Kyo Kusanagi(KOFXI)

Kyo Kusanagi 草薙　京
Tiers & Ranking
Tier:	B+ to A
Ratio Cost:	4 Points
Properties
Damage Modifier:	1.0
Stun Modifier:	1.0
Crouch height (Tier):	C

Quick Guide

Kyo is a good, well-rounded character with a versatile move set.

He has good juggle combo synergy and is particularly good as a shift combo starter.

His defense is generally OK to good, with his reversals having pronounced weaknesses.

He is best played in point position, as he requires no meter to be effective other than shift stock. He can occasionally be seen as a Leader, since his command grab LDM makes his offense much more scary.

Neutral

On range, either use projectiles or approach with j.D (which is not a great option, but Kyo does not have any great long-range air attacks).

Once a little closer, j.B & j.C are excellent jump in attacks that can also both cross up.

Offense

Once in close range, use a mix of 2B (massive frame advantage), walk up 6C (for either the 5C(c)>236D-D starter, or throw) or j.B & j.C.

j.B in particular is very strong because of its speed, and when used from small jumps, as it can easily cross up crouching opponents.

5B(c) hits low & chains into 3D(1), which can be hit-confirmed into 236C (from further away) or 236D-D (only up close).

After 236-D-D midscreen, reset your opponent with hyperhop j.D > land > rejump crossup / fake crossup j.C for a 50/50.

Kyo is at his best in the corner. Try to go into 5C>236D-D combos to maximize his damage and shift synergy: 236D-D, link 236A, link 236A delay 63214B, link 623C > Quick Shift.

Kyo's throw makes opponents wake up facing the other way. This can be used to cross them up in the corner with j.B and j.C and should be exploited as much as possible. To turn this into a 50/50, simply delay the attack and it will not crossup.

Kyo's Rekkas have some limited applications for poking & attacking, particularly if the opponent does not have any stock to guard cancel roll through longer strings.

Defense

Use 5A(f) to stop smalljump attempts - the attack only has 5F startup, which is very fast.

Against more obvious jump ins, use 623C.

Kyo's 623A/C can also be used as reversals, but 623C tends to not hit fully, frequently leading to a full punish for the opponent.

236236P can be used as a reversal, but is very slow.

LDM works as a reversal, but is rarely worth the risk (2 stocks meter lost).

Colors

A	B	C	D
R1 +	R1 +	R1 +	R1 +
E+A	E+B	E+C	E+D
L1 +	L1 +	L1 +	L1 +
Start+A	Start+B	Start+C	Start+D

