Picking a strong character in Anime Knockout only gets you so far. The players who actually dominate lobbies are the ones who convert a single opening into a full combo that deletes stocks. This guide breaks down every combo route worth learning – S-tier damage routes, A-tier competitive strings, B-tier sleepers like Golden Frieza, and the counter strategies to shut them all down.
Already know who you want to play? Check our Anime Knockout tier list for full character rankings, then come back here to learn how to use them.
How Combos Work
Anime Knockout uses a percentage-based knockback model. Every hit raises the opponent’s damage percentage, and higher percentage means attacks launch them further. Combos exploit hitstun – the window after each hit where the opponent cannot act. Chain attacks fast enough and they stay locked for the entire sequence.
Every character has three attack types: Light (fast jabs, 3-5 frames, low knockback), Heavy (charged strikes, 8-12 frames, high knockback), and Ability (signature moves with varying speed and knockback). The universal combo structure is Lights into Heavy into Ability, but the real damage comes from extending with dash cancels.
Dash Cancel Tech
Dash canceling is the single most important mechanic in Anime Knockout. After landing an ability, your character enters recovery frames. Normally this ends your combo. But tapping dash during the first 4-8 recovery frames skips the animation and lets you keep attacking.
On PC, dash is double-tap movement or press Shift. On mobile, hit the dash button. The cancel window varies by character:
| Character | Move to Cancel | Window | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saitama | Consecutive Normal Punches | 8 frames | Easy |
| Vegeta SSB | Galick Gun | 7 frames | Easy |
| Goku UI | Kamehameha | 6 frames | Medium |
| Golden Frieza | Death Beam | 6 frames | Medium |
| Madara | Majestic Destroyer Flame | 5 frames | Medium |
| Gojo | Blue (Lapse) | 4 frames | Hard |
| Levi | ODM Slash | 3 frames | Very Hard |
Start with Saitama or Vegeta if you are learning. Turn on frame data in training mode settings to see recovery frames in real time.
S-Tier Combos
The five best characters in Anime Knockout as of – Goku UI, Saitama, Madara, Gojo, and Vegeta SSB – all have devastating combo routes.
Goku (Ultra Instinct)
BnB: Light > Light > Heavy > Kamehameha > Dash Cancel > Light > Light > Spirit Bomb
- ~85% damage, KOs at 65-70% from center. The dash cancel after Kamehameha is the make-or-break input – miss it by 2 frames and the opponent escapes.
Midscreen (no Spirit Bomb): Light > Light > Light > Instant Transmission > Heavy > Kamehameha
- ~55% damage, KOs at 90% near edges. Use when Spirit Bomb is on cooldown.
Saitama
Full confirm: Consecutive Normal Punches > Light > Light > Light > Dash Cancel > Serious Punch
- ~90% damage. Serious Punch KOs at 50% from center. Only commit when the opponent is above 60% before the combo starts – below that, end with Heavy instead.
Quick punish: Light > Light > Heavy > Serious Punch
- ~70% damage. Use when you catch someone whiffing an ability.
Gojo
Primary: Blue (pull) > Light > Light > Light > Heavy > Hollow Purple
- ~72% damage, KOs at 70%. The pull guarantees the combo starter. Time Blue when the opponent is in neutral, not mid-attack.
Edge guard: Red > opponent off-stage > Hollow Purple aimed at recovery. KOs at 30% off-stage.
Vegeta (SSB)
BnB: Super Dash > Light > Light > Heavy > Galick Gun > Dash Cancel > Final Flash
- ~78% damage, KOs at 60%. Final Flash has a charge time, but the Galick Gun dash cancel buys enough time while the opponent is in hitstun.
Madara
Susanoo combo: Activation > Dash In > Light > Light > Heavy > Majestic Destroyer Flame > Light > Light > Tengai Shinsei
- ~80% damage, KOs at 60%. Susanoo lasts 7 seconds after the nerf. Start immediately on activation.
No Susanoo: Light > Light > Limbo Clone > Dash Cancel > Heavy. ~35% damage, use during Susanoo downtime.
