----------
Disclaimer
----------
This FAQ is a free publication so if you see any parts of this document in 
magazines(like EGM)or any form of media please contact me.If you would like 
to put this document on your site or whatever kind of media please ask me 
first for I have no problem with those who would like to use this FAQ(like 
anyone would anyway),I'd just like to know where my things are.King of 
Fighters and Art of Fighting are copyright of SNK/Neo Geo.This FAQ is 
copyright of Yang Yang He

Version:1.3 (June 2001) 
Email:hebretto@hotmail.com


Site/s where this FAQ should be found:
www.gamefaqs.com


--------
Contents
--------
1.Introduction
2.Controls
3.Command and Special Moves
4.Desperation Moves
5.Srtiker Moves
6.Combos
7.S-Team Combos
8.Credits
9.History


--------------
1.Introduction
--------------
Takuma Sakazaki,father to both Ryo and Yuri Sakazaki or as I like to refer 
him-guy who wears a red mask that has a really long nose(long I know).I rarely 
paid much attention to Takuma until I saw how good he was in KOF98(speed,power 
and priority),from then I always wanted to learn him.Now,after so many hours 
in practice mode(and still in there),I have finally(sort of)mastered 
Takuma.Hope you will have an easier time learning him than me.Enjoy. 
        If you find any mistakes that I might have made or you might have 
found this FAQ in another site from the ones listed above,please kindly email 
me(hebretto@hotmail.com)


----------
2.Controls
----------

All are for the left side of the screen
qcf - down,down-forward,forward
qcb - down,down-back,back
hcf - back,down-back,down,down-forward,forward
hcb - forward,down-forward,down,down-back,back
dp  - forward,down,down-forward

The following applies to any character:

Charge
-Hold a direction for 2 seconds

A/B/C/D
-In order light punch,light kick,hard punch etc

xx
-Press two buttons at the same time(like AB)

Dodge(AB)
-It's more of a slide that grants you invincibility for a short time,by 
holding back and pressing AB you will do a back dodge.If done while blocking 
you will roll away(roll back if you hold back,roll forward if you leave it 
neutral/hold forward)from your opponent thus preventing from doing their 
attack but it costs one powerstock 

Safe Fall(press AB when your just about to hit the ground)
-A quick recovery from a fall.Comes in handy sometimes from the any off the 
ground Strikers like Joe

Call Striker(BC)
-Call out your 4th character for assistance

CD attack
-A knockdown attack which can be done in the air.If you do this when blocking 
you will knock down you opponent thus preventing them from doing their attack 
but it costs one powerstock if you do it and it also does no damage

Throw(when near opponent,forward or back + C/D)
-Throws,who can live without them.If you call out your Striker after a throw 
they will knock your opponent into the air leaving you for another hit.This 
process takes up one Striker stock and powerstock

Throw escape(tap any button before being thrown)
-Stops a throw period.This year you knockdown your opponent instead of 
pushing them away.You can call out a Striker after you knockdown your opponent 
for an extra hit.This process takes up one Striker stock  

Counter mode(ABC when you have 3 powerstocks)
-A mode in which you can do unlimited normal DMs and more damage for attacks 
for a period of time.When the timer runs out,you will not be able to add 
anything to your power gauge for about 10 or so seconds

Armour mode(BCD when you have 3 powerstocks)
-A mode in which you will not get into hit stun and do more damage(more than 
Counter mode)for a period of time. When the timer runs out,you will not be 
able to add anything to your power gauge for about 10 or so seconds

Super Desperation Move(motion of any Desperation Move + AC/BD)
-An enhanced version of one of your DMs,the set damage for a SDM is about 
50%.When you finish the SDM you will not be able to add anything to your power 
gauge though for about 5 or so seconds

Taunt(press Start)
-Just used to annoy your opponent but this year each time you taunt you are 
given an extra Striker stock but it costs a powerstock.Also,you can't just 
stop it any time you want like in the other games,so don't do it just because 
you felt like unless you feel suicidal.While in Counter Mode(and maybe in 
Armour Mode),if you taunt you will also get a Striker stock but that will 
decrease the amount of time you have left for the mode(s?)


