The King of Fighters XIII/Duo Lon
Gameplay Overview
Gameplay Notes
Duo Lon is one of the more versatile players in the XIII roster. His gameplay revolves around his pokes, fast mix up with Rekkas (Suteki Juryu, qcf+P x3), and his teleports. With the introduction of Ex specials in XIII, his (air) f+A and (air) f+B command/special attack become very useful for setting up mixups. He's typically a rush down character but at the same time he can zone his opponent well with his f+A ground and air version. His f+B also prevents opponents from turtling him from a far.
Despite having overall a low damage output and losing his other variation of Rekkas from '03 and XI he's still a very capable silent assasin like his official nickname suggests.
Pros
- Good Mixups in general
- Fast
- Builds meter relatively fast
- Decent keep away game
- Good rush down game
- 1-frame Neo Max command throw
- f.A --> f.B link good to keep opponents grounded
- j.B --> air.f+B adds great pressure and is also good for mixups
Cons
- Low damage
- Rekkas not safe on block
- Limited move set makes him somewhat predictable
- Limited HD combos due to limited move set
Normals
Hit detection notes
Hit detection is defined by the following:
Overhead An attack that must be blocked high.
Mid An attack that can be blocked either high or low.
Low An attack that must be blocked low.
Standing
s.A: 25 damage, cancellable/chainable, hits mid.
s.B: 30 damage, cancellable, hits mid.
s.C: 70 damage, cancellable, hits mid.
s.D: 70 damage, cannot becanceled, hits mid.
Far D: 70 damage, cancellable, hits mid.
Crouching
d.A: 25 damage, chainable, hits mid.
d.B: 30 damage, chainable, hits low.
d.C: 70 damage, cancellable, hits mid.
d.D: 80 damage, cannot be canceled, hits low.
Jumping
j.A: 45 (40) damage, cancellable, hits overhead.
j.B: 45 (40) damage, cancellable, hits overhead.
j.C: 72 (70) damage, cancellable, hits overhead.
j.D: 70 (68) damage, cannot be cancelled, hits overhead.
Blowback Attack
CD: 75 damage, cancellable, hits mid.
j.CD: 90 (80) damage, cancellable, hits mid.
GCCD: 10 damage, cannot be canceled, hits mid.
Throw
Suite Shikon = (b/f+C/D)
- Can be broken
- Hit Detection: Throw
- Damage: 100
Special Moves
Genmu Ken = (f+A)
(EX) = f+AC
- Cancellable
- Hit Detection: Mid
- Damage: 40; EX Damage: 30 x 2
- Ex Damage in console: 40 x 2
Genmu Ken Air = (f+A) in air
(EX) = f+AC in air
- Hit Detection: Overhead
- Damage: 40; EX Damage: 80
Genmu Kyaku = (f+B)
(EX) = f+BD
- Hit Detection: Mid
- Damage: 20; EX Damage: 60
- Damage in console: 30
Genmu Kyaku Air = (f+B) in air
(EX) = f+BD in air
- Hit Detection: Overhead
- Damage: 40; EX Damage: 60
Hike Kyaku Zen = (qcf+K)
(EX) = qcf+BD
- No Damage
Hike Kyaku Ushiro = (qcb+K)
(EX) = qcb+BD
- No Damage
Juon Shikon = (qcb+P)
(EX) = qcb+AC
- Super-Cancellable
- Hit Detection: Mid
- Damage: 50; EX Damage: 40 x 5
- Damage in console: 60
Suteki Juryu = (qcf+P) x3
(EX) = qcf+AC x3
- Drive- / Super-Cancellable
- Hit Detection: Mid
- Damage: 30, 30, 40; EX Damage: 60, 30, 40
- Ex Damage in console: 60, 40, 50
Desperation Moves
Genmu Bakko Shikon = (qcb hcf+P)
(EX) = qcb hcf+AC
- MAX Cancellable
