The King of Fighters XIII/Kyo

Kyo Kusanagi

The original protagonist of the series. Kyo is the latest heir to the Kusanagi clan, the very same clan that sealed away the Orochi 1800 years prior to the present day. He has been present at nearly every King of Fighters tournament since 1994, where he entered to rescue his captured father Saisyu. Over the next three years it became apparent that the Orochi had been manipulating the tournament from the shadows, and in 1997 Kyo once again sealed it away along with his rival Iori Yagami, repeating their families' legacy. After being captured for a year by the NESTS organization and cloned, Kyo resurfaced and over a three year campaign worked with his clone K' to take down the syndicate. Now, Orochi is on the verge of reawakening, and Kyo has found a new enemy in Ash Crimson, who is set to steal his sacred treasure, the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi.

In a nutshell

In this iteration of the game, Kyo is featured as the well rounded character that has all the fundamental tools to win. His exceptional ability to go on offense with a fast hop with a great downward hitting jump-in coupled with fast, low-hitting attacks that hitconfirm into knockdown combos makes his offensive game quite scary. As a contrast, he is also fitted with the tools to be able to keep out opponents with long reaching horizontal jumping attacks, projectiles, and great grounded normal attacks. He isn't the best in either fields but ranks high in either style of play and putting both playstyles together makes him to be force to be reckoned with.

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 specialcancel

Standing Heavy Punch

kof.sp

80

cancel

Close Heavy Punch

Close kof.sp

70

1st hitbox: cancel

Standing Heavy Kick

kof.sk

80

lowerbodyinv

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 cancel

Jumping Light Punch

Air kof.lp

Jump: 45
Hop: 40

high supercancel

Jumping Light Kick

Air kof.lk

Jump: 45
Hop: 40

high

Jumping Heavy Punch

Air kof.sp

Jump: 72
Hop: 70

high

Jumping Heavy Kick

Air kof.sk

Jump: 70
Hop: 68

high

Jumping Blowback Attack

Air kof.sp + kof.sk

Jump: 80
Hop: 70

softknockdown

Unique Attacks

Name

Command

Damage

Special Properties (glossary)

Goufu You

f + kof.lk

Standalone: 75
Canceled into: 60

Standalone: high
Canceled into: specialcancel

88 Shiki

df + kof.sk

30+45

1st Hit: low specialcancel
2nd Hit: low

Naraku Otoshi

d + kof.sp

50

aironly
Against Airborne Opponents: hardknockdown

Throw

Name

Command

Damage

Special Properties (glossary)

Issetsu Seoi Nage

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

65+38

throw hardknockdown

Special Moves

Name

Command

Damage

Special Properties (glossary)

108 Shiki: Yamibarai

qcf + p

p : 60
ex : 100

supercancel
ex : softknockdown

100 Shiki: Oniyaki

dp + p

kof.lp : 55+25
kof.sp : 80+25×2
ex : 70+20×9

softknockdown drivecancel
kof.lp : upperbodyinv
kof.sp and ex : startupinv

75 Shiki: Kai

qcf + k

kof.lk : 35×2
kof.sk : 30×2
ex : 40×2

kof.sk and ex : softknockdown
ex : upperbodyinv

212 Shiki: Kototsuki You

hcb + k

k : 30+135
ex : 180

softknockdown
k : lowerbodyinv drivecancel
ex : throw

101 Shiki: Oboroguruma

rdp + k

kof.lk : 40
kof.sk : 40×2+70
ex : 60×2+100

supercancel
kof.lk : softknockdown
kof.sk and ex : hardknockdown
ex : startupinv

Desperation Moves

Name

Command

Damage

Special Properties (glossary)

Ura 108 Shiki : Orochinagi

qcb hcf + p

p : 210
ex : 120×3
Air ex : 100×3

airok softknockdown maxcancel : startupinv

Ura 111 Shiki : Ama no Murakumo

qcf qcf + kof.lp + kof.sp

45×10

softknockdown startupinv

Console Changes

• Far standing D has faster recovery.
• 88 Shiki (df+D) moves forward more. As a result, close C > df+D > qcf+K now does the full four hits.
• Light version of 75 Shiki: Kai (qcf+B) can now be followed up with other attacks. On the ground you can only follow up with an uppercut, but on a mid-air hit you can do more interesting things.
• 212 Shiki: Kototsuki You (hcb+K) has slower recovery on block.
• Added EX Air Orochinagi (Air qcb hcf+AC). It does 3 hits and 300 damage. Unlike the ground version, it has no invincibility, but it is very fast, so you can use it in combos or in air-to-air battles.

