Shang Tsung Matchup Discussion Thread

[Konqrr]

I realize that there might be a matchup thread already in this forum, but the point of this thread is to discuss matchups to make the Matchup Chart as accurate as possible.

The Matchup Chart thread:
http://testyourmight.com/forum/showthread.php?3075-Mortal-Kombat-(2011)-Matchup-Chart

When you discuss or list what you think the matchups are, please do so in alphabetical order. Also, they should be listed in either whole numbers or .5 notations.

The current Matchup Chart for Shang Tsung is as follows:
6-4 vs Baraka
3-7 vs Cyber Sub-Zero
5-5 vs Cyrax
6-4 vs Ermac
xxx vs Freddy Krueger
3-7 vs Jade
6-4 vs Jax
5-5 vs Johnny Cage
5-5 vs Kabal
4-6 vs Kano
xxx vs Kenshi
5-5 vs Kitana
3-7 vs Kung Lao
7-3 vs Liu Kang
5-5 vs Mileena
4-6 vs Nightwolf
5-5 vs Noob Saibot
6-4 vs Quan Chi
3-7 vs Raiden
xxx vs Rain
4-6 vs Reptile
5-5 vs Scorpion
5-5 vs Sektor
7-3 vs Sheeva
6-4 vs Sindel
xxx vs Skarlet
4-6 vs Smoke
6-4 vs Sonya Blade
4-6 vs Stryker
5-5 vs Sub-Zero

Agree? Disagree? DISCUSS!

 

[eskuAdradit0]

I'd add a 4-6 vs Kratos. Not that it mattersi(specially for being tourney banned), but I've got a few friends who are somewhat decent and give me a hard time with him. Maybe it's because I'm not used to him (well, I wasn't at first), but it's not a pleasant match.

 

[Gamin_Guru]

Is the thought process for all the characters that dont have teleports, like Jax, Sonya and Lui Kang, that they can just be zoned out
making the matchup more favorable for Shang Tsung ?

Mmh Whenever I face a good Jax and they're in my face, it's hard to shake em off. And if they have any kind of metre, forget zoning since EX-Dash punch will knock you out. Jax can uppercut you out of some of your strings. I'd put that matchup at best 5-5.

7-3 for Lui Kang ? No way. Once Lui gets in, he doesnt stop. And if you try to zone him, he can EX-flying kick since it has armor. Cant
be less than 5-5. Alex Valle got babalitied by ATL Red's Lui Kang. Explain that to me.

Mileena cant be 5-5. At best it's 4-6.

No way is Sonya's matchup 6-4. She has a dive kick, excellent mixups, fast normals and she has one of the fastest uppercuts.

Havent faced many Strykers so cant see how that matchup is 4-6.

 

[DetroitBalln]

3-7 vs Kung Lao

I disagree with this.

Imo this match up is 5-5, but others say 6-4 in favor of Lao which is understandable.

I think Shang has the tools to stop all of Lao's moves, and if you use them at the right time Lao can have a hard time.

 

[DetroitBalln]

I realize that there might be a matchup thread already in this forum, but the point of this thread is to discuss matchups to make the Matchup Chart as accurate as possible.

The Matchup Chart thread:
http://testyourmight.com/forum/showthread.php?3075-Mortal-Kombat-(2011)-Matchup-Chart

When you discuss or list what you think the matchups are, please do so in alphabetical order. Also, they should be listed in either whole numbers or .5 notations.

The current Matchup Chart for Shang Tsung is as follows:
6-4 vs Baraka
3-7 vs Cyber Sub-Zero
5-5 vs Cyrax
6-4 vs Ermac
xxx vs Freddy Krueger
3-7 vs Jade
6-4 vs Jax
5-5 vs Johnny Cage
5-5 vs Kabal
4-6 vs Kano
xxx vs Kenshi
5-5 vs Kitana
3-7 vs Kung Lao
7-3 vs Liu Kang
5-5 vs Mileena
4-6 vs Nightwolf
5-5 vs Noob Saibot
6-4 vs Quan Chi
3-7 vs Raiden
xxx vs Rain
4-6 vs Reptile
5-5 vs Scorpion
5-5 vs Sektor
7-3 vs Sheeva
6-4 vs Sindel
xxx vs Skarlet
4-6 vs Smoke
6-4 vs Sonya Blade
4-6 vs Stryker
5-5 vs Sub-Zero

Agree? Disagree? DISCUSS!

