The King of Fighters 2002 UM/Kyo-2

Movelist

Normals

Close

• cl.A/B/C/D are cancel-able
• cl.B hits low.
• cl.C has a short window of auto-guard on startup (frame 4), which can be useful in frametraps. Standard combo starter.
• cl.D has a special property: if it hits an airborne opponent, it will launch them, allowing for a juggle afterwards—but, this is risky though because it can get beaten. Can be used instead of cl.C in combos, it deals a bit more damage but is slower and less safe on block.

Stand

• st.A/C are cancel-able
• Standing A prevents short jump-ins
• Standing B is a quick long poke. Will whiff on low crouchers.
• Standing D starts up really fast, but doesn't go very far and a bit slow on recovery.

Crouch

• cr.D is unique: it's the only sweep in the game you can combo from (think of Street Fighter's cr.MK). Two hits, first hit is the cancelable part, the 2nd hit knocks down and is not very safe on block. The 1st hit doesn't cause any pushback, allowing for some specific combos; the caveat, however, is that there's not much to cancel it into for safety, other than rdp+B. Also, despite cr.D looks like Kyo's df+D, it's not as fast.

Jump

• Jumping B has a special property: the full jump (i.e. not hop) version can be canceled into jumping d+C (Naraku Otoshi/Drop to Naraku) on hit. This can be used for pressure, but it's risky because j.B needs to be early for d+C to combo and this can be low profiled easily.
• Jump D is Kyo-2's main jump button for virtually any purpose. Fast, long reach, hits deep and works amazingly well as crossup. Best damage out of his jumping buttons too.

Blowback Attack

• st.CD is a little short/slow but causes hard knockdown on hit and counterwires.
• j.CD is standard, similar to Kyo's. A bit slow and short range.

Throws

Anvil Slam - b/f + C

• Grabs the opponent and performs a shoulder attack
• Normal throw
• Can be broken

Swift Shoulder Throw - b/f + D

• Flips the opponent and then performs an elbow drop.
• Standard reverse throw
• Can be broken

Command Moves

Ge Shiki Naraku Otoshi/Drop to Naraku - in air, d + C

• Similar to Kyo's. This command normal comes out very fast and causes longer hitstun than normal. However, it also causes more pushback on hit than regular jump attacks, so to combo off of it, either do it early if you want cl.C, or do if done late use cr.D. If it hits an airborne opponent, it will ground slam. One of the small "Cons" about this command move is that its hitbox is very small and could easily whiff when normal/super jumping. Sadly, it also has smaller crossup box than Kyo's d+C, so it's quite hard to crossup with it from a jump, although it still works ok from hyperhop. d+C can be canceled into from Kyo-2's full jump B (u + B~d + C).
• Can cross up

Ge Shiki Goufu You/Thundering Axe Burst - f + B

• 2-hit kick. 2nd hit is an overhead when done raw. Not exactly great as an overhead since it's slow and the first hit gives a clue to block standing, although it may work from further distance. However, f+B first hit comboes from light attacks, making it useful for combos, especially to max mode ones.
• Free Cancel-able (1st hit only)
• Overhead Attack (2nd hit only)

Special Moves

Fireball - dp + A/C

• Kyo-2 surrounds himself in flames and jumps in the air doing a 360 motion(A/C versions dictate how high he jumps). Fireball is a standard Dp(623 + A/C),it has some invincibility on start up,and the C version can cancel into both DM's and SDM. Fireball can be used as an anti-air, on wake up, and stop short hops. If fireball is baited Kyo-2(like all Dp's)will be vulnerable so try not to be predictable.
• Super Cancel-able

Crescent Slash - hcb + B/D

• Kyo-2 dashes towards the opponent and strikes with his elbow(like Kusanagi or original Kyo)then picks up the opponent with his other arm and explodes. Although the move animation is very similar to Kyo Kusanagi and Kusanagi the difference is very vivid. Crescent Slash is slower,does more damage,and cannot combo from any of his command moves. Crescent Slash is best used as a tool to punish(cl C or d + D, hcb + B/D). NOTE: do NOT use when you are mid/Full screen away from opponent.
• Super Cancel-able

R.E.D. Kick - rdp + B/D

• Kyo-2 vaults toward the opponent using his leg as a hammer(Like Fireball B/D versions determine how far/distance he closes between you and the opponent. R.E.D. Kick is one of the most devastating moves Kyo-2 have if utilized correctly. It is an overhead,Beats most air normals,and best of all its safe on block. R.E.D. kick is best utilized when anticipating a jump in or projectile. The few cons that this special move has is that it can be punished with a well timed anti-air or a DM/SDM/HSDM and cannot combo into most things without the use of max mode.