Strategy

Move Analysis

Normal Moves

	Frames	Advantage	Cancel	Block	Damage	Notes
Standing Far Normals
	4/4/7	+4/+2	R,C,S,Su	HL	25	A standard but essential anti-air, Standing Light Punch attack. In older games, Kyo had a far and close A. In KOFXIII he only has the close variant for both ranges. As a result, his Standing A is not as good as in older editions to stop hop attacks because his range is much more limited. This attack can connect upon certain crouching opponents from point blank, links into close C and may be used for frame traps and other utilities.
	5/3/11	+1/-1	S,Su	L	30	A low kick that has a bit of range. Although it isn't as fast and doesn't recover as quickly as Crouching Light Kick, it's able to cancel into another attack. Typically, this attack is used to end an attack string that consists of Crouching Light Kicks and combo into 212 Shiki: Kototsuki You ( + ).
	9/5/23	-7/-9	S,Su	HL	80	Essentially, this attack functions like a slower, but stronger Standing Light Punch. Of course with that, Standing Heavy Punch carries a heavier risk and may be more susceptible to losing to other attacks upon its own start up animation. So while it may net more damage than a Standing Light Punch as an anti-air attack against hops, it should be reserved for more specific setups and situations. Although it may depend on the time and place, this attack could cancel into another attack upon either hit or whiff.
	7/5/17	-1/-3		HL	80	A sobat kick that can be used in pressure strings to hope over and counterhit whatever low attack your opponent is mashing. At the same time it covers the horizontal space quite well making it impossible for your opponent to disrespectfully hop in on you while you are on offense.
+	14/6/19	KD/-1	C,S,Su	HL	75	This blowback attack is okay. It is quite quick, and has a good hitbox, the forward moving property makes it a 'wall of hitbox' that covers a large part of the screen. The move can be used in pressure strings once you have made your opponent scared enough to mash buttons as quickly as possible. If you don't condition them that it's not okay to press buttons after, say, a cr.BA, they will hit your blowback attack before you are even hit.
Standing Close Normals
			C,S,Su	HL	70	A terrific uppercut attack. This move can be used in frametraps, punishes, and also functions fantastically as an anti-air against an opponent trying to jump away from your pressure.
Crouching Normals
	4/4/8	+3/+1	R,C,S,Su	HL	25	Mostly a move used to hitconfirm the first cr.LK since this cancels, but doesn't hit low. Links into cl.C. The good frame advantage of this move makes it very good move for frametraps, but since cr.B has the same advantage, cr.B is usually preferred.
	3/4/8	+3/+1	R	L	30	The go to move to hitconfirm of a low into cr.LP > etc. It also links into cl.C. This move is also a fantastic tool to set up tight frametraps.
	4/2+3/22	-6/-8	C,S,Su	HL	70	A great fast Mexican uppercut. Perfect to stop jump-ins, can can even be used as an anti-air against hops. Make sure to do this on reaction though, because whiffing this move is very bad, due to it's bad recovery.
	8/2+3/22	K/-8	C,S,Su	L	80	A good sweep, that has quite a high hitbox for a sweep. Good to use as a poke (cancelled into fireball), or for frametraps.

• Jumping Light Punch (Air ) - This is the go-to air-to-air move. When anticipated correctly, it will beat out just about any jump move aimed to hit someone on the ground. There are definitely better air-to-air attacks that will beat you this attack.

• Jumping Light Kick (Air ) - One of the greatest hop-in attacks in the game. The downward angle is incredibly good, making it impossible to dodge with moves that lower your hitbox (like K' cr.B). This move also functions as a great crossup that will hit both standing and crouching opponents.

