swag1
EX smash solves all
Morph Guide: In Progress, Scorpion + Sub so far
Reboot, going in alphabetical order. Work in progress, just wanted to get some out there.
NOTE: YOU DO NOT HAVE TO USE THE EX SOUL STEAL BnBs WHEN USING EX SOUL STEAL, JUST ADD 3 SECONDS TO THE TIME YOU HAVE TO PERFORM THE NORMAL BnB
JIP = Jump in Punch
NJP = Neutral Jump Punch
JK = Jump Kick
Animation = Soul Steal Animation
Post-Morph = After he morphs back into Shang Tsung from the character he was morphed as
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ERMAC
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Thanks to Embarq85 for his Ermac video, gave me some important info
SC = Slight Charge
TKP = Telekinetic Push (Force Push)
Noteworthy Tools:
-3 1 2 string
-Charge move can be cancelled
-TKP has great range
-Force Lift
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Ermac has some devastating combos, as well as crazy punishes. he can zone decently with TKP Force Lift and Force Ball, and puts enemies at a distance with TKP which sets up Shang Tsung skull zoning. Other than that, he has a punishable teleport, but makes up for it with his monster damage. Try to end all Ermac combos with a TKP to put them at full distance where skulls can reach but TKP cannot.
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Special Moves:
Force Ball: 11% Damage, Enhanced Force Ball: 14% Damage (2 Hits)
Airblast: 11% Damage, Enhanced Airblast: 16% Damage
Teleport: 11% Damage, Enhanced Teleport: 14% Damage (2 Hits)
Force Lift: 6% Damage (2 Hits), Enhanced Force Lift: 11% Damage (3 Hits)
Hover Slam (Unblockable): 11% Damage, Enhanced Hover Slam (Faster): 11% Damage (Useless)
TKP: 14% Damage (2 Hits), Enhanced TKP: 19% Damage (2 Hits), actually reads 3 with damage info on, probably a glitch specific to morph
X-Ray Damage: 46% (3 Hits)
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BnB Combos:
50% Damage (10 Hits): 3 1 ~ Force Lift, JK ~ Teleport, 2 2 ~ TKP, can be performed up to 1.5 seconds after the animation, your BnB but you take to long to the that Force Lift in opt for something else
41% Damage (9 Hits): Back 1 2 Forward 1, Teleport >> 1 2 ~ TKP, can be performed up to 2.5 seconds after the animation, good combo, but the opening combo has a slow startup
48% Damage (12 Hits): Forward 1 1 4 ~ Teleport >> 2 2 ~ Force Lift, 2 2 ~ TKP, can be performed up to 0.5 second after the animation, good because opening combo has a quick startup, still not ideal
53% Damage (9 Hits): [SC] Back 2 1 ~ Force Lift, JK ~ Teleport, 2 ~ TKP
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BnB EX Soul Steal Combo
53% Damage (14 Hits): Back 1 2 Forward 1 Teleport >> 1 2 1 ~ Force Lift, 2 2 ~ TKP, can be performed up to 2 seconds after the EX Soul Steal animation, not much more damage than the others but still good, only weakness is slow startup.
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X-Ray Combo: 67% Damage (11 Hits) 3 1 ~ Force Lift, JK ~ Teleport, 2 2 ~ X-Ray, really crazy damage, can be performed up to 1.5 seconds after the animation, really good for finish off, 24% of the damage is unbreakable
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Ermac is a combo beast. He has a great 44% easy punish in Force Lift, JK ~ Teleport, 2 2 ~ TKP, and can really turn the tide of the fight if used properly. Most of his combos can be chained into either a TKP, Force Lift or Teleport. His low mixup is Forward 4 and medium mixup is Up 4, however you most likely won't be using them often because they cannot be combo-ed out of. Remember to outzone him and finish all combos with TKP if possible to create distance for post-morph skull zoning.
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KUNG LAO
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JK/DK = Jump Kick/Dive Kick
Noteworthy Tools
-Spin interrupts some things
-Throw in a Low Hat anywhere for a low hitter, decent advantage on hit
-21212 string, 10% chip, builds 1/2 bar of meter (credit to Tom Brady, Kung Lao Guide)
-Use DK to cover distance quickly
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Kung Lao, since suffering from the patch, is still a half decent character. The guessing game between is 2 4, 1+2 or low hat is always entertaining, and he is still one of the fastest characters in the game. He has tons of safe overheads, like his Forward 2. Also, good lows in the 2 4, string.
