How to Use Kombat Pack Characters Early in MK1 (Servers Down)

This article is part of a directory: Mortal Kombat 1: Complete Guide

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Once every six weeks or so, the Mortal Kombat 1 servers are taken offline for maintenance. During this time, players may find that they're unable to make use of their DLC characters, as the game seems to have no way of verifying that they hold the correct licenses. Normally, maintenance only lasts for a few hours, so this isn't a massive issue, but there have been times when the MK1 servers have been down for much longer periods.

Some of the Kombat Pack DLC characters from Mortal Kombat 1

Mortal Kombat 1 Kombat Pack Release Schedule (All MK1 DLC Characters)

The Mortal Kombat 1 Kombat Pack grants access to 11 DLC characters, but the release dates for these MK1 kombatants are all a little different.

Thankfully, there is a fairly simple workaround that allows players to use DLC characters while the Mortal Kombat 1 servers are down. Better still, this method can also be used to gain access to Kombat Pack kombatants a few hours earlier than usual, giving players a chance to test out new kombos and finishers ahead of their next Kombat League matchup. This guide will explain how it all works.

How to Use DLC Characters while the MK1 Servers are Down

Usually, if players head to the character select screen while the Mortal Kombat 1 servers are down, they'll find that all of the Kombat Pack kombatants are locked. However, if they disable the console or computer's internet connection and then restart the game, they should find that all of their previously unlocked DLC content is once again available and ready for use. In some cases, players have reported having to completely restart their consoles after shutting off the internet connection, so if simply closing and re-opening the game doesn't work, players should try this additional step.

Disable the console or computer's internet connection.
Close Mortal Kombat 1.
Reopen Mortal Kombat 1.
If DLC characters are still locked, restart the console or computer and then try opening the game again.

How to Use Kombat Pack Kombatants Early

New Kombat Pack characters are typically added to the game while the Mortal Kombat 1 servers are down, meaning that players usually have to wait until the servers come back online before they can test them out. However, by using the above method, players can gain access to these characters a few hours early (or, in the case of Quan Chi, almost a full 24 hours before everybody else). They'll just need to wait until the update containing the character is rolled out, after which, they should find that they can purchase the character from their system's digital storefront (which shouldn't cost them a penny if they have the Kombat Pass). They'll then be able to use their new Kombat Pack character in offline game modes by booting up their console or computer with the internet connection disabled and opening up the game.