「THE KING OF FIGHTERS XIII」
KOF XIII marks the conclusion of the "Ash Saga", the third story arc of KOF centered around the characteristically ambiguous Ash Crimson. Mechanically, XIII returns to an established system that resembles KOF 2002 Unlimited Match than the questionable KOF XII. The Critical Counter, Deadlock (clash), and Guard Attack mechanics of XII were abandoned for the new Hyper Drive System, plus the addition of EX specials and Desperation Moves, including "level 3" Neo Max DMs. Character Teams have been brought back into the game's story, while XIII features a larger character roster of high resolution sprites. Unlike most other KOF games, the console release of XIII features not only more characters and stages, but a complete character and system rebalance.
Understanding Fundamentals
To get you off to a running start, we've prepared a video overview of the mechanics in The King of Fighters XIII. This video will quickly show you how KOF XIII is different from previous iterations in the series.
A quick textual rundown of XIII can be read below:
For those new to the KOF series and wanting to better understand how the game varies from Street Fighter, check out the Beginner's Incomplete Guide to KOF below and brush up on the fundamentals of the game. In spite of its name, you'll see some advanced tactics.
Characters
  
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Entry
Team
Team
Fury
Team
Soldier
Team
Warriors
Team
Fighters
Team
Team
of
Fighting
Team
Team
Team
Terminology
Throughout the guide there will be a lot of jargon thrown around and, unless you know what these terms are referring to, it might be difficult to understand some of the more complex lingo and slang used. For example, what is an Anywhere Juggle? What do we mean when we use the word "frames?" So before we begin, please take some time to look over the glossary to familiarize yourself with some of these terms so the rest of the guide will make more sense.
Game Elements
In every Fighting Game, there are the basic, common factors that exist. Life Meters exist in just about every Fighting Game, as do Timers, for example. This section discusses these standard rules that affect the outcome of the battle.
Game Systems Details
This section of the Hyper Guide goes in-depth into the system mechanics of The King of Fighters XIII. Visit the Table of Contents below to read about the game's System Info to get a better grasp of the technical side of The King Of Fighters XIII. All the intricacies of the game are digested into basic explanations while the more intimate "Strategy Corners" go in full coverage of advanced specifics.
Strategy & Tactics
Combo Guide
This section of the guide will discuss the whys and whens and whats and hows of combos. If you are looking for some combos for your characters, check the individual character pages for good combos for your character. However, if you are looking for how to create combos, build combos, and techniques into how to perform combos, this is the section for you. You'll learn why things work sometimes and then don't work other times. You'll learn some interesting techniques and shortcuts to performing combos. So click on the links below to learn all you can about combos.