Longtime Dead or Alive veteran & commentator, Shade Swifteye, was victorious at Kumite in Tennessee; which was the first Dead or Alive 6 offline tournament of 2020. Peruse the complete bracket at KIT's Smash.GG and also explore our exclusive report for this event together with the VOD replay of Top 8. Despite the staggering aftermath from the hustle and bustle nature of yearly holidays, roughly 50 players made it out from the community to Tennessee, hoping their skills were enough to obtain the elusive KIT Hayabusa 1st place trophy.
A lot of newcomers showed up to compete at KIT this year, and while it may show in their combo tech, new players typically respond with different kinds of damaging opportunities. Even if good combo implementation is preferred in offline combat, Dead or Alive does not force the fighter to rely on combo knowledge alone even in serious competitive matches considering the fact that grapplers have throws that can take away half of your health on High Counter. Danger Zones and rush combos also allow players a chance at getting rewarding damage without the need of several combo extensions and Close Hit combo-enders.
After Marie Rose was first released in Dead or Alive 5 many in the DOA community thought that she may be the new Kasumi becoming one of the most popular characters in the series history. With Dead or Alive 6 we have seen a shift back to Kasumi as the true poster character for DOA as a whole. Not just because she is a beautiful character, but she is also the best she has ever been mechanically since she was originally created in the 90s.
A plethora of fighters at this event can clearly see Kasumi's spot on the tier list as she is the most popular character selection at this event by a long-shot. Gravetitan played well with her deep stuns plus aggressive mind games with his set against Spider123 proving to be the most polarizing. Killsumi dominated opponents with intense speed and match psychology that put his opponents breaks on in hopes to mentally catch up with the runaway ninja.
With all that said, not every set at the event featured Kasumi, and Top 8 player, The Spine showed throughout KIT 2020 that Kokoro could be a solid counter-pick and a solid match-up throughout. Kokoro isn't a top character but her new additions and reset to Dead or Alive 6 is highly unexplored by top players in competitive play and could also prove to be a great surprise pocket character against those that don't bother studying the match-up because of the lack of offline Kokoro players. DOA6 becomes more competitive & studious when the community is diverse in their character selections and we are starting to see more of that offline as the lifespan continues for the game.
Shade Swifteye gave a commanding performance in pools before taking it all in Top 8. His performances with Kasumi & Hayate were enjoyable to spectate because his patience and delay really sets him apart from some of the other players in the scene. Fighters generally have a few rounds to figure out his unique playstyle and before they have the time to adapt it's over.
Top 8 Highlights
Shade Swifteye vs KIT Vandy
Shade & Vandy started their set by having a smash at the bar of 'Unforgetable' and while Vandy put up a great fight here, Shade was all over him with intense pressure and environment combo extensions ending with Close Hits. Shade is good at making sure that Vandy has no space with his Lisa, whom attempts a zoning game, but doesn't keep it alive for long. After Shade takes Lisa's room Kasumi slaps her around near the wall at a consistent rate and floods her face with a bloody barrage of kicks and jabs complete with deep stuns until Shade takes the set.
Killsumi vs PhilnMyself
PhilnMyself was successful at using the environment to help complete his combos, but Killsumi picked at Rig's health bar slowly and decisively used evasive techniques and parries to stay away from the dangerous flurry of kicks. Kasumi has a lot of mix-ups, and a lot of lows to throw off her foes, and Killsumi should be given credit on how he is able to maintain composure against Rig here; despite some close calls and well timed Break Blows from PhilnMyself.
The Spine vs KIT Vandy
Vandy really has improved since Dead or Alive 5 several years ago. He may not be as practiced as Kokoro, but his strong ability to adapt and complete combos goes a long way for his Lisa play. Against Vandy, Spine is playing a more patient game with Kokoro than he did in prior matches. He doesn't really have a choice because Vandy's pressure and mix-up game is confusing him and he's getting his damage throughout the set.
Spine started making adjustments in the second game and his defensive strategies finely started paying off. Instead of trying to out crush Lisa he started waiting for safe spots to throw out damaging throws and offensive holds near the environment to even the score. Vandy started pushing out attacks and Spine's patience allowed to him to see through it for an effective string of high counter holds. Spine won this set by staying true to his fight style all throughout it.
PhilnMyself vs Uncle Viz
You can tell that Uncle Viz has been in the lab with NiCO because his electrifying move selection is sure to shock and delight you. His offense against Rig is quite enjoyable to watch. His ranged moves combined with NiCO's zoning game proves that he knows what he's doing, and Rig isn't an easy character to out pressure. After pummeling Rig with some throbbing shock-wave combo strings it isn't long before PhilnMyself & Rig are knocked out of the competition.
