Mortal Kombat 1: Mastering Kung Lao's Moves, Combos, & Expert Tips
Master Kung Lao in Mortal Kombat 1 with this comprehensive guide! Discover his powerful moves, special moves, and deadly combos Unleash devastating fatalities and brutalities Find out the best kameos for Kung Lao and learn how to dominate the game with his unique playstyle
Kung Lao is a highly popular character in the Mortal Kombat franchise, known for his incredible combat skills. In the first installment of the game, players have the opportunity to choose him as one of the best fighters. Kung Lao's journey is intertwined with Raiden's in Liu Kang's altered timeline, where he emerges as one of Earthrealm's most talented martial artists. Together with Liu Kang, Kung Lao plays a vital role in defeating the formidable Shang Tsung in the game's main storyline.
In terms of gameplay, Kung Lao excels in catching opponents off guard and overwhelming them with his swift attacks. Mastering his techniques and combos shouldn't be too challenging, particularly by focusing on his simpler combinations and understanding the mechanics of his special moves.
Kung Lao's Moves and Special Moves
Basic Moves | PlayStation | Xbox | PC | Nintendo Switch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Bruised Knuckles | Square | X | FP | Y |
No Silence | Square, Triangle | X, Y | FP, BP | Y, X |
Swollen Throat | Square, Triangle, Square | X, Y, X | FP, BP, FP | Y, X, Y |
Shaolin Strike | Back + Square | Back + X | Back + FP | Back + Y |
Sweep The Foot | Back + Square, Circle | Back + X, B | Back + FP, BK | Back + Y, A |
Crushing Palm | Down + Square | Down + X | Down + FP | Down + Y |
Open Palm | Triangle | Y | BP | X |
Body Blows | Triangle, Square | Y, X | BP, FP | X, Y |
Madam El-Bo | Triangle, Square, Triangle | Y, X, Y | BP, FP, BP | X, Y, X |
Eight Trigram Palm | Triangle, Square, Triangle, Square | Y, X, Y, X | BP, FP, BP, FP | X, Y, X, Y |
Heavy Chop | Back + Triangle | Back + Y | Back + BP | Back + X |
Human Weapon | Back + Triangle, Circle | Back + Y, B | Back + BP, BK | Back + X, A |
Downward Slice | Forward + Triangle | Forward + Y | Forward + BP | Forward + X |
Rising Chi | Down + Triangle | Down + Y | Down + BP | Down + X |
Double Down | X | A | FK | B |
Knee Buckle | Back + X | Back + A | Back + FK | Back + B |
Focuses Footsies | Back + X, X | Back + A, A | Back + FK, FK | Back + B, B |
Monastery Mixup | Back + X, Circle | Back + A, B | Back + FK, BK | Back + B, A |
Dip One's Woes | Forward + X | Forward + A | Forward + FK | Forward + B |
Leg Day | Forward + X, X | Forward + A, A | Forward + FK, FK | Forward + B, B |
One More TIme | Forward + X, X, X | Forward + A, A, A | Forward + FK, FK, FK | Forward + B, B, B |
Flick Kick | Down + X | Down + A | Down + FK | Down + B |
Spinning Heel | Circle | B | BK | A |
Get Back | Circle, Circle | B, B | BK, BK | A, A |
Shaolin Spin | Back + Circle | Back + B | Back + BK | Back + A |
Monk Drop | Forward + Circle | Forward + B | Forward + BK | Forward + A |
Step Back | Down + Circle | Down + B | Down + BK | Down + A |
Special Moves | PlayStation | Xbox | PC | Nintendo Switch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Buzzsaw | Back, Forward, Square | Back, Forward, X | Back, Forward, FP | Back, Forward, Y |
Hat Toss | Down, Back, Square | Down, Back, X | Down, Back, FP | Down, Back, Y |
Direct Up | Hold Up | Hold Up | Hold Up | Hold Up |
Direct Down | Hold Down | Hold Down | Hold Down | Hold Down |
Shaolin Shimmy | Back, Forward, Triangle | Back, Forward, Y | Back, Forward, BP | Back, Forward, X |
Kung-Kussion | Down, Back, Triangle | Down, Back, Y | Down, Back, BP | Down, Back, X |
Shaolin Spin | Down, Up, X | Down, Up, A | Down, Up, FK | Down, Up, B |
Extend Shaolin Spin | Hold X | Hold A | Hold FK | Hold B |
(During Extend) Move | Hold Back or Forward | Hold Back or Forward | Hold Back or Forward | Hold Back or Forward |
(During Extend) Cancel | Down, Down | Down, Down | Down, Down | Down, Down |
Soaring Monk | Down, Back, Circle | Down, Back, B | Down, Back, BK | Down, Back, A |
(Air) Dive Kick | Down, Back, Circle | Down, Back, B | Down, Back, BK | Down, Back, A |
Kung Lao Combos in Mortal Kombat 1
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Kung Lao excels at both long-range control and fast-paced aggression, making him a formidable opponent. Similar to Liu Kang, Kung Lao is known for his speed and offensive prowess, but he also possesses the ability to launch devastating combos from a distance.
