| description =Kensou is a character gravitating towards classic zoning. He gets a good projectile that is only a little worse than Athena's, as well as a DP-style reversal, and many good pokes. However, his hop is very floaty, and his meterless combos are very limited (although not quite as badly as Athena's). Kensou's mixups are also pretty basic. For this reason, more often than not, his playstyle will revolve around poking, frametrapping and zoning with his projectile.}}
==Normals==
==Normals==
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'''Dragon God Drubbing''' - (qcf hcb + D)
'''Dragon God Drubbing''' - (qcf hcb + D)
*super version of Kensou's hcf+C move, ends in rdp kick.
*super version of Kensou's hcf+C move, ends in rdp kick.
*Hits high, whiffs on [[The_King_of_Fighters_2002_UM/Miscellaneous#Crouching_Height|low crouchers]].
*Hits high, whiffs on [[The_King_of_Fighters_2002_UM/Miscellaneous#Crouching_Height|low crouchers]] unless you combo cl.D into it point blank, in which case iit'll only whiff on crouching(Yuri, Kensou, Kula).
*can combo into it as an ender or for aerial punishes
*can combo into it as an ender or for aerial punishes
*causes soft knockdown
*causes soft knockdown
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==Combos==
==Combos==
====0 stock====
===0 Stock===
* (j.D) cl.D, hcf+A
* cl.C/cl.D, f+B/f+A
''Anywhere''
* cr. B/cr.A, cr. Ax2, far B
* crossup j.B, cl. B, rdp+D
★ '''cl.D, hcf+A'''
* hop B/C/D, cl. B, rdp+D
* (Corner) cl.C/cl.D, f+B, air qcb+A
* cl.D, f+A
: f+B whiffs on [[The_King_of_Fighters_2002_UM/Miscellaneous#Crouching_Height|low crouchers]] and crouching Bao.
* cr.B/A, cr.Ax1~2, far B
* cl.B, rdp+D
''Corner''
* cl.D, f+B, air qcb+A
: f+B whiffs on crouching(Bao, K’, Joe, Benimaru, Iori, Mature, Vice, Leona, Athena, Kensou, Mai, Yuri, Chris, Kula, Foxy, Angel).
===1 Stock===
''Anywhere''
★ '''cr.B, cr.A, qcf,hcb+D'''
: Good 1 bar conversion to default to. Do it as cr.B, qcf, cr.A, hcb+D.
: This is the only max route that works without issue on crouching Bao.
: f+B whiffs on [[The_King_of_Fighters_2002_UM/Miscellaneous#Crouching_Height|low crouchers]] and crouching Bao.
* cl.D, BC run, cl.A/cr.A, rdp+D(2), (C) qcf+B, air qcb+A(1-2), rdp+(2), (SC) qcf,hcb+D
: The first rdp+D whiffs on crouching Bao and you only get one hit on crouching (Vice, Mature, Benimaru). You can either TK the air qcb+A or jump then do it.
* cl.D, BC run, cl.A/cr.A, rdp+D(2), [ (C) hcf+A(2), (C) air qcb+A(1) ]x2, (SC) qcf,hcb+K
: rdp+D whiffs on crouching Bao and you only get one hit on crouching (Vice, Mature, Benimaru).
* cl.D, BC, f+B, air qcb+A(2), [ (C) hcf+A(2), (C) air qcb+A(1) ]x2, (SC) qcf,hcb+K
: Doesn't work on crouching(Bao, K’, Joe, Benimaru, Iori, Mature, Vice, Leona, Athena, Kensou, Mai, Yuri, Chris, Kula, Foxy, Jhun, Angel).
===3 Stocks===
''Anywhere''
★ '''cr.B, cr.A, qcfx2+AC'''
: Good 3 bar conversion. Do it as cr.B, qcf, cr.A, qcf+AC.
* cl.D, BC run, cl.A/cr.A, rdp+D(2), (C) qcf+B, qcfx2+BD
: rdp+D whiffs on crouching Bao and you only get one hit on crouching (Vice, Mature, Benimaru, Jhun).
''Corner''
* cl.D, BC run, cl.A/cr.A, rdp+D(2), (C) qcf+B, air qcb+A(1-2), qcfx2+BD
: rdp+D whiffs on crouching Bao and you only get one hit on crouching (Vice, Mature, Benimaru). You can TK qcb+A but jumping forward then doing it gives you more range.
====3 stocks====
* In any other corner 2 stocks combo, replace ''qcf,hcb+K'' by '''qcfx2+AC''' SDM
* cl.D, BC run, cl.A/cr.A, rdp+D(2), (C) qcf+B, air qcb+A(1-2), qcfx2+BD (near corner)
: You can TK qcb+A but jumping forward then doing it gives you more range. Remove air qcb+A if you're not near the corner.