- Hit Detection: Mid
- Damage: 200; EX Damage: 60 x 3, 140
Neomax
Juon Ko Ha = (hcbx2+AC)
- Hit Detection: Throw (/ High if MAX canceled into)
- Damage: 10 x 40
- Damage up to 448 for console release
Common Combo Starters
d.B, (d.B), d.A, f A
s.D, f A
Combos
No Stock, No Drive Gauge -
d.A x2, Rekkas x3, qcf B, s.C (reset): 184
s.D, f A, Rekkas x3, qcf B, s.C (reset): 244
1 Stock, No Drive Gauge -
j.CD, f AC in air
f A, f B, qcb~hcf+P DM: 248
s.D, f A, f B, DM: 305
d.B x2, d A, f A, f B, DM: 288
f B, DM: 220
d.A x2, f A, f B, DM: 269
d.A x2, Ex Rekkas x2, qcb A, Rekkas x3, qcf B, s.C: 295
s.D, f AC, qcb A, s.A, Rekkas x3, qcf B, s.C: 326
s.D, f A, Ex Rekkas x2, qcb A, s.A, Rekkas x3, qcf B, s.C: 364
(corner): s.D, f A, Ex Rekkas x2, qcb A, s.D, f A, Rekkas x3, qcf B, s.C 418
1 Stock, 1+ Drive Gauge -
s.D, f A, Rekkas x3, [SC], DM: 342
s.D, f A, Rekkas x2, [DC] f.A, f.B, DM: 354
s.D, f A, Rekkas x2, [DC], Ex Rekkas x2, qcb A, d.A, Rekkas x3, qcf B, s.C: 381
s.D, f A, Rekkas x2, [DC] f AC, qcb A, s.D, f A, Rekkas x3, qcf B, s.C: 400
s.D, f A, Ex Rekkas x2, qcb A, d.A, Rekkas x2, [DC] f A, Rekkas x3, qcf B, s.C: 403
s.C, f A, (qcf+P) x2, [DC]) f BD, j.C (reset)
2 Stock, No Drive Gauge -
s.C, f A, (qcf+P) x3, qcf B, qcb~hcf+AC
2 Stock, 1+ Drive Gauge -
s.D, f A, Rekkas x3, [DC] Ex Rekkas (2nd whiffs), DM: 409
s.D, f.A Rekkas, [SC] Ex DM: 447
s.D, f.A, Rekkas x2, [DC] f.AC, qcb A, s.C, Ex Rekkas x2, qcb A, s.C, Rekkas x3, qcf B, s.C 479
f A, f B, Ex DM: 350
s D, f A, f B, Ex DM: 408
d.B x2, d.A, f.A, f.B, Ex DM: 393
s.D, f A, Ex Rekkas x2, qcb A, d A, f.AC, d.A, f A, Rekkas x3, s.C: 408
s.D, f A, Ex Rekkas x2, qcb A, s.A, f.A, f.B, DM: 429
s.D, f A, Rekkas x3, qcf B, Ex DM: 447
s.D, f AC, s.D, f A, Ex Rekkas x2, qcb A, s.D, f.A, Rekkas x3, qcf B, s.C: 479
(corner): s.D, f.A, Ex Rekkas x2, qcb A, s.C, Ex Rekkas x2, qcb A, s.C, Rekkas x3, qcf B, s.C: 506
3 Stock, No Drive Gauge -
f BD, qcb~hcf+AC
3 Stock, 1+ Drive Gauge -
s.C, f A, (qcf+P)x2, [DC] (qcf+AC)x3, qcf+D, qcb hcf+AC
HD Combos
NOTE: All combos listed below start with st/cr.X or anything that properly links into the rest of the combo
Legend
① = [(qcf+P)x2, (HDC) f+A]*N
1 Stock -
(1) s.C, f+A, ①, (qcf+P)x2, (DC) qcb+P (HD end), qcb hcf+P
(2) (Near corner) s.C, f+A, [HD], s.C f+A, qcf x3, [HDC] Ex qcb+P, (qcf+P, qcf+P (whiff), qcf+P, [HDC], qcb C) x3, qcf x3, [HDC] qcf B, (jump CD) / f+B, s.C (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjnaIv4_130&feature=youtu.be&t=10m6s)
2 Stock -
(3) st.C, f+A, ①, (qcf+P)x3, (DC) qcf+D (HD end), qcb hcf+AC
3 Stock -
(4) st.C, f+A, ①, (qcf+P)x2, (SC) hcbx2+AC
4 Stock -
(5) st.C, f+A, ①, (qcf+P)x2, (SC) qcb hcf+P, (MC) hcbx2+AC
5 Stock -
(6) st.C, f+A, ①, (qcf+P)x2, (SC) qcb hcf+AC, (MC) hcbx2+AC
Move Metadata
| Move | Damage | Stun | Startup | On Guard | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| s.A | 25 | 3 | 5 | +3 | |
| d.A | 25 | 3 | 4 | +4 | |
| Far A | 25 | 3 | 5 | +3 | |
| j.A | 45 | 3 | 5 | - | |
| Hop A | 40 | 3 | 5 | - | |
| s.B | 30 | 3 | 6 | +1 | |
| d.B | 30 | 3 | 5 | +1 | |
| Far B | 30 | 3 | 6 | +1 | |
| j.B | 45 | 3 | 5 | - | |
| Hop B | 40 | 3 | 5 | - | |
| s.C | 70 | 7 | 5 | -1 | |
