The King of Fighters '98 UMFE/Saisyu Kusanagi

Introduction

Saisyu has great offensive tools to stay close to the opponent and confirm into big metered damage or a meterless hard-knockdown. Alternatively, he can zone out the opponent with his ground-traveling fireball and a strong anti-air DP. His weakness definitely lies in his mostly short-ranged normals, which often cannot compete with the opponents' in neutral. Saisyu has to make up for this deficit with good positioning, so he can use his great jump-in normals to get in and start his pressure game.

Changes from Previous Versions

98 to 98UM

Normals:

• cl.C's activation range has been reduced, it can still be linked from a cl.A or cr.A

• st.B now has 3 more active frames

• f+A how has 2 frames less startup

Specials:

• qcf+P now has 3 frames less recovery

• hcb+B now has 2 frames less startup, now connects from heavies and f+A

• qcb+A now has 2 frames less startup, you can follow up after the second hit now

Supers:

• qcfx2+P now has less startup; both A and MAX versions have 5 frames less startup and can now connect from lights

• qcfx2+C now has invincibility during the first active frame as well

98UM to 98UMFE

Specials:

• dp+B's second hit now has a larger hitbox, so it shouldn't whiff if the first connects

• hcb+K now has less recovery, second hit should be easier to connect if the first connects

• qcb+P's first hit now has a bigger hitbox and less recovery

Supers:

• qcfx2+P's A and MAX versions have faster startup

Normal Moves

Close

• cl.A: Special cancelable but out of range after even just one cr.B. Can stop hops, otherwise useless.
• cl.B: Use cr.A instead for more reliable range and same combo potential. Special cancelable.
• cl.C: 2f start up, 2 hits, both cancelable. can link from cr.B. Your heavy normal for combos.
• cl.D: Same as st.D.

Standing

• st.A: Crappy range and not cancelable. Can stop hops from close up but no other use for it really.
• st.B: Farthest range of his normals. Good as a poke. Combos after cr.B.
• st.C: Special cancelable but slow and crappy range and whiffs on crouchers. Rarely useful.
• st.D: Can work as anti air against hops but dp+A/C is much more reliable.

Crouching

• cr.A: Fast and good range for a cr.A. Special cancelable. Use this in confirms and blockstrings after cr.B and as a short poke.
• cr.B: Low combo starter. Chains into itself and other A/B normals. Links into cl.C. Does not special cancel.
• cr.C: Not a reliable anti air. Special cancelable. Can be used in punish or combo situations when too far away for cl.C.
• cr.D: Special cancelable sweep. Not bad at what it does.

Jumping

• j.A: Nice air to air.
• j.B: Typical Kusanagi knee. Often beats weaker anti airs, air normals and can crossup without much hassle. VERY GOOD.
• j.C: Decent jumpin but nothing special about it. Use this on characters j.D might whiff on.
• j.D: Most damaging jump button. (except for j.CD) Usually used as back, neutral jump keep away. Can whiff on small crouchers and low profiles.

CD Normals

• CD: Quite fast, enough range to hit after 2x cr.A/B blockstring. Saisyu has good safe options to fish for counterhit combos with this. Special cancelable.
• j.CD: Great move. Often wins against other good moves and anti airs thanks to good hitbox. Good for fishing counterhit combos just like regular CD.

Throws

Flaming Hammer: (close) b/f + C

Swift Shoulder Throw: (close) b/f + D

Command Moves

Thundering Hammer: f + A

• Hits overhead

Cranium Press: f + B

• Plus on block, but combos from nothing. You can combo into variety stuffs on hit. Mostly to extend your offense with plus frame, can be interrupted since its not a true block string.

Special Moves

Dark Thrust: dp + A/C

• Quite generic dp move.

Fire Ball: qcf + A/C

• Not so great projectile. Use it with care.

Divine Demolisher: hcb + B/D

• Very slow overhead move. Not recommended.

Hit Hatchet: dp + B/D

• B version combos from crouch light, D is for heavy. Very nice goto combo move with hard knockdown and decent damage.

Fusillade of Flame: qcb + A/C (up to 2 times)

• A rekka kind of move. Not recommended outside of specific ex meter combo.

Desperation Moves

Serpent Wave: qcb, hcf + A/C (can be held down)

• Best orochinagi archetype in the game.

Annihilating Slicer: qcf, qcf + A/C

• A super with very fast start up. The main low confirm super.

Combos

Meterless

cr.B, cr.A, dp+B:

Basic low confirm, might whiff at max range cr.A.

cl.C(2) or {cl.C(1), f+A}, dp+D:

Your go-to heavy starter.

f+B, st.B or dp+B:

cr.B, cl.C(2) or {cl.C(1), f+A}, dp+D:

• Low starter frame link.

With Meter

cr.B, cr.A, qcfx+P:

• Low confirm into super.

cl.C(1 or 2), f+A, qcb,hcf+P:

cr.B, cl.C(2) or {cl.C(1), f+A}, qcb,hcf+P:

• Low frame link into super.

f+B, qcfx2+P:

With Quick Max

cr.B, ABC, cl.C(2), f+A, qcb,hcf+P:

f+B, ABC, st.C, qcb,hcf+P:

cr.B, cl.C(1), f+A, qcb.A, qcb.A, ABC, qcb,hcf+P:

• Best combo.

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King of Fighters 98 UM FE: Saisyu Guide by Mash It Out