Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance - Max Difficulty Strategy FAQ for PS2 Written by "Valykon" on December 5th, 2002. Version: 1.0 This document Copyright 2002 "Valykon" ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ============================================================================== Table of Contents ============================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1. Legal Information 2. Introduction 3. Explanation of Trigger Hits and Counter Combos 4. General Tips 5. List of Character's Trigger Hits and Counter Combos A) Shang Tsung B) Bo Rai Cho C) Quan Chi D) Li Mei E) Scorpion F) Sonya G) Kenshi H) Mavado I) Johnny Cage J) Sub-Zero K) Kano L) Kung Lao M) Nitara N) Drahmin O) Hsu Hao P) Frost Q) Jax R) Kitana S) Raiden T) Reptile U) Cyrax V) Blaze W) Mokap 6. Defeating Moloch 7. Personal Notes 8. Contact Information ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ============================================================================== 1. Legal Information ============================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ This unofficial strategy guide is written for the PS2 version of Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance by Midway. All strategies listed in this guide have been developed and tested by me for effectiveness. The use of my guide is strictly for gamefaqs.com and any of its business partners. Personal use is allowed, for example: printing out my FAQ for your own reference at home but distribution or reproduction of my work without written consent will result in legal consequences. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ============================================================================== 2. Introduction ============================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ This strategy guide has been developed to provide tips for defeating the cpu on max difficulty in arcade mode and the 10th mission mirror match for each character in their konquest missions. These techniques are here to provide some of the easiest methods to complete the game. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ============================================================================== 3. Explanation of Trigger Hits and Counter Combos ============================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ This guide is based entirely on strategies involving them so here is the explanation of what they are. A "trigger hit" is a term I use for an attack that any character can perform without the fear of retaliation. This is important because the cpu on max difficulty counters most attacks. The counter attack of the cpu to a trigger hit is what I refer to as a "forced attack". Furthermore, a counter against this forced attack is what I call a "counter combo". Remember the meaning of these terms. Here is an example of how trigger hits work. Playing as Kano in his Butterfly stance, press Triangle (a trigger hit). The cpu will most likely block this and try to retaliate (a forced attack) but you will block this attack by immediately holding R2 after pressing Triangle (the trigger hit). After you are done blocking the cpu's attack whether it be a single move or an entire combo, you will immediately attack with a "counter combo". After using a trigger hit, you can sometimes sidestep the forced attack by pressing or holding the up button. This will give you a window of opportunity to attack the cpu. Your ability to successfully perform the sidestep depends on the type of attack the cpu uses. If the cpu uses a left jab and you press up, then you are sidestepping to their right side leaving them exposed to attacks. Unfortunately, there is no sure way to anticipate which attacks the cpu will use. You must play through max difficulty for a while before you learn the patterns of the cpu such as which combos or attacks they like to counter with. After you become accustomed to these patterns you will be able to put these strategies involving trigger hits and counter combos to good use. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ============================================================================== 4. General Tips ============================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Here are a few general tips to take into consideration when attempting to defeat the cpu on max difficulty. When facing opponents that possess the special ability (reversal) in one of their styles, it is sometimes better not to use a trigger hit and instead wait for the cpu to attack and then use a counter combo. This is more effective in this scenario because the cpu will almost always reverse all attacks. Using long range attacks (not projectiles) such as far reaching kicks does not leave your character as open to the attacks that follow a reversal when compared to using some of the trigger hits you will learn. For the characters that possess a reversal it is sometimes effective to use it after a trigger hit because the cpu will counter with its' forced attack. Be warned it only works against certain attacks. Never stay still. Always hold up to sidestep and use trigger hits when the cpu approaches. Some trigger hits work against the cpu repeatedly because they are unable to block as they sidestep with you. Whenever you are not sidestepping you should