NetherRealm’s Studios “Mortal Kombat 11” has just been out for almost a week now. Many players are still scrambling to find the character that’ll help them learn the game further. However, these three characters and their specific variation can help you learn “Mortal Kombat 11’s” systems while giving you a solid starting character.

Shock Jock Johnny Cage

This specific Johnny Cage variation comes packaged with a counter move(Mime Time), a punch attack buff(Brass Knuckles), and advancing punch attack (Caged Rage). Coupled with his base special attacks and combo strings, this character comes in with a strong attack mix-up game to break the opponent’s guard while having enough tools to play defensively.

The best part of this Johnny Cage variation is that the counter move has a reliable window to take a hit and hit the opponent back. When the counter is triggered , Johnny delivers a solid punch to the face that goes into a throw that can be amplified to extend the combo further. Alternatively, the counter move can be amplified to refresh the counter window and trick your opponent when they’re trying to wait out the counter.

Lastly, the Caged Rage is an attack that is highly advantageous on block due as the game still favors Johnny to hit first if the punch is landed. With this, Johnny can keep on the offensive and even do as many times as long as the enemy keeps blocking this punch. Moreover, the punch has a gimmick that it gets upgraded when blocked and can become an unblockable attack at max upgrade.

All in all, Shock Jock Johnny Cage is a decent character that has almost all of the tools needed for breaking your opponent’s defense while having good combo potential.

Skills You Can Learn: Opening Enemy Blocks, Mix-ups, Juggle Combos, Playing Neutral

Luohuan Quan Liu Kang

Similar to Johnny Cage, Liu Kang also plays like an all-arounder character with access to all offensive and defensive tools in battle. However, Liu Kang’s moveset is geared towards Juggle combos as many of his combo strings can be cut short or ended with specials when juggling. Liu Kang’s basic juggle starter are forward back punch (f2) and forward to three front kicks (f333) in which both are easy to remember.

As Liu Kang’s built-in special abilities are mostly offensive tools, it’s best to go for the Luohuan Quan variation as it offers a defensive tool and a neutral game option. The Dragon Parry can help you be a threat to the enemy when they’re rushing you down carelessly. The Low Fireball can help you zone out the opponent more reliably if you need some breathing space.

Like Johnny Cage, Liu Kang also has enough tools to punish careless gameplay due to having many attacks and special moves that can directly answer enemy attempts to get in.

Skills You Can Learn: Juggle Combos ending in Special Moves, Basic Fireball Zoning, Offense-focused playstyle

Thin Ice Sub-Zero

The Thin Ice Sub-Zero variation equips this icy warrior with more projectile attacks that helps him keep his opponents at bay if they want to get in. However, Sub-Zero’s moveset in “Mortal Kombat 11” is few but all of them are useful as they have built-in, reliable mixups or can be special cancelled for good juggle combos. Moreover, Sub-Zero’s attacks have great reach in which he can punish incoming punchers with an ice axe to stop them in their tracks. Lastly, Sub-Zero has access to an ice projectile attack that freezes enemies in place and makes them vulnerable for another combo.

Even though Sub-Zero’s moves seem to have a lot of advantage, his usual combos doesn’t hit as hard as the other characters. Due to this limitation, learning your highly damaging “Krushing Blow” attacks becomes crucial to play him well. Fortunately, his good combo strings often have the Krushing Blow gimmick attached to it and only has one amplifiable move in this variation. Thin Ice Sub-Zero allows new players to be confident with their good moves and almost always go for a metered special attack to go for damage.

Skills To Learn: Playing Neutral, Zoning, Being confident with attacks, Krushing Blow management and plays

After playing them, it’s up to you if you want to continue playing them or applying your knowledge on a different character.

“Mortal Kombat 11” was just released on April 23 so you can still catch up if you still haven’t bought one.

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