The Ultimate Mortal Kombat 1: Unleashing Shang Tsung's Deadly Powers - Expert Moves, Combos, and Exclusive Tips!
Master the art of Shang Tsung in Mortal Kombat 1 with this comprehensive guide Learn his moves, special moves, combos, fatalities, and brutalities Discover the best Kameos to enhance your gameplay Unleash your inner sorcerer and dominate as Shang Tsung!
In Mortal Kombat 1, players had the opportunity to obtain Shang Tsung as the very first DLC fighter. With a pre-order of the title, fans could instantly access this character. Shang Tsung's deadly nature remains intact in this adaptation, as the new Mortal Kombat version has expanded his moveset by incorporating his shape-shifting abilities.
Shang Tsung possesses the power to morph between an old and young form. Each form offers a unique set of moves and abilities that can be utilized during battles. Additionally, if players possess the skills necessary, Shang Tsung can even transform into an opponent fighter and employ their signature moves. Due to the abundant additions to his arsenal in Mortal Kombat 1, mastering Shang Tsung proves to be a challenging task, but his skills also make himone of the most formidable fighters in the game.
Shang Tsung's Moves and Special Moves
Basic Moves | PlayStation | Xbox | PC | Nintendo Switch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Spurned God | Square | X | FP | Y |
Die-agnosis | Square, Triangle | X, Y | FP, BP | Y, X |
Pulse Check | Square, Triangle, Circle | X, Y, B | FP, BP, BK | Y, X, A |
Quick Cut | Down + Square | Down + X | Down + FP | Down + Y |
Vision Test | Triangle | Y | BP | X |
Fatal Incision | Back + Triangle | Back + Y | Back +BP | Back + X |
Lovetap | Back + Triangle, Triangle | Back + Y, Y | Back + BP, BP | Back + X, X |
Laid Low | Back + Triangle, Triangle, X | Back + Y, Y, A | Back + BP, BP, FK | Back + X, X, B |
Up Klaw | Down + Triangle | Down + Y | Down + BP | Down + X |
Sinister Strike | X | A | FK | B |
Femurder | Down + X | Down + A | Down + FK | Down + B |
Facebreaker | Circle | B | BK | A |
Kneedler | Forward + Circle | Forward + B | Forward + BK | Forward + A |
Kareer-Ender | Back + Circle | Back + B | Back + BK | Back + A |
Longfoot | Down + Circle | Down + B | Down + BK | Down + A |
Young Form Moves | PlayStation | Xbox | PC | Nintendo Switch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Deceptive Slash | Back + Square | Back + X | Back + FP | Back + Y |
Snake Oil | Back + Square, Triangle | Back + X, Y | Back + FP, BP | Back + Y, X |
Silent Killer | Triangle, Circle | Y, B | BP, BK | X, A |
A God's Whimsy | Forward + X | Forward + A | Forward + FK | Forward + B |
Die-V | Forward + Circle, X | Forward + B, A | Forward + BK, FK | Forward + A, B |
Spin Kick | Forward + Circle, X, Circle | Forward + B, A, B | Forward + BK, FK, BK | Forward + A, B, A |
Old Form Moves | PlayStation | Xbox | PC | Nintendo Switch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Spurned Man | Back + Square | Back + X | Back + FP | Back + Y |
Operation | Back + Square, Triangle | Back + X, Y | Back + FP, BP | Back + Y, X |
Reflex Test | Triangle | Y | BP | X |
Knee Reverser | Triangle, Circle | Y, B | BP, BK | X, A |
Goal Kick | Forward + X | Forward + A | Forward + FK | Forward + B |
Power Manifest | Forward + X, Triangle | Forward + A, Y | Forward + FK, BP | Forward + B, X |
Board Breaker | Forward + Circle, Square | Forward + B, X | Forward + BK, FP | Forward + A, Y |
Nerve Endings | Forward + Circle, Square, Triangle | Forward + B, X, Y | Forward + BK, FP, BP | Forward + A, Y, X |
Dissection | Forward + Circle, Square, Triangle, Square | Forward + B, X, Y, X | Forward + BK, FP, BP, FP | Forward + A, Y, X, Y |
Age Before Beauty | Forward + Circle, Square, Triangle, Square, Circle | Forward + B, X, Y, X, B | Forward + BK, FP, BP, FP, BK | Forward + A, Y, X, Y, A |