Most of these are wrong imo, konqrr.. Where did you get these numbers from?

 

[THTB]

The numbers are from the matchup chart...they'll all be fixed up as time goes on and numbers become agreed upon.

 

[Belial]

DetroitBallin: What would you name as advantages Shang has over Lao. What are his strong points in this matchup?

 

[Danno]

First off I think this can be a great thread for Shang players. This game does have some rough matchups for Shang (especially teleporters, for me atleast). I think understanding the matchups and how to handle them will greatly help out alot of people here and atleast it will for me

I was also babilitied by a Liu Kang the other day lol and then switched to Kano and returned the favor. I want to get to the point with Shang that I am with some of my other characters. (So I dont have to "go get big brother" basically)

Raiden to be can be like 2-8 or even 1-9 if hes played well.

I was just wondering on an explanation on the Smoke matchup being 4 - 6
He has one of the fastest teleports in the game and the best anti zone parry.

 

[Konqrr]

Most of these are wrong imo, konqrr.. Where did you get these numbers from?

We've been calling for you in the matchup chart thread. The numbers are from players of other characters what they think the matchups are. Why haven't you posted your numbers and why yet? Stop playing online and get it done!

I agree on Shang vs Lao being 5-5 ... When Shang morphs into Lao, all hell breaks loose lol

 

[DetroitBalln]

We've been calling for you in the matchup chart thread. The numbers are from players of other characters what they think the matchups are. Why haven't you posted your numbers and why yet? Stop playing online and get it done!

I agree on Shang vs Lao being 5-5 ... When Shang morphs into Lao, all hell breaks loose lol

hahaha!! No one called me?

But ill post my match up numbers when i have the time to

 

[DetroitBalln]

Raiden to be can be like 2-8 or even 1-9 if hes played well.

Lol no way..

I would say 4-6, you have to play defensively against any Raiden player. When not blocking, you can punish Raidens teleport with f434.

From full screen:
1) when you assume Raiden will teleport, you can throw out an up-skull (Timing is very difficult) to where the skull hits him when he's behind you. Then you get a free combo

2) When you think he's going to superman, you can do a close ground skull to catch him out of his superman. Then you get a free combo.

So basically you have to take some risks, but the rest is defense.

 

[SuperMnC]

2) When you think he's going to superman, you can do a close ground skull to catch him out of his superman. Then you get a free combo.

So basically you have to take some risks, but the rest is defense.

If you know he's going to do a Superman tho, wouldnt it just be easier to block THEN do your ground skull? Instead of trying to time it? I'm not doubting you at all (youre my inspiration for playing Shang Tsung) haha, but for me it would be a hell of a lot easier to just block and punish that move if I think its coming.

 

[Rabid Justice]

Raiden can superman ground or sky skulls on reaction. You bait him into it.

 

[DetroitBalln]

Raiden can superman ground or sky skulls on reaction. You bait him into it.

Exactly.

 

[AC1984]

Shang is an awesome character but I have some complaints about him.

Number 1 - his uppercut is retarded and Number 2 - why would Shang lose almost every projectile or hit trade against his fire balls.... I mean If you do the EX skulls and some one hit you, you lose the meter, you don't even see the skulls coming, and you get hit.....I just don't get it....

 

[greeneless]

I'm not understanding Kitana being a 5-5 matchup. Someone explain this.

Edit: Actually I don't understand the 6-4 sonya matchup either. I dont understand many things, related to shang tsung.

Kitana.. I can never get a health lead against her (block string chip damage), so its no use in doing an even trade in fireballs when you finally get some distance. If I try to hit her after a block string with anything but D3 I get hit with her full screen down 1. If i wait on D1, I get hit with another D1 after. If I start to DARE TO POKE WITH D3..... then I get lifted into the air for another 50% combo or an unbreakable 30% combo.

