Projectiles and fighting games go together like dogs and fire hydrants. Unless you’re playing a more realistic game centered around professional wrestling, then characters are going to shoot some sort of powerful attack from their hands.
Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate is no different. Expect a variety of projectiles like bullets, chains, and even blood. Experienced players know how to time projectiles just right to get the most out of them. Unfortunately, a lot of people in the FGC are either impatient or fail to adapt to smart projectile play.
Let’s learn how to counter projectiles!
How to Beat Projectiles in Fighting Games
Projectiles are most frequently used by zoners and keepaway characters. A lot of other character archetypes might have an object or two to throw your way, but chances are they’re nowhere near as powerful or bothersome.
Zoners, Spam, or Keepaway
What many perceive as spamming is more often than not, calculated zoning. If the opponent is constantly using the same move over and over again, then you probably should adapt with blocks, ducks, hops, and character-specific evasive moves like teleports. Little success with one or two of these options alone means your foe is more than just a spammer.
Part of countering projectile users is understanding their gameplan. Some want to stay as far from you as possible (keepaway), while others just want to keep you at a set distance to maximize their toolkit (zoners). If someone just keeps using the same move over and over (spam), they have no reason to stop if it keeps working.
The ability to play against projectile users is one way to separate mid-level from high-level players. If you’re amazing in a bunch of matchups, then struggle to take down someone like a projectile happy RoboCop, you have a major hole in your playstyle that will continue to get exploited until you adapt.
Block
You have a couple of options against projectiles. Blocking is the most obvious and common tactic. The problem is you’ll get knocked back and take chip damage. Flawless blocking is more ideal but the smaller window makes it harder to pull off. Either way you’ll want to take things slow.
Be Patient
Don’t unnecessarily rush to speed up the game because you’ll only get punished against a competent projectile user. Take your time steadily closing the gap. Eventually, you’ll get the chance to get something started and pick up the pace.
Duck Highs
High projectiles are easier to deal with outside of frame traps or setups. Duck and move forward in between projectiles for a constant advance. Small characters can either jump in or use a quick advancing move like a forward 2 or 3 to open up the projectile user.
Expect Mix-ups
Unfortunately, a steady stream of one projectile isn’t optimal for zoners. Some characters will mix-up their projectiles and use a mid that can’t be ducked. Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate is generally balanced, so before you shout OP or broken, remember there’s almost always a counter.
Hop or Jump Lows
Low projectiles can make the game feel more like a platformer. Hop or jump to evade them. It’s better to jump up rather than forward over a low projectile because a zoner may use a high after a low when you’re in the air. Your best bet is to jump a high and then duck and advance on a low. The key is to not get flustered. Stick to your plan.
Pay Attention to Recovery Frames
Even when you’re playing an experienced zoner, remember that moves take time to recover from and can be countered. There’s no 100 percent workable strategy.
Advance Under Projectiles
A more advanced technique instead of crouching and advancing is using a forward down 1, which can cut down on the frame rates and move toward the character faster. Mustard demonstrates this technique in the video below:
Practice
Dodging and countering projectiles becomes easier the more you practice. One day it’ll feel like second nature and zoners will be no match for you in tournaments like the Open Series.