Dengeki Bunko: Fighting Climax/DFCI/Kirito

Kirito (キリト)
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Introduction

A Sword Art Online player known as "The Black Swordsman". With his dual-wielding sword style, he was the first to clear SAO. Asuna is his girlfriend and Leafa is his younger sister.

Originally from the light novel series Sword Art Online.

Gameplay

At first glance, Kirito appears to be a relatively tame character with decent, albeit slightly slow buttons. In exchange, he can confirm easily into large damage, provided he has meter. This initial takeaway is soon proven wrong, however, once Kirito activates his Blue Trump Card and unsheathes his second blade. In Trump Mode, he has Dual Swords, granting him all of the terrifying benefits of Trump and now the most fearsome set of normals in the game. Huge air normals, anti-air buttons, and damage from any conversion as his specials can chain on hit in Trump.

Kirito Gameplay Sample

Pros

• Relatively straightforward offensive character with good reach on his normals
• Explosive damage off of virtually any confirm
• Excellent Blue Trump that makes his normals the best of the game for a limited time
• Relatively meter-conservative compared to his other offense-based peers

Cons

• Extremely reliant on Trump Card to be a threat against most of the cast
• Slow run speed and slow start-up on most of his ground normals.
• Mediocre special moves that are primarily combo filler rather than neutral tools
• Struggles against zoning characters

Recommended Assists

Iriya - 5S gives you a plate projectile to use for setplay or to help you close in on opponents. 6S is a moped that can be used to punish Blasts or whiffed attacks and force out air options from the foe. Kirito specifically wants to gain plate icons to receive the status buff from the 5S fireworks, buffing his already monstrous damage potential.

Kuroneko - The main appeal of Kuroneko is the random chance that she turns into Kamineko, a white-dress version with a buffed 5S. The 5S is a pedal storm that targets the opponent and gives Kirito the ability to close-in, lockdown, and run mix-ups on his offense. Both normal and buffed 5S serve as an all-in-one tool that helps Kirito keep the opponent at his pace.

Celty - 5S is a giant hitbox in front of you that zooms across the screen with only 10 frame start-up. It's great for scrambles, mid-screen stand-offs, and quick punishes into hard knockdown. 5S also allows Kirito to pressure with his specials if you are willing to spend meter. 6S is a giant anti-air bike that hits twice to afford you two opportunities to run cross-ups or tick throws.

Potentials

Universal Potential: Increases damage dealt by 10% for 20 seconds when health falls under 30%. If behind in rounds won, increases damage dealt by 20% instead.

Character Potential: Trump gauge is partially refilled after you use 7 "Dual Wielding" special followups in trump. These followups do not have to connect with the opponent.

Move List

L = Low, H = High, A = Air
JC = Jump Cancel, SC = Support Cancel, EX = EX Cancel
ISC = Impact Skill Cancel, TCC = Trump Card Cancel, CAC = Climax Art Cancel

Startup includes the first active frame.

Normal Moves

5A	Damage Startup Active Recovery Frame Adv Cancels Guard Hitbox 300 6 2 15 -4 +8 (JC) JC, SC, EX, ISC, TCC, CAC HLA - Quick downward slash in front. Will hit all characters crouching. Jump Cancellable Fast startup and a relatively big hitbox. Easy to combo after an anti-air CH In two-sword style, it has longer range and a bigger hitbox. A great normal to throw out on a read because of its startup.
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2A

Damage Startup Active Recovery Frame Adv Cancels Guard Hitbox 250 6 3 14 -4 SC, EX, ISC, TCC, CAC LA - Quick sweeping slash. Hits low Fast startup and decent range. It’s not jump cancellable, but it is still an important midrange tool Will hit downed opponents Has a small hitbox above the ground In two-sword style, the vertical hitbox is expanded and it becomes jump cancellable. Along with 5A, it’s great for pressure.

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5B

Damage Startup Active Recovery Frame Adv Cancels Guard Hitbox 500 9 3 20 -8 +10 (JC) JC, SC, EX, ISC, TCC, CAC HL - Slightly slanted upward slash. Jump Cancellable Decent startup and about the same range as 5A. It’s air unblockable though Great as a long range anti-air with the tip of the sword Also gets increased range and a bigger hitbox in two-sword style. Still air unblockable, it’s a terrifying anti-air

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2B

Damage Startup Active Recovery Frame Adv Cancels Guard Hitbox 450 9 3 19 -7 +10 (JC) JC, SC, EX, ISC, TCC, CAC HL - Slightly slanted upwards slash. Air unblockable and jump cancellable. It’s a good anti-air at the tip of the sword, but it does not have a good hitbox directly above his head. There are some characters that can crouch under the tip of the attack. In two-sword style, it becomes a stronger anti-air with a bigger hitbox and longer range. It also becomes jump cancellable on block.