Frame Data

Short List

Move	S	A	Hit	Blk	Dmg	C-Dmg	Stn	C-Stn	G-Dmg	Gauge	Note
Throw	1	1	+?	/	16	16	0	0	0	0
5A(c)	5	4	+4	+3	4	5	6	7	5	6
5A(f)	5	4	+4	+3	4	5	6	7	5	6	5F startup, the old jp. data says 7
5B(c)	8	4	+2	+1	7	8	9	10	7	8
5B(f)	7	3	-2	-3	8	10	9	10	7	8	Leg has hurtbox for 4F after active time.
5C(c)	4	3+3	+3	+2	12	15	14	15	11	12	Arm has hurtbox for 5F after active time.
5C(f)	10	3	+3	+2	13	16	15	16	12	14
5D(c)	6	3	-3	-4	12	15	14	15	11	12
5D(f)	14	5	+0	-1	14	17	15	16	12	14	Airborne F4-24.
5E	18	4	KD	-1	14	17	12	13	14	16
GC	7	6	KD	-14	5	5	0	0	0	0
6B	22	2	-7	-8	10	12	8	10	4	10	Overhead.
6B(cancel)	18	5	-1	-2	8	10	4	6	0	8	No Overhead. Faster than regular 6B. Special Cancel.
Saving Shift	?	n*	/	/	?	?	?	?	?	?	Active until landing. 9F/10F recovery (hit/whiff).
2A	5	4	+5	+4	4	5	6	7	5	6
2B	5	4	+5	+4	4	5	6	7	5	6	Can be used to punish rolls (only character where this is the case).
2C	7	2+4	-5	-6	12	15	14	15	11	12
2D	13	3	KD	-1	13	16	14	15	11	12
3D	12/23*	3+4	-6	-7	16	18	18	9	0	12	*= 2nd hit, if first hit whiffs.
small A	6	7	/	/	6	7	8	9	6	8
up A	6	7	/	/	7	8	9	10	7	8	Same hitbox as j.A.
j.A	6	6	/	/	7	8	9	10	7	8	Same hitbox as up A.
small B	6	5	/	/	6	7	8	9	6	8	Same hitbox as j.B.
up B	6	10	/	/	7	8	9	10	7	8
j.B	6	5	/	/	7	8	9	10	7	8	Same hitbox as small B.
small C	7	4	/	/	11	13	13	14	10	12	Same hitbox as j.C.
j.C	7	4	/	/	12	15	14	15	11	12	Same hitbox as small C.
back C	7	4	/	/	13	16	15	16	12	14	Same hitbox as small C.
small D	10	3	/	/	11	13	13	14	10	12	Same hitbox as j.D.
up D	11	11	/	/	12	15	14	15	11	12
j.D	10	3	/	/	12	15	14	15	11	12	Samehitbox as small D.
back D	10	3	/	/	13	16	14	15	11	14	Same hitbox as small D.
small E	14	4	/	/	11	13	9	10	11	14	Same hitbox as j.E.
j.E	14	4	/	/	12	15	10	11	12	14	Same hitbox as small E.
j.2C	8	5	/	/	8	10	10	12	14	14	Same for small- & normal jump.
236A	14	5	-5	-6	8	10	4	5	5	6/8	F6-9 Guard Point. F14-15 negates Projectiles.
236A>236P	7	8	KD	-14	6	7	4	5	5	4/4	Launches.
236A>236P>P	12	3	KD	-12	4	5	2	4	5	4/4	Overhead. Hard Knockdown.
236A>236P>63214K	33	3	KD	-10	14	17	14	16	10	4/6	F1-32 invul. Airborne F8-18.
236A>236P>K	14	2	KD	-3	9	11	4	6	8	4/4	Blowback.
236A>63214P	22	4	KD	-18	4	5	2	4	5	4/4	Overhead. Hard Knockdown.
236A>63214P>P	20	14	KD	-15	8	10	4	5	8	4/4	Low Hit. Hits OTG. No hurtbox on legs.
236A>63214P>B	24	3	KD	-5	14	17	14	16	10	4/6	Overhead. Hard Knockdown.
236A>63214P>D	12/24*	6+4	-9/-21²	-10/-22²	19	20	12	13	12	4/8	Low Hit. *=if first hit whiffs. ²=if second hit whiffs.