• Jumping Heavy Punch (Air ) - This attack is overshadowed by Kyo's j.B and j.d+C, It's a good jump-in, with better range than both, but in general the other two are preferred.

• Jumping Heavy Kick (Air ) - The go to move for horizontal zoning. The horizontal hitbox on this move is fantastic, it will stop advancing opponents, creating a large vertical wall that is hard to get around. This move can even be quite useful as an air-to-air, though it is somewhat slower than j.A. Compared to older KOF's, this move has lost some of it strength, as it completely whiffs on most crouching opponents. Making advancing with it impossible, as the opponent would simply trip guard with cr.B.

• Jumping Blowback Attack (Air + ) - This move has a terrific hitbox, and is aimed to make opponents block. Once they have block this move, you are at massive frame advantage and are free to mixup up with hop mixups, while most of your jump will be covered because the opponent is still in hitstun. Some low moves, like K' and Iori cr.B might be able to dodge this attack if done well.

Unique Attacks

• Goufu You ( + ) - Quite a slow overhead, but can be HD cancelled into an extensive HD combo, which will certainly make your opponent on the lookout to block high.
• 88 Shiki ( + ) - Kyo's standard hitconfirm filler. This move cancels after the first hit and hits low. Besides act as a filler combo, it has little use. It could be used as a low HD combo starter that can be hitconfirmed at a longer range than cr.B.
• Naraku Otoshi (Air + ) - This move lost much of the air-to-air priority it has had in previous games. When it does hit air-to-air, it causes a hard knockdown. Its main use now, is its fantastic crossup potential. Kyo can hop or hyperhop over standing opponents with this move. A (hyper)hop crossup j.d+C is quite difficult to see and block on reaction, and leaves you with massive frame advantage to combo into cl.C on hit. Although it is very easy to his a crossup with this move, the spacing has to be extremely specific to hit it on a crouching opponent, making it a bit more attractive to use j.B for crossup purposes.

Throw

• Issetsu Seoi Nage ( or + or [while close]) - Causes a really nice hard knockdown that sets up for a cross up, fake cross up, safe jump, empty hop low mixup, or whatever you want.

Special Moves

• 108 Shiki: Yamibarai ( + ) - There's little to say about this move. It's a ground fireball that you can hop over, the A version goes slow, the C version goes fast.
  • 108 Shiki: Yamibarai ( + + ) - The EX version goes faster than the A and C version, and will overrule most fireballs.
• 100 Shiki: Oniyaki ( + ) - This move does not have autoguard like we have come to know and love with Kyo. The A version only has upperbody invincibility and will lose to low meaties. The C version is fully invincible on startup and the first active period. Unlike in older KOF's, it seems like it isn't possible to meaty the opponent with a low in such a way that only the first hit hits and the rest whiffs. Therefore, the C version has actually become an extremely good reversal option, only lacking in this department due to its somewhat slow startup.
  • 100 Shiki: Oniyaki ( + + ) - The EX version is essentially a faster, more damaging version of the dp+C.
• 75 Shiki: Kai ( + ) - This move got a huge buff. B version juggles now, and D version connects after df+D mid-screen. This move is negative on block, but generally safe to anything but instant throws. There is a gap in between two two kicks where you can use an invincible reversal can beat out the move. So this move can really only be used gratuitously against characters that don't have a good reversal, or don't have a one frame grab.
  • 75 Shiki: Kai ( + + ) - The EX version does not have a gap and it is safe on block. It also juggles the opponent much higher than the other two version. In addition it has upper body invincibility, and therefore has some use as an anti-air, but his dp+C/AC are obviously better.
• 212 Shiki: Kototsuki You ( + ) - This move was very safe on block in the arcade version, allowing some very scary frametraps. In the console version it is very unsafe on block again like it always was. Therefore it has lost its use a move to just throw out there, and is now mainly a move used for combos. If you superjump directly after connecting this move, it sets up a safejump against a large portion of the cast. See the Advanced Strategy section for more information
  • 212 Shiki: Kototsuki You ( + + ) - The EX version is throw with 4 frames startup that allows you to throw some nasty throwing mixups into Kyo's offense. Of course, at the expense of 1 stock, it is a rather steep cost. Despite being quite a different move from the regular version, the knockdown is exactly the same, so the safejump setups work off this grab as well.
• 101 Shiki: Oboroguruma ( + ) - The B version of this move is one of the main combo fillers, it juggles, is fast to startup. Due to its angle, it does have some use for a pre-emptive anti-air as well. The D version is an alternative combo ender that can be used instead of hcb+K for a bit less damage but a hard knockdown.
  • 101 Shiki: Oborogurama ( + + ) - The EX version is a fast version of rdp+D which also leads to a hard knockdown. It has some invincibility on startup, and therefore is slightly more viable as a reactionary anti-air compared to the other two. Still, dp+C/AC remain better options for this.