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Special Moves
Hat Toss: 9% Damage, Enhanced Hat Toss: 13% Damage
Ground Hat: 9% Damage, Enhanced Ground Hat: 12% Damage
Spin: 7% Damage, Enhanced Spin: 12% Damage (3 Hits)
Dive Kick: 8% Damage, Enhanced Dive Kick: 18% Damage (3 Hits)
TELEPORT: 2: 9% Damage (Medium, Launcher), 1: 16% Damage (Throw), 3: 12% Damage (High, can use anything next), 4: 17% Damage (High)
X-Ray Damage: 41% Damage (4 Hits)
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BnB Combos:
35% Damage (8 Hits): 1 1 2 ~ Spin, JK/DK, Forward 3 ~ Spin, can be performed up to 2.5 seconds after animation, good damage, get used to using JK/DK cause often only the DK comes out (if you have ADHD fingers like me)
40% Damage (12 Hits): 1 1 2 ~ Spin, DK, >> 1, 1, 1, 2 4 1+3 (2), can be performed up to 1 second after the animation, does 37% Damage without the (2), my personal favourite, replace with 1 1 2 ~ Spin, NJP, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2 4 1+3 (2), for same damage, with 0.5 second less time
43% Damage (11 Hits): 1 1 2 ~ Spin, JK/DK >> 1, 2 4 1+3 (2), can be performed up to 1 second after the animation, does 39% Damage without the (2), hard to pull of but best damage, add a TELEPORT + 3 in front for 52%
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Kung Lao really doesn't have any BnB EX Soul Steal Combos, because most are faster. However, when you use it, go for things like: 2 4 1+2, Low Hat, Dive Kick (whiff) >> Throw, which is a pretty good setup, puts you at a distance, then closed quickly into a throw.
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X-Ray Combo: 53% Damage (11 Hits): 1 1 2 ~ Spin, JK/DK, Forward 3 ~ X-Ray, can be performed up to 2.5 seconds after animation, good for finish off, I use a free Up Skull when morph back to Shang
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Kung Lao's got some really nice damage combos, and is very good if flying around on the screen after EX Soul Steal. His throw does 15% morphed, so use that often. Also the 2 4 1+2 combo is very good, as it gives long knockdown and distance, esp. when followed up by a Low Hat, and DK to get it. Remember, play offensive, but don't get so much so that you are throwing out random, very punishable DKs and Teleports. Also, most of the time, Forward 3, Low Hat doesn't work, but as Shang Tsung, your opponent underestimates your knowledge of their character.
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LIU KANG
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Noteworthy Tools
-2 1, EX Low Fireball will really mess with opponents mind, guessing game between 3 (launcher) or EX Fireball (huge advantage on hit)
-EX Flying Dragon Kick covers full screen, has armour and is very fast
-EX Bicycle kick does 26%, has armour, but VERY punishable on block
-Back 3 1 2 string has a low first hit and is a great launcher, Back 3 is hit confirmable
-Check opponents scared of low launcher with Forward 3 (medium hitter, advantage on hit)
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Liu Kang is an iconic player, as I'm sure everyone is aware. You get some great damage easy combos with him. He is the champ of pressure. Average combo does around 45%. Easy combos, not really good for setups post-morph. Will show combos that alternate between mid-low hitting starters.
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Special Moves:
High Fireball: 9% Damage, Enhanced High Fireball: 15% Damage
Low Fireball: 9% Damage, Enhanced Low Fireball: 15% Damage
Flying Dragon Kick: 9% Damage, Enhanced Flying Dragon Kick: 17% Damage
Bicycle Kick: 18% Damage (6 Hits), Enhanced Bicycle Kick: 26% Damage (8 Hits)
Parry: 10% (2 Hits), Enhanced Parry (Launch): 10% Damage (2 Hits)
X-Ray Damage: 39% (4 Hits), Launches
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BnB Combos
45% Damage (12 Hits): Back 3 1 2, Back 3 1 2, Back 3 1 2, Back 3 1 2, Can be performed up to 1 second after the animation, great damage, very easy (once you get used to it), Low Starter
43% Damage (12 Hits): 2 1 3, Back 3 1 2, Back 3 1 2, Back 3 1 2, Can be performed up to 1 second after the animation, 3rd hit of beginner combo hits mid, easier than first one
44% Damage (15 Hits): Back 3 1 2, Forward 1 2, Forward 1 2, Forward 1 2 ~ Bicycle Kick, Alternate BnB, Can be performed up to 2 seconds after animation, my personal favourite
45% Damage (13 Hits): Back 3 1 2, Back 3 1 2, Forward 2 4 ~ Bicycle Kick, Can be performed up to 3 seconds after animation, good for damage, but if you don't get the timing down the Bicycle Kick won't connect
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There is no real BnB EX Soul Steal combo because all of his combos take 5 seconds or less, however it gives you more time in which to begin the combo, adds an extra 3 seconds in which to perform you EX Parry BnB (below) or any other combo of choice
EX Parry Combo: 50% (14 Hits) EX Parry, Dragon Stance (Down Back 2), 1, Back 3 1 2, Forward 1 2 ~ Bicycle Kick, can be performed up to 1.5 seconds after animation, good damage if you catch the opponent being to aggressive
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X-Ray Combo: 50% Damage, 9 Hits, Back 3 1 2, Forward 1 2 ~ X-Ray, can be performed up to 3.5 seconds after animation. Gives extra hits as Shang, not really worth the meter though unless you're going for unbreakable finish off (use skulls after X-Ray)
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Liu Kang is a pretty offensive character, and that's what you should play him for. He's got nice high/medium/low mixups. Check opponents with Forward 3 (med hitter), Back 3 1 2, low launcher combo. Also, his Back 2, Back 3 string is high/low into stagger, gives a free throw. Anyways, Liu Kang is also good if you use EX Parry into a combo, as shown the 50% above. Play offensive, but not too much, keep them on their guard with parries, and if you land EX Parry, they're screwed.
