The Legend-grade fighter Rugal is currently enjoying a meteoric rise in 'The King of Fighters AFK' (hereinafter KOF AFK). We are seeing a significant surge in both his overall pick rate and the utilization of his 'Wedge' synergy. It seems our top-tier rankers are cottoning on to the fact that Rugal’s raw performance is simply too good to ignore, prompting them to lean heavily into the Wedge synergy.

Ranking Battle TOP 100 Composition Statistics

※ Data reflects deck information from the 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 future reports.

Rugal’s pick rate has ballooned in just a single week, climbing a staggering 12.7 percentage points to hit 39%. This shift has propelled him up the overall fighter pick rate rankings, firmly securing him 7th place.

This popularity seems well-earned, thanks to a kit that packs quite a punch. Rugal single-handedly provides an increase in ally Finish skill damage and defense, while simultaneously debuffing the enemy's attack. Given that you only have five slots to work with, his ability to bundle multiple buffs is a massive boon. Expect his reign to continue for a good while.

To feed into this Rugal-centric strategy, other Wedge synergy fighters are also seeing a bump. Yuri rose from 12.3% to 14%—a 1.7 percentage point increase—while Shermie saw a modest gain from 10.3% to 11.3%. As Rugal cements his status as a meta staple, we expect the pick rates for these two to follow suit.

Looking at the broader landscape, the jump of Orochi Leona to 2nd place is hard to miss. Her pick rate now sits at 64%, up 3.3 percentage points from last week. This pushed Mai, who had been holding onto the 2nd spot for quite some time, down to 3rd. Amongst the Special synergy fighters, Orochi Leona’s popularity remains effectively unrivaled.

Aside from Rugal and Orochi Leona, the pick rates for most of the TOP 10 fighters have seen a general decline. Kyo still clings to the top spot overall, though his 70% pick rate is looking shaky. Athena has slipped below the 50% mark to 49.7%, with her Endurance synergy partner Tung Fu Rue following the same downward trend. With new fighters on the horizon in the next update, those currently struggling will likely find it difficult to maintain their footing.

Ranker Synergy Preference

Rugal’s dominance has rippled out into the synergy preferences of top rankers. Aside from the Special synergy, Wedge is the only one to see an increase in its share. This week, 79 players adopted it, hitting 26.3%. This indicates that rankers are actively swapping out other synergy fighters to make room for Wedge. While Special synergies are easier to slot in since they work solo, Wedge requires at least two, making a 5.6% jump over last week a clear testament to the potency of the Rugal-Wedge combo.

Most other synergies have dipped slightly, with 'Sturdy' trailing at a mere 1% usage among only 3 players. At this rate, it might end up as neglected as 'Rush'. However, with the upcoming addition of Goenitz—who brings the Rush synergy—the entire landscape of synergy usage is poised for a shake-up. We shall see what that brings in the next Meca Ranking.

A Peek at Ranker Combinations

This time, we’re looking at 'N-Cheonma', currently ranked 1st on the KR-2 server at the time of data collection. Their lineup consists of Spooky Mature, King, Terry, Orochi Iori, and Tung Fu Rue. They’ve activated Endurance 3, Execution 2, and Special 1. Endurance is powered by King, Tung Fu Rue, and the unique pet Queny, while Spooky Mature and Terry handle the Execution synergy, with Orochi Iori rounding it out as the Special pick.

This user has opted for two fighters rarely seen at the top: King and Orochi Iori. King sits at a 1% overall pick rate, and Orochi Iori is gradually fading as Orochi Leona continues to dominate. It seems the strategy relies on the survivability provided by the Endurance 3 synergy, punctuated by the decisive strikes of Spooky Mature and Terry.

User Poll - Which new fighter are you most excited for?

Last week, we polled you on 'Which synergy pairs best with Wedge?' Fury took the top spot by a narrow margin. With excellent fighters like Kyo, Mai, and Chizuru in the fold, it remains a firm fan favourite. Execution followed closely behind; with mainstays like Terry and Spooky Mature bringing the heavy firepower, it’s a natural fit for Wedge.

As mentioned, the next update will introduce new faces: Goenitz, a Rush synergy fighter, and the Special synergy fighter 'Orochi', as teased in the developer notes. Both look set to be absolute powerhouses. So, which of these two are you most excited to get your hands on? Cast your votes, and we’ll reveal the results in the next Meca Ranking.