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5C

Damage Startup Active Recovery Frame Adv Cancels Guard Hitbox 700 11 3 22 -8 SC, EX, ISC, TCC, CAC HLA - Steps forward into a big forward slash. Not jump cancellable. Very long range, but very slow startup. He’s dead if it gets jumped over It has a vertical hitbox, but it’s not very good Will combo from A normals. In two-sword style, it becomes jump cancellable on hit and block. It’s vertical hitbox is also expanded, making it a fantastic space controller The standard gatling routes no longer apply as well, so the return on hits is increased

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2C

Damage Startup Active Recovery Frame Adv Cancels Guard Hitbox 700 10 4 23 -10 SC, EX, ISC, TCC, CAC HLA - Steps forward (further than 5C) and does a big slash. Not an overhead and it’s not jump cancellable Long range and will knock down on hit It is only cancellable into Impact Skills, Climax Arts and other meter based cancels. Very dangerous to throw out recklessly In two-sword style, it becomes jump cancellable. Also, because the gatling routes are reversible, it can go into combos.

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j.A	Damage Startup Active Recovery Frame Adv Cancels Guard Hitbox 250 7 2 X+2 Varies JC, SC, EX HA - Horizontal sweeping slash. Jump cancellable on block Fast startup and decent range. Great for air-to-air No real vertical hitbox Anti-air 5A>JC>j.A will combo In two-sword style, its hitbox is bigger
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j.B	Damage Startup Active Recovery Frame Adv Cancels Guard Hitbox 450 9 3 X+3 Varies JC, SC, EX HA - Slanted downwards slash Kirito’s strongest slanting jump move. Great for longer jump-ins Can combo into Storm Strike In two-sword style, the slanted hitbox is even better, and he gets an added horizontal hitbox as well
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j.C

Damage Startup Active Recovery Frame Adv Cancels Guard Hitbox 650 10 4 X+4 Varies JC, SC, EX HA - Slashes from down forward to his back Kirito’s strongest jump move for attacking below him. Able to cross up However, the attack has a deceptive particle effect that doesn’t have a hitbox. So it is possible to wiff a cross up attempt if he jumps too far, even though it looks like it should have hit. In two-sword style, the hitbox is drastically increased. This leads to some unbelievable crossups.

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Dual Wield Normal Moves

5A	Damage Startup Active Recovery Frame Adv Cancels Guard Hitbox 330 6 2 15 -4 +8 (JC) JC, SC, EX, ISC, TCC, CAC HLA - Quick downward slash in front. Will hit all characters crouching. Jump Cancellable Fast startup and a relatively big hitbox. Easy to combo after an anti-air CH In two-sword style, it has longer range and a bigger hitbox. A great normal to throw out on a read because of its startup.
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2A

Damage Startup Active Recovery Frame Adv Cancels Guard Hitbox 275 6 3 14 -4 +8 (JC) JC, SC, EX, ISC, TCC, CAC LA - Quick sweeping slash. Hits low Fast startup and decent range. It’s not jump cancellable, but it is still an important midrange tool Will hit downed opponents Has a small hitbox above the ground In two-sword style, the vertical hitbox is expanded and it becomes jump cancellable. Along with 5A, it’s great for pressure.

Toggle Hitboxes Toggle Hitboxes

5B

Damage Startup Active Recovery Frame Adv Cancels Guard Hitbox 550 9 3 20 -8 +10 (JC) JC, SC, EX, ISC, TCC, CAC HL - Slightly slanted upward slash. Jump Cancellable Decent startup and about the same range as 5A. It’s air unblockable though Great as a long range anti-air with the tip of the sword Also gets increased range and a bigger hitbox in two-sword style. Still air unblockable, it’s a terrifying anti-air

Toggle Hitboxes Toggle Hitboxes

2B

Damage Startup Active Recovery Frame Adv Cancels Guard Hitbox 495 9 3 19 -7 +10 (JC) JC, SC, EX, ISC, TCC, CAC HL - Slightly slanted upwards slash. Air unblockable and jump cancellable. It’s a good anti-air at the tip of the sword, but it does not have a good hitbox directly above his head. There are some characters that can crouch under the tip of the attack. In two-sword style, it becomes a stronger anti-air with a bigger hitbox and longer range. It also becomes jump cancellable on block.

