VideoGamezYo's General Shao Mortal Kombat 1 Character Guide

General Kahn in Mortal Kombat 1, is a challenging but fun character and the subject of DashFight's first Mortal Kombat 1 character guide. For this video, we've recruited the help of top player VideoGgamezYo who will be walking you through all the details of how you can maximize your potential with Shao.

General Shao's Gameplay Basics

Best Buttons

Shao is somewhat similar to MK11 Shao Kahn, especially due to his forward dash range, as well as strong pokes. Shao's S2 is a particularly useful tool, as it is 0 on block, has very good range for a standing 2, can almost be spammed out at a safe distance, functions as an anti-air, and has good conversions overall.

The other pokes available are D4, D3, and B2, B1. You want to use those to open up your opponent from a safe distance. Standing 2, in particular, will be your key to special cancel from or to go for the full 222 string. 

Offense & Defense

You want to focus on whiff punish and neutral base fights. Shao lacks the mids to rushdown his opponents. Stay at the range of your best buttons, including your DB4 special, which once you get them into the corner, you can spend a bar to make it a launcher and kick off a combo. You can also use your axe to create mind-game situations since the slam is a low, unless the opponent is standing on it, in which case it becomes an overhead again.

You want to control the area around you, stay at that sweet spot distance from your opponent, where you can punish their whiffs, and take your turn on the fight. If they are letting their defense falter a bit, then you want to push forward and smother them into the corner.

Strengths & Weaknesses

Much like in MK 11 Shao excels at area control near him, with easy pressure overall. Although he may lack multiple launchers, he can make up for that difference on the back of Kameos.

As for weaknesses, he has a number of slow mids, which makes it harder to cut inside, and dashing backward is a major risk. He also has fewer plus frames, making him focus far more in the netrual. 

Best Kameos For General Shao

General Shao Bread & Butter Combos

Mid Screen

• 21% - S1,2, S2,2, DB3
• 34% - S1,2, S2,2 DB3 (AMP) DF4, S2, DF2
• 34% - (anti-air) S2, S2, S2,2 DB3 (AMP) S2, DF2
• 29% - F1,2,2, DF4, S2, DF2
• 32% - F1,2,2 DB3 (AMP), S2, DF2

Corner

• 38% (45% with Axe buff) - B2, B2, B2, B2, S2,2, DB3 (AMP), S2, THROW
• 37% - S2,2 DB3 (AMP) DF4, S2,2,4, DF2

Motaro

• 30% (35% with Axe buff) - F2, KAMEO, B2, J2, S2,2, DB3 (AMP), DF4, S2, DF2