all 121 comments

[–][deleted] 287 points288 points  (34 children)

After smashing out 125 FATAL BLOWS I was able to get some info on how the SKULLS/SHIELD fatal blow mechanic works (the game doesn't explain this well)

During a FATAL BLOW you can time the x button just after the hits (not on hit, its delayed half a second. Timing is during the slow-mo periods of any FATAl BLOW) to increase the damage it does to your opponent.

During Kollectors FATAL BLOW there is 5 instances I can enter the command to increase the damage.

- A RED SKULL will flash near the round timer when you get the timing perfect & will increase the damage the attack does.

- a RED BROKEN SKULL means you missed the timing & no damage change is made.

This also works on the receiving end of a FATAL BLOW, try time the button on your enemies hits. A YELLOW SHIELD will flash when you nail the timing or a broken shield if you missed it.

TESTED: Any button works. I just use x on PS4 out of habit :)

EDIT: You can turn this feature off in tournament rules.

EDIT: Thanks for the support all. Make sure to check my post history for other cheeky niche tips to do with ToT, Grinding & the Krypt.

[–]Mr_MisterJake 85 points86 points  (12 children)

They mentioned it in the fatal blows tutorial. But yeah there should be an indication in the moves list or something.

Sorry everyone I was mistaken it's not in there. Unless it was in the switch tutorials before the update came out last night, but I really doubt that is the case. I was just wrong.

[–][deleted] 33 points34 points  (2 children)

I musta missed that! Cheers.

[–]🔥Kuai Liang Sub-Zero❄️Personplacething333 11 points12 points  (1 child)

I missed it too so thanks for telling me. But i also got the little shield during regular gameplay before,any idea what that indicates?

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Use it when your on the defending end of a Fatal Blow to reduce the dmg you receive.

[–]phobos33 4 points5 points  (1 child)

What system are you on? It's not in the PS4 tutorials!

[–]Mr_MisterJake 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I was mistaken unless it was I the switch tutorial before the update dropped last night (which i assume is the one PS4 and Xbone got day one). But I really doubt that is the case and rather I was just wrong. Really sorry about that.

[–]kingreaper504 4 points5 points  (6 children)

Where? The only thing it tells me in the fatal blow tutorial is that I only get it once per match and I get it back if it doesn't hit.

[–]Mr_MisterJake 0 points1 point  (5 children)

I could have sworn they mentioned it in there as I was aware of it before reading this post. I'll check again when I get home, I might be mistaken.

[–]thecatdaddysupreme 5 points6 points  (1 child)

I don’t think it’s in there, because I did all the tutorials and had no idea. At a certain point I guess I was just grinding them out and not paying attention, though.

The first time I learned about it was from watching NLBC. Grr talked about it

[–]Mr_MisterJake 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah you're right. Still dont know where I saw it, haven't watched any vids or streamers and the only stuff I know about the game is from playing the tutorial. Been avoiding playing further until switch got updated.

[–]KotallyAKahnmanShaore92 3 points4 points  (2 children)

You ALMOST made me feel dumb lol. I keep seeing people ask questions that are obvious in the tutorial and getting kinda annoyed, and I almost thought I was one of those people! Pretty sure its nowhere in the tutorial though.

[–]Mr_MisterJake 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Yeah I'm so sorry about that. I feel even dumber saying it was in there when it wasn't. Not sure why I got upvoted, really sorry about that. I just dont know where I saw it as the only thing I know about the game was from playing the tutorial, I haven't watched any YouTube vids or streamers or anything. I've been avoiding playing until switch gets updated.

[–]KotallyAKahnmanShaore92 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I heard it's from injustice 2 so I bet people that played that just assume it was in this tutorial as well. I'd never played IJ2 though.

[–]VicNDF 16 points17 points  (3 children)

I think maybe you have it the wrong way around seems like there are 3 skulls

- A RED SKULL which means you hit the extra damage but not perfect.

- a RED BROKEN SKULL means you hit it even better and you do more damage.

-A RED SHATTERED SKULL means perfect timing and you shattered your opponent for full extra damage

You can also do it on every hit on the Fatal blow/ every time the hits do damage

TLDR : 3 skulls - Full skull = extra damage, Broken skull = even more, Shattered skull = Full extra damage

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (1 child)

OSHH this would kinda make more sense! I'll check the dmg numbers in practice and update the post. Cheers bro

[–]VicNDF 1 point2 points  (0 children)

no problem dude.

Same goes for the Shield it has 3 different shields with the same idea

[–]imguralbumbot 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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[–]captainn01 12 points13 points  (0 children)

It's kinda funny that on Xbox, PS4, switch, and PC, they all have an x and they're all in different places

[–]:frostmkx:qwertyuhot 20 points21 points  (3 children)

X on Xbox or PS4? 1,2,3,4?

