Rugal Bernstein

Rugal Bernstein (ルガール・バーンシュタイン, Rugāru Bānshutain) is a recurring boss in the SNK Playmore King of Fighters fighting game series and is often considered one of the most difficult bosses in the entire series. On their tenth anniversary website, SNK has stated that Rugal was originally based on the concept of the "mightiest (most violent) and most evil boss character ever."

His fighting style is an amalgam of various arts, including Hakkyokuseiken and House of Strolheim, the styles used by Geese Howard and Wolfgang Krauser. He has adapted several moves from each character, such as Geese's Reppuken and Krauser's Kaiser Wave, though he also uses his own techniques, like the Genocide Cutter. Toyohisa Tanabe states that his fighting style was created to emphasize Rugal's strength as the first KoF boss character. He also comments "going a bit overboard" with Genocide Cutter's damage ratio in The King of Fighters '94.

Story
The details of Rugal's early life are unknown, but by the events of The King of Fighters, Rugal had become an international arms dealer, operating out of his aircraft carrier BlackNoah, accompanied by servants and his pet panther, Rodem. Rugal was not only feared in international politics, but also in the fighting world; as a vicious combatant, Rugal took his defeated foes and dipped them in liquid metal, making them into statues to commemorate his battles.

Heidern, a mercenary leader, had been trying to infiltrate Rugal's operation, which prompted Rugal to kidnap his wife and daughter, daring him to try and mount a rescue. When Heidern brought an entire company to the BlackNoah, Rugal, by himself, wiped it out to a man, and would have killed Heidern if his family had not interevened. Instead, he killed them and left Heidern with one eye and grievous injuries.

Rugal later sensed a tremendous power in the middle of nowhere, and when he went to take it for himself, Goenitz appeared, took out his eye with one strike, and gave him a small portion of the power of Orochi for surviving the attack. Returning to the BlackNoah, Rugal had a bionic eye implanted, and recruited two secretaries: Mature and Vice. With their help, Rugal organized a King of Fighters tournament, in order to find worthy opponents. During the invitation phase, Saisyu Kusanagi came to the BlackNoah and challenged Rugal. Although Rugal won the battle, he did not subject him to his metal bath. When Saisyu's son, Kyo, arrived with his teammates, he defeated Rugal. Unwilling to accept defeat, Rugal blew up his ship.

Rugal was believed dead, but he used the Orochi power to survive. Replacing his destroyed right forearm with cybernetics, Rugal revived Saisyu, brainwashed him, and sent out invitations the following year for another King of Fighters tournament. Rugal used an abandoned missile silo as his base in 1995, and abducted the winning team (again, Kyo's team) to fight Saisyu, and then himself. Despite using the Orochi power and becoming 'Omega Rugal,' Kyo's defeated him. Again beaten, Rugal tried to use more of the Orochi power, but it consumed him. As his body disintegrated, he saw Iori Yagami, who told him that only those "of the bloodline" could control Orochi's power.

Personality
Rugal is very powerful and he knows that. He is very ruthless and rude man who will kill anyone who stands on his way.

Powers
Gather energy: Rugal can channel energy from Gaia and other sources, including Orochi's power.

Sense: Rugal can sense chi energy of whom is nearby.

Energy Projectile: Rugal can fire projectiles of energy from his hands.

Energy Reflector: Rugal can create a barrier that reflects projectiles.

Slashing hands: Rugal's hands can cut and pierce an enemy.

Slashing aura: Rugal can create a cutting aura around his legs.

Skills
Mimicary - Rugal is able to mimic and learn moves of other fighters just by observing them.

Fighting Style
His fighting style has techniques from many other fighting styles.

Music

 * Ketchaku R&D (Showdown R&D) - The King of Fighters 94
 * The RR - The King of Fighters 98
 * Rugal - Athena On Stage

Voice Actors

 * Toshimitsu Arai - The King of Fighters series ('94~'95, '98, 2000), Capcom vs SNK titles
 * Norio Wakamoto - The King of Fighters 2002
 * Banjō Ginga - The King of Fighters '94 Dengeki drama CD

Game Appearances



 * The King of Fighters 94 - boss character
 * The King of Fighters 98 - playable character
 * The King of Fighters 2000 - maniac striker for Kula
 * The King of Fighters 2002 - boss/playable character
 * Capcom vs SNK - playable character
 * Capcom vs SNK Pro. - playable character
 * Capcom vs SNK 2 - playable character

Similar Characters

 * Omega Rugal
 * God Rugal