Arch

f + kof.lk

70

high hardknockdown

Strike Arch (canceled-into)

f + kof.lk

50

specialcancel

Throw

Name

Command

Damage

Special Properties (glossary)

Issetsu Seoi Nage

f or b + kof.sp or kof.sk (while close)

100

throw softknockdown

Special Moves

Name

Command

Damage

Special Properties (glossary)

Moon Slasher

d (charge) u + p

p : 80
p (furthest distance): 60
ex : 160

softknockdown

Grand Saber

b (charge) f + k

p : 70
ex : 90×2

softknockdown

Baltic Launcher

b (charge) f + p

kof.lp : 20×9
kof.sp : 20×13
ex : 25×13

Earring Bakudan

qcb + k

k : 65
ex : 120

softknockdown

X-Calibur

qcb + p

p : 60
ex : 25×6

aironly
p : softknockdown

Desperation Moves

Name

Command

Damage

Special Properties (glossary)

V-Slasher

qcf hcb + p

p : 220
ex : 340

aironly startupinv softknockdown
ex : maxcancel

Slash Saber

qcb hcf + k

0+20×7+60

softknockdown maxcancel

Leona Blade

qcb hcf + kof.lp + kof.sp

450
furthest distance: 180

softknockdown

Strategy

Move Analysis

Normal Moves

• Standing Light Punch () -

• Standing Light Kick () -

• Standing Heavy Punch () -

• Close Heavy Punch (Close ) -

• Standing Heavy Kick () -

• Close Heavy Kick (Close ) -

• Crouching Light Punch ( + ) -

• Crouching Light Kick ( + ) -

• Crouching Heavy Punch ( + ) -

• Crouching Heavy Kick ( + ) -

• Blowback Attack ( + ) -

• Jumping Light Punch (Air ) -

• Jumping Light Kick (Air ) -

• Jumping Heavy Punch (Air ) -

• Jumping Heavy Kick (Air ) -

• Vertical Jumping Heavy Kick (, ) -

• Jumping Blowback Attack (Air + ) -

Unique Attacks

• Strike Arch ( + ) -

Throw

• Issetsu Seoi Nage ( or + or [while close]) -

Special Moves

• Moon Slasher ( [charge] + ) -
  • Moon Slasher ( [charge] + + ) -
• Grand Saber ( [charge] + ) -
  • Grand Saber ( [charge] + + ) -
• Baltic Launcher ( [charge] + ) -
  • Baltic Launcher ( [charge] + + ) -
• Earring Bakudan ( + ) -
  • Earring Bakudan ( + + ) -
• X-Calibur ( + ) -
  • X-Calibur ( + + ) -

Desperation Moves

• V-Slasher (Air + ) -
  • V-Slasher (Air + + ) -
• Slash Saber ( + ) -
• Leona Blade ( + + ) -

Tips and Tricks

• To get the Drive Cancel from d~u+P to b~f+K, input d~u+P as db~ub+P, and then simply hold ub to f+K for b~f+K.
• Leona's cl.D has a longer activation range than cl.C and is marginally faster. As a result, you may end up wanting to use it as a combo starter more than cl.C, which will result in slightly less damage.
• You can add an additional cr.B in the low combos if you are close enough, but it's pretty strict.
• Leona cr.B links into cr.C. You can squeeze some extra damage out with this link, but it's not really that important.
• Instant Overhead (IOH) jA can be done from forward, backward, and neutral hops and hyperhops, lending it more overall versatility and safeness than neutral jump jD as an instant overhead, at the cost of a bit less damage.

Combos

0% Drive

0 Bar

• cl.C f+B xx qcb+A - (202, 27)
• cr.B st.B f+B xx qcb+A - (175, 21)

Two easy basic bnbs that will work midscreen.

• IOH vj.A xx qcb+A - (97, 11)
• IOH vj.D xx qcb+A - (127, 15)

As previously explained, j.A is overall a safer a more versatile IOH than j.D. Note that air qcb+A does not combo from back hop/hyperhop j.A.

• charge b~f+P j.CD ([A version] 188, 26; [C version] 200, 28)

Leona's Baltic Launcher is a pretty solid neutral move, and can work to anti air if done early, or as a frametrap. Because it has juggle, you should be following it up with something if it hits.

• (corner only) cl.C f+B xx qcb+C, charge d~u+C - (250, 33)
• (corner only) cr.B st.B f+B xx qcb+C, charge d~u+C - (202, 24)

Corner combos for good meterless damage.

1 Bar

• cl.C f+B air qcfhcb+P - (338, 19)
• cr.B st.B f+B air qcfhcb+P - (290, 10)

Leona's basic DM combos. This is very important to learn, as her meterless damage is fairly lacklustre and getting used to using the move in combos will help it feel more natural in IOHs or air to airs.

• IOH j.A qcf hcb+P - (249, 3)
• IOH vj.D qcb hcf+P (279, 7)

Now this is why Leona's IOH's are so damn scary. Learn to utilize these, but try to learn to hitconfirm as well.

