Samurai Shodown/Kazuki Kazama

Kazuki Kazama
風間 火月, Kazama Kazuki

Introduction

In spirit, Kazuki hearkens back to his incarnation in Samurai Shodown V Special, having good movement speed, a fairly decent poking game, high damage with the right resources, and a powerful air game, as well as a few funny tricks in his back pocket. His transition over to this game has given him some improved ground normals, a very fast and semi-flexible WFT, and a great boost to his damage potential in Rage, making him a great character for fighting up close or even a little bit at midrange if you counterpoke well.

However, Kazuki still has a lot of the same weaknesses from VSP, too. If he's kept out of close range and doesn't have fireball charges, he has a fairly weak fireball game, and he's still a relatively close-range character. Though he can still do great damage without having fireball charges stocked, he's still dependent on them for some of his best damage, and almost all his special moves, while powerful, tend to be unsafe on block.

Strengths	Weaknesses
Good mobility Good pokes, counterpokes, and air normals High damage with Rage and or stocked up fireballs for combos WFT has decent range and is fairly fast for its reach	Lacks range and can struggle to get in against characters with better buttons Specials highly punishable if misused, especially fireball charge Loses out on some of his best damage if he doesn't have resources Needs good spacing to confirm into combos or certain special moves

Data

• Damage Taken: 100%
• Rage Factor: 0.36 (Fastest Rage Gain)
• Rage Duration: 6 seconds (Shortest Duration)
• Jump: 46 frames (Average)
• Forward Walk Speed: 0.35 (Fast)
• Back Walk Speed: 0.3 (Fast)
• Dash Speed: 1.4 (Extremely Fast)
• Back Dash: 28 frames
• Weapon Pickup / Drop: 40 / 56 frames

Gameplan

Kazuki tends to play a sort of in-and-out game, but mostly prefers close range. When he's up close, n.5A, n.2A, and n.5B are all relatively oppressive tools that convert into 623S on hit, giving him a knockdown and time to charge a fireball with 214D. Since it moves him forward, his 5D can be used to annoy people much like Charlotte's can, but can also be canceled into special moves; a classic Kazuki gimmick is going into 421S after 5D in order to catch an opponent trying to mash out on you. He can also get a charge off of his 6D, though it being a bit slower makes this somewhat rare.

Kazuki also has excellent conversion options from throw; when at midscreen or even if he pushes the opponent to the corner, he can get a 66B and convert into 623S, or even into a longer combo provided he has two meatballs.

Neutral

His 5B and 2B are excellent poking tools and good checks for opponents that are trying to dash in, though against longer ranged opponents he'll have to be careful. His 66C is probably the next best move for distance closing and punishes if you don't need a combo from it, due to its reach, and it has some use as an anti-air if used carefully, albeit a risky one. He can also use fireballs as a zoning tool, though this is generally less helpful unless he has at least 1 meatball to boost his fireball with. For anti-airing, he can use 2C, 623S (which has invul against air attacks as of version 2.10), or more rarely 421S if you need to force distance from the opponent.

Okizeme

Generally speaking, when Kazuki gets a knockdown he wants to charge up a fireball, so oftentimes his oki focuses on that. When opponents roll, though, he can use his run speed for crossups or ambiguous side swaps, as his normals have great speeds and his dash is extremely fast.

Normal Moves

Far Slashes

5A

5A	Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Total Hit Adv Block Adv Guard Dmg Cancel Recoil Deflectable Unarmed 30 Mid 5 - - 16 +1 -2 5 Yes No No No Fast elbow attack and cancellable.

5B

5B	Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Total Hit Adv Block Adv Guard Dmg Cancel Recoil Deflectable Unarmed 100 Mid 11 - - 34 -3 -12 10 Yes Yes Yes No Fast poke with decent reach and cancellable.

5C

5C	Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Total Hit Adv Block Adv Guard Dmg Cancel Recoil Deflectable Unarmed 260 Mid 18 - - 60 -3 -16 25 No Yes(+11) Disarm No Very fast heavy slash with below average reach.

2A

2A	Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Total Hit Adv Block Adv Guard Dmg Cancel Recoil Deflectable Unarmed 30 Mid 7 - - 18 +1 -2 5 Yes No No No Fast karate chop and cancellable.