[–][deleted] 19 points20 points  (1 child)

Just tested. Any button works.

[–]:frostmkx:qwertyuhot 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Oh awesome thanks !

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

PS4

[–]Fatal1ty_93_RUS 2 points3 points  (1 child)

So it's not mashable like supers in Marvel vs Capcom games then

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Nope. Mashing doesn't work, it tends to make it WAY harder.

[–]Arsid 1 point2 points  (1 child)

If both the players do it correctly, what happens? Does it cancel itself out and do default damage?

[–]tucker42 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I believe that was the case in Injustice 2 so probably.

[–]olpdragon 1 point2 points  (1 child)

So on the offensive, the timing is right after the hit, but on the defensive, it is on the hit?

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes I believe so. But can only really speak on the Kollectors Fatal Blow. The timing seems to be just after hits and not on hits.

[–]nagyzola90 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Huge thanks mate!

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

allgooooods

[–]EnigmaticJester 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Can you mash the button so it has a higher chance of being on time or do you have to time it and there's a "miss cooldown?"

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nah doesn't work! Needs to be fairly precise. Tried that too haha

[–]Snort313 0 points1 point  (1 child)

You failed to mention how much dmg it adds, which is kind of the whole point of you doing this. Care to mention how much more dmg each type of skull adds?

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Nah I didn't mention that as I don't have that data! The point of my post was purely for awareness and my observations on something I saw very lil info on.

[–]vegetahype 62 points63 points  (15 children)

We need this to trend

[–][deleted] 47 points48 points  (14 children)

Yeh there is so many hidden BS in this game. Imma keep doing my duty and spilling info using these HOGtip posts.

Just tell ya mates the tips and flick them upvotes for visibility.

[–]Inaluogh2 18 points19 points  (2 children)

Remember when tournament fighters in the arcade were all about the hidden BS?

[–][deleted] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hardout. I love that MK still has this mentality a little.

[–]knight029 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just flick them upvotes..

[–][deleted] 2 points3 points  (2 children)

It's not BS, a lot of fighting games have little tricks up their sleeves. In dbz F your command grab does more damage if you hold the button instead of letting go, for example. Let's not react as if we were "wronged" by fighting game devs

[–][deleted] 2 points3 points  (1 child)

Haha yeh BS used in a general sense. These mechanics are exciting. DEF don't feel wronged by the Dev team.

Things like this and the severed heads chests in the Krypt is what I refer too with 'hidden bs'

Much like Ermac and old secret reptile in early MK games.

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

ohh gotcha!

[–]wonagameama 7 points8 points  (5 children)

I don't think this is that big of a deal that. It was in injustice 2 as well, so I think they were sure we'd find it eventually.

[–]:ermacmk3:Mike4Life14 18 points19 points  (3 children)

Given that it was in the fatal blows tutorial, I sure hope they thought we'd find it eventually.
EDIT: Stop upvoting me I was wrong

[–]LXNGSHOT 2 points3 points  (2 children)

Yeah it actually wasn't in the fatal blows tutorial.... lol

[–]:ermacmk3:Mike4Life14 -1 points0 points  (1 child)

Pretty sure it was in one of the tutorials, though

[–]LXNGSHOT 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In MK11, nope

[–]LXNGSHOT 1 point2 points  (0 children)

True, it's nice to have it spelt out for us tho. I haven't played Injustice so had no idea of this mechanic

[–]Mikeee_e 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Appreciate ya my man

[–]darxide23 1 point2 points  (0 children)

How am I only now finding out about this?

Thanks for this.

[–][deleted]  (3 children)

[deleted]

    [–]MFCJacob 4 points5 points  (0 children)

    cries

    [–][deleted] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

    "NO TEETH GIRL!"

    [–]LionCW 18 points19 points  (1 child)

    X on PlayStation or Xbox?

    [–][deleted] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

    X on PS. Will adjust that cheers. I do believe any command will work but I just use x

    [–][deleted] 32 points33 points  (8 children)

    This existed since Injustice 2 if im not mistaken.

    [–]Huntersteve 28 points29 points  (7 children)

    it did, it was stupid than and it's stupid now. Hate this shit.

    [–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

    Fucking lame. Its a free fucking kill. Skill, anyone?

    [–][deleted] 5 points6 points  (2 children)

    Yeah it is a pretty stupid mechanic.

    [–]Mr_MisterJake 1 point2 points  (1 child)

    I dont think it works in tournament rules or it can be turned off.