• charge b~f+P air qcfhcb+P - ([A version] 265, 18; [C version] 292, 26)

A more damaging juggle followup to Baltic.

• qcb+K qcbhcf+K - (265, 8)

Leona's Grenade throw is difficult to combo off effectively if it's non EX, so Slash Saber is your best chance if you can react in time.3

2 Bar

• cl.C f+B air qcfhcb+AC - (423, 19)
• cr.B st.B f+B air qcfhcb+AC - (375, 10)
• charge b~f+P qcfhcb+AC - ([A version] 314, 18; [C version] 325, 26)

Self explanatory.

• (near corner) (cr.B) cr.C xx charge b~f+BD charge d~u+C (DC) charge b~f+K, air qcfhcb+A - (525, 21)
• qcb+BD air qcfhcb+P - (329, 0)

50% Drive

0 Bar

• (near corner) cr.B cr.A charge d~u+C (DC) charge b~f+D, charge d~u+C (248, 28)

This combo works at roughly 1/3 of the screen distance to the corner.

• (corner only) cl.C f+B qcb+C, charge d~u+C (DC) charge b~f+D charge d~u+C(344, 45)
• (corner only) cr.B st.B f+B qcb+C, charge d~u+C (DC) charge b~f+D charge d~u+C (296, 36)

These combos are pretty useful but overall it's usually worth just saving the HD if you can't use meter with them too.

1 Bar

• cl.C f+B xx qcb+A (SC) qcfhcb+P - (368, 27)
• cr.B st.B f+B xx qcb+A (SC) qcfhcb+P - (330, 18)

The damage increase on these combos from the non drive ones is fairly insignificant, but if you need the damage midscreen, it's worth knowing.

• cr.B cr.A xx charge d~u+C (DC) charge b~f+BD, charge b~f+D - (325, 20)

This is mostly a corner carry combo, as it will move the opponent a fair distance to the corner. If you are close enough, make sure to use the following combos instead.

• (near corner) cr.B cr.A xx charge d~u+C (DC) charge b~f+K, air qcfhcb+P - (360, 20)
• (corner only) cl.C f+B qcb+C, charge d~u+C (DC) charge b~f+D air qcfhcb+P (454, 39)
• (corner only) cr.B st.B f+B qcb+C, charge d~u+C (DC) charge b~f+D air qcfhcb+P (408, 30)

These combos are basically Leona's core meter+drive bnbs, and are what you're mostly saving up for. Very important to be able to do. To input the V-Slasher super fast enough, input the qcfhcb while still grounded, in the animation of the charge b~f+D, then roll to up back and press punch. This tiger knees the input, making it much easier.

• IOH j.A xx air qcb+A (SC) qcf hcb+P - (300, 11)
• IOH vj.D xx air qcb+A (SC qcb hcf+P (325, 15)

Another instance of only worth using if you are in need of damage desperately.

2 Bar

• cl.C f+B xx qcb+A (SC) qcfhcb+AC - (457, 27)
• cr.B st.B f+B xx qcb+A (SC) qcfhcb+AC - (409, 18)

You know the drill, spend the HD if you really need the damage, otherwise avoid.

• cr.B cr.A xx charge d~u+C (DC) charge b~f+BD, qcbhcf+K - (438 14)

A corner carry combo that also does pretty good damage. This is one of the very few practical uses of Leona's Slash Saber DM, as the move does less damage than V-Slasher. Avoid using this if near the corner for this reason.

• (near corner) cr.B cr.A xx charge d~u+C (DC) charge b~f+K, air qcfhcb+AC - (439, 20)
• (corner only) cl.C f+B qcb+C, charge d~u+C (DC) charge b~f+D air qcfhcb+P (523, 39)
• (corner only) cr.B st.B f+B qcb+C, charge d~u+C (DC) charge b~f+D air qcfhcb+P (475, 30)

Another set of important combos.

• IOH j.A xx air qcb+A (SC) qcf hcb+P - (391, 11)
• IOH vj.D xx air qcb+A (SC) qcbhcf+AC (416, 15)

You guessed it, save the bar if you can.

• (near corner) (cr.B) cr.C xx charge b~f+BD charge d~u+C (DC) charge b~f+K, air qcfhcb+P - (525, 21)

3 Bar

• (near corner) (cr.B) cr.C xx charge b~f+BD charge d~u+C (DC) charge b~f+K, air qcfhcb+AC - (598, 21)
• (near corner) cr.B cr.A xx charge d~u+C (DC) charge b~f+BD, air qcfhcb+AC - (511, 14)
• (corner only) cl.C f+B qcb+C, charge d~u+AC (DC) charge b~f+D air qcfhcb+AC (603, 33)
• (corner only) cr.B st.B f+B qcb+C, charge d~u+AC (DC) charge b~f+D air qcfhcb+AC (555, 34)

Leona's core corner combos at their best. This is pretty much the best damage you're going to get without using a HD combo.

100% Drive

4 Bar

• cl.C (HD) cl.C xx qcb hcf+K (MC) qcb hcf+AC (733, 15)