Match-up Discussion MK2 Liu Kang VS Johnny Cage

[Konqrr]

Definitely one of the hardest to win.
Cage gets beat 9-1 by all top tier, sadly.

UMK2 fixed this. Cage SK and LK now hit crouching characters. Cage walkspeed increased so he can get in easier. Plus his high fireball now hits Liu in Low Fireball from fullscreen.

 

[mortal_jason]

Cage is better in the corner. Kang is better at far screen.

Problem is Cage can't get in on foot because of Liu's low toe and Low Fireball.
All jump-ins get uppercutted by Liu.
And Cage's sweep is average, so it's hard to even block a Low Fireball and punish with one.

But you're right, to win this you have to get close to Liu. Trapping him in a corner sometimes works.

 

[mortal_jason]

UMK2 fixed this. Cage SK and LK now hit crouching characters. Cage walkspeed increased so he can get in easier. Plus his high fireball now hits Liu in Low Fireball from fullscreen.

Yeah Cage is actually a counter to Liu in UMK2.
That doesn't help him any in MK2 though, which is what everyone plays

 

[TaffyMeat]

Problem is Cage can't get in on foot because of Liu's low toe and Low Fireball.
All jump-ins get uppercutted by Liu.
And Cage's sweep is average, so it's hard to even block a Low Fireball and punish with one.

But you're right, to win this you have to get close to Liu. Trapping him in a corner sometimes works.

If you have good read/reactions cage can nut punch under high fireball/flying kick. It's a bit pointless as ducking is just as effective but it can freak out your opponent

 

[mortal_jason]

If you have good read/reactions cage can nut punch under high fireball/flying kick. It's a bit pointless as ducking is just as effective but it can freak out your opponent

I've never tried those, but you can also Nut Punch certain fighters (like Liu) as they try to sweep you.
Liu won't sweep much when he's always charging LK however.

 

[mortal_jason]

I don't know if it's because I'm just more comfortable with Scorpion, but I'll take Scorpion over Cage in this matchup any day.

I'd rather have Scorpion vs Liu as well. He has more options and ways to counter/pressure Liu for sure.
Cage vs Liu is harder to win than Scorpion vs Liu.
Never thought I'd say that years ago, but after playing online for 4 years, I definitely believe it.