Mortal Kombat 3 (SNES, USA) — Complete Strategy

Confirm the default SNES attack layout

The default USA SNES arrangement is Y for HP, B for LP, X for HK, A for LK, L for Block and R for Run. The D-pad handles movement: ↑ jumps, ↓ crouches, and the horizontal directions walk toward or away from the opponent. Use these physical-button labels throughout the guide.

Before a ladder attempt, test each button in a versus match or from the options screen. Original controllers, replacement pads, adapters and emulators can introduce different button assignments or unreliable shoulder-button input. Do not assume an adapter preserves the cartridge's default layout.

• Y = HP
• B = LP
• X = HK
• A = LK
• L = Block
• R = Run

Use Block, Start and Select

Press L to block. Holding ← does not block, so players coming from Street Fighter-style controls must change that habit. Keep L held while defending, then release it before attempting a normal attack or a command that requires another held button.

Start begins selected modes and pauses the match when pausing is enabled. Use Start again to resume. Select is not part of the normal combat layout and is not needed for ordinary attacks, blocking or running. If a particular secret or menu procedure explicitly names Select, use it only on that stated screen rather than treating it as a combat button.

• Use L for Block instead of holding ←.
• Use Start to begin or pause when the game permits it.
• Do not substitute Select for an attack, Block or Run input.

Run without wasting the meter

Hold → and Run together to move quickly toward the opponent. The run meter decreases while the character runs and can also decrease during combo activity. Release Run when the approach has reached the intended distance instead of continuing until the character stops automatically.

The safest use of Run is after a normal attack, launcher or combo opener has connected. Confirm that the hit landed before committing to a run-linked sequence. If the opponent blocked, stop the approach, remain outside immediate throw range or return to neutral. Spending the remaining run resource on a predictable blocked sequence can leave you unable to complete the next confirmed combo.

• Hold → + Run to advance.
• Release Run before the meter is exhausted.
• Reserve enough run resource for the planned combo continuation.
• Do not assume a blocked opener is safe to extend automatically.

Measure close and sweep range

Close means the fighters are touching or nearly touching. Use this position for throws, point-blank attacks and finishers marked close. If the opponent is pushed away by the final hit of a round, walk forward before entering a close finisher command.

Sweep means the opponent is just outside normal throw distance, at the spacing commonly used for a sweep attack. Do not stand directly beside the opponent when a move list specifies sweep range. Take a small step backward or let the opponent's position settle, then enter the command.

• Close: touching or nearly touching; use for throws and close finishers.
• Sweep: just outside throw range; use for sweep-distance commands.
• Reposition after the final hit if the opponent is no longer at the required distance.

Measure jumping and full-screen distance

Jumping distance, also called half-screen in move references, is approximately the gap from which a forward jump can reach the opponent. It is not the same as standing beside the opponent or starting at the far edge. Walk until one forward jump would plausibly connect, then enter commands marked half-screen or jumping distance.

Full-screen means the fighters are separated by nearly the maximum stage distance. Back away until there is substantial space between the sprites before entering a full-screen command. Stage boundaries can make exact spacing inconsistent, so use the move list's wording and avoid pressing the attack button early while still walking.

• Jumping or half-screen: roughly one forward jump away.
• Full-screen: near opposite stage edges.
• Walk into position before starting the command sequence.

Reverse horizontal directions when sides change

Move to the left side and test a command such as ↓, →, then an attack button. When the fighters cross, reverse the horizontal direction: → always points toward the opponent and ← always points away. On the right side of the screen, → is the screen-left direction; on the left side, → is screen-right.

For a held command, press and keep the required button depressed while entering the directional sequence, then release it only where the move instruction says to release it. If a command fails, first reset the spacing and facing, then repeat it cleanly instead of rapidly repeating the entire input.

• Translate → and ← according to facing.
• Keep held buttons depressed through the directional sequence.
• Reset spacing and facing before retrying a failed command.

1. Set the exact SNES control layout

Use the original North American SNES control terminology throughout practice. The default attack mapping is Y for High Punch, B for Low Punch, X for High Kick and A for Low Kick. The left shoulder button, L, is Block, and the right shoulder button, R, is Run. ↑ jumps, ↓ crouches, and the D-pad moves the fighter. If your controller or emulator has been remapped, verify the assignment in the options or controller configuration before practicing commands.

Direction inputs are relative to the fighter’s facing. → means toward the opponent and ← means away from the opponent. When the fighters cross sides, reverse those directions. This matters for every special move, run approach and finisher input.

• Confirm Y High Punch, B Low Punch, X High Kick and A Low Kick.
• Confirm L blocks and R activates Run.
• Practice walking in both directions and reverse →/← after crossing the opponent.

2. Understand Run movement and resource use

To run toward the opponent, hold → + R. The Run meter drains while the character runs, and combo activity also consumes Run resource. Running is therefore a limited approach and conversion tool rather than a permanent movement mode. Do not hold R throughout neutral exchanges; walk, crouch or jump when you can reach the opponent without spending the meter.

Use Run after a confirmed hit when the character’s chain or follow-up requires forward movement. A practical sequence is jump-in or close normal, compact button string, then the character’s tested special or knockdown ender. If the opening is blocked, stop the sequence and return to defense unless the specific string has been verified as safe. The SNES game uses its own timing and can differ from arcade combo demonstrations, so do not assume a long arcade route will connect or preserve the same damage.

• Run only when closing distance or continuing a confirmed conversion.
• Watch the meter after running and after performing a long combo.
• Test every extended route against a blocking CPU before using it in a match.

3. Build combos from confirmed hits

Mortal Kombat 3 uses predefined chain-style button sequences. These are not universal free-form cancels: the correct buttons and timing depend on the character’s move list. Begin with one reliable opener, such as a jump kick, close normal or character-specific launcher. Enter the listed follow-up buttons in a compact rhythm rather than waiting for each animation to finish as if starting a new attack.

For a beginner route, use one opener, one short chain and one tested special-move finish. A shorter conversion is preferable when it consistently connects and leaves the opponent knocked down or at a manageable distance. Add an extra hit only after confirming that the sequence still works outside the corner and does not require more Run resource than you can spare for the next approach.

• Choose one opener that reaches from close or jump-in range.
• Practice the exact character string without adding improvisational buttons.
• Finish with a special or knockdown option only after the chain visibly connects.

4. Punish blocked attacks after recovery

Blocking is a timing decision, not an automatic punish. Hold L through the opponent’s active attack and wait until the move has visibly ended. Then release L and use the fastest normal or special that reaches the opponent’s recovery position. At close range, try a quick Y or B attack first. At sweep distance, walk forward before attacking or use a move with enough reach; do not spend Run unless the punish requires it.

Projectiles and advancing specials may leave different amounts of space after they finish. If your attack whiffs, do not immediately repeat it. Block or walk back to neutral, then test a longer-reaching normal or a faster approach. Exact frame data for this SNES port is not established here, so rely on visible recovery and repeatable in-game testing rather than a supposed universal punish window.

• Block the complete move instead of attacking during its active frames.
• Choose a close normal for nearby recovery and a reaching attack for distant recovery.
• If the punish misses, reset spacing rather than mashing another attack.

5. Use throws only at close range

The SNES default B button is Low Punch and also performs a close throw when the fighter is within throw range. A throw cannot be started from sweep distance. Walk or run until the fighters are nearly overlapping, then press B. Throws are most useful after the opponent has shown a habit of blocking grounded attacks or waiting for a high-low decision.