Desperation Moves

• Ura 108 Shiki : Orochinagi ( + ) - Kyo's staple DM. The grounded Orochinagi is sort of outclassed by its aerial version since Kyo can combo after the air version in many more instances. Better for MAX Canceling since Kyo has to be grounded to use Ura 111 Shiki : Ama no Murakumo. Similar, but less noticeably compared to the EX version, this move's startup can be shortened slightly by holding the buttons shortly after the superstop.
  • Ura 108 Shiki : Orochinagi ( + + ) - This move normally has 8 frames startup, but can be shortened by holding the input buttons a short period after the superstop. Then, the startup becomes 1 frame which allows Kyo to link this move from most of his normals and even after his projectile. This may seem odd, but is a throwback to older KOFs. Works as a fast anti-air and really good punishing tool on its own, though due to the hitbox properties some hits will whiff in the corner so it's not widely used in longer combos. Startup invulnerable.
• Air Ura 108 Shiki : Orochinagi (Air + ) - Kyo recovers much faster from an air Orochinagi which lets him do as many as he can afford to do in his corner combos. Deals decent damage and can just about always be followed up on hit into a knockdown or hit reset of choice.
• '* Air Ura 108 Shiki : Orochinagi (Air + )' - Starts up and recovers faster than the standard air DM. This can work as a more abare air-to-air or anti-anti-air if you're feeling really wild. While it's easy to incorporate this into combos, remember than Kyo can use Ura 111 Shiki : Ama no Murakumo for the same amount of meter when he's in HD mode.
  • • Slightly less damaging than the grounded EX DM.
• Ura 111 Shiki : Ama no Murakumo ( + + ) - Kyo steals Iori's lines as he tosses out a small flame that travels horizontally across the screen. The flame moves fast enough to punish projectiles and whiffs from fullscreen if necessary and when it hits the screen gets washed over with waves of fire. Good for ending HD combos or using alone to close out a match. Kyo's invuln on startup, but the projectile can be rolled through and Kyo can be punished for whiffing his Neo Max.

Tips and Tricks

• Kyo's qcf + K is pretty risky to use on block. Kyo can be grabbed with instant command grabs on block and since there's a gap between the kicks the opponent can use an invincible 'DP' move every time to get free damage.

Combos

Basic Corner Combo Flow

• Jumping attacks can of course lead into any ground normal, usually cl.C if it hits (also applies outside of corner)
• cl.C leads into df.D, and cr.B chains into cr.A, which then chains into df.D (also applies outside of corner)
• first hit of df.D leads into any special move, usually qcf+D (also applies outside of corner)
  • These three points set up your basic starters off of high, low, or a frametrap with cl.C
• rdp+B is juggle filler, the opponent ends up slightly lower after Kyo recovers than when the move starts, useful to throw in if you can wait for the opponent to fall to a certain height
• rdp+B can be super cancelled into air Orochinagi, this ends up floating the opponent a bit higher, but Kyo is pushed back farther horizontally which is the main concern when trying to follow up
• Kyo can combo into fireballs if the opponent is lifted high up enough and the horizontal space matches the speed/timing of the fireball
• qcf+B is very quick and can often be juggled into after most rdp+B (unless it's very low)
• qcf+B can be followed up by DP
• rdp+D is what to combo into for a hard knockdown, it also does decent damage, however be careful as it's a bit slower than rdp+B
• Neomax is quite fast and travels both far and fast horizontally, so it can often be the only way to continue a combo if Kyo is pushed too far away. However, the damage might not be worth the meter--decide wisely