236A>63214K	11	2+3	KD	-9	8	10	10	12	10	4/6	F1-10 upper feet invul. Launches. Hard Knockdown. Used for corner juggles.
236C	17	6	-5	-6	7	8	5	6	6	6/8	Negates projectiles during active frames.
236C>63214C	12	3	-15	-16	5	6	4	6	5	2/4	Invul on Feet during active time.
236C>63214C>6C	15	4	KD	-27	5	6	4	6	5	2/4	Launches.
236C>63214C>6C>623C	3	14	KD	-14*	8	10	5	6	5	2/4	Rekka ender. *=only connects on standing guard.
623A	7/10*	3+14	KD	-21	14	17	4	6	28	12/6	Legs invul F1-9. Airborne F10-39. 12F landing recovery. *=if first hit whiffs.
623C	7/10*	3+17	KD	-32	20	22	4	5	16	12/6	Upper body invul F1-9. Airborne F10-48. 14F landing recovery. *if first hit whiffs.
236B	8	6	-9	-10	18	20	12	13	12	4/8	Feet invul F1-7. Airborne F8-30. 11F landing recovery. Dmg data = 2 hits.
236B-B	8	9	KD	-6/-1*	18	20	12	13	12	4/8	Does not allow juggles. *=no delay / max delay. 12F landing recovery. Dmg data = 2 hits.
236D	17	6	KD	-10	16	18	12	13	12	4/8	Feet invul F13-16. Airborne F17-39. 11F landing recovery. Dmg data = 2 hits.
236D-D	8	9	KD	-6/+3*	16	18	12	13	12	4/8	Allows juggles. *=no delay / max delay. 12F landing recovery. Dmg data = 2 hits.
214A	11	?	-13*	-22*	12	15	10	12	12	0/12	*=Point Blank.
214C	13	?	-14*	-23*	12	15	10	12	12	0/12	*=Point Blank.
421B	20	2+2+1	KD	-2/-1*	15	18	12	14	14	10/6	Airborne F7-29. 16F landing recovery. *=vs standing/crouching Kyo.
421D	31	2+2+2	KD	-2/-1*	18	22	12	14	14	10/6	Airborne F9-39. 17F landing recovery. *=vs standing/crouching Kyo.
2141236A	26	17	KD	-14	32	40	0	0	0	0	F1-3 invul. F4-17 legs invul. Charge up extends leg invul & adds 2F full invul once Kyo moves forward.
2141236A(min)	17	17	KD	-14	32	40	0	0	0	0	F1-3 invul. F4-10 legs invul. F11+12 full invul (from charge). 1F-timing to get 17F startup.
2141236C	26	17	KD	-14	32	40	0	0	0	0	F1-3 invul. F4-17 upper feet invul (from the button hold).
2141236C(min)	17	17	KD	-14	32	40	0	0	0	0	F1-3 invul. F4-10 legs invul. F11+12 full invul. 1F-timing to get 17F startup.
236236A	16	1+1+2	KD	-10	30	37	0	0	0	0	Freeze on F7. F1-7 invul. F9-11 invul. Can be charged for more damage.
236236C	25	1+3	KD	-13	30	37	0	0	0	0	Freeze on F16. F1-16 invul. F18-24 invul. Can be charged for more damage.
236236P(charge)	?	?	KD	KD	32/38*	40/47*	0	0	0	0	Once released, behaves like regular 236236P after the one "hold" frame that is forced. Unblockable on max charge. *=lvl2/3 charge.
6321463214E	1	2	KD	/	54	54	0	0	0	0	Command throw. F1-3 invul. Super Hits on F28, during freeze.
6321463214E(DC)	1	1	KD	/	35	35	0	0	0	0	Bigger hitbox than regular version. Super Hits on F28, during freeze.