2B

2B	Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Total Hit Adv Block Adv Guard Dmg Cancel Recoil Deflectable Unarmed 90 Mid 13 - - 36 -3 -12 10 Yes Yes Yes No Similar to 5B with a little extra range.

2C

2C	Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Total Hit Adv Block Adv Guard Dmg Cancel Recoil Deflectable Unarmed 160 Mid 12 - - 43 -4 -28 25 No Yes Disarm No Kazuki's signature anti-air with fast start-up and great hit-box.

Near Slashes

n.5B

n.5B	Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Total Hit Adv Block Adv Guard Dmg Cancel Recoil Deflectable Unarmed 80 Mid 8 - - 31 -3 -12 10 Yes Yes Yes No His main punish combo tool.

n.5C

n.5C	Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Total Hit Adv Block Adv Guard Dmg Cancel Recoil Deflectable Unarmed 220 Mid 15 - - 45 -3 -28 25 No Yes Disarm No Fast heavy slash with above average damage.

Kicks

5D

5D	Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Total Hit Adv Block Adv Guard Dmg Cancel Recoil Deflectable Unarmed 30 Mid 9 5 - 26 -2~+2 -5~-1 5 Yes No No Yes Knee attack which moves forward and cacellable. It dodges lows from frame 9 to 17 (but it's not airborne).

6D

6D	Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Total Hit Adv Block Adv Guard Dmg Cancel Recoil Deflectable Unarmed 50 Low 13 - - 36 +1 -8 5 Yes No No Yes Low kick with slow start up but cancellable for combo. (since version 1.70)

2D

2D	Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Total Hit Adv Block Adv Guard Dmg Cancel Recoil Deflectable Unarmed 20 Low 5 - - 19 -2 -5 5 No No No Yes Standard low kick.

3D

3D	Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Total Hit Adv Block Adv Guard Dmg Cancel Recoil Deflectable Unarmed 70 Low 12 - - 41 KD(+95) -13 5 No No No Yes Slow sweep kick and quite punishable.

Dash Normals

66A

66A	Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Total Hit Adv Block Adv Guard Dmg Cancel Recoil Deflectable Unarmed 40 Mid 7 - - 30 -3 -8 5 No No No No Fast elbow attack.

66B

66B	Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Total Hit Adv Block Adv Guard Dmg Cancel Recoil Deflectable Unarmed 80 Mid 9 - - 32 -3 -35 10 Yes Yes Disarm No His main combo starter for long range punishing and throws follow up.

66C

66C	Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Total Hit Adv Block Adv Guard Dmg Cancel Recoil Deflectable Unarmed 140 Mid 9 - - 49 KD(+95) -18 20 No No Disarm No Fast running heavy slash, one of his best moves.

66D

66D	Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Total Hit Adv Block Adv Guard Dmg Cancel Recoil Deflectable Unarmed 70 Low 11 4 - 40 KD(+95) -11~-8 5 No No No Yes Standard slide kick.

Air Normals

j8.A

j8.A	Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Total Hit Adv Block Adv Guard Dmg Cancel Recoil Deflectable Unarmed 40 High 5 - - - - - 5 No No No No Neutral jump light slash.

j7/9.A

j7/9.A	Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Total Hit Adv Block Adv Guard Dmg Cancel Recoil Deflectable Unarmed 30 High 5 - - - - - 5 No No No No Air karate chop, fast air to air attack.

j.B

j.B	Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Total Hit Adv Block Adv Guard Dmg Cancel Recoil Deflectable Unarmed 100 High 8 - - - - - 10 No No No No Great air to air slash, since version 1.70 it can be used during straight up jump.

j.C

j.C	Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Total Hit Adv Block Adv Guard Dmg Cancel Recoil Deflectable Unarmed 150 High 9 - - - - - 20 No No No No Fast heavy slash in the air with limited range.

j.D

j.D	Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Total Hit Adv Block Adv Guard Dmg Cancel Recoil Deflectable Unarmed 30 High 8 - - - - - 5 No No No Yes Air to air horizontal kick.

Unarmed Normals

u.5S

u.5S	Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Total Hit Adv Block Adv Guard Dmg Cancel Recoil Deflectable Unarmed 50 Mid 5 - - 16 +1 -1 5 No No No Only Fast elbow attack and safe on block.

u.2S

u.2S	Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Total Hit Adv Block Adv Guard Dmg Cancel Recoil Deflectable Unarmed 50 Mid 7 - - 18 +1 -1 5 No No No Only Crouching karate chop and safe on block.

ju.S

ju.S	Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Total Hit Adv Block Adv Guard Dmg Cancel Recoil Deflectable Unarmed 50 High 5 - - - - - 5 No No No Only Starndard unarmed jump attack.

u.66S

u.66S	Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Total Hit Adv Block Adv Guard Dmg Cancel Recoil Deflectable Unarmed 50 Mid 7 - - 29 KD -7 5 No No No Only Starndard unarmed dash attack that knocks down.