Poison Gnaw Fest - qcf + C

• Kyo-2 spins and strikes with his arm covered in flames. Poison Gnaw Fest has good range,invincibility when Kyo-2 spins,and can be used as a poke.
• Rekka Starter

> Recitation of Sins - During Poison Gnaw Fest, hcb + A/C

• Kyo-2 continues the special moves by additionally using his burning arm to strike the opponent again.
• Mid Rekka

>> Verdict - During Recitation of Sins, f + P

• Kyo-2 ends the rekka by additionally striking with his shoulder while rising.
• Rekka Ender

Wicked Chew - qcf + A

• Kyo-2 strikes with arm that is swiftly ignited(Same properties as the original). Wicked chew is primarily used in all of Kyo-2 BnB's.
• Rekka Starter

> Masticate - During Wicked Chew, qcf + A/C

• Kyo-2 uppercuts the opponent and it acts as a launcher to set up the next part of the rekka.
• Mid Rekka

>> Oxidation 1 - During Masticate, A/C

• Kyo-2 uses his elbow to slam the opponent down to the ground.
• Super Cancel-able
• Hard Knockdown

>> Rapids of Rage - During Masticate, B/D

• Kyo-2 swings his leg forward to kick the opponent to the other end the screen.
• Super Cancel-able

> Oxidation 2 - During Wicked Chew, hcb + A/C

• Kyo-2 instead of launching the opponent performs an overhead attack by striking downward with his ignited elbow.
• Overhead Attack

>> Instantaneous Smash - During Oxidation 2, A/C

• Kyo-2 strikes downward on his knees to hit the opponents feet (mimics Kyo-1)
• Despite the look of the hitbox it can still be blocked high.

>> Phantom Mauler - During Oxidation 2, B/D

• Kyo-2 lifts his arm upward knocking the opponent into the air,
• Guard breaks if opponent blocks
• Super Cancel-able

Desperation Moves

Final Showdown - qcf x 2 + A/C

• Kyo-2 throws a flame to the ground creating a large pillar of flames then rushing through it with his whole body on fire performing multiple Poison Gnaw fists. Final Showdown can cancel into a majority of Kyo-2's attacks and combos. Final Showdown instantly breaks the opponent guard if blocked and is a good punishing tool.

Futsu no Mitama - qcf x 2 + B/D

> Additional attack - dp + B/D

• Futsu no Mitama is similar to Kyo-2 Dp motion(FireBall) but is extended from him doing a 360 to a 720 rotation surrounded by flames and if the attack connects Kyo-2 can follow up with an extra attack. Futsu no Mitama is a great anti-air and has invincibility on start up.
• Follow-up will not come if they guard the first part of the DM
• Anti-Air DM

Super Desperation Moves

Final Showdown - qcf x 2 + AC

• Kyo-2 creates a large pillar of flame then rushes through it with a flury of punches while on fire then finishing the SDM with his special move "Fire Ball". Unlike his desperation move his SDM version does not break the opponents guard if it is blocked, it does significantly more damage, and like his SDM version it can be combo into almost every variation of his Bnb.

HSDM

Hi no Kaguzuchi - hcb x 2 + BD

• Kyo-2 mimics his Crescent Slash but instead of instantly exploding the opponent Kyo-2 burns the opponent by setting his body on fire while he is choking them then he explodes. Hi no Kaguzuchi is a very effective HSDM due to the fact that it is possible to combo into with most of Kyo-2's BnB also it is a perfect tool for punishing and worth the stocks it takes. For some reason, you can also cancel/whiff cancel pretty much any normal into it even as far as during their recovery which makes for a weird case of just 1hit-confirm into it.

