Hey there fellow tech geeks and gaming enthusiasts! It‘s your resident FGC guru here with an electrifying deep dive into Raiden‘s combo potential in Mortal Kombat 1. As a lifelong MK fan and combo fiend, I‘ve been putting the Thunder God through his paces in the lab, and I‘m thrilled to share my findings with you all.
But before we get into the nitty-gritty, let me just say: MK1 is an absolute blast, and Raiden mains are eating good in this new timeline. His combo routes are flashy, damaging, and a joy to execute.
If you‘re looking to add Raiden to your character roster, or just want to see what the God of Thunder is truly capable of, you‘ve come to the right place. I‘ll be breaking down Raiden‘s essential bread and butter combos, optimal damage enders, tricky mix-up starters, and spicy Kameo cancel routes.
I‘ve also compiled match-up tips and tricks from top Raiden players to help you handle any opposing character the Netherrealm throws your way. So put on your Shirai Ryu grind belt and let‘s get combo hungry!
Why Play Raiden?
Before we start crunching combo numbers, let‘s talk about what makes Raiden a strong pick in Mortal Kombat 1. The short answer: He‘s got a tool for every situation.
Raiden‘s normal buttons are fast, far-reaching, and safe on block. His down-back lightning bolt is an excellent whiff punisher that leads to full combo. Up close, Raiden‘s triple kick grab and forward 4,3 hit confirmable mix-ups keep opponents guessing.
But where Raiden really shines is in his Kameo-boosted combo damage and versatility. With Jax‘s dash punch, Liu Kang‘s flying kick, or Kung Lao‘s hat toss, Raiden can extend combos, carry opponents to the corner, lock them down with block pressure, or zone them from full screen.
No other character has quite the same flexibility with Kameo cancels. It‘s like having multiple loadouts you can access at any time. And once Raiden triggers his Fatal Blow? It‘s comeback city.
Raiden Combo Notation
For those new to MK, here‘s a quick primer on the shorthand used for Raiden‘s combos:
| PlayStation | Xbox | Move |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | X | Square / X |
| 2 | Y | Triangle / Y |
| 3 | A | X / A |
| 4 | B | Circle / B |
| f | f | Forward |
| b | b | Back |
| u | u | Up |
| d | d | Down |
| ex | ex | Enhanced move |
| j | j | Jump |
| jk | jk | Jump kick |
| > | > | Hold button |
| +k | +k | Kameo assist |
The ~ symbol means to cancel the current move into the next. For example:
f43 ~ db2
Means you input f4 and 3 together, then quickly do db2 to combo.
Raiden Bread & Butter Combos
Let‘s start with Raiden‘s core combo routes that every player should know. These sequences are easy to execute, work off many starters, and still deal great damage:
12 ~ db2 ex > 2421 > f22 > f43f43 ~ bf3 > 12 > 2421 > f22f22 ~ db3 > 12 > 2421 > f432421 ~ df2 > 12 > f22 > f43
The magic is in Raiden‘s special move cancels. db2 (electrocute) and df2 (electric fly) let you link multiple strings together for juicy damage totals. For example, after landing 2421 ~ df2, you‘re plus enough to combo into another 1,2 starter.
bf3 and db3 are also handy combo tools to have in your back pocket. The lightning strikes launch the opponent for big juggle combos, while being extremely safe on block. Use them to start your offense or frame trap counter-attacking foes.
Raiden Kombo Routes
Now we‘re getting spicy. With Raiden‘s Kameo assists and EX moves, you can seriously amp up your combo damage while unlocking new routes. Check out these Kombo extensions:
2421 ~ df2 > f+k > f34 > f22 ~ df2 > f+k > 3 ~ df2 ex > 3 ~ df2(Jax)f43 ~ db3 ex > 3 > dash > f22 ~ df2 ex > f22 ~ df2(Liu Kang)
Inputting f+k triggers your Kameo attack, which can then combo into the rest of the string. Some Kameos, like Jax, even offer additional juggle points to extend the combo further with EX moves.
The end result is a beefy damage boost, extra corner carry, and a chance to burn enemy defensive meter. Well worth the execution practice!
