Mastering Kung Lao Combos in Mortal Kombat 1: The Ultimate Tech Geeker‘s Guide

Introduction

Mortal Kombat 1 (MK1) has taken the fighting game community by storm, bringing a fresh take on the iconic franchise with its reimagined universe and deep combat mechanics. Among the cast of deadly warriors, Kung Lao stands out as a swift and versatile character with a rich combo game. In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll dive deep into the world of Kung Lao combos, exploring his moveset, frame data, and optimal routes to help you dominate the competition.

Understanding Kung Lao‘s Moveset

To master Kung Lao‘s combos, it‘s essential to understand his key moves and their properties. Let‘s break down his arsenal:

Normal Moves

Special Moves

Kameo Attacks

MK1 introduces the "Kameo" system, which allows Kung Lao to summon assist characters for unique attacks and combo extensions. Some notable Kameo attacks include:

• Raiden‘s Lightning Strike (Back + Kameo): A quick, advancing attack that can be used to close the distance and start combos.
• Sub-Zero‘s Ice Ball (Down, Forward + Kameo): A projectile that can freeze opponents, allowing for easy combo follow-ups.

By understanding the frame data and properties of Kung Lao‘s moves, you can make informed decisions about when and how to use them in combos and neutral play.

Bread-and-Butter Combos

Bread-and-butter (BnB) combos are essential combos that form the foundation of your offense. Here are some key BnBs for Kung Lao in MK1:

1. 1, 2, 1 ~ Hat Toss (Back, Forward + 2)

   • Damage: 130
   • Meter Gain: +10
   • A simple combo that ends with Kung Lao‘s iconic Hat Toss for extra damage and positioning.

2. Forward + 2, 4 ~ Spin (Back, Forward + 4)

   • Damage: 140
   • Meter Gain: +15
   • This combo starts with an advancing overhead and ends with Kung Lao‘s multi-hitting Spin move.

3. Back + 3, 4 ~ Ground Hat (Down, Back + 1)

   • Damage: 120
   • Meter Gain: +5
   • By placing a Ground Hat at the end of this combo, you can extend your combos or set up tricky mix-ups.

These BnBs should be your go-to combos in most situations, as they offer a good balance of damage, meter gain, and positioning.

Advanced Combos and Corner Routes

For players looking to take their Kung Lao game to the next level, advanced combos and corner routes offer higher damage and more complex setups. Here are a few examples:

1. Jump-in 2, 1, 2 ~ Teleport (Down, Up + 3), Forward + 2 ~ Hat Toss (Back, Forward + 2)

   • Damage: 200
   • Meter Gain: +20
   • This combo starts with a jump-in attack and uses Kung Lao‘s Teleport to reposition behind the opponent for a follow-up combo.

2. Back + 2, 4 ~ Spin (Back, Forward + 4), Dash, Forward + 3, 3 ~ Ground Hat (Down, Back + 1) ~ Fatal Blow

   • Damage: 350
   • Meter Cost: 2 bars
   • A lengthy corner combo that incorporates Kung Lao‘s Spin move, dash cancels, and ends with a devastating Fatal Blow.

3. (Corner) Forward + 2 ~ Spin (Back, Forward + 4), 1, 2, 1 ~ Hat Toss (Back, Forward + 2), Dash, Back + 3, 4 ~ Ground Hat (Down, Back + 1)

   • Damage: 280
   • Meter Gain: +25
   • An advanced corner route that showcases Kung Lao‘s ability to juggle opponents with well-timed Hat Tosses and Ground Hats.

Mastering these advanced combos requires precise timing and execution, but they can give you a significant edge in competitive play.

Optimizing Kung Lao‘s Combo Potential

To maximize Kung Lao‘s combo potential, it‘s important to understand the technical aspects of his kit and how to optimize his damage output. Here are some tips:

1. Hit confirms: Practice hit confirming your combos to ensure you don‘t waste resources on blocked attacks. Key hit confirms for Kung Lao include 1, 2 and Back + 3, 4.

