The King of Fighters XV/Defense

Rolling

Press + to perform an evasive movement.

Press ++ to roll backwards.

Rolling is an evasive option that augments players defensive options. They universally last 33f. From frames 1-24, the character is completely invincible to every move except for throws and command grabs. Rolling is not completely foolproof, however. Upon performing a roll, there are 9 frames of recovery that makes the user vulnerable to any attack. As stated before, throws and command grabs will also beat out the roll mechanic. Be sure to use the roll mechanic wisely so that you can get out of pressure carefully or find a method of implementing an offense. Discretion is heavily advised when fighting stronger players.

Recovery Roll

Also known as Tech Roll or Quick Rise. By pressing or holding + right before hitting the ground when you get knocked back from some attacks, you can perform a Recovery Roll to avoid the knockdown state. Some combos can be used on fallen opponents, so try using Recovery roll to evade them. It also prevents your opponent from having more time to set up a mix-up. However, Recovery Roll cannot be used against some attacks that have hard knockdown properties. It also eliminates the natural throw invincibilty after getting up from a knockdown, making meaty throws another mix-up to consider, although they are still breakable or jumpable.

All normal throws and supers cause hard knockdowns and cannot be recovered from using this technique.

Recovery rolls will have you waking up 27f earlier than if you don't recover on your Soft Knockdown (Lab in Progress)

Just Defend / Instant Block

An Instant Block is a slightly more advanced form of normal blocking.

Input a block shortly before the opponent's attack connects (8 frame window) to perform a Just Defend/Instant Block.

The defender will flash white on a successful Instant Block. However, note that inputting any backwards direction without performing an Instant Block locks out any subsequent Instant Block attempts for 30 frames. This is to prevent mashing Instant Block.

The benefits of an Instant Block are:

• Builds extra super meter
• Lowers the amount of guard damage received

Guard Cancel Roll (GCAB)

While in block stun, the player can press A+B or Back+A+B to implement a Guard Cancel Roll. The character will roll out of their block stun animation at the cost of 1 bar of meter that they built during the match. What makes this useful is the fact that the user is completely invulnerable while performing the Guard Cancel Roll, even on its delay. However, it is still possible to fall into heavy disadvantage when it is mistimed. Use this to safely get out of pressure or out of the corner. This can also be used to catch the opponents whiffing and then punishing them accordingly after performing the Guard Cancel Roll.

Guard Cancel CD (GCCD)

While in blocking incoming moves, the player can press C+D to perform the characters blowback attack out of block stun. What this does is allow the character to attack and send the opponent flying away to produce a neutral situation again. The use of the Guard Cancel CD will vary between the characters as many of them have different animations for CD attacks. These can also be baited out for a whiff punish, so use these wisely. When a Guard Cancel C+D attack lands, it normally does a very small amount of damage upon sending the opponent reeling backwards. Much like the Guard Cancel Roll, this costs 1 bar of meter.

• All GCCD's start up in 7f, active for 5f, on guard is -9f apart for those who are - 10
  • Heidern
  • Krohnen
  • Shermie
  • Whip
  • Robert
  • King
  • Athena
  • Mai
  • Billy
  • Yamazaki
  • Oroshi Shermie

• Against air moves, the start-up is 11f.
• They all do 5 damages onHit (6 when in MaxMode), none onBlock

Shatter Strike

Performed by inputting +, this move costs 1 bar to perform and will refund half of the bar if it hits the opponent. Shatter Strike causes opponent to crumple on hit and allows you to guard through moves without decreasing your guard bar, do note, that this move can also be thrown.

• Guard Point: Starts at frame 4, lasts for 11f, -10 on block, active for 6f.

Backdash

Backdash puts you airborne immediately so it has some use on defense. This will avoid throws and lows. Backdashes can be counterhit throughout their duration so if you get hit out of the air, the attacker can potentially juggle. There's also some grounded recovery at the end of the backdash. The duration of the backdash is character specific.

Antiair

There's several methods to deal with people jumping at you. First is moving around to throw their spacing off. If you sit still for too long the enemy can more easily cross you up or place their jump button at a particularly difficult angle to deal with. If you give yourself space it's also going to be easier to see a jump and respond to it in time. Also if the enemy jumps and fails to make contact with you then you can use the time they're stuck in their jump arc to reposition yourself and take initiative.

If you want to dp a jump, you can prepare it ahead of time by buffering the 623 motion and just press the attack button when you confirm they've jumped. You won't be able to block while you buffer a dp so be wary of doing it inside the range of strong grounded pokes. You can buffer a dp while running and there isn't much downside there since you can't block when starting to run anyway. It's important to recognize the properties of each character's dp. Some move forward so it won't hit an enemy right over their head. Some move straight up so an opponent could bait them by empty jumping to avoid sticking a button into the dp. Some characters can super cancel their dp for more damage.