Do not treat every approach as a throw attempt. If the opponent jumps, attacks during your approach or remains outside range, block or use an anti-air response instead. After a missed throw, immediately defend because the failed attempt leaves you vulnerable. A practical conditioning pattern is close normal, slight pause, throw; alternate it with a completed chain so the opponent cannot block every approach without taking a risk.

• Confirm the fighters are nearly touching before pressing B.
• Use throws against passive blocking, not from mid-screen.
• After a whiffed throw, block or retreat instead of pressing another slow attack.

6. Manage knockdowns and wake-up exchanges

After knocking the opponent down, choose one plan: time a grounded attack as they rise, approach for a throw, jump in, or retreat and prepare to punish a wake-up action. The attack must be practiced against the character and distance involved; do not assume every normal meaties safely or that every character has an invulnerable reversal. Leave enough space to block if your timing is late.

When you are knocked down, holding L during the rise is the safest default while you identify the opponent’s timing. Once their attack or throw attempt has ended, use a fast normal, jump away or return to neutral. Panic attacks pressed before the fighter is ready often lose to a properly timed grounded attack.

• Practice one timed grounded attack and one retreat after a knockdown.
• Hold L on your own wake-up until the opponent’s pattern is clear.
• Do not rely on assumed invulnerability or arcade-specific reversal behavior.

7. Recover from a dropped combo and preserve damage

If a combo drops, stop pressing buttons and defend. Walk back to sweep distance, where both fighters have room to react, then restart neutral. Diagnose one cause: the opener missed, the Run approach began too late, the button string was entered too slowly, or the follow-up was attempted from the wrong distance. Correct that cause before replacing the entire route.

Damage bookkeeping matters because longer chains can consume Run resource and may give less practical value if they leave you out of position. Prefer a confirmed short chain into a knockdown or special move over a maximum-damage route that works only in a corner or against a helpless opponent. Preserve enough Run resource to escape pressure or convert the next clean opening.

• After a drop, block and return to sweep distance.
• Test the opener, Run timing and follow-up timing separately.
• Use the shortest route that reliably connects and leaves a useful position.

1. Confirm the finisher categories available on the retail SNES cartridge

The original North American SNES version includes six finisher categories: character Fatalities, Friendships, Babalities, Mercies, Animalities, and Stage Fatalities. Use the selected fighter's SNES move entry for every command. Do not replace it with an arcade, Genesis, PlayStation, Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3, or Mortal Kombat Trilogy input. The SNES move references document button sequences, directional sequences, held-button commands, and commands that use Run or Block as inputs.

Brutalities are not part of original Mortal Kombat 3. If a move list labels a Brutality, or lists a finisher belonging to Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 or a later compilation, exclude it from the SNES checklist. Also watch for revision notes: some surviving SNES references distinguish revision 1.0 from later revisions, including different Mercy or Stage Fatality commands. When the cartridge revision is not established, do not present a revision-specific alternative as universal.

• Available: character Fatalities.
• Available: Friendships.
• Available: Babalities.
• Available: Mercies.
• Available: Animalities after a successful Mercy.
• Available: Stage Fatalities.
• Unavailable: Brutalities in original Mortal Kombat 3.
• Use the exact SNES move entry for the cartridge revision.

2. Select a valid Stage Fatality arena

The three Stage Fatality arenas for the original SNES release are The Subway, Shao Kahn's Tower, and The Pit III. The Subway sends the defeated opponent toward the tracks, Shao Kahn's Tower sends the opponent from the tower onto spikes, and The Pit III uses the rotating-blade hazard. No other arena should be recorded as a Stage Fatality location for this edition.

A Stage Fatality is character-specific. Defeat the opponent in one of the three valid arenas, wait for Finish Him or Finish Her, and enter the selected fighter's Stage Fatality command at its documented range. On The Subway, avoid using an uppercut immediately before the prompt if it sends the opponent upward to The Street; once the fight has moved to that linked arena, the Subway Stage Fatality is no longer available.

Check facing after a cross-up. → and ← always describe movement relative to the fighter performing the finisher, not fixed left and right positions on the screen.

• Use The Subway, Shao Kahn's Tower, or The Pit III.
• Use the selected fighter's SNES Stage Fatality command.
• Confirm the move's required range before entering it.
• Do not use an unrelated arena.
• Do not uppercut the opponent out of The Subway before attempting its finisher.
• Reverse → and ← after a side switch.

3. Qualify a Friendship or Babality

For a Babality, win the qualifying round without pressing Block, then enter the fighter's Babality command during the resulting Finish Him or Finish Her prompt. For a Friendship, the same no-Block requirement applies to the round that produces the final prompt. Earlier rounds do not create the restriction, but pressing Block during the decisive winning round invalidates that attempt.

The command and range remain separate for each finisher. Do not assume that a Friendship can be changed into a Babality by substituting a different final button. If the restriction was broken, finish the opponent normally and establish another clean winning round rather than trying to force the finisher at the same prompt.

• Win the qualifying round.
• Do not press Block during that winning round.
• Wait for Finish Him or Finish Her.
• Use the selected fighter's exact SNES command.
• Observe the listed distance and any hold or release instruction.

4. Perform Mercy before an Animality

An Animality requires the match to reach round three, with the opponent having won one round and the player winning the deciding round. At the first Finish Him or Finish Her prompt, move outside close range, hold Run, and perform the documented ↓ sequence until the Mercy animation appears. Exact references differ on the number and ordering of repeated ↓ inputs across revisions, so do not publish or rely on one universal count unless it matches the cartridge revision. The animation confirms success.

Mercy revives the opponent with limited health. Defeat that revived opponent again, wait for the second Finish Him or Finish Her prompt, and then enter the selected fighter's Animality command. A failed Mercy cannot be converted into an Animality attempt. Some character and revision notes contain special limitations, so check the fighter's exact entry before practicing the sequence.

• The opponent won one round.
• The match reached round three.
• You won the deciding round.
• You moved outside close range.
• Run remained held for the Mercy input.
• The Mercy animation appeared.
• You defeated the revived opponent.
• You entered Animality at the second prompt.

5. Practice and recover from failed inputs

Use Versus Kombat with a second controller to rehearse ordinary Fatalities, Friendships, Babalities, and Stage Fatalities. Choose The Subway, Shao Kahn's Tower, or The Pit III when practicing a Stage Fatality. Before the final hit, place the fighters at the required distance; after Finish Him or Finish Her appears, stop moving and enter one complete command. Repeat the match when you need another attempt rather than changing several input variables at once.

When a finisher fails, inspect the setup in this order: correct arena, correct facing, correct range, command sequence, held-button duration, and release timing. A cross-up reverses → and ←. A jump, uppercut, or other position-changing attack can spoil the range. Practice Mercy separately from the Animality command, and restart the round sequence after a failed Mercy. Keep a written note of the cartridge revision and the exact move table used, especially if a command conflicts with another SNES reference.

• Practice from the Finish Him or Finish Her prompt.
• Recreate the required range before every attempt.
• Use only the three SNES Stage Fatality arenas.
• Check facing after cross-ups.
• Check every hold and release instruction.
• Restart after a failed Mercy.
• Match the command to the cartridge revision.
• Exclude Brutalities and later-port finishers.

