The King of Fighters XI: Tier Lists
Diagram
Achtung: Work in Progress |
Important note about the Diagram: the matchups take team synergy only loosely into account and focus more on a 1on1 situation. This makes characters like eg. Oswald look particularly bad in the diagram, when the opposite is true to his strong shift synergy.
Character | Kula | Gato | K' | Os | Ryo | Kim | Duck | Ralf | Adel | Maxi | Mary | Jeny | Eiji | Grif | Kyo | Yuri | Gai | Clar | Jazu | Mali | Vane | Ash | Beni | King | Tery | Iori | Eli | Shen | Kens | Silb | Shin | Athe | Duol | Haya | Ramo | Whip | Kasu | Momo |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kula | X | -* | ? | + | ? | + | +* | / | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | + | ? | ? | ? | + | ? | ? | + | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | + | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | + | ? | + |
Gato | +* | X | +* | + | ? | + | + | + | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | + | / | ? | + | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | /* | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | + | ? | + |
K' | ? | -* | X | ? | ? | / | + | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | + | ? | + |
Os | - | - | ? | X | - | - | ? | / | ? | + | ? | ? | - | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | - | ? | + | ? | ? | ? | ? | - | ? | ? | - | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | + | ? | + |
Ryo | ? | ? | ? | + | X | ? | + | + | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | + | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | - | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | + | ? | + |
Kim | - | - | / | + | ? | X | + | + | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | + | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | / | ? | + |
Duck | -* | - | - | ? | - | - | X | - | - | + | ? | ? | ? | - | ? | - | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | + | ? | + |
Ralf | / | - | ? | / | - | - | ? | X | ? | ? | + | ? | ? | ? | + | ? | ? | - | ? | ? | / | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | / | ? | + |
Adel | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | + | ? | X | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | + | ? | + |
Maxi | ? | ? | ? | - | ? | ? | - | ? | ? | X | ? | ? | - | ? | ? | ? | ? | + | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | / | ? | + |
Mary | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | - | ? | ? | X | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | + | ? | + |
Jeny | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | X | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | + | ? | + |
Eiji | ? | ? | ? | + | ? | ? | ? | - | ? | + | ? | ? | X | ? | ? | - | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | + | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | + | ? | + |
Grif | - | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | + | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | X | ? | ? | ? | + | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | + | ? | + |
Kyo | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | - | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | X | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | + | ? | + |
Yuri | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | + | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | + | ? | ? | X | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | + | ? | + |
Gai | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | X | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | / | ? | + |
Clark | - | - | ? | ? | ? | ? | + | + | ? | - | + | ? | + | - | + | ? | ? | X | ? | ? | - | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | + | ? | + |
Jazu | ? | / | ? | + | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | X | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | + | ? | + |
Malin | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | X | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | / | ? | + |
Vane | - | - | ? | - | - | - | ? | / | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | + | ? | ? | X | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | + | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | + | ? | + |
Ash | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | X | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | + | ? | + |
Beni | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | X | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | + | ? | + |
King | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | X | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | + | ? | + |
Tery | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | X | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | + | ? | + |
Iori | ? | ? | ? | + | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | X | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | + | ? | + |
Eli | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | X | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | / | ? | + |
Shen | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | X | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | + | ? | + |
Kens | - | /* | ? | + | + | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | - | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | - | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | X | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | + | ? | + |
Silb | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | X | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | + | ? | + |
Shin | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | X | ? | ? | ? | ? | - | ? | + |
Athe | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | X | ? | ? | ? | + | ? | + |
Duol | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | X | ? | ? | - | ? | + |
Haya | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | X | ? | / | ? | + |
Ramo | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | X | - | ? | + |
Whip | - | - | - | - | - | / | - | / | - | / | - | - | - | - | - | - | / | - | - | / | - | - | - | - | - | - | / | - | - | - | + | - | + | / | + | X | + | + |
Kasu | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | - | X | + |
Momo | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | X |
Source: see notes (mostly japanese players & ATG)
Additional Notes
- Kula vs Duck ist disputed, see Kula Matchups
- Gato vs K' is disputed. Japanese players are split between putting it favor of Gato or considering it even at the very highest level.
