10 Tips to Improve at Mortal Kombat 1

Welcome to this Beginners Tutorial for MK1! I'll go over what I believe are the top ten essential ways to get the ball rolling as you become a better Mortal Kombat 1 player. See you all in-game!
0:00 - Intro
0:18 - Don't Focus Only On Combos
1:46 - Hit-Confirming
3:00 - Blocking
3:58 - Using/Managing Resources and Kameos
5:44 - Movement
6:31 - Ducking Fireballs
7:22 - Delaying Wakeup
8:19 - Watching In-Game Replays
9:38 - Trying New Characters and Kameos
11:30 - Having Fun
Music:
Cage Mansion (Round 1) - Mortal Kombat 1
The Courtyard - Mortal Kombat 9
Destroyed City (Mix) - Mortal Kombat 10
Edited by: Greyfish | Twitter: / legreyfish | Twitch: / greyfishgames
My goal is to grow a positive community with a focus at improving at fighting games If this is something that resonates with you - please consider following me on my social media links and subscribing:
⭐⭐Second KZbin Channel for Clips: ‪@DiaphoneTwo‬
⭐⭐Follow me on Twitter: / diaphone_
⭐⭐Chill with us on Twitch: / diaphone_
⭐⭐Join the Discord: / discord
⭐⭐I also do replay review + coaching: metafy.gg/@diaphone
#MK1 #MortalKombat #Diaphone

[@JacobBush16]

After spamming the one Liu Kang combo I learned through the entire beta and winning more than half the games, I can confirm the first tip is solid.

[@MiniNinjaPK]

Nice. Which combo was that?

[@ayobeemo8117]

​@@MiniNinjaPKdeez nuts

[@JacobBush16]

@@MiniNinjaPK something like b23 > b23 > j > 212 > bf1. Frost kameo helped add on some damage at the start but it’s very basic like 30% combo if I remember.

[@gorillaX1944]

@@ayobeemo8117true

[@wis3name129]

😮

[@Speedo94]

I gotta say I was skeptical after MK11 that gameplay was not good at all but this game got me labbing for 3 hours at a time it’s a huge improvement

[@lennoxvance5794]

It’s shit

[@Diaphone]

I like this soooooo much more than MK11, it's wild

[@lennoxvance5794]

@@Diaphone bruh I’m so ass at it I can’t get the kameo fighters so I’m on a 37 match losing streak and have given up

[@christiancarnalla9418]

@@lennoxvance5794that’s called a skill problem. Do some local matches first

[@terrellsm2522]

@@lennoxvance5794damm😭😭😭

[@Universalpurple]

Very well explained and friendly for new players! Thank you for your tip brakedown, it actually made me think to play more characters so i can understand the game better. I rly wanna be good and enjoy the game more. I love your calm energy! Peace =)

[@BlainmanG12]

This was awesome. Thank you for making this video. You seem like a genuine person who has fun and wants everyone to have fun. You have just gotten yourself a fan.

[@TheDailySting]

Another great way to learn fundamentals is completing all the tutorials. One of the first things I do. Lil nugs of info sprinkled throughout. Great vid for beginners. Keep killing it.

[@thegoodguy9756]

Thanks for the insight man much appreciated. I am going to take your advice and try to not get frustrated when I get demolished because all in all I'm still learning and it just takes practice.

[@quidgehog]

This video genuinely helped me. I have been very bad at fighting games. Playing SF6 and watching this video have changed that. I totally forget that MK is a game and meant for fun. My favorite tips from this video are have fun, don't prioritize combos, and mix it up. Thank you so much Diaphone. Have a great day man.

[@Christian-fu2et]

W keep it up bro

[@rustyAF]

We love to hear it 🎉

[@bbpoItergeist]

How are you doing? I been pretty good at every game but fighting games I’m trying to get better

[@Miniduck9013]

We are all guilty of taking video games WAYYY to seriously

[@rustyAF]

@@Miniduck9013 forreal but it feels good to get better and know that you’re able to achieve higher levels of skill. And thats in any field.