1. Activate selectable Cyber Smoke from the opening screens

Power on the original North American SNES cartridge and begin at the opening copyright sequence. Hold [Left]+A on the first copyright screen. When the Williams screen appears, release that combination and hold [Right]+B. When the quote screen reading “There is no knowledge that is not power” appears, change to X+Y and continue holding until the Mortal Kombat 3 logo screen appears.

The reported confirmation is Smoke walking across the screen containing the MK3 emblem. Continue to character select and check that Cyber Smoke can be chosen. This activation is separate from Stealth Select and from the six-position Versus Kombat Kodes. If Smoke does not appear, reset the cartridge and repeat the sequence, changing combinations only when the named opening screen appears. Do not substitute the 010-696 Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3-style entry for this original SNES procedure.

• Copyright screen: hold [Left]+A.
• Williams screen: change to [Right]+B.
• Quote screen: change to X+Y.
• Confirmation: Smoke walks across the MK3 logo screen.
• Character select: verify that Cyber Smoke is available.

2. Treat Stealth Select as a disputed cursor-hiding technique

At character select, Stealth Select is intended to hide the fighter cursor from the other player while preserving directional cursor sounds. The exact-SNES references do not agree on the complete input: one reports Player 1 rotating counterclockwise and Player 2 rotating clockwise, while another reports the opposite directions and adds a Select press after each rotation. Because the disagreement concerns both direction and confirmation input, do not publish or rely on one version as universally correct for every cartridge, revision or controller.

To test it, use two original controllers if available, perform the rapid full-circle rotations described by the reference you are checking, and test both with and without the reported Select confirmation if the first attempt fails. Confirm success only when the cursor disappears but directional movement sounds remain. Move by sound and press an action button to choose. Stealth Select does not unlock Cyber Smoke, reveal Motaro or Shao Kahn, alter the one-player tower or add another character.

• Use the exact cartridge and controller setup being documented.
• Compare the conflicting SNES rotation instructions before testing.
• Check whether Select is required on that setup.
• Success: cursor disappears while movement sounds remain.
• Do not treat Stealth Select as a character unlock.

3. Enter the verified SNES Versus Kombat Kodes

Use two-player Versus mode and remain on the six-symbol Kombat Kode display before the match begins. Each player controls three symbol positions. On the SNES layout, Y, B and A advance the respective positions; holding ↑ while pressing the relevant symbol button can cycle a position backward when correcting an entry. Enter and inspect all six positions before starting the match.

The documented encounter codes are 205-205 for Smoke, 969-141 for Motaro, 769-342 for Noob Saibot and 033-564 for Shao Kahn. These are winner-fights codes: after the first round, the winner proceeds to the coded opponent while the defeated player stops. They do not replace the one-player ladder and do not make Motaro or Shao Kahn ordinary character-select options.

• Smoke encounter: 205-205.
• Motaro encounter: 969-141.
• Noob Saibot encounter: 769-342.
• Shao Kahn encounter: 033-564.
• Check both three-symbol halves before starting.
• Finish round one to trigger the encounter.

4. Keep menu cheats and hidden-stage tests separate

Kool Stuff, Kooler Stuff and Scott’s Stuff are separate menu-entry systems, not Stealth Select and not the Versus Kombat Kode display. A menu option may expose special two-player functions, but it does not convert a boss into a normal one-player character or replace the regular route through the tower, Motaro and Shao Kahn.

The 205-205 Smoke encounter can also lead to the hidden portal presentation in two-player play when selectable Smoke has not been activated. If the portal does not appear, test from a fresh reset without activating Cyber Smoke first, re-enter the code and complete the first round. Do not confuse this optional Versus test with normal campaign completion.

• Keep menu cheats, Stealth Select and Versus Kodes separate.
• Do not treat a two-player boss encounter as a one-player unlock.
• Test the hidden Smoke portal before activating selectable Smoke.
• Re-enter failed codes from a fresh Versus screen.
• Keep ordinary tower completion separate from all secret tests.

1. Prepare the SNES practice setup

Use Arcade mode on the lowest practical difficulty when you need repeated attempts against a standing opponent. Use Versus mode when a second controller is available and you need a defender to hold L. The original SNES release does not provide a dedicated training room with selectable reset positions, so record the starting distance and restart the exchange manually after each attempt.

The default SNES controls are Y for High Punch, B for Low Punch, X for High Kick, A for Low Kick, L for Block, and R for Run. Direction inputs are relative to the fighter’s current facing: → moves toward the opponent and ← moves away. Use R to initiate a Run approach, but release it before practicing a normal-only string unless the listed route specifically includes Run movement or a held Run input.

Treat close range as standing distance where a normal attack connects without walking forward. Sweep distance is the spacing where a grounded sweep can connect. Jump distance is the separation normally covered by a jump-in attack, and full-screen is the farthest practical spacing on the stage. Test routes at their listed distance rather than assuming every string begins point-blank.

• Confirm Y=High Punch, B=Low Punch, X=High Kick, A=Low Kick, L=Block, and R=Run.
• Use Arcade for solo repetition or Versus for controlled blocking tests.
• Write down whether each route is close, sweep-distance, jump-in, corner-dependent, or position-independent.

2. Learn verified short strings before adding Run movement

Enter normal strings as quick button links rather than waiting for every animation to finish. Start with the shortest listed route for the character, then add longer links only after the shorter version connects consistently. If the first attack is blocked, stop entering the sequence and defend; a combo that works against a stationary opponent is not automatically safe against a blocking opponent.

Cyrax has three clear SNES practice routes: Y, Y, B for three hits; Y, Y, X, Y for four hits; and Y, Y, X, Y, X, ←+X for six hits. These are close-range normal strings. His grenade routes are separate conversions: a close or far grenade can be followed by a listed kick, punch, crouching attack, or ←+X depending on distance and the grenade used.

Liu Kang’s verified examples are Y, Y for two hits; Y, Y, L, A for four hits; Y, Y, L, A, A, X for six hits; and Y, Y, L, A, A, X, A for seven hits. Here L remains the physical Block button because the SNES combo notation includes Block as part of the dial-in sequence. Do not substitute B or reinterpret L as Low Punch.

• Practice each route from close range before attempting a Run approach.
• Use the exact physical button sequence listed for the SNES version.
• If the opener is blocked, stop the route and return to defense.

3. Add Run approaches and corner carry carefully

After a short string is reliable, begin from sweep distance and use the minimum R movement needed to enter normal range. Run is a limited resource, and the game’s combo system is built around using Run to close distance and link attacks. Do not hold R automatically through every string: unnecessary Run movement can leave you with less resource for the intended route and can make the opener arrive at the wrong spacing.

Practice the same route in mid-screen and with the opponent already near the corner. Corner position can change whether a follow-up reaches, whiffs, or pushes the opponent into a wall. A route that carries the opponent to the corner is confirmed damage only when the opening attack connects; on block, stop at the first point where the defender can act and avoid treating the sequence as guaranteed.

Add special moves only after the normal route is stable. For Cyrax, first confirm the grenade itself, then test one listed follow-up at the correct close or far distance. Do not use a grenade conversion as proof that every character can cancel a normal into a special move. Each character’s combo table must be followed independently.

• Use the shortest Run approach that reaches attack range.
• Repeat routes both mid-screen and near the corner.
• Label special-move follow-ups as confirmed only when a defending player cannot block them after the initial hit.

