Mortal Kombat 11 Shao Kahn Guide Featuring VideoGamezYo

Competitive play in Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate can seem like a cliff if it is your first fighting game. There much to learn at a macro level with the idea of safe and unsafe attacks, flawless blocks, zoning, and much more. Beyond that, each character's moves, frames, specials, and variations can throw you for a loop unless you have familiarized yourself with them in the past. So taking your first step into understanding these micro and macro concepts is important, even if you only want to beat your mates at the game on a Sunday afternoon.

Because of that, here at DashFight, we want to give you all the tools you need to get started on your favorite character. And there is no better way to learn than by seeing, doing, and thinking. So today, we invited UK-based Pro Jordan "VideoGamezYo" James to share with you all his insights into Shao Kahn. You can watch the full video below and follow along with the guide or use the table of content to jump to your desired section upon revisit.

VideoGamezYo's Shao Kahn Guide

Shao Kahn's Best Buttons

The Best Buttons are the key moves for the character. You are likely to want to use or see these in play as players or opponents since they offer the best neutral, anti-air, and pressure value.

• 1 - Great Anti-Air, good for closing small gaps and plus on block. The downside is that it is high, meaning microducks might be a problem.
• F2 - Another High with fantastic range, but it opens up a few opportunities for strings.
• B3 - Mid Launcher, once again great range and with proper spacing, can be followed up with Shoulder Charge (BF3).
• B4 - A quick sweep with great range makes it one of the best in the game.
• D4 - Another top-of-the-line low, this time a poke that is safe even on block, giving you the chance to pile on the pressure.
• F4 - Plus 6 on block and a Mid. Slow yes, but once more, pile on that pressure with grabs, short hops, or more.
• F3 - Quick Mid with good a good string after if you get the hit confirmed.

Shao Kahn's Best Variation

Since players can now use their custom Variations in tournament settings, there is no excuse not to learn what goes well together. So here is VideoGamezYo's Shao Kahn variation specials ranking:

1. Annihilation (DB3)
2. Dark Priest (DD1)
3. Ground Shatter (BD4)
4. Skewered (DB1)

Shao Kahn's Best Strings

No one wins on the back of single punches. Having a memorized list of the Best Strings you can use and change throughout the match will vastly improve your chances of coming out ahead.

• 1, 2, 1+3
  • Good for opponents who are expecting a throw.
• 1, 4, 2
• F2, 4
  • Both of these strings end in an Overhead.
• 4, 4
• F3, 4
  • Be wary of flawless block gaps with the last two!

Shao Kahn's Gameplan

Gone are the days of smashing buttons and spamming that one combo we learned five years ago. Instead, if you want to compete or impress your mates, you have to go into each match with a Gameplan to carry through to victory. Here are your key principles:

• You can output a lot of damage, scare your opponents by threatening to drown them in combos.
• Control the space. Many of your moves, particularly your Best Buttons, have a lot of range, so use them to keep yourself safe and to close the gap to your opponents.
• Flawless blocks are your biggest weakness. In general, you will be taking a lot of risks if you are not careful.

Shao Kahn's Bread & Butter Combos

Knowing how to adapt to the changing landscape of a fight is important. That is why Combos play a crucial role in letting you shape it and extract the most out of your inputs. Here are the combos you should be looking to pull off:

Mid Screen Combos:

• 1, 4, BF3, R1, FJ2, 2, 3, DB3
• 1, 4, DB3, B3, DASH, B2, BF3, R1, S4, DB3

Corner Combos:

• 1, 4, DB3, B3, S4, BF3, R1, S4, DB3
• 1, 4, BF3, R1, FJ2, 2, 3, DB3

Shao Kahn's Guide Conclusion

Overall, Shao Kahn's strengths lie in his damage and space control. Putting pressure on opponents will yield good results. Still, with more technically proficient players that can flawless block you and know the correct way to approach Shao Kahn, they will get past your attacks and interrupt your unsafe combos.