AI Tricks to Beat the Computer (all MKs)

BrycePGH

New member
Hey guys,
I am new here but a long time MK player. I thought a thread full of AI tricks against the computer would be cool. Please help me add to it

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MK2
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Jump Away: This will get the computer to jump into you at a perfect distance for juggleing. To preform this you must be player 1 and select one of the following characters: Cage, Reptile, Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Shang Tsung, Jax and Baraka. When the computer is in sweep distance, jump back and tap the kick button, once you land the computer will follow you leaving them open for attack. This also works on Jade, Smoke and Noob

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U/MK3
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Jump Away: This one if very similar to that of MK2, but it can be preformed by player 1 or 2 and with any character. Simply jump away and kick and the computer will throw a projectile. The throwing of their projectile leaves them open for attack by certain people. For example, if you are Nightwolf, reflect their item (great against sub-zero, useless against scorpion). Its ideal to play someone with teleport for this trick, like Smoke, Human Smoke, Ermac, or Scorpion.

Uppercut Setup: I have noticed that after you uppercut the computer, if you immediately do a vertical jump kick, the computer will jump into you, leaving them open for great juggle combos.

Update: exact list of MK2 jump backers, thanks everyone.
 
For UMK3/MKT

There are countless miniature abusable methods to beat any character in the game, here is a lot of them

On all characters except MK1 Kano (he never throws the knife so he is an exception to almost all rules but you can still easily beat him with jump punch or kick start to autcombos when he walks towards you), get into the stepping distance, which is that distance where the computer will mimmic your walking inputs, get as far away as you can without them walking towards you and jump away, kick or punch right before you hit the ground, you can do it so you can hear the sound and not see any animation, then they will throw a projectile, run in a step, jump over it and combo them, works almost everytime, as long as you time it right.

Do the exact same thing, against most characters, but don't run in a step, jump over the projectil really late, but make sure you can make it over, and they will jump attack at you, you have a free chance to juggle combo them everytime.

If you get a move that knocks them down close to you, jump straight up, they will jump attack you as you descend, and then you are free to do whatever.

Against male ninjas with female ninjas and Robot Ninjas, and possibly other characters, run in to the maximum LPing distance, and then just hit LP, they will attempt to sweep, and you can time LPs to snuff their sweep every single time until they die.

With Scorpion, Smoke, Robot Smoke, and some other containment characters, I think the Sub-zeros, get a move that knocks them down, then sweep as they get up, they will jump away, and it's a free harpoon/freeze move.

With Sindel, jump straight up and air fireball until they try to run or jump at you and it's free scream to combo.

With Jax, sweeps to instant back breakers work well, if they jump away, missile.

On just about anyone, jump away, kick or punch, duck projectile, straight up jump and as they run in, depending on the character you can time a starter into combo, just about everytime, or, sometimes they will jump into a straight up JP, and fall back, after this, jump straight and punch, they will again jump into it, take a running step in after the second jump punch and repeat over and over, if you time it properly they will take jump punches until they die.

With Kabal, run in, LP extremely close, but not too close or they will throw you, the instant you see them start to sweep, spin them.

With Unmasked Sub-zero, freeze them, then LP them and refreeze them over and over, they will constantly try and snuff the freeze with sweeps and other attacks and get frozen over and over, don't refreeze too quickly or the LPs will tally up to 5 and push them away eventually and you won't be able to freeze again.

Against Sindel, let her cross up jump kick you and she will always scream afterwards, if the JK hits far enough away you will be able to block it and free combo her everytime. You have to learn what the situation looks like in order to abuse this tactic against her.

With Mileena against just about anyone, jump back, kick or punch and do her roll under their projectile, when the roll hits, immediately JK them, then roll again when you land, run in HP, HK, it's a reasonably good combo for her, and you will find others.

With Kung Lao, jump away kick and teleport, to combo on most characters, except Baraka and the female ninjas. You can also let the CPU attack you, but block, when they do their inevitable cross up jump kick, block it spin them before they hit the ground, it sets up a potentially damaging juggle until you reach the corner because now the spin is limited to one per combo.

With Sheeva, jump away kick or punch and teleport stomp, but it is kind of risky as often the computer can get in on you afterwards.

