Mortal Kombat 11 Shang Tsung Guide Featuring A F0xy Grampa

Shang Tsung is one of the most iconic villains in the video game history. From his presence as a boss in the very first Mortal Kombat to his movie appearance, where he was played by Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, it all added to his legacy. Now, in the latest installment of the MK franchise, he’s as good as ever, with unique gameplay and some very special quirks.

Since everyone at DashFight wants to give you all the tools you will need to improve, we have once again partnered with the one and only Denom "A F0xy Grampa" Jones to provide you with the best Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate Shang Tsung guide. You can view the full video right below and go over any of the individual sections right here in the text guide. 

A F0xy Grampa's Shang Tsung Guide

Building a Variation

Shang Tsung is incredibly versatile, so you can use almost anything your heart desires. A F0xy Grampa himself utilizes these two:

• Ground Eruption (DB1)

• Slide (BF4)

For more combo potential, you can pick Force Lift, Shake, and Superkick.

Shang Tsung’s Specials

At his core, Shang Tsung with Corpse Drop and Ground Eruption is a zoning character. So it’s prudent to utilize the abilities that help him with this game.

• BF1 - A projectile that pushes the opponent away.

• DB1 (F) - Ground eruption can be chained onto the BF1 to help control the space more.

• DF3 (B, F, or U) - Corpse Drop can be controlled with additional input, so you can drop it on the opponent in any position.

• BF4 - A side switch that can be a combo ender or a tool to escape pressure.

Shang Tsung’s Normals

Many of Shang’s moves leave him plus on hit and on block, so he has a good amount of options to do as a follow-up.

• D4 - Amazing on hit, opens up most options being +17.

• D1 - Quick poke tool, can be chained into something more potent.

• 1, 1, 2 & 1, 1, 4 - Autoshimmy string that can break techs, and you confirm on that.

• F2, 4, 2

• F2, 4, 3

• B3, D4

• B3, U4

• F4 - Punishable with D2 on duck...

• F3 - … but F3 has a similar startup that can’t be punished. A great mindgame 50/50.

Shang Tsung’s Gameplay

It’s essential as Shang Tsung to learn the range of all your Corpse Drops, max distance of all your F4s, mind gaming with F4 and F3. It’s crucial to learn how to properly space Corpse Drops and Ground Eruptions. You should practice ducking high projectiles and punishing them with DB1 whenever you’re in range, or check with a Corpse Drop when you aren’t.

When you get more advanced, you need to learn to confirm everything into the Ground Eruption. 

This variation doesn’t allow him to utilize most of his kit when he has corner pressure, but his plus frames on everything allow him to do short bursts of damage again and again.

For the anti-air options, most begin with him using the neutral 2 into the Ground Eruption spam. You could also use his ridiculous jump kick and confirm it with Ground Eruption.

Shang Tsung’s Weaknesses

Shang Tsung’s biggest weakness comes from the reliance on hitting the Corpse Drop. If you can be pinpoint with that, the rest of the game just flows naturally. As for the true counters, he struggles the most against Sub-Zero and Geras, as they can avoid and punish many of his setups.