Introduction
The most popular and to this date, most memorable fighting game: Mortal Combat. For nearly a decade and still counting since it first hit the market back in 1992, the game took the genre to new heights. It’s what makes its rite of passage unique from the others in this category and what it also claims to be Fatalities, unique finishing moves which give the game gruesomely tantalizing appeal but over-the-top appeal. Through them, it is enabled to kill an opponent in the adorably brutal way.
Whether you’re a noob trying to learn his very first Fatality or an experienced player looking to branch out on your new repertoire, this guide will walk you through it step by step so that you can perform all of those Fatalities effortlessly and with self-confidence.
This article shall be Fatalities with a set of characters, mechanics in inputs and how to pull them every time. To make it closer to real life, I shall share some personal anecdotes on my journey into Mortal Combat.
Table of Contents
1. What is a Fatality?
But before discussing the Fatalities for each of the characters, it would in specifics write in details that if it further elaborates on these finishing moves. One of the special last kills made when a player’s health bar has completely replenished is referred to as a Fatality. In that regard, you are provided with a timeframe which you are to fulfill the Fatality at the end of the fight before the match ends.
1.1 Why Kill with Fatalities?
Indeed, deaths are part of the Mortal Combat experience-not something that one can brush off with a flourish of elaborate help. Especially rewarding and very often the best way to end a match is to get that sweet, sweet fatality if pulled off, whether online or against friends.
It gives the gamer a sense of belonging to the lore of the game as all characters have set executions, unique in nature, which, many times being plot-driven, are also different for each character.
2. Mechanism for Performing a Fatality
One of the biggest lies: Fatalities are pretty hard to do. Really, once you’ve practiced enough, it just feels like second nature. You know Fatalities because you know how positioning and input mechanics work.
2.1 Character Positioning
Fatalities, by their very nature, have some form of positioning relative to your opponent. Ninety percent of the time, there are three basic positions:
Close: You want to get right up in their grill.
Mel : two character spaces away from the character
For : as far away from the character as it is humanly possible to be on stage.
Stand into a comfortable position to do the Fatality command.
I will never forget; the risks of the stance on my first playing of Mortal Combat. I was entering in the commands but my character was standing and refused to do so because I was too far from them. Then when I learned where to place that is when my winning percentage skyrocketed.
2.2 Input Timing
Timing: At this point, the player has no more than a minute fraction of milliseconds when “Finish Him/Her” appears to enter the fatality code, which can be nothing but a little string of directionally-oriented input-Down, Up, Left, Right-and Attack Buttons-Punch, Kick, Block.
3. Notation for Fatality: Reading Inputs
Inputs are inputs. What that means is what you need to know, at least for now, is how to read those notations in the guide, to make reading the inputs in the guide much easier:
Forwards (F) :Push forward into opponent
Backwards (B) :Push away from opponent
Upwards (U) :Push the stick or D-pad up
Downwards (D) :Push the stick or D-pad down
Low Punch (LP) :Character’s best punch button
Super Punch (SP): Character’s super punch
Low Kick (LK): Character’s most important kick
Super Kick (SK): Character’s super kick
Block (BL): Block key of the character
They’re a little different, I’d say from which version you’re playing-from console to PC, or in an arcade-but pretty much the same principles all in all.
4. Iconic Fatalities Throughout the Franchise
However, while every character in Mortal Combat has Fatalities, some of them just sound a little too evil in regard to their cruelty or creativity. Here are a few of the most iconic involving major characters and how to do them.
4.1 Scorpion – “Toasty!”
It is a pantheon of the game-toasty fatality. In this finishing move, on Scorpion, his mask pops off. The skull lies underneath, and he breathes fire upon his opponent, and his opponent is just all left in dust and ashes.
How to do it:
Closes Down, Back Forward, High Punch (HP)
Personal Tip: That was the best when I finally pulled this Fatality after playing for such a really long time online. And it was a flawless execution; I would hear that “Toasty! ” sound, priceless.
