Supercharger, as it goes by name in the Tekken Tag Tournament command list, is a common move for every playable character in all games after Tekken 2 (excluding Tekken 4). It brings the character into a state of what is known as Ki Power, hence the more popular name Ki Charge.
It is executed by pressing down all attack-buttons (Left Punch, Right Punch, Left Kick, Right Kick, also written as 1+2+3+4) simultaneously (all together). The fighter will then glow with his or her standard Charge Glow for 55 frames (0.91 seconds) during which no other input can be made. After the charge-up is completed, the fighter's hands (when standing still) or attacking limb will glow with light blue energy (pink in Tekken 5 and yellow starting in Tekken 6) for 600 frames (10 seconds). This time frame ends prematurely if either side connects an attack.
Some characters, such as Bob and Feng, also have special, prolonged charge animations if the player holds down 1+2+3+4. There are also several moves starting in Tekken 6 that can manually supercharge shortly after such as Bob and Slim Bob's Apicius Special.
There exists alternative ways for characters to achieve a state similar to Ki Power, without using the supercharger, such as Paul Phoenix being in full crouch for 1½ second (only applies to Tekken 4 and above), Doctor Bosconovitch pressing 3+4 when standing, Jin using Force, Raven using Summon Force, etc.
There are also several secret moves that can only be accessed by Ki Charging first as well. Such examples include: the Julia Hug, Asuka's Ultimate Tackle, and the Omen Hell Axle.
Advantages/Disadvantages[]
Ki Power gives the character the following advantages while in effect:
- The character will inflict 1.4-1.5 times more damage than normally on his/her first attack (does not apply to throws).
- The first attack that hits will have Counter Attack properties.
- Prior to Tekken 8, the opponent receives 10% chip damage.
Ki Power gives the character the following disadvantages while in effect:
- The character will be unable to block.
- The opponent will inflict 1.4-1.5 times more damage than normally on his/her first attack.
- The first attack of the opponent will have Counter Attack properties.
Trivia[]
- In Tekken Tag Tournament, if a character were to charge and tag out, the partner will also retain ki charge status for the rest of the duration. In Tekken Tag Tournament 2, each character's ki charge is treated separately from their partner.
- Some characters say different phrases as they gain supercharge. For example, Dr. Bosconovitch says "EUREKKAA!" as he powers up in Tekken Tag Tournament 2.
- In Tekken 5, King was given a special Ki Charge animation and was among the few characters in the game to have such an animation alongside Marduk and Jack-5. Beginning with Dark Resurrection and succeeding titles, more charge animations were created for several characters.
- Alisa can transition to Destroy Form while Ki Charging.
- Alisa's charge animation crushes low attacks. In Tekken Tag Tournament 2 onwards, Devil Jin's charge animation also crushes lows.
- Since his introduction, the poison breath that Armor King II puffs out during his charge animation can damage the opponent, but only if they are mid-air and at close range. Landing the poison breath also doesn't remove ki charge status. Uniquely, the breath will still do full damage on mid-air opponents.
- In Tekken 6 and onwards, if Marshall Law ki charges, but the player continues to hold down 1+2+3+4, Marshall will continue to charge until he finally stumbles momentarily.
- From Tekken 3 to Tekken 5, if Hwoarang ki charges from Right Stance, he will remain in the stance as he charges. In Tekken 6 onward, he will switch back to his default stance automatically. Oddly, in Tekken 3D: Prime Edition, if Hwoarang ki charges from Right Stance, he will remain in it like older games.
- In Tekken 3, Doctor Bosconovitch's 1+2+3+4 ki charge can only be performed when he is grounded on his back.
- When escaping Doctor Bosconovitch's Brain Drain in Tekken 3, the receiver will automatically ki charge.
- When another Doctor Bosconovitch attempts to escape the stun, he will instantly be grounded as he ki charges.
- Self-inflicted damage such as Yoshimitsu's Double Suicide will not consume the user's ki charge status.