Universal Mechanics

Guard Break

Guard Break (Throw) 5C+D / 6C+D 5C+D / 6C+D 4C+D 4C+D	Version Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Total Hit Adv Block Adv Guard Dmg Cancel Recoil Deflectable Unarmed Neutral / Forward 0 Throw 3 - 71 74 +20 - - - - - Yes Back 0 Throw 5 - 69 74 +25 - - - - - Yes Universal throw, can follow up with combos. Back throw has slower start up but better frame advantage. There is no throw tech, but throws are very punishable on whiff.

Surprise Attack

Surprise Attack (Overhead) 5B+C Armed Armed Unarmed Unarmed	Version Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Total Hit Adv Block Adv Guard Dmg Cancel Recoil Deflectable Unarmed Armed 60 High 21 - - 45 +1 -12 10 No No No No Universal overhead, dodges low attacks and throws. No longer knocks down the opponent since version 1.70. Unarmed 60 High 21 - - 45 KD -12 10 No No No Only Universal unarmed overhead. Knocks down the opponent.

Dodge

Dodge 5A+B	Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Total Hit Adv Block Adv Guard Dmg Cancel Recoil Deflectable Unarmed N/A - 1 16 22 38 - - - - - - Yes Universal dodge. Avoids all attacks for a brief moment, and is mainly used to avoid throws. Complete invincibility from frames 1 to 10. Strike invincibility from frames 11 to 16.

Stance Break

Stance Break A+B during Just Defense	Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Total Hit Adv Block Adv Guard Dmg Cancel Recoil Deflectable Unarmed 0 Mid 5 - - 52 KD -24 - - - - Yes Universal Stance Break.

Counter (Deflect) / Blade Catch

Counter (Deflect) / Blade Catch 236A+B Weapon Deflect Weapon Deflect Blade Catch Blade Catch

Version Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Total Hit Adv Block Adv Guard Dmg Cancel Recoil Deflectable Unarmed Armed 0 N/A 2 11 34 46 +35~+59 - - - - - No Universal counter that works against mid-guard normal slashes. Upon successful counter, you can follow up with any attack except throws. The amount of time to follow up depends on timing and the strength of slash, and deflecting medium slashes staggering the opponent for longest amount of time. Additionally, if you deflect a heavy slash or running medium slash, the opponent will be disarmed. Unarmed 0 N/A 2 12 9 22 KD - - - - - Only Universal unarmed counter, works against the same slashes as counter. Upon successful blade catch, your will disarm your opponent and knock down the opponent to the corner, regardless of the strength of slash.

Rage Explosion

Rage Explosion 5A+B+C

Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Total Hit Adv Block Adv Guard Dmg Cancel Recoil Deflectable Unarmed 0 Unblockable 21 1 - 58 0 - - - - - No Activate the rage explosion gauge and push back the opponent, available once per match. In order to activate, the character must be on the ground with the weapon on hand. It can be activated during hit stun / throw staggering / weapon deflected / recoil cancel / normal cancel / blocking, but not during action recovery. It's nearly the same as max rage with extra damage buff (140% vs 120%), and it pauses the timer count down, also allows access to Lighting Blade. The less amount of health remaining when activates, the more amount of rage explosion gauge it begins with. Rage explosion ends if the gauge runs out, WFT connects, Lighting Blade used, or the round ended. Then the rage gauge disappears for the rest of match. The activation push back is unblockable, and its hit-box extends all the way up to top of the screen.

Lightning Blade

Lightning Blade (Issen) 5A+B+C during Rage Explosion	Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Total Hit Adv Block Adv Guard Dmg Cancel Recoil Deflectable Unarmed 300~709 Mid 9 - - - KD -44 - - - - No Dashes full screen and slash across the opponent in classic style. It has full invincibility and can anti-air. Damage scales based on remaining rage explosion gauge.