4.2 Sub-Zero – “Spine Rip”
Sub-Zero’s Spine Rip is another great finish. In the finish, Sub-Zero rips off his opponent’s spine and skull from his body.
How To Do It:
Position: Close
Input: Forwards, Down, Forwards, HP
Very graphic, and one of the greatest in the Mortal Kombat history, this is the Fatality. It sticks out so vividly in my mind as I had never done this before and the reaction from my opponent was just so indignant over what would occur, making the win that much sweeter.
4.3 Liu Kang – “Dragon Transformation”
He has the Fatality where he turns into a gigantic dragon and then swallows his opponent half in one snap. Super duper super popular because just so creative and awesome.
How To Do It:
Setup: Mid-range
Down, Forward, Back, High Kick (HK)
This was probably the most frustrating Fatality for me at first because of how easily it falls into mid-range positioning. But once I ever did get that precise range for myself, I knew it like the back of my hand.
5. For Novices, How to Do Fatalities
Doing fatalities, not a doubt would be pretty scaring for any novice in the context of a match when he is caught off guard. Here’s how to get started on practicing them:
First, you will practice fatal ones in a practice mode of a real match. This is where you hone your timing and positioning as well as inputs without the pressure of thinking that some killer who would want to take someone’s life is going to attack you. Just leave him at very low health and wait for the “Finish Him/Her” prompt and go into the simulation of conditions of a real match.
5.2 Characters to Learn for Some Inputs
There are simply too many Fatalities to learn each character. Master two or three and have fun with it. Chose a close-range character from the first tier, a mid-range character from the second tier, and a far-range character from the third so you see most every type of Fatality.
5.3 Get to Know Your Character’s Feel
Not just the tech finish but something which showcases us a character’s fighting style are fatalities. Scorpion’s very reckless character is reflected very much in his Fatalities. Similarly, cold and calculating nature of Sub-Zero has been reflected in his Fatalities.
The more you get to know your character’s play style, the easier it will be to incorporate Fatalities in your game play.
6. Common Fatality Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
At times, drawing a Fatality is purely chancing it, especially if you’re a new player and just get nervous trying for the first time in a competitive match. Here are some common mistakes beginners make and how to avoid them.
6.1 Distance Judgment
Fatalities rely heavily on good positioning, as described above. Almost all new players miscalculate the distance. When it is either too close or too far then the Fatality will not recognize.
Solution: The easiest one is simply to suck it up and practice in practice mode and become accustomed to the character sizes. Or alternatively, discover what distance is correct by experimenting with the visual feedback of the game.
6.2: Reaching the Fatality Too Soon/Too Late You’re reaching the Fatality too soon, or too late on the buttons.
Solution: Avoid breaking down the Fataility inputs into increments and working on them step by step. Don’t rush yourself until you get that great inputting timing .
6.3 Not to see the “Finish Him/Her” Prompt
Most noobs freak out and input the Fatality commands even before the prompt is displayed.
SOLUTION: Just take a few deep breaths, and wait for the prompt. You do have just a little bit of leeway between when you input your commands without getting behind.
7. Multi-player Murder
A nuclear option power play is to murder someone in a multi-player game. Gets a few notches filled, especially against a very tough opponent. Here’s the trick of how to do it just right.
You’re at your best when the match is hot, when you are just one hit from winning. I was playing with my friend, who-as you could well imagine-is infamous for his aggressive style of play. The match had been incredibly long and grueling. So I finally won and was set to pull out the top combo-a Fatality. I was so hyped up that I rushed the inputs and missed the spot. Lesson learned: cool down.
7.2 Plan Ahead Your Death
At a point when you are almost winning a round, you should plan ahead what death you will do. That way you prepare psych-wise and set up perfectly at that point when you get the opportunity.
7.3 Don’t Spam Buttons
Do not mash your buttons hoping your luck will hit, and you will manage to land the fatality; this usually ends in failed attempts. Be intentional about what you will input.