The King of Fighters XIII/Saiki

Saiki

In a nutshell

Saiki, the antagonistic leader of Those from the Past, makes his debut in KOF as a playable human character. Saiki is a 'motion-special' counterpart to Ash's charged-based style. His projectile is singular but has amazing speed and his anti-airs are very consistent for dealing with aerial opponents. He has many tools available to him to play a defensive and offensive neutral game, but with one weakness: Saiki's midscreen damage potential is low, though he makes up for it with strong corner combos and specials that greatly push the opponent back and some that switch sides with the opponent.

Move List

Normal Moves

Name

Command

Damage

Special Properties (glossary)

Standing Light Punch

kof.lp

25

cancel

Standing Light Kick

kof.lk

30

Standing Heavy Punch

kof.sp

70

Close Heavy Punch

Close kof.sp

70

cancel

Standing Heavy Kick

kof.sk

80

Close Heavy Kick

Close kof.sk

70

low cancel

Crouching Light Punch

d + kof.lp

25

chaincancel cancel

Crouching Light Kick

d + kof.lk

30

low chaincancel cancel

Crouching Heavy Punch

d + kof.sp

70

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

Jumping Heavy Punch

Air kof.sp

Jump: 72
Hop: 70

high cancel

Jumping Heavy Kick

Air kof.sk

Jump: 70
Hop: 68

high

Jumping Blowback Attack

Air kof.sp + kof.sk

Jump: 90
Hop: 80

softknockdown cancel

Unique Attacks

Name

Command

Damage

Special Properties (glossary)

In

f + kof.lk

50

aironly

Hatsu

b + kof.lk

50

aironly

Throw

Name

Command

Damage

Special Properties (glossary)

Sha

f or b + kof.sp or kof.sk (While Close)

100

throw softknockdown

Special Moves

Name

Command

Damage

Special Properties (glossary)

Kiyoki-no-Tsuki

qcf + p

kof.lp : 60
kof.sp : 70
ex : 30×3+40×3

supercancel
ex : softknockdown

Hanetsurube-no-Nata

dp + k

kof.lk : 70 (50 at tip)
kof.sk : 50+30
ex : 90+15×3

drivecancel
k : softknockdown
ex : softknockdown

Kasahazushi-no-Tsuchi

kof.sk or ex Hanetsurube-no-Nata, then hold p or k

kof.sk : 50
ex : 20×3+80

supercancel
ex : hardknockdown

Hiori-no-Kusabi

qcb + k

k : 60
ex : 120

drivecancel
ex : wallbounce

Ura Shichiri

kof.sk or ex Hiori-no-Kusabi, then hold p or k

Shichiri-Gake

d d + p or k

Desperation Moves

Name

Command

Damage

Special Properties (glossary)

Washiba Otoshi

qcf qcf + k

60+20×2+50+60

hardknockdown maxcancel

Yami Otoshi

qcf qcf + k

100×2

aironly hardknockdown maxcancel

Tokoyami-no-Fune

qcf qcf + p

12×13

Kyoryuu-no-Ori

hcb hcb + p

p : 10×12+60
ex : 20×13+40

throw hardknockdown maxcancel

Kasumi

qcb hcf + kof.lp + kof.sp

31×13+15×3

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 ) -

• Jumping Blowback Attack (Air + ) -

Unique Attacks

Both of Saiki's command normals can only be canceled into when performing a jump or super jump, at which point his Jumping Light Punch and Jumping Blowback Attack can cancel into either move.

Both sobat kicks can be blocked crouching and Saiki must time a sobat very late in order to hit a crouching opponent, so be aware of tripguard punishes when using this move more liberally.

• In (Air + ) - Saiki's forward aerial sobat kick. This propels him forward and can be done from any jump arc at any height. Unlike Hatsu ( air + ), In causes a soft knockdown state against an aerial opponent which limits all further combo options for Saiki.
  • Despite this move being limited for aerial combos, it's the better choice for canceling into from a full jumping Light Punch. The added forward movement keeps Saiki closer in on the opponent which makes it possible to land a Close Heavy Punch upon landing.
  • Gives Saiki more aerial mobility for baiting the opponent. For instance, Saiki can hop hop backwards and jut forward with this kick which could hit a running opponent.
• Hatsu (Air + ) - The combo-friendly reverse sobat. Keeps the opponent in a juggle state which lets Saiki go wild in the corner.
  • Like the forward version, Saiki players can set up tricks with his option to alter his trajectory. Saiki could jump forward to bait a reversal or punishable anti-air and veer backward to stay outside the active range of the opponent's attack, and then punish its whiff.

