Mortal Kombat: Basic Gameplay FAQ

[Vecticus]

This would be a great guide IF I got a fucking explanation on how to CANCEL.

 

[MashPotatoTower]

This would be a great guide IF I got a fucking explanation on how to CANCEL.

Perform a special at the end of an attack or attack string. I'm having trouble explaining it. I hope this helps and some other dude can explain it better

 

[SpineRip]

I know this an old thread, and I hope this gets read, but I just recently started playing MK9 (played the predecessors as they came out, including MK1, but took a break from video games shortly after MK: Armaggedon).

I've been reading some threads to help me learn strategy and such but there's some terminology I just can't figure out:

- Reading some threads about Scorpion, and I see a lot of references to his "vortex"... Is that hitting an opponent while they're in the air and juggling them?

- Also, regarding Scorpion, I saw some posts about his "50/50" attacks. Is this using his Hell-fire move, where the opponent has a 50% chance of standing there and getting hit, or has a 50% chance of jumping away from it?

- What exactly is a "reset"?

I'm sure more questions will come up, but that's all I can think of now. Thanks!

 

[Kooron Nation]

@SpineRip

A reset is basically stopping your combo early to put your opponent in a restanding position, resetting the neutral. The idea behind this is to restand them with a move that gives you enough hit advantage to make them guess another 50/50 combo starter instead of finishing the combo for damage, which in turn puts them in a vortex of having to guess if you're going to go low/OH/throw after the reset.
Generally the only way out is to Armour, backdash, or block the 50/50.
Some restands are gimmicks that can be jumped or poked out of if you know they don't have enough advantage.

 

[SpineRip]

A reset is basically stopping your combo early to put your opponent in a restanding position, resetting the neutral. The idea behind this is to restand them with a move that gives you enough hit advantage to make them guess another 50/50 combo starter instead of finishing the combo for damage, which in turn puts them in a vortex of having to guess if you're going to go low/OH/throw after the reset.
Generally the only way out is to Armour, backdash, or block the 50/50.
Some restands are gimmicks that can be jumped or poked out of if you know they don't have enough advantage.

Thanks @Kooron Nation!

I understand what a reset is now, thanks to you, but I'm a little lost as to what a "vortex" and a "50/50" are...

I thought I had some idea, but after your post, I realize I was not even remotely close! lol.

 

[Kooron Nation]

Thanks @Kooron Nation!

I understand what a reset is now, thanks to you, but I'm a little lost as to what a "vortex" and a "50/50" are...

I thought I had some idea, but after your post, I realize I was not even remotely close! lol.

A 50/50 is when your opponent has to guess if you're going to do an Overhead or Low move to start your combo, meaning there is a 50% chance they will guess right/wrong. If they guess wrong you do your combo and end it in a restand so they have to guess again, which is a vortex, as you are putting them into a loophole of guessing OH (overhead) or Low.

 

[zerosebaz]

Thanks @Kooron Nation!

I understand what a reset is now, thanks to you, but I'm a little lost as to what a "vortex" and a "50/50" are...

I thought I had some idea, but after your post, I realize I was not even remotely close! lol.

A 50/50 is when you put your opponent in a position when they have to guess to block high or low. For example, with Scorpion after a regular teleport your opponent is forced to block your next attack, and you can do his Back 2, that is an overhead, or Forward 4, which is a low. Both of this moves allow you to keep doing a combo.

A Vortex is a 50/50 in which both of your options will allow you to combo AND will leave your opponent back in the same situation, repeating indefinitely until he guesses right. I never mained Scorpion, so I don't remember his vortex notation, but Im sure they shouldn't be hard to find.

I hope this helps, feel free to ask if you have any more doubts

 

[SpineRip]

Thanks again @Kooron Nation and thanks @zerosebaz!

That completely answers my questions, and helps me understand that Kooron's first post answered the question - I was just too lost to see it.

I know I'll have more questions in the coming days, so I'm glad to find a good place with knowledgable people to help me. Thanks again!

 

[Cashual]

How do you input reversals in spots where say you have a frame or 2ish to execute it? Can you buffer reversal inputs while still holding block or do you have to recognize when to release block or hit stun and input the special or whatever then?

Is there a definitive way to know when it's safe to attempt your punish on a move you know is punishable but may have an odd hit stun or long active frames like hellfire aura? Or is that simply match up knowledge and grinding in the lab? Anything universally recognizable like say the audial thud of the last attack impacting your block letting you know to punish?