Tenpu-Kosai-Ryu Kai is a fighting style developed for use with the katana, a
balanced blade with a razor-sharp cutting edge. The style employs a wide variety
of offensive and defensive techniques, and a master in its use will never find
themselves at a disadvantage—no matter what weapon their opponent wields, or
the distance between them. Of particular note is the style's strength at close
range; its powerful low and middle attacks can shred through even the strongest
defense.
In addition to the Tenpu-Kosai-Ryu Kai's basic stance, the style boasts two other
unique stances: "Mist" and "Relic." Quickly switching from stance to stance allows
a clever swordsman to catch their opponent off guard. The sheer variety of
different techniques in Tenpu-Kosai-Ryu Kai shows just how eager its creator was
to learn new skills, and the style's constantly-evolving repertoire is perhaps its
most powerful asset.
Style Lesson: Beginner
High Guard Breaking Power
At close range, use the low attack Leap of the Loach (1BB) or Stalk Shaver
(1KB). If your opponent guards low, hit them with a Heaven Cannon (3B) for a lethal hit, leaving them open to a damaging combo. Getting close to
your opponent and breaking through their guard is the key to victory.
Leap of the Loach 1BB
1BB - Attack Level:
Impact
Damage
Block
Hit
Counter
Guard Burst
20
16,25
-28
-10
-10
9.17%
2nd Hit does 35 damage when close
Stalk Shaver 1KB
1KB - Attack Level:
Impact
Damage
Block
Hit
Counter
Guard Burst
18
20,20
-26
-14
-14
8.3%
Normal Hit Combo, 44 damage with just frame
Heaven Cannon 3B
3B - Attack Level:
Impact
Damage
Block
Hit
Counter
Guard Burst
18
26
-14
LNC
LNC
8.9%
can be i19 and -13 at tip range. Tech Crouch[11-13]. Against Crouch Block
Closing Distance
You can close the gap between you and your opponent by performing a Swift Edge
(33_66_99AA) or a Bell Breaker (66K). Alternatively, use a
Shin Slicer (1A) to duck under your opponent's high attacks.
Swift Edge 33_66_99AA
(3)_(6)_(9)AA - Attack Level:
Impact
Damage
Block
Hit
Counter
Guard Burst
20
12,14
-8
8
8
3.34%
Bell Breaker 66K
(6)K - Attack Level:
Impact
Damage
Block
Hit
Counter
Guard Burst
16
20
-8
10
10
2.92%
Shin Slicer 1A
1A - Attack Level:
Impact
Damage
Block
Hit
Counter
Guard Burst
34
34
-14
8
8
9.17%
Tech Crouch[6-51]. Whiff punish attack
Close Combat Basics
When fighting up close, you need to attack your opponent with a quick strike
before breaking their guard. Use an Air Tale (2B) or Double Binder
(6AA), a useful move against side-stepping opponents, to get them to
guard, then move in for the kill.
Air Tale 2B
2B - Attack Level:
Impact
Damage
Block
Hit
Counter
Guard Burst
14
14
-6
4
4
2.92%
i13 against grounded or in special situations
Double Binder 6AA
6AA - Attack Level:
Impact
Damage
Block
Hit
Counter
Guard Burst
16
14,26
2
6
6
3.34%
Style Lesson: Adept
Crush Your Opponent's Guard with Fire Brand
If an opponent defends using a reversal edge, you can turn the tables with a break
attack by using the following combination: Double Binder ~ Relic (6[A]) to Fire
Brand (during Relic B). Alternatively, you can aim for a counter hit with a Drawn
Breath ~ Mist (4[A]) into a Cloud Cutter (during Mist BBBB).
Double Binder ~ Relic 6[A]
6(A) - Attack Level:
Impact
Damage
Block
Hit
Counter
Guard Burst
16
14
0
8
8
1.67%
into RLC
RLC ~ Fire Brand RLC B
RLC B - Attack Level:
Impact
Damage
Block
Hit
Counter
Guard Burst
20
26
4
STN
STN
9.17%
. After Guard Crush
Drawn Breath ~ Mist 4[A]
4(A) - Attack Level:
Impact
Damage
Block
Hit
Counter
Guard Burst
20
20
-2
8
8
4.17%
into MST
MST ~ Cloud Cutter MST BBBB
MST BBBB - Attack Level:
Impact
Damage
Block
Hit
Counter
Guard Burst
8
8,8,8,20
-18
4
LNC
15.43%
Style Lesson: Master
Exploit Your Opponent's Mistakes with Rib Ripper
If your opponent launches an attack that misses, punish them with a Rib Ripper
(22_88A). It will count as a lethal hit, leaving them open to a damaging
combo. The move is also useful if your opponent feints in response to, for
example, a Swift Edge (33_66_99AA), or if they perform a
reversal edge against a Heaven Cannon (3B). When evading attacks with an
8~way run, keep the Rib Ripper in mind.