always be blocking. If you are ever hit by a combo that pops you into the air. Hold up so as your character lands, they will perform a sidestep roll. The only exception is if you are near the wall because after the cpu pops you into the air, they might use a projectile. You will not be able to land, let alone roll in time to escape the projectile if you are near a wall. Most of the time, the cpu will try to attack you when you land and by rolling you will dodge the attack leaving them exposed to an attack of your choice. Projectiles rarely work unless they are part of combos. Impaling does not work very often either. The only time you can easily impale the cpu on max difficulty is after sidestepping their projectile. Note that some characters have a faster recovery time for their projectiles meaning they will be able to block almost immediately after using a projectile. I personally think its not worth it to even try to impale unless your using Kitana who has a far reaching and very quick impale. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ============================================================================== 5. List of Trigger Hits and Counter Combos ============================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Refer To section 3 to learn how to use this part of the guide. For each character I will list what I think is the most useful trigger hit and counter combo. Each character has many trigger hits and counter combos but some are not as effective as others so I will only list what I think is the most effective one. The only exception is Johnny Cage because Blaze uses the Jeet Kune Do stance and Mokap uses the Karate stance, so for their trigger hit and counter combo tactic refer to Johnny's section. Note* Some of these combos require exact timing so practice them in practice mode until you can execute them smoothly before facing the cpu. For the combos that include a character's special moves refer to the built in list in the game. B = Back F = Forward U = Up D = Down TH = Trigger Hit CC = Counter Combo "Connects" means your attack actually hit the cpu because they could not block for whatever reason. Most trigger hits that do not connect into longer combos should be performed repeatedly as long as you are at a safe distance at which the cpu cannot counter with a forced attack. ============================================================================== A) Shang Tsung: Stance - Crane TH = U+Circle CC = Triangle, X, X, Circle. ============================================================================== B) Bo Rai Cho: Stance - Mi Zong TH = Triangle, Triangle, U+Circle. If the TH "connects" then execute the full combo by finishing with U+Circle, Triangle, Triangle, B+Circle. CC = Triangle, Triangle, U+Circle, U+Circle, Triangle, Triangle, B+Circle. ============================================================================== C) Quan Chi: Stance - Escrima TH = X, Square, B+Square. If the TH "connects" then execute the full combo by finishing with Triangle, Circle, Circle. CC = X, Square, B+Square, Triangle, Circle, Circle. ============================================================================== D) Li Mei: Stance - Baji Quan TH = The following three attacks can be used as trigger hits. Deciding on which one to use depends on the situation. Each attack will result in a different combo causing varying amounts of damage. 1. B+Triangle (weak damage and farthest reach) If the TH "connects" then execute the full combo by finishing with the "Klock Kick" special move, "Kartwheel" special move 2. F+Square (medium damage and medium reach) If the TH "connects" then execute the full combo by finishing with the same method mentioned for 1 3. B+Circle (strong damage and close reach) If the TH "connects" then execute the full combo by finishing with B+Circle, "Kartwheel" special move CC = The counter combo will be one of the above trigger hits plus the method that should be used for each one if the TH "connects". ============================================================================== E) Scorpion: Stance - Ninja Sword TH = Circle, Square, Square, X. If the TH "connects" then execute the full combo by finishing with X, Square, X. CC = Circle, Square, Square, X, X, Square, X ============================================================================== F) Sonya: Stance - Kenpo TH = Square, X, X. CC = Circle, Square, Square, Circle. ============================================================================== G) Kenshi: Stance - Katana TH = Circle, Square, Square, X. If the TH "connects" then execute the full combo by finishing with X, D+Square, "Telekinetic Slam" special move, "Telekinetic Toss" special move. CC = Circle, Square, Square, X, X, D+Square, "Telekinetic Slam" special move, "Telekinetic Toss" special move. ============================================================================== H) Mavado: Stance - Wing Chun TH = D + any of the following buttons: Square, X, Circle, Triangle. I use D+Circle because it has a better reach. CC = Square, Triangle, Circle, Circle, X. ============================================================================== I) Johnny Cage: Stance - Karate TH = Square, Triangle, X, Circle. CC = F+Triangle, Triangle, X, Circle. Style - Jeet Kune Do TH = Triangle, Triangle, X, X, Circle. It's easier to use a shorter combo such as Triangle, Triangle, Circle. CC = Triangle, Triangle, X, X, Circle. ============================================================================== J) Sub-Zero: Stance - Shotokan TH = X, Triangle. CC = Square, Triangle, B+Triangle + 1,2 or 3. 