The King of Fighters XIII/Billy Kane/Strategy

The King of Fighters XIII
Overview • Strategy • Data • Combos

Spacing

Far Range

Billy does not have many options in this distance but he can fight from it.

b+A

This move allows Billy to poke on the ground, but from a further distance. It's not as great as d.A, but it can still be used at the right distance. This does a little pushback as well and If you whiff cancel d.C into b+A, Billy will slightly move forward with this move, thus closing the distance a bit, and possibly open up an chance to rush down if close enough. What makes this tool great is that it can be rapid cancelled from the first frame of startup from Senpuu Kon (rapid A/C) and be chained into Sansetukonyuudanuchi (hcf+A/C)(Any version) for a frame trap to keep the long range game going.

hcf+A/C/AC > qcf+c only after C & EX(AC)Versions

Although this move in unsafe according to the frame data, when using it from this range combined with the follow up and pushback there is very little to nothing that most characters can do to punish this without making a read or reacting.

Mid Range

Mid range is a great spot for Billy Kane to be at when fighting, because he can literally steal the momentum of the opponent and control the flow of the match. Listed below are the best moves to use at this particular range.

cr.A

From the mid range area right before it becomes close range, if the opponent tries to roll you can to cancel into Senpuu Kon (tap A/C rapidly). If there's Drive Meter to be spent, this can allow Billy to go straight into Kyoushuu Hishou Kon (dp+K) and gives the opportunity to combo accordingly. If the opponent decides to jump, there are several options to choose from. Billy can use d.C which works in many cases, and even if the move trades, the distance between both characters is sufficient enough to continue mid-range poking, or just simply close in. There is also his Suzumeotoshi (qcb+P) which should only be used if you know your opponent is going to jump, rather than reacting to a jump (that's normally reserved for cr.C). Finally, the strongest, and meter costing option is EX Kyoushuu Hishou Kon (dp+BD). Aside from obviously doing more damage, this move allows stronger combos to be performed, and takes the opponent closer to the corner for applied pressure. This move has been known to beat out alot of moves, including supers. If the opponent does nothing, and you want to close in, f+A can do just that. This move is generally safe unless whiffed, and from that move there's plenty Billy can do afterwards.

f+A

It is very important to understand that this move is essential to understand and use. This allows Billy to close in on the opponent and rushdown. It is possible to train the opponent to fear this move, as this move is safe, and can be repeated for a second time, limiting the number of options the opponent tries to throw at you, thus leaving them open for throws when up close. The only combo you can do mid-screen from this is cr.B, f+A, cr.B, f+A. In the corner you can cr.B, f+A, cr.B, dp+B~. Although this makes for a great pressure tool keep in mind this can also help break a bit of guard meter as well.

b+A

Read "Far Range" Section

j.C

j.C is a great change in Billy Kane's moveset as his j.C in older KOFs were nowhere near as far reaching as this. This move can allows Billy to short hop up and poke relentlessly while closing in on the opponent. In addition to this being his best combo starter for a whiffed dp, etc., this move can be utilized for baiting special normals & certain special moves. Be cautious as this move can and will trade with stronger moves, and specific jumping CD attacks (Terry, Benimaru, Vice, and Kyo are just a few who can beat this out with a j.CD).

s.CD

While standing at the borderline between mid and close range, this move can serve a multitude of purposes. For starters, it helps break guard meter, so it's definitely important to remember that. This move can also allow Billy to cancel into other moves if desired, such as Sansetu Kon Chuudan Uchi (hcf+P), which will not only continue in the guard breaking attempt, but will push the opponent back.

hcf+A

Hcf+A is safe,comes out very quickly, and does a bit of pushback, whereas hcf+C is rather slower, and although it does more damage to both health and guard, it's still unsafe at the end of the day. Also keep in mind the length difference between hcf+A and hcf+C, to avoid any form of whiffing (hcf+A is shorter).

qcb+A/C

This move is a pretty good anti-air but the downside is that in order to truly use this move to its full potential, yomi is required. This shouldn't be used as a reactive move, as depending on the character and whatever move they're doing, they can trade with this move more times than others. It won't necessarily be beaten out though, so try to get a feel for when this move can be implemented.