4. Apply the five-pass consistency test

Test every route supplied by a character chapter through five passes. Pass one is a standing opponent at close range. Pass two begins at sweep distance and permits only the necessary walk or Run approach. Pass three begins with a jump-in attack. Pass four uses a defender holding L so you learn whether the opener is blocked and where the sequence must stop. Pass five requires three consecutive clean repetitions from the route’s intended starting distance.

Record the result as confirmed combo, pressure string, movement approach, or corner-dependent route. The hit counter confirms connected attacks, but it does not establish block safety. A string that produces six hits against an idle opponent may still be punishable when the first attack is blocked or when the final link misses outside the correct position.

• Test close range, sweep-distance approach, jump-in, blocking, and three consecutive clean repetitions.
• Mark whether the route is guaranteed, pressure-only, or position-dependent.
• Do not call a route safe merely because it displays a combo count.

5. Recover after a dropped combo

When a link misses, stop pressing attack buttons and hold L. Use ← to create space if the opponent is standing, aiming for roughly sweep distance before trying again. Continuing to press buttons or holding R can turn a dropped combo into a punishable exchange.

If the opponent is knocked down, do not automatically run forward. Watch the wake-up and choose one deliberate action: block, retreat, or approach with a single normal. Restart only after both fighters have left hit-stun and the spacing matches the route’s requirement. The purpose of practice is not merely to produce a high hit count; it is to recognize why the route failed and reproduce it from the correct distance.

• After a drop, stop attacking and defend.
• Reset to sweep distance before repeating the route.
• Restart only when both fighters are out of hit-stun and the intended spacing is restored.

Establish spacing and identify the first approach

Begin near sweep distance: close enough for a long normal or advancing special to matter, but outside ordinary throw range. Close means a normal attack or throw can connect immediately. Sweep distance is just beyond ordinary throw range. Jump distance is the range from which a forward jump can reach the opponent. Full-screen distance is where ordinary close attacks cannot connect without movement.

For the first few seconds, avoid running forward automatically. Walk, Block, and observe. If the opponent repeatedly jumps from the same distance, stand just outside that approach range and prepare an anti-air. If they throw projectiles, advance behind Block. If they retreat while blocking, take ground in small steps and attempt a throw only after entering clear throw range.

• Start near sweep distance.
• Watch the first approach before committing to Run.
• Use walking and Block to take space against retreating defenders.

Read Run-ins before pressing

When the opponent begins a Run and you cannot tell whether it will become a normal, string, or special, hold Block rather than pressing immediately. Let the first contact finish. If the attacker stops beside you, use your fastest reliable normal or throw if the range is correct. If they stop outside throw range, use a quick poke. If they whiff in front of you, punish the recovery with the same short normal or a confirmed special.

Against a blocked run string, do not mash several attacks. Test one fast response first. If it is blocked, return to defense. If it connects, add only the follow-up you have practiced. This avoids assuming that an arcade run-cancel route has identical timing on the SNES port.

• Block when the Run's purpose is unclear.
• Use one fast punish after the string ends.
• Use a poke when the attacker stops outside throw range.
• Do not assume every blocked run string gives the same punish.

Punish long-range specials without giving back your turn

After blocking a projectile or advancing special, judge the distance before retaliating. At close range, try a fast normal, throw, or short special that your character can perform consistently. At mid-range, walk forward behind Block and punish the next recovery rather than swinging at empty space. At full-screen distance, do not force a response; return to neutral and make the opponent spend another projectile or approach attempt.

If a special moves the opponent forward, Block until the movement ends, then test the fastest normal in your practice set. If the attack pushes the opponent away, your apparent punish may be out of range. Take space instead and preserve your anti-air or projectile for the next exchange.

• Confirm distance before retaliating.
• Use close normals only when the opponent is still in range.
• Advance behind Block when a direct punish cannot reach.
• Record the fastest successful punish in a five-pass practice test.

Defend against jump-ins and delayed pressure

Stand outside the opponent's preferred jump distance and press your chosen anti-air only after the jump begins. If your anti-air misses at a particular angle, Block the jump-in and contest the landing with a fast normal, throw, or low-risk poke. Do not repeatedly press the anti-air button while the opponent remains grounded; switch back to grounded defense.

After a successful anti-air, expect a change in plan. The opponent may Run, use a low attack, or Block on landing. Take the space gained by the anti-air instead of immediately chasing with a risky special. Against delayed strings, continue Blocking through the first contact and release only when the opponent clearly stops or leaves range.

• Anti-air after the jump commits.
• Block and contest the landing if the angle is unreliable.
• Do not repeat an anti-air input against grounded movement.
• Treat a blocked jump-in as a spacing reset, not an automatic turn to mash.

Switch plans against zoning and rushdown

Against zoning, advance in short guarded steps. Jump only when the projectile pattern is predictable and the landing will not place you into a prepared anti-air or special. Once you reach sweep distance, stop giving ground and threaten a poke, throw, or short Run entry. The aim is to make the zoner choose between retreating, Blocking, and attacking rather than trying to cross the entire screen with one approach.

Against rushdown, give up a small amount of space instead of contesting every entry. Block the first attack, identify whether the opponent delays the next hit, and punish a clear gap or whiff. If repeated run-ins are followed by Block, walk forward and throw once you have entered throw range. If the opponent jumps away after being blocked, take the vacant space rather than pursuing blindly.

• Advance behind Block against projectiles.
• Use a throw after repeated run-in pressure becomes defensive.
• Take space when a rushdown player retreats.
• Change only one major answer between rounds so the result is measurable.

Use reversal attempts selectively

Do not treat every wake-up or blocked attack as a guaranteed reversal opportunity. First identify whether your character's tested special can reach, whether the opponent remains in range, and whether the move is safe enough to justify the attempt. If you have not verified the timing on the SNES version, use Block, back-walk, or a fast normal instead of relying on arcade-specific invulnerability claims.

A practical defensive sequence is Block first, then punish only after the opponent's attack or Run string has clearly ended. If the opponent begins delaying attacks to catch your response, stop pressing and return to Block. If they begin Blocking after every approach, walk into throw range and throw rather than forcing a special.

• Do not assume arcade reversal properties apply to SNES.
• Block first when the opponent's timing is unclear.
• Use a reversal only after testing its range and recovery.
• Counter delayed pressure by waiting, then punish the confirmed gap.

Practice the two-step punish routine

Choose one opponent special and one run-in pattern to test. First, Block the attack five times without pressing. Second, after the attack ends, try your fastest normal or throw five times. If the response misses, repeat from the same distance and replace it with a poke or short special. This establishes whether the punish failed because of timing or because the opponent was out of range.

Repeat the test after moving one character-width farther away. A response that works at close range may fail at sweep distance. Keep the shorter, repeatable punish for matches and reserve longer follow-ups for situations where the opening is obvious and the spacing is stable.

• Test one blocked special at close range.
• Test the same punish at sweep distance.
• Separate timing failures from range failures.
• Use the shortest reliable conversion during matches.

Select stages and control the tempo

For ordinary matches, choose a stage that lets you read both characters clearly and practice spacing without distraction. On the original North American SNES release, The Subway, Shao Kahn's Tower, and The Pit III support Stage Fatalities. To practice one, defeat the opponent, confirm that the match is on one of those three arenas, move to the required character-specific range, and enter that character's Stage Fatality command during the finishing window. The command and distance vary by fighter, so consult the exact move entry for the selected character.