0% Drive

0 Bar

• cr.B cr.A df+D (1 hit) xx qcf+D, hcb+K - (245, 30)

Basic hitconfirm off a low. Alternatively hcb+K can be replaced with rdp+D for a hard knockdown and more corner carry. If started from a jumpin, qcf+D will not fully connect, so use cl.c to instead after jumpins.

• (jump attack) cl.C df+D (1 hit) xx qcf+D, hcb+K - (275, 36)

Maximum damage combo for 0 Bar and 0% Drive Midscreen. Alternatively hcb+K can be replaced with rdp+D for a hard knockdown and more corner carry.

• (corner only) (jump attack) cl.C df.D xx qcf+D, rdp+B, qcf+B, dp+C - (312, 39)

1 Bar

• cr.B cr.A df+D (1 hit) xx qcf+D, rdp+B, rdp+BD - (300, 22)
• (jump attack) cl.C df+D (1 hit) xx qcf+D, rdp+B, rdp+BD - (334, 23)

Basic one bar combos, these combos give more damage than comboing straight into super, they also give a hard knockdown, and therefore are the superior choice.

2 Bar

• cr.B cr.A df+D (1 hit) xx qcf+D, rdp+B, qcb hcf+AC - (411, 22)
• (jump attack) cl.C df+D (1 hit) xx qcf+D, rdp+B, qcb hcf+AC - (452, 23)

Basic SDM combos. Note that in the corner, it is difficult to get the full SDM to connect properly, meaning it is usually better to go for the 50% drive 1 bar combo if you can, or stick to the meterless combos.

50% Drive

0 Bar

• (corner only) (jump attack)cr.B cr.A df+D xx qcf+D, rdp+B, dp+C (DC) rdp+B dp+C - (314, 50)
• (corner only) (jump attack) cl.C df+D xx qcf+D, rdp+B, dp+C (DC) rdp+B dp+C - (350, 51)

Extremely high stun combos for the corner. They do pretty good damage too.

1 Bar

• cr.B cr.A df.D qcf+D rdp+D (2 hits) (SC) qcb hcf+P - (304 , 25)
• (jump attack) cl.C df.D xx qcf+D, rdp+D (2 hits) (SC) qcb hcf+P - (338, 26)

Not really worth it, but good to know about in case.

• (corner only) (jump attack) cl.C df+D xx qcf+D, rdp+B (SC) qcb hcf+P, qcf+A, hcb+K - (459, 27)
• (corner only) cr.B cr.A df+D xx qcf+D, rdp+B (SC) qcb hcf+P, qcf+A, hcb+K - (416, 26)

Extremely powerful corner combos. Very important to learn.

2 Bar

• (corner only) cr.B cr.A df+D xx qcf+D, rdp+B, rdp+B (SC) qb hcf+AC, qcf+A, hcb+D - (479, 31)
• (corner only) (jump attack) cl.C df+D xx qcf+D, rdp+, rdp+B (SC) qcb hcf+AC, qcf+A, hcb+D - (530, 32)

Best damage for two bars and 50% drive

• (corner only) cr.B cr.A df+D xx qcf+D, rdp+B, rdp+B (SC) qcb hcf+AC, rdp+B, qcf+B, dp+C - (472, 48)
• (corner only) (jump attack) cl.C df.D xx qcf+D, rdp+B, rdp+B (SC) qcb hcf+AC, rdp+B, qcf+B, dp+C - (523, 49)

This combo does slightly less damage than the combo above, but does way more stun, and build a whole stock, making the cost of the combo effectively lower.