[@Shykeful]

It is obvious that you are a pro player and well established in the FGC, but, holy cow, it always puts a smile on my face to see how well you do in any fighting game.

[@ADreamingTraveler]

One other thing that's really helpful is watching replays of your own gameplay. It's crazy just how much you don't notice when you're playing an actual match once you watch a replay of it. It helps you pick apart all your bad habits and mistakes. I'd argue watching your own matches is one of the best tools available to you

[@winge-dogjones2492]

learnt more in 1.39 from this video than 2 weeks playing the game and getting to level 98. great vid.

[@TwoFaceAce]

Thank you for this info! I really didn’t think to watch the replays that’s valuable to me!

[@MastermindRell]

Glad to see you changing it up. Good content 👌🏾

[@enbilly]

loved tour videos before, so im really happy seeing you make mk content!!

[@youngpast0228]

I didn't even know you can watch other people's replays and that tip alone is very helpful. The rest of the tips are also very helpful. Love this video.

[@jscriber100]

11:43 The best advice in a video packed with good advice.

[@wjcarroll29]

Great video, just randomly showed up in my KZbin feed, I guess cos I've been watching other mortal Kombat stuff, but you've got yourself a new subscriber 👍

[@Gabzilla27]

Yes! I needed this

[@JustinJohnson-vc1gr]

Aside from not worrying too much about combos, I personally like to learn the basic strings for a character first. After that, I start to experiment with the strings and see what can be special canceled etc. I also do sometimes use the same combo starter occasionally but I'll add a different ender.

[@Blessed_V0id]

Thanks for the tip : )

[@MikeLitoriss69]

Currently winless online and this vid has def helped. Gonna spend some time in the lab and learn a bit more before hopping back online. Just subbed to your channel!

[@raoufswedek]

Just found your channel. Like that it's straight to the point the videos. Keep it up.

[@despicableree58]

Tip 10 helps a lot! I love playing Nitara, but I also like Shang Tsung and Baraka!

[@HeyHedgehog]

Great video, really helpful and well produced!

[@RedBeard26]

Most videos from high skilled players about how to improve (in any game) dont really understand what its like to be new and what a new player should REALLY focus on. I think you really nailed it in this video and I greatly appreciate it!

[@Gromst3rr]

Thank you for these valuable tips

[@seantaylor424]

I don't intend to go kompetetive and was just hoping to find ways to handle Story and Invasions better. I was happy to see that the one or two kombos per fighter I've been doing are about what you prescribe (maybe less komplicated than yours because I kan't EX meter at all) and knowing you can kombo with a kameo after just one hit was a revelation. Hopefully it works for more than just Sareena but I definitely know I have options with her now! Thanks for making this easy to follow!

[@savagetimegaming]

Also, thanks for the recap and great breakdown of tips. I knew who I wanted to Main but going through invasion got me figuring out who I wanted to play with than just sticking to one

[@peterjozwiak563]

Excellent video. It helps to have fun.

[@aethssbu]

Dude yeah I needed this, I grew up with street fighter so it’s very familiar but playing mk feels so with how they’re input system works. Doing moves before I see them come out feels wild😭

[@zato-1766]

Yea MK's most unique mechanic is how much it emphasizes dial ins in my opinion. I think because of this and a lot of other factors like ducking highs, lack of cross up, MK is ususlly closer to tekken than other 2d fighters in terms of meta.

[@rundown132]

Dial-a-combo

[@michaelchristian6096]

​@zato-1766 yeah. Dial-ins feel so weird to me. Hard to get used to how you hit confirm and all of that

[@blazaybla22]

It’s just Tekken strings that you hit confirm into Street Fighter special moves, that’s been the NRS formula since MK9

[@viniciushonorio]

Excellent video, thank you! 👊🏾

[@gibsongirl05]

i hope in the next update they add the ability to tag moves like in mkx and mk11 even if it’s just offline only it’ll be so helpful for learning combos

[@Eahgle]

Yes!! Me too man I miss that

[@christiansmalley4977]

Yeah I was so surprised when I went into the lab and it wasn’t there lol

[@2bor4b95]

You can

[@christiansmalley4977]

@@2bor4b95 no shit but it came in the update, not from game release.

