Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate, the latest version of the gory fan-favorite fighting game franchise, just released and features reams of new ways to play thanks to entirely customizable tournament movesets.
One of the coolest things about the game is the character customization. You can take off Scorpion’s mask, swap out Jade’s staff, and change Cassie’s outfits, to name a few, but that's old news. Most importantly, Ultimate finally gives players the freedom to alter their character’s playstyle.
How to customize characters in MK11
Edit characters in the Kustomize Menu. Some of the changes are strictly cosmetic, while others change the way a character moves or performs. For example, with a character like Baraka, you can change the appearance of his arm blades, his head gear, and his war banner.
Assign things like victory animations and taunts in the Kosmetics tabs. Newly unlocked options for abilities and aesthetics, like skins, appear at the top of the list. You can even view the unlock requirements for any missing outfits. Most additional fatalities, skins, and brutalities can be found in the Crypt or character-specific towers.
The gear tab allows for much deeper customization, including things like hats, weapons, and an additional item, for miscellaneous options such as Noob Saibot’s shadow.
Legal custom move variations in online play and ranked events
Before the latest update, Version 1.25, character customization was limited in online ranked or tournament play. Players were limited to one of three tournament-specific variations.
Now players can use custom moves in ranked play, which also extends to tournament mode and events like the Open Series.
Every character has different variations with unique weapons, moves, combos, and special attacks. One of Ultimate’s biggest selling points is the chance to finally take custom movesets online in ranked battles. Pave the way for your main’s meta with creative combos to catch opponents off guard, just don’t go too crazy. If you give your character a glaring weakness, then there’s a good chance it’ll get exploited.
There are a limited number of slots for customization, and some options take up two of them to help prevent busted options.
Why are some custom move variations banned?
The developer banned some moves, like RoboCop’s trickshot or the Terminator’s exoskeleton move because they'll ruin the game's balance. Others have been altered, like Kitana’s razors. Some fatal blows and pokes are also different to better balance the meta.
Certain abilities are fine on their own but can’t be combined. For example, all of Kotal Kahn’s totems are fine solo, but when you try to combine the Amocualli Totem with the Eztli Totem, the trophy icon indicating tournament play shows a strike through it, meaning that combination is a no go.
“This combination of abilities is not approved for Kompetitive play,” a message reads.
For Robocop, the Flamethrower and the Terminal Strip can’t be used in tandem. Resurrections are banned too.
Other examples include Sindel’s enhanced flight, Terminator’s Terminate, Fujin’s Jetstream, and Scarlet’s Killer Clot.
Discover the full list of banned moves/combinations with FGC expert Rooflemonger’s in-depth analysis of Ultimate’s new custom variations.
The future of competitive Mortal Kombat is customizable
Expect massive tier list changes as new tech breathes life into both low and mid tier characters. Some of the best like Jacqui Briggs might even get better or remain at the top thanks to strong buttons and amazing frame data. It really depends on if these new move combinations can counter what currently dominates the scene.
Stay tuned to the Competition Center for changes in the meta over the next few months and show off your own unique developments live in front of the community.