Standing Attacks

Move	Hitbox	Startup	Active	Hit	Guard	Note
5A(c)		5	4	+4	+3
5A(f)		5	4	+4	+3	5F startup, the old jp. data says 7
5B(c)		8	4	+2	+1
5B(f)		7	3	-2	-3	Leg has hurtbox for 4F after active time.
5C(c)		4	3+3	+3	+2	Arm has hurtbox for 5F after active time.
5C(f)		10	3	+3	+2
5D(c)		6	3	-3	-4
5D(f)		14	5	+0	-1	Airborne F4-24.
5E		18	4	KD	-1
GC		7	6	KD	-14
6B		22	2	-7	-8	Overhead.
6B(cancel)		18	5	-1	-2	No Overhead. Faster than regular 6B. Special Cancel.
Saving Shift		?	n*	/	/	Active until landing. 9F/10F recovery (hit/whiff).

Crouching Attacks

Move	Hitbox	Startup	Active	Hit	Guard	Note
2A		5	4	+5	+4
2B		5	4	+5	+4	Can be used to punish rolls (only character where this is the case).
2C		7	2+4	-5	-6
2D		13	3	KD	-1
3D		12/23*	3+4	-6	-7	*= 2nd hit, if first hit whiffs.

Jump Attacks

Move	Hitbox	Startup	Active	Note
smalljump A		6	7
jump up A		6	7	Same hitbox as all j.A.
j.A		6	6	Same hitbox as jump up A.
smalljump B		6	5	Same as all j.B.
jump up B		6	10
j.B		6	5	Same as all smalljump B.
smalljump C		7	4	Same as all j.C.
j.C		7	4	Same as all smalljump C.
smalljump D		10	3	Same as all j.D.
jump up D		11	11
j.D		10	3	Same as all smalljump D.
smalljump E		14	4	Same as all j.E.
j.E		14	4	Same as all smalljump E.
j.2C		8	5	Same for small- & normal jump.

236A / 236C Rekkas

Move	Hitbox	Startup	Active	Hit	Guard	Note
236A		14	5	-5	-6	F6-9 Guard Point. F14-15 negates Projectiles.
236A>236P		7	8	KD	-14	Launches.
236A>236P>P		12	3	KD	-12	Overhead. Hard Knockdown.
236A>236P>63214K		33	3	KD	-10	F1-32 invul. Airborne F8-18.
236A>236P>K		14	2	KD	-3	Blowback.
236A>63214P		22	4	KD	-18	Overhead. Hard Knockdown.
236A>63214P>P		20	14	KD	-15	Low Hit. Hits OTG. No hurtbox on legs.
236A>63214P>B		24	3	KD	-5	Overhead. Hard Knockdown.
236A>63214P>D		12/24*	6+4	-9/-21²	-10/-22²	Low Hit. *=if first hit whiffs. ²=if second hit whiffs.
236A>63214K		11	2+3	KD	-9	F1-10 upper feet invul. Launches. Hard Knockdown. Used for corner juggles.
236C		17	6	-5	-6	Negates projectiles during active frames.
236C>63214C		12	3	-15	-16	Invul on Feet during active time.
236C>63214C>6C		15	4	KD	-27	Launches.
236C>63214C>6C>623C		3	14	KD	-14*	Rekka ender. *=only connects on standing guard.

Other Specials & Supers

Move	Hitbox	Startup	Active	Hit	Guard	Note
623A		7/10*	3+14	KD	-21	Legs invul F1-9. Airborne F10-39. 12F landing recovery. *=if first hit whiffs.
623C		7/10*	3+17	KD	-32	Upper body invul F1-9. Airborne F10-48. 14F landing recovery. *if first hit whiffs.
236B		8	6	-9	-10	Feet invul F1-7. Airborne F8-30. 11F landing recovery.
236B-B		8	9	KD	-6/-1*	Does not allow juggles. *=no delay / max delay. Fast possible cancel timing cancels 236B on the first active frame. 12F landing recovery.
236D		17	6	KD	-10	Feet invul F13-16. Airborne F17-39. 11F landing recovery.
236D-D		8	9	KD	-6/+3*	Allows juggles. *=no delay / max delay. Fast possible cancel timing cancels 236D on the first active frame. 12F landing recovery.
214A		11	?	-13*	-22*	*=Point Blank.
214C		13	?	-14*	-23*	*=Point Blank.
421B		20*	2+2+1	KD	-2/-1*	Airborne F7-29. 16F landing recovery. *=20F startup, old jp. data says 22. *2=vs standing/crouching Kyo.
421D		31*	2+2+2	KD	-2/-1*	Airborne F9-39. 17F landing recovery. *=31F startup, old jp. data says 34. *2=vs standing/crouching Kyo.
2141236A		26	17	KD	-14	F1-3 invul. F4-17 legs invul. Button can be held down to delay attack. Charging up the attack extends the leg invul phase & adds 2F full invul once Kyo moves forward.
2141236A(min-hold)		17	17	KD	-14	F1-3 invul. F4-10 legs invul. F11+12 full invul (from the button hold). Hitbox is the same as regular version. Needs 1F-timing to get 17F startup, releasing earlier gives 32F startup, releasing later adds 1F startup per 1F held.
2141236C		26	17	KD	-14	F1-3 invul. F4-17 upper feet invul (from the button hold). Button can be held down to delay attack. Charging up the attack extends the upper feet invul phase & adds 2F full invul once Kyo moves forward.
2141236C(min-hold)		17	17	KD	-14	F1-3 invul. F4-10 legs invul. F11+12 full invul. Hitbox is the same as regular version. Needs 1F-timing to get 17F startup, releasing earlier gives 32F startup, releasing later adds 1F startup per 1F held.
236236A		16/18*	1+1+2	KD	-10	Same hitboxes as C-version. Super Freeze on F7. F1-7 invul. "Hold" hurtbox is triggered on F8, even when not holding. F9-11 invul. *=first hitbox hits on F16, but hitbox is so small it does not combo from normals. 2nd hitbox has 18F startup if first hit whiffs. Old jp. data says 15F startup (wrong).
236236C		25/27*	1+3	KD	-13	Same hitboxes as A-version. Super Freeze on F16. Invul F1-16. "Hold" hurtbox is triggered on F17, even when not holding. F18-24 invul. *=*=first hit hits on F25, but hitbox is so small it does not combo from lights 2nd hit has 27F startup if first hit whiffs. Old jp. data says 24 startup (wrong).
236236P(charge)				KD	KD	Once released, behaves like regular 236236P after the one "hold" frame that is forced. Becomes unblockable on max charge.
6321463214E		1	2	KD	/	Command throw. F1-3 invul. Super Hits on F28 (during freeze).
6321463214E(DC)		1	1	KD	/	Bigger hitbox than regular version. Super Hits on F28 (during freeze).

