Melty Blood/MBTL/Kouma Kishima/Combos

Overview

Combos

Matchups

Strategy

Resources

Data

Match Database

#MBTL_KI

Notation Help
Disclaimer: Combos are written by various writers, so notation may differ slightly from this notation. For more information, see Glossary and Controls
X > Y	X input is cancelled into Y.
X, Y	X input is linked into Y, meaning Y is done after X's recovery period.
X+Y	Buttons "X" and "Y" must be input simultaneously.
X/Y	Input "X" or "Y" can be used.
dl	There should be delay before inputting "X".
w.X or Xw	Attack "X" should whiff and not hit the opponent.
j.X	Button "X" is input while jumping or in the air.
dj.X	Button "X" is input after a double jump.
jc	Jump cancel the previous action. Will occasionally be omitted due to being obvious. Will occasionally be notated with 7/9 to indicate backwards/forwards.
sj	Perform a superjump, which is performed by inputting 2~8.
sjc	Superjump cancel the previous action.
IAD	Instant Air Dash.
AT	Air throw, often used as a combo ender that leads to knockdown.
md.X	Perform a micro-dash before performing "X". Unused in favor of writing "microdash."
tk.X	Indicates the motion "X" is input immediately after leaving the ground. Stands for tiger knee.
(X)	Input "X" is optional. Typically the combo will be easier if omitted.
[X]	Input "X" is held down. Also can be known as "Increase" or "IC" for short. Depending on the character, this can indicate that this button is held down and not released until indicated by the release notation.
]X[	Input "X" is released. Will only appear if a button is previously held down.
{X}	Button "X" should only be held down briefly to partially charge the attack, instead of the full increased version.
X(#)	Attack "X" should only hit # of times.
X~Y	This notation has two meanings. Use attack "X" with "Y" follow-up input. Input "X" then within a few frames, input "Y". Usually used for option selects.
(...) OR (...)	Use only one between the two alternative routes.
RB1/2	The first or second hit of Rapid Beat auto combo.
CH	The first attack must be Counter Hit.
FC	The first attack must be Fatal Counter.
MD	Perform a Moon Drive, which is inputted by pressing 5B+C.
Heat	Perform Heat, which is performed by inputting A+B+C.
AD	Perform an Arc Drive, which is performed by inputting 236B+C. Characters with more than one Arc Drive will have theirs notated by input.
LA	Perform a Last Arc, which is performed by inputting A+B+C+D or successfully Shielding in Blood Heat.

Getting Started

Starter Combos

The combos listed below are basic BNBs and relatively easy combos to use. You can also go into Mission Mode to try his combo trials, but those aren't as well developed.

Combo	Damage	Cost	Meter Gain	Location
2A > 2C > 5C > 5B > 236A~A~A > 2B > 2C > 5CC > 214A	~3340		79% Opp: 35%	Anywhere
2A universal BNB. Easy to use and ends in hard knockdown. You can get by just using this combo alone if you wished, it does everything you need. Video reference
2B > 3C > jB > j.6BC > 5A > (5C > 22B > 5A) > 5CCC > 214A	~	3 Moon Gauge		Anywhere
Basic anti-air combo with 2B. Video reference
D > A > jB > j.6BC > 5A > (5C > 22B > 5A) > 5CCC > 214A	~	3 Moon Gauge		Anywhere
Basic A shield counter combo with falcon kick extension. Video reference
D > CH B > 236A~A~4A > 2A > 2C > 5CC > 214A	~			Anywhere
Basic B shield counter CH combo. Video reference
j.[C] > 236A~4A~4A > 2A > 2C > 5CC > 214A	~		72% Opp: 32%	Anywhere
Basic j.[C] combo. Video reference
j.6BC > 5A > (5C > 22B > 5A) > 5CC > 214A	~	3 Moon Gauge		Anywhere
Basic falcon kick combo. Video reference
3BC > jcdl.j.[C] > 5A > (5C > 22B > 5A) > 5CC > 214A	~			Anywhere
Basic Moon Skill dp combo. Video reference
2BC/6BC > 5A > (5C > 22B > 5A) > 5CC > 214A	~	3 Moon Gauge		Anywhere
Basic Moon Skill rekka/stomp combo.
D > BC > dj.[C] > 236A- 4A- 4A > 2A > 2C > 5CC > 214A	~	6 Moon Gauge		Anywhere
Basic Lunge Shield Counter combo.
jX > j.6BC > 5A > (5C > 22B > 5A) > 5CC > 214A	~	3 Moon Gauge		Anywhere
Basic Combo to convert air-to-air hits with. jX stands for any aerial normal

