GGST/Ky Kiske
Ky is a versatile character who possesses many moves with good speed and range. His varied move set makes him comfortable at any range, but he excels in mid-ranged neutral.
Ky uses his far-reaching f.S and 2S to check opponents at mid range, and complements them with his disjointed 5H and 6H. 5K and 2D are lows with good range and many active frames. Frustrated foes that approach him carelessly can be intercepted by his strong space control tools and anti-airs. He scores combos and hard knockdowns easily with Dire Eclat, even from his fastest buttons.
At longer ranges, Ky can use Stun Edge projectiles to cover his approach or to play keep-away. When the time is right, he can take more risks by using Stun Dipper to slide under pokes or projectiles or Foudre Arc to hop over lows. Ky's versatile defensive moves include his Vapor Thrust DPDragon Punch A move that has invulnerability during its startup, long recovery, and a rising motion., which can challenge pressure. Furthermore, Ky reliably scores Positive Bonus with Ride the Lightning, an Overdrive that is easily incorporated into combos and can wall break from tremendous distances.
He lacks command grabs and overheads besides the universal options, making his basic mix-ups unremarkable. His okizeme mix-ups, however, are quite strong! After scoring a knockdown, Ky can safely set up okizeme using Charged Stun Edge or airdash FDC safe jumps. His plethora of options include high/low mix-ups, Cross-upAttacking your opponent after changing which horizontal side you are on, usually by jumping over them.s, throws and meaty attacks. The possibilities are only limited by your own creativity. Unleash your true power!
With his diverse move set, Ky has a tool for every situation and can quickly switch between keeping the opponent away and turning on the offensive.
| Lore: | A serious man who dedicates himself completely to his work, the people, and his morals.
His love for justice and determination to help those less fortunate is reflected in all aspects of his life. On the other hand, this also means he can show rather extreme dislike for anything that disrupts the peace or breaks the rules. After taking his position as King, this enthusiasm shifted into a broader perspective, allowing him to see the world from a variety of viewpoints. This isn't to say, however, that he can't still come off as naïve and emotional at times. |
 Ky Kiske , classified as a Balance type, is an all-rounder with the tools to compete on the ground and in the air at most ranges. |
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| Pros | Cons |
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| Ky Kiske | |
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| 5🔰A rating of how beginner friendly this character is out of 5, according to Arc System Works. |
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| Defense: | 1.00 |
| Guts: | 2 |
| Prejump: | 4 |
| Backdash: | 20f/5f invuln |
| Weight: | Normal |
Normal Moves
5P
- Will not hit some crouch blocking characters, and most crouching characters.
A quick jab that's useful as a fast anti-air, or in a situation where a 6P input would be crossed up. On block, take advantage of their landing recovery and start pressure, confirm hits on airborne opponents by picking up with 2S > 5H.
Gatling Options: 5P, 2P, 6P, 6K, 6H
5K
Some people say it's still active to this day...
- Standing low.
- Very active, great for meaty setups.
- Hits surprisingly high up.
- Jump cancelable.
Excellent normal that also gatlings into Ky's 2D for a double low sequence that leads to a knockdown and OkizemeFrom Japanese "起き攻め". Attacking an opponent about to wake up, usually with meaty attacks or mixups.. When using 5K on okizeme, you can time it to hit meaty to significantly increase its frame advantage up to +5 on block for stronger pressure and combos. Due to its long active frames and low recovery, it can be used to stuff many attacks in neutral, such as 
May's horizontal dolphins.
Gatling Options: 6P, 6K, 6H, 5D, 2D
c.S
- Go-to punish starter.
- Ground bounces on air hit.
- Jump cancelable.
Often used to start pressure at close range or after a knockdown. It can be jump canceled, and can be canceled into a ton of different normals to frame trap and bait defensive options (such as c.S > 2S). Since it's not very negative on block, you can scare the opponent with frame traps and then reset pressure by dashing up with another c.S or going for a throw.
Gatling Options: 6P, 6K, f.S, 2S, 5H, 2H, 6H, 5D, 2D
f.S
Great balance of speed, range and safety. Use it a lot.