Here are a few more Kameo combo variations to try:
2421 ~ df2 ex > f34 > 242 ~ df2 > f+k > jk > 2 ~ df2(Jax)2421 ~ df2 > f+k > f34 > 242 ~ df2 > f+k > 3 ~ df2 ex > 3 ~ df2(Jax)f43 ~ db3 ex > 3 > f34 > 242 ~ df2 ex > 4 ~ df2(Kung Lao)
Of course, these are just a few possible routes. Raiden‘s combo tree has tons of branching paths based on starter, Kameo, stage positioning, and meter. Don‘t be afraid to freestyle!
Corner Kombos
The corner is where things get really nasty for Raiden. With the opponent trapped, he can loop electrocutes and side switches for days:
du ex > j224 > 242 ~ df2 ex > 4 ~ df2back throw > f+k > f22 ~ df2 ex > f22 ~ df2
That down-up EX lightning is a full combo on its own, and the aerial follow-ups put the opponent right back in the blender. Toss in some Kameo assists and you can get 400+ damage off a single bar – absolutely criminal!
Some more disgusting corner routes, for the combo sickos:
f43 ~ db3 ex > 3 > f34 > 242 ~ df2 ex > 4 ~ df22421 ~ df2 > f+k > f34 > 242 ~ df2 ex > 3 ~ df2 > f+k > 3 ~ df2(Jax)
If you get the hit confirm, it‘s going to be a bad time for the other player, so lab these up until they‘re second nature!
Fatalities & Brutalities
No MK11 character guide would be complete without showcasing their Fatalities and Brutalities. Raiden‘s are some of the best in the game, and a perfect thematic fit for the Thunder God.
For Fatalities, Raiden‘s "alternating current" is an instant classic. He channels electricity into the opponent until they graphically explode into bits – a gnarly way to close out the set. Input is: forward, back, forward, 2.
Raiden also has several Brutalities, which are essentially instant-kill moves if you meet certain conditions. A few to aim for:
Overload: Do an Electric Fly attack as a finishing hitInside You: Must perform 5 lightning strikes during the matchPower Outage: Final hit must come from a throw (easiest to do with his forward throw)
Brutalities are a stylish way to end the match quickly, without having to wait for the Fatality cinematic. Plus they make for great reaction GIFs to share on Twitter!
Raiden Matchups & Counterplay
Raiden has a fairly even matchup spread, though he struggles a bit against zoners and characters with teleports. Here are a few matchup-specific tips gathered from Raiden mains and frame data experts:
Vs. Liu Kang
- Duck the fireball and punish with db2
- Use Raiden‘s superior reach to whiff punish Liu Kang‘s kicks
- Neutral jump the low fireball
Vs. Sub-Zero
- Block low by default and react to overheads
- Stay mobile to avoid getting froze
- Whiff punish slide on reaction with b3 or db2
Vs. Kung Lao
- Neutral duck the hat toss and punish
- Jump back mk to avoid Spin and punish
- Stagger pressure to counter Teleport
In general, you want to keep Raiden at his optimal mid-range distance where his pokes are most effective. Fish for whiffs, be patient, and react to your opponent‘s mistakes with big damage punishes.
Wrapping Up
Phew, that was a lot of Raiden talk! I had a blast researching this guide and flexing some combo creativity in the lab. Hopefully it got your gears turning too and inspired you to pick up the character.
Even if you‘re not a Raiden main, I encourage you to try out these combos and see how they feel. You might be surprised how satisfying it is to land those crispy lightning bolts and Kameo cancels.
Remember, learning combos is an ongoing process, not something you master overnight. Stick with a route until it‘s consistent, then gradually build up to the harder stuff. With time and practice, you‘ll be styling on opponents with Raiden‘s sauciest tech.
If you want to see Raiden‘s combo theory in action, I highly suggest checking out some pro player footage. The likes of SonicFox, Tweedy, Ninjakilla_212, and Dragon all have great Raiden matches and combo exhibitions.
Well that‘s all I‘ve got for today. Let me know in the comments if you have any spicy Raiden combos of your own, or if there‘s another character you‘d like to see featured next.
‘Til next time, may the Elder Gods bless your Ranked sets and kombos. Take it easy!
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