A-Tier Combos
Luffy (Gear 5)
Standard: Light > Light > Heavy > Kong Gun > Dash Cancel > Light > Heavy (~60%, KOs at 80%)
Bounce extension (near walls): Heavy (wallbounce) > Light > Light > Kong Gatling > Bajrang Gun
- ~95% damage, the highest in the game. Only works near walls. Extremely hard to execute.
Tanjiro (Sun Breathing)
BnB: Light > Light > Heavy > Hinokami Kagura > Dash Cancel > Light > Light > Sun Halo Dragon Head Dance
- ~75% damage, KOs at 65%. The patch widened Kagura’s cancel window from 4 to 6 frames, making this way more consistent.
Sukuna
Domain combo: Malevolent Shrine > Cleave > Dismantle > Light > Light > Heavy > Cleave (enhanced)
- ~82% damage, KOs at 55%. Domain lasts 6 seconds – time for exactly one full sequence. Activate when already in range.
Ichigo (Bankai)
Double Getsuga: Light > Light > Light > Heavy > Getsuga Tensho > Dash Cancel > Light > Light > Getsuga Tensho
- ~62% damage, KOs at 80%. Ichigo is the only character who gets two ability uses in one combo string.
B-Tier Combos Worth Learning
Golden Frieza – The Zoning King
Golden Frieza costs 8,000 coins and plays completely differently from the rest of the cast. Where most characters want to get close, Frieza wants to maintain 15+ studs of distance and win through projectile pressure.
Zoning loop: Death Beam > Death Beam > Float > Death Beam (angled down) > Supernova
- ~50% across the full sequence, Supernova KOs at 75% near edges. Death Beams have only a 3-second cooldown. Supernova covers a massive 20-stud radius.
Anti-approach punish: Light > Light > Death Beam > Dash Cancel > Float > Supernova
- ~45% damage. Use when someone rushes you. Float lasts 5 seconds, enough to bait impatient opponents.
Weakness: Frieza’s melee has below-average knockback. If a rushdown character closes the gap, you are in trouble. Keep moving.
Levi – ODM Gear Chains
Full chain: ODM Dash > Light > Light > Heavy > ODM Slash > Dash Cancel > Light > Light > ODM Dash > Light > Heavy > Ackerman Slash
- ~65% damage, up to 12 hits. The 3-frame ODM Slash cancel is the tightest in the game.
Gon
Rock confirm: Light > Light > Heavy > Jajanken Rock
- ~68% damage, KOs at 55%. Short, simple, hits like a truck. Gon is underrated.
Beginner-Friendly Combos
The universal BnB works on every character: Light > Light > Light > Ability > Dash Cancel > Light > Light. Learn it on Naruto first – Rasengan has a huge hitbox and Shadow Clones buy you time to learn spacing.
Best starter characters: Naruto (1,000 coins, forgiving timing), Saitama (15,000 coins, 8-frame cancel), Vegeta SSB (12,000 coins, 7-frame cancel), All Might (5,000 coins, super armor trades).
Practice routine: learn inputs slowly on stationary AI, build speed until you hit 5 in a row, practice from different angles, switch to fighting AI, then take it to real matches only after hitting 8 out of 10 in training.
Advanced Techniques
Cooldown tracking separates average players from competitors. Every ability has a fixed cooldown – once your opponent burns their big move, attack aggressively. This matters most against Saitama (Serious Punch downtime), Madara (7-second Susanoo window), and Golden Frieza (Supernova cooldown).
DI (Directional Influence): While in hitstun, hold away from your opponent toward center stage. This can push you out of range for the next hit and cause their combo to drop.
Wake-up pressure: After knocking someone down, time a Light to connect the frame they stand up. Levi and Ichigo are the best at this because of attack speed.
Edge positioning: Near the stage edge, knockback is amplified. Light > Light > Heavy can KO at 90% near the boundary. Sometimes pushing opponents toward the edge with spacing beats going for a full combo in center stage.
Counter Strategies
Against rushdown (Goku UI, Saitama, Levi): Maintain spacing and punish whiffed abilities. These characters need proximity to start combos. Stay at mid range and let them come to you.