Combos

• Always use qcfx2+A instead of qcfx2+C, no reason to ever not.
• For an unknown reason, to SC dp+C into qcfx2+X, the f,qcf+C (SC) qcf+X shortcut won't work if you press f and C at the exact same frame. You need a standalone f in the dp before C gets read or the SC won't happen.

• Simply making a very brief pause between f,qcf and C is my recommended solution.
• Another way to get around this is TK'ing the f,qcf as f,qcf,uf. It's not a mechanic but would simply force you to do f,qcf and then uf+C, you keep a f alone and thus it'll work.

• cr.B, cr.A, dp+C/qcfx2+A
  • The dp will whiff on crouching Bao and can whiff on crouching Mature/Vice/Jhun if you don't do the combo fast enough.
• cr.B, cr.A, f+B, qcf+C/hcbx2+BD
  • Doesn't work on crouching Bao (f+B doesn't combo) nor on crouching Vice/Mature (the second hit of f+B whiffs).
• j.X, cl.C/D, f+B, qcf+C/hcbx2+BD
• j.X or (j.B > j.d+C), cl.C/cr.D(1), (qcf+A > qcf+P > K) / (qcf+C > hcb+P > f+P) / hcb+K
  • hcb+K for hard knockdown, A rekka for better damage and carry, and C rekka for slightly less damage but a safer option on block. Your preferred bnb.
• cl.D (Air Hit), (super jump) d+C/rdp+D
  • rdp+D does more damage and offers better oki but you need to cancel into it so it's also much riskier.

Max Mode

• NOTHING works on crouching Bao, except the max combo with (F.Bao) at the end
• You can replace cr.D(1) by cl.D for a bit more damage, though you'll then need to BC run to continue the combo.
• If you wanna add a non cross-up jump-in to cr.B, cr.A/cl.B, f+B(1), cr.B must be omitted.
• Adding the optional (>hcb+P) to the combos noted can make them whiff on some characters if you end with qcfx2+AC. If unsure, don't use it.
• qcfx2+D(8) > dp+K is a better max mode ender as it does slightly more damage than qcfx2+P and is a hard knockdown so better oki. You can use it when DM is written but you can't use it after hcb+P rekka follow-up. For the other combos, you should use it :

• Anywhere, on Chang, crouching (Chin, Xiangfei) and everyone else backturned.
• In the corner, on everyone standing but only crouching (Kensou -and Ex-, Seth, Ramon, Kim, Lin, Billy).

• cr.B, cr.A/cl.B, f+B(1), qcf+BC > hcb+P, (C) hcb+B(1), (C) qcf+C > hcb+P, (C) hcb+D(1), (C) dp+C(1), (SC) DM or qcfx2+AC
  • Doesn't work on crouching (Vice, Mature, Jhun)
• cr.B, cr.A/cl.B, f+B(1), qcf+BC > hcb+P, (C) hcb+B(1), (C) qcf+C, (C) dp+C(1)/hcb+D(1), (C) qcf+C (> hcb+P), (SC) qcfx2+A or qcfx2+AC
  • Use dp+C(1) on crouching Jhun and hcb+D(1) on crouching (Vice, Mature).
• cr.B, cr.A/cl.B, f+B(1), dp+BC(1), [(C) qcf+C > hcb+P, (C) hcb+D(1)]x2, (SC) qcfx2+A or qcfx2+AC
  • Replace dp+BC and the first hcb+D by hcb+B on crouching (Mature, Vice, Jhun). Using the one above on them is preferred.
• cr.D(1), (BC) cr.D(1), qcf+A/dp+C(1), [(C) qcf+C > hcb+P, (C) hcb+D(1)]x2, (SC) qcfx2+A or qcfx2+AC (F.Bao)

These four are the basic max combos to use. Easy and good damage.

• cr.B, cr.A/cl.B, f+B(1), dp+BC(1), [(C) qcf+C, (C) dp+C(1)]×2, (SC) DM or qcfx2+AC
  • Doesn't work on crouching (Mature, Vice, Jhun).
• cr.D(1), (BC) cr.D(1), dp+C(1), [(C) qcf+C, (C) dp+C(1)]×2, (SC) DM or qcfx2+AC
  • Doesn't work on crouching (Mature, Vice).
• cl.C/D, f+B(1), (BC run) cl.C/D, dp+C(1), [(C) qcf+C, (C) dp+C(1)]×2, (SC) DM or qcfx2+AC

These are in order the most damaging routes.

