Mortal Kombat 9/Kung Lao

Kung Lao

Kung Lao's ancestor was defeated by Goro 500 years ago in the pivotal match that saw Shang Tsung attain control of the Mortal Kombat tournament. To him this contest is about more than Earthrealm's freedom. His life's goal has been to slay Goro and win the tournament, thus restoring his family's honor. After being defeated by Liu Kang in a qualifying bout, he disguised himself as one of Shang Tsung's guards to gain attendance. Kung Lao believes he is ready for the challenge. The time to avenge his ancestor is at hand.

In a Nutshell: Kung Lao is a great ground fighter. Although versatile in the air, he is much better suited for the ground as his damaging combos and Spin pop-up creates easy juggles for players new to the game. When fighting against Goro or Kintaro, timing, Teleport and Dive Kicks are essential, meaning that you'll fight the opposite way when the big guys come out. Against Shao Kahn however, this advice is not advised.

Moves

Basic Attacks

Name

Command

Damage

Notes

Front Punch

fp

3%

high bufferable

Back Punch

bp

5%

high bufferable

Front Kick

fk

7%

high bufferable

Back Kick

bk

9%

high bufferable

Crouching Front Punch

d + fp

2%

low bufferable

Crouching Back Punch

d + bp

12%

high uprcut

Crouching Front Kick

d + fk

1%

low bufferable

Crouching Back Kick

d + bk

3%

low bufferable

Angled Jumping Punch

during angled jump, fp or bp

4%

med

Angled Jumping Kick

during angled jump, fk or bk

7%

high knockdown

Straight Up Jumping Punch

during straight up jump, fp or bp

5%

med groundbounce

Straight Up Jumping Kick

during straight up jump, fk or bk

5%

med knockdown

Command Normals

Name

Command

Damage

Notes

Chops

b + fp

5% + 2%

high + high ; 2nd hit: bufferable

Hat Swipe

f + bp

7%

med

Rolling Thunder

f + fk

5%

high bufferable

Point Kick

b + fk

3%

low bufferable

Hop Kick

f + bk

9%

high flatten

Sweep

b + bk

7%

low sweep

Throws

Name

Command

Damage

Notes

Throw (Away)

b or n + fp + fk

1% + 3% + 4% + 4%

throw

Throw (Towards)

f + fp + fk

1% + 3% + 4% + 4%

throw

Kombo Attacks

Name

Command

Damage

Notes

Windy Palm

fp --- fp --- bp --- fp

3% --- 2% --- 3% --- 3%

high --- high --- high --- high ; 1st and 2nd and 3rd hit: bufferable

Healing Wind

b + fp --- f + fp

5% + 2% --- 3% + 4%

high + high --- high + high ; 2nd and 3rd hit: bufferable ; 4th hit: knockdown

Chained Fist

bp --- fp --- bp --- fp --- bp ( --- fp --- bp )

5% --- 3% --- 1% --- 1% --- 1% --- 1% --- 4% (7%)

All hits: high (hat swipe is med) ; Must input 3rd through 5th input before 2nd hit connects for hits 3 through 7; If inputs 6 and 7 are entered before the final hit, the last hit goes from a gut punch to a hat swipe for more damage

Iron Broom

bp --- bk --- fp + bp

5% --- 3% --- 8%

high --- low --- med ; 1st and 2nd hit: bufferable ; 3rd hit: flatten

Leg Bar

bp --- bk --- fp + fk

5% --- 3% --- 5% + 2%

Last part cannot be performed unless 2nd hit connects; high --- low --- throw ; 1st and 2nd hit: bufferable

Uprooting Step

bp --- bk --- fp + fk --- bk

5% --- 3% --- 2% + 8%

Input bk the moment Kung Lao makes eye contact with enemy; high --- low --- throw ; 1st and 2nd hit: bufferable

Plum Flower

bp --- bk --- fp + fk --- bp

5% --- 3% --- 2% + 10%

Input bp the moment Kung Lao makes eye contact with enemy (BP Mashable); Smaller window to perform than Uprooting Step ; high --- low --- throw ; 1st and 2nd hit: bufferable