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SCORPION
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Noteworthy Tools
-EX Spear is good if you are trading projectiles, has armour and brings in for a free hit (or blockstrings if you morph back to Shang)
-EX Takedown covers great distance, good damage and has armour
-Can use his vortex with Shang's Forward 3 and Back 2
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Scorpion is a commonly used player online, and mediocrely used player offline. You can get some pretty good damage when morphed, but nothing really great unless you use an EX Soul Steal. If you land a spear on near the beginning of the morph time, you can get an easy 32% but because of the spear animation nothing more than about 40% because of the long time it takes. For most of the BnBs there will just be a stand 1 then Spear because the animation takes so long. Also, replace any combo with a F4 start for a low starter.
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Special Moves:
Spear: 4% Damage, Enhanced Spear 9% Damage
Demon Fire: 9% Damage, Enhanced Demon Fire 11% Damage
Teleport: 12% Damage, Enhanced Teleport 15% Damage (2 Hits)
Takedown: 10% Damage (2 Hits), Enhanced Takedown 18% Damage (2 Hits)
Air Throw: 10% Damage (2 Hits)
X-Ray Damage: 40% (3 Hits)
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BnB Combos:
35% Damage (8 Hits), 1, Spear, NJP >> Back 2 >> 1 1, Takedown, For regular Soul Steal must be performed RIGHT after you morph. If you just use the spear first without the 1 it gets 32% Damage.
36% Damage (7 Hits) 2 1, Spear, JIP, Forward 2, 1, Teleport [Mixup], Can be performed up to two seconds after the Soul Steal animation, best probably because it gives a free mixup.
37% Damage (8 Hits) 2 1, Spear, JIP, 2 1, Takedown, Can be performed up to two seconds after Soul Steal animation, but does not grant a free mixup though highest damage.
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Medium hitter (B2 Starter Combos)
32% Damage (9 Hits) B2, 1 1 1 ~ Spear, JIP, Forward 2 1 ~ Teleport [Mixup], good, gives you a change for mixups, throw/Forward 3 4/B2 with Shang
28% Damage (8 Hits) B2, 1 1 1 ~ Teleport, 1 1 ~ Spear [Mixup w/ Shang], gives mixup with Shang, but Spear doesn't combo post-morph, personally use for Throw/Forward 3
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BnB EX Soul Steal Combo:
49% Damage (12 Hits) 2 1, Spear, NJP >> Back 2 >> 2 1, Teleport >> 1 1, Takedown, Great combo, easy once learned, but still requires meter from EX Soul Steal. If you use EX Soul Steal at the end of a combo you can pull this off. You have 2 seconds after the EX Soul Steal animation to perform this. Can replace 2 1, Teleport with Jump Kick, Teleport for 1% extra but is a little harder to pull off.
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X-Ray Combo:
50% Damage (8 Hits) Spear, NJP >> Back 2 >> 2 1, X-Ray, Only use this if you use the normal Soul Steal, have full meter and they have less than half their health. Once you land the 2 1, the next 26% Damage is unbreakable.
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The basic strategy with a normal Soul Steal is try and land a Spear early enough so you can get some decent damage. If you land it too late, then just opt for a JIP Forward 2 1, Teleport for a mixup or JIP 2 1, Takedown. With an EX Soul Steal you have some leeway and you can land some damaging combos. For any of the Takedown Combos if you need the extra little bit of damage, use EX Version. Your low mixup with Scorpion is Forward 4, and your mid hitting mixup with Scorpion is Back 2.
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SINDEL
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Noteworthy Tools
-Instant Air Fireball
-Low Fireball
-Levitate can be immediately cancelled for mind games
-With good reaction you can use EX Yell as anti-air, gives
-Decent post-morph setups
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Sindel is widely known as a terrible character. Ranked at 'E' on the tier list, she has a large amount of problems. Still, she is a half-decent zoner. And has some decently damaging combos and some of the best post-morph Shang setups using her Yell special. You won't run into many of these, but when you do, it should be an fairly easy win. Shang can out-zone her, and has good anti-airs if Sindel uses her instant air too close.
