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Shang Tsung Mortal Kombat 1 fighter artwork
Mortal Kombat 1 Move & Ability Guide

Shang Tsung moves, skills and special abilities

Move & Ability Guide

Playable Mortal Kombat 1 fighter included in the Definitive Edition.

40 ability entries1 Basic Attack13 Special Moves3 Equippable Moves10 Kombos2 Aerial Kombos1 Fatal Blow2 Fatalities7 Brutalities1 Animality
Mortal Kombat inputs: Forward means toward the opponent; Back means away. Reverse horizontal directions when facing left. A comma or β†’ separates steps; + means press together. Use your assigned buttons if controls were remapped. 1 = Front Punch (PS Square / Xbox X / Switch Y); 2 = Back Punch (Triangle / Y / X); 3 = Front Kick (Cross / A / B); 4 = Back Kick (Circle / B / A). Kameo = R1 / RB / R; Block = R2 / RT / ZR; Throw = L1 / LB / L; Flip Stance = L2 / LT / ZL. During/Requires describes a prerequisite, not an extra direction. Finishers need the finishing prompt, distance and unlock conditions shown. Kameo copied moves depend on the opponent.

Basic Attacks

1
A God's Whimsy
basic_attack
Controls: Universal notation
How it is used
Forward + Front Kick (Young Form)

Directional or character-specific normal attack.

Tip: Use the listed universal notation.
Current movelist reference check β€” September 2026Source β†—

Special Moves

13
Age Morph
special_move
Controls: Universal notation
How it is used
Down + Flip Stance

Character special move.

Tip: Use the listed universal notation. Enhanced versions use the game's Enhance/Block command where supported.
Current movelist reference check β€” September 2026Source β†—
Form Stealer
special_move
Controls: Universal notation
How it is used
Forward, Down, Back, Back Kick

Shang Tsung's transformation mechanic, explicitly documented in official Mortal Kombat 1 patch notes.

Tip: Use Form Stealer to access opponent-specific tools and temporary damage benefits. Morph behavior can interact with many character-specific systems.
Verified through official WB February UpdateSource β†—
Morph Back
special_move
Controls: Universal notation
How it is used
Forward, Back, Back Kick

Character special move.

Tip: Use the listed universal notation. Enhanced versions use the game's Enhance/Block command where supported.
Current movelist reference check β€” September 2026Source β†—
Kameo Kopy
special_move
Controls: Universal notation
How it is used
Down, Forward, Back Kick

A newer Shang Tsung move added in an official Mortal Kombat 1 update, allowing him to copy Kameo-related functionality.

Tip: Use the current in-game Move List for exact mechanics because Kameo Kopy was introduced after launch and has received follow-up fixes.
Added in official WB September UpdateSource β†—
Straight Skull
special_move
Controls: Universal notation
How it is used
Down, Forward, Front Punch (Young Form)

Character special move.

Tip: Use the listed universal notation. Enhanced versions use the game's Enhance/Block command where supported.
Current movelist reference check β€” September 2026Source β†—
Double Skull
special_move
Controls: Universal notation
How it is used
Down, Back, Front Punch (Young Form)

Character special move.

Tip: Use the listed universal notation. Enhanced versions use the game's Enhance/Block command where supported.
Current movelist reference check β€” September 2026Source β†—
Triple Skull
special_move
Controls: Universal notation
How it is used
Down, Back, Forward, Front Punch (Young Form)

Character special move.

Tip: Use the listed universal notation. Enhanced versions use the game's Enhance/Block command where supported.
Current movelist reference check β€” September 2026Source β†—
Spinning Spikes
special_move
Controls: Universal notation
How it is used
Down, Forward, Back Punch (Young Form)

Character special move.

Tip: Use the listed universal notation. Enhanced versions use the game's Enhance/Block command where supported.
Current movelist reference check β€” September 2026Source β†—
Bed Of Spikes
special_move
Controls: Universal notation
How it is used
Down, Back, Front Kick (Young Form)

A Shang Tsung special move whose recovery, appearance timing, and interaction with reflect mechanics have been adjusted officially.