[@TizzmantineUK]

I got the game yesterday, they didn't launch with that? 😂 What an odd choice, it's such a good tool when you're learning, of all the features to ditch 😅 glad it's back

[@DJMilez]

Super helpful video thank you sir

[@luislooey9727]

Good video, getting this game in black friday. Ready to see if i get hooked

[@MDwarrior-pk1zf]

Appreciate the advice I been having a blast with li mei and Serena

[@nicholasblake9561]

Thanks for the advice....I struggle with blocking just cause I don't like to block....but I have a blast competing online!

[@mochiboot6502]

Top notch! Subbed!

[@listenupbeats8247]

You seem like a really cool guy. Thanks for the advice and caring about peoples well being.

[@rdr.erased]

Thank you for this, always played fps games on pc since a kid and now I got a controller and will start my journey

[@moistfungus3780]

"Learn one Kombo really well" Boy does that make me feel better after I spammed the One Johnny Cage combo I knew all night last night lol! Thanks for the vindication Diaphone.

[@MC_DOOM]

Hell yea MK1 content !

[@montanaSD]

Great video. Too often I get into it and get fixated on trying to do long ass optimal combos or I get mad because I’m not as good as Sonic Fox after 1 day lol! Trying to learn the fundamentals of match interactions is what I need most.

[@chadstaxxx]

Thnx for the good tips Daphne!

[@josephkelly4872]

On your point on trying different characters and kameos. Went into MK1 set on maining Baraka, ended up really enjoying Reiko. Also found myself playing characters I’ve barely played before like Kung Lao, Liu Kang and Sub-Zero. Been really enjoying the cast in this one

[@josephkelly4872]

I mean big up Baraka still, he’s mean in this one

[@grumpyspider9524]

Great tips 👌 glad I found this video

[@JGisMe2013]

Great video and great advice!

[@ApexFungi]

Another good way to use EX meter is with skills that gives you +frames on block. Often times can catch off-guard newer players who still doesn't know when it's their turn to press buttons and you can start your new mix-up, ooh and extra chip damage. Do not underestimate chip damage.

[@Blessed_V0id]

Tournament level players are proof your right. I've seen matches where they chip to death

[@darcymullin1223]

Thanks for the vid! I liked the ending, I have always played MK and bought a ps5 just for this game.

[@djphoenixproductions]

Really love your energy and approach to gaming here, subbed :)

[@user-ox3qq6jz5c]

thanks my brother needed it

[@2ndai385]

The best FGC tuber back at it again

[@beyondxhorizon4992]

Love it! And dont forget to lab!

[@OLDGAMERFEDERATION]

Awesome video! Thanks!

[@spooneycyrax1236]

Great video. Subscribed.

[@dungeonmastershock5958]

This vid was pretty damn helpful thank you.

[@himking1408]

I promise this guys mains almost every character I do....glad I sub😂

[@savagetimegaming]

Great video sir, been crying bc 24hrs isn’t enough time in a day for this game. I’m in love 😆

[@NICK199855]

I went straight to Reptile, I loved him in MK9 and I feel like it's just like playing with him back in the day.

[@Wulfram]

Challenges are a nightmare in this, but wildly satisfying once you pull it off

[@iyannaranjo3665]

I love to see these types of positive videos, video games aren't chores, they're supposed to be entertainment! Enjoy the games how you feel like enjoying them, way too much toxicity online nowadays

[@iamwilladd]

Great videos thxs

[@angelse7venvlogs438]

Very helpful thanks

[@trulykage8749]

Just downloaded mk1 thanks for this🙏🙏

[@damnsonyt]

cool video my dude... I purchased premium mk1.. and I decided a while back that this will be the first fighting game Id try to get goot at and play ranked. I choose Reptile as my main for now. Im struggling to pick a good kameo, and something special moves dont come out... and still dont know a good strong combo... its kinda frustrating but Ill start by researching for a fiting kameo and practice basic combos and practice special execution.