* In any other corner 2 stocks combo, replace qcf,hcb+K by qcfx2+AC SDM
cr.B, cr.A, qcf,hcb+D = 31% • Note: You can do this as cr.B, qcf, cr.A, qcb+D
(jump-in), cl.D, qcf,hcb+D = 33%
3 Bar
Low
Anywhere
cr.B, cr.A, qcfx2+AC = 41%
(jump-in), cl.D, qcfx2+AC = 42%
Gameplay Overview
Kensou is a character gravitating towards classic zoning. He gets a good projectile that is only a little worse than Athena's, as well as a DP-style reversal, and many good pokes. However, his hop is very floaty, and his meterless combos are very limited (although not quite as badly as Athena's). Kensou's mixups are also pretty basic. For this reason, more often than not, his playstyle will revolve around poking, frametrapping and zoning with his projectile.
Normals
Close
cl.A/B/C/D are all cancellable
cl.A/B chain into themselves and each other
Standing
s.A is cancellable
s.B is Kensou's furthest reaching normal and a decent hop killer
s.C hits twice and is cancellable on the 2nd hit. It will connect both hits from a pretty far distance
s.D is slow, but a decent anticipatory anti-air
Crouching
cr.A/C are cancellable
cr,A/B chain into themselves and each other.
Jump
j.A/D are very solid jump in/combo starters
j.B crosses up on standing opponents, but misses frequently on crouching ones
Kensou lacks a solid crossup normal, but j.D acts as a fake crossup til the opponent understand there is nearly no risk of being crossed up.
poor jump normals are mildly augmented by Dragon Tear special
Blowback
s.CD is whiff cancellable
j.CD has an interesting downward hitbox for jump ins.
Overall a pretty mediocre set of normals with some upsides.
Throws
Power Blast - (f/b + C)
Soft knockdown
Psychic Slam - (b/f + D)
Soft knockdown
Command Moves
Tiger Takedown Punch - (f + A)
Kensou slams both fist into the opponent. Hits overhead
can be comboed into, then becomes cancellable, but moves Kensou pretty far back so usually can't connect afterwards.
can cancel into BC mode
Reverse Mass Kick - (f + B)
Kensou hop forward with a short flying kick. Hits mid.
can be comboed into and then becomes cancellable
good spacing tool
slightly negative on block
Special Moves
Super Bullet Attack - (qcb + A/C)
Kensou's fireball move.
A version is much slower to move across the screen allowing time to position
A version is even on block point blank, C version is pretty negative on block
Earth Dragon Fang Nibble - (hcf + A)
Kensou dashes in with an elbow then a two kick combo.
causes soft knockdown
good combo ender
very unsafe on block
Heaven Dragon Fang Nibble - (hcf + C)
Kensou kicks the opponent into the air with an ascending kick combo
whiffs on crouching opponents
can be comboed into
with correct spacing can be used as an anti-air
Dragon Talon Tear - in air, (qcb + A/C)
Kensou strike diagonally downward with his fists.
hit mid
can be comboed into
A version is faster
C version has a longer pause before descending and hit for 1 more hit than A version
both versions be tiger kneed (qcb+ub)
both versions a relatively safe on block
Dragon Uppercut - (rdp + B/D)
Kensou spins upward in a cyclone of kicks
can combo into them
B version is faster and covers less vertical space
C version moves Kensou forward a bit more and covers more vertical space
both versions are unsafe on block
B version is Kensou's go to reversal
Arrow Kick - (qcf + B/D)
Kensou flips on his hand and send the opponent flying with a double kick
both versions allow a juggle state on hit that you can combo into lots of specials, supers or reset
cancellable into, but not comboable.
the first part of the active frames of both versions have autoguard.
Desperation Moves
Dragon God Kick - (qcf hcb + B)
super version of Kensou's hcf+A move, ends with his rdp kick.
Second and third hits are overheads
can combo into it as a decent ender
causes soft knockdown
Dragon God Drubbing - (qcf hcb + D)
super version of Kensou's hcf+C move, ends in rdp kick.