| d.C | 70 | 7 | 6 | -10 | |
| Far C | 80 | 7 | 5 | -1 | |
| j.C | 72 | 7 | 6 | - | |
| Hop C | 70 | 7 | 6 | - | |
| s.D | 70 | 7 | 5 | -9 | |
| d.D | 80 | 7 | 9 | -5 | |
| Far D | 70 | 7 | 9 | -7 | |
| j.D | 70 | 7 | 7 | - | |
| Hop D | 68 | 7 | 7 | - | |
| s.CD | 75 | 10 | 12 | -1 | |
| j.CD | 90 | 7 | 10 | - | |
| Hop CD | 80 | 7 | 10 | - | |
| Normal Throw | 100 | 0 | 1 | - | Hard knockdown |
| GCCD | 4 | 0 | 13 | -15 | 17 on startup vs jump attacks? |
| Genmu Kyaku = f.B | 30 | 5 | 13 | +1 | 4 frames from afar & no cancel |
| Air Genmu Kyaku = air f.B | 40 | 5 | 11 | - | 12 Blockstun, 14 Hitstun |
| Genmu Ken = f.A | 40 | 4 | 9 | -4 | 4 frames from afar & no cancel |
| Air Genmu Ken = air f.A | 40 | 3 | 8 | - | 12 Blockstun, 14 Hitstun |
| Suteki Juryu (1st and 2nd hit) = qcf+P x3 | 30 | 3 | 7 | -8 | 2nd hit -11 |
| Suteki Juryu (3rd hit) = qcf+P x3 | 40 | 6 | - | -26 | B Himoukyaku -13 |
| Juon Shikon = qcb P | 60 | 6 | 21,44 | +4, 21 | Close |
| Himoukyaku Zen = qcf K | 0 | 0 | - | - | B All frames 29, D All frames 39 |
| Himoukyaku Go = qcb K | 0 | 0 | - | - | B All frames 47 |
| Ex Genmu Kyaku = f.BD | 60 | 0 | 8 | +2 | 4 frames from afar & no cancel |
| Air Ex Genmu Kyaku = air f.BD | 60 | 0 | 8 | - | 24 Blockstun, 25 Hitstun |
| Ex Genmu Ken (1st hit) = f.AC | 40 | 0 | 6 | - | 4 frames from afar & no cancel |
| Ex Genmu Ken (2nd hit) = f.AC | 40 | 0 | - | +2 | |
| Air Ex Genmu Ken = air f.AC | 80 | 0 | 6 | - | 12 Blockstun, 14 Hitstun |
| Ex Suteki Juryu (1st hit) = qcf AC x3 | 60 | 0 | 5 | -4 | |
| Ex Suteki Juryu (2nd hit) = qcf AC x3 | 40 | 0 | - | -1 | |
| Ex Suteki Juryu (3rd hit) = qcf AC x3 | 50 | 0 | - | -26 | |
| Ex Juon Shikon (1 hit) = qcb AC | 40 | 0 | 39 | - | Close |
| Ex Juon Shikon (2-5th hit) = qcb AC | 40 | 0 | - | - | |
| Ex Hike Kyaku Zen = qcf BD | 0 | 0 | - | - | All frames 24 |
| Ex Hike Kyaku Ushiro = qcb BD | 0 | 0 | - | - | All frames 32 |
| Genmu Bakko Shikon = qcb~hcf+P | 200 | 0 | 43(14) | -9 | Freeze 29 |
| Ex Genmu Bakko Shikon (1st hit) = qcb~hcf+AC | 60 | 0 | 34(5) | -17 | Freeze 29 |
| Ex Genmu Bakko Shikon (2nd and 3rd hit) = qcb~hcf+AC | 60 | 0 | - | - | |
| Ex Genmu Bakko Shikon (4th hit) = qcb~hcf+AC | 120 | 0 | - | - | |
| Juon Ko Ha = hcb x2+AC | 448 | 0 | 1 | - | Whiff all frames 117, Freeze 39 |
Strategies
Far
Duo Lon does not have many tools to play with in this range; as long as the opponent does not hyper jump in, he can use his qcb+P projectile as tool to advance in or simply just to see what the opponent does. Although it has incredibly bad start up, once out, the qcb+P (particularly the C version) lingers for quite some time allowing Duo Lon to chase after it allowing for some good pressure strategies. If they jump at him, hop f+A will poke out any jumper due to it's range or a well timed DM will snag them as they jump over. If they do not do anything, annoy the opponent with qcb K~f+B and poke him/her out. It's a good habit to cancel the f+B off the back teleport just in case the opponent jumps in as well to keep good distance away from them. If they are advancing too much for comfort, jump back air.f+B and air.f+A does wonders.