Theory

Kouma, while having several different ways to extend combos, generally wants to get the opponent high enough for a rekka extension then go into one of his multiple enders that can either prioritize okizeme or damage. This is generally done by comboing into 2C then two subsequent normals, generally 5C > 5B.

Thanks to having consistent combos into his 214A, he has meterless access to amazing okizeme unlike most of the cast. Because of this, his combos aren't meter dependant and he can save it up for reversal purposes or for Arc Drive.

He also has ways to extend his combos off situational starters, such as 6BC from a long range confirm, j.6BC from shield launcher, 22B when ground bounce is used, 214A~A near the corner, and j.236C from DP.

FAQ

What do I do after X starter?

2A can be any other low/CH air starter for bnb or any normal starter for 6BC or IAD. Additional normals before 2C will reduce the damage.

Why end with 214A?

This damage is made up by the advantage you get after it: a safejump that can be a 5-way mixup.

Why do my normals/rekka whiff/come out too late mid-combo?

If anything whiffs - you are mashing when you have to time it.

Why does rekka not cross up?

A) You finished with 4X B) You delayed it too much C) You are using the wrong one On higher ranges you have to switch 236A for 236B. D) j.[C] 5C 2[C]: you need some space between you and your opponent for it to work. You create it by doing 8jc (jump upwards instead of diagonal), delaying normals or you add 2B after 5B for a bit of damage loss, but a stable B-rekka confirm.

2B link is too hard! Can I replace it?

Yes, you can replace it with 5A > 5CC > 214A. This will give up a lot of damage, though.

I can’t connect anything after j.[C] after 3BC, my opponent just techs!

Start charging j.C when falling, not rising. 3BC has a lot of hitstun.

Enders

Kouma has strong combo enders that allow him to pick between okizeme and damage. This will be listing the enders after rekka specifically, as other combo starters will require specific enders even if they still get to pick between damage and okizeme.

Combo	Cost	Location
2B > 2C > 5CC > 214A		Anywhere
214A ender. Meterless but gives incredibly strong oki. A key part of Kouma's gameplan.
2B > 3C > j.CC		Anywhere
Meterless damage but worse oki. With the right setup it can still give a safejump but generally isn't worth it.
2B > 3C > j.BB		Anywhere
Same combo but when there's higher scaling and you can't combo into j.C.
2B > 2C > 5CC > 236A~A > 214C	1 Bar	Anywhere
Meter burn okizeme ender. Slightly worse oki than 214A but still pretty good.
2B > 2C > 5CC > 236A~A > 236BC	3 Bars	Anywhere
Arc Drive ender. Also gives great okizeme but is generally only worth it if it's gonna kill.
2B > 2C > 5CC > 236A~A > 236C(2) > 236BC	4 Bars	Anywhere
When you really need that extra damage to kill. Once again only worth it if it's gonna kill.

Close to Corner After Sideswitch

Combo	Cost	Location
2BB > 214A~4A > C > 214C	1 Bar	Anywhere
Fairly easy command grab extension ender. Adds a nice bit of damage.
2BB > 214A~4A > 2C > 236BC	3 Bars	Anywhere
3 Bar ender with the command grab extension. Does great damage.
2BB > 214A~4A > 2C > 236C > 236BC	4 Bars	Anywhere
4 Bars with command grab extension. Does a bit more damage.