Against zoners (Golden Frieza, Gojo): Approach at angles, use platforms for cover, close distance during ability cooldowns. Frieza is helpless in melee – the fight is about getting.
Against armor (Madara, All Might): Do not challenge super armor head-on. Wait out the duration. Madara’s Susanoo is 7 seconds – run and dodge until it drops, then punish the cooldown.
Against domains (Sukuna): Leave the zone immediately. Malevolent Shrine is devastating inside but useless if you escape the radius.
Defensive fundamentals: Every character has a dodge with roughly 8 invincibility frames – use it to phase through predictable combo starters like Gojo’s Blue. Press jump at the right time after knockdown for faster tech recovery.
Combo Damage Comparison
| Character | Best Combo | Damage | KO% | Difficulty | Hits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luffy G5 | Bounce extension | ~95% | 55% | Very Hard | 7 |
| Saitama | Full confirm | ~90% | 50% | Easy-Medium | 6 |
| Goku UI | BnB into Spirit Bomb | ~85% | 65% | Medium-Hard | 8 |
| Sukuna | Domain combo | ~82% | 55% | Hard | 7 |
| Madara | Susanoo sequence | ~80% | 60% | Medium | 8 |
| Vegeta SSB | Beam into Final Flash | ~78% | 60% | Medium | 7 |
| Tanjiro | Sun Breathing BnB | ~75% | 65% | Medium-Hard | 8 |
| Gojo | Blue into Hollow Purple | ~72% | 70% | Medium | 6 |
| Gon | Jajanken Rock | ~68% | 55% | Easy | 4 |
| Levi | Full ODM chain | ~65% | 75% | Very Hard | 12 |
| Ichigo | Double Getsuga | ~62% | 80% | Medium | 9 |
| Golden Frieza | Zoning loop | ~50% | 75% | Easy-Medium | 5 |
FAQ
What is the strongest combo in Anime Knockout?
Goku UI’s BnB into Spirit Bomb deals around 85% and KOs at 65-70% from center. Luffy G5’s bounce extension hits harder at ~95%, but it is stage-dependent and extremely difficult.
How do you dash cancel in Anime Knockout?
Tap dash during the first 4-8 recovery frames after an ability. On PC, double-tap movement or press Shift. On mobile, tap the dash button. Practice with Saitama or Vegeta first since they have the widest windows.
What is the best beginner combo in Anime Knockout?
Three Lights into your ability, then dash cancel into one or two more Lights. Works on every character. Learn it on Naruto because Rasengan has a forgiving hitbox.
How do you unlock Golden Frieza in Anime Knockout?
Golden Frieza costs 8,000 coins from the character shop. You earn 100-300 coins per match, so expect 30-50 matches of grinding. Grab all active codes from our Anime Knockout codes list to speed it up.
Is Golden Frieza good in Anime Knockout?
Golden Frieza is the best zoning character in the game. Death Beams fire rapidly with a 3-second cooldown, Supernova covers a 20-stud radius, and Float gives aerial control most characters cannot contest. He is B tier overall because rushdown characters can close the gap, but at 15+ studs he dictates every fight.
What are the best combos for Gojo?
Blue (pull) into Light-Light-Light-Heavy, then Hollow Purple. The pull guarantees your combo starter and the full string deals around 72%. For edge guarding, Red pushes them off stage and Hollow Purple catches recovery for a KO at 30%.
Do combos work differently on mobile?
Inputs and damage are identical, but touchscreen latency adds a small delay. Buffer dash cancel inputs slightly earlier on mobile. Practice on your device in training mode to calibrate the timing.
Which characters have the longest combo chains?
Levi with up to 12 hits (ODM Gear resets), Luffy G5 with bounce extensions, and Goku UI at 8-9 hits. Longer chains deal more damage but have higher drop risk.
Final Thoughts
Combos separate players who understand the tier list from players who can actually back it up in a match. Start with the universal BnB, get it consistent, then learn your main’s specific routes one at a time. Grab free coins from our Anime Knockout codes list to unlock more characters to practice with.
We update combo routes after every balance patch, so bookmark this page.