The King of Fighters XV has received patch 1.32 and its game director commented on the new DLC characters.
As we previously reported, the latest DLC pack features Team South Town comprised of characters Geese, Billy, and Ryuji. Alongside the DLC release, SNK is bringing patch 1.32 to The King of the Fighters XV which includes many adjustments and fighter rebalancing.
In general combat for all characters, there have been alterations to hit boxes while jumping, crouching LK for all characters, blocking, and easing of the command input window. For all the specifics on rebalancing individual characters, you can read the 30 plus pages of patch notes from SNK here.
Also, The King of Fighters XV game director Eisuke Ogura commented on each character in Team South Town. Here is what he had to say on Geese, Billy, and Ryuji.
Geese Howard
Geese Howard is characterized by his ability to counterattack while parrying the opponent’s blows.
Although players must anticipate their opponent’s next move if they wish to counter, the returns for pulling it off are great, and so I hope players practice these moves often. His Super Special Move, Oni Hanmon, is easy to aim for because it can be used regardless of the incoming attack, such as upper or lower punches and kicks.
The Hishou Nichirin Zan from previous games has been brought back for Geese in KOF XV.
The light version is quick and leaves little room to react, so it can be used as a check. The heavy version has a slower attack, but it can be used as an offensive move since Geese will have the advantage if the opponent blocks the mixup. The EX version has an additional hitbox while jumping up, making it a two-hit move. Players can then follow up with another attack if it lands, which is awesome for combos.
Geese’s CLIMAX Super Special Move is Rashoumon in addition to the already existing Raging Storm. It is a command throw that cannot be avoided when caught. It also crumples opponents, so be sure to use it on those who have a habit of blocking a lot!
Billy Kane
Billy Kane is a long-range character with one of the longest reaches in the roster. He can fight to keep opponents from getting too close by using long-reaching jumping heavy punches, jump CDs, far-standing heavy punches, and overhead strikes with his three-section cudgel.
For KOF XV, his Dai Kaiten-Geri has been changed to a single-hit technique instead of the traditional two-hit technique. It is difficult to use for jump-ins, but it is advantageous if it lands as it can lead to other attacks.
Billy now has the newly added Tsurigome Sansetsu Kon Chuudan Uchi and Kaen Suzume Otoshi, as well as the Ka Ryuu Tsuigeki Kon and Sui Ryuu Tsuigeki Kon from past works. The Tsurigome Sansetsu Kon Chuudan Uchi is a derivative of the heavy version of Sansetsu Kon Chuudan Uchi.
Billy is exceptional at opening a player up and controlling the field as his attacks pull opponent’ s in regardless if they’re blocked, even from far away. However, the heavy version of Sansetsu Kon Chuudan Uchi itself is slow and does not connect from a heavy attack, so it must be used as a check or in conjunction with other attacks.
The Kaen Suzume Otoshi is a derivative of the heavy and EX versions of the Suzume Otoshi. The EX version can be followed up with Sansetsu Kon Chuudan Uchi depending on the distance.
Ka Ryuu Tsuigeki Kon and Sui Ryuu Tsuigeki Kon are Striking Moves. Ka Ryuu Tsuigeki Kon is for special moves and jumping attacks, while Sui Ryuu Tsuigeki Kon is for
normal attacks on the ground.Billy is not the best at anti-airing or reversals, so try to be especially conscious of using ka Ryuu Tsuigeki Kon to anti-air incoming opponents.
Ryuji Yamazaki
Ryuji Yamazki excels at mid-range combat with his long reach and Serpent Slash attack, but he also has a variety of excellent moves that can crumple at close range.
Serpent Slash has a long reach and can be used to strike high, low, or even overhead at your discretion. There’s little gap in between using Serpent Slash and Serpent Slash Cancel. It’s Yamazaki’s key move, as players can continue attacking or use it as a check when linking from a normal move.
One of the major changes for Yamazki in KOF XV is the performance of the light version of Double Return. The heavy version automatically launches a special projectile after the opponent’s projectile has been eliminated, while the light version automatically stocks a special projectile after erasing the opponent’s one. The light version can only stock one projectile at a time, but players can perform the same command once more to fire it again, giving Yamazki an extra bit of help against zoners.
Also, the attack Todome from past titles has been revived as an additional technique for Yamazki in KOF XV. It is a technique dedicated to OTGing downed opponents and can be used in various places, such as after the overhead Fight of Tempering or after the Super Special Move Pit Viper. The normal version blow backs the opponent to the opposite side of the stage, while the EX version blow backs in the same direction of the attack.
Yamazki’s CLIMAX Super Special Move has the same gimmick as in past games, where the attack’s level is increased by repeatedly pressing the punch button during the attack animation, but the maximum level animation has been changed. The damage is high, so when you decide on using CLIMAX Super Special Move, you begin a battle with yourself (break a sweat by tapping). *You don’t have to tap so many times if you press light and heavy punches alternately.
The King of Fighters XV is available on Windows PC (via Steam and the Epic Games Store), PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. In case you we missed it, you can check out our review here (we highly recommend it).