---------------------------
3.Command and Special Moves
---------------------------

>Command Moves<

Hisha Otoshi (back + A)
-A slow horizontal chop,it is able to destroy projectiles(not DM ones)if 
timed right.You can combo this but you can't do any other moves after it 

Oni Guruma (forward + A)
-Takuma will swing one of his arms towards you,looks like a clothesline from 
wrestling(is that right?).Very fast,one of the best command moves in the 
game.This is a knockdown attack unless comboed into.Though if you time when 
you do this from either Standing or Crouching A/B it might become an 
knockdown(usually a short delay)

Kawara Wari (forward + B)
-He will lean forward attempting to hit your opponent with one of his elbows 
coming down.This is an overhead attack unless comboed into 

Keima Uchi (down-forward + B)
-Takuma will do a diagonally-down punch.It is quite slow for a surprise attack 
so if you are planning to do this by itself try to do it when your opponent 
is about to get up.This is a knockdown attack and must be blocked low unless 
comboed into


>Special Moves<

Ko'ou Ken (qcf + A/C)
-Well like all in the Sakazaki family,you have to have a projectile move.A 
version is best used if you did a Crouching D and then cancel into it because 
if your opponent blocked it they can't punish you because of it and if you 
do trip them by the time they get up the fireball is about to hit them so 
you can try to do his unblockable bug.The C version is best used in combos 
some keep-away games

Mouko: Burai Gan (qcb + A/C)
-Takuma will stick up one of his arms(first part)and do a punch with the other 
arm(second part).The first put of this move is an auto-guard so if you can 
time it right you can block your opponent's attack and counter it.This causes 
Guard Crush if blocked

Shouran Kyaku (hcb + B/D)
-Looks like every one from Art of Fighting wants a command throw these 
days.Takuma will run up to you and if he grabs you will he will quickly knee 
you for about 10 times.Nice damage and nice against turtles,plus the 
unblockable bug(below)

Unblockable bug(I find this best done after his Ryuuko Ranbu[qcf,hcb + A/C/AC] 
and Haou Shikou Ken[forward,hcf + A/C]) - After you have knocked your opponent 
down do the A version Ko'ou Ken(qcf + A)and when it's near your opponent(which 
by this time they should stand-up from the knockdown)do Shouran Kyaku(hcb 
+ B/D).This also works if you do his A version Haou Shikou Ken(forward,hcf 
+ A).Note of caution,doing this against a human opponent might be a "wow" 
factor to the newbies/kiddies but it will make you look like a cheap player 

Zanretsu Ken (forward,back,forward + A/C)
-Takuma will stick out one of his arms at a fast rate going diagonal 
up,straight,diagonal down.Great as an anti-air.Unfortunately in KOF2000 
Takuma can no longer run up to the opponent and do a Keima Uchi(down-forward 
+ B)after this move due to its lag after a successful hit

Hien Shippuu Kyaku (charge down-back,forward + B/D)
-The Art of Fighting's version of a Hurricane Kick.Takuma will do a flying 
kick towards your opponent depending what button(D version)you pressed he 
will do a second kick after if the first one touches(even if blocked)which 
launches the opponent into the air for an extra hit.B version travels half 
of the screen and only does one hit while the D version travels full screen 
and does 2 hits
       This year you can connect with just about anything after the D version 
since it launches the opponent higher(or your faster,which ever comes 
first)like his C version Haou Shikou Ken(forward,hcf + C).You can even run 
to the other of the screen and then hit them which could lead to a Striker 
combo


-------------------
4.Desperation Moves
-------------------
^=Can be performed as a SDM

Shin Kishin Geki (near opponent, qcfx2 + A/C)
-Takuma will concentrate his energy onto his fists and do three powerful 
punches with his Standing C and his old Mouko: Burai Gan(qcb + 
A/C)animations.Since it's blockable it's rare for someone to do this DM 
unless in a Striker combo,but if you do it(and it's blocked)you will be safe 
since the last hit leaves you a deal of distance between you and your 
opponent.The last hit causes Guard Crush if blocked

Haou Shikou Ken (forward,hcf + A/C. Hold button to delay/power-up DM)
-Takuma will throw a really big fireball across the screen.The speed of the 
projectile is determined by what button you used,A version is slow but good 
for opponents in the air while the C version is really fast and good for 
opponents that are running towards you and in combos.By holding the button 
which you used to perform the DM you will increase the damage it does and 
increase the number of hits it does as well

Ryuuko Ranbu^ (qcf,hcb + A/C/AC)
-Takuma will do a small but fast leap towards your opponent and if he hits 
he will do a series of hits ending with a weakened version of his Haou Shikou 
Ken(forward,hcf + A/C).This can be used as an anti-air but it must be timed 
right for it to hit
          The SDM version is faster than both DM versions and it will combo 
from just about anything.Takuma also finishes the SDM with 3 weakened Haou 
Shikou Ken's(forward,hcf + A/C).