• (near corner) (jump attack) cl.C df+D xx qcf+D, rdp+B qcf+B, dp+A (DC) qcf+D, j.qcb hcf+AC, qcf+A, hcb+B - (524, 41)

More difficult variation on the combo above, does one point of damage more, and rebuilds a tiny bit more meter.

3 Bar

• (corner only) (jump attack) cr.B cr.A df+D xx qcf+D, rdp+B (SC) qcb hcf+P, qcf+A, qcb hcf+AC - (540, 26)
• (corner only) (jump attack) cl.C df.D xx qcf+D, rdp+B (SC) qcb hcf+P, qcf+A, qcb hcf+AC - (593, 27)

100% Drive

All HD Combos could be started with a cr.B cr.A df.D instead to combo from low or a f.B to combo off overhead. Going into st.D or st.C without a df.D followup after the HD activation will do slightly more damage overall.

0 Bar

• (near corner) (jump attack) cl.C df+D xx qcf+D, rdp+B, qcf+B, rdp+B, dp+C (DC) qcf+D, rdp+B, dp+C (DC), qcf+D, rdp+B, qcf+B, rdp+B, dp+C ( , )

This combo burns all of your drive, but in return you almost get two bars of super stock out of it.

2 Bar

• (over half screen away from the corner) (jump attack) cl.C df.D (2 hit) HD cl.C df.D (1 hit) xx dp+C HDC qcf+D, hcb+K HDC dp+A HDC qcf+D, rdp+B, dp+C HDC rdp+B, dp+C HDC qcfqcf+AC - (715, 14)
• (corner to corner) (jump attack) cl.C df.D (2 hit) HD cl.C df.D (2 hit) hcb+K HDC dp+C HDC qcf+D, hcb+K HDC dp+A HDC qcf+D, rdp+B, dp+C HDC rdp+B, qcfqcf+AC - (703, 14)
• (Half screen to corner) (jump attack) cl.C df.D (2 hit) HD cl.C df.D (1 hit) xx dp+C HDC qcf+D, rdp+B, [dp+C (HDC) rdp+B] x 3, dp+A HDC qcfqcf+AC - (757, 14)
• (In/near corner) (jump attack) cl.C df.D (2 hit) HD cl.C df.D (1 hit) xx dp+A HDC rdp+B, [dp+C (HDC) rdp+B] x 2, dp+A HDC rdp+B, dp+C HDC qcfqcf+AC - (773, 14)

