To prepare Killer Instinct players ahead of Eagle’s release on Tuesday, Iron Galaxy have released the 3.8 patch notes for KI. No major system changes to report in this patch, outside of a bug fix which stops certain characters cancelling normals into specials from too far away. The main targets of the nerf bat in this patch are Thunder and Fulgore, with Jago, Shadow Jago and Rash getting a smattering of frame data changes.
The Thunder changes are meant to make his wakeup options less scary, so players can better threaten the chief on wakeup. As such, Hornbreaker no longer deals chip damage and its counter-hit damage has been reduced by 50%. All versions of Sammamish are now throw vulnerable on the first eight frames, while all versions of Ankle Slicer are throw vulnerable. Ankle Slicer is also vulnerable for its first two frames, meaning Thunder players now have to wary of meaty throws and lows. Thunder’s Murder of Crows forward dash is throw vulnerable, with MoC only being special cancellable if he is in Instinct.
As for Ultratech’s killer robot, Fulgore can no longer pip cancel while an opponent is Shadow-Countering. According to the developer notes, everyone knew “this ability was too strong” so this change should make it so Fulgore players have to respect the threat of a Shadow Counter. Along with making his crouching light and heavy kick less safe on block, Fulgore’s medium laser has received some frame data changes so it is a little more dangerous to whiff. Medium and heavy Cyber Uppercut are now vulnerable to lows on frame one, meaning characters with armor can now contest this move at close range. While it isn’t a permanent fix, Fulgore’s teleport VFX now ends four frames faster, which should make it a little easier to see on certain stages.
For all the character changes and bug fixes, check out the usual patch post over on Ultra Combo and watch the breakdown video below to see a sneak peak at Aganos’ Ultimate.
Sources: Killer Instinct; Ultra-Combo