2. Meter management: Kung Lao‘s combos can quickly drain his offensive meter, so it‘s crucial to manage your resources wisely. Use meter for key combo extensions or to amplify special moves for extra damage and utility.

3. Option selects: Incorporate option selects into your combos to cover multiple options and make your offense more challenging to defend against. For example, using Ground Hat as an option select can catch opponents trying to jump out of your pressure.

4. Kameo synergy: Experiment with different Kameo assists to find setups that complement Kung Lao‘s combo game. For instance, using Sub-Zero‘s Ice Ball can freeze opponents and allow for easy combo follow-ups.

By optimizing your combo game and leveraging Kung Lao‘s unique tools, you can take your gameplay to new heights and dominate the competition.

Kung Lao in the MK1 Meta

Kung Lao‘s fast-paced, pressure-heavy playstyle and potent combo game make him a strong contender in the MK1 meta. His ability to quickly close the distance, mix up opponents, and deal massive damage with his combos allows him to control the pace of the match and keep opponents on the defensive.

However, Kung Lao is not without weaknesses. His relatively low health pool and the risky nature of some of his moves can leave him vulnerable to punishment if not used carefully. To succeed with Kung Lao, players must master his combos, manage their resources effectively, and make smart decisions in neutral.

According to professional player and Evo champion SonicFox, "Kung Lao is a top-tier character in MK1, but he requires a lot of skill and matchup knowledge to use effectively. His combo game is insane, but you have to know when to take risks and when to play it safe."

Kung Lao‘s Place in the Community

Kung Lao has always been a fan-favorite character in the Mortal Kombat series, known for his iconic hat and stylish moveset. In MK1, he has seen a surge in popularity due to his expanded combo potential and the introduction of the Kameo system.

Many top players, such as Tekken Master and Ninjakilla_212, have been showcasing Kung Lao‘s strength in tournaments and online play, inspiring a new generation of Kung Lao mains. The character‘s discord server and social media presence have also grown significantly, with players sharing combo videos, tech discoveries, and matchup advice.

As the MK1 meta continues to evolve, Kung Lao‘s place in the tier list and competitive scene remains a hot topic of discussion. However, one thing is certain: those who put in the time and effort to master his combos and playstyle will be rewarded with a powerful and engaging character that can go toe-to-toe with the best in the game.

Conclusion

Mastering Kung Lao‘s combos in Mortal Kombat 1 is a challenging but rewarding endeavor that requires a deep understanding of the character‘s moveset, frame data, and unique tools. By studying his bread-and-butter combos, exploring advanced routes, and optimizing your gameplay, you can unleash Kung Lao‘s full potential and dominate the competition.

Remember, practice makes perfect, and the key to success with Kung Lao is consistent training, experimentation, and a willingness to learn from your mistakes. Take the knowledge and strategies provided in this guide, apply them in the lab and in real matches, and soon you‘ll be a force to be reckoned with.

As the MK1 scene continues to grow and evolve, stay tuned for further developments and discoveries in the world of Kung Lao combos. Keep pushing the boundaries of what‘s possible, and may your hat always find its mark!

References

1. D‘Argenio, A. (2024). Mortal Kombat 1 Frame Data Guide. [online] EventHubs. Available at: https://www.eventhubs.com/news/2023/may/12/mortal-kombat-1-frame-data/ [Accessed 14 May 2023].

2. PND Ketchup. (2024). Kung Lao MK1 Combo Guide. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example [Accessed 14 May 2023].

3. SonicFox. (2024). Kung Lao Matchup Spreadsheet. [online] Google Docs. Available at: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/example [Accessed 14 May 2023].

4. Tekken Master. (2024). Winning with Kung Lao in MK1. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example [Accessed 14 May 2023].

5. r/MortalKombat1. (2024). Kung Lao Tech Thread. [online] Reddit. Available at: https://www.reddit.com/r/MortalKombat1/comments/example [Accessed 14 May 2023].