Mid range
This is where Duo Lon is most comfortable at. Despite Duo Lon having a good rushdown game, he excels at this distance because of his mix ups but mainly because his only true special move, his rekkas, are punishable on block.
Duo Lon can continue to annoy his opponent with qcb~f+B pokes but now he can add f+A in front of it making a cool 2-hit combo and if he makes the f+B the Ex version, it'll set him up for a DM juggle or more mix up. After the Ex f+K from full screen, it'll knock the opponent towards him. Use f+A and cancel into his qcf B to land in front of them, or his qcf D to land behind them to add more pressure or simply do his DM.
If he canceled the Ex f+B off of the f+A (...f+A, qcb+K, f+BD), then he is certainly close enough to do the following:
a) DM
b) j.CD into Ex f.A, which blows a stock but allows him to dash underneath the opponent for a mix (and he then can either teleport back or go for a crossup D)
c) a little less effective but j.CD --> land qcb+C, qcf D and as long as the opponent does not tech the j.CD knockdown, the projectile should reach them just as they're getting up and Duo Lon should be on the other side to add more pressure
d) hop C, hyper hop j.D which should just cross them up (http://youtu.be/PndqRE10eFw?t=1m58s)
e) dash underneath and do a s.A on the other side then hop B-->air f.B (http://youtu.be/PndqRE10eFw?t=2m5s)
Apparently in v1.1, if the opponent has their back turned (qcf x3, qcf B, s.A --> opponent's back turned or Ex f+K, dash underneath, s.A -->back turned) there's a small 1-2 frame window where the opponent is landing and is changing direction where the hop B --> air f.B is incredibly hard to block according to reports from Japanese players, some reports say on certain opponents it may even be unblockable but this has not be confirmed. Although it takes some practice, hop B (press it as early as possible) --> air f.B (cancel it as late as possible) stun them long enough for a ground combo making Duo Lon's mix up even more deadly. He can also time a sets of hop B, air f+B if he positions his jump correctly (http://youtu.be/PndqRE10eFw?t=1m45s).
However, do not get too predictable as the opponent is in range for them to punish Duo Lon with a jump in if the f+A is mistimed. If they jump in on Duo Lon, an early d.C (it does have a slower start up than it looks so be careful) is a good anti air canceled into qcb+A (which is still punishable so keep that in mind) or a qcf+B teleport or dash in d.B.
Duo Lon's jump C is a great air-to-air and his jump D is a grat air-ground attack so use them accordingly.
Close range
Like mentioned before, this is like a double edge sword for him. His rekkas are his strengths yet it is his kryptonite. If he is over reliant on the rekkas he will get punished on the teleport which can be command thrown if they have a 1-frame throw or simply punished by fast moves like Maxima's Ex Maxima Press (Ex hcb+BD). If the rekkas block string is staggered, the opponent can even normal throw him but holding back+P/K as he teleports past them. Since the last hit of the rekka can only be free cancelled into his forward teleport (and he cannot drive cancel on a blocked special move of course)--it is suicidal to do it in the corner on a blocking opponent.
Pokes and blockstrings
Duo Lon's d.A has good reach, relatively fast, and good recovery. This should be the poke of choice in a blockstring. After two d.As, one qcf+P leaves him relatively safe due to distancing but it still punishable. The light pokes also help serve as a good hit confirm and like most fast characters, he can do three light attacks into a special (rekkas) or a command attack; d.B x2, d.A, f+A is an even better hit confirm and he can always omit one d.B if he is too far. Note, if he chooses to do three light attacks the best thing to do after the f+A is a DM or cancel into the Ex f+K --> Mixup. If he goes for only two hits, f+A, rekka--> his first hit of the rekka will whiff but the second and third hit will connect-- and since the f+A does more damage than the first qcf+P it is still worth it.