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Special Moves:
Fireball (Instant Air): 11% Damage, Enhanced Fireball: 14% Damage (2 Hits), Instant Air Enhanced Fireball: 11% Damage Each
Low Fireball (Instant Air): 11% Damage, Enhanced Low Fireball: 18% Damage (11%, 7%, doesn't combo), Enhanced Low Fireball(Instant Air) same rules apply as Enhanced Fireball Instant Air)
Yell (Free combo): 1% Damage, Enhanced Yell (Faster, free combo): 1% Damage
Hair Whip: 14% Damage (2 Hits), Enhanced Hair Whip: 17% Damage (4 Hits)
Step Up: 13% Damage (3 Hits), Enhanced Step Up: 18% Damage (2 Hits), looks like a glitch, actually hits 3 times when the game reads 2, with damage info on it shows 3 separate hits
X-Ray Damage: 41% Damage (4 Hits)
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BnB Combos:
(2 Variations): 41% Damage (9-10 Hits) Back 3 2, 3 ~ Yell, JIP Forward 1 2, Hair Whip/Step Up, both do same damage, hair whip switches sides while Step Up just pushes back, can be performed up to 2 seconds after the animation, 2nd hit of launcher combo hits mid
(2 Variations): 44-45% Damage (12-13 Hits) 2 ~ Yell, JIP, Back 3 2, 1, 1 1 1 ~ Hair Whip/Step Up, Hair whip does 1% more, but Step Up keeps pushing them towards the corner whereas Hair Whip switches places, can be performed up to 0.5 seconds after the animation
(2 Variations): 38% Damage (10-11 Hits) Back 3 2, 1, 1, 1, 1 1 1 ~ Hair Whip/Step Up, both do same amount of damage, can be performed up to 2 seconds after the animation, not as good as first one, but still worth knowing, only thing is pushes a little farther across the screen than first one
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BnB EX Soul Steal Combo
(2 Variations) 47% Damage (14-15 Hits): 2 ~ Yell, JIP Back 3 2, 1, 1, 1, 1 1 1 ~ Hair Whip/Step Up, can be performed up to 2 seconds after the EX Soul Steal animation, little more damage than other BnBs but still use if you have the time
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X-Ray Combo: 57% Damage (11 Hits): Back 3 2, 3 ~ Yell, JIP, Forward 1 2 ~ X-Ray, good for finish off, the X-Ray does 25% of the damage, so once you get the Forward 1 2, you get another guaranteed 25% Damage, not very useful, but still not worthless, prpreferably save up for a breaker or EX Soul Steal
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All in all, Sindel is a half-decent character to play as when morphed with Shang. Take advantage of the distance she creates for post-morph skull zoning, and you can get some decent damage combos out if you use Yell then morph back. Instant Air Fireball does 11% when morphed, and levitation cancels mess with the mind, best string for that is 2 1, Levitation cancel because it has good advantage on hit, and the 1 hits low
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SUB ZERO
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Noteworthy Tools
-2 2 is great anti-air
-Freeze/Ice Clones gives great post-morph setups
-EX Slide has low hitbox and armour
-Ice Clones to keep away allow for post-morph zoning
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Sub Zero's play style is often very defensive, so when morphed you wont get much damage done as him. However, if you can get them frozen pre-morph, you can set up some decent combos post-morph after. Basically, as soon as you morph use an ice clone to maybe catch them off guard or just have a layer of defence, since Sub has no teleport. Once that's done, you can start throwing some Iceballs.
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Special Moves:
Iceball: (damage for second time used in one combo) 6% Damage, Enhanced Iceball, 6% Damage
Slide: 12% Damage, Enhanced Slide 15% Damage (2 Hits)
Other moves don't do any damage.
X-Ray Damage: 43% Damage (3 Hits)
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BnB Combos
36% Damage (8 Hits) 2 2, Iceball, >> NJP >> 2 1 4, Slide, Can be done up to 1 second after the morph, good if your opponent doesn't like jumping, but timing is too strict to be reliant on
32% Damage (8 Hits) Iceball, NJP >> Back 1 2, 2 1 2, Slide, Needs to be performed right after animation, but is only iceball, if AMAZING timing, add a 2 2 at the start for 8% extra
29% Damage (8 Hits, AA) Anti-Air 2 2, Iceball, Back 1 (whiff) 2, 2 1 2, Slide, Can be performed up to 1 second after the animation, good if you don't have an ice clone but they're jumping at you
35% Damage (8 Hits, AA) Anti-Air Ice Clone, NJP >> Back 1 2, 2 1 2, Slide, can be performed up to 1.5 seconds after animation, good to use if your ice clone lands
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BnB EX Soul Steal Combo
42% Damage (11 Hits) 2 2, Iceball, >> NJP >> 1, Back 1 2, 2 1 2, Slide, can be done up to 2 seconds after the Soul Steal animation, your BnB for EX SS
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X-Ray Combo
62% Damage (10 Hits) 2 2, Iceball, JIP, 2 1 4, X-Ray (stall), Good can be done up to like 3 seconds after the animation
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Basically, model your style as any Sub player would. Defensively. Throw down Ice Clones, try to freeze them. If you freeze them full screen then morph back go for a Up Skull then Ground Skull, EX Ground Skull, etc. Low hitter is Slide, While med is Forward 4 (can followup with Iceball). Just play defensive, try to freeze them, then go for some good Shang combos post-morph.