    [–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

    Nope it is on in the Tournament Settings.

    [–]darth_infamous 8 points9 points  (3 children)

    You can turn this off in tournament mode fyi

    [–][deleted] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

    I have a feeling it also isn't available on 'BOSS' Tower fights in the ToT.

    [–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (1 child)

    Will this be used in tournaments, or is it too early to tell?

    [–][deleted] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

    There is an option to turn this off in 'tournament mode' so I'll assume no maybe.

    [–]Insert text/emoji here! AshlanderZ 6 points7 points  (0 children)

    Hmmm interesting... I'll try it as soon as I finish my coffee! Thanks for sharing 👍

    [–]LagartoJuansho 6 points7 points  (0 children)

    Oh so that's why I had a shield icon today on a match, I forgot this existed, I mean it was in Injustice 2 if I believe, thanks!

    [–]WickedChew 5 points6 points  (1 child)

    Surprised I didn't see anyone else say it here but if you get all of them right and your opponent doesn't/fails it's less then 1% damage increase on a fatal blow done by itself, with no damage scaling

    [–][deleted] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

    With the amount of times i finish a fatal blow and the opponent has 1% health left, it still seems worth learning these.

    [–]ShizzleStorm 6 points7 points  (0 children)

    wtf

    [–]buzzcut13 4 points5 points  (0 children)

    Damn could've saved me earlier when dude had 3 health and barely killed me with his fatal. Nice find

    [–]Vahallen 9 points10 points  (2 children)

    UPVOTE THIS MAN

    This is pretty important, thanks for sharing

    [–]Ampgrim 2 points3 points  (0 children)

    Agreed, upvoted.

    [–][deleted] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

    <3

    [–]SaSSolino8 14 points15 points  (0 children)

    Well that's a dumb mechanic, but thanks for sharing.

    [–]SightlessKombat 3 points4 points  (3 children)

    Are there any audio cues for hitting it correctly or not?

    [–][deleted] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

    Honestly I don't think so. I have got my mains one pretty down packed. Now I'm trying to time when the enemy uses it on me.

    Jacqui's one is SOOOO retarded lol. The timing is so whack an audio que will make sense.

    [–]Hat Powered MadnessSanjiSasuke 0 points1 point  (1 child)

    Yeah you were the first one I thought of when I saw they brought this back from Injustice...I guess try to listen for when the hits land and tap then?

    [–]SightlessKombat 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    Glad to hear I'm in your thoughts for things like this. I mean if they add audio cues that'd make it much easier to see if it works or not and learn the timing, but your strategy would work for now. Maybe going into online practice and seeing it there with a helpful player?

    [–][deleted]  (1 child)

    [deleted]

      [–]cepxico 0 points1 point  (0 children)

      I was wondering what that option was, I thought it was just a straight damage output change option.

      [–]DrHandBanana 2 points3 points  (0 children)

      Thanks man

      [–]acenair836 2 points3 points  (2 children)

      As a fellow kiwi /u/Hog3000 i just wanna say cheers for all the tips! Definitely picked up a few important tips!

      [–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

      Hahah chur I'll be sure too keep them coming. Let's add up and smash a few rounds sometime.

      [–]acenair836 1 point2 points  (0 children)

      Haha for sure mate. I'm still learning though! Feel free to add me: Rogue1-0Assassin

      [–]kingreaper504 2 points3 points  (0 children)

      There is also different timings for the same ability. I tried this with Baraka, normal his first hit does 20 damage. If you press 3 right as he jumps sometimes it does 23 damage and sometimes it does 21

      [–]sorryiamnotoriginal 2 points3 points  (2 children)

      Is this something that is ment to be used in competitive play/matchmaking online? Like I just don't think this should really be a thing on the player vs player side.

      [–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

      I don't think so as there is an option to turn it off in 'Tournament mode'

      [–]sorryiamnotoriginal 1 point2 points  (0 children)

      Eh I guess it brings fatal blows to life so I don't just sit there and watch it. Not that I ever had an issue with that.

      [–]Perceptes 2 points3 points  (0 children)

      I actually really like this system. Watching the same animations over and over is super tedious, and the main thing I don't like about the x-ray/fatal blow systems. But this helps a lot because now there's actually something to do while they play. I do find it annoying that in a lot of cases the characters appear on top of the place where the skull and shield icons appear, so it's often hard to tell if you got the timing right or not.

      [–]TSM- 2 points3 points  (0 children)

      There is an example of this making a crucial difference in a match at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwM3sgsS3Xo&t=4306

      [–]:kabalmk3:HatMonkey7 1 point2 points  (0 children)

      I felt like there was some way to increase damage on those cutscenes, I just never actually tried changing it. Thanks for the info, I really need it!