Stage Fatalities are demonstrations, not progression requirements. They do not replace defeating the regular tower opponents, Motaro, and Shao Kahn in a normal Choose Your Destiny run. For competitive practice, use stage selection to separate ordinary spacing drills from finisher attempts, and do not assume a Stage Fatality is available on an arena outside the verified three-stage list.

Use the first round to record one habit: preferred jump distance, Run length, projectile timing, or Blocking after contact. In the next round, change one major answer. Hold ground against a runner, advance against a zoner, or throw after repeated Blocking. This produces a deliberate adaptation instead of a random pace change.

• Use The Subway, Shao Kahn's Tower, or The Pit III when practicing a Stage Fatality.
• Move to the character-specific required range before entering the command.
• Treat Stage Fatalities as optional demonstrations.
• Do not expect a Stage Fatality on an unlisted arena.
• Use round one to identify one repeatable habit.
• Change one major defensive or spacing answer in round two.

1. Choose a route and prepare your boss answers

Select Novice, Warrior, or Master on the Choose Your Destiny screen. Novice contains six regular opponents, Warrior contains eight, and Master contains ten before the game sends you to Motaro and then Shao Kahn. The regular opponent lineup depends on the selected route, so use the tower to practice general punish timing rather than depending on one memorized order.

Before entering the final fights, confirm three tools with your chosen fighter: one anti-air attack, one short punish sequence, and one reliable knockdown or spacing reset. A compact confirmed combo is preferable to a long run string that drops under pressure. Save enough health to survive an error; the boss fights reward repeatable decisions more than maximum-risk damage attempts.

• Novice: six regular opponents, then Motaro and Shao Kahn.
• Warrior: eight regular opponents, then Motaro and Shao Kahn.
• Master: ten regular opponents, then Motaro and Shao Kahn.
• Prepare an anti-air, short punish, and reset option.

2. Enter Motaro’s range without making projectiles your plan

Motaro’s projectile defense makes ordinary fireball approaches unreliable. Some projectiles are reflected, ignored, or fail to create the opening you expect, so do not stand at full screen and repeatedly throw them. Instead, advance behind movement, wait for Motaro to commit, and use a jump kick when he approaches or finishes an attack.

Keep the fight around mid-screen whenever possible. This leaves room to recognize a teleport, turn toward Motaro after he reappears, and retreat from a blocked approach. If your jump kick connects, use the shortest ground sequence you can confirm and finish with a knockdown or disengage. If the jump kick is blocked, stop pressing and create space rather than automatically extending pressure.

• Do not make ordinary projectiles your main Motaro strategy.
• Use movement, jump kicks, and quick grounded attacks.
• Keep enough room to react to teleport movement.
• Use short confirmed damage after a successful entry.

3. React to the teleport and avoid the close grab

When Motaro disappears, stop committing to slow attacks. Turn toward his new position as soon as he reappears and use a fast normal, jump kick, or uppercut if your fighter is already close enough. The goal is to interrupt his next action or force him to respect your timing, not to begin a long combo before confirming contact.

Motaro’s close-range grab punishes predictable pressure. Enter behind a jump kick or quick advancing normal, then stop attacking if the approach is blocked. Do not plan around a standard close-range throw, which is not a dependable option against him. If Motaro corners you, defend until you can create room with a jump-away kick or a fast grounded attack. Repeated panic specials and stationary button presses give him the opening.

• Turn toward Motaro immediately after a teleport.
• Use a fast attack instead of a slow special after he reappears.
• Stop pressure when your approach is blocked.
• Do not depend on a standard throw.
• Create space before attempting another entry.

4. Win Motaro through repeated small conversions

Motaro is safer to defeat through several modest openings than through one elaborate sequence. A jump kick followed by your shortest reliable ground string is a complete conversion. If your fighter has a freeze, stun, or knockdown special that is confirmed in this SNES version, use it only after the opening attack connects.

When Motaro blocks, end the exchange and return to visible mid-screen range. Make him walk, teleport, or attack first, then punish the recovery. A useful rhythm is enter, confirm, take modest damage, knock him down or disengage, and repeat. If a combo drops, immediately block or retreat instead of trying to repair the sequence with another unsafe special.

• Prefer short confirmed combos.
• Use specials after confirmed hits rather than as blind openings.
• Reset after a blocked approach.
• Repeat safe entries until Motaro is defeated.

5. Fight Shao Kahn around his recovery

Shao Kahn has a fast projectile, forceful physical attacks, an upward strike, a shoulder attack, a hammer blow that can stun, and taunts. His close attacks are dangerous but committed. Stand just outside their practical reach, block when he attacks, and answer the recovery with your fastest reliable punish. Do not jump or use a slow special automatically whenever he fires; a predictable reaction can be caught by the projectile or a follow-up attack.

A nearby taunt gives you a punish opportunity, but do not chase one from full-screen distance. When Shao Kahn advances, let him commit before answering. After your punish connects, take the short confirmed sequence and retreat to a range where you can see the next projectile, shoulder attack, or hammer attempt. If he begins repeating a single approach, keep blocking until the recovery is clear rather than racing to trade damage.

• Block before attempting the punish.
• Respect the fast projectile and hammer stun.
• Punish a taunt only when already within attack range.
• Use short damage sequences and reset afterward.

6. Let the complete ending material play

The required one-player order is the selected route’s regular opponents, Motaro, and then Shao Kahn. Once Shao Kahn’s health is depleted, do not reset, return to the menu, or interrupt the post-battle sequence. Let the victory presentation and all following ending material finish.

For the fourteen ordinary fighters, completion is confirmed by allowing the fighter’s victory presentation, introductory character biography, and ending material to appear. Cyber Smoke is different before play: the exact SNES release does not provide him with a separate introductory biography. That absence is not the completion condition. After Smoke defeats Shao Kahn, allow Smoke’s available ending biography/material to finish in the same way as the rest of the post-battle presentation. Do not stop immediately after the first victory screen.

• Clear the selected Novice, Warrior, or Master tower.
• Defeat Motaro before Shao Kahn.
• Defeat Shao Kahn.
• For an ordinary fighter, watch the victory presentation, introductory biography, and ending material.
• For Cyber Smoke, allow the ending biography/material to finish even though no separate introductory biography appears before play.

Confirm controls and choose Liu Kang’s working distance

Use the default SNES mapping unless the Options screen shows a remap: Y is HP, B is LP, X is HK, A is LK, L is Block and R is Run. Direction inputs are relative to Liu Kang’s current facing, so reverse → and ← after crossing the opponent.

At close range, the fighters are touching or nearly touching. Sweep distance is just beyond most close attacks and within normal sweep range. Jump distance is the separation at which a jump-in attack can connect. Full-screen is the widest practical separation. Liu Kang is strongest from mid-screen to close range: throw a High or Low Fireball, advance behind the opponent’s block or retreat if they jump, then use a short string, throw or anti-air. His weakness is predictable zoning; do not throw fireballs on rhythm against a character waiting to counterattack.