Shade Swifteye vs Killsumi
Shade did a great job of finishing his combos on Killsumi with bounds plus the close hit and environments via the infamous 'Chinese Festival.' We haven't seen much from Hayate in offline tournaments and it's refreshing to see him played so gracefully. Hayate can be a big damage dealer that can bait his foes with 6P+K with damaging HC throws or throw launching options. Shade destroyed Killsumi this time around with Swift winning all three games in the FT3 set.
Unlce Viz vs The Spine
These two fighters had an awesome Kokoro mirror set and when you add Kokoro's combo reset with the crowd assist on 'Showdown' you get a really unique and interesting battle between a character we don't get to see played at high level that often. Spine was great at managing his meter, only using his power blows when they were useful decisions and mixing up strikes with offensive holds after raw baits. Viz played great, but Spine outpaced him in each game for a convincing victory.
Killsumi vs Spine
Spine is a great match for Killsumi because Kokoro challenges Kasumi in ways that she should be challenged. Kokoro's ranged pokes can really take Kasumi out of her zoning element, and when she's out of her element you run at her with environment extending OHs and throws. Spine uses the slippery stream to his advantage at 'Lost Paradise' and Killsumi barely edges Spine out in the first game despite all the advantages he had in this close match.
After taking two losses consecutively in this set Spine is able to regain his composure to stay on the board for another match after his stunning victory at 'A.P.O.' proving to himself and his opponent that he could adapt at a high level in Top 8. Even if Killsumi adapted and won the set, Spine was close to figuring Killsumi out throughout these exciting matches.
Shade was able to withstand the pressure of Kasumi for the majority of this set with Hayate, and he put Kasumi down over this Grand Final with a bevy of excellently timed throw punishes. His patience is a thing of legend in the DOA community and it's finally showcased in DOA6 impeccably at KIT 2020. Most people that are familiar with Shade know that he does get tournament nerves, but despite that he is able to perform under pressure and maintain his presence of being calm, cool & collected.
Killsumi did everything he could to break through Hayate's defense, but it didn't happen often. Shade was watching Hayate's legs for Kasumi's pesky lows and reflected them with more throw punishing. Shade Swifteye effortlessly destroyed Killsumi in ways that no other fighter at KIT 2020 could that day and it was a well earned win for Shade.
Overall KIT 2020 was a fun event with a much needed win for Shade Swifteye whom has just finished his commentating for the first season of the Dead or Alive 6 World Championship. Be sure to take a second to thank Shade for his hard work for the community and congratulate him for winning the rare and exclusive KIT 2020 Hayabusa trophy!
Highlights from Pools
A lot of newcomers showed up to compete at KIT this year, and while it may show in their combo tech, new players typically respond with different kinds of damaging opportunities. Even if good combo implementation is preferred in offline combat, Dead or Alive does not force the fighter to rely on combo knowledge alone even in serious competitive matches considering the fact that grapplers have throws that can take away half of your health on High Counter. Danger Zones and rush combos also allow players a chance at getting rewarding damage without the need of several combo extensions and Close Hit combo-enders.
After Marie Rose was first released in Dead or Alive 5 many in the DOA community thought that she may be the new Kasumi becoming one of the most popular characters in the series history. With Dead or Alive 6 we have seen a shift back to Kasumi as the true poster character for DOA as a whole. Not just because she is a beautiful character, but she is also the best she has ever been mechanically since she was originally created in the 90s.
A plethora of fighters at this event can clearly see Kasumi's spot on the tier list as she is the most popular character selection at this event by a long-shot. Gravetitan played well with her deep stuns plus aggressive mind games with his set against Spider123 proving to be the most polarizing. Killsumi dominated opponents with intense speed and match psychology that put his opponents breaks on in hopes to mentally catch up with the runaway ninja.
With all that said, not every set at the event featured Kasumi, and Top 8 player, The Spine showed throughout KIT 2020 that Kokoro could be a solid counter-pick and a solid match-up throughout. Kokoro isn't a top character but her new additions and reset to Dead or Alive 6 is highly unexplored by top players in competitive play and could also prove to be a great surprise pocket character against those that don't bother studying the match-up because of the lack of offline Kokoro players. DOA6 becomes more competitive & studious when the community is diverse in their character selections and we are starting to see more of that offline as the lifespan continues for the game.
Shade Swifteye gave a commanding performance in pools before taking it all in Top 8. His performances with Kasumi & Hayate were enjoyable to spectate because his patience and delay really sets him apart from some of the other players in the scene. Fighters generally have a few rounds to figure out his unique playstyle and before they have the time to adapt it's over.