Tip: Use it as part of Shang Tsung's zoning and setup game. Current recovery differs from earlier versions.
Verified through official WB September and February updatesSource β†—
Ground Skull
special_move
Controls: Universal notation
How it is used
Down, Forward, Front Punch (Old Form)

Character special move.

Tip: Use the listed universal notation. Enhanced versions use the game's Enhance/Block command where supported.
Current movelist reference check β€” September 2026Source β†—
Down Skull
special_move
Controls: Universal notation
How it is used
Down, Forward, Front Punch (Air, Old Form)

Character special move.

Tip: Use the listed universal notation. Enhanced versions use the game's Enhance/Block command where supported.
Current movelist reference check β€” September 2026Source β†—
Vicinity Slash
special_move
Controls: Universal notation
How it is used
Down, Forward, Back Punch (Old Form)

Character special move.

Tip: Use the listed universal notation. Enhanced versions use the game's Enhance/Block command where supported.
Current movelist reference check β€” September 2026Source β†—
Injection
special_move
Controls: Universal notation
How it is used
Down, Back, Front Kick (Old Form)

Character special move.

Tip: Use the listed universal notation. Enhanced versions use the game's Enhance/Block command where supported.
Current movelist reference check β€” September 2026Source β†—

Equippable Moves

3
Rain God
equippable_move
Controls: Universal notation
How it is used
Down, Down, Up

Equippable move.

Tip: This move must be available in the current character configuration before use.
Current movelist reference check β€” September 2026Source β†—
Spear
equippable_move
Controls: Universal notation
How it is used
Back, Forward, Front Punch

Equippable move.

Tip: This move must be available in the current character configuration before use.
Current movelist reference check β€” September 2026Source β†—
Smoke-Port
equippable_move
Controls: Universal notation
How it is used
Down, Back, Back Kick

Equippable move.

Tip: This move must be available in the current character configuration before use.
Current movelist reference check β€” September 2026Source β†—

Kombos

10
Pulse Check
kombo_attack
Controls: Universal notation
How it is used
Front Punch, Back Punch, Back Kick

Ground kombo string.

Tip: Enter the listed inputs as a ground string.
Current movelist reference check β€” September 2026Source β†—
Laid Low
kombo_attack
Controls: Universal notation
How it is used
Back + Back Punch, Back Punch, Front Kick

Ground kombo string.

Tip: Enter the listed inputs as a ground string.
Current movelist reference check β€” September 2026Source β†—
Snake Oil
kombo_attack
Controls: Universal notation
How it is used
Back + Front Punch, Back Punch (Young Form)

Ground kombo string.

Tip: Enter the listed inputs as a ground string.
Current movelist reference check β€” September 2026Source β†—
Silent Killer
kombo_attack
Controls: Universal notation
How it is used
Back Punch, Back Kick (Young Form)

Ground kombo string.

Tip: Enter the listed inputs as a ground string.
Current movelist reference check β€” September 2026Source β†—
Spin Kick
kombo_attack
Controls: Universal notation
How it is used
Forward + Back Kick, Front Kick, Back Kick (Young Form)

Ground kombo string.

Tip: Enter the listed inputs as a ground string.
Current movelist reference check β€” September 2026Source β†—
Operation
kombo_attack
Controls: Universal notation
How it is used
Back + Front Punch, Back Punch (Old Form)

Ground kombo string.

Tip: Enter the listed inputs as a ground string.
Current movelist reference check β€” September 2026Source β†—
Knee Reverser
kombo_attack
Controls: Universal notation
How it is used
Back Punch, Back Kick (Old Form)

Ground kombo string.

Tip: Enter the listed inputs as a ground string.
Current movelist reference check β€” September 2026Source β†—
Power Manifest
kombo_attack
Controls: Universal notation
How it is used
Forward + Front Kick, Back Punch (Old Form)

Ground kombo string.

Tip: Enter the listed inputs as a ground string.
Current movelist reference check β€” September 2026Source β†—
Orthopedic Takedown
kombo_attack
Controls: Universal notation
How it is used
Forward + Front Kick, Back Kick (Old Form)

A Shang Tsung Old Form kombo attack added in an official Mortal Kombat 1 update.

