Mortal Kombat 1/General Shao/Combos

Universal Kombos

~ means cancel (including a dash cancel), > means no cancel and simply follow up with the correct timing, + means simultaneous press.

Axe Stance

22, B3, and B1

All combos from 22 can be done with B3 and B1 as well.
22 is listed because it is Shao's most important confirm.

22 ~ EX Devastator (DB3+Block) ~ Power Strike (DF4) > 224 ~ Klassic Kahn (DB3)

The most important and common combo by a mile.
Turns the crucial 22 confirm into solid damage, corner carry, and Unarmed stance offense.
Don't buffer the whole thing at once, do the 224 and then judge if the enemy is high enough before inputting the Klassic Kahn. The combo will only work if the 224 was input very early, and it risks full combo punishment on drop.

22 ~ EX Devastator (DB3+Block) ~ Power Strike (DF4) > 224 ~ Axe Quake (DB4)

As the Unarmed 224 has enough corner carry to put the axe offscreen but not far enough to disallow Axe Quake (DB4).
As such, cancelling into Axe Quake instead of Klassic Kahn can be used to surprise the enemy with an offscreen low.

22 ~ EX Devastator (DB3+Block) ~ Power Strike (DF4) > B1 > 22 ~ Klassic Kahn (DB3)(

Use B1 to side switch.
The enemy is still too far to snag with a Reverse Treechopper, so just finish the combo with Klassic Kahn or Axe Quake.

22 ~ EX Devastator (DB3+Block) ~ Power Strike (DF4) > 22 ~ Reverse Treechopper (DF2)

Sacrifices corner carry for less break points.
Best against enemies who are nearly at breaker, as Reverse Treechopper deals tremendous damage by itself and cannot be broken after the initial grab.

(corner) 22 ~ EX Devastator (DB3+Block) ~ Power Strike (DF4) > Klassic Kahn (DB3) > 22 ~ Reverse Treechopper (DF2)

Corner optimal from 22.
Reverse Treechopper will keep the enemy pinned long enough for any ambush kameo setup.

(corner) 22 ~ EX Devastator (DB3+Block) ~ Power Strike (DF4) > 224 ~ Reverse Treechopper (DF2)

Easier corner combo from 22 that still gives the Reverse Treechopper.

12

12 > 22 ~ EX Devastator (DB3+Block) ~ Power Strike (DF4) > 22 ~ Reverse Treechopper (DF2) or Klassic Kahn (DB3)

Useful combo for when 12 is used as a confirm.
Reverse Treechopper will give better damage (much more than the non-12 starter), while Klassic Kahn will sacrifice damage to give similar corner carry to the 224 ~ Klassic Kahn combo.

12 ~ Power Strike (DF4) > B32 > B32 > 22 ~ Klassic Kahn (DB3)

Meterless combo from 12 with excellent damage and corner carry.
Takes advantage of the height from the 12 ~ Power Strike cancel to continue with Unarmed B32.

12 ~ Power Strike (DF4) > B1 > 22 ~ Klassic Kahn (DB3)

Sacrifices damage for a side switch.

12 ~ Power Strike (DB4) > B32 > B32 > 2 ~ Axe Quake (DB4)

22 will put Shao too far away to cancel into Axe Quake.
In the corner, the Axe Quake will armor break and allow Shao to follow up with D1 ~ Klassic Kahn.

(corner) 12 ~ Power Strike (DF4) > B32 > B32 > 4 ~ Reverse Treechopper (DF2)

In the corner, replacing 2 with 4 will squeeze out a bit more damage.

F122

F122 ~ Power Strike (DF4) > B32 > B32 > 22 ~ Klassic Kahn (DB3)
(corner) F122 ~ Power Strike (DF4) > B32 > B32 > 4 ~ Reverse Treechopper (DF2)
(corner) F122 ~ Power Strike (DF4) > B32 > B32 > 2 ~ Axe Quake (DB4)

Basically the same as the meterless 12 combos, if a little more difficult midscreen due to the extra space.
F122 creates too much corner carry for even a 2 ~ Axe Quake cancel to work midscreen, so don't attempt it.