- Very short recovery for its range
Alongside 2S, this is one of Ky's best mid-ranged pokes. f.S is a bit slower than 2S, but it's also safer, has more active frames, and may hit airborne opponents with its higher hitbox. Dashing before f.S carries enough momentum to give it comparable range to 2S. Often canceled into 214S or 5H, and 236K. For a move with as much range as f.S, 13 frames of recovery is rather short. On block it's also rather safe, as -5 is very good for its range. Don't be afraid of throwing this move out often.
Gatling Options: 5H, 2H
5H
- Launches vertically on air hit.
- Disjointed hitbox during the active frames, but a lingering 12f extended hurtbox during recovery.
A chunky swing that's slower than Ky's S normals, but has a bit more range. Sees lots of use to air juggle during combos, since it pops them up high enough to combo into a special or overdrive. Though it is unsafe on block, it can be difficult to punish at max range. Since 5H deals a lot of hitstun, Ky can one hit confirm into 632146H without too much difficulty.
5D
- Uncharged Dust
- Uncharged Dust on-hit is 0 or neutral frame advantage and causes float
- Causes 80% proration on-hit
Universal overhead attack that's pretty fast. Is a useful tool for Ky's combos as it will juggle the opponent boosting Ky's damage. Examples of this include [CH c.S > 5D] or [RRC > 665D]. Can be gatling from 5K, 2K, or c.S for a mixup.
- Charged Dust
- Data in [] represents values when fully charged.
- Charged Dust leads to soft knockdown (+36).
- Holding any upwards direction during the hitstop frames of charged Dust will perform a Homing Jump:
- Doing a Homing Jump will cause an Area Shift and put the opponent into a unique high damaging air combo state.
- Pressing any attack twice in a row without jump/dash canceling will perform a unique Finishing Blow attack, causing a hard knockdown (+23).
- Homing Jump combos can sometimes increase Tension Pulse enough to activate Positive Bonus.
Similar to uncharged Dust but is slow enough to be reacted to, but if it does land it gives a very high damaging combo. Charged dust is also useful for RC combo juggling.
6P
The Return of D.G.E
- Invul above the knees from the startup until the beginning of recovery.
- Launches away on air hit, but leaves standing on ground hit.
- Hard Knockdown on air Counter Hit.
Ky's main anti-air and an all around a great normal due to its upper body invulnerability. Though it doesn't combo into much besides 214S on non-Counter Hit, it's great for ensuring that whatever is coming at you from the air has the best possible chance of being beaten. Against grounded opponents, it's invaluable for countering pokes that Ky otherwise finds hard to contest, like 
Ramlethal's f.S. When used in combos, 6P is a important cancel from 5P/2P mash into 214S's hard knockdown.
6K
- Slow, but plus on block.
- Cannot be canceled into special moves.
A risky pressure reset with long startup that's best used after conditioning the opponent to block with frame traps or as a meaty on an opponent's wakeup.
6H
- Launches opponent away on hit.
- Wall bounces on hit in the corner.
- Combos from 5K/2K on crouching opponents.
- Disjointed hitbox during the active frames, but a lingering 13f extended hurtbox during recovery.
A huge attack that leads to great reward and corner carry on counter hit when canceled into 214K. Great as a haymaker in neutral or for whiff punishing moves, though be careful of the long startup and recovery. Because it hits so low to the ground, it will beat lots of 6P's and low profile attacks like 
Sol's Night Raid Vortex. Useful in pressure as an auto frame trap from 5K and a manual one from c.S especially since Ky takes a step forward during the attack, which makes it easier to keep the pressure on. Also integral in corner combos due to its wallbounce property (6H > 214K, 6H > 214S, etc.)
2P
Ky's go-to fast normal. Good for mashing out of blockstrings, 5f punishes, or starting low-risk pressure. Stagger 2P > 2P to scout the opponent's defensive options, then confirm into 6P > 214S for a hard knockdown on hit.
Gatling Options: 5P, 2P, 6P, 6K, 6H
2K
- 1 frame faster low than 5K.
A very useful normal with a great balance of speed and range. It's a good short range poke, and Ky's fastest low mixup. It's often used to link together combos, like when you want to OTG pickup after 214S, or continue to combo airborne opponents when you hit the ground. Often canceled into 2D for a knockdown, or into 6H for combos in the corner.