Aerial Moves | PlayStation | Xbox | PC | Nintendo Switch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Above You | Square | X | FP | Y |
Surgery | Square, Triangle | X, Y | FP, BP | Y, X |
Major Complications | Square, Triangle, Triangle | X, Y, Y | FP, BP, BP | Y, X, X |
Experiment | Triangle | Y | BP | X |
Festering Wounds | Triangle, Triangle | Y, Y | BP, BP | X, X |
Deadly Kick | X Or Circle | A Or B | FK Or BK | B Or A |
Special Moves | PlayStation | Xbox | PC | Nintendo Switch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Quick Age Morph | Down + Stance Change | Down + Stance Change | Down + Stance Change | Down + Stance Change |
(Air) Quick Age Morph | Down + Stance Change | Down + Stance Change | Down + Stance Change | 8Down + Stance Change |
Form Stealer* | Forward, Down, Back, Circle | Forward, Down, Back, B | Forward, Down, Back, BK | Forward, Down, Back, A |
Perfect Form | Forward, Back, Circle | Forward, Back, B | Forward, Back, BK | Forward, Back, A |
Young Form Special Moves | PlayStation | Xbox | PC | Nintendo Switch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Straight Skull* | Down, Forward, Square | Down, Forward, X | Down, Forward, FP | Down, Forward, Y |
(Air) Straight Skull* | Down, Forward, Square | Down, Forward, X | Down, Forward, FP | Down, Forward, Y |
Double Skull* | Down, Back, Square | Down, Back, X | Down, Back, FP | Down, Back, Y |
Triple Skull* | Down, Back, Forward, Square | Down, Back, Forward, X | Down, Back, Forward, FP | Down, Back, Forward, Y |
Spinning Spikes* | Down, Forward, Triangle | Down, Forward, Y | Down, Forward, BP | Down, Forward, X |
Bed Of Spikes* | Down, Back, X | Down, Back, A | Down, Back, FK | Down, Back, B |
Old Form Special Moves | PlayStation | Xbox | PC | Nintendo Switch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
(Air) Down Skull* | Down, Forward, Square | Down, Forward, X | Down, Forward, FP | Down, Forward, Y |
(Air Close) Down Skull* | Down, Forward, Square, Back | Down, Forward, X, Back | Down, Forward, FP, Back | Down, Forward, Y, Back |
(Air Far) Down Skull* | Down, Forward, Square, Forward | Down, Forward, X, Forward | Down, Forward, FP, Forward | Down, Forward, Y, Forward |
Ground Skull* | Down, Forward, Square | Down, Forward, X | Down, Forward, FP | Down, Forward, Y |
(Close) Ground Skull* | Down, Forward, Square, Back | Down, Forward, X, Back | Down, Forward, FP, Back | Down, Forward, Y, Back |
(Far) Ground Skull* | Down, Forward, Square, Forward | Down, Forward, X, Forward | Down, Forward, FP, Forward | Down, Forward, Y, Forward |
Vicinity Slash* | Down, Forward, Triangle | Down, Forward, Y | Down, Forward, BP | Down, Forward, X |
Injection** | Down, Back, X | Down, Back, A | Down, Back, FK | Down, Back, B |
Close to Far Triple Ground Skull | Down, Back, Square + Guard | Down, Back, X + Guard | Down, Back, FP + Guard | Down, Back, Y + Guard |
Far to Close Triple Ground Skull | Down, Forward, Square + Guard | Down, Forward, X + Guard | Down, Forward, FP + Guard | Down, Forward, Y + Guard |
Moves with a '*' can be enhanced with one bar of Super Meter. Moves with '**' can be enhanced with two bars.
Shang Tsung Combos in Mortal Kombat 1
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In Mortal Kombat 1, mastering combos with Shang-Tsung demands patience and diligent practice, especially when employing his enhanced abilities. To execute flawless combos, players must familiarize themselves with all of Shang Tsung's special moves, regardless of whether he is in his older or younger form.
The reason behind this necessity lies in Shang Tsung's reliance on unpredictable tactics to strike his opponents, making clever use of his spikes and projectiles. Armed with his arsenal of projectiles, Shang Tsung possesses the potential to execute impressively lengthy combos, exemplified by his astounding 89-hit sequence.
"YF" stands for "Young Form" and "OF" stands for "Old Form."