[@thogard6002]

Played PVP right out of story and got wrecked first fight. After which, I did invasions all the way mostly with Scorpion being year of the specter. After learning a lot of the combat along the way, I returned to PVP and won my second fight. This game feels great and I haven’t been excited for and enjoyed Mortal Kombat since MK9

[@Joetime90]

That Klassic background MK music 👌

[@michaelwilliams8293]

Nice headphones I got a pair and they work wonders

[@odinanhalt7883]

Sick brah

[@baddonkey75]

Main points to focus on arw blocking,forward blocking at right moment and learning a combo and some special moves, after the second button in combo hit the special sequence and get more damage with the special cancel.

[@JordanStewart-kv5od]

Not sure who I’m going to main yet, I still have to figure that out, but I guess I will definitely just have to play multiple characters while learning the fundamentals of the game plays.

[@dionruffin3996]

Number 10 is the best tip 👍

[@kwepzy6634]

A guide on aerials would be epic

[@Chris_Da_Prince]

I just wish they would have had complete character tutorial like they did in the last installment and be able to tag list the combos.

[@LazyLatrell]

Thank you

[@cephuwu]

#10 is more important than i thought it'd be at first

[@SaiMugga]

Best thing about this Mk is playing with every character feels smooth

[@vsevapopov2]

As a totally blind Mortal Kombat 1 beginner player I can 100% confirm that in game tutorials are really helpful! I completed not all of them, but that I could complete and that are interesting for me in the current moment. As a result I already start to understand what opponent does and it is not a panik anymore when opponent does something, it is more the question how I can counter that. The biggest problem I encounter is jumping opponents. I hear that the opponent jumps but I don't know what to do to counter it and prevent getting an overhead.

[@sinclairmoore]

Watch their jump arc and counter with uppercut. More advanced is anticipate the jump and use UP block. It's different than normal block. Used only to punish jump attacks

[@vsevapopov2]

@@sinclairmoore Thank you! Yes I use up block for that now!

[@personaxlity]

Having fun with. MK more than I expected. Blocking is hard as im just accustomed to holding back, gotta stop giving up my life for free.

[@Camtained]

I’ve been playing so much GGST I’m so used to holding back 😭

[@ijacobmf]

Same I’m coming from SF6 and man so many times I forget to use the block button I’m like why the hell am I taking damage 😂

[@damiens4601]

It would be awesome if you did a video on how to play Nitara

[@MistrMojoRisin]

Fully stealing all of these Nitara kombos, thanks

[@manuelprada2840]

Gracias por el consejo

[@NewSunGambit]

what is delay tech? also sorry i havent played a fighting game since soul caliber 2 on the gamecube haha so this video is so so so helpful to someone like me! liked and subbed

[@LeGoofy23]

if you hold the left trigger after you just got knocked down it’ll make your character stay down for a bit longer.

[@theconstantwatcher4008]

As a new player trying some of the kombos that the tutorial makes you do, I started raging, so I quit and played the kampaign for a while and now I’m ready to get back at it again (it’s the ashra section of the offenses I think) but I’m also playing on keyboard until I can find a good controller, but stress doesn’t help with gaming anyways.

[@BlackXSunlight]

Oh Ashrah 😭 idk why her specials aren’t sectioned off between Light Stance and Dark Stance. Shang Tsung’s specials are divided between his old and young forms, same for Kenshi between his normal and his Sento stance.

[@amoff2009]

Someone once told me “if you only focus on what to do when you get the hit but never really learn how to get the hit then the cool combos don’t really matter “ really changed the way I viewed the game when I first started playing fighting games I mainly play nrs games but watch a few competitor/content creators outside the nrs scene, your contents always really top knotch

[@alejandropelozo749]

Perfect 'K'ontent brother.

