Kotal Kahn is a large body footsie character with long-reaching normals. Kotal Kahn has some of the strongest footsies in the game with attacks that reach half-screen. He can summon various totems to boost his offense or defense, as well as increase his damage output making any hit by Kotal Kahn a huge threat. Kotal Kahn also has great mix-ups with his command grab and is almost impossible to keep out due to his quick movement and long range on his normals.

Key Moves

Name	Input	Description
Soleil	,,	High, hit confirmable, +1 on block, can be Flawless Blocked on 3rd hit
Cuazquia	+,,	Advancing high, hit confirmable, triggers a Krushing Blow if it is a Kounter or Punish
Tlaneltocaz	+,	Slow 19 frame advancing mid, great range, hit confirmable
Mehtizquia	+,,	Slow 17 frame advancing high, great range, can be interrupted on 3rd hit
Brutal Boot	+	Advancing mid, great pushback, -3 on block
Coatal Parry		Parry, damage buff
Mehtizquia Cut		Mid, combo ender, Amplified version triggers into a Krushing Blow if it Kounters or Punishes an airborne opponent
Yeyecame Disk		Slow high projectile, triggers a Krushing Blow if it is a Kounter or Punish from maximum range
Xolal Quake		Slow 41 frame unblockable
Tonatiuh Beam		Summons a ray of light dealing damage over time while healing Kotal Kahn

Combo Starters

• +,
• ,,
• Kahn-Cut

Kotal Kahn’s main combo starter is his +, string. This is a long-reaching high attack that launches the opponent upwards for a combo. Although it is -16 on block, Kotal Kahn can cancel it into a Special Move such as Coatal Parry () to prevent from being punished. Due to being a high, it can also be avoided if the opponent is ducking. It’s advised to mix this string up with Kotal Kahn’s +, which is an advancing mid attack and will hit ducking opponents.

Another way for Kotal Kahn to start his combos is to use his ,, string. This is a high into low attack which will launch the opponent on the final hit of the string. Since the last hit is unsafe at -13 on block, it’s best to stop the string short after the first 2 hits. While , is still punishable at -9 on block, it is slightly safer than finishing the full string. Kotal Kahn can stop opponents from punishing by either completing the string or cancelling it into a Special Move. With the Kahn-Cut () ability equipped, Kotal Kahn can launch off of any hit. This is mainly used after strings such as , and +,.

Combo Enders

• ,,
• Mehtizquia Cut
• Huehhueyi
• Tecuani Maul

Kotal Kahn’s combos are ended with Mehtizquia Cut (), dealing a good amount of damage while simultaneously Armor Breaking the opponent’s Breakaway. Combos can also be ended with ,, to send the opponent away and allow Kotal Kahn to safely use his Tonatiuh Beam () or summon his totems. With the Huehhueyi () ability equipped, combos can be ended with it for maximum damage while switching positions with the opponent. Amplifying Huehhueyi will deal even greater damage and can keep the opponent on the same side. Using the Tecuani Maul () ability, end combos with it will carry the opponent across the screen and closer to the corner.

Tlaneltocaz

Kotal Kahn’s strongest move is his Tlaneltocaz (+,) string. +, is an advancing mid attack and can be safely hit confirmed. Despite being slow at 19 frames of start-up, this string has impeccable range, covering a large portion of the screen. Because of the hitbox on Kotal Kahn’s sword, it can be incredibly difficult to avoid. Kotal Kahn can also complete the string with +,,, which ends in a low. This is useful for stopping opponents from immediately attacking after blocking the first 2 hits, but is unsafe at -14 on block.

Soleil

Soleil (,,) is high attack best used at close-range for pressure. The 1st hit of this string can be staggered on block as it is only -2. The final hit leaves Kotal Kahn at +1 on block, however it can be punished if the opponent Flawless Blocks. If the opponent is anticipating to Flawless Block the last hit, it will in turn allow Kotal Kahn to stagger his , for pressure. Once ,, is blocked, Kotal Kahn will be able to follow up with an advancing attack such as +, to continue his offense.

Cuazquia

Cuazquia (+,,) is a quick 10 frame advancing high attack. Both the 1st and 2nd hits of this string are -3 on block and can be staggered for pressure. The final hit of this string is an overhead and will trigger a Krushing Blow if it is a Kounter or Punish. Since the last hit of this string is punishable at -16 on block, it’s normally best used as a punish while triggering its Krushing Blow. However, it may also be done on block to counter opponents attempting to attack after +,. Alternatively, Kotal Kahn can use his +, string which ends in a low and is safe on block at -5.