Throw

• Sha ( or + or [While Close]) -

Special Moves

• Kiyoki-no-Tsuki ( + ) -
  • Kiyoki-no-Tsuki ( + + ) -
• Hanetsurube-no-Nata ( + ) -
  • Hanetsurube-no-Nata ( + + ) -
  • Kasahazushi-no-Tsuchi ( or Hanetsurube-no-Nata, then hold or ) -
• Hiori-no-Kusabi ( + ) -
  • Hiori-no-Kusabi ( + + ) -
  • Ura Shichiri ( or Hiori-no-Kusabi, then hold or ) -
• Shichiri-Gake ( + or ) -

Desperation Moves

• Washiba Otoshi ( + ) -
• Yami Otoshi (Air + ) -
• Tokoyami-no-Fune ( + ) -
• Kyoryuu-no-Ori ( + ) -
• Kasumi ( + + ) -

Combos

All of Saiki's combo can be started with a an additional cr.B or with a jump-in of choice, including j.A j.6B.

0% Drive

0 Bar

• cr.B cr.B xx dp+D - (134, 17)
  • Causes a soft knockdown that leaves a mid-distance between both players. dp+D could be continued into the followup, though it's more advantageous to push the opponent toward the corner.
• cr.B cr.B xx qcb+B - (112, 10)
  • Pushes the opponent out further than dp+K. Good for establishing more space to zone or work with.
• cl.C xx qcb+D > [C], dp+B - (190, 15)
  • Saiki's most damaging meterless combo. Note that Saiki may appear on either side of the opponent depending on spacing; thus the player could try to go for a hit reset instead of the dp+B finisher.
• [corner] counterhit j.CD, qcf+A, dp+D [D] - (267, 28)
  • Easy, consistent j.CD counterhit combo that keeps the opponent in the corner.

1 Bar

• cr.B cr.B xx qcf qcf+K - (253, 6)
  • Easy hitconfirm into DM. Mostly saved for midscreen as Saiki can use meter more efficiently in the corner.
• cl.C xx qcb+D > [C], qcf qcf+K - (322, 11)
  • An improved midscreen punish.
• cl.C xx qcb+BD > [B], qcb+D > [C], dp+B - (297, 15)
  • Deals less damage, but corner carries. Sometimes [B] must be substituted for [A].
• [corner] cr.B cr.B qcf+AC, qcb+D [D], j.4B, dp+D [D] - (339, 30)
  • Basically, always go for qcf+AC over qcf,qcf+K against a cornered opponent.

2 Bar

• cl.C xx qcb+BD > [B], qcb+D > [C], qcf qcf+K - (425, 11)

50% Drive

1 Bar

• (corner only) j.D, cl.C xx qcb+D > [D], b+B, dp+B (DC) qcf+C, qcb+D > [D], b+B, qcf+A, qcf qcf+K - (592, 42)

100% Drive

0 Bar

• (corner required) cr.B cr.B qcb+BC (HDC) qcf+C, qcf+A, [qcb+B (HDC) qcf+C, qcf+A] x3, qcb+B (HDC) qcf+C, qcb+D [D], j.4b, dp+D [D] - 615
  • Easy meterless HD combo. the command qcb+BC will activate Hyper Drive Mode and trigger a qcb+B special.

1 Bar

• (corner required) cr.B cr.B qcb+BC (HDC) qcf+C, qcf+A, [qcb+B (HDC) qcf+C, qcf+A] x3, qcb+B (HDC) qcf+C, qcb+D [D], j.4b, qcf,qcf+K - 709
  • This could be ended with dp+BD for 635 damage, but dp+BD keeps the opponent cornered and gives Saiki a greater frame advantage.

2 Bar

• (corner required) cr.B cr.B qcb+BC (HDC) qcf+C, qcf+A, [qcb+B (HDC) qcf+C, qcf+A] x2, qcb+B (HDC) qcf+C, qcb+B (SC) qcb,hcf+AC - 772
  • Neomax finisher.