Tip: Use it within Old Form pressure and combo routes. Confirm current frame data in Practice Mode.
Added in official WB September UpdateSource β†—
Age Before Beauty
kombo_attack
Controls: Universal notation
How it is used
Forward + Back Kick, Front Punch, Back Punch, Front Punch, Back Kick (Old Form)

Ground kombo string.

Tip: Enter the listed inputs as a ground string.
Current movelist reference check β€” September 2026Source β†—

Aerial Kombos

2
Major Complications
aerial_kombo
Controls: Universal notation
How it is used
Front Punch, Back Punch, Back Punch (Air)

Aerial kombo string.

Tip: Perform the listed sequence while airborne.
Current movelist reference check β€” September 2026Source β†—
Festering Wounds
aerial_kombo
Controls: Universal notation
How it is used
Back Punch, Back Punch (Air)

Aerial kombo string.

Tip: Perform the listed sequence while airborne.
Current movelist reference check β€” September 2026Source β†—

Fatal Blow

1
Bad Medicine
fatal_blow
Controls: Universal notation
How it is used
Flip Stance + Block

Fatal Blow.

Tip: Available when the game's Fatal Blow conditions are met.
Current movelist reference check β€” September 2026Source β†—

Fatalities

2
Side Effects
fatality
Controls: Universal notation
How it is used
Back, Down, Down, 4

Fatality. Perform at close range.

Tip: Use the listed distance and command during the FINISH HIM/HER window.
Current MK1 reference check β€” September 2026Source β†—
Feeding Time
fatality
Controls: Universal notation
How it is used
Forward, Down, Back, 2

Fatality. Perform at mid distance.

Tip: Use the listed distance and command during the FINISH HIM/HER window.
Current MK1 reference check β€” September 2026Source β†—

Brutalities

7
Bed Of Spikes
brutality
Controls: Universal notation
How it is used
Grab / 1+3

Hold Up during the hit. Final hit must come from Not Covered By Insurance.

Tip: The listed final-hit and hold/tap conditions must be satisfied for the Brutality to trigger.
Current MK1 reference check β€” September 2026Source β†—
Stick Around
brutality
Controls: Universal notation
How it is used
Down, Back, 3

Must be in Young Form. Final hit must come from Bed Of Spikes while the opponent is airborne.

Tip: The listed final-hit and hold/tap conditions must be satisfied for the Brutality to trigger.
Current MK1 reference check β€” September 2026Source β†—
Chomp! Chomp!
brutality
Controls: Universal notation
How it is used
Down, Forward, 1

Must be in Young Form. Hold Back during the hit. Final hit must come from Straight Skull. Must be at jump distance.

Tip: The listed final-hit and hold/tap conditions must be satisfied for the Brutality to trigger.
Current MK1 reference check β€” September 2026Source β†—
Fire It Up
brutality
Controls: Universal notation
How it is used
Down, Forward, 1

Must be in Old Form. Hold 1 during the hit. Final hit must come from Air Down Skull. Must be at jump distance.

Tip: The listed final-hit and hold/tap conditions must be satisfied for the Brutality to trigger.
Current MK1 reference check β€” September 2026Source β†—
It Has Ended
brutality
Controls: Universal notation
How it is used
Down, Back, 3

Must be in Old Form. Press Down, Down, Down during the hit. Final hit must come from Injection.

Tip: The listed final-hit and hold/tap conditions must be satisfied for the Brutality to trigger.
Current MK1 reference check β€” September 2026Source β†—
Soul Steal
brutality
Controls: Universal notation
How it is used
Forward + 4, 1, 2

Must be in Old Form. Hold 1 during the hit. Final hit must come from Nerve Endings.

Tip: The listed final-hit and hold/tap conditions must be satisfied for the Brutality to trigger.
Current MK1 reference check β€” September 2026Source β†—
Run Down
brutality
Controls: Universal notation
How it is used
Back + 2, 2, 3

Hold Forward during the hit. Final hit must come from Laid Low.

Tip: The listed final-hit and hold/tap conditions must be satisfied for the Brutality to trigger.
Current MK1 reference check β€” September 2026Source β†—

Animality

1
With A Twissst
animality
Controls: Universal notation
How it is used
Forward, Back, Down, 3

Animality. Perform at mid distance.

Tip: Use the listed distance and command during the finisher window.
Current MK1 reference check β€” September 2026Source β†—
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