Top 8 Highlights
Shade Swifteye vs KIT Vandy Shade & Vandy started their set by having a smash at the bar of 'Unforgetable' and while Vandy put up a great fight here, Shade was all over him with intense pressure and environment combo extensions ending with Close Hits. Shade is good at making sure that Vandy has no space with his Lisa, whom attempts a zoning game, but doesn't keep it alive for long. After Shade takes Lisa's room Kasumi slaps her around near the wall at a consistent rate and floods her face with a bloody barrage of kicks and jabs complete with deep stuns until Shade takes the set.
Killsumi vs PhilnMyself PhilnMyself was successful at using the environment to help complete his combos, but Killsumi picked at Rig's health bar slowly and decisively used evasive techniques and parries to stay away from the dangerous flurry of kicks. Kasumi has a lot of mix-ups, and a lot of lows to throw off her foes, and Killsumi should be given credit on how he is able to maintain composure against Rig here; despite some close calls and well timed Break Blows from PhilnMyself.
The Spine vs KIT Vandy Vandy really has improved since Dead or Alive 5 several years ago. He may not be as practiced as Kokoro, but his strong ability to adapt and complete combos goes a long way for his Lisa play. Against Vandy, Spine is playing a more patient game with Kokoro than he did in prior matches. He doesn't really have a choice because Vandy's pressure and mix-up game is confusing him and he's getting his damage throughout the set.
Spine started making adjustments in the second game and his defensive strategies finely started paying off. Instead of trying to out crush Lisa he started waiting for safe spots to throw out damaging throws and offensive holds near the environment to even the score. Vandy started pushing out attacks and Spine's patience allowed to him to see through it for an effective string of high counter holds. Spine won this set by staying true to his fight style all throughout it.
PhilnMyself vs Uncle Viz You can tell that Uncle Viz has been in the lab with NiCO because his electrifying move selection is sure to shock and delight you. His offense against Rig is quite enjoyable to watch. His ranged moves combined with NiCO's zoning game proves that he knows what he's doing, and Rig isn't an easy character to out pressure. After pummeling Rig with some throbbing shock-wave combo strings it isn't long before PhilnMyself & Rig are knocked out of the competition.
Shade Swifteye vs Killsumi Shade did a great job of finishing his combos on Killsumi with bounds plus the close hit and environments via the infamous 'Chinese Festival.' We haven't seen much from Hayate in offline tournaments and it's refreshing to see him played so gracefully. Hayate can be a big damage dealer that can bait his foes with 6P+K with damaging HC throws or throw launching options. Shade destroyed Killsumi this time around with Swift winning all three games in the FT3 set.
Unlce Viz vs The Spine
Killsumi vs Spine Spine is a great match for Killsumi because Kokoro challenges Kasumi in ways that she should be challenged. Kokoro's ranged pokes can really take Kasumi out of her zoning element, and when she's out of her element you run at her with environment extending OHs and throws. Spine uses the slippery stream to his advantage at 'Lost Paradise' and Killsumi barely edges Spine out in the first game despite all the advantages he had in this close match.
After taking two losses consecutively in this set Spine is able to regain his composure to stay on the board for another match after his stunning victory at 'A.P.O.' proving to himself and his opponent that he could adapt at a high level in Top 8. Even if Killsumi adapted and won the set, Spine was close to figuring Killsumi out throughout these exciting matches.
Grand Final
Killsumi vs Shade Swifteye
Killsumi vs Shade Swifteye Shade was able to withstand the pressure of Kasumi for the majority of this set with Hayate, and he put Kasumi down over this Grand Final with a bevy of excellently timed throw punishes. His patience is a thing of legend in the DOA community and it's finally showcased in DOA6 impeccably at KIT 2020. Most people that are familiar with Shade know that he does get tournament nerves, but despite that he is able to perform under pressure and maintain his presence of being calm, cool & collected.
Killsumi did everything he could to break through Hayate's defense, but it didn't happen often. Shade was watching Hayate's legs for Kasumi's pesky lows and reflected them with more throw punishing. Shade Swifteye effortlessly destroyed Killsumi in ways that no other fighter at KIT 2020 could that day and it was a well earned win for Shade.
Overall KIT 2020 was a fun event with a much needed win for Shade Swifteye whom has just finished his commentating for the first season of the Dead or Alive 6 World Championship. Be sure to take a second to thank Shade for his hard work for the community and congratulate him for winning the rare and exclusive KIT 2020 Hayabusa trophy!
Last edited:
