In Killer Instinct, there are ten playable characters ranging from men made of fire or ice, to skeletons, to jungle queens, to professional boxers, among others. Each character has a repertoire of special moves. Each character is ... capable of attacking opponents with "combos." Combos are punch and kick combinations which result in an opponent being hit three or more times without the opponent being able to hit back or block. Killer Instinct is one of the first games developed to rely heavily upon combos as a major portion of the action. Combos typically do great damage to opponents.