Reboot, going in alphabetical order. Work in progress, just wanted to get some out there.
NOTE: YOU DO NOT HAVE TO USE THE EX SOUL STEAL BnBs WHEN USING EX SOUL STEAL, JUST ADD 3 SECONDS TO THE TIME YOU HAVE TO PERFORM THE NORMAL BnB
JIP = Jump in Punch
NJP = Neutral Jump Punch
JK = Jump Kick
Animation = Soul Steal Animation
Post-Morph = After he morphs back into Shang Tsung from the character he was morphed as
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ERMAC
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Thanks to Embarq85 for his Ermac video, gave me some important info
SC = Slight Charge
TKP = Telekinetic Push (Force Push)
Noteworthy Tools:
-3 1 2 string
-Charge move can be cancelled
-TKP has great range
-Force Lift
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Ermac has some devastating combos, as well as crazy punishes. he can zone decently with TKP Force Lift and Force Ball, and puts enemies at a distance with TKP which sets up Shang Tsung skull zoning. Other than that, he has a punishable teleport, but makes up for it with his monster damage. Try to end all Ermac combos with a TKP to put them at full distance where skulls can reach but TKP cannot.
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Special Moves:
Force Ball: 11% Damage, Enhanced Force Ball: 14% Damage (2 Hits)
Airblast: 11% Damage, Enhanced Airblast: 16% Damage
Teleport: 11% Damage, Enhanced Teleport: 14% Damage (2 Hits)
Force Lift: 6% Damage (2 Hits), Enhanced Force Lift: 11% Damage (3 Hits)
Hover Slam (Unblockable): 11% Damage, Enhanced Hover Slam (Faster): 11% Damage (Useless)
TKP: 14% Damage (2 Hits), Enhanced TKP: 19% Damage (2 Hits), actually reads 3 with damage info on, probably a glitch specific to morph
X-Ray Damage: 46% (3 Hits)
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BnB Combos:
50% Damage (10 Hits): 3 1 ~ Force Lift, JK ~ Teleport, 2 2 ~ TKP, can be performed up to 1.5 seconds after the animation, your BnB but you take to long to the that Force Lift in opt for something else
41% Damage (9 Hits): Back 1 2 Forward 1, Teleport >> 1 2 ~ TKP, can be performed up to 2.5 seconds after the animation, good combo, but the opening combo has a slow startup
48% Damage (12 Hits): Forward 1 1 4 ~ Teleport >> 2 2 ~ Force Lift, 2 2 ~ TKP, can be performed up to 0.5 second after the animation, good because opening combo has a quick startup, still not ideal
53% Damage (9 Hits): [SC] Back 2 1 ~ Force Lift, JK ~ Teleport, 2 ~ TKP
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BnB EX Soul Steal Combo
53% Damage (14 Hits): Back 1 2 Forward 1 Teleport >> 1 2 1 ~ Force Lift, 2 2 ~ TKP, can be performed up to 2 seconds after the EX Soul Steal animation, not much more damage than the others but still good, only weakness is slow startup.
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X-Ray Combo: 67% Damage (11 Hits) 3 1 ~ Force Lift, JK ~ Teleport, 2 2 ~ X-Ray, really crazy damage, can be performed up to 1.5 seconds after the animation, really good for finish off, 24% of the damage is unbreakable
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Ermac is a combo beast. He has a great 44% easy punish in Force Lift, JK ~ Teleport, 2 2 ~ TKP, and can really turn the tide of the fight if used properly. Most of his combos can be chained into either a TKP, Force Lift or Teleport. His low mixup is Forward 4 and medium mixup is Up 4, however you most likely won't be using them often because they cannot be combo-ed out of. Remember to outzone him and finish all combos with TKP if possible to create distance for post-morph skull zoning.
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KUNG LAO
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JK/DK = Jump Kick/Dive Kick
Noteworthy Tools
-Spin interrupts some things
-Throw in a Low Hat anywhere for a low hitter, decent advantage on hit
-21212 string, 10% chip, builds 1/2 bar of meter (credit to Tom Brady, Kung Lao Guide)
-Use DK to cover distance quickly
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Kung Lao, since suffering from the patch, is still a half decent character. The guessing game between is 2 4, 1+2 or low hat is always entertaining, and he is still one of the fastest characters in the game. He has tons of safe overheads, like his Forward 2. Also, good lows in the 2 4, string.