• HP — close range or jump distance — quick close check and practical anti-air.
• LP — close range — fast interruption and short-string starter.
• HK — close or sweep-adjacent range — heavier normal for confirming a string.
• LK — close range — low check and Bicycle Kick charge button.
• ↓+HP — close or jump distance — uppercut-style anti-air and whiff punish.
• ←+LK — sweep distance — sweep for a knockdown and neutral reset.
• LP at close range — throw — use when the opponent keeps blocking after an advance.
• ↗+LP or ↗+HP — forward flip punch — approach option; do not use it blindly against an anti-air.
• ↖+LP or ↖+HP — backward flip punch — retreating attack when space is needed.

Use Liu Kang’s complete special-move reference

High Fireball and Low Fireball both use →, →, but the punch button determines the version. Use High Fireball to check grounded movement and Low Fireball to vary timing. The two projectiles are tools for forcing a decision, not an invitation to stand still and repeat the same motion.

Flying Kick travels forward and is useful after a whiffed normal, a missed projectile or visible recovery from an unsafe special. If the opponent is already blocking, do not use it as a routine approach. Bicycle Kick requires holding LK for approximately four seconds before releasing it. Charge while retreating, blocking or waiting, then release only after confirming that the opponent is committed.

Air Fireball is entered while airborne with →, →+HP. Use it to alter jump timing or make a retreating jump harder to challenge. It is not a replacement for grounded anti-air defense.

• High Fireball — →, →+HP — mid-screen or full-screen — control grounded movement.
• Low Fireball — →, →+LP — mid-screen or full-screen — vary projectile timing.
• Flying Kick — →, →+HK — mid-range — punish visible recovery; unsafe when blocked.
• Bicycle Kick — hold LK for approximately four seconds, then release — close or mid-range — convert a confirmed opening.
• Air Fireball — while airborne, →, →+HP — jump distance — alter jump timing and challenge pursuit.

Build damage from the verified SNES strings

Use these strings as dial-a-combos: once the first hit connects, enter the remaining buttons quickly. The shorter routes are preferable when you are unsure whether the opening was real. The Block token inside a combo is a timed combo input, not an instruction to remain blocking during neutral.

Start with HP, HP and HK, LK. Then add the confirmed routes in order. The longest adopted route is HP, HP, Block, LK, LK, HK, LK. It is more demanding than the short strings, so practice it only after a clean close-range hit. If the first attack is blocked, stop the sequence, hold Block, and reset to sweep distance instead of completing the string into pressure.

• 2-hit route — HP, HP — close range — safest basic confirmed string.
• 2-hit route — HK, LK — close range — low-ending starter route.
• 3-hit route — HP, HP, Block — close range — begin practicing the run-linked timing.
• 3-hit route — HK, LK, HK — close range — compact mixed-height sequence.
• 4-hit route — HP, HP, Block, LK — close range — reliable first extension.
• 4-hit route — HK, LK, HK, LK — close range — alternative kick-string extension.
• 5-hit route — HP, HP, Block, LK, LK — close range — add only after the 4-hit route is consistent.
• 6-hit route — HP, HP, Block, LK, LK, HK — close range — stronger confirmed conversion.
• 7-hit route — HP, HP, Block, LK, LK, HK, LK — close range — adopted maximum route for this chapter.

Apply the neutral and punish plan in matches

At mid-screen, throw one Fireball and watch the opponent’s response. If they block, walk forward and threaten LP, throw or LK, LK, HK, LK. If they jump, stop attacking and use HP or ↓+HP as the anti-air. If they whiff a long normal or projectile, use Flying Kick only when the recovery is obvious. Against a blocking opponent, walk close enough to threaten a throw, then retreat if the throw range is not available.

After a dropped combo, do not chase with Flying Kick. Hold Block, wait for the opponent’s next commitment, and return to sweep distance. From there, restart with a Fireball, anti-air attempt or carefully timed approach. Practice from both screen sides because → and ← reverse after a side switch.

• Pass one: connect HP, HP from close range.
• Pass two: connect HP, HP, Block, LK, LK, HK, LK.
• Pass three: hold LK for approximately four seconds and release Bicycle Kick only after a confirmed hit.
• Pass four: anti-air a jump from jump distance with HP or ↓+HP.
• Pass five: intentionally drop a string, block the CPU response and reset beyond sweep distance.

Perform Liu Kang’s SNES finishers

Fatality 1 is →, →, ↓, ↓, LK. Practice it at jumping distance; this is the conservative range supported by the cross-checked SNES move reference. Fatality 2 is performed by holding Block, entering ↑, ↓, ↑, releasing Block, then pressing Block+Run. It can be performed anywhere on the screen.

Friendship is rapid taps of ↓+Run. Do not use the earlier Run, Run, Run sequence. Babality is ↓, ↓, ↓+HK. Do not press Block during the deciding round if attempting Friendship or Babality.

For Mercy, the match must reach the third round, the opponent must have won a round, Liu Kang must win the deciding round, and Liu Kang must stand outside close range. Hold Run and press ↓ repeatedly until the Mercy animation activates; do not rely on a universal fixed Down count. Defeat the revived opponent, wait for the second Finish Him or Finish Her prompt, then perform Animality with ↓, ↓, ↑ at sweep distance.

Liu Kang’s Stage Fatality is Run, Block, Block, LK at close range. It works on The Subway, Shao Kahn’s Tower and The Pit III. Original SNES Mortal Kombat 3 does not support Brutalities or Red Bicycle Kick.

• Fatality 1 — →, →, ↓, ↓, LK — jumping distance practice range.
• Fatality 2 — hold Block, ↑, ↓, ↑, release Block, then Block+Run — anywhere.
• Animality — ↓, ↓, ↑ — sweep distance after Mercy and the second Finish prompt.
• Friendship — rapidly tap ↓+Run — no Block during the deciding round.
• Babality — ↓, ↓, ↓+HK — no Block during the deciding round.
• Stage Fatality — Run, Block, Block, LK — close range; The Subway, Shao Kahn’s Tower or The Pit III.
• Brutality — unavailable in original SNES Mortal Kombat 3.
• Red Bicycle Kick — unavailable in original SNES Mortal Kombat 3.

1. Set the SNES controls and learn the distance terms

Use the default SNES mapping unless you deliberately changed it: Y=HP, B=LP, X=HK, A=LK, L=Block and R=Run. The command labels below refer to attack functions rather than physical button letters. Hold →+Run to run. The Run meter drains while running and during combo sequences, so do not hold Run continuously during neutral play.

Close means standing beside the opponent. Inside sweep means close enough for a sweep-range attack without necessarily touching. Sweep distance is the normal range at which a sweep reaches. Half-screen is approximately jumping distance, while full-screen is the farthest practical separation. Hat Throw is most useful from sweep to mid-screen spacing, where the opponent must choose whether to block, jump or advance.

• Throw — LP — close — use only when standing beside the opponent.
• High Punch, Low Punch, High Kick, Low Kick — HP, LP, HK, LK — normal attacks — use as individual pokes or string inputs.
• Crouching attacks — ↓+HP, ↓+LP, ↓+HK, ↓+LK — close to sweep range — use for low attacks and interruptions.
• Back + High Kick — ←+HK — close or sweep range — use as the final hit in confirmed strings.

2. Control the approach with Hat Throw

Use Hat Throw when the opponent walks forward, recovers from a missed attack or waits at sweep distance. If it connects, walk forward and check whether the opponent remains in hitstun before starting a normal string. The follow-up depends on where the hat connected; it is not an automatic conversion from every distance.

