Mileena’s storied legacy dates back to the early days of Mortal Kombat II. So when she did not initially appear in Mortal Kombat 11 despite consistent playable appearances throughout the franchise, Mileena mains were understandably disappointed. The empress of Outworld’s arc appeared to come to an end in Mortal Kombat X after she was dethroned and sentenced to death by Kotal Khan. However, fans held out hope that Mileena was planning a resurrection and were rewarded for their patience in Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate.
Learn how to play Mileena with Ketchup and Mustard's guide exploring her strengths, weaknesses, and special moves so you can get in the ring with the sharpest sais in the game.
Who is Mileena?
Mileena is one of Shang Tsung’s genetic experiments, made by the order of Shao Khan as a hybrid clone of Kitana. Both the original and reboot-era games highlight the fierce interplay between the two palette-swapped ninjas, as they go from pseudo-sisters to blood-feud rivals. Mileena’s costume design evokes her cloned origins, but her blunt haircut, magenta threads, and razor-sharp sais set her apart from the pack.
Mileena Playstyle
Mileena’s Edenian and Tarkatan sides fuse together to form a frighteningly powerful fighter that isn’t afraid to hold back against any opponent. Known as a “man-eater” for her impressive Tarkatan incisors and quick-striking abilities, Mileena is a rush-down character through and through. Her speed, agility, and brute strength allow her to keep the pressure on opponents, accommodating players who favor an aggressive style.
Some of Mileena’s core moves are Sai Blast (a difficult-to-dodge double dose sai shot that can also be done in mid-air), Kick From Above (a teleport dropkick that acts as an anti-zoning option), and Rolling Thunder (a combo-starting roll). These pair well with her pounce and neck bite moves, which amplify her innate brutality.
Mileena Kustom Variation Moves
It’s important to look at how Kustom Variations can tweak Mileena’s core moves and adjust her build to better fit your preferences. Ketchup and Mustard’s character guide video breaks down the value of each option.
| Sai Toss | ← → ◻ R1 | Projectile move that can hit multiple times and provide screen control. Low Sai Toss |
| Low Sai Toss | ← → ◻ | Sai toss can be changed to Low Sai, which is slower and hits at a lower angle. |
| Mid Air Toss | ↑ ← → ◻ | Sai toss adapted for air projectile use. |
| Rolling Thunder | ← ↓ ○ R1 | Mileena’s main launching option when amplified. Can serve as a flexible combo-initiating, anti-air move. |
| Stabbyscotch | → ↓ ← △ | True Command Grab and combo ender with Crushing Blow tool. |
| Playtime | ◻◻◻ × | Extends multiple strings for mixup potential. |
Mileena is all about starting a combo string and extending it long enough to dizzy your opponent. A word of caution: while she has anti-zoning options, community feedback indicates that her range is fairly short and her teleport is easily punishable. However, her high-risk, high-reward playstyle works well with some players. With time, Mileena may rise up the tier ranks to see more tournament winnings.
High-Level Mileena Gameplay
For more of Mileena’s potential, Tweedy versus K7_Showoff is an excellent example of top-level Mileena play.
Are you ready to devote yourself to the fallen empress? Enter one of the Competition Center’s Open Series weekly tournaments and show Mileena some adoration in battle.