Gatling Options: 6P, 6K, 6H, 5D, 2D
2S
- Slightly longer range than f.S.
- Unlike 5H and 6H, the hurtbox starts retracting immediately during recovery, making it harder to whiff punish.
Contender for Ky's main poke, with a great balance of range, speed, and cancel options. Often canceled into 214S or 5H, and 236K on max range counter hits.
Gatling Options: 5H, 2H
2H
Committal anti-air or frame trap from c.S that can lead to huge damage on counter hit. Not so good to swing all the time during neutral, as it extends Ky's hurtbox significantly.
2D
A sweeping kick that grants a hard knockdown close to Ky, allowing him to start his strong OkizemeFrom Japanese "起き攻め". Attacking an opponent about to wake up, usually with meaty attacks or mixups. game. If the opponent is too close to Ky on hit, delay 236H slightly or it'll pass through their invulnerable wakeup frames. Counter Hit 2D can be picked up with c.S, 2S, 214K or 214S for extra damage.
j.P
A fast, short-ranged normal used to interrupt empty Air Dashing opponents and slower air attacks done too close to Ky. Air-to-air j.P can be confirmed easily into j.P itself, which gives Ky plenty of time to input 632146H for a lot of damage and even a Wall Break from midscreen.
Gatling Options: j.P
j.K
- Air Dash cancellable
Ky's main air-to-air normal. Rising j.K is pretty difficult for a lot of the cast to contest due to its high speed and low recovery. On hit, it can be linked with another falling j.K and to bring the opponent down for a ground combo. Notably, it can be canceled into j.D for combos and blockstrings.
Gatling Options: j.D
j.S
Churara's neutral when opponent's life is on the line
- Larger jump-in hitbox than the animation suggests.
- Air Dash cancellable
When used air-to-air, j.S has more range than j.K, but j.K is generally safer to use in air-to-air situations due to j.S' higher recovery. With 50 meter, j.S becomes a more threatening poke even if in midscreen, as he can confirm the hit to RTL to deal great damage, as well as wall breaks due to the excellent carrying distance of RTL.
j.S also has use in blockstrings due to its air dash cancel. j.S > 66 > j.S can open up opponents mashing throw or expecting Ky to land with a low, but the airdash leaves a large gap which can be punished. Go for it when the opponent is conditioned to block.
Gatling Options: j.H, j.D
j.H
- Plummets on air hit.
- Does not cross-up despite the animation.
- Air Dash cancelable.
Ky's main jump-in normal along with j.S. It also works as an preemptive air-to-air that hits low enough to catch ground buttons at the same time.
j.D
RIP Grinders (2014-2021)
- Considered a projectile.
- Stalls Ky's air momentum.
- Not cancelable into specials.
- Not an overhead attack.
Good for delaying your landing or as a fairly large disjoint in air-to-air situations. j.D also excels at intercepting most incoming projectiles, though it has no meterless followups.
Universal Mechanics
Ground Throw
6D or 4D
You'll see this a lot online
- Can throw the opponent either forward or backwards.
- Sends the opponent flying away and knocks them down.
A critical part of Ky's pressure. If the opponent wasn't thrown into a corner, they have time to jump over an instant 236H. But Ky can do a micro dash before 236H instead to make it tight against jump attempt. Use the Dash Button can be a lot easier, or input 2366H as an old-school alternative to prevent a DP from coming out. It is also a common choice to go directly into Safe-Jump/empty-jump-landing-low mix-up. You're occasionally able to use it defensively due to its fast startup, but it really shines after 236H oki when they have to guess your mixup.
Ky can also follow up a ground throw at any distance with 6H to OTG the opponent, which can slightly increase the meterless damage. Midscreen, this also allows cancelling the 6H into a meaty 236S. In the corner, this allows following up the OTG 6H with another meaty 6H that will frametrap and hit any non-reversal wakeup option that is not blocking (jump, backdash, wakeup button) slower than 4 frames. Against 3 frame moves, the 6H will trade.
Air Throw
j.6D or j.4D
So, you decided to jump over 236H in the corner
- Can throw the opponent either forward or backwards.