B2

B2 > J12 > 22 ~ EX Devastator (DB3+Block) ~ Power Strike (DF4) > 2 ~ Reverse Treechopper

Basic but high damage combo from B2.
Air string gives it excellent corner carry.
If done from the edge of B2 range, Shao can insert another B2 before the J12, but under most midscreen circumstances he will simply walk underneath them.

B2 > Power Strike (DF4) > B32 > B32 > 22 ~ Klassic Kahn (DB3)

Meterless combo with less damage, but roughly the same corner carry.
The Power Strike after the B2 is difficult to confirm.

(corner) B2 > B2 > J12 > 22 ~ EX Devastator (DB3+Block) ~ Power Strike (DF4) > 4 ~ Reverse Treechopper

The double B2 combos are much easier to connect in the corner, and the 2 can be replaced with 4 for slightly more damage.

(corner) B2 > B2 > B2 > B2 > 22 ~ EX Devastator (DB3+Block) ~ Power Strike (DF4) > 4 ~ Reverse Treechopper

Alternate combo from B2 in the corner.
Humorous, but unoptimal.

D2

EX D2 > J12 > 22 ~ Devastator (DB3)

Basic EX D2 combo.
Shao could EX the Devastator to continue the combo, but the meter expenditure from EX D2 is already very high.

D2 > 22 ~ EX Devastator (DB3+block) ~ Power Strike (DF4) > 22 ~ Klassic Kahn (DB3)

Shao's D2 is a solid antiair, and the long vertical reach allows it to catch the enemy high up for a lengthy suspend.
The speed and reach of 22 is uniquely suited to catching D2 antiairs, and will allow for continuation into Devastator.

Kameo Kombos

Darrius

Jax

Kung Lao

Motaro

Axe F2 ~ Centaurian Warp (K) > B2 > J12 > 22 ~ EX Devastator (DB3+Block) ~ Power Strike (DF4) > 224 ~ Klassic Kahn (DB3)

The big combo that Centaurian Warp allows.
Crucial for maximizing the reward (and thus threat) from Axe B2.

Axe F2 ~ Centaurian Warp (K) > B2 > J12 > 22 ~ EX Devastator (DB3+Block) ~ Power Strike (DF4) > B1 > 22 ~ Klassic Kahn (DB3)

Lowers the damage, but mitigates the side switch.

Axe 22 ~ EX Devastator (DB3+Block) ~ Power Strike (DF4) > 224 ~ Charge! (Block+Stance Switch + K)

Motaro's alternate Fatal Blow starter is far faster than Shao's, giving him far more ways to combo into it.
In most situations where Klassic Kahn would land, Shao can instead use Charge.

Sareena

Scorpion

Axe 12 ~ Power Strike (DF4) > 22 ~ Treechopper (DF1) + Far Fire Breath (UK) > 22 ~ EX Devastator (DB3+Block) ~ Power Strike (DF4) > 2 ~ Reverse Treechopper (DF2)

Exceptionally rewarding midscreen route with tremendous corner carry.
Takes full advantage of Devastator's gravity-alleviating properties and the quick pickup of 2 ~ Reverse Treechopper by moving them to the end of the combo.

Unarmed B3 ~ Treechopper (DF1) + Far Fire Breath (UK) > B2 > 22 ~ EX Devastator (DB3+Block) ~ Power Strike (DF4) > 2 ~ Reverse Treechopper (DF2)

With Treechopper, Shao can confirm from his B3.

Sektor

Sub-Zero

Axe 22 / B1 / B3 ~ Iced Out (FK) > Dark Energy (DF1) > B2 > J12 > 22 ~ EX Devastator (DB3+Block) ~ Power Strike (DF4) > 224 ~ Klassic Kahn (DB3)

The easiest and most important combo that Sub-Zero gives.
Massively improves the reward from 22, B1, and B3.