Toggle Hitboxes Toggle Hitboxes

5C

Damage Startup Active Recovery Frame Adv Cancels Guard Hitbox 770 11 3 22 -8 +12 (JC) JC, SC, EX, ISC, TCC, CAC HLA - Steps forward into a big forward slash. Air unblockable, but not jump cancellable. Very long range, but very slow startup. He’s dead if it gets jumped over It has a vertical hitbox, but it’s not very good Will combo from A normals. In two-sword style, it becomes jump cancellable on hit and block. It’s vertical hitbox is also expanded, making it a fantastic space controller The standard gatling routes no longer apply as well, so the return on hits is increased

Toggle Hitboxes Toggle Hitboxes

2C

Damage Startup Active Recovery Frame Adv Cancels Guard Hitbox 770 10 4 23 -10 +12 (JC) JC, SC, EX, ISC, TCC, CAC HLA - Steps forward (further than 5C) and does a big slash. Not an overhead and it’s not jump cancellable Long range and will knock down on hit It is only cancellable into Impact Skills, Climax Arts and other meter based cancels. Very dangerous to throw out recklessly In two-sword style, it becomes jump cancellable. Also, because the gatling routes are reversible, it can go into combos.

Toggle Hitboxes Toggle Hitboxes

j.A	Damage Startup Active Recovery Frame Adv Cancels Guard Hitbox 275 7 2 X+2 Varies JC, SC, EX HA - Horizontal sweeping slash. Jump cancellable on block Fast startup and decent range. Great for air-to-air No real vertical hitbox Anti-air 5A>JC>j.A will combo In two-sword style, its hitbox is bigger
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j.B	Damage Startup Active Recovery Frame Adv Cancels Guard Hitbox 495 9 3 X+3 Varies JC, SC, EX HA - Slanted downwards slash Kirito’s strongest slanting jump move. Great for longer jump-ins Can combo into Storm Strike In two-sword style, the slanted hitbox is even better, and he gets an added horizontal hitbox as well
Toggle Hitboxes Toggle Hitboxes

j.C

Damage Startup Active Recovery Frame Adv Cancels Guard Hitbox 715 10 4 X+4 Varies JC, SC, EX HA - Slashes from down forward to his back Kirito’s strongest jump move for attacking below him. Able to cross up However, the attack has a deceptive particle effect that doesn’t have a hitbox. So it is possible to wiff a cross up attempt if he jumps too far, even though it looks like it should have hit. In two-sword style, the hitbox is drastically increased. This leads to some unbelievable crossups.

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Special Moves

Horizontal Square 「ホリゾンタル・スクエア」 236X 236X(1) 236X(2) 236X(3) 236X(4) 236EX(1) 236EX(2) 236EX(3) 236EX(4)

Version Damage Startup Active Recovery Frame Adv Cancels Guard Hitbox A 850 9 2*4 hits 65 -19 to -22 SC, EX, TCC, CAC HLA - Charges forward then does four slashes. Strength of button determines the distance of the charge, and therefore the startup. From shortest to longest, it goes A>B>C A combo staple. Regular versions can be followed up with Meteor Break Version Damage Startup Active Recovery Frame Adv Cancels Guard Hitbox B 918 11 2*4 hits 68 -19 to -22 SC, EX, TCC, CAC HLA - Slower start-up but Kirito travels farther forward. Version Damage Startup Active Recovery Frame Adv Cancels Guard Hitbox C 1020 13 2*4 hits 71 -19 to -22 SC, EX, TCC, CAC HLA - Slowest start-up but farthest distance traveled of the regular versions. Combo fodder: 5C>236C will combo Version Damage Startup Active Recovery Frame Adv Cancels Guard Hitbox EX 1488 9 2*4 hits 65 -16 SC, TCC, CAC HLA - EX version will knock down. Travels full screen.

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Meteor Break 「メテオブレイク」 66X After Horizontal Square Shoulder tackle B version after tackle C version after tackle, uses same hitbox as j.B (enhanced in trump)

Version Damage Startup Active Recovery Frame Adv Cancels Guard Hitbox A 288 14 1 35 -7 N/A HLA - Shoulder tackle, This move can only be done during Horizontal Square or off normals. Cannot be done on whiff. The different buttons have different startups and cause different finishes after the tackle. 66A - Fastest startup. Swaps sides with the opponent, leaving both standing. Cannot be canceled into another action. Version Damage Startup Active Recovery Frame Adv Cancels Guard Hitbox B 676 First hit: 21 Overhead: 7 First hit: 1 Overhead: 4 First hit: 56 Overhead: 15 -5 SC, EX, TCC, CAC HA - Moderate startup. Cannot be done on whiff. Jumps and then does a helm breaker, which must be blocked high. Does not knock down, but it is cancellable into Climax Arts and EX Specials. Version Damage Startup Active Recovery Frame Adv Cancels Guard Hitbox C 882 First hit: 21 Overhead: 7 First hit: 1 Overhead: 4 First hit: 56 Overhead: 15 -2 SC, EX HA - 66C - Slowest Startup. Cannot be done on whiff. Cuts the opponent down from behind. Knocks down. Must be blocked high. Crosses up, but not in the corner. Unlike the B version, you're still in an air state after the slash, so you cannot use your Trump Card or Climax Arts until the move completely ends.