In addition, Kung Lao's exceptional mobility allows him to swiftly navigate the battlefield, catching opponents off guard and swiftly reducing their health bar with his powerful combinations. Here are a few examples of Kung Lao's deadly combos in Mortal Kombat 1:
Combos | PlayStation | Xbox | PC | Nintendo Switch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Bread-and-Butter | Triangle, Square, Triangle, Enhanced Soaring Monk, (Air) Triangle, Forward-Dash, Back + Triangle, Circle, Forward-Dash, Square, Triangle, Square, Enhanced Kung-Kussion, Circle, Kung-Kussion | Y, X, Y, Enhanced Soaring Monk, (Air) Y, Forward-Dash, Back + Y, B, Forward-Dash, X, Y, X, Enhanced Kung-Kussion, B, Kung-Kussion | BP, FP, BP, Enhanced Soaring Monk, (Air) BP, Forward-Dash, Back + BP, BK, Forward-Dash, FP, BP, FP, Enhanced Kung-Kussion, BK, Kung-Kussion | X, Y, X, Enhanced Soaring Monk, (Air) X, Forward-Dash, Back + X, A, Forward-Dash, Y, X, Y, Enhanced Kung-Kussion, A, Kung-Kussion |
340 No Meter | Back + Triangle, Circle, Back + Triangle, Circle, Square, Triangle, Square, Shaolin Shimmy | Back + Y, B, Back + Y, B, X, Y, X, Shaolin Shimmy | Back + BP, BK, Back + BP, BK, FP, BP, FP, Shaolin Shimmy | Back + X, A, Back + X, A, Y, X, Y, Shaolin Shimmy |
Corner One Meter | Back + Triangle, Circle, Back + Triangle, Circle, Forward-Jump, Square, Triangle, Circle, Enhanced Dive Kick, Square, Triangle, Square, Shaolin Shimmy | Back + Y, B, Back + Y, B, Forward-Jump, X, Y, B, Enhanced Dive Kick, X, Y, X, Shaolin Shimmy | Back + BP, BK, Back + BP, BK, Forward-Jump, FP, BP, BK, Enhanced Dive Kick, FP, BP, FP, Shaolin Shimmy | Back + X, A, Back + X, A, Forward-Jump, Y, X, A, Enhanced Dive Kick, Y, X, Y, Shaolin Shimmy |
One Meter Anywhere | Back + Triangle, Circle, Back + Triangle, Circle, Forward-Dash, Forward + X, X, Enhanced Shaolin Shimmy, Circle, Shaolin Shimmy | Back + Y, B, Back + Y, B, Forward-Dash, Forward + A, A, Enhanced Shaolin Shimmy, B, Shaolin Shimmy | Back + BP, BK, Back + BP, BK, Forward-Dash, Forward + FK, FK, Enhanced Shaolin Shimmy, BK, Shaolin Shimmy | Back + X, A, Back + X, A, Forward-Dash, Forward + B, B, Enhanced Shaolin Shimmy, A, Shaolin Shimmy |
One Meter 390 | Triangle, Square, Triangle, Enhanced Soaring Monk, (Air) Triangle, Forward-Dash, Back + Triangle, Circle, Forward-Dash, Square, Triangle, Square, Shaolin Shimmy | Y, X, Y, Enhanced Soaring Monk, (Air) Y, Forward-Dash, Back + Y, B, Forward-Dash, X, Y, X, Shaolin Shimmy | BP, FP, BP, Enhanced Soaring Monk, (Air) BP, Forward-Dash, Back + BP, BK, Forward-Dash, FP, BP, FP, Shaolin Shimmy | X, Y, X, Enhanced Soaring Monk, (Air) X, Forward-Dash, Back + X, A, Forward-Dash, Y, X, Y, Shaolin Shimmy |
To combo into Kung Lao's Fatal Blow, fans can use Kung Lao's 'Swollen Throat' basic string. This flawlessly cancels into Fatal Blow.