Command Moves

Wall Jump

Wall Jump (near wall)9 Burning Ninja Training Burning Ninja Training	Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Total Hit Adv Block Adv Guard Dmg Cancel Recoil Deflectable Unarmed - - - - - - - - - - - - Yes Kazuki can jump off walls. Doing so will increase jump height and change the landing trajectory, making it difficult for the opponent to position and time an anti-air.

Blazing Fang

Blazing Fang j.2B Blazing Fang Blazing Fang	Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Total Hit Adv Block Adv Guard Dmg Cancel Recoil Deflectable Unarmed 120 High 13 - - - - - - No No No No Since version 1.70, the neutral jump B becomes a command normal, which is good for jump in attack.

Special Moves

As a general note: all of Kazuki's special moves, aside from 421S/D, 214D, and A+D, consume different amounts of charge. The breakdown is as follows:

• A: Level 0 (no charges consumed)
• B: Level 1 (1 charge consumed)
• D: Level 2 (2 charges consumed)
• C: Level 3 (3 charges consumed)

If Kazuki uses a move stronger than the number of charges he has available (e.g., 236D with a level 1 charge), the move used will go downward to the next closest level. Moves as listed below assume that for the matching level you have the correct number of charges.

Soul Burner

Soul Burner 236S/D

Version Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Total Hit Adv Block Adv Guard Dmg Cancel Recoil Deflectable Unarmed A 40 Mid 18 - - 57 -7 -23 5 No No No No Kazuki shoots a fireball. The worst version in terms of speed and damage, but has some use for zoning. B 50 (40, 10) Mid 18 - - 50 +12 -12 6 No No No No Hits twice and is the chunkier version of his fireball. It moves relatively fast and strikes a decent balance between doing damage and spending fireball charges. It's also really good in the corner for combos due to the increased hitstun. C 220 Mid 16 - - 128 KD(+27) KD(-95) 15 No No No No Kazuki fires a huge fireball and is knocked back from the recoil. It knocks down on hit and is exceedingly powerful, but has no real followups after it's used. D 70 (40, 20, 10) Mid 18 - - 46 +24 ±0 9 No No No No Hits three times and is even better than level 1 fireball. Its increase in hitstun from 236B makes it a potent tool for midscreen combos.

Exploding Death

Exploding Death 623S/D

Version Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Total Hit Adv Block Adv Guard Dmg Cancel Recoil Deflectable Unarmed A 110 (10,100) Mid 10 - - 57 KD(+82) 32 0 No No No No A hitgrab and Kazuki's standard combo ender--*it is blockable*, so be careful when using it. Gives enough knockdown time to charge a fireball. B 150 (10,50,90) Mid 10 - - 57 KD(+86) 32 0 No No No No Adds another explosion for extra damage. Much like 236B, it's a decent economy ender if you don't want to spend too many charges. C 260 (10, 50x5) Mid 10 - - 57 KD(+110) 32 0 No No No No Adds even more explosions for extra damage. Good to cash in during shorter combos so that scaling doesn't kick in too hard. D 200 (10, 50, 70x2) Mid 10 - - 57 KD(+94) 32 0 No No No No Adds two explosions for extra damage. Rage 168 (A), 216 (B), 264 (D), 336 (C) Mid 10 - - 57 KD(+77) 32 0 No No No No When in doubt, use this to end your combos in Rage mode. Powerful.

Annihilating Flames

Annihilating Flames 421S/D

Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Total Hit Adv Block Adv Guard Dmg Cancel Recoil Deflectable Unarmed 150 Mid 27 - - 70 KD -20 10 No No No No Kazuki creates an exploding doppelganger and leaves his pants behind. It has strike invincibility from frame 9 to 47, making it a great anti-air and recoil cancel tool, but the opponent can still grab him since the start-up is slow. It's difficult to punish, but is less safe when Kazuki explodes in a position where he doesn't have the space to maneuver away (e.g., at midscreen, when he's in the corner, or if the opponent blocks a cross-up explosion).

Flames of Disaster

Flames of Disaster 214D

Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Total Hit Adv Block Adv Guard Dmg Cancel Recoil Deflectable Unarmed N/A - - - - 51 / 108 - - 0 No No No No Meatball charge. This gives Kazuki a charge stock for his special moves, and charged fireball levels carry over between rounds. However, if he's already at maximum charge, he's briefly puzzled, increasing the recovery time. This move is very important to Kazuki's gameplan, but it's only safe to charge when the opponent is knocked down or far away. The recovery frames were reduced in version 2.10, enabling him to recover even faster from it.