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Spinning Shield 「スピニングシールド」 214X

Version Damage Startup Active Recovery Frame Adv Cancels Guard Hitbox A 1055 10 8 31 -17 SC, EX, TCC, CAC Dash* HLA - Spins his sword in front of him to deflect projectiles Defensive move, but it does have a hitbox. Can be used in combos Pretty big vertical hitbox, so it has some merit as an anti-air Button strength determines how many hits it will do. From most to least, it goes C>B>A Can dash cancel on a successful projectile block. Dash is a fixed distance Depending on the situation, it might be better to just block the projectile rather than using the Shield Version Damage Startup Active Recovery Frame Adv Cancels Guard Hitbox B 1168 11 10 30 -17 SC, EX, TCC, CAC Dash* HLA - Nearly identical to the A version but has more hits. Version Damage Startup Active Recovery Frame Adv Cancels Guard Hitbox C 1267 12 12 29 -17 SC, EX, TCC, CAC Dash* HLA - Has more hits than the B version and lasts the longest. Version Damage Startup Active Recovery Frame Adv Cancels Guard Hitbox EX 1296 7 14 24 -12 SC, TCC, CAC Dash* HLA - The fastest version with the most hits.

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Storm Strike 「ストームストライク」 j.236X j.236X(1) j.236X(2) j.236X(3)

Version Damage Startup Active Recovery Frame Adv Cancels Guard Hitbox A 828 10 2 X+31 -14 SC, EX, TCC, CAC HLA - Goes up forward while spin slashing, and then finishes with a helm breaker. Not an overhead. Button pressed will determine the height and number of hits during the rising portion It is possible to whiff on the helm breaker It does not knock down and the opponent will recover first Version Damage Startup Active Recovery Frame Adv Cancels Guard Hitbox B 900 10 2 X+32 -15 SC, EX, TCC, CAC HLA - fluff Version Damage Startup Active Recovery Frame Adv Cancels Guard Hitbox C 972 10 2 X+45 -16 SC, EX, TCC, CAC HLA - fluff Version Damage Startup Active Recovery Frame Adv Cancels Guard Hitbox EX 1125 9 2 X+31 -14 SC, TCC, CAC HLA - The EX version will induce hard knockdown.

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Universal Mechanics

Throw 6C or 4C	Damage Startup Active Recovery Frame Adv Cancels Guard Hitbox 1100 4 1 66 +47 (hit) SC, EX, TCC, CAC N/A - Tosses the opponent close by. Cancellable into Supports and Climax Arts

Impact Skill Vorpal Strike 「ヴォーパルストライク」 5A+B

Damage Startup Active Recovery Frame Adv Cancels Guard Hitbox 1100 12 10 33 -28 SC, EX, CAC (hit only) TCC HLA - Lunging stab. Has armor on startup Fast startup, will combo from a max range 5C Cancellable with meter on hit. Only cancellable into Trump Card on block It is possible to go through a long range projectile with the armor and hit the opponent Very punishable at point blank and if it’s jumped over

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Impact Skill Snake Bite 「スネーク・バイト」 2A+B	Damage Startup Active Recovery Frame Adv Cancels Guard Hitbox 1100 12 4 31 -20 SC, EX, TCC, CAC (hit only) HLA - 45 degree upward slash. Armored startup Very short range. Works as an anti-air or reversal, but leaves him as a sitting duck on whiff. Knocks the opponent high up, but it’s not possible to just combo after it. It is cancellable with meter on hit and Trump Card on block.
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Impact Break 4A+B	Damage Startup Active Recovery Frame Adv Cancels Guard Hitbox First hit: 900 Launcher: 800 First hit: 22 Launcher: 9 First hit: 8 Launcher: 2 First hit: 14 Launcher: 50 First hit: -2 Launcher: -37 First hit: N/A Launcher: SC, EX, TCC, CAC (hit only) First hit: HA Launcher: HLA - Hopping slash. Standard follow ups Overhead, slow startup It does have armor
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Trump Card Extra Skill - Dual Wield 「エクストラスキル・二刀流」 5A+C

