Advanced Okizeme Setups
Okizeme, the art of attacking an opponent as they are getting up from a knockdown, is a vital aspect of high-level play in The King of Fighters XIII. Effective okizeme can lead to sificant damage and put immense pressure on your opponent. The goal is to time your attack so that it hits the opponent the moment they regain control, forcing them into a defensive situation or punishing their wake-up option.
Basic okizeme often involves simply timing a strong normal attack or a quick special move to catch the opponent's wake-up. However, advanced setups utilize the game's mechanics to create more complex and inescapable pressure. This can include using specific character moves that have lingering hitboxes, cross-ups that force the opponent to guess their block direction, or even setting up traps that punish predictable wake-up options like rolling or delaying their get-up.
One common advanced technique involves using a "delayed special" or a "meaty" attack. A meaty attack is a normal or special move that hits the opponent just as they are about to become active. This often requires precise timing and understanding of the opponent's wake-up speed. For example, after knocking an opponent down, you might walk forward slightly and then perform a heavy normal attack. If timed correctly, this will hit them as they stand up, often leading into a combo.
Another layer of advanced okizeme involves utilizing the Power Gauge. Certain super special moves can be used to extend pressure or create mix-ups on wake-up. For instance, a character might perform a knockdown special, then immediately spend a Power Gauge stock to activate a Hyper Drive (HD) combo as the opponent gets up, forcing them to defend against a rapid string of attacks. Alternatively, some characters have specific special moves that, when used after a knockdown, create a situation where the opponent must guess between blocking high, low, or a throw.
The effectiveness of okizeme setups is highly character-dependent. Some characters excel at creating ambiguous mix-ups, while others have strong tools for punishing specific wake-up choices. Experimentation in training mode is crucial. Record your opponent's wake-up options and practice hitting them with your chosen setup. Understanding common defensive choices like waking up with a button, rolling, or delaying your get-up will allow you to develop counter-strategies and truly master the art of okizeme.