Rib Ripper 22_88A
(2)_(8)A - Attack Level:
Impact
Damage
Block
Hit
Counter
Guard Burst
26
16
-12
4
4
4.17%
on Whiff punish
Shura Blade
Performing a Critical Edge or Shura's Embrace (while soul charged 8B+K)
will trigger a special powered-up state called Shura Blade. With Shura Blade
active, you can perform Step Sinister Divide (during Shura Blade
236B+K), a move with a quick start-up, or follow up with the highly
damaging Heaven's Advance (during During Shura Blade while rising B+KB),
among other options.
Shura's Embrace SC 8B+K
SC 8B+K - Attack Level:
Impact
Damage
Block
Hit
Counter
Guard Burst
-
-
-
-
-
-
Ends SC early. Triggers Shura Blade.
SS ~ Step Sinister Divide Shura 236B+K
236 - Attack Level:
Impact
Damage
Block
Hit
Counter
Guard Burst
-
-
-
-
-
-
SS Shura B+K - Attack Level:
Impact
Damage
Block
Hit
Counter
Guard Burst
12
36
-22
KND
KND
9.17%
Heaven's Advance Shura wr B+KB
WR Shura B+KB - Attack Level:
Impact
Damage
Block
Hit
Counter
Guard Burst
24
65
-8
LNC
LNC
11.25%
During Shura Blade
Shura Blade will deactivate at the start of the next round, so try to activate it as
soon as you can in a battle.
Critical Edge
Thunderbolt Blade
Properties
A swift middle attack that deals a large amount of damage. After launching your
opponent into the air with, for example, a Heaven Cannon (3B), you can use a
Thunderbolt Blade to juggle them. This move is also useful after blocking a big
attack that leaves your opponent open. After the move, Shura Blade will also
trigger.
Thunderbolt Blade A+B+K
A+B+K - Attack Level:
Impact
Damage
Block
Hit
Counter
Guard Burst
14
76
-20
LNC
LNC
10%
Triggers Shura Blade, Ukemi possible.
Tips
Thunderbolt Blade is best used after a combo starter like Heaven Cannon (3B)
or Sky Dance (during Mist 4B). Additionally, if your opponent tries to launch a
move up close, its speed gives you the upper hand.
MST ~ Sky Dance MST 4B
MST 4B - Attack Level:
Impact
Damage
Block
Hit
Counter
Guard Burst
20
20
-10
LNC
LNC
9.17%
Soul Charge
Extreme Break Attack Capabilities
The middle attack Nirvana Cannon (during soul charge 3BB) and the low
attack Harvest Dance (during soul charge 1KBB) can be used, boosting
your offensive close-range abilities. The soul charge is an effective way of
claiming victory in one fell swoop.
Nirvana Cannon SC 3BB
SC 3BB - Attack Level:
Impact
Damage
Block
Hit
Counter
Guard Burst
18
26,20
1
LNC
LNC
19.75%
, 2nd hit can be delayed. LH.
Harvest Dance SC 1KBB
SC 1KBB - Attack Level:
Impact
Damage
Block
Hit
Counter
Guard Burst
18
20,28,22
-23
KND
KND
20.25%
Punish Your Opponent with Enhanced Moves
During a soul charge, moves such as the Phoenix Tail (33_66_99A+B) and Obedience (kB) become break attacks that cannot be
defended against with reversal edges. Additionally, the horizontal middle attack
Feint L (bA) does increased damage and is easier to land from far away.
Master these techniques and use them to enhance your close-range guard
breaking abilities.
Exploding Flame Roar SC 33_66_99A+B
SC (3)_(6)_(9)A+B - Attack Level:
Impact
Damage
Block
Hit
Counter
Guard Burst
30
57
0
KND
KND
14.45%
Roaring Top SC kB
SC kB - Attack Level:
Impact
Damage
Block
Hit
Counter
Guard Burst
19
22,41
4
KND
KND
14.8%
Tear Step SC bA
SC bA - Attack Level:
Impact
Damage
Block
Hit
Counter
Guard Burst
23
35,10
-20
10
KND
9.17%
on hit
Full Moon Glow
A slashing soul attack that puts you to a soul charged state. Landing a hit with it
in an air combo will ground the opponent, meaning you can break your opponent's
guard with soul charge techniques and possibly deal even more damage.
Full Moon Glow 236A+B+K
236A+B+K - Attack Level:
Impact
Damage
Block
Hit
Counter
Guard Burst
16
24
-2
8
8
9%
Air Hit +4, Forces Crouch on Hit
Reversal Edge
Following Up with A
Your most damaging follow-up attack is AAA. It sends your opponent
flying — useful for ring out strategies. After the attack, Shura Blade will also
trigger.
Following Up with B
A successful hit gives you the chance to break your opponent's guard from up
close. When your soul gauge is full, you can combo with a critical edge.
Following Up with K
You have both middle and low attacks at your disposal to use to break your
opponent's guard.
Against Crouch Block
6(A) - Attack Level: 
into RLC
. 
on hit