Team Order

1st position

Pros

Cons

2nd position

Pros

Cons

3rd position

Pros

Cons

Basic Strategy

Offense

• In regards to rushing down an opponent, Kyo has the ability to really get in an opponent and make the opponent question whether or not to block low or high as Kyo is able to get simple hit-confirms and damaging, knockdown combos from both jump-ins and low light attacks.
  • Up close, Kyo can pressure an opponent with hopping j.B (Jumping B, Jumping Light Kick) as it has a great, fast, vertical hitbox that is quite difficult for most characters to try to anti-air on reaction due to the fact that Kyo can stick out an early j.B and induce large hit-stun on hit and still be able to combo afterwards. Couple this with a fast cr.B (Crouching B, Crouching Light Kick) that links into cr.A (Crouching A, Crouching Light Punch) and confirms into an easy knockdown combo such as cr.B, cr.A xx df.D xx hcb+D (D, Heavy Kick), Kyo could really earn quite amount of damage and set up for another high/low mix up on okizeme.
  • Against characters that could easily anti-air j.B with a grounded normal attack, Kyo could use this opportunity to mix-up and opponent with an early jumping attack with a greater hitbox than j.B such as j.2C (Jumping Downward C, Naraku Otoshi). Doing a well spaced, early j.2C will be able to stuff anti-air attempts that beat out j.B, but the move will whiff upon a crouching opponent that doesn't attack and leave Kyo vulnerable. In comparison to previous incarnations of Kyo, j.2C usually added a great deal of push-back so Kyo wouldn't be able to hit confirm two light attacks let alone give him a combo from one; but in KOFXIII, the push-back isn't as great so Kyo is able to jump in more liberally with j.2C and get a cr.B, cr.A into knockdown combo.
  • Generally, Kyo could perform 3 crouching light attacks as a blockstring on an opponent and could land a hyper hop j.2C a cross up on most characters regardless of the opponent crouching or standing. Similarly, Kyo could cross up as well from 2 crouching light attacks on block but with a full jump j.2C instead.
  • Kyo has the ground normals to be able to maintain the pace while close to the opponent. If an opponent wants to anti-air a hop, other than using j.2C in a trap Kyo could utilize his sweep or fireball to punish the opponent. If the opponent figures to try to hop over Kyo's sweep or fireball, Kyo could just use st.A (Standing A, Standing Light Punch), cl.C (Close C, Close Heavy Punch), or cr.C (Crouching C, Crouching Heavy Punch). Coming full circle, if the opponent tries to sweep against Kyo's anticipated anti-air attemps, Kyo could simple hop on the opponent's sweep with a j.B.
  • When the opponent is knocked down or just simpled scared into plainly blocking, Kyo could do an empty hop to fake a jump-in attack and go straight into a low attack as he lands. Alternatively if Kyo has meter, he could use his EX hcb+K attack (212 Shiki: Kototsuki You) as it has command throw properties. If an opponent is not knocked down, Kyo can't perform a safe jump or safe hop as he does an empty jump/hop and the opponent could option select by pressing cl.C/D as Kyo is landing. Otherwise if Kyo performs a safe jump/hop, the opponent doesn't have the luxury of doing the option select and will have to jump or hop if the opponent anticipates the command throw mix-up. Kyo in this case could just empty jump/hop into his forward throw as it double as an option select as well. If the opponent tried to hop in response to a command throw, Kyo's normal throw would not come out but instead a cl.C would hit and anti-air the opponent. The weakness of doing a normal throw is that normal throws could be teched upon reaction and if the opponent anticipates a simple normal throw.

Neutral/Defense

• As a zoning character, Kyo is able to utilize his fireball, aerial normals, and grounded normals quite similar as how Iori used to zone in previous games.
  • As a grounded projectile, Kyo's fireball is susceptible to being hopped over or jumped over; but that encourages the opponent to go into the space Kyo readily controls with j.D, st.A, cr.C, and Kyo's dp+P (100 Shiki: Oniyaki).
  • Unlike in previous games though, j.D didn't whiff against crouching opponents when done close to the ground. Now in KOFXIII, it only seems to hit on large, crouching characters such as Raiden, Goro, and Maxima. Since there isn't trip guard in KOFXIII, any character hopping or jumping into a cr.B attack or sweep will land on the ground into the attack and will be immediately be in a combo while grounded. So Kyo will have to pay mind controlling the hop and jump space with j.D or an opponent could just easily crouch underneath and score a combo on Kyo. A Kyo player will need to understand and set up and opponent to anticipate such a mistake, and the Kyo player will need to understand when to use j.B to control the downward space coming down from a hop or jump. Otherwise, Kyo could use j.D as a means of control air space from angles that his ground normals and "shoryuken" can't reach or win and really use the tip of his jumping heavy kick to stop advances from the opponent.
  • Another note to keep in mind is that Kyo can cancel his backdash into his j.2C. This not only increases the distance that Kyo's backdash travels but also decreases the recovery time as he lands from his backdash. Use this as a means of moving about the screen and in trying to optimize the Kyo's ability to control areas on screen.
  • In previous games, Iori's sweep was too risky to use since it was greatly punishable on block so in situations Iori had to sweep to counter poke, he'd use his fireball instead. In Kyo's case, he can similarly do the same thing just in case Kyo's sweep might not reach in time or is up against a move that might have a hitbox advantage against Kyo's sweep. Just like Iori in previous games, Kyo's fireball is vulnerable to hops so doing a fireball midscreen as a poke is just as risky or even riskier than an actual sweep so keep in mind of the risk and the set up.

Advanced Strategy

Kototsuki: You (hcb+K) safejump setups

Superjumping instantly after connecting hcb+K will lead into a safe jump on a large portion of the cast. Some characters can only counter the safejump by using meter. Therefore the cast is divided into groups that can counter according to meter use.