- Gato vs Kensou: according to Sawakoro, Gato has problems getting in on Kensou. According to Kyuntakuya, this is a 7:3 for Kensou.
- All Ralf & Clark matchups were provided by Rock.
- Gato vs Kim has been provided by Kyuntakuya, who considers it an 8:2.
- Gato vs Kula has been provided by Shingo, who sees Kula having difficulties approaching, even though her corner pressure is strong. On the other hand, if Gato & Kula are not Leaders in this matchup, Kula can also play this defensively and abuse her strong anti-airs.
Whip Matchups
Note from ATG: I asked u-rasia for whip matchups, he provided the following, based on his experience using all of those characters against Kentucky (strong Whip player):
"The basis of the information is the case where I fought against Kenta's Whip with the 37 characters I use.
I think WHIP has all the elements to win against any opponent."
- 30:70 K' Kura
- 35:65 Duck Yuri Gato Adelheid
- 40:60 Ash Shen Terry Ryo King Griffon Clark
- 45:55 Oswald Benimaru Jenet Athena Kensou Vanessa Mary Eiji Kyo Iori Jazu Silber
- 50:50 Elisabeth Kim Ralf Malin Maxima Gai Hayate
- 55:45 Duolon Momoko Ramon Kasumi Shingo
Matchup impressions of Kyuntakuya
- Eiji vs Oswald: 9:1
- Eiji vs Yuri: 2:8 (worst matchup, her strong air normals make this hard)
- Eiji vs Kensou: 6:4
- Gato vs Jazu: 5:5
- Gato vs Kensou: 3:7
- Gato vs Kula: 5:5
- Gato vs Kim: 8:2
- Kim vs Kula: 1:9 or even 0:10
- Kim vs K': 5:5
- Kim vs Oswald: 6:4 or 5:5
Current Tier Lists
U-rasia & Sawakoro Tier List
Note by ATG: quotes are by u-rasia, roughly translated from japanese by me.
- SS: Gato, Kula
"Gato & Kula's positions within this tier are often debated, proving that they are doing well."
- S: Oswald, K', Ryo
"Oswald: although I am worried about his defense, both his Ace & his Stun Combo potential contribute greatly to winning."
"Ryo: best overall defense, strong LDM, also has good crossups, high/low game & shift combos."
"K: good defensive options in Crow Bites (623P) & Heaven's Drive (236236B) plus strong combos with Chain Drive (LDM) & Heat Drive (236236P)."
- S-: Kim, Duck, Ralf
"Kim: excellent in the air, good stun combos, high damage even when playing him solo, but hard matchups against Kula & Gato."
"Duck: strong normals & can fight Kula & Gato, also has good stun combos but rather weak defense."
"Ralf: very dangerous from a medium-range, relatively safe distance. His hard knockdown loop is strong and he can fight well against Kula & Gato."
- A+: Adelheid, Maxima, Clark, Griffon, Eiji, Yuri
- A: Jazu, Mary, Gai, Terry, Iori
- A-: Silber, Vanessa, Mary, Kyo, Jenet, Ash
"The above 3 tiers are in flux, the difference in power between them is not big. In my opinion, the A+ characters could be added to S-. Although Iori has low damage, he can fight many different characters well and is good at opening up the opponent, hence his placement in this tier. The reason why Kyo is only A- despite his strong corner damage is simply because the A+ and higher characters still appear a little stronger in comparison."
- B+: Elisabeth, Malin, Benimaru, Athena
- B: Whip, Shen, Kensou
- B-: Ramon, Shingo, Duolon, Kasumi
"B+ are characters that do well as leaders and/or can hold their own against SS,S and A tier characters. Kensou has an advantage over S-tier characters like Ryo and Oswald. Although her stun potential is low, Jenet made it into A- based on her pressure, the defense Aurora (236236K) provides and the fact that she has no landing recovery after a DOWN! puts her into A-."
- C+: Hayate, Momoko
"Momoko: her j.2B and low profile hurtbox while crouching help opening up and avoiding the opponent. "
"Hayate: in neutral, using projectiles and rush-in-attacks from afar make up his unusual and surprising play style."
"If you are used to these characters, they feel like they have the potential for B to B- tier, but you'll jeopardize the stability of your team."
