KOF 2002 Move List – Special Moves and Easy Combos
KOF 2002 move list for the most popular characters – special moves, super moves, MAX mode and easy beginner combos, with simple command notation.
Updated 2026-10-25
Play The King of Fighters 2002 OnlineFree in your browser – no download.This move list covers the most popular characters in The King of Fighters 2002 with the commands you need to start playing online. Every command is written for a character facing right; flip left and right when you are on the other side.
How to read the commands
| Symbol | Meaning | Directions |
|---|---|---|
| A / B / C / D | Light punch / light kick / heavy punch / heavy kick | – |
| P / K | Any punch (A or C) / any kick (B or D) | – |
| qcf | Quarter circle forward | ↓ ↘ → |
| qcb | Quarter circle back | ↓ ↙ ← |
| dp | "Dragon punch" motion | → ↓ ↘ |
| hcf / hcb | Half circle forward / back | ← ↙ ↓ ↘ → / → ↘ ↓ ↙ ← |
| [b], f | Charge: hold back about 1–2 seconds, then forward | – |
| [d], u | Charge: hold down, then up | – |
MAX mode: press B + C with at least one power stock. Supers cost one stock (or more when you use MAX versions).
Kyo Kusanagi
| Move | Command |
|---|---|
| 108 Shiki Yami Barai (ground fireball) | qcf + P |
| 100 Shiki Oniyaki (flaming uppercut) | dp + P |
| 75 Shiki Kai (double kick) | qcf + K, K |
| 212 Shiki Kototsuki You (dashing palm) | hcb + K |
| Super: Ura 108 Shiki Orochinagi | qcb, hcf + P |
Easy combo: jump D → close C → dp + C (Oniyaki).
Iori Yagami
| Move | Command |
|---|---|
| 108 Shiki Yami Barai | qcf + P |
| 100 Shiki Oniyaki | dp + P |
| 127 Shiki Aoi Hana (three-hit rush) | qcb + P, qcb + P, qcb + P |
| Super: Kin 1201 Shiki Ya Otome | qcf, hcb + P |
Easy combo: jump D → close C → qcb + A ×3 (Aoi Hana). Iori's bread-and-butter combo in almost every KOF.
Terry Bogard
| Move | Command |
|---|---|
| Power Wave (ground wave) | qcf + A |
| Round Wave (close-range blast) | qcf + C |
| Burn Knuckle (dashing punch) | qcb + P |
| Crack Shoot (flip kick) | qcb + K |
| Rising Tackle (spinning anti-air) | [d], u + P |
| Super: Buster Wolf | qcf, qcf + P |
Easy combo: jump D → close C → qcb + C (Burn Knuckle).
K'
| Move | Command |
|---|---|
| Ein Trigger (fire shot) | qcf + P |
| Crow Bites (rising flame uppercut) | dp + P |
| Minute Spike (diving kick) | qcb + K |
| Super: Heat Drive | qcf, qcf + P |
Easy combo: jump D → close C → qcf + A (Ein Trigger).
Ryo Sakazaki
| Move | Command |
|---|---|
| Ko-ou Ken (fireball) | qcf + P |
| Kohou (rising uppercut) | dp + P |
| Super: Haoh Shoukou Ken (giant fireball) | f, hcf + P |
Easy combo: jump D → close C → dp + C (Kohou).
Mai Shiranui
| Move | Command |
|---|---|
| Kachousen (fan throw) | qcf + P |
| Ryuuenbu (flaming spin) | qcb + P |
| Super: Chou Hissatsu Shinobibachi | qcb, hcf + K |
Easy combo: jump D → close C → qcb + C (Ryuuenbu).
Leona Heidern
| Move | Command |
|---|---|
| Baltic Launcher (energy ball) | [b], f + P |
| Grand Saber (charging slash) | [b], f + K |
| Moon Slasher (anti-air arc) | [d], u + P |
Easy combo: crouch B → crouch A → [b], f + K (Grand Saber) – charge back while you do the jabs.
Athena Asamiya
| Move | Command |
|---|---|
| Psycho Ball (projectile) | qcb + P |
| Psycho Sword (rising slash) | dp + P |
| Phoenix Arrow (in the air) | qcb + K |
Easy combo: jump D → close C → dp + C (Psycho Sword).
Beginner tips for KOF 2002 online
- Short hop. Tap up quickly for a small jump – it is harder to anti-air than a full jump and is the core of KOF offense.
- Roll with A + B to pass through fireballs and get behind your opponent.
- Blowback with C + D knocks your opponent away – great for breaking pressure.
- Learn one combo per character before you learn ten special moves.
- Pick your team order wisely: your strongest character last gets the most power stocks.
Ready to practice? Play KOF 2002 online with a friend, check out all King of Fighters characters or go back to the King of Fighters hub.
FAQ
How do you activate MAX mode in KOF 2002?
Press B and C together while you have at least one power stock. Your power gauge turns into a timer, and during MAX mode you can cancel special moves into other special moves.
What do A, B, C and D mean in KOF?
They are the four Neo Geo buttons - A is light punch, B is light kick, C is heavy punch and D is heavy kick.
Are KOF 2002 commands the same as KOF 98?
Most special move commands for returning characters are the same or very close, so this list is a good starting point for KOF '98 too. Systems like MAX mode differ.
What is the easiest character in KOF 2002?
Terry Bogard and Kyo Kusanagi are good first picks - simple fireball and uppercut commands and easy combos.
Play The King of Fighters 2002 OnlineFree in your browser – no download.