Damage Startup Active Recovery Frame Adv Cancels Guard Hitbox N/A 0 N/A ~80 -5 N/A N/A - Pulls up the command menu and equips his second sword. Unlike most Trump Cards, this is not an attack. It is only a power-up The recovery of Trump is strike invulnerable, but not throw invulnerable All of his attacks’ hitboxes are expanded and he can chain his special moves into each other Many of his normals also become jump cancellable and the normal gatling routes are no longer enforced The recovery after the super flash is short, so it can be used in combos He doesn’t get a huge single shot of damage like other characters, but his ability to control space and his combo potential is vastly superior Specials in Two-sword Style All three of his specials are able to be cancelled into a different special They have simplified inputs Horizontal Square - 6A/B/C Number of hits double and damage increases Spinning Shield - 4A/B/C Integral in Trump Card combos Storm Strike - 8A/B/C Can be used from the ground when it is cancelled into The chain must start from a regular special (like 236A) Each follow up can only be used one per chain. For example, 236A>8A>6A>4A will work. 236A>8A>6A>8A will not

Climax Arts

Starburst Stream 「スターバーストストリーム」 41236B+C	Damage Startup Active Recovery Frame Adv Cancels Guard Hitbox 3500 10 4 165 -42 N/A HLA - Takes out both swords and does a flurry of slashes, finishing with a big cross slash. Good combo finisher that will knock down Big hitbox makes it easy to combo into Not invincible and air blockable Easily punishable
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The Eclipse 「ジ・イクリプス」 63214B+C	Damage Startup Active Recovery Frame Adv Cancels Guard Hitbox 2754 7 23 20 -28 N/A HLA - Two-sword ranbu super. Does less damage than Startburst Stream, but it is fully invincible on startup Can go through projectiles Easily punishable like all ranbu supers
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Combos

Midscreen

5A Starter

5A > 5B > 5C > 236B (> 236AB > 41236BC)

• HKD

5A > 5B > 5C > 5AB (> 236AB > 41236BC)

• Airtech (HKD)

4A+B Starter

4A+B > B > j.B > j.C > dj > j.B > j.C

• Air Tech

4A+B > B > j.B > j.C > dj > j.B > j.C > j.236C (> 236AB > 41236BC)

• Air Tech (HKD)

or

4A+B > B > j.B > j.C > dj > j.B > j.C > j.236AB (> 41236BC)

• HKD

Trump

5A Starter

5A > 5B > 5C > 236B > 4X > 8X > 6X (> 236AB > 41236BC)

• HKD

5A > 5B > 2C > j.A > j.B > j.C > land > j.B > j.C > dj > j.B > j.C > j.236C > 4X > 8X > 236AB > 41236BC

• HKD

4A+B Starter

4A+B > B > j.B > j.C > dj > j.B > j.C > j.236C > 4X > 8X > 6X (> 236AB > 41236BC)

• Air Tech (HKD)

Corner

5A Starter

5A > 5B > 5C > 236B (> 236AB > 41236BC)

• HKD

5A > 5B > 5C > 5AB (> 236AB > 41236BC)

• Airtech (HKD)

4A+B Starter

4A+B > B > j.B > j.C > dj > j.B > j.C

• Air Tech

4A+B > B > j.B > j.C > dj > j.B > j.C > j.236C (> 236AB > 41236BC)

• Air Tech (HKD)

or

4A+B > B > j.B > j.C > dj > j.B > j.C > j.236AB (> 41236BC)

• HKD

Trump

5A Starter

5A > 5B > 5C > 236B > 4X > 8X > 6X (> 236AB > 41236BC)

• HKD

5A > 5B > 2C > j.A > j.B > j.C > land > j.B > j.C > dj > j.B > j.C > j.236C > 4X > 8X > 236AB > 41236BC

• HKD

4A+B Starter

4A+B > B > j.B > j.C > dj > j.B > j.C > j.236C > 4X > 8X > 6X (> 236AB > 41236BC)

• Air Tech (HKD)

Anti Air

5B/2B Starter

5B/2B > J.B > j.C > dj > j.B > j.C > j.236C (> 236AB > 41236BC)

• Air Tech (HKD)

OTG

5A > 2A > 5B > 2C > 214A (214AB)

• Damage

5A > 2A > 5B > 2C > 236A(1) > 66A

• Sideswitches midscreen

Trump OTG

5C > 2C > 5B > 214A

• Damage

5C > 2C > 5B > 236A > 66A

• Sideswitches midscreen

Assists

Celty

6S > Throw > 66 > 5B > j.B > j.C > dj > j.B > j.C > j.236C (> 236AB > 41236BC)

• Air Tech (HKD)

Dokuro

Iriya

Colors

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