[@brandonforster3719]

Hit confirms were huge for me. How I learned was waiting for the animation of the attack to happen or start then I know to continue with my combo. It's very necessary for some of Sindel's air extender moves or else it will drop.

[@Blessed_V0id]

I'm really interested bud. I've tried Sindel and didn't like what I saw. What's your strat? Your clearly doing a lot I'm not : )

[@Bman6464]

I tried Sindel first bc i really liked her moveset in the kampain, but decided i need to learn an easier character first. Will def come back to her after learning the game some

[@brandonforster3719]

@Bman6464 I learned Scorpion first then I learned Sindel. That will help for sure. Some of her air strings are done very fast and that's the hard part, especially having to do the db2 Or df2 special so that she levitates then you can continue the combo. You got this 🤝🏻🤘🏻

[@dc93]

Another beautiful thing about playing multiple characters is being able to counter pick your opponent.

[@zacksomers1811]

oh diaphone my friend the tsareena punish tech is cooking. theres already videos out with examples for every character to get more than just a down poke, im sure most characters will be able to punish tsareena on block with 30 percent combos

[@streetcred3604]

I only play characters that match my personal style irl. It's so hard for me to learn a character that I find ugly or dresses hideously. I mained Nitara and Sareena before I knew they were any good lol. Nitara's first skin is so ugly though so I grinded to level 35 and I rock that skin now.

[@lukegravity3911]

Ok …

[@ZangetsuDDR]

Ok

[@4GRANTED]

Great vid , moar tips plz

[@SpangledFam]

1. Don't focus too much on combos, learn 1 basic combo to punish, whiff punish, extend - 2. learn a Kameo extender, and a meter extender for aforementioned kombo. - 3. Learn hit confirms, (first 2 strings of a launch kombo), learn which strings are safe on block, and are not. For ease, learn this by putting ai on random block, and learning which kombo's work effectively. - *will come back and finish more as I learn.

[@general0mega]

Related to that tip #9, how do you get over that mental barrier and motivate yourself to play characters other than the ones to whom you're dedicated purely out of loyalty? This could apply to any game, but to keep it in perspective, if I played Scorpion in the arcade 30 years ago and I see Scorpion on screen today I'd have to switch back even if I'm enjoying playing Havik who's face Scorpion just melted in story mode.

[@rafdegus4180]

Honestly the thing that confuses me is that i play scorpion, and like him alot, and when i check tier list, videos whatever, some videos say hes bad some say his mid and other say he's top tier. Im not really someone to drop a character just because it's bad if i like it but damn it's confusing. Plus if i can find a character that i like AND is really good i feel like it's better to pick that, and it was a good surprise when i saw that both Kenshi and Cage were S tier Also great video! Really helped me haha

[@LJAndrews1986]

Why care what other people think? If you like the character and are putting in work then you GET OVER HERE all you want.

[@rafdegus4180]

@@LJAndrews1986 Haha i like the way you think

[@penksglid7475]

Great video! Any reason you use nitara?

[@qaasimhussain3203]

Can you do a video on how to learn player match ups and how to use practice mode to the fullest please

[@nillajae]

This guy is so cool. Like it was a great video, but i wanna be this guys friend so bad.

[@LJAndrews1986]

Nothing creepy here folks

[@owenbighead]

Just getting back into mk. Haven’t played in forever. Just finished the story

[@DavidKB30]

Could you make a video on setting with the puttin input timing and why it matters.

[@xBROVERTUREx]

I’m having a tough time with input techs especially for EX and back forward inputs, for some reason it was much easier for me in MK11. Any tips?

[@guerilladk1000]

More MK1 content please

[@TG-oq2jx]

I've always been scared of fighting games mainly because the primary reason for these games is the online fighting and multi-player, and I always assume that every person who plays fighting games are all hard-core sweaty hands experts and I feel I would just get crushed and not even learn at all 😂

[@blazaybla22]

I mapped my assist to L2 like you did and it makes it so much easier but it’s so weird doing FB as R1+R2