No counter

• Billy
• Saiki
• Takuma
• Mature
• Mai
• Yuri
• Athena
• Kensou: Reversal 2xqcf+P dodges the jump-in, but this can be reacted to in time and blocked.
• Ralf
• Leona

0 Meter counter

• Terry: charge d~u+A. Also: charge d~u+AC
• Ash: charge d~u+B. Also: charge d~u+BD, 2xqcf+K, 2xqcf+BD, A~B~C~D
• Robert: dp+A, will trade, leaving kyo in a juggle state, can be followed up by running up and doing a normal attack, charge db~f+B, charge db~f+BD, f,hcf+P, EXDM or Neomax. Also: dp+AC
• K': dp+A. Also: dp+AC
• Ryo: dp+A. Also: dp+AC
• Flame Iori: dp+C. Also: dp+AC
• NESTS Kyo: dp+A. Also: Neomax

1 Meter counter

• Kyo: dp+AC. Also: EXDM
• Benimaru: dp+BD
• Daimon: hcf+AC, will trade, leaving kyo in a juggle state, can be followed up by running up and doing a normal attack. Also: Neomax.
• Andy: dp+AC. Also: Neomax
• Joe: dp+BD
• Claw Iori: dp+AC. Also: EXDM
• Elisabeth: qcb+AC. Also: Neomax
• Duo Lon: qcb+BD, merely dodges the safejump.
• Raiden: dp+AC
• Kula: dp+AC
• Maxima: dp+AC
• Kim: charge d~u+BD

2 Meter counter

• Shen: C~A~B~C
• Hwa Jai: EXDM
• King: EXDM. Also: Neomax

3 Meter counter

• Vice: Neomax

Special Cases

• Chin: Chin gets up slower than the rest, a jump-in will have to be delayed slightly to work as a safejump, but, d,d+P, qcb+B and qcb+BD all counter the safejump. Therefore it is not very useful against him.
• Clark: hcf+B will make the jump-in whiff, and subsequently the grab comes out and will grab Kyo who inputs his cl.C while holding back. To counter this, you can superjump in and hold up, the moment you land from connecting the jumpin, you can press cl.C before you leave the ground. If clark does hcf+B, the jump-in will whiff, and you will jump C instead, and Clark's throw will not connect. The drawback to this option select is, that it get caught by Clark's neomax, that can be safejumped if you do it normally.

Frame Data

	Block							Frames
Move Name	HL	Damage	Cancel Ability	Startup	Active	Recovery	Hitstun	Blockstun	On Hit	On Guard	Notes
Standing	HL	25	ch/sp/su	3	3	6	14	12	+4	+2
Standing	L	30	sp/su	5	3	11	14	12	+1	-1
Standing	HL	80	sp/su	9	5	23	20	18	-7	-9
Close	HL	70	sp/su	2	2+6	11	20	18	+2	0
Standing	HL	80	-	7	5	15	20	18	-1	-3	Lower body invincibility
Crouching	HL	25	ch/sp/su	4	4	8	14	12	+3	+1
Crouching	L	30	ch	3	4	8	14	12	+3	+1
Crouching	HL	70	sp/su	4	2+5	20	20	18	-6	-8	Second hitbox only hits airborne opponents.
Crouching	L	80	sp/su	8	5	22	-	18	KD	-8
Standing +	HL	75	sp/su	14	6	24	-	21	KD	-7
Jumping	H	45 (40)	su	5	7	Land+1	12	12	-	-
Jumping	H	45 (40)	-	4	12	Land+1	12	12	-	-
Jumping	H	72 (70)	-	5	4	Land+1	12	15	-	-
Jumping	H	70 (68)	-	7	5	Land+1	12	15	-	-
Jumping +	HL	80 (70)	su	12	10	Land+1	-	22 (18)	KD	-
Move Name	HL	Damage	Cancel Ability	Startup	Active	Recovery	Hitstun	Blockstun	On Hit	On Guard	Notes