Flaming Backdraft

Flaming Backdraft A+D when knocked down

Version Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Total Hit Adv Block Adv Guard Dmg Cancel Recoil Deflectable Unarmed Level 1 20 Mid - - - - +15 +9 0 No No No Yes While knocked down, Kazuki can choose to spend ALL his charges to send his charges toward his opponent to explode. It can be done at any time from when he touches the ground until he wakes up or tech rolls. Although the fireball is slow and easy to block, it's a great interruption toward an opponent's meaty attacks. Level 2 40 Mid - - - - +15 +9 0 No No No Yes Level 3 60 Mid - - - - KD +15 0 No No No Yes The Level 3 fireball knocks down the opponent and allows follow up attack for a brief moment.

Supers

Weapon Flipping Technique

Exploding Flames 236B+C

Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Total Hit Adv Block Adv Guard Dmg Cancel Recoil Deflectable Unarmed 396 (462) Mid 20 - - - KD -43 - No No No No Available only during Max Rage or Rage Explosion. Disarms on hit. Kazuki dashes full screen until he hits the opponent or reaches the corner, and destroys the opponent with huge explosion. Although he falls down like level 3 fireball, it's super unsafe and SSM punishable on block or whiff. It dodges lows from frame 10 while dashing (but it's not airborne).

Super Special Move

Eternal Inferno 641236C+D	Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Total Hit Adv Block Adv Guard Dmg Cancel Recoil Deflectable Unarmed 690 Mid 10+20 - - - KD -46 - No No No No Available only once per match. Full invincible during frames 1~10. Standard SSM with decent reach.

Combos

List combos, use numpad notation.

General

• 5A / 2A xx 623S
  Fastest close range punish combo.
• 5B / n.5B / 2B / 66B xx 623S / 236S / WFT
  Will mostly combo in close range. Note: All the meatball specific combos can work with a 2B start up instead of a 5B, n.5B, or 66B, but only in close range (midscreen throw will not work).

No Meatball

• 66C
  Long range punish for a knock down.

• 66B xx 623A
  Long range max damage punish for a knock down.

• 5C / n.5C
  Short to mid range punish with more damage but no knock down.

• 5CD / 4CD...
  Throw...
  • 66B xx 623A / WFT
    Standard throw combo.
  • 5B xx 623A / WFT
    Microwalk to connect, a little more damage than 66B.
  • n.5B xx 623A / WFT
    Same as 66B, you will get this in corner.
  • 66C
    Less damage but can get a knock down.
  • 5C
    Max damage but no knock down.

1 Meatball

• 66B / n.5B xx 236B xx 66C / Issen
  Works only in the corner.

Can choose to do 5B / n.5B / 2B / 66B xx 623B but don't recommend, damage is far less.

2 Meatballs

• 66B / n.5B xx 236D xx 66C / Issen
  Easier with level two fireball than one, can be done midscreen.
• 66B / n.5B xx 236B xx 66B xx 236B xx 66C / Issen
  Advanced corner only combo.

Can choose to do 5B / n.5B / 2B / 66B xx 623D but don't recommend, damage is far less.

3 Meatballs

• 66B / n.5B xx 236D (/ Issen) xx 66B xx 623A / 623B / WFT
  The fast charge now makes using the last fireball more appealing. Works after throw, second medium has to be in range for 623S or WFT to connect.
• 66B / n.5B xx 236D xx 66B xx 236B xx 66C / Issen
  Corner only combo with insane damage.

Can choose to do 5B / n.5B / 2B / 66B xx 623C / 236C but don't recommend, damage is far less.

Universal

• jump C (Deep hit)...
  • 5C / n.5C
    Universal combo after jump C deep hit.
  • Lighting Blade
    Issen combo.

Depends on the amount of meatballs can go for different 66B / n.5B combos.

Guard Crush

• n.5C / 5C...
  After recovery...
  • SSM
    SSM follow up. (Be careful with opponent bursting to avoid it)
  • Basically anything would work as long as it's in range and fast enough to connect.

• n.5C / 5C...
  Cancel recovery...
  • Lighting Blade
    Universal Issen combo.

Videos

• Kazuki tutorial and combos by LegendaryWolf Shirou

Colors

External Links

• Twitter hashtag: #SS_KA