Smoke, Scorpion and Ermac in MKT can all do their jump away kick or punch, teleport punch on projectile throw and get their containment to combo. This was removed in UMK3 1.2 for the most part. It can only be done on certain characters who attempt moves that will get snagged by their harpoons but I think everyone just blocks the lift. Sektor, Robot Smoke, Cyrax, Sheeva, Kung Lao, all attempt to teleport as you harpoon and get snuffed, Jade attemps her dash kick + projectile protection, and for some reason gets snagged anyway.

Against Cyrax with just about anyone, get in close, projectile, he will teleport, and then either teleport again, or try to net you, whatever the case may be, he is punishable in the midst.

With Nightwolf against Kano, Sheeva, the Robots, and Kabal, and I think in MKT Baraka and Raiden, use one of the free autocombo tactics, like jump away kick or punch, duck projectile, and do his 5 hit combo with the axe, then walk in, and right as they hit the ground, repeat the combo, til you reach the wall, and when you get there do his 3 hit kick combo til 100%. You can even do the regular combo and stick shoulder tackles in as well and still get the combo over and over.

Against Liu Kang, Kabal, Scorpion, Smoke, Robot Smoke, Sektor, Kano, Jax, Reptile, Sub-zero, Classic Sub-zero, Mileena, they all have an AI break where they will eventually do a move that is punishable if they are attacking you in close and some you have to be quick about countering, for instance the slides, they can interrupt you before you attack if you don't react immediately, but Liu Kang, Kano, Sektor, Robot Smoke, Mileena, they all do moves that put them in the air and you can easily punish them. Jax will do his dash punch and sometimes it pushes him away from you, but usually you can just duck and block and it'll miss, you can run in and attack, Kabal will eventually spin and just block and counter, Scorpion will eventually harpoon, just counter after you take some chip, but counter with big combos that are worth the exchange.

With Mileena, if they computer is rushing you down, look for an opening when they cross up jump kick you get a roll, same with Kabal, look for that opening and get a free spin.

With Kabal, throw some ducking LKs out on a charging CPU opponent, they will take 2 usually, and then try to cross up, even if you throw a 3rd you can still spin them. Anytime you hit an fireball, straight up jump kick or jump punch in air with Kabal, it's a free spin afterwards, so look for those openings.

If you have questions about specific characters vs specific characters, just mention them and I'll give you techniques to use.
 
BrycePGH said:
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MK2
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Jump Away: This will get the computer to jump into you at a perfect distance for juggleing. To preform this you must be player 1 and select one of the following characters: Raiden, Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Jax, ...(i know there are more but i cant recall off the top of my head, i will update this thread with your additions). When the computer is in sweep distance, jump back and tap the kick button, once you land the computer will follow you leaving them open for attack. This also works on Jade, Smoke and Noob

For that method, you don't have to tap one of the kick buttons; a regular jump backwards will draw the same conclusion. Anyway, the other characters that you can also use that strategy with are Reptile, Baraka, Johnny Cage, and to an extent Kung Lao. I have no clue why, but it seems like it'll only work with Kung Lao after you've had to continue against your opponent once you've reached a certain level in the fight ladder. I can't recall for sure if it does or does not work with Shang Tsung, though.

Something else to add to that strategy, though, is that you can only use it on matches 3 and up.

I have a number of other strategies that I've posted in various similar threads here, but I'll repost them if the mods or admins are willing to make this a sticky. I just don't want to go find them and dig 'em up for a thread that'll just die in a couple days anyway.
 
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MK2
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There is another nice free hit AI trick that can only be done from the Player 2 side, I dont remember exactly how to do it, but what it entailed was being about half screen (distance of the Toasty fatality), jump toward the computer but dont attack, then walk backwards and the computer will stay where they are, after that you can jump in and attack them without them blocking/countering. I dont know if thats exactly perfect, other members correct where i am off with this.
 
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MK2
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Anyone vs Milena or Liu Kang: Get just inside sweep range and try to jump kick the computer, Milena/Liu Kang will try their projectile in the air and if you timing is right, you will kick them and their projectile will not be thrown.
 
Doing that with Liu Kang is really tough, though (for me, anyway). I can do it no problem with Mileena, but as close as you have to be to nail Liu Kang with it, often times he just ends up doing a jump kick straight up in the air to knock you down, and won't even go into his fireball. God I hate Liu Kang.
 