Hits high, whiffs on low crouchers unless you combo cl.D into it point blank, in which case iit'll only whiff on crouching(Yuri, Kensou, Kula).
can combo into it as an ender or for aerial punishes
causes soft knockdown
RESPECT Meat Dumplings - (qcb x 2 + A/C)
Kensou pulls a giant dumpling out to snack on
3 possible outcomes:
Kensou cries in a long and fully vulnerable animation, no health gained. Probability: 50%
Kensou dances in a long and fully vulnerable animation while recovering health, up to 25% if he's not interrupted. Probability: 47%
Kensou leans back and clenches his fists in a very short animation with full invuln. If he's not interrupted, only grabs, he recovers all his life. Probability: 3%
Super Desperation Move
Hermit Power Blast - close (qcf x 2 + AC)
Kensou put his hands towards the opponent and fills them with 4 rapid energy blasts then a last stronger one that sends them away.
Causes 34% damage to the opponent.
proximity unblockable that can be combo'ed into.
causes soft knockdown
Hidden Super Desperation Move
Dragon Awakening - (qcf x 2 +BD)
Kensou throws out a projectile that causes soft knockdown on hit.
It destroys most meterless projectiles but just phases through super ones. Essentially if you use it against a DM projectile, you'll get hit.
After it hits/phases through something, it also phases through the opponent without dealing any damage.
A follow-up projectile floats back on screen from the opposite direction and if it hits Kensou he goes into a powered-up mode after a fully invuln non throwable animation.
The follow-up projectile explodes if Kensou gets hit, blocks it, or destroys it with his own qcb+P projectile or the autoguard part of his qcf+K.
While the follow-up projectile is on screen, the opponent can't throw projectiles anymore.
Kensou does about 50% more damage when he is in his powered-up state and can't use his HDSM anymore.
powered up state lasts until the next round.
Combos
0 Stock
Anywhere
★ cl.D, hcf+A
cl.D, f+A
cr.B/A, cr.Ax1~2, far B
cl.B, rdp+D
Corner
cl.D, f+B, air qcb+A
f+B whiffs on crouching(Bao, K’, Joe, Benimaru, Iori, Mature, Vice, Leona, Athena, Kensou, Mai, Yuri, Chris, Kula, Foxy, Angel).
1 Stock
Anywhere
★ cr.B, cr.A, qcf,hcb+D
Good 1 bar conversion to default to. Do it as cr.B, qcf, cr.A, hcb+D.
cl.D, qcf,hcb+D
qcf+K, qcf,hcb+D
You can delay the DM to get more hits.
Corner
cl.D, f+A, qcf,hcb+B
f+A doesn't combo on crouching Bao.
2 Stocks
Anywhere
qcf+K, run, rdp+D(2), (SC) qcf,hcb+D
cl.D, BC run, cl.A/cr.A, rdp+D(2), qcf+K, run, rdp+D(2), (SC) qcf,hcb+D
The first rdp+D whiffs on crouching Bao and you only get one hit on crouching (Vice, Mature, Benimaru, Jhun).
Corner
cl.D, BC run, cl.D, [(C) hcf+A(2), (C) air qcb+A(1)]x2, (SC) qcf,hcb+K
This is the only max route that works without issue on crouching Bao.
cl.D, BC run, cl.A/cr.A, rdp+D(2), (C) qcf+B, air qcb+A(1-2), rdp+(2), (SC) qcf,hcb+D
The first rdp+D whiffs on crouching Bao and you only get one hit on crouching (Vice, Mature, Benimaru). You can either TK the air qcb+A or jump then do it.
cl.D, BC run, cl.A/cr.A, rdp+D(2), [ (C) hcf+A(2), (C) air qcb+A(1) ]x2, (SC) qcf,hcb+K
rdp+D whiffs on crouching Bao and you only get one hit on crouching (Vice, Mature, Benimaru).
cl.D, BC, f+B, air qcb+A(2), [ (C) hcf+A(2), (C) air qcb+A(1) ]x2, (SC) qcf,hcb+K
Doesn't work on crouching(Bao, K’, Joe, Benimaru, Iori, Mature, Vice, Leona, Athena, Kensou, Mai, Yuri, Chris, Kula, Foxy, Jhun, Angel).
3 Stocks
Anywhere
★ cr.B, cr.A, qcfx2+AC
Good 3 bar conversion. Do it as cr.B, qcf, cr.A, qcf+AC.
cl.D, BC run, cl.A/cr.A, rdp+D(2), (C) qcf+B, qcfx2+BD
rdp+D whiffs on crouching Bao and you only get one hit on crouching (Vice, Mature, Benimaru, Jhun).
Corner
cl.D, BC run, cl.A/cr.A, rdp+D(2), (C) qcf+B, air qcb+A(1-2), qcfx2+BD
rdp+D whiffs on crouching Bao and you only get one hit on crouching (Vice, Mature, Benimaru). You can TK qcb+A but jumping forward then doing it gives you more range.
In any other corner 2 stocks combo, replace qcf,hcb+K by qcfx2+AC SDM
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