Brutal Boot

Kotal Kahn’s Brutal Boot (+) is a 15 frame advancing mid attack. This is one of Kotal Kahn’s longest-reaching attacks and is faster than both his +, and +,. On block, it leaves Kotal Kahn at -3, but can be up to -1 when done at maximum range. It will also create tremendous pushback on block, making it a great move to throw out while allowing Kotal Kahn to keep his distance from the opponent. This move is especially strong in the corner as it can be repeatedly used on block.

Coatl Parry

Coatl Parry () is a defensive parry used for countering enemy attacks. It can be delayed by holding . Unlike other parries, this will parry all grounded attacks, including lows. This is best done against slower moves that can be easily parried on reaction, such as projectiles. After a successful parry, Kotal Kahn will gain a damage buff and will be able to punish the opponent depending on the move that was parried. Coatl Parry also has similar properties to Flawless Block in that certain moves once parried will not be able to be cancelled into a string or Special Move.

Coatl Parry can be used after blockstrings such as +, as well. This can be useful to prevent opponents from punishing the string as Kotal Kahn will be able to parry the opponent’s attack and block in time before the next hit can connect. Be careful when using Coatl Parry up-close because if the opponent uses a fast multi-hitting attack or waits until after the parry is used, Kotal can be punished. However since Coatl Parry can be delayed, the opponent must guess on when Kotal Kahn will stop his parry in order to punish. For this reason, it can be a good idea to delay the parry for random durations to prevent from being punished.

Xolal Quake

Xolal Quake () is a slow 41 frame unblockable attack. When Amplified, Kotal Kahn will follow up with an overhead attack. While slow, Xolal Quake can be thrown out on occasion to catch ill-prepared opponents off-guard. This can be done after blockstrings such as , and +,, especially if the opponent is expecting to block or Flawless Block the next hit of these strings. Xolal Quake however can be easily avoided on reaction and thus should not be used often.

Tonatiuh Beam

Tonatiuh Beam () allows Kotal Kahn to summon a damaging and healing beam of sunlight above him. While the opponent is underneath the light, they will take damage over time. Conversely if Kotal Kahn is underneath the light, he will heal himself. Tonatiuh Beam is a very useful move while either Kotal Kahn or the opponent is low on health. Under the right conditions, it can quickly turn the tide of the match. It’s especially strong while Kotal Kahn is cornered because it’ll be difficult for the opponent to push him out of the sunlight and avoid taking damage.

Amplifying Tonatiuh Beam will allow Kotal Kahn to send the beam towards the opponent. If the opponent is low on health, this can be a guaranteed way of finishing the opponent off as the beam will be near impossible to escape.

Tonatiuh Beam can be replaced with the God Ray () ability. God Ray has similar properties to Tonatiuh Beam, but instead can be directed mid or far. This will allow Kotal Kahn to summon the beam directly above the opponent instead of having to Amplify the move. However, he won’t be able to summon it above himself to quickly replenish his health.

Throws

Both Kotal Kahn’s Toward and Back Throws will leave the opponent close enough for him to continue his offense. Though his Back Throw sends the opponent slightly farther, Kotal Kahn can easily regain his momentum due to the range on his attacks. After using his Back Throw, quickly use a +, to attack the opponent again. Additionally, both throws will trigger a Krushing Blow if the opponent failed Throw Escape during the previous throw. Make sure to throw in the opposite direction you think the opponent will try to tech in order to trigger the Krushing Blow.

Abilities

Grand Discus AMP
Modifies Yeyecame Disk. Gains Amplify that delays the toss.
Directed Rays AMP
Modifies Yeyecame Disk. Gains Amplify that launches a beam of light.
Tonatiuh Burst
Adds Tonatiuh Burst Special Move. Attacks with a burst of light.
Amocualli Totem Stance
Adds Amocualli Totem Special Move. Summon a totem that increases the damage he deals.
Teoyohtica Totem StanceorStance
Adds Teoyohtica Totem Special Move. Summon a totem that reduces the damage he takes.
Chicahtoc Totem StanceorStance
Adds Chicahtoc Totem Special Move. Summon a totem that increases gauge regeneration.

Eztli Totem StanceorStance
Adds Eztli Totem Special Move. Summon a totem that absorbs the opponent’s blood and heals Kotal.
Huehhueyi
Adds Huehhueyi Special Move. Grabs and slices the opponent.
God Ray
Replaces Tonatiuh Beam Special Move. Summon a damaging and healing beam of sunlight at a distance.
Tecuani Maul
Adds Tecuani Maul Special Move. Become a jaguar and leap at the opponent.
(Air) Tecuani Pounce
Adds (Air) Tecuani Pounce Special Move. Dive while morphing into a jaguar.
Kahn-Cut
Replaces Mehtizquia Cut. Rush forward and knock the opponent into the air.