Lead The Way

b + fk --- fk --- fk

3% --- 2% --- 5%

low --- high --- high ; 1st and 2nd hit: bufferable ; 3rd hit: knockdown

Fast Tags

Name

Command

Damage

Notes

Spinout

Spin --- tg

N/A

Sets up combo for partner

Tag Kombos

Name

Command

Damage

Notes

Yin Yang

fp --- fp --- bp --- tg

Based on Teammate

Swirling Dragon

bp --- fp --- bp --- fp --- bp --- tg

Based on Teammate

Double Yang

bp --- bk --- tg

Based on Teammate

Tag Kombo Attack

Attack from Teammate's Tag Kombo

10%

med knockdown

Tag Specials

Name

Command

Damage

Notes

Tag Assist

d , b + tg

10%

Performs Ultimate Hat ; high

Tag Attack

d , f + tg

3% + 3% + 4%

Performs Cyclone ; high --- high --- high ; 1st and 2nd and 3rd hit: knockdown

Special Attacks

Name

Command

Damage

Notes

Hat Toss

b , f + bp

7%

Hold u or d to guide hat; high

Ground Hat

d , b + bp

7%

low

Spin

d , f + fp

7%

high launch wkup

Dive Kick

in air, d + bk

7%

high knockdown

Teleport

d , u

N/A

airok wkup

   Teleport Throw

During Teleport, fp

1% + 11%

throw

   Hammer Punch

During Teleport, bp

7%

med groundbounce

   Teleport Kick

During Teleport, fk

9%

high

   Drop Kick

During Teleport, bk

13%

high knockdown

Enhanced Special Attacks

Name

Command

Damage

Notes

Hat Toss

b , f + bp + bl

10%

high , juggle starter

Ground Hat

d , b + bp + bl

9%

high , hold bp to delay

Spin

d , f + fp + bl

3% + 3% + 4%

high + high + high ; 1st and 2nd and 3rd hit: launch ; wkup

Dive Kick

in air, d + bk + bl

4% + 5% + 6%

high + high + high ; 1st and 2nd and 3rd hit: knockdown

Teleport

d , u + bl

N/A

airok wkup

X-Ray Attack

Name

Command

Damage

Notes

Fist Of Shaolin

fk + bk + bl

6% + 5% + 8% + 12%

1st hit: high ; knockdown

Finishing Moves

Fatality

Kode

Distance From Opponent

Fatality 1

b f f b + bp

Sweep

Fatality 2

d d f b + fp

Sweep

Stage Fatality

d f d + fk

Varies [Usually 'Close']

Babality

d f d + bp

Jump

Move Analysis

Basic Attacks

N/A

Command Normals

N/A

Kombo Attacks

N/A

Special Attacks

N/A

Enhanced Special Attacks

B,F + FP = Enhanced Hat Toss

Effective for Juggles (once Opponent is Airborne). It hits and though the damage is negligible, it leaves the opponent in the air for about 1.4 seconds, giving you time to walk underneath them for an Uppercut.

Basic Strategy

N/A

Advanced Strategy

N/A

Combos

Bread and Butters

32%: , , Spin, Jump Kick, Dive Kick, Rolling Thunder, Spin

7-Hits: Spin Dive Kick Dash Dash , , + , or

9-Hits: + , Spin Dive Kick Dash Dash , , + , or

Combos With Enhanced Specials

9-Hits: Spin Dive Kick Dash Enhance Hat Dash Dash , , + , or

Corner-Only Combos

9-Hits: + , Spin Jump Kick Dive Kick Jump Kick Dive Kick , , + , or

Style

Kung Lao seems to be a character best kept on the ground. Whereas he has the ability to teleport and a dive kick that has considerable reach, most of his high damage combos come in the form of his Basic Combos, mixed in with a Spin for an easy pop-up. Another thing to note about going airborne is his Teleport move has a considerable amount of time before he can strike after re-surfacing. His Enhanced Hat Toss special is also an easy way to keep opponents airborne, which is essential for landing follow-ups or an easy Uppercut.

When fighting against damage-resistant characters (such as Goro, Kintaro, not so much Shao Kahn), the dive kick and teleporting are a great idea, as these characters turn around more slowly. Using hat toss is not advised against teleporting characters (Sheeva and Noob come to mind) as they attack before you are finished recovering from the animation.

Matchups

Great against Goro and Kintaro.