Mortal Kombat hint file IV : Strategy tips.

History : I started writing these hint files do that other Kombaters wouldn`t
have to learn these moves and strategies by wasting all their money or, worse,
not learn them at all. And it helps me look important. I wrote my first hint
file after I learned all the moves; the other files I`ve written as I learned
more and more about the rules of the game, and how to beat the computer and
human opponents. I will continue to write these files until I`ve written all
there is to know about the game, or until Mortal Kombat II comes out.

Revised computer strategies :  I`ve recently discovered that the computer has
three modes of play that it uses. As you advance in the game, it will switch
from one to two, and then from two to three. These modes are :

1.) This is the simplest of the three and involves very few special moves. The
computer basically will keep walking toward you so it can hit you with the
rapid punches. The easiest thing to do here is to keep using the jump attack.
Just jump toward them and press kick; then walk backward some and jump again.
You can take off almost all their life by doing this before the finally get
around to blocking the kicks. When they start to block the kicks, they will do
the rapid punches afterward. All you need to is the jump kick, then a sweep.
This will knock your opponent down. Then get real close, hold the joystick
forward, and press low kick. The character you are using will knee your
opponent in the stomach, and they will fall down again. Then just repeat the
routine. This is the really stupid mode, and after a little practice you should
start getting double flawlesses.

2.) In this mode the computer will try to do it`s special moves more than the
rapid punches. Your opponents will start jumping straight up and kicking to
avoid your jump kicks. To get around this, you must stop walking backwards and 
just jump from where you are standing. Also, you must press the kick button
very early so that your foot is already out by the time you are decending
toward your opponent. This will make sure that they cannot counterattack your
jump kick by jumping straight up, and will make sure you do not get uppercutted
out of the air. (You can also use this on human players to avoid the same
fate.) In this mode the computer won`t try the rapid punches, but will try
something else, usually his\her fireball. This is even better for you, because
all you have to do is right after you press the kick button, hold defence. You
will be defended when the computer tries it`s move, and you can uppercut your
opponent right afterward. I get a lot of millage out of this one move. (Hmmm...
I just had a thought. I wonder if you could just duck without holding block.
This would be better, because you wouldn`t take blocked damage from the 
fireball, and if they try the rapid punches, you won`t get hit from that
either. Hhmmmmm..... I think I`ll try that.)

3.) In this mode the computer gets real sneaky. It SEEMS to revert to mode one,
but it`s actually trying to throw to you off. It will use a combination of
modes one and two to throw you off guard. I`ve have found that the best way to
handle it is to use mode number one`s method, except to not use the knee. If
the computer tries to throw out the fireball, your sweep will let you duck
under it, and then you can go to number two`s method. In this mode the computer
does a lot of annoying things, like timing the fireball perfectly, so that if
you jump backwards you get hit. I haven`t found a perfect defence for it yet,
but I`m working on it. Just use the moves from modes one and two, and I`ll try
to come up with a foolproof system.

Individual Character tips :

(Note : One might surmise from the content of my tips that I like Scorpion more
than the other characters. Not so. I simply use him most of the time against
the computer. I usually use either Scorpion or Lu Kang against human players.
Thus, most of the "Insider" tips I`ve discovered are either for those two
characters. The ones for the other characters I have had them done to me by 
experts of the other characters.)

Scorpion : Here is a method you can use to beat Goro flawless, or nearly so.
Usually when you fight Goro you can hit him with one Rope Spear/Uppercut
without him blocking. I then do a couple of jump kicks and try to catch him
with the spear again. However, here is a much better way I discovered only
yesterday. At the start of the match, jump backward. Then do a jump kick
forward. This will knock Goro down and back. As soon as you land throw the
spear; you will get him every time! After you uppercut him jump backwards and
repeat the same routine on him. You SHOULD get double flawlesses after some
practice. I just discovered this one yesterday, so I`m not yet good with it
myself yet. A good routine to use on Cage goes like this. Do something to get
him on the ground, using one of the mode methods above, and jump backwards.
Then start walking backwards and wait. As soon as he gets up he will use the
shadow kick. He won`t come near you with it, so just throw the spear. You`ll
get him every time. He will be knocked down after the uppercut, so just keep
doing the same routine. If he throws the fireball instead, just duck without
the hitting the block button. Then try to knock him down again. An easy move to
use against Shang Tsung is this : When the match first starts, jump toward him.
He will slide backwards. Keep jumping until he is in the corner. Then jump one
more time; he will change to Raiden and disappear. HA! Here`s what you do :
you`ll still be in the air when he dissapears so tap FORWARD twice and press
low punch. You`ll throw the spear out as soon as you land. Thuck! COME HERE!
BAM!! Easy damage. (This can also be used against Rainden in a modified way;
see the weakness section below.)