A powerful, but risky tool for countering air approaches and the startup of some attacks. Use it carefully along with 6P, 2H and 623S/H to discourage jumping. Keeping the opponent on the ground limits their options, and allows you to take advantage of Ky's strong grounded normals.
Special Moves
Stun Edge
236S
Slightly larger hitbox frame 1.
- Applies Shock State to the opponent on contact
- [] values refer to hitting an opponent already in Shock State
- Counter hit state for the entire duration
A basic projectile with frame data that makes it only situationally useful. It can be used as a blockstring ender, but only if you know that pushback will put you far outside of the range of the opponent's longest buttons. It is counter hit state for its entire duration, the recovery is lengthy, and it can be both low profiled and Instant Air Dashed over. For these reasons, you should take into careful consideration when you throw it out.
That said, 236S is useful against opponents that like to aggressively and preemptively use grounded normals, as you can stand just outside their range and fire it off to build some meter and deal damage. Hitting an opponent with 236S may convince them to stop attacking in order to react to it, opening them up for your offensive approach. It's much safer to use in matchups where the opponent has poor mobility and lacks an airdash, such as 
Potemkin and 
Nagoriyuki.
In Dragon Install, 236S hits twice and is a bit safer on contact. You can use it much like you use it normally, only it will now beat other single hitting projectiles.
Charged Stun Edge
236H
- Applies Shock State to the opponent on contact
- [] values refer to hitting an opponent already in Shock State
A large, multi-hitting projectile that is very advantageous on contact, allowing Ky to attempt further pressure and mixups. When landing a 2D at close range, delay 236H so that the projectile doesn't whiff past an opponent's wakeup.
Aerial Stun Edge
j.236S/H
| Version | Damage | GuardHow this attack can be blocked. Throws have their throw range listed instead. | StartupThe number of frames between inputting an attack and when the attack becomes active. Includes first active frame. | ActiveThe number of frames for which a move has hitboxes. Occurs after Startup. | RecoveryThe number of frames after a move's active frames during which the character cannot act assuming the move is not canceled. | On-BlockThe difference between the attacker's recovery and the period that the opponent is in blockstun. This Frame Advantage value is based off the fact that the very first active frame touches the opponent. Throws list the amount of Frame Advantage upon successfully throwing the opponent. | Invuln |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| j.236S | 30 [33] | All | 21 | Until Hit | Until Landing+14 | - | none |
| DI j.236S | 30×2 | All | 21 | Until Hit | Until Landing+14 | - | none |
| j.236H | 30 [33] | All | 21 | Until Hit | Until Landing+14 | - | none |
| DI j.236H | 30×2 | All | 21 | Until Hit | Until Landing+14 | - | none |
- Applies Shock State to the opponent on contact.
- [] values refer to hitting an opponent already in Shock State.
- -2 when TK'd on stand block, +2 on crouch block (tested on Ky).
- In Dragon Install, when TK'd, -1 on stand block, +3 on crouch block (tested on Ky).
An air projectile used to keep opponents grounded or as an anti anti-air callout. The landing recovery makes it very unsafe on whiff if an opponent gets around it (like if they run underneath the H version.)
Stun Dipper
236K
Will infuriate the opponent with its speed
Will infuriate you with its wonkiness
| Version | Damage | GuardHow this attack can be blocked. Throws have their throw range listed instead. | StartupThe number of frames between inputting an attack and when the attack becomes active. Includes first active frame. | ActiveThe number of frames for which a move has hitboxes. Occurs after Startup. | RecoveryThe number of frames after a move's active frames during which the character cannot act assuming the move is not canceled. | On-BlockThe difference between the attacker's recovery and the period that the opponent is in blockstun. This Frame Advantage value is based off the fact that the very first active frame touches the opponent. Throws list the amount of Frame Advantage upon successfully throwing the opponent. | Invuln |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 236K | 20×2 [20, 22] | Low, All | 5 | 12(7)3 | 26 | -15 [-10] | 1-4f Upper Body 5-16f Above Knees |
| DI 236K | 20, 26×2 | Low, All | 5 | 12(7)3 | 26 | -10 | 1-4f Upper Body 5-16f Above Knees |
- Removes Shock State from the opponent on contact
- [] values refer to hitting an opponent in Shock State
A fast sliding attack that can go under many other attacks. The slash part will not properly combo if the move is performed too close or too far from the opponent, but cancelling into Stun Dipper from Medium or higher Counter Hits will make it combo at any range, even point blank.