MKT
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I've found that if you step anywhere close to the opponent, he will back away, then run at you, so what I do is wait for THEM to come to you, don't back away, RUN INTO THEM AND KICK THEIR AZZ!
 
TheFreak said:
MKT
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I've found that if you step anywhere close to the opponent, he will back away, then run at you, so what I do is wait for THEM to come to you, don't back away, RUN INTO THEM AND KICK THEIR AZZ!

Because that works.
 
MKDA
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When you go on to face the sub-boss Muloch i pefer using Scorpion or Kenshi..since theyre weapon movesets are easy to master .. just keep repeating the "blind justice"(i believe its called) combo and whenever he tries to block it just use the close range sidestep slice....


MKD
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for defeating the Dragon King itd help to break all of the Komidogu surrounding the play area...also it helps to use close range punches and kicks ..just the simple stuff like that

Side note: you can use any charector you feel acustomed to using really...these are just my suggestions for how to beat these 2 ....
 
your mk2 strats are incorect if you are talking abuot the arcade. first of, the jump-back strat works with Cage, Male Ninjas, Shang Tsung, Jax and Baraka. Just wait for A.I. to get enough close to you but to not throw you, then jump back and combo:

1. Cage - aaHPx2, SK
2. Reptile - RH/Uppercut, Slide (Death Punch, Forceball, D+LP, Uppercut - in some random situations will work)
3. Sub - Zero - aaHP, Ground Freeze, Uppercut, Slide
4. Shang Tsung - aaHP, Triple Fireball or just Triple Fireball
5. Jax - aaHP(x2), Gotcha
6. Baraka - aaHP, Blade Fury
7. Scorpion - aaHPx2, Teleport Punch, Spear

There are some other small tactics with those characters like Cage's Nut Punch that will hit some sweepers like Liu Kang: http://mk.ediko.net/archive/movies/mk2sg/cagenut.wmv, then combo. Jax can just Backbreack some characters: http://mk.ediko.net/archive/movies/mk2sg/jaxairthrw.wmv.

For none-jump backers:

Liu Kang:

1. Just JK them they will try to get you but they cant: http://mk.ediko.net/archive/movies/mk2sg/liujk1.wmv; http://mk.ediko.net/archive/movies/mk2sg/liujk2.wmv.

2. Liu Kang vs A.I. Liu Kang get close and use the LP strat: http://mk.ediko.net/archive/movies/mk2sg/liuvsliu.wmv

3. Liu Kang vs A.I. Kitana - Jump away with air fireballs so she cant hit you with fan throws and wait until she throws a normall fan, then flying kick her, if you reach the corner go through her with flying kick and repeat: http://mk.ediko.net/archive/movies/mk2sg/liuvskit.wmv

4. VS A.I. Mileena - use lots of early JP to her so she cant hit you with air sais and everything should be ok: http://mk.ediko.net/archive/movies/mk2sg/liuvsmil.wmv


Kung Lao:

1. Jump Kicks again, sometimes combined with Div Kick: http://mk.ediko.net/archive/movies/mk2sg/laojk2.wmv

2. Against Baraka, div kick to get from the other site of him and spin-combo: http://mk.ediko.net/archive/movies/mk2sg/laobaraka1.wmv, or just hit him with div kick, it will hit him through his blade fury: http://mk.ediko.net/archive/movies/mk2sg/laobaraka2.wmv

3. Against Liu Kang use the LP strat: http://mk.ediko.net/archive/movies/mk2sg/laovsliu.wmv

4. Against A.I. Kitana - reach the corner and then JK away and wait until she throws a fan, then div kick her, repeat: http://mk.ediko.net/archive/movies/mk2sg/laovskit.wmv

5. Early Jump Kicks + Div Kicks against Mileena http://mk.ediko.net/archive/movies/mk2sg/laovsmil.wmv....


i can post any more for the rest non-jumpbackers but you get the idea ;

as for umk3 there are TONS for strats against A.I. but i will leave them Shock.
 
i was talking to BrycePGH, cause he mentioned Raiden as jumpbacker... read the whole thread or just the first post, and you'll see who i'm talking about, why dont ya ?
 