Combos

2A Starters

Combo	Damage	Cost	Meter Gain	Location
2A > 2C > 5C > 5B > 236A~A~A > Ender	214A - 3345, j.CC - 3519, 214C - 3908			Anywhere
BNB. Good combo option that's consistent and easy to confirm.
2A > 2C > 5C > 5B > 236A~A~A > 5A > 214A~4A > Ender	214A - 3470, j.BB - 3620			Near Corner
Near corner combo that requires you to land the crossup rekka. Adds a good amount of damage and also looks cool.
2A > 2C > IAD > j.C > 5A > 5C > dl.5B > dl.236Bdl BB > Ender	214A - 3439, j.BB - 3567, 214C - 4036			Anywhere
High damage midscreen meterless combo. Difficult, but works great at any part of the screen.
2A > 2C > IAD > j.C > 5A > 5C > dl.5B > dl.236BdlBB > 2B > 214A- 4A > 2B > 5CC > 214A	3545			Near Corner
Optimal meterless combo.

Shield Starters

Combo	Damage	Cost	Meter Gain	Location
D > A > j.B > 6BC > 2B > 5CCC > 214A	3003	3 Moon Gauge		Anywhere
Main shield launcher combo. Uses Moon Skill falcon kick for an extension, making it pretty damaging.
D > A > j.C > 6BC > 5C > 22B > 5A > 2C > 2B > 5BBB > 214A	3392	3 Moon Gauge		Anywhere
More optimized version. Uses Moon Skill falcon kick for an extension, making it pretty damaging.
D > A > dl.j.B > 6BC > 2C > 5C > dl.5BB > 214A	3024	3 Moon Gauge		Anywhere
Harder but slightly better damage shield combo.
D > BCH > dl.2.C > 5C > dl.236B- dl.B- B > Ender	214A - 3264, j.BB - 3392, 214C - 3861, 236BC - 4656, 236C(2)236BC - 5030			Anywhere
Unlike A/C confirms, requires CH, but highly rewarding for it. Will be used mostly in Sheld Wars™
D > BC > 2[C] > dl.5C > dl.5B > dl.236B- dl.B- B > Ender	214A - 3509, j.BB - 3625, 214C - 4098, 236BC - 4923, 236CBC - 5267	2 Moon Gauge		Anywhere
More damage for a more risky starter and a bit of resources.

Anti-Air Starters

Combo	Damage	Cost	Meter Gain	Location
2B > dl.5B > dl.5C > dl.236BBB > Ender	214A - 3306, j.CC - 3411, 214C - 3912			Anywhere
Non counter hit 2B anti-air combo. Effective for what it is.
CH 2B > j.[C] > 2B > dl.5C > dl.236AAA > Ender	214A - 3686, j.BB - 3748, 214C - 4253			Anywhere
Counter hit 2B anti-air combo. Does great damage for an anti-air but isn't easy to confirm.
CH 2B > 2[C] > dl.5B > dl.5B > dl.236BBB > Ender	214A - 3799, j.CC - 3947, 214C - 4396			Midscreen
Optimal counter hit 2B anti-air combo. Does a little more damage.
CH 5A > j.[C] > 2B > (dl.5CC > 214A) OR (3C > j.BB) OR (dl.5C > dl.5BB > 236AA > 214C)	214A - 2860, j.CC - 3250, 214C - 3753			Midscreen
Counter hit 5A anti-air. Damage changes exponentially depending on your ender, so it's more worth using meter with it.

j.[C] Starters

Combo	Damage	Cost	Meter Gain	Location
j.[C] > dl.2C > dl.5C > dl.5B > dl.B > dl.236Bdl BB > Ender	214A - 3901, j.CC - 4002, 214C - 4498			Midscreen
Combo for the rare j.[C] starter. Great damage when it lands.

236X ~ X ~ CH 4X Starters

Combo	Damage	Cost	Meter Gain	Location
	2526, 2673			Anywhere
On the occasion you get a counter-hit 4X from rekka, this is the combo to go for. Neat way to get more damage out of it.

214X ~ 4X Starters

Combo	Damage	Cost	Meter Gain	Location
	3568, 3718			Back to Corner
When you land a command grab while in or near the corner.

Air to Air CH Starters

Combo	Damage	Cost	Meter Gain	Location
j.X > 2C > dl.5C > dl.5B > dl.236B- dlB - B > Ender				Anywhere
Air to air conversion. Fairly typical.

Videos

Kouma 214A Okizeme Primer

RED's Kouma Guide

External Links

• Kouma combo doc by Liz.
• Kouma combo doc for Beginners.