Grand Discus

The Grand Discus ability allows Kotal Kahn to Amplify his Yeyecame Disk (). When Amplified, Kotal Kahn will delay the toss, causing the disk to hit as a mid. Grand Discus is useful when done after blockstrings such as +, as it is only -1 on block while creating pushback. While Grand Discus doesn’t grant any advantage, many of the opponent’s attacks will not be able to reach Kotal Kahn once it’s blocked. On the flip side, Amplified Grand Discus will leave Kotal Kahn at perfect distance to follow up again with +,. Be careful when using this move as it can be punished via Flawless Block or interrupted if used outside of +,.

Totems

Kotal Kahn can summon totems from the ground. Each totem has special properties once summoned:

Eztli Totem (Red) – Once disappeared, will heal Kotal Kahn for every hit landed
Amocualli Totem (Blue) – Increases Kotal Kahn’s damage
Teoyohtica Totem (Black) – Reduces the damage Kotal Kahn takes
Chicahtoc Totem (Green) – Increases Kotal Kahn’s gauge regeneration

In order to summon totems safely, you must summon them while far away from the opponent. If closer up, Kotal Kahn can be hit out of his totem summons and punished. Totems can also be safely summoned after knocking the opponent down with ,,. Kotal Kahn can stack up to 3 totems, with each making him more powerful.

The Eztli Totem can be useful for gaining the lifelead, especially when combined with Tonatiuh Beam (). The Amocualli Totem will boost Kotal Kahn’s damage. With 3 totems, Kotal Kahn becomes one of the highest-damaging character in the game, gaining up to 40-45% damage off any touch. The Teoyohtica Totem will decrease the amount of damage Kotal Kahn takes, which can make it extremely hard for opponents to deplete Kotal Kahn’s health. Using Teoyohtica Totem along with Tonatiuh Beam is a very strong tactic to run out the clock while having a lifelead. If there are less than 10 seconds remaining on the timer and Kotal Kahn has summoned both his Teoyohica Totem and Tonatiuh Beam, there’s very little the opponent can do to win the round.

Huehhueyi

Huehhueyi () is a command grab that can be used for offensive mix-ups at close-range. Kotal Kahn’s command grab is normally done in advantageous situations, such as after landing a poke on hit or knocking the opponent down. While the opponent is blocking, use Huehhueyi to grab them for huge damage. After successfully grabbing the opponent, Kotal Kahn will gain a damage buff, which can be stacked up to 3 times. This can be a much more effective option than going for a throw because command grabs cannot be teched via Throw Escape. Kotal Kahn’s command grab also cannot be avoided by ducking, and instead must be jumped out of. If you think that the opponent will try to escape the command grab, use attacks such as ,,,+, or +, to hit them out of the air.

Kotal Kahn’s command grab can also be done after certain attacks on block. These attacks include:

,
+
+

Using the command grab after and , is especially strong if the opponent is anticipating the next hit of the string. Mix this up with ,, or , into Kahn-Cut () to stop opponents from jumping out of the command grab. Though Kahn-Cut is unsafe on block, it will grant a full combo. If you predict that the opponent will try to Flawless Block the final hit of ,,, use , and cancel it into the command grab instead. Staggering on block into , can also be a great way to stop opponents from escaping the command grab because the follow-up , will hit them out of the air. Command grabbing after pokes such as + and + can be useful as well to stop opponents from counterpoking.

Tecuani Maul & Pounce

Kotal Kahn can transform into a jaguar and leap at the opponent with the Tecuani Maul () ability. This is an advancing mid attack that travels a long distance. While this move is punishable at -12, it can be made safe by Amplifying it which will leave Kotal Kahn at -7. Tecuani Maul is a very powerful move because it can be thrown out at any point, covering a large amount of space while allowing Kotal Kahn to remain safe. It can also be done after blockstrings such as +, and +, which will not only keep himself safe on block, but will push the opponent across the screen and closer to the corner.

Kotal Kahn is able to transform in the air as well using Tecuani Pounce (). Once used, Kotal Kahn will dive towards the enemy. Despite being -17 on block, it can be up to -9 on block and more difficult to punish when done lower to the ground. When Amplified, Tecuani Pounce will allow Kotal Kahn to remain safe at -6 on block. It can also be up to +2 on block depending on the angle it’s blocked. Tecuani Pounce can be very useful while jumping backwards to stop enemy approaches.

When Amplified, both Tecuani Maul and Tecuani Pounce will become invulnerable to projectiles allowing Kotal Kahn to charge right through the opponent’s zoning. These make for strong anti-zoning tools as Kotal Kahn can use either move at any moment to freely close the distance. Against slower projectiles, Tecuani Maul or Tecuani Pounce can be done on reaction to punish the opponent.