- Remember to do d.A instead of s.A because on a blocking crouching opponent the s.A will whiff (however if the d.B connects so will the s.A on a crouching opponent)
- Do not forget to let the stick return to neutral before pushing it to f+A otherwise it is easy to overlap with the rekka motion.
- Alternatively, holding df on the stick when pressing d.B, d.A and just pushing the lever to f+A will also prevent the rekka overlap.
- Ex f+K juggles the opponent towards Duo Lon only if they are far away from him when getting hit. Hence, time d.B x2, d.A, f+A slower so it gives as much pushback as possible for the f+A so that the Ex f+K hits them far enough.
Duo Lon's s.C comes out faster than s.D but it has more pushback making certain strings such as d.A, s.C, f+A, rekkas harder to connect. j.D is an excellent air-to-ground attack and it crosses up nicely, j.C works as well but the timing to crossup is a little tricker. j.C is a good air-to-air attack and a correctly timed vertical j.C serves as a great anti air when cornering an opponent. After a d.A blocked, he can chose to crossup with a j.D (normal jump as his jump arcs are pretty long) or continue to dash in and do another d.A again. Finally, if the opponent is being too defensive and he can always go for his command throw NeoMax; he can always do d.B (blocked), dash in NeoMax.
Mixups
Land the rekkas and here's when the fun of mixups begin. As long as the qcf+B is cancelled off the last rekkas early, Duo Lon should have crossup'd the opponent where he can do a s.C and either teleport back or cancel it into a qcb A for added pressure. Otherwise he should do a s.A to juggle them them go for his mixups:
a) qcf+B and teleport back
b) dash in and start a low combo
c) dash in and normal throw and teleport B to be right on top of them (or teleport D to be behind them)
d) hop B --> air f.B (once again, hop and press the B as early as possible but cancel the air f+B as late as possible)--> ground combo (http://youtu.be/atp-xXJGQKs?t=7m44s)
e) empty hop and start a d.B combo
f) empty hop and throw
Wake up mind games
Anytime Duo Lon is on top of his opponent as they're waking up he can time a ground CD attack (whiff) which will actually put him in behind the opponent --> rekkas (http://youtu.be/pr2wLHuvUi4?t=2m53s). Even if they try to roll it on wake up the rekkas will hit the opponent. The only thing they can do hold block for a crossup which of course Duo Lon can condition them to do, only to do rekkas immediately instead of doing the s.CD. After Duo Lon's DM (Ex DM has too much recovery), he can also do the same wake up mix up (http://youtu.be/pr2wLHuvUi4?t=3m1s). Duo Lon can also hop vertically B as they're getting up and do a f+B real late (just skip a ground attack and go for the rekkas immediately) or Ex f+K (timing is much easier) to add to the mix up fun (http://youtu.be/pr2wLHuvUi4?t=3m11s).
General Gameplan
Duo Lon is a great character all around but he's generally seen in the first position. With his quick mixups and constant poking / attacking he builds meter relatively quick. Since he's weak in the corner, without a stock, it is best to start of really strong and attack for the bulk of the first round. If Duo Lon finds himself getting pressured into the corner find a chance to f+A (hit or blocked) --> qcf D or (hop B air f.B) --> qcf D. Most of the time just save all his drives for his next character or use it for his HD combos. Once he get two stocks he can start going for his first real decent damage combo: rekkas x3 --> qcf B, Ex DM. If he wants to get fancy he can use the one drive, one stock combo: rekka x3 --> [DC] Ex f+K --> j.C --> j.D crossup mixup.
If all the mixups are correctly blocked, save up for a NeoMax and dash in and throw the opponent. Another great strategy on a blocked opponent is to do far d.A (blocked), Ex qcf+K teleport, combo from the other side. The mixup is incredibly fast and if Duo Lon is always attacking with d.As, dash d.As, it's really hard to react to the teleport crossup.
Last but not least, the occasional random Ex f+K (mid to far) into DM often catches the most experienced players as well.
Videos
KCE Basic Introduction
Discussion Threads
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