If the opponent blocks the hat, stop or retreat unless the opponent is trapped near the corner. Kung Lao has recovery after the projectile, allowing a nearby opponent to run through it or jump over it. If the opponent repeatedly jumps over Hat Throw, delay the next throw, walk underneath the jump or prepare a standing anti-air attack. Do not throw the hat point-blank as routine pressure.

• Hat Throw — ←, →, LP — sweep to mid-screen — interrupt approaches and force blocking or jumping.
• Teleport — ↓, ↑ — any position — escape the corner or alter timing; avoid predictable repetition.
• Dive Kick — ↓+HK in the air — descending attack — vary jump timing and punish opponents standing directly below.
• Spin — →, ↓, →, Run — close to mid-range — punish whiffs and careless pressure; repeated Run inputs continue the spin.

3. Use confirmed strings instead of forcing every hat conversion

For a dependable beginner route, land a close normal or a confirmed Hat Throw follow-up, then perform LK, LK, ←+HK. The timing depends on the distance at which the hat connected. If the first LK does not reach, abandon the string and block rather than running forward into a counterattack.

The 4-hit sequence is a straightforward close-range pressure route. The 7-hit sequence deals more damage but consumes more Run resources and is easier to drop. None of these strings is guaranteed after a blocked Hat Throw. On block, stop the sequence, walk away or defend against the opponent’s response.

• 3-hit, 19% — LK, LK, ←+HK — close — basic hit-confirm route.
• 4-hit, 22% — HP, LP, HP, LP — close — short pressure string when the first punch connects.
• 7-hit, 34% — HP, LP, HP, LP, LK, LK, ←+HK — close — use after a clear opening, not as a blind approach.
• Hat conversion drill — Hat Throw, walk forward, confirm contact, then attempt the 3-hit route — spacing-dependent — return to block if the first LK misses.

4. Punish unsafe attacks and defend the recovery

Use Spin after a blocked or whiffed attack with enough recovery for the command to finish. Do not begin the Spin input while still trapped in blockstun unless the opponent’s move is clearly ending; a blocked Spin leaves Kung Lao vulnerable. From farther away, Hat Throw is the safer punish when the opponent’s recovery is long enough for the hat to reach.

Teleport can escape predictable pressure, but an opponent can wait beneath Kung Lao and attack as he descends. Against jump-ins, use a standing normal, retreat or a properly timed Dive Kick instead of attempting a raw Spin without confirming the distance. Kung Lao’s principal weaknesses are Hat Throw recovery and predictable Teleport use.

• Blocked unsafe close attack — wait until blockstun ends, then →, ↓, →, Run — punish with Spin.
• Whiffed mid-range attack — ←, →, LP — punish recovery with Hat Throw, then advance only after confirming contact.
• Opponent jumps over Hat Throw — stop advancing, defend the landing and use a normal or retreat.
• Blocked string — release Run, block or walk back — do not assume Kung Lao’s strings cancel indefinitely.

5. Practice the hat game and three confirmed routes

Run a five-pass drill against the CPU. First, stand at sweep distance and perform Hat Throw without advancing. Second, repeat while walking forward only after the hat connects. Third, attempt the 3-hit string after a confirmed hit. Fourth, practice the 4-hit and 7-hit strings from close range without the projectile. Fifth, deliberately allow each string to drop, then block immediately so the recovery habit becomes automatic.

When the CPU jumps over the hat, reset to sweep distance instead of chasing. When the CPU blocks, count the forced block as a defensive success and return to neutral. When a combo drops, stop attacking; do not hide the mistake with a random Teleport or Spin.

• Pass 1 — Hat Throw at sweep distance — verify reach without point-blank recovery exposure.
• Pass 2 — Hat hit, walk forward, no attack — learn the actual advance window.
• Pass 3 — Confirmed hat hit into LK, LK, ←+HK — stop if the first LK misses.
• Pass 4 — Close HP, LP, HP, LP and the 7-hit string — practice without the projectile.
• Pass 5 — Drop each route, immediately press Block — establish a neutral reset.

6. Finishers and exact SNES conditions

At the Finish Him or Finish Her prompt, face the opponent and use the SNES commands below. Direction inputs are relative to Kung Lao’s facing. Vacuum works at any distance. Hat Slice requires inside sweep distance, so move close enough for a sweep but do not stand directly against the opponent. If a command fails, first correct the range and facing before changing the input sequence.

Tiger Animality requires a successful Mercy. The opponent must be defeated again, and the second Finish Him or Finish Her prompt must appear before the Animality command is entered. Babality and Friendship require winning the deciding round without pressing Block during that winning round. Stage Fatality is limited to The Subway, Shao Kahn’s Tower and The Pit III in this original SNES release. Kung Lao has no Brutality in this edition.

• Fatality 1, Vacuum — Run, Block, Run, Block, ↓ — any distance — face the opponent before entering the command.
• Fatality 2, Hat Slice — →, →, ←, ↓, HP — inside sweep distance — move into range before starting the sequence.
• Animality, Tiger — Run, Run, Run, Run, Block — close — requires Mercy, a second defeat and the second finishing prompt.
• Babality — ↓, →, →, HP — win the deciding round without pressing Block.
• Friendship, Dog Fetch — Run, LP, Run, LK — win the deciding round without pressing Block.
• Stage Fatality — ↓, ↓, →, →, LK — only on The Subway, Shao Kahn’s Tower or The Pit III.

1. Confirm the SNES controls and establish Jax’s range plan

Use the default SNES mapping: Y is HP, B is LP, X is HK, A is LK, L is Block, and R is Run. Direction commands are relative to Jax’s facing. If the opponent crosses behind him, reverse → and ←.

Close range is normal throw distance. Sweep range is just outside throw distance and is the preferred distance for Uppercut, Sweep, and spacing around projectiles. Jump distance is the space covered by a normal forward jump. Full-screen is the maximum ordinary spacing. Begin near sweep range, walk forward behind HP or HK, and react to jumps before committing to a special.

• HP — standing High Punch — close pressure starter.
• LP — standing Low Punch — fast interrupt and combo link.
• HK — standing High Kick — string opener.
• LK — standing Low Kick — low attack and Ground Pound charge button.
• ↓+HP — Uppercut — primary anti-air and knockdown.
• ↓+LP — crouching Low Punch — short interrupt.
• ↓+LK — crouching Low Kick — low poke.
• ←+LK — Sweep — knockdown at sweep range.
• ←+HP — command back High Punch — combo ender in Jax’s verified seven-hit route.
• Close throw — LP at normal throw distance — use after blocked pressure or a short walk forward.
• R+→ — Run — advances Jax while R is held.

2. Convert openings with Jax’s specials

Single Missile is ←, →, HP. It checks distant movement and can intercept some airborne approaches, but it is jumpable. Double Missile is →, →, ←, ←, HP. Use it after creating space or when the opponent is committed to recovery.

Gotcha Grab is →, →, LP. Tap LP repeatedly after the grab connects to add punches. Treat it as a confirmed-hit or punish option, not as a guaranteed answer to a blocking opponent. Dash Punch is →, →, HK. Use it after a jump-in or against clearly punishable recovery; a blocked or missed Dash Punch leaves Jax vulnerable.

Ground Pound is performed by holding LK for about three seconds, then releasing it. The charge is vulnerable, so use it after a knockdown or when the opponent is committed to staying grounded. Backbreaker is Block while airborne beside the opponent. It is useful against predictable jump attacks, but Jax should normally remain grounded and Uppercut from sweep range.