Lists from Shingo
December 2019, Source
Note: Malin is once again missing.
SS: Gato
S: Kula
A+: K', Ryo
A Oswald
A- Kim, Duck, Ralf
B+ Jazu, Adelheid, Eiji
B Gai, Vanessa, Mary, Maxima, Griffon, Terry, Ash, King, Kyo, Yuri, Iori, Clark, Silber
B- Benimaru, Shen, Athena, Kensou, Jenet, Whip, Elisabeth
C- Shingo, Duolon, Kasumi, Hayate
D+ Momoko, Ramon
September 2019, Source
Note: Malin is missing.
Hades: Gato
Persephone: Kula
A+: Ryo, K'
A Oswald
A- Kim, Duck, Ralf
B+ Adelheid, Jazu, Gai, Maxima, Eiji
B Mary, Griffon, Terry, Vanessa, Yuri, Iori, King, Ash, Kyo, Clark
B- Benimaru, Silber, Athena, Kensou, Jenet, Elisabeth
C Shen, Shingo, Whip
C-Duolon, Kasumi, Hayate, Ramon
D+ Momoko
Lists from k-tani
List from 2019, Source: Twitter
List from 2018, Source: Twitter
Lists from Pie (Korea)
February 2020, Source
S Kula, Gato, Oswald
A K', Kim, Ryo
B Iori, Eiji, Maxima, Kyo, Ralf, Clark, Terry, Duck, Adelheid, Juri
C Silber, Griffon, Ash, Mary, Gai, Vanessa, Malin, King, Jazu, Shen, Elisabeth, Benimaru, Duolon
D Athena, Momoko, Hayate, Whip, Kensou, Ramon, Shingo, Kasumi, Jenet
Other current Tier Lists
List from Rock from Nagoya, 2020/04/24:
Quote Rock:
"I think that 「C+ rank」 can bring out the strength around A to B depending on the person.
It is almost impossible for the D rank to turn over the super inferiority.
Or in continuous battle,
The view is that the character itself will be harder to win"
Sawakoro's Top 3 Chars (2018)
1. Kula
2. Gato
3. Ryo
2015 Tier List from kofxi_bot. Called the "Imperial Cross":
According to the old post, the most important is the divider in the middle - characters below are weaker, above, stronger.
Old Tier Lists
Ratio-List 2013:
Note: 13 points are allowed per team. This list is outdated. Source: Nicovideo
- 7 points: Gato, Kula
- 6 points: Oswald, K'
- 5 points: Kim, Duck, Ryo, Yuri, Ralf, Clark, Eiji, Maxima, Adelheid
- 4 points: Elisabeth, Benimaru, Terry. King, Griffon, Vanessa, Mary, Malin, Kyo,Gai, Jazu
- 3 points: Ash, Shen, Jenet, Whip, Iori, Silber
- 2 points: Duolon, Athena, Kensou, Ramon, Kasumi, Shingo
- 1 point: Momoko, Hayate
Tougeki Magazine vol. 3 2006/06/14 (post-tougeki):
God: Kula, Gato
Monster: Oswald(1up)
King: Duck(2up), Kim(1up), Gai, Jenet, Eiji
Knight: Ralf, Clark, Kyo, Jazu, Ryo(2up), Silber
Soldier: Ash, K', Terry(1up), Vanessa, Maxima(1up)
Citizen: All other characters (Benimaru=1down; Shen=1down)
- Sacred Treasures Team: Kyo | Iori | Shingo
- Hero Team: Ash | Oswald | Shen
- Fatal Fury Team: Terry | Kim | Duck King
- Agent Team: Vanessa | Mary | Ramon
- Art of Fighting Team: Ryo Sakazaki | Yuri Sakazaki | King
- Rival Team: Elisabeth | Duo Lon | Benimaru
- Team K': K' |Kula | Maxima
- Garou Team: Jenet | Gato | Griffon
- Ikari Warriors Team: Ralf | Clark | Whip
- Anti Kyokugenryu Team: Malin | Kasumi | Eiji
- Psycho Soldier Team: Athena Asamiya | Sie Kensou | Momoko
- Time Unlock: Adelheid | Gai | Hayate | Jazu | Silber