I guess I'll add some of the ones I use for MK2:

To beat Kintaro easily in an extremely cheesy fashion, you can jump kick the hell out of him as much as you want, so long as you jump in from the right distance and land the kick at the right point. It's tough to explain exactly where you need to be, so it's best just to experiment until you get it, but you need to start the jump close enough to where you land at about Kintaro's shoulder.

Also, if you manage to corner Kintaro (which is easier said than done), you can simply do him in with a barrage of either low or high punches, but you have to at least start with a low punch (otherwise you'll just do your character's in-close attack) and you obviously have to catch him while he's not blocking.

To beat Shao Kahn, all you need to do is hammer a bunch of standing low kicks when he's close enough for them to come in contact with him. Often he'll block them, but if you keep kicking without stopping, he'll never have a chance to connect with a hit of his own and you'll eventually drain his life. You can do this with high kicks as well.

To beat Baraka as Kitana, you can just jump in towards him from a far enough distance away that you can throw your fan in mid-air and hit him while he's doing his blade fury. Since he always does that when you jump at him, he'll always get caught.

Later on maybe I'll add some other stuff.
 
The problem with MKDA is that you cant do those little repetitive goofers. As said in an issue of GamePro magazine, if you use the same moves and manuevers, the AI will get used to it and follow along to stop you dead in your tracks.
 
i got some MK4 info

Goro- the easiest thing to do to beat goro is jump and kick him the whole time but you must be careful not to get too close and avoid his giant jump.

the rest i think was too easy so thats all i have to say.
 
DeathcoreRyknow said:
I guess I'll add some of the ones I use for MK2:

To beat Kintaro easily in an extremely cheesy fashion, you can jump kick the hell out of him as much as you want, so long as you jump in from the right distance and land the kick at the right point. It's tough to explain exactly where you need to be, so it's best just to experiment until you get it, but you need to start the jump close enough to where you land at about Kintaro's shoulder.

Also, if you manage to corner Kintaro (which is easier said than done), you can simply do him in with a barrage of either low or high punches, but you have to at least start with a low punch (otherwise you'll just do your character's in-close attack) and you obviously have to catch him while he's not blocking.

To beat Shao Kahn, all you need to do is hammer a bunch of standing low kicks when he's close enough for them to come in contact with him. Often he'll block them, but if you keep kicking without stopping, he'll never have a chance to connect with a hit of his own and you'll eventually drain his life. You can do this with high kicks as well.
That's really good, I'll give those a go next time I'm up against them.
 
MK4

low kick grabs:
The cheapest thing you can do in mk 4 is scorpions low kick grab (circle for psx). This is where he raises the opponents arm like he is the victor then puches his armpit. This dislocates (or something like that) the opponents shoulder and they take about a 2 second recovery (they whip thier arm up to put the joint back in place) giving you plent of time to do another low kick grab. You can do this four or five times in a row until the 'MAXIMUM DAMAGE' text appears and blows you away from the other fighter. Then you can just do his spear attack and repeat.

Uppercut to jump kick:
Anytime you uppercut somebody you have a good distance to immediately jump forward and kick them right as they get up. But What makes mk4 different from any the other games is that right after you do a jump kick (with a 'post uppercut' distamce) you will land in position for another uppercut before they can get up. Unlike the current games, in the old ones, you can't block as your gettin up. SO this is practitcly flawless as long as you start with the uppercut. Only after you uppercut will you have the right distance to do this right. Just remember that the 2nd 3rd and so on uppercut must be done immediately after the jump kick.
1. uppercut
2. jump kick
3. uppercut
4. jump kick
5. repeat


Goro is the only guy that strategies don't really work for. For example, immediately after scoprion does his "get over here" move goro can attack you. Programming error. or maybe just mine??
 
Motaro any type of game
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Using Liu Kang: Hold low kick for of course the bycicle kick and wait for Motaro to jump. Once he does jump twards him and kick him in mid air. Once your on the ground release LK and hit the bycicle kick him and follow up with a flying kick.
If you somehow get Motaro in a corner after a flying kick and you have the auto combo on in MKT for N64. Run at Motaro while hes still stunned and press HP when your near Motaro and you'll hit a punching into kicking combo on Motaro and then you'll slide back. Run at him again while hes stunned and hit the same combo. Wash, rinse, repeat. You'll get a 99% damage on you're combo.
 
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