Highlights
- Mortal Kombat 1 features various character archetypes, including zoners, set-up characters, grapplers, and mix-up heavy fighters, adding depth to the game.
- Zoning characters play an integral role in Mortal Kombat 1 , with a few different and unique characters who possess a variety of tools beyond just zoning.
- Kitana, Liu Kang, Sub Zero, Rain, Shang Tsung, and Sindel are all notable characters in Mortal Kombat 1 , each with their own strengths and abilities, including zoning capabilities.
Mortal Kombat 1 has tons of different character archetypes, including zoners, set-up characters, grapplers, and mix-up heavy fighters. These are all complimented strongly by the Kameo system, which makes things a lot quicker and adds a lot of depth to the game.
Zoning characters have always been an integral part of fighting games, and Mortal Kombat 1 is no different. Whilst a lot of players hate zoning characters, they are an integral part of fighting games, and lots of players enjoy the long-range complex battle. Zoning in Mortal Kombat 1 isn’t super strong, but there are a few zoning characters. What makes matters interesting is how most of these characters are completely different and unique. They possess a variety of tools and can do a lot more than just zone, which is one of the best changes in the series.
6 Kitana
Kitana is a very different character in nearly every Mortal Kombat game. She still has some really cool combos and unique mix-ups, but she’s a lot more focused on zoning in this game. Kitana isn’t an easy character to play. She has three different projectiles: one that is a basic low and two that have a crazy arc, which is hard to get used to.
Kitana also has a setup trap that can be placed at different ranges; it acts as a launcher if the opponent gets hit by it. This makes for a fun combo with her projectiles and her jump-kick. Overall, Kitana is a solid zoner but somewhat difficult to execute. She has a lot more to her kit than just zoning, though.
5 Liu Kang
Liu Kang is the jack of all trades, as always, making him the best beginner character. This means while he works best as an up-close and personal character with tons of complex strings and combos, he can serve as a zoning character with the press of a few buttons.
He has access to air fireballs, a low fireball, a medium, and a high. One of Liu’s fireballs is followed by a flying kick, which places him right next to the opponent as well. All of these tools make him a very solid zoner, and let's not forget his vicious fatalities. His amazing buttons, his fast moves, and his overall ease of use make him one of the best characters in the game, and his zoning tools are a plus, too.
4 Sub Zero
Sub Zero is not a zoner per se, but he can play the projectile game easily. Moreover, he is an incredible counter zoner and has tons of tools to work around some of the premier zoners in the game. Sub Zero has his ice ball, which freezes for full combos if the opponent is hit. If players amplify it, it can eat other projectiles, making it very useful.
Moreover, Sub Zero can use his new forward ice klone as a mid-screen projectile. It also clashes with projectiles. Lastly, Sub has his tried and tested ice klones, which can form a sort of barrier for protection. Paired with the Sub Zero kameo, he can be basically invulnerable to zoning. While Sub Zero might be a bit weaker compared to some other improved fighters, he can still pack a punch in every play style.
3 Rain
Rain is a very complex character in Mortal Kombat 1. He has been redesigned to be more zoning-focused, but he still has access to some cool combos and close-range moves. Rain has a water shield that protects him from projectiles. He also has a whirlpool trap, which can be really good with the right set-ups. Rain also has access to a litany of different full-screen projectiles and can even use them as anti-air tools.
Rain has access to portals as well. This lets him mix up his game plan easily and can lead to some very stupid situations. Overall, he’s a slower-paced character focused on zoning, footsies, and reading the opponent.
2 Shang Tsung
Shang Tsung has some really cool moves in this game. He has a form shift, which lets him imitate the opponent’s character and entire move set. Shang can also morph into his older self, which gives him access to different moves.
Shang has tons of combos in this game but is also a solid zoner. He has access to multiple straight skull fireballs and can use his usual ground skulls, which combo as well. Young Shang can also use a spike move, which acts as a great disengage tool. Overall, he’s one of the most fun characters in the game, easily top-tier, and can also serve as a typical zoner.
1 Sindel
Sindel is one of the best characters in the game, and she’s one of the premier zoners in the game. The craziest thing about her is how she can affect the opponent’s Kameos. Sindel has moves that can deny the opponent a combo breaker, leaving them with no escape. Coupled with this, she has another move which stuns the opponent’s Kameo.
Sindel has the best projectiles in the game. She has high and low fireballs, which have incredible pushback on them as well. She has her patented scream, which is somehow even better than the previous game. Alongside these tools, Sindel has a few air projectiles and some unique air-floating options. All of this makes her a top-tier character and easily the best zoner in the game.
Mortal Kombat 1 is available to play on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and Nintendo Switch.