Mortal Kombat 1 – Liu Kang Character Guide
Mortal Kombat 1 just had a closed beta and players all over the world have had yet another taste of the spine-ripping tournament. This time around, Fire God Liu Kang has crafted a new timeline where all the characters introduced through the last 26 games have new lives and identities. Many of the characters are staples of this franchise, while others have been fundamentally obscure. Of course, Liu Kang makes a return in this soft reboot. Only this time, he’s not the destined ‘champion’ of Mortal Kombat. No, this time he’s merely a recruiter, just like Raiden before him. Which, in a twist of fate, is now deemed the new champion for this era.
Liu Kang’s main elemental power has always been associated with fire. So, it is only fitting that he now becomes a God with it. Therefore, many of his moves come with fiery pizzazz and combos that can blend in a variety of ways. Most of his moves have remained the same since his early days, but there are some enhancements made for his reboot. When it comes to fighting, the new Kameo System adds a lot of spice to the matches. This is a very different feel in comparison to the other games of this franchise and a lot of the fun is the experimentation of different teams.
Liu Kang has always been a fan favorite and countless players’ main for years. He has a nimbleness to him, along with moves that can give off major damage. His kicking moves help him close the gap among opponents. Not to mention that he can execute air juggles that can chip away a vast majority of the opponent’s health bar. He is probably the most accessible fighter in the roster and newcomers to the Mortal Kombat franchise should try him.
Liu Kang’s Core Moves
Liu Kang’s regular specials make a return in Mortal Kombat 1. His two most famous moves are the Flying High Kick and Bicycle Kick. Thus, his classic dragon fireballs make a return to his repertoire. However, they’re a different variation of what seasoned players are used to. Naturally, these moves do all sorts of new tricks to trip up other players. The main appeal of Liu Kang is that his move set is fairly easy to execute. He has always been this way and it’s no different with this reboot. Take note that most of these moves can be enhanced by pressing the ‘block button‘ during their execution.
Dragon’s Tail
Press; away–forward–front kick.
Low Dragon
Press; down–away–front punch.
Dancing Dragon
Press; away–forward–back kick.
Dragon’s Breath
Press; down–away– back kick
Close Dragon’s Breath
Press; down–away–back kick and away simultaneously.
Fireball
Press; away–forward–front punch.
Fire Storm
While in the air, press; an away–forward–front punch.
Fatality (Double Dragon)
Press; down–forward–away–back kick.
Brutality (The Klassic)
Press; down–back punch.
Best Kameo Fighters For Liu Kang
As mentioned before, the new ‘Kameo System‘ enables a secondary player to jump in during the fight and execute a move. With the combination of all the martial arts fighters within Mortal Kombat 1, the possibilities are almost endless. So, with Liu Kang, finding a fighter that can extend his combos would be the best tactic to use. There are a few choices right now, only to become more robust come the full release. Liu Kang is kind of a zoner in some regards, with moves that can dish out damaging combos when timed correctly.
So, Sonya Blade is a prime choice for Liu Kang’s Kameo fighter. She can swoop in and stack up extra damage during a combo. She can also knock opponents back, giving Liu Kang some space to decide his next move. The key with Liu Kang is that players need to hang back, and then zoom in with combos. Another good Kameo fighter for Liu Kang is Kano. His moves can keep the pressure on the opposition, giving Liu some time to find an opening for his next attack. As of right now, the selection of Kameo Fighters in Mortal Kombat 1 is thin, but upon full release will reveal new opportunities for different combinations of fighters to use.
Liu Kang’s Appeal
Liu Kang in Mortal Kombat 1 comes with a set of moves that pretty much anyone can handle. His combos are easy to execute and they can melt an opponent’s HP in rapid succession. For the best output of a fight, cornering an opponent and air juggling them is the best way to finish a match. Not only does Liu Kang come with a variety of mid-air combos, but he also has a trick bag that can launch up opponents with a single move. Memorizing just two or three combos will be efficient enough to win matches over opponents. Being now a Fire God, Liu Kang now has ways to spam the arena with new projectiles.
As mentioned before, Liu Kang is a unique mix of zoning and brawling. Having space between yourself and your opponent is key. Once someone gets close enough, using the Dragon’s Tail move is a good way to lean into a combo. Not to mention using the ‘Too Easy‘ opener for combos and corner moves. Liu Kang’s attacks have pretty good reach to them and they can be stitched together with either his basic moves or special moves. Liu Kang can surprise other players with his easy mixing of attacks.
Conclusion
Liu Kang in Mortal Kombat 1 is in top form. His new Elder God powers make him not only more powerful but more fun to play as. There is more to discover when the full version of this game gets released. Liu Kang is a nice choice for both seasoned players and newcomers alike. The full version of Mortal Kombat 1 will be available for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC on September 14, 2023.