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Special Moves
Hat Toss: 9% Damage, Enhanced Hat Toss: 13% Damage
Ground Hat: 9% Damage, Enhanced Ground Hat: 12% Damage
Spin: 7% Damage, Enhanced Spin: 12% Damage (3 Hits)
Dive Kick: 8% Damage, Enhanced Dive Kick: 18% Damage (3 Hits)
TELEPORT: 2: 9% Damage (Medium, Launcher), 1: 16% Damage (Throw), 3: 12% Damage (High, can use anything next), 4: 17% Damage (High)
X-Ray Damage: 41% Damage (4 Hits)
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BnB Combos:
35% Damage (8 Hits): 1 1 2 ~ Spin, JK/DK, Forward 3 ~ Spin, can be performed up to 2.5 seconds after animation, good damage, get used to using JK/DK cause often only the DK comes out (if you have ADHD fingers like me)
40% Damage (12 Hits): 1 1 2 ~ Spin, DK, >> 1, 1, 1, 2 4 1+3 (2), can be performed up to 1 second after the animation, does 37% Damage without the (2), my personal favourite, replace with 1 1 2 ~ Spin, NJP, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2 4 1+3 (2), for same damage, with 0.5 second less time
43% Damage (11 Hits): 1 1 2 ~ Spin, JK/DK >> 1, 2 4 1+3 (2), can be performed up to 1 second after the animation, does 39% Damage without the (2), hard to pull of but best damage, add a TELEPORT + 3 in front for 52%
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Kung Lao really doesn't have any BnB EX Soul Steal Combos, because most are faster. However, when you use it, go for things like: 2 4 1+2, Low Hat, Dive Kick (whiff) >> Throw, which is a pretty good setup, puts you at a distance, then closed quickly into a throw.
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X-Ray Combo: 53% Damage (11 Hits): 1 1 2 ~ Spin, JK/DK, Forward 3 ~ X-Ray, can be performed up to 2.5 seconds after animation, good for finish off, I use a free Up Skull when morph back to Shang
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Kung Lao's got some really nice damage combos, and is very good if flying around on the screen after EX Soul Steal. His throw does 15% morphed, so use that often. Also the 2 4 1+2 combo is very good, as it gives long knockdown and distance, esp. when followed up by a Low Hat, and DK to get it. Remember, play offensive, but don't get so much so that you are throwing out random, very punishable DKs and Teleports. Also, most of the time, Forward 3, Low Hat doesn't work, but as Shang Tsung, your opponent underestimates your knowledge of their character.
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LIU KANG
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Noteworthy Tools
-2 1, EX Low Fireball will really mess with opponents mind, guessing game between 3 (launcher) or EX Fireball (huge advantage on hit)
-EX Flying Dragon Kick covers full screen, has armour and is very fast
-EX Bicycle kick does 26%, has armour, but VERY punishable on block
-Back 3 1 2 string has a low first hit and is a great launcher, Back 3 is hit confirmable
-Check opponents scared of low launcher with Forward 3 (medium hitter, advantage on hit)
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Liu Kang is an iconic player, as I'm sure everyone is aware. You get some great damage easy combos with him. He is the champ of pressure. Average combo does around 45%. Easy combos, not really good for setups post-morph. Will show combos that alternate between mid-low hitting starters.
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Special Moves:
High Fireball: 9% Damage, Enhanced High Fireball: 15% Damage
Low Fireball: 9% Damage, Enhanced Low Fireball: 15% Damage
Flying Dragon Kick: 9% Damage, Enhanced Flying Dragon Kick: 17% Damage
Bicycle Kick: 18% Damage (6 Hits), Enhanced Bicycle Kick: 26% Damage (8 Hits)
Parry: 10% (2 Hits), Enhanced Parry (Launch): 10% Damage (2 Hits)
X-Ray Damage: 39% (4 Hits), Launches
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BnB Combos
45% Damage (12 Hits): Back 3 1 2, Back 3 1 2, Back 3 1 2, Back 3 1 2, Can be performed up to 1 second after the animation, great damage, very easy (once you get used to it), Low Starter
43% Damage (12 Hits): 2 1 3, Back 3 1 2, Back 3 1 2, Back 3 1 2, Can be performed up to 1 second after the animation, 3rd hit of beginner combo hits mid, easier than first one
44% Damage (15 Hits): Back 3 1 2, Forward 1 2, Forward 1 2, Forward 1 2 ~ Bicycle Kick, Alternate BnB, Can be performed up to 2 seconds after animation, my personal favourite
45% Damage (13 Hits): Back 3 1 2, Back 3 1 2, Forward 2 4 ~ Bicycle Kick, Can be performed up to 3 seconds after animation, good for damage, but if you don't get the timing down the Bicycle Kick won't connect
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There is no real BnB EX Soul Steal combo because all of his combos take 5 seconds or less, however it gives you more time in which to begin the combo, adds an extra 3 seconds in which to perform you EX Parry BnB (below) or any other combo of choice
EX Parry Combo: 50% (14 Hits) EX Parry, Dragon Stance (Down Back 2), 1, Back 3 1 2, Forward 1 2 ~ Bicycle Kick, can be performed up to 1.5 seconds after animation, good damage if you catch the opponent being to aggressive
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X-Ray Combo: 50% Damage, 9 Hits, Back 3 1 2, Forward 1 2 ~ X-Ray, can be performed up to 3.5 seconds after animation. Gives extra hits as Shang, not really worth the meter though unless you're going for unbreakable finish off (use skulls after X-Ray)
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Liu Kang is a pretty offensive character, and that's what you should play him for. He's got nice high/medium/low mixups. Check opponents with Forward 3 (med hitter), Back 3 1 2, low launcher combo. Also, his Back 2, Back 3 string is high/low into stagger, gives a free throw. Anyways, Liu Kang is also good if you use EX Parry into a combo, as shown the 50% above. Play offensive, but not too much, keep them on their guard with parries, and if you land EX Parry, they're screwed.
