Here are 10 essential tips to significantly improve your skills in The King of Fighters '97 (KOF97)
Here are 10 essential tips to significantly improve your skills in The King of Fighters ’97 (KOF97), tailored for both beginners and advanced players, with key techniques and strategies supported by gameplay mechanics and community insights:
1. Master Shadow Jump
Shadow Jump is faster and covers more distance than regular jumps. Use it for:
Pressure: Chain light attacks (e.g., small jump + heavy punch) followed by a shadow jump to maintain offensive momentum.
Escape: Perform a backward shadow jump during wake-up to evade 80% of mix-ups (e.g., avoiding Iori’s cross-up).
2. Defense Switching
Toggle between crouch and stand blocking to counter command grabs:
Anti-Grab: Against grapplers like Mary or Daimon, switch blocking modes mid-defense to force their command grabs to whiff.
AB Dodge: Press A+B while blocking to perform a quick backstep, creating space for counterattacks.
3. Composite Commands
Input multiple commands to minimize whiff punishment:
Iori’s “Xiefeng”: Input ←↓↙ + C → D. If the grab misses, it automatically triggers a rising uppercut (Dragon Punch).
Chang’s “Giant Swing”: Combine light/heavy punches during the grab input to counter air approaches if missed.
4. Core Combo Chains
Prioritize reliable combos for consistent damage:
Iori: Jump C → Close B → Yami Barai (↓↘→ + C) → Aoi Hana).
Terry: Power Wave (↓↘→ + A) → Burn Knuckle (→↓↘ + B) → Rising Tackle (charge ↓↑ + C).
5. Energy Management
Optimize super meter usage:
Save for Critical Moments: Use MAX mode for high-damage combos (e.g., Iori’s Ya Otome + Maiden Masher).
Counter with Super: Punish reckless “naked supers” (e.g., intercepting Kyo’s Orochinagi with a well-timed Shinkuu Katategoma).
6. Prediction and Counter
Anticipate opponent habits:
Anti-Air: Use Iori’s jump D or Benimaru’s crouch C to intercept predictable jumps.
Bait and Punish: Feint a whiffed attack to lure opponents into counterable moves.
7. Character Mastery
Specialize in 1–2 top-tier characters:
Top Picks: Iori, Chizuru, and O. Yashiro dominate with versatile tools.
Hidden Gems: Master niche characters like Mai (fireball traps) or Leona (V-Slasher mix-ups).
8. Map Positioning and Movement
Control space with smart footwork:
Backdash: Double-tap ← to retreat from pressure (e.g., escaping Daimon’s Earthquake).
Corner Traps: Lock opponents in corners for infinite loops (e.g., Choi’s Spinning Claw).
9. Practice and Replay Analysis
Daily Drills: Spend 20 minutes daily on combo execution and defense drills.
Study Pros: Watch matches by Xiaohai or ET to learn spacing and resource management.
10. Exploit BUG Mechanics
Embrace KOF97’s iconic glitches:
Daimon’s BUG Earthquake: Trigger unblockable knockdowns with precise timing.
Iori’s Ghost Step: Chain infinite combos using canceled dashes.
By integrating these strategies, you’ll elevate your gameplay from casual to competitive. Focus on incremental improvements and adapt to your opponent’s patterns—consistency beats raw talent in KOF97!