Close Range

This is ultimately where Billy Kane needs to be. Cornering an opponent is one of his strong areas, as it opens up many opportunities to find an opening for a chance to combo. Below are moves listed for close range tactics.

s.A

Pending on how close Billy is to the opponent, this move can serve as a great tool, as it is +2 on block, making frame traps possible. It at times can work as an anti-air, but not as great as d.C.

cr.A

A somewhat less safe (-2 on block), but long reach option, d.A works wonders at this range. It's as fast as s.A, but it can't be used in rapid succession as s.A. It can serve as a baiting move, or a special mid poke. There is the option to cancel into Senpuu Kon (tap A/C rapidly) if the opponent either rolls or GCAB towards Billy.

f+A

Read from "Mid-Range" section

s.B

This move hits low, so there is a chance to trick the opponent into blocking high by pressuring with a move like s.A or f+A and then switch up to d.B and hit confirm to combo accordingly. It's not a risky move to use, as it's -1 on block, making it relatively safe. For most Billy Kane players, this move is used moreso in combos than in sheer poking. If used in combos, the best option from this is either f+A or the B version of Kyoushuu Hishou Kon (dp+B). If poking, f+A would be the best move to go into.

cr.B

This move serves as a great poke and a combo starter. This can easily go into the B version of Kyoushuu Hishou Kon (dp+B) if there is a successful hit confirm from d.B. If you have HD then you can do up to 3 d.B then late activate HD and you will get an auto s.C. You need to cancel the s.C *1/2 hit* into b+A and continue the HD combo. When it comes to poking, from d.B, Billy can either do another d.B, or go into d.A, f+A, s.B, or the safe A version of Sansetsu Kon Chuudan Uchi (hcf+A).

j.B

This can work as an instant overhead. From a short hop, this move can work as a great overhead. The hitbox for this is low enough that Billy can connect with this and continue to combo upon landing on the ground with most likely a d.B into whatever else desired.

s.C

This move works differently depending on how close Billy is to the opponent. From 1/2 character's distance, this move will only hit once, and provide a good source of pushback, as well as some guard breakage. Billy can't cancel into anything, but he can go into HD mode if this move connects. Up close the move will hit 3 times, and can be canceled into anything Billy wants. If Drive meter is available, going into HD mode wouldn't be a bad idea. If however you don't want to spend HD meter just yet, Sansetsu Kon Chuudan Uchi (hcf+A), f+A, or f+B are good options. If you decide to f+B from a close s.C, Billy can do some interesting combos from that point on, or simply reset to go for more damage.

cr.C

This is not normally to be done by itself unless its used as an anti-air. It can be done after a s.A to bait a counter hit and possible combo followup. If this move is done on its own, or if the bait fails, it should be cancelled right into Sansetsu Kon Chuudan Uchi (hcf+A) to stay relatively safe from a counter attack, since d.C leaves Billy at -8. This d.C, hcf+A helps serve as a way to break guard, as well as pushback the opponent when they block.

j.D

Aside from using a deep j.D as a combo starter, this move can also work as a cross up tool. If Billy connects with this in either way, combo accordingly.

s.D

This move is VERY excellent in the close range as it not only does it push back your hitbox afterward, it beats low, can anti air AND can be cancelled into special normals or special moves. There is NO reason that this move should not be used in this range.

cr.D

Although it is -9 on block and does not recover fast, this often forgotten move can really get into the opponents head as it puts Billy between both the Mid & Close Range varying on where it's done & where it is hit or blocked. It can also be used to anti air hops and place you at a very advantageous position. The main thing is to not forget about this move & mix it up with your ground game.

s.CD

Read "Mid-Range" section

dp+BD

Voted as one of the best "shoryus" in the game itself, EX Kyoushuu Hishou Kon (dp+BD) is good to use if you have to turn the tides for whatever reason. Keep in mind this does cost meter, and is risky to use, but if calculated right, this will definitely reap great rewards.

Cornered Opponent

See "Close Range" Strategy section above as ways to deal with the opponent in this state.