Special Attributes & Bugs

• Kyo's throw turns the opponent around, allowing jump crossups when throwing the opponent into the corner.
• Kyo's 2B can be used to punish front rolls. He is the only character in the game that can do this, for everyone else, 2B simply misses. Note: EX Kyo cannot hit with 2B.
• If Kyo combos into his LDM and the opponent attempts to perform a Saving Shift at the moment the LDM activates, the Skill Gauge will empty but the Saving Shift will not activate. Ash has the same bug with his LDM, an example for Kyo can be seen here.

Combos

236D-D Combos & Setups

• 5A/B>3D(1)>236D-D

• 5C(c)>236D-D

• After any 236D-D combo midscreen:
  • hyperhop j.D, land, superjump j.B/C for crossup
  • 236236A
  • 236A(whiff)>236A (hit) > Quick Shift

• Corner Combo in 236D-D,236A, link 236A>delay 214B, then:
  • 5C(c), reset
  • 5A(c), reset (used on back turned hits to get corner crossup jump attacks after)
  • 623C > QS or Super Cancel

Other Combos

• [2B>5B] or [5C] > 3D(1)>236C>63214C, then:
  • 6C>623C
  • Quick Shift

• 5C>6B, then:
  • 236263A
  • 2141236P (min hold)
  • 236C rekka series

• Combo into 3D(1) > min hold 2141236P

LDM Setups

• 236236A Dream Cancel 63214,63214E

• 2B or 5B link 63214,63214E

• Combo into 5C > 63214,63214E: LDM Setup. Difficult, best done by prebuffering the motion, eg. 63214C+D, 63214E

Shift Combos

Kyo & K

• Midscreen Combo in 236D-D, 236A(whiff),236A(hit), delay K > Quick Shift K', j.A(whiff),\/, jump j.214D, (corner) \/, walk back, LDM. Source: BZR

Matchups

Kula

Very bad matchup according to Kyuntakuya, about an 8:2. Kyo can't do anything against Ray Spin (214B/D).

Navigation

• Main Page: The King of Fighters XI
• The King of Fighters XI: Advanced System Mechanics

• 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

---

• Arcade Bosses: Shion | Magaki
• Console Only: EX Kyo | Hotaru | Mai | Robert | Tung
• Console Only Bosses: Mr. Big | Geese