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SCORPION
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Noteworthy Tools
-EX Spear is good if you are trading projectiles, has armour and brings in for a free hit (or blockstrings if you morph back to Shang)
-EX Takedown covers great distance, good damage and has armour
-Can use his vortex with Shang's Forward 3 and Back 2
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Scorpion is a commonly used player online, and mediocrely used player offline. You can get some pretty good damage when morphed, but nothing really great unless you use an EX Soul Steal. If you land a spear on near the beginning of the morph time, you can get an easy 32% but because of the spear animation nothing more than about 40% because of the long time it takes. For most of the BnBs there will just be a stand 1 then Spear because the animation takes so long. Also, replace any combo with a F4 start for a low starter.
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Special Moves:
Spear: 4% Damage, Enhanced Spear 9% Damage
Demon Fire: 9% Damage, Enhanced Demon Fire 11% Damage
Teleport: 12% Damage, Enhanced Teleport 15% Damage (2 Hits)
Takedown: 10% Damage (2 Hits), Enhanced Takedown 18% Damage (2 Hits)
Air Throw: 10% Damage (2 Hits)
X-Ray Damage: 40% (3 Hits)
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BnB Combos:
35% Damage (8 Hits), 1, Spear, NJP >> Back 2 >> 1 1, Takedown, For regular Soul Steal must be performed RIGHT after you morph. If you just use the spear first without the 1 it gets 32% Damage.
36% Damage (7 Hits) 2 1, Spear, JIP, Forward 2, 1, Teleport [Mixup], Can be performed up to two seconds after the Soul Steal animation, best probably because it gives a free mixup.
37% Damage (8 Hits) 2 1, Spear, JIP, 2 1, Takedown, Can be performed up to two seconds after Soul Steal animation, but does not grant a free mixup though highest damage.
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Medium hitter (B2 Starter Combos)
32% Damage (9 Hits) B2, 1 1 1 ~ Spear, JIP, Forward 2 1 ~ Teleport [Mixup], good, gives you a change for mixups, throw/Forward 3 4/B2 with Shang
28% Damage (8 Hits) B2, 1 1 1 ~ Teleport, 1 1 ~ Spear [Mixup w/ Shang], gives mixup with Shang, but Spear doesn't combo post-morph, personally use for Throw/Forward 3
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BnB EX Soul Steal Combo:
49% Damage (12 Hits) 2 1, Spear, NJP >> Back 2 >> 2 1, Teleport >> 1 1, Takedown, Great combo, easy once learned, but still requires meter from EX Soul Steal. If you use EX Soul Steal at the end of a combo you can pull this off. You have 2 seconds after the EX Soul Steal animation to perform this. Can replace 2 1, Teleport with Jump Kick, Teleport for 1% extra but is a little harder to pull off.
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X-Ray Combo:
50% Damage (8 Hits) Spear, NJP >> Back 2 >> 2 1, X-Ray, Only use this if you use the normal Soul Steal, have full meter and they have less than half their health. Once you land the 2 1, the next 26% Damage is unbreakable.
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The basic strategy with a normal Soul Steal is try and land a Spear early enough so you can get some decent damage. If you land it too late, then just opt for a JIP Forward 2 1, Teleport for a mixup or JIP 2 1, Takedown. With an EX Soul Steal you have some leeway and you can land some damaging combos. For any of the Takedown Combos if you need the extra little bit of damage, use EX Version. Your low mixup with Scorpion is Forward 4, and your mid hitting mixup with Scorpion is Back 2.
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SINDEL
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Noteworthy Tools
-Instant Air Fireball
-Low Fireball
-Levitate can be immediately cancelled for mind games
-With good reaction you can use EX Yell as anti-air, gives
-Decent post-morph setups
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Sindel is widely known as a terrible character. Ranked at 'E' on the tier list, she has a large amount of problems. Still, she is a half-decent zoner. And has some decently damaging combos and some of the best post-morph Shang setups using her Yell special. You won't run into many of these, but when you do, it should be an fairly easy win. Shang can out-zone her, and has good anti-airs if Sindel uses her instant air too close.