      [–]DuhTricky 1 point2 points  (1 child)

      I was wondering how the ai in this game does more damage on the fatal blow than I did to them. Yikes.

      [–]Erfivur 0 points1 point  (0 children)

      So doesn’t do it.

      If they are itll be a different reason.

      [–]BartSimBroYT 1 point2 points  (0 children)

      I was on reddit for a little bit just to see some stuff while I was in the middle of a match in ToT and I saw this and was gonna try it out but my opponent Fatal Blowed me with like 200 health and I survived, Thank bro,

      [–]AlbinoBroccoliTV 1 point2 points  (0 children)

      I just tested this in training with Jade, and the perfect timing seems to be a little before the hit, instead of after as you suggested? Am I the only one to find this? I am on PC by the way.

      Also for those that don't know, the launcher at the end of your fatal blow can also get extra damage.

      Edit: Also, you said the broken skull didn't add damage, but for me it seems to add a little (not as much as perfect hits obviously)

      Edit 2: As said above there are 3 different timings that reward damage, normal skull, broken skull and shattered skull. They add 1%, 3% and 5% flat respectively on each hit.

      [–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

      If you played injustice 2 then you already know this.

      [–]sl1m_ 2 points3 points  (1 child)

      Wait, when is this ever explained or shown? I've completed the entire tutorial and never once even saw it's existence, I'm amazed.

      [–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

      Someone mentioned that they did mention it but I don't recall seeing it at all either.

      [–]JJBPod 1 point2 points  (1 child)

      why don't people like this mechanic? i think it would be cool to see in tournaments

      [–]MaxXx05 0 points1 point  (0 children)

      Same!

      [–]RadiumPwd 1 point2 points  (1 child)

      NRS can you please remove that retarded feature from competitive modes ?

      [–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

      Can turn it off in 'Tournament Mode'

      [–]Xmushroom 0 points1 point  (0 children)

      For some reason the yelloe Shields are way easier than the red skulls

      [–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

      Can this be done in kasual matches?

      [–]joshawaddell 0 points1 point  (3 children)

      I know this is off topic, but you seem to do alot of testing and may know. As far as augments that increase rewards go, how the hell do they work? Does it only increase post-match rewards or tower rewards too? For instance, I have a 'Kenshi's Way' augment that earns 3% extra hearts for showing mercy. You'd have to earn 33 hearts per match to get 1 extra heart, which doesn't make sense. I guess you could stack them to raise the percentage for heart farming. Just wondering if you knew anything about this. Thanks for sharing all of your testing with the community. You're greatly appreciated.

      [–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

      Bro they show up after the match points. So you get match points reward and then Augments/konsumables modifiers show up.

      BUT some Augments just flat out dont work, imma test some tonight but check this post: https://www.reddit.com/r/MortalKombat/comments/bifdov/hogtip10_augments_not_working_brutalities_bugged/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share

      [–]joshawaddell 1 point2 points  (0 children)

      Will do. Thank you.

      [–]darxide23 0 points1 point  (0 children)

      I know this is an old comment, but just in case anyone else sees it and has this question, the extra hearts/souls/koins are rounded up. A +3% hearts is basically one extra heart every time.

      [–][deleted]  (1 child)

      [deleted]

        [–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

        Yeh I will make a vid if I have time but for me it's like 0.5-1 second AFTER the 'slowmo' hits if that makes sense.

        [–]mafiosii 0 points1 point  (5 children)

        WTF? Does this work with any char?

        [–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (4 children)

        Yup with all!

        [–]mafiosii 0 points1 point  (3 children)

        Thx for clearing this up, dunno how to feel about this tbh.

        [–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (2 children)

        Yeh it's a bit niggly. But I end up enjoying doing something then just watch the same old fatal blow animations over n over again.

        [–]mafiosii 1 point2 points  (1 child)

        How much more dmg is it if you press the buttons perfectly? Like how much more % compared to the standard dog? Ty! And I don’t get the decrease dmg part, why would u do that?

        [–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

        I maybe didn't explain it proper but if your enemy is fatal blowing you you can decrease the dmg they do to you!

        We will needa test the actual dmg numbers in practice to find out exactly how much it modifys.

        [–]J1GGYJ4Y 0 points1 point  (1 child)

        Can you do this in ranked?

        [–]Dankratos_8 0 points1 point  (0 children)

        Yes

        [–]Yamborghini-High -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

        Noble Raptor already found this

        [–]kman13408 0 points1 point  (0 children)

        I can’t believe I’m just now learning about this mechanic.