The King of Fighters AFK (hereinafter KOF AFK) has just introduced its latest fighter, Athena Asamiya. Top-tier players didn't waste a single moment to power her up, and the result? She has smashed her way into the charts, claiming the 5th spot in overall pick rates. This shift has sent the demand for 'Endurance' synergy fighters through the roof, as players scramble to find her perfect partner. Let's dive into the Meca Ranking to see how the meta shifted this week.

Ranked Match TOP 100 Composition Statistics

※ Data is based on deck information from TOP 100 rankers across KR-1, 2, and 3 servers.
※ Please note that there may be slight discrepancies with current real-time ranker decks.
※ We plan to expand the server coverage in the future.

Athena debuted with a staggering 53% pick rate, securing 5th place overall. She has effectively dethroned Tung Fu Rue as the go-to for Endurance synergy. Given her long-standing popularity from the original series and her sheer utility, it is no surprise that rankers were quick to put her to the test.

With Athena in the mix, players are doubling down on Endurance, and the partner of choice is none other than Tung Fu Rue. His active skill provides a shield to allies, significantly boosting team survivability. Before Athena arrived, he was the most popular Endurance pick, but his pick rate has surged from a mere 3.7% last week to a massive 33% following her release.

Of course, for every new face on the chart, there is a casualty. Yuri and Shermie are the most notable fallers. Yuri dropped from 6th to 9th, while Shermie slipped from 8th to 10th. Both were mainstays of the popular 'Wedge' synergy, but they have taken quite a hit this week.

Yuri’s pick rate cratered from 33% to 15%—less than half of what it was last week. The likely culprit? Athena’s active skill also provides an 'Attack Increase' buff, essentially making Yuri redundant. Shermie, often paired with Yuri, suffered a similar fate; without a partner to activate the Wedge synergy, her pick rate plummeted from 31.3% to 12.7%.

In the midst of this, Orochi Leona managed to climb the ranks. While her actual pick rate dipped by 2.3 percentage points to 55%, she ascended to 4th place simply because Chizuru, the previous 4th-place holder, saw a sharper decline. It’s a classic case of rising by default as the old guard loses its footing.

Meanwhile, KUSANAGI and Isla, once essential for Terry's 'Execution' synergy, have been pushed out of the top 10. Orochi Iori, the Special synergy stalwart, is slowly being phased out by Leona, dropping to 8th. It will be fascinating to see just how far the 'Athena Effect' will ripple across the meta.

Ranker Synergy Preferences

As expected, interest in Endurance has surged. It recorded a 40% share among the surveyed rankers, with 120 users picking it up—a tenfold increase from just 12 users the previous week. It is clear that the Athena-Tung Fu Rue duo has become the new standard.

The previously dominant 'Rage' and 'Execution' synergies saw minor pullbacks. Rage dropped 4.7 percentage points to 91.3%, while Execution fell 7.5 percentage points to 56.7%. That said, with powerhouses like Kyo, Mai, and Terry still in the game, these synergies aren't going anywhere.

The biggest loser was, inevitably, Wedge. The rise of Endurance has left it in the dust, with its share dropping 14.5 percentage points to 12.7%. As we noted earlier, the decline of Yuri and Shermie in favor of the new Endurance meta is directly reflected here.

A Look at Ranker Combinations

This week, we are highlighting 'Blood Demon', currently ranked 1st on the KR-3 server. Their lineup features Kyo, Athena, Terry, Tung Fu Rue, and Orochi Leona—activating 2 Rage, 2 Endurance, and 1 Special synergy. Rage is powered by Kyo and the pet Anone, while Athena and Tung Fu Rue handle the Endurance side.

As we have discussed, this build perfectly hits the Rage and Endurance synergies using the Athena-Tung Fu Rue core, which has become the de facto choice for top-tier players.

One peculiar detail is the inclusion of Terry. Even though the 'Execution' synergy cannot be activated in this specific setup, he remains a staple. It seems this player has taken Terry to 10 stars, relying on his raw, individual power rather than synergy bonuses.

User Poll - Which synergy pairs best with Endurance?

Last time, we asked, 'Which synergy would you like to see a new fighter for?' and the results were clear: 'Special' won by a landslide with 64.7% of the vote. Currently, with only Orochi Iori and Orochi Leona available, this synergy is highly valued for its potency and ease of activation. 'Wedge' followed in 2nd place with 23.5%, with 'Rage' and 'Execution' trailing behind.

With Athena shaking up the charts, it is clear that players are experimenting with fresh team compositions. As everyone tries to figure out the best secondary synergy to pair with Endurance, we want to hear your thoughts. Vote in our latest poll, and we will reveal the results in the next Meca Ranking. Best of luck with your pulls!