King of Fighters Characters – Every Team and Fighter
The King of Fighters characters explained – the original KOF '94 teams, rivals like Iori, the bosses from Rugal to Orochi and the heroes of every saga.
Updated 2026-10-25
Play The King of Fighters '98 OnlineFree in your browser – no download.The King of Fighters is built around teams of three. Most teams come from SNK's other series – Fatal Fury, Art of Fighting, Ikari Warriors, Psycho Soldier – while others, like Kyo's team and Iori's rivals, were created for KOF. This guide explains the core teams, the rivals and the bosses, so you know who you are picking.
The original teams of KOF '94
| Team | Fighters | From |
|---|---|---|
| Hero Team (Japan) | Kyo Kusanagi, Benimaru Nikaido, Goro Daimon | Created for KOF |
| Fatal Fury Team | Terry Bogard, Andy Bogard, Joe Higashi | Fatal Fury |
| Art of Fighting Team | Ryo Sakazaki, Robert Garcia, Takuma Sakazaki | Art of Fighting |
| Ikari Warriors Team | Heidern, Ralf Jones, Clark Still | Ikari Warriors |
| Psycho Soldier Team | Athena Asamiya, Sie Kensou, Chin Gentsai | Psycho Soldier |
| Women Fighters Team | King, Mai Shiranui, Yuri Sakazaki | Art of Fighting / Fatal Fury |
| Korea Team | Kim Kaphwan, Chang Koehan, Choi Bounge | Fatal Fury / created for KOF |
| American Sports Team | Heavy D!, Lucky Glauber, Brian Battler | Created for KOF |
The host and final boss of KOF '94 is Rugal Bernstein, an arms dealer who turns defeated fighters into statues.
Key fighters you should know
| Fighter | Style | Signature move | Why pick them |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kyo Kusanagi | Kusanagi-style flames | 100 Shiki Oniyaki (flaming uppercut) | The series' hero; strong all-rounder |
| Iori Yagami | Yagami-style purple flames | Yami Barai (ground fireball) | Kyo's rival, aggressive and stylish |
| Terry Bogard | Street brawler | Power Wave, Burn Knuckle | Easy to learn, great for beginners |
| Ryo Sakazaki | Kyokugen karate | Ko-ou Ken (fireball) | Solid fundamentals, big damage |
| Mai Shiranui | Shiranui ninjutsu | Kachousen (fan throw) | Fast and tricky |
| Athena Asamiya | Psychic powers | Psycho Ball, Psycho Sword | Fireball and anti-air in one kit |
| Ralf Jones | Mercenary | Vulcan Punch | Huge damage up close |
| Kim Kaphwan | Taekwondo | Hangetsuzan, Hien Zan | Kick-based pressure |
| Leona Heidern | Military | Baltic Launcher, Moon Slasher | Charge character with strong defense |
| K' | NESTS clone, flame glove | Ein Trigger, Crow Bites | Hero of the NESTS saga, very mobile |
Rivals and story characters
- Iori Yagami debuts in KOF '95 with Billy Kane and Eiji Kisaragi as the Rivals Team. His clan's feud with the Kusanagi drives the Orochi saga.
- Chizuru Kagura appears in KOF '96 as the tournament host and keeper of the seal on Orochi.
- Leona Heidern replaces her adoptive father Heidern on the Ikari team from KOF '96.
- Shingo Yabuki, Kyo's self-declared student, joins in KOF '97.
- The New Face Team of KOF '97 – Yashiro Nanakase, Shermie and Chris – turn out to be servants of Orochi; their "Orochi" versions are unlocked in KOF '98 and KOF 2002.
- K', Maxima and Whip lead the NESTS saga from KOF '99; Kula Diamond joins in KOF 2000.
- Ash Crimson, Shen Woo and Duo Lon are introduced in KOF 2003.
The bosses
| Game | Final boss |
|---|---|
| KOF '94 | Rugal Bernstein |
| KOF '95 | Omega Rugal (after Saisyu Kusanagi) |
| KOF '96 | Goenitz |
| KOF '97 | Orochi |
| KOF '98 | Omega Rugal |
| KOF '99 | Krizalid |
| KOF 2000 | Zero |
| KOF 2001 | Igniz |
| KOF 2002 | Omega Rugal |
| KOF 2003 | Mukai |
Which KOF has your favorite fighter?
If you want almost everyone in one game, play a dream match: KOF '98 or KOF 2002. For the Orochi story and the New Face Team, play KOF '97. Then learn your main's commands in the KOF 2002 move list, or browse every game on the King of Fighters hub.
FAQ
Who is the main character of King of Fighters?
Kyo Kusanagi is the hero of the first games and the Orochi saga. Later sagas have their own leads – K' in the NESTS saga (KOF '99 to 2001) and Ash Crimson from KOF 2003.
Who is the strongest King of Fighters character?
In the story, bosses like Orochi and Omega Rugal are the most powerful. In competitive play it depends on the game – every KOF has its own tier list.
Who is Rugal in King of Fighters?
Rugal Bernstein is the arms dealer who hosts the first tournament in KOF '94 and its final boss. He returns as Omega Rugal in KOF '95 and in the dream matches, including KOF '98 and KOF 2002.
Which KOF has the most characters?
Among the arcade games on this site, the dream matches KOF '98 and KOF 2002 have the largest rosters, bringing back fighters from across the earlier games.
Play The King of Fighters '98 OnlineFree in your browser – no download.