In Dragon Install, the slash gains an extra hit for more damage and causes a hard knockdown instead of a normal one, leaving Ky at +41.
Foudre Arc
214K
You still gotta block it high
Active frames 1-3
Active frames 4-5
Active frames 6-12
- Removes Shock State from the opponent on contact
- [] values refer to hitting an opponent in Shock State
- Hits standing opponents on frame 27, crouching opponents on frame 29
- On-Block value ranges account for being more plus on block when striking later in its active frames (e.g. as a Meaty AttackHitting an opponent to cover the moment as they lose invincibility. The most common one is performing an attack early on okizeme to gain frame advantage and bait reversals.)
- Forces opponent into crouching state on ground hit
- Will pass over crouching opponents if performed close to them
A flying kick with a high arc used to reset pressure, beat jump outs, and crush low profile attacks. Despite its slow startup, it covers a large distance quickly, and has low recovery, so you can quickly approach the opponent. Dashing first causes the move to carry momentum, reaching nearly fullscreen. Foudre Arc shouldn't be used recklessly, the long startup can be counter hit by most normals, you can't combo into anything on hit, and it's negative if blocked correctly. It's good for when you know the opponent wants to jump away, since it will force them back to the ground leaving Ky at significant advantage. It can also be used to counter hit low profile attacks, which will enable combos. The situation on block can change depending on how late into the attack it hit the opponent, but in general you can assume that Ky is -1 on standing block, and +1 on crouching block.
The Shock State and Dragon Install version is much better in general. You can use it to reset pressure, since it will be Ky's advantage on block whether it is blocked crouching or standing. On hit, you can combo into 5K or c.S for extra damage. Do keep in mind that Foudre Arc can still be interrupted during the startup in these cases, it's best to use it when you think the opponent is too scared to press anything and isn't going to react in time to counter it.
Vapor Thrust
623S/H
Didn't pay 60 dollars to block!
"Sick combo bro." they say as I whiff my close slash.
Shoto DP! Look at those high hitboxes!
But wait what if they come from below?
- Removes Shock State from the opponent on contact
- [] values refer to hitting an opponent in Shock State
version is Ky's highest damage meterless wallbreaker.
An invincible reversal attack with a wide arc that reaches behind Ky's head, launching the opponent away. Poor when used on wakeup, since it's somewhat slow, susceptible to throws, and easily whiffs on opponents doing low attacks. It is still quite useful as an anti-air that beats cross-ups, a risky gamble to escape pressure, and corner combo filler to add damage. The 
version is slightly faster, while the version launches Ky farther forward with more active frames, giving it more range. Which one you should use varies depending on the situation, but is best for speed which is generally useful on wakeup, and is best for damage and consistently beating an attack.
If it hits an opponent in Shock State, it deals more damage and pops them up high enough to combo, extending combos in the corner.
In Dragon Install, it launches the opponent at a sharper vertical angle which leaves them closer to Ky, and you can combo from the version even midscreen with 5K orc.S. Since it becomes a mutli-hit attack, it's better to wallbreak with a high damage normal like 6H instead of Vapor Thrust while in Dragon Install.
Dire Eclat
214S
Read in French on hit, read in English on block
- Applies Shock State to the opponent on contact
- [] values refer to hitting an opponent already in Shock State
One of Ky's main combo enders. It's also used in high-damage corner combos to apply Shock State mid-combo to allow Ky to follow up after 623H for more damage, or as the wall breaking hit to pre-apply Shock State after the reset to neutral. Fairly large pushback on both hit and block, but is minus enough to be unsafe in some matchups (e.g. Ramlethal) and universally if Instant Blocked. On hit, allows for a safe jump with dash IAD j.H or dash 214K afterwards.