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Special Moves:
Fireball (Instant Air): 11% Damage, Enhanced Fireball: 14% Damage (2 Hits), Instant Air Enhanced Fireball: 11% Damage Each
Low Fireball (Instant Air): 11% Damage, Enhanced Low Fireball: 18% Damage (11%, 7%, doesn't combo), Enhanced Low Fireball(Instant Air) same rules apply as Enhanced Fireball Instant Air)
Yell (Free combo): 1% Damage, Enhanced Yell (Faster, free combo): 1% Damage
Hair Whip: 14% Damage (2 Hits), Enhanced Hair Whip: 17% Damage (4 Hits)
Step Up: 13% Damage (3 Hits), Enhanced Step Up: 18% Damage (2 Hits), looks like a glitch, actually hits 3 times when the game reads 2, with damage info on it shows 3 separate hits
X-Ray Damage: 41% Damage (4 Hits)
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BnB Combos:
(2 Variations): 41% Damage (9-10 Hits) Back 3 2, 3 ~ Yell, JIP Forward 1 2, Hair Whip/Step Up, both do same damage, hair whip switches sides while Step Up just pushes back, can be performed up to 2 seconds after the animation, 2nd hit of launcher combo hits mid
(2 Variations): 44-45% Damage (12-13 Hits) 2 ~ Yell, JIP, Back 3 2, 1, 1 1 1 ~ Hair Whip/Step Up, Hair whip does 1% more, but Step Up keeps pushing them towards the corner whereas Hair Whip switches places, can be performed up to 0.5 seconds after the animation
(2 Variations): 38% Damage (10-11 Hits) Back 3 2, 1, 1, 1, 1 1 1 ~ Hair Whip/Step Up, both do same amount of damage, can be performed up to 2 seconds after the animation, not as good as first one, but still worth knowing, only thing is pushes a little farther across the screen than first one
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BnB EX Soul Steal Combo
(2 Variations) 47% Damage (14-15 Hits): 2 ~ Yell, JIP Back 3 2, 1, 1, 1, 1 1 1 ~ Hair Whip/Step Up, can be performed up to 2 seconds after the EX Soul Steal animation, little more damage than other BnBs but still use if you have the time
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X-Ray Combo: 57% Damage (11 Hits): Back 3 2, 3 ~ Yell, JIP, Forward 1 2 ~ X-Ray, good for finish off, the X-Ray does 25% of the damage, so once you get the Forward 1 2, you get another guaranteed 25% Damage, not very useful, but still not worthless, prpreferably save up for a breaker or EX Soul Steal
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All in all, Sindel is a half-decent character to play as when morphed with Shang. Take advantage of the distance she creates for post-morph skull zoning, and you can get some decent damage combos out if you use Yell then morph back. Instant Air Fireball does 11% when morphed, and levitation cancels mess with the mind, best string for that is 2 1, Levitation cancel because it has good advantage on hit, and the 1 hits low
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SUB ZERO
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Noteworthy Tools
-2 2 is great anti-air
-Freeze/Ice Clones gives great post-morph setups
-EX Slide has low hitbox and armour
-Ice Clones to keep away allow for post-morph zoning
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Sub Zero's play style is often very defensive, so when morphed you wont get much damage done as him. However, if you can get them frozen pre-morph, you can set up some decent combos post-morph after. Basically, as soon as you morph use an ice clone to maybe catch them off guard or just have a layer of defence, since Sub has no teleport. Once that's done, you can start throwing some Iceballs.
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Special Moves:
Iceball: (damage for second time used in one combo) 6% Damage, Enhanced Iceball, 6% Damage
Slide: 12% Damage, Enhanced Slide 15% Damage (2 Hits)
Other moves don't do any damage.
X-Ray Damage: 43% Damage (3 Hits)
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BnB Combos
36% Damage (8 Hits) 2 2, Iceball, >> NJP >> 2 1 4, Slide, Can be done up to 1 second after the morph, good if your opponent doesn't like jumping, but timing is too strict to be reliant on
32% Damage (8 Hits) Iceball, NJP >> Back 1 2, 2 1 2, Slide, Needs to be performed right after animation, but is only iceball, if AMAZING timing, add a 2 2 at the start for 8% extra
29% Damage (8 Hits, AA) Anti-Air 2 2, Iceball, Back 1 (whiff) 2, 2 1 2, Slide, Can be performed up to 1 second after the animation, good if you don't have an ice clone but they're jumping at you
35% Damage (8 Hits, AA) Anti-Air Ice Clone, NJP >> Back 1 2, 2 1 2, Slide, can be performed up to 1.5 seconds after animation, good to use if your ice clone lands
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BnB EX Soul Steal Combo
42% Damage (11 Hits) 2 2, Iceball, >> NJP >> 1, Back 1 2, 2 1 2, Slide, can be done up to 2 seconds after the Soul Steal animation, your BnB for EX SS
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X-Ray Combo
62% Damage (10 Hits) 2 2, Iceball, JIP, 2 1 4, X-Ray (stall), Good can be done up to like 3 seconds after the animation
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Basically, model your style as any Sub player would. Defensively. Throw down Ice Clones, try to freeze them. If you freeze them full screen then morph back go for a Up Skull then Ground Skull, EX Ground Skull, etc. Low hitter is Slide, While med is Forward 4 (can followup with Iceball). Just play defensive, try to freeze them, then go for some good Shang combos post-morph.