---------------
5.Striker Moves
---------------

Takuma-He will come in as Mr Karate from the first Art of Fighting and then 
do a Haou Shikou Ken(forward,hcf + A/C)before leaving

Tendou Gai(or Gai Tendou)-No matter where you call him he will always enter 
from the end of the screen with a leap kick which knock your opponent in the 
air spinning.He will then do a spinning kick that looks like Joe's qcb + B/D 
animation from KOF98.After that he will do a straight kick that looks like 
Joe's Far D animation before leaving.Yes this guy attempts to hit your 
opponent 3 times.
         Note that his straight kick can hit the opponent when they are on 
the ground like Joe Striker so you can follow-up with another attack


--------
6.Combos
--------
Since Takuma is faster in KOF2000,you can win with only one combo since his 
Standing A's and Crouching B's are so combo friendly.You will see a lot of 
optional hits with his combos.Also please don't send me an email telling me 
that Takuma could replace his Crouching B with a Standing A or something like 
that in some of my combos cause I already know that Takuma can vary what he 
does whether it be a Crouching B x3 then a Crouching A or a Standing A, 
Crouching B x2 then blah blah blah...(I'll be here till kingdom come until 
I wrote up every way possible)

Sorry but I'm still stubborn about posting any combos involving Strikers,but 
as usual if you send me a Striker combo and I have tested that it works I 
will post it up and give full credits to you 

*=Optional

1.(best if opponent is in/near corner)
Jump D*, Standing C, Hisha Otoshi(forward + A), then with:
-Ko'ou Ken(qcf + A/C)
-C version Haou Shikou Ken(forward,hcf + C)
-A or SDM version Ryuuko Ranbu(qcf,hcb + A/AC), run up and do Keima 
Uchi(down-forward + B)(not guaranteed if will hit depending if your near the 
corner) 

2.(can add a before combo Jump D)
Crouching B, Crouching B(don't do the second one if you did a Jump D first,it 
will decrease the chance of combo working), Crouching A, Hisha Otoshi(forward 
+ A) _or_ Kawara Wari(forward + B), then with: 
-C version Ko'ou Ken(qcf + C)
-C version Haou Shikou Ken(forward,hcf + C)
-A or SDM version Ryuuko Ranbu(qcf,hcb + A/AC)(opponent has to be near corner 
if you do the A version), run up and do Keima Uchi(down-forward + B)(not 
guaranteed if will hit depending if your near the corner) 

3.Crossover Jump D, Standing A*, Standing A*, Standing A*, Crouching B, 
Crouching A, Hisha Otoshi(forward + A), then:
-C version Ko'ou Ken(qcf + C)
-C version Haou Shikou Ken(forward,hcf + C)
-A or SDM version Ryuuko Ranbu(qcf,hcb + A/AC)(opponent has to be near corner 
if you do the A version), run up and do Keima Uchi(down-forward + B)(not 
guaranteed if will hit depending if your near the corner) 

4.Crossover Jump D, Standing A*, Standing A*, Standing A, Hisha 
Otoshi(forward + A), Zanretsu Ken(forward,back,forward + A/C)

5.Crossover Jump D, Standing A*, Standing A*, Standing A*, Crouching B, 
Crouching A, Hisha Otoshi(forward + A)(cause knockdown), Keima 
Uchi(down-forward + B)

6.(version 1)
Crossover Jump D, Crouching B, Crouching B, Crouching B, Hisha Otoshi(forward 
+ A)(cause knockdown), Keima Uchi(down-forward + B)