Overdrives
Ride The Lightning
632146H (Air OK)
Hit confirming into this is what defines Ky
| Version | Damage | GuardHow this attack can be blocked. Throws have their throw range listed instead. | StartupThe number of frames between inputting an attack and when the attack becomes active. Includes first active frame. | ActiveThe number of frames for which a move has hitboxes. Occurs after Startup. | RecoveryThe number of frames after a move's active frames during which the character cannot act assuming the move is not canceled. | On-BlockThe difference between the attacker's recovery and the period that the opponent is in blockstun. This Frame Advantage value is based off the fact that the very first active frame touches the opponent. Throws list the amount of Frame Advantage upon successfully throwing the opponent. | Invuln |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 632146H | 21×4, 50 [22×4, 60] | All | 7+1 | 3×4(20)2 | 99 | -82 | 1-10f All |
| DI 632146H | 10×8, 30×3 | All | 7+1 | 2×8(20)2×3 | 99 | -79 | 1-15f All |
| j.632146H | 21×4, 50 [22×4, 60] | All | 7+1 | 3×4(20)2 | 99 | - | 1-10f All |
| DI j.632146H | 10×8, 30×3 | All | 7+1 | 2×8(20)2×3 | 99 | - | 1-15f All |
- [] damage values refer to hitting an opponent in Shock State.
- Hitting an opponent in the corner with the final hit causes a Wall Break and leaves Ky +36 afterwards.
- There is a gap between the first and second part of the attack.
- Insane chip damage in DI state (>15% on Ky).
A powerful attack with invincible startup and extremely long recovery. Its quick startup and lengthy forward momentum makes it adaptable as an ender in many situations, where it can wall break from quite a distance from the corner. Since a wall break with an Overdrive deals high damage, locks the opponent out of Burst, and grants a hard knockdown, early confirms into 632146H are a great option. You could think of 632146H as a free wall break once you reach 50% Tension, as the meter you spend will quickly be replenished by the resulting Positive Bonus.
The gap between the charging portion of the attack and the flourish at the end can be punished with fast attacks, Overdrives, and throws. If you want to stay safe with a RRC, don't wait until the second half to do it.
Sacred Edge
236236P
- Puts the opponent in Shock State on contact.
- [] values refer to hitting an opponent already in Shock State
- Hitting an opponent in the corner causes a Wall Break and leaves Ky +36 afterwards.
A large and fast moving projectile that's very advantageous on block. Gains more damage and frame advantage when hitting an opponent in Shock State and even more while Ky is in Dragon Install. Usually used as combo filler to add more damage, but it also works as a fullscreen anti-zoning tool to blow through ordinary projectiles.
Dragon Install
214214H at 30% or less health
The Roar of the Spark
Like father-in-law, like son-in-law
- Can only be activated when at 30% or lower HP. Ky's health bar will turn orange and he will have a red lightning effect on his upper body.
- Enhances Ky's specials and Overdrives for the rest of the round.
- 1f of startup after cinematic, meaning the opponent can reversal through it.
- Hitting an opponent with the activation shockwave in the corner causes a Wall Break and leaves Ky +36 afterwards.
Dragon Install (DI) is a transformation super for enabling comebacks. It is difficult to get into safely, since it has a long recovery and no invulnerability. Generally, you'll need to combo into the activation, or do it off of a hard knockdown like after 2D or throw. If the opponent blocks the shockwave, it's usually safe unless it was Instant Blocked or done to a cornered opponent, since both of these will cancel the pushback.
In DI, Ky gains access to powered up special moves and Overdrives, plus high damage 623H loop combos. Check the Strategy section for more details.
| 94% complete | ||
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| Page | Status | % |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | All moves have adequate descriptions, more useful information is still welcome! Also could use transparent hitbox images for clarity. Try to move any overly long/complex descriptions to the strategy section and link there in relevant moves. | 20/20 |
| Combos | Combo theory present, but needs much more fleshing out and detail. Missing video examples. Some redundant/non-practical combos need pruning. | 5/10 |
| Strategy | Doesn't have video examples of general gameplan. Other than that, it is complete. | 19/20 |
| Frame Data | Complete. | 50/50 |
External References
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To edit frame data, edit values in GGST/Ky Kiske/Data. |
Click [★] for character's full frame data
• HUD •
Controls •
Frame Data & System Data •
Patch Notes •
• Movement/Canceling •
Offense •
Defense •
Damage/Combo •
Attack Attributes •
Gauges •
Misc •