Lu Kang : Lu Kang has the best combo in the game. It takes off almost half
damage, with no possible defense! Here`s how to do it : You have to catch your
opponent with a jump attack; then do the charging kick. You have to time it just
right, but it`s an awesome combo. What happens on the screen is the guy`s feet
will hit the ground, then Lu Kang will charge and they will be hit standing up.
It takes a lot of work to perfect this one (I haven`t mastered it yet) but it`s
the best combo in the game. A nifty little thing to do with Lu Kang is the
extended Death Scene. I brushed on this earlier, but here`s the full story :
When it says "Finish Him" get far away, and do the Death Scene. Lu Kang will do
his little leg thing, but he will be too far away to connect. You can then do
anything you want to the guy, as long as it doesn`t knock him down. My
suggestion is : two fireballs, jump punch, Standing high kick, Standing high
punch, and then the Death Scene again. This is the ultimate Death Scene. It`s
even better if you`re at the pit, because the guy will fall in after all the
above stuff. Do this one if you want to impress someone.
(Author`s note : I didn`t think up these Lu Kang moves. I mainly use Scorpion,
so I don`t devote much time to Lu Kang. I figured these moves out by watching
Charleston`s resident Lu Kang expert, Tyrone. I give him full credit.)

Individual Character weaknesses : Human Players.

(These weaknesses apply to human players only because the computer uses the
same moves for all the characters. These weaknesses are inherent to the
characters and their moves; they do not depend on individual human play
style.)

Kano : Kano`s roll, if blocked, is vulnerable to a fireballs. This is
especially true with Subby and Scorpion.

Raiden : Raiden`s disappearing move is vulnerable to fireballs also, although
only a few people know this, and a couple of characters cannot take advantage
of it. The idea is simple : While Raiden is reforming, he is vulnerable attack.
The best way to do take advantage of this is with a fireball. The way to do
this is to start the fireball, reversing the normal joystick directions.
Example : For Scorpion press low punch rapidly while tapping the joystick
forward. To your opponent, this will look like you are trying to get the
fireball off, but can`t do it. So they disappear, and THUCK! COME HERE! This
will not work, or at least would take more timing and skill than I`ve got, with
Raiden or Sub-Zero. Another Raiden weakness is the football tackle. If your
opponent does one, and you block it, don`t wait for him to hit the ground. Jump
right after him, and kick him while he is still spinning. BAM! Or if you`re Lu
Kang you can use the charging kick combo. If you`re Scorpion or Sub-Zero, you can use
the spear or freeze on him, but it takes timing.

Scorpion : The most obvious Scorpion weakness is his spear. It takes a long
time for him to recover if you miss, or your opponent blocks. If you don`t
belive me, just try to throw the spear on the mirror match! The best way to
take advantage of this is to throw your fireball after you duck or block the
spear. If you`re close enough, you can uppercut him. POP! If all your opponent
does is disapear from one side of the screen to the other, duck down and wait
on him. Most of the time, they will disappear and sweep right after. Just block
the sweep, and throw the #$@!*$%!!!! It works!!

Lu Kang : He has the same weakness after a failed charging kick, with the
difference that he can be uppercutted.

Sub-Zero : He has the same weakness as Scorpion`s fireball. Also, if you block
a slide, move in and throw him.

Sonya : Sonya`s only inherent weakness is if you block the leg throw, you can
uppercut her.

by ROADBLOCK

Well, that`s it Kombaters!!! Next time I will be discussing character vs.
Character matches plus more! You can D\L the whole collection at the White
Knight BBS (304) 346-3419. Uncensored! FROST 18:3/5.