Kung Lao's Fatalities and Brutalities in Mortal Kombat 1
Fatalities in Mortal Kombat 1 are highly sought after, with the option for fans to purchase new ones from the game's Premium Shop. Kung Lao's Fatalities and Brutalities in Mortal Kombat 1 are particularly savage, especially when utilizing his razor-sharp hat to deliver the final blow to his defeated adversaries.
To unlock an even larger repertoire of Fatalities and Brutalities for Kung Lao, fans must focus on leveling up their character mastery by playing as him in various game modes. Here is a comprehensive list of all the Fatalities and Brutalities available for Kung Lao in Mortal Kombat 1:
Fatalities | PlayStation | Xbox | PC | Nintendo Switch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
(Mid) Lao'd And Clear | Back, Forward, Back, Circle | Back, Forward, Back, B | Back, Forward, Back, BK | Back, Forward, Back, A |
(Close) Fatality 2 | Back, Down, Down, X | Back, Down, Down, A | Back, Down, Down, FK | Back, Down, Down, B |
Brutalities | PlayStation | Xbox | PC | Nintendo Switch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
The Klassic | Down + Hold Triangle | Down + Hold Y | Down + Hold BP | Down + Hold X |
Spin Cycle | Grab | Grab | Grab | Grab |
Magic Hat | Soaring Monk | Soaring Monk | Soaring Monk | Soaring Monk |
Not Holding Back | Triangle, Square, Triangle, Square | Y, X, Y, X | BP, FP, BP, FP | X, Y, X, Y |
Hats Off | Kung-Kussion | Kung-Kussion | Kung-Kussion | Kung-Kussion |
Grind Away | Buzzsaw | Buzzsaw | Buzzsaw | Buzzsaw |
The Best Kameos For Kung Lao
Kung Lao specializes in executing swift and consecutive attacks with great accuracy. Additionally, he possesses unexpected strategies, notably his tactical 'zoning' techniques.
Therefore, Kung Lao should ideally be teamed up with a compatible partner in combat who can match his agility and enhance his distinctive combination moves. The following Kombatants are considered the top choices to accompany Kung Lao in Mortal Kombat 1:
Goro
Stryker
Shujinko
Cyrax
Sonya Blade
How to Play Kung Lao in Mortal Kombat 1
To excel as Kung Lao in Mortal Kombat 1, it is crucial to master his various moves, perfect his special abilities, become proficient in executing combinations, and develop a deep understanding for his gameplay dynamics in a match. Similar to any other character, Kung Lao will require dedicated practice sessions, although perhaps not as extensive as those needed for more challenging characters like Geras.
Playing on the offense is crucial to fully utilize Kung Lao's abilities. Utilize his punish-based attack tools to constantly rush down opponents.
Kung Lao excels against zoners and mid-range attackers with powerful special moves such as Buzzsaw and Shaolin Shimmy, which can be seamlessly incorporated into combos.
However, Kung Lao's vulnerability lies in his limited defensive options and lack of aerial mobility. Consequently, players must master strategic maneuvering to evade combos and capitalize on his special moves to compensate for his defensive limitations.
Kung Lao's optimal combo opener is (Back + BP, BK), allowing for seamless transitions into various attacks, making it a strategic advantage during intense confrontations.
For maximizing damage, Shaolin Shimmy stands as Kung Lao's most powerful special move, resulting in highly impactful finishes when incorporated into his combos.
Mortal Kombat 1
Platform(s) PC, PS5, Switch, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series SReleased September 19, 2023Developer(s) NetherRealm StudiosGenre(s) Fighting
