Introduction
Killer Instinct is a 1994 fighting game developed by Rare and published by Nintendo.
Notation
Joystick Notation
- F - Forward - Tilt stick forward/towards the opponent. (X-axis)
- B - Backward/Back - Tilt stick backward/away from the opponent. (X-axis)
- U - Up - Tilt stick upwards. (Y-axis)
- D - Down - Tilt stick downwards. (Y-axis)
- QCF - Quarter circle forward/Hadouken/Fireball - Tilt stick downwards, then to downwards and forward, then forward.
- QCB - Quarter circle backward - Tilt stick downwards, then to downwards and backward, then backward.
- HCF - Half circle forward - Tilt stick backwards, then to downwards and backward, then to downward, then to downwards and forward, then forward.
- HCB - Half circle backward - Tilt stick forwards, then to downwards and forward, then to downward, then to downwards and backward, then backward.
- DP - Dragon punch - Tilt stick forwards, then to downward, then to downward and forward.
- 360/FC - Full circle - Complete a full rotation of the stick.
- 720 - N/A - Complete a 720 degree rotation of the stick.
- Charge - Hold a tilt - Hold the stick in either B or D (Depending) then move to F or U respectively.
X-axis functions can be used interchangeably with Y-axis functions and vice versa. X-axis functions cannot be used in conjunction with another X-axis function and vice versa.
In addition to the letter notation, an Unicode arrow notation will be used. The symbols →, ↓, ← will be employed assuming your character is facing right, which is the initial position for the first player when a round starts. Thus, → will denote towards, ↓ denotes down, ← means back and ↑ means up. Finally, the symbols ↙, ↘, ↗ and ↖ will denote the diagonals. Unless stated otherwise, the player on the player 2 side will just reverse the commands left to right for similar results.
Six Button Notation
- Quick Punch (QP) - same as jab or light punch in other games
- Medium punch (MP) - same as strong
- Fierce punch (FP) - same as hard punch
- P - any punch
- Quick Kick (QK) - same as short or light kick
- Medium Kick (MK) - same as forward
- Fierce Kick (FK) - same as roundhouse or hard kick
- K - any kick
Game Mechanics
Matches
Matches work similar as Darkstalkers games, where you're given stocks of life. When a life bar is depleted the battle stops briefly and the match resumes with the other player's bar keeps the same amount of damage taken. When 2 life bars are depleted the match ends.
Universal Overhead
Also called 'Top Attack' this move will hit an opponent even if he is blocking low. It can only be blocked standing.
- B. HP
Combo Breaker
The infamous C-C-C-COMBO BREAKER! This is what you will use to interrupt combos when you're hit by pressing a certain button as follows:
-Quick breaks Medium
-Medium breaks Fierce
-Fierce breaks Quick
After you break your opponent's combo, his character gets launched.
Basic Strategy
Advanced Strategy
Tier List
God Tier: Eyedol, Cinder
Top Tier: Glacius, Orchid
High Tier: Spinal, Riptor
Middle Tier: T.J. Combo, Fulgore
Low Tier: Sabrewulf, Jago
Bottom Tier: Thunder