1. Square, Triangle, B+Triangle 2. Square, Triangle, B+Square 3. Square, Triangle, Circle ============================================================================== K) Kano: Stance - Butterfly TH = Triangle. If the TH "connects" then execute the full combo by finishing with B+Square, B+Triangle. CC = Triangle, B+Square, B+Triangle. ============================================================================== L) Kung Lao: Stance - Mantis TH = B+Circle. CC = U+Circle, Square, Square, Triangle, Circle. ============================================================================== M) Nitara: Stance - Fu Jow Pai TH = Square, Square, Square, X, X. It's easier to use the shorter version of the combo which is X, X. CC = Square, Square, Square, X, X. ============================================================================== N) Drahmin: Stance - Netherealm TH = Square. CC = X, X, B+X, then use his "Ground Smash" special move. Its not really a combo but it works. If the cpu goes over you then you won't be able to do much but if the cpu goes in front of you then finish the combo with X, and his "Super Uppercut" special move. ============================================================================== O) Hsu Hao: Stance - Sun-Moon TH = Triangle. If the TH "connects" then execute the full combo by finishing with B+Square, B+Triangle. CC = Triangle, B+Square, B+Triangle. ============================================================================== P) Frost: Stance - Yuan Yang TH = Square, Triangle. CC = U+X, U+X, Square, Square, U+X. ============================================================================== Q) Jax: Stance - Muay Thai TH = "Piston Punch" special move. CC = Triangle, Triangle, X, X, Circle. ============================================================================== R) Kitana: Stance - Steel Fan TH = Square, Square, B+Triangle. If the TH "connects" then you can finish off the combo with any of the following combo endings: 1. Square, Square, B+Triangle 2. Triangle, Triangle, F+Square 3. Triangle, Triangle, Triangle, F+Triangle CC = Square, Square, B+Triangle and can be finished off with any of the three choices of combo endings mentioned above. ============================================================================== S) Raiden: Stance - Nan Chuan TH = Triangle, B+Square. CC = Square, Square, Triangle, B+Triangle, Triangle, X. ============================================================================== T) Reptile: Stance - Crab TH = Square, Square, B+Triangle. If the TH "connects" then execute the full combo by finishing with B+Triangle, Square, Square, X. CC = Square, Square, B+Triangle, B+Triangle, Square, Square, X. ============================================================================== U) Cyrax: Stance - Ninjitsu or Sambo (the TH and CC are the same for both) TH = Square, Square, B+Square, If the TH "connects" then execute the full combo by finishing off with his "Spinkicks" special move. CC = Square, Square, B+Square, "Spinkicks" special move. ============================================================================== V) Blaze: Refer to Johnny Cage's Jeet Kune Do stance tactic. ============================================================================== W) Mokap: Refer to Johnny Cage's Karate stance tactic. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ============================================================================== 6. Defeating Moloch ============================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Trigger hits and counter combos do not work that well against Moloch so here is a strategy that will allow you to beat him with any character you choose. To attack Moloch, use a short combo that has a long reach, and a fast attack in the first hit of the combo. Every time Moloch attacks, block the attack and immediately after blocking, attack Moloch with the combo you chose. If Moloch blocks your combo, then repeat the cycle of blocking and attacking until your combo hits him. When the combo gets through you should sidestep to Moloch's left side by holding down on the directional pad after the last hit of your combo. Moloch will try to either attack or throw you after your combo, but will miss because you sidestepped, which is a perfect opportunity for you to use your combo again and sidestep after it. Repeat this over and over again until Moloch goes down. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ============================================================================== 7. Personal Notes ============================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I would like to thank Midway for producing a great game and everyone who encouraged me to write this. I hope this FAQ has helped. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ============================================================================== 8. Contact Information ============================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ This is my first time writing a FAQ. If you have any comments or suggestions about this FAQ email me at euromax454@hotmail.com