• cr.B, cr.A/cl.B, f+B(1), qcf+BC, [(C) dp+C(1), (C) qcf+C]x2 (> hcb+P), (SC) qcfx2+A or qcfx2+AC
  • Doesn't work on crouching (Mature, Vice, Jhun).
• cr.D(1), (BC) cr.D(1), qcf+C, [(C) dp+C(1), (C) qcf+C]x2 (> hcb+P), (SC) qcfx2+A or qcfx2+AC
  • Doesn't work on crouching (Mature, Vice).
• cr.D (1) (BC) cr.D (1), qcf+C, (C) dp+C (1), (C) qcf+C > hcb+P, (C) hcb+D (1), (C) dp+C(1), (SC) DM or qcfx2+AC
  • Remove > hcb+P against crouching Jhun. Doesn't work on crouching (Mature, Vice).

Use these three instead if you don't like starting the loop with dp. Little damage loss.

• cl.C/D, f+B(1), (BC run) cl.C/D, f+B, hcbx2+BD

The just-do-it combo. Decent damage for how simple it is.

Frame Specifics

Frame Advantage

Close Normals

cl.A - 4F (-1F)

cl.B - 5F (-3F)

cl.C - 5F (-3F)

cl.D - 6F (-9F)

Far Normals

st.A - 4F (-1F)

st.B - 6F (-5F)

st.C - 9F (-8F)

st.D - 6F (-9F)

CD - 19F (-4F)

Crouch Normals

cr.A - 4F (+1F)

cr.B - 4F (+1F)

cr.C - 5F (-8F)

cr.D

• [1] - 8F　
• [2] - 36F (-15F)

Command Normals

Thundering Axe Burst (f+B)

• [1] - 12F
• [2] - 22F (-7F)

Thundering Axe Burst (f+B) - Canceled

• [1] - 9F
• [2] - 19F (-7F)

Special Attacks

Fireball (dp+A)

• [Start-up] - 6F (-26F)
• [Whole Guard] - (-21F)

Fireball (dp+C)

• [Start-up] - 6F
• [Whole Guardﾞ] - (-33F)

Crescent Slash (hcb+B) - 14F (-24F)

Crescent Slash (hcb+D) - 16F (-30F)

Poison Gnaw Fest (qcf+C) - 19F (-9F)

Recitation of Sins (qcf+C~hcb+P) - 11F (-19F)

Wicked Chew (qcf+A) - 14F (-15F)

Masticate (qcf+A~qcf+P) - 8F (-20)

Rapids of Rage (qcf+A~qcf+P~K) - 18F (-8F)

Oxidation 2 (qcf+A~hcb+P) - 23F (-21F)

Oxidation 2 (qcf+A~qcf+P~hcb+P) - 14F (-12F)

Rapids of Rage (qcf+A~hcb+P~K) - 14F (-4F)→Guard Crash

Instantaneous Smash (qcf+A~hcb+P~P) - 27F (-16F)

R.E.D Kick (rdp+B) - 19F

• Choi sized characters, stand guard (-3F)
• Standard sized characters, stand guard (-5F)
• Tall characters, stand guard - (-7F)
• Standard sized characters, crouch guard (-3F)
• Daimon sized characters, crouch guard (-5F)

R.E.D (rdp+D) - ?F

• Choi sized characters, stand guard "spaced" (-6F)
• crouch guard - (-4F)
• Choi sized characters, stand guard (-4F)

DM's

Final Showdown (qcfx2+A) - 6F (-27F)→Guard Crash

Final Showdown (qcfx2+C) - 8F (-27F)→Guard Crash

Futsu no Mitama (qcfx2+K) - 7F

SDM's

Final Showdown (qcfx2+AC) - 8F

HSDM

Hi no Kaguzuchi (hcbx2+BD) - 3F (-8F)

Videos

Nikolai-保力達 (Kyo-2 Best Rounds)

Nikolai-保力達 (Kyo-2 Best Rounds 2)

Kyo - 2 Master Class Tutorial Video

External Links

Check Kyo-2's frame data

Discuss at 02UM Discord server

Discuss at Dream Cancel