6.(version 2)
Crossover Jump D, Crouching B, Crouching B, Crouching B, Hisha Otoshi(forward 
+ A), then follow with:
-C version Ko'ou Ken(qcf + C)
-C version Haou Shikou Ken(forward,hcf + C)
-A or SDM version Ryuuko Ranbu(qcf,hcb + A/AC)(opponent has to be near corner 
if you do the A version), run up and do Keima Uchi(down-forward + B)(not 
guaranteed if will hit depending if your near the corner) 


---------------
7.S-Team Combos
---------------
These are combos seen in the S-Team combo movies,which were these two very 
big(71mb and 35mb)Divx files(they came from a VCD full of combos made by this 
Hong Kong games magazine called "Game Weekly").I decided to add this section 
for those who can't see them(due to the requirements of the Divx codec)or 
just couldn't be bothered to download them.The combos are listed as exactly 
how it was done in the movies.Enjoy

1.(with opponent in corner and King as Striker)
Jump B, Standing C, Hisha Otoshi(forward + A), call King, Ko'ou Ken(qcf + 
A/C), C version Haou Shikou Ken(forward,hcf + C), C version Haou Shikou 
Ken(forward,hcf + C)(delay it until opponent is falling)

2.Crossover Jump D, Crouching B, Crouching B, Crouching A, Hisha 
Otoshi(forward + A), SDM Ryuuko Ranbu(qcf,hcb + AC)

3.(with opponent in corner and Maxima as Striker)
Jump D, Standing C, Hisha Otoshi(forward + A), call Maxima, C version Haou 
Shikou Ken(forward,hcf + C), Ryuuko Ranbu(qcf,hcb + A/C)

4.(with Vanessa as Striker)
Crossover Jump D, Standing C, Hisha Otoshi(forward + A), call Vanessa, Ko'ou 
Ken(qcf + A/C), run up a bit pass Vanessa and do Standing C, Hisha 
Otoshi(forward + A), SDM Ryuuko Ranbu(qcf,hcb + AC)


---------
8.Credits
---------

I would like to thank the following in helping me write this FAQ(In no 
particular order)

CJayC
-Without him you wouldn't be reading this FAQ
(www.gamefaqs.com)

Vincent Chua
-Many more combos for Takuma and others at his site.If your interested in 
finding out stuff about the KOF2000 Hong Kong comics this site is the best 
for that
(www.kofonline.com)

Chris MacDonald(Kao Megura)
-Always an inspiration for FAQ writers everywhere.Also got Takuma's moves' 
names from his FAQ
(i.am/kao)

Anyone I versed over the years in KOF(Stefan,Fat Cat Lim,Wolferaizer)
-For giving me an goal to beat you guys(except for Stefan,no offense),if not 
for these people I wouldn't want to learn how to play everybody

My gaming friends (Ivan, Bufa, Stefan, Jake, Jacky, Ming, FCL, Wolferaizer, 
Krizalid, Skinner, Jackson, William and the rest that I might have forgotten)
-Another reason for me to play games,to beat you guys(exception to 
Bufa,Krizalid and Ivan since you guys don't live near me)

Gunsmith      
-For posting up the S-Team videos,not to mention joining them 
together(another site posted the same videos up but they were in 10 or so 
WinRAR files so you had to link them together,all too complicated to me).I 
don't think you can still get them though

Neo-geo.com Bulletin Boards
-If you want to find out stuff about Neo-Geo hardware or Neo-Geo games,they 
have a bulletin board their to help you(very helpful).I frequent there 
everyday
(www.neo-geo.com or www.orochinagi.com) 

White Tower Team
-A site with tons of combos for various fighting games.
(www.white-tower.net)

Jared Low (Vivx)
-His site also features original combos for KOF2000 as well as characters' 
moves in graphical view.              
(www.shingohandbook.com)

Iie-Kyo
-The best KOF player near his area in Hawaii(except for the Singaporean player 
=P).And a hell of a English teacher

Game Weekly
-For releasing the S-Team combos on VCD

You
-For reading this FAQ


---------
9.History
---------
Version 1.0 (May 24th, 2001)  - FAQ up and ready
Version 1.1 (May 25th, 2001)  - Forgot to put an Introduction before,now 
                                it's there
Version 1.2 (May 26th, 2001)  - Made a correction to credits section
Version 1.3 (June 21st, 2001) - Grammar/spelling corrections
                                (thanks Iie-Kyo)