I admit I'm not the best shang tsung player by any means, but 5-5 seems like a bit of a stretch to me.

 

[bloodsport]

I'm not understanding Kitana being a 5-5 matchup. Someone explain this.

Edit: Actually I don't understand the 6-4 sonya matchup either. I dont understand many things, related to shang tsung.

Kitana.. I can never get a health lead against her (block string chip damage), so its no use in doing an even trade in fireballs when you finally get some distance. If I try to hit her after a block string with anything but D3 I get hit with her full screen down 1. If i wait on D1, I get hit with another D1 after. If I start to DARE TO POKE WITH D3..... then I get lifted into the air for another 50% combo or an unbreakable 30% combo.

I admit I'm not the best shang tsung player by any means, but 5-5 seems like a bit of a stretch to me.

imo SS makes (or should make) every matchup for shang 5-5.. except raiden and that bastard teleport

 

[DetroitBalln]

imo SS makes (or should make) every matchup for shang 5-5.. except raiden and that bastard teleport

I wish that was the case

 

[DetroitBalln]

Shang is an awesome character but I have some complaints about him.

Number 1 - his uppercut is retarded and Number 2 - why would Shang lose almost every projectile or hit trade against his fire balls.... I mean If you do the EX skulls and some one hit you, you lose the meter, you don't even see the skulls coming, and you get hit.....I just don't get it....

Shang has the best uppercut in the game imo. You have to realize that it is not used for AA's. I use it in combos, especially corner combos.

As for the EX skulls dont appear when he gets hit - I totally agree with you.

 

[Marcus]

Shang has the best uppercut in the game imo. You have to realize that it is not used for AA's. I use it in combos, especially corner combos.

Can you show us a video of this Mr.Ballin. Please.

 

[Demonfang10]

Mmh Whenever I face a good Jax and they're in my face, it's hard to shake em off. And if they have any kind of metre, forget zoning since EX-Dash punch will knock you out. Jax can uppercut you out of some of your strings. I'd put that matchup at best 5-5.

7-3 for Lui Kang ? No way. Once Lui gets in, he doesnt stop. And if you try to zone him, he can EX-flying kick since it has armor. Cant
be less than 5-5. Alex Valle got babalitied by ATL Red's Lui Kang. Explain that to me.

I agree completely, my bro uses shang tsung and always complains cause about how cheap liu is after i do a babalitiy on him after a double flawless victory. Forget en flying dragon kick, the normal one beats ground skulls it on reaction. And jax, don't get me started, if i used him my bro would probably drop shang tsung, so he picked him up before i had the chance lolz.

 

[bloodsport]

I agree completely, my bro uses shang tsung and always complains cause about how cheap liu is after i do a babalitiy on him after a double flawless victory. Forget en flying dragon kick, the normal one beats ground skulls it on reaction. And jax, don't get me started, if i used him my bro would probably drop shang tsung, so he picked him up before i had the chance lolz.

getting babalitied is the players fault though. shangs frame traps keep you from wakeups/moving whatsoever if youre not blocking. LK has very good pressure but STs pressure is top notch. not to mention LK is ridiculously easy to use, soul steal lmao. by the way it isnt hard to bait flying kicks with a close ground skull or an in front down skull.

shangs uppercut is awesome in corner combos, but i find it way too impractical on midscreen combos lmao.. i need to work on that.

I wish that was the case

yea 5-5 is a bit much, but it turns 1-9 matchups to at least a 3-7 lol

 

[greeneless]

imo SS makes (or should make) every matchup for shang 5-5.. except raiden and that bastard teleport

No.

 

[bloodsport]

No.

the "should" is there for a reason, i know it doesnt

 

[eskuAdradit0]

I need some help against Kitana.
She just zones me with ground fans (no iAF) and then close goes with f2, 1 and jumps back. If I try to approach, I eat a fan or a d1. Then she square boosts to the other side of the map and goes back to step 1.

Any help? What can I punish the F2, 1 with? I'm really being stupid or something, because losing that much to kitana is making me blind.