Combos | PlayStation | Xbox | PC | Nintendo Switch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Bread-and-Butter | (YF) Back + Square, Triangle, (OF), Forward-Dash, Circle, Ground Skull, Square, Close to Far Triple Ground Skull, (Far) Ground Skull, Ground Skull, (Close) Ground Skull | (YF) Back + X, Y, (OF), Forward-Dash, B, Ground Skull, X, Close to Far Triple Ground Skull, (Far) Ground Skull, Ground Skull, (Close) Ground Skull | (YF) Back + FP, BP, (OF), Forward-Dash, BK, Ground Skull, FP, Close to Far Triple Ground Skull, (Far) Ground Skull, Ground Skull, (Close) Ground Skull | (YF) Back + Y, X, (OF), Forward-Dash, A, Ground Skull, Y, Close to Far Triple Ground Skull, (Far) Ground Skull, Ground Skull, (Close) Ground Skull |
Quick 180 Meterless | (YF) Triangle, Circle, Triple Skull | Y, B, Triple Skull | BP, BK, Triple Skull | X, A, Triple Skull |
211 Damage - Zone | (YF) Back + Square, Triangle, Forward-Dash, Forward + Circle, X, Circle | (YF) Back + X, Y, Forward-Dash, Forward + B, A, B | (YF) Back + FP, BP, Forward-Dash, Forward + BK, FK, BK | (YF), Back + Y, X, Forward-Dash, Forward + A, B, A |
Fatal Blow Combo (YF) | (YF) Back + Square, Triangle, Forward + Circle, X, Fatal Blow | (YF) Back + X, Y, Forward + B, A, Fatal Blow | (YF) Back + FP, BP, Forward + BK, FK, Fatal Blow | (YF) Back + Y, X, Forward + A, B, Fatal Blow |
Fatal Blow Combo (OF) | (OF) Far to Close Triple Ground Skull, Back-Dash, Fatal Blow | (OF) Far to Close Triple Ground Skull, Back-Dash, Fatal Blow | (OF) Far to Close Triple Ground Skull, Back-Dash, Fatal Blow | (OF) Far to Close Triple Ground Skull, Back-Dash, Fatal Blow |
Shang Tsung Fatalities and Brutalities in Mortal Kombat 1
Shang Tsung has always been known for his theatricality and desire to outshine others. This trait is evident in all of his Fatalities and Brutalities in Mortal Kombat 1, which are both captivating and merciless.
Utilizing his expertise in the mystical arts, Shang Tsung strategically defeats his adversaries by employing acids and molten substances to eliminate them completely. Fans can unlock additional Brutalities and Fatalities for Shang Tsung by advancing his character mastery.
Fatalities | PlayStation | Xbox | PC | Nintendo Switch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
(Close) Side Effects | Back, Down, Down, Circle | Back, Down, Down, B | Back, Down, Down, BK | Back, Down, Down, A |
(Mid) Fatality 2 | Forward, Down, Back, Triangle | Forward, Down, Back, Y | Forward, Down, Back, BP | Forward, Down, Back, X |
Brutalities | PlayStation | Xbox | PC | Nintendo Switch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
The Klassic | Down + Hold Triangle | Down + Hold Y | Down + Hold BP | Down + Hold X |
Bed Of Spikes | Grab | Grab | Grab | Grab |
Chomp Chomp! | Straight Skull | Straight Skull | Straight Skull | Straight Skull |
Stick Around | Bed of Spikes | Bed of Spikes | Bed of Spikes | Bed of Spikes |
Fire It Up | Down Skull | Down Skull | Down Skull | Down Skull |
It Has Ended | Injection | Injection | Injection | Injection |
The Best Kameos For Shang Tsung
Shang Tsung's strong suit lies in his ability to effectively combo opponents from a distance and swiftly capitalize on their slightest errors. To make up for any shortcomings, the ideal partner for Shang Tsung would need to complement his skills.
In this regard, the most suitable Kameos for Shang Tsung would be those capable of extending combo sequences using projectiles, or enhancing the overall damage inflicted on an adversary, thereby aiding Shang Tsung in concluding his actions. Here are the recommended Kameos for Shang Tsung in Mortal Kombat 1:
Scorpion
Shujinko
Stryker
Sektor
Motaro
How To Play Shang Tsung in Mortal Kombat 1
In order to become proficient in using Shang Tsung in Mortal Kombat 1, fans will need to dedicate a considerable amount of time to practicing. The character possesses two distinct forms, each with their own unique set of moves, requiring players to acclimate themselves to the distinct skillsets of each transformation.
In addition, Shang Tsung has the ability to mimic other fighters, making it advantageous for players to choose a diverse lineup. Shang Tsung is skilled in consistently launching offensive strikes at the enemy from medium to long distances, and also excels in performing aerial combos. Here are some useful tips for maximizing your performance with Shang Tsung in Mortal Kombat 1:
Shang Tsung's playstyle revolves around zoning, making him most effective at medium to long ranges. Utilize his projectiles to counter and initiate combos when engaging opponents from a distance.
Shang Tsung possesses an extensive repertoire of punishing special moves, which can be used to constantly overwhelm opponents and keep them on edge. By dedicating time to learning other characters in the roster, a Shang Tsung player can enhance their skills as they gain the ability to morph into their opponent.
In Old Form, Shang Tsung can best combo with his Ground Skull moves, all of which string together flawlessly, especially with Kameos like Scorpion.
Mortal Kombat 1
Platform(s) PC, PS5, Switch, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series SReleased September 19, 2023Developer(s) NetherRealm StudiosGenre(s) Fighting