Quadra Slam begins with a successful close throw; tap HP repeatedly to add the slams. If the throw misses, stop pressing HP, block, and reset.

• Single Missile — ←, →, HP — distant check; jumpable if predictable.
• Double Missile — →, →, ←, ←, HP — deliberate long-range pressure.
• Gotcha Grab — →, →, LP, then tap LP — grounded conversion.
• Dash Punch — →, →, HK — advancing punish.
• Ground Pound — hold LK about three seconds, then release — committed launch attack.
• Backbreaker — Block while airborne beside the opponent — anti-jump throw.
• Quadra Slam — close throw, then tap HP — added throw damage.

3. Practice the verified SNES combo routes

Start with Jax’s verified seven-hit route: HK, HK, ↓+HP, HP, Block, LP, ←+HP. Test it after a jump kick or a close standing hit. The first two attacks must connect; if the opening is blocked, stop and return to defense rather than completing the chain automatically.

For a shorter conversion, practice HK, HK, ↓+HP, HP, Block, LP. Use it when the final ←+HP is out of range or when you want a simpler knockdown sequence. Practice Quadra Slam separately: confirm the close throw first, then tap HP rapidly. Do not attempt the follow-up after a whiffed throw.

Run five passes: close range, sweep range, jump-in, blocked opener, and dropped-combo recovery. After a drop, hold Block, survive the opponent’s response, and walk back to sweep range. Do not improvise Ground Pound or Dash Punch during the recovery.

• Seven-hit route — HK, HK, ↓+HP, HP, Block, LP, ←+HP.
• Shortened route — HK, HK, ↓+HP, HP, Block, LP.
• Throw conversion — close throw, then rapid HP for Quadra Slam.
• Jump conversion — jump kick into the seven-hit route when Jax lands close enough.

4. Defend with Uppercut, Backbreaker, and grounded pressure

When the opponent jumps from sweep range, stand beneath the arc and use ↓+HP. If the jump attack is already descending directly onto Jax, hold Block instead of attempting a late Uppercut. After blocking the landing attack, throw if the opponent remains close or retreat to sweep range.

Use Backbreaker when the opponent repeatedly jump-kicks across Jax at close airborne distance. Do not jump in response to every jump; Jax’s grounded Uppercut is more reliable when the arc can be read. Against projectiles, block while walking forward and watch the recovery. Dash Punch only when the recovery is clearly punishable.

In the corner, use HP or HK to create pressure, then walk forward for a throw if the opponent continues blocking. On a confirmed hit, use Gotcha Grab or the practiced chain. If the opponent jumps out, stay grounded and Uppercut. Ground Pound is a conditional knockdown tool, not a default corner option.

• Predictable jump from sweep range — ↓+HP — Uppercut.
• Predictable close jump-kick — Block while airborne — Backbreaker.
• Blocked landing attack — block first, then throw or reset.
• Clearly punishable recovery — →, →, HK — Dash Punch.
• Dropped combo — block immediately, then reset at sweep range.

5. Perform Jax’s SNES finishers

Fatality 1, Slice & Dice, is close range: hold Block, press ↑, ↓, →, ↑, then release Block. Keep Block held through the directional sequence. Fatality 2, Boot Stomp, is full-screen: Run, Block, Run, Run, LK. Establish full-screen distance before entering the command and do not walk into close range during the sequence.

Friendship is LK, Run, Run, LK. Babality is ↓, ↓, ↓, LK. For these non-lethal finishers, complete the winning round without pressing Block. Animality is close: hold LP, press →, →, ↓, →, then release LP.

Stage Fatality is ↓, →, ↓, LP on The Subway, Shao Kahn’s Tower, or The Pit III. The stage restriction matters; the command does not work as a Stage Fatality on ordinary arenas. Original Mortal Kombat 3 does not provide Brutalities.

Animality requires the shared third-round condition: the opponent must have won a round, Jax must win the deciding round, and Jax must be outside close range while Run is held as ↓ is pressed repeatedly until Mercy activates. Defeat the revived opponent, wait for the second Finish Him or Finish Her prompt, then perform the close Animality.

• Slice & Dice — close — hold Block, ↑, ↓, →, ↑, release Block.
• Boot Stomp — full-screen — Run, Block, Run, Run, LK.
• Friendship — LK, Run, Run, LK — no Block during the winning round.
• Babality — ↓, ↓, ↓, LK — no Block during the winning round.
• Stage Fatality — The Subway, Shao Kahn’s Tower, or The Pit III — ↓, →, ↓, LP.
• Animality — close; hold LP, →, →, ↓, →, release LP — requires Mercy and the revived opponent’s defeat.
• Brutality — unavailable in original Mortal Kombat 3.

1. Set the SNES controls and identify Kano’s ranges

Use the default USA SNES mapping: Y is HP, B is LP, X is HK, A is LK, L is Block, and R is Run. Direction commands are relative to Kano’s facing. If the fighters cross sides, reverse → and ←. To run, hold → and Run. The Run meter drains during a run and during combo activity, so reserve it for confirmed approaches and extensions.

Close range means throw distance. Sweep distance is the reach of Kano’s ←+HK sweep. Outside sweep range means the fighters are separated by slightly more than that kick’s reach. Half-screen and full-screen describe the visible gap between fighters rather than a fixed number of steps. Use the opponent’s sprite spacing as the reference while practicing.

• Standing High Punch — HP — close range; quick pressure normal and string opener.
• Standing Low Punch — LP — close range; fast check and throw button.
• Standing High Kick — HK — close to mid range; heavy normal for starting strings.
• Standing Low Kick — LK — close range; low check and Cannonball charge button.
• Crouching Low Punch — ↓+LP — close range; compact link in short strings.
• Crouching High Punch — ↓+HP — close range; knockdown-ending combo hit.
• Sweep — ←+HK — sweep distance; knocks the opponent down and resets spacing.
• Forward Low Punch — →+LP — close range; command-normal link in short routes.
• Normal Throw — LP at close range — punish a defender who continues blocking.
• Air Throw — Block while airborne and close — catch a predictable jump-in.

2. Control the lane with Kano’s specials

Throw Knife controls the lane from sweep distance or farther. Use it against a grounded opponent who is walking forward, recovering from a missed attack, or waiting at a predictable distance. Do not throw knives on a fixed rhythm. If the opponent repeatedly jumps over them, stop throwing and prepare a standing anti-air, Air Throw, or a normal aimed at the landing.

Knife Uppercut moves Kano forward and reaches farther than his close punches. Use it to check space or end a confirmed sequence, but do not treat it as a reliable launcher for an arcade-style juggle. Strangle is a close command grab. Use it after the opponent has shown that they will block through HP or low pressure. If they begin jumping or attacking, return to blocking and low checks.

Cannonball requires holding LK for about three seconds and releasing it. It advances and causes a knockdown, but it is vulnerable when anticipated. Diagonal Cannonball is performed with →, ↓, →, HK. Commit to it only against a recovery, predictable approach, or a trapped opponent; neither Cannonball should be treated as automatically safe pressure.

• Throw Knife — ↓, ←, HP — sweep distance or farther; control grounded approaches.
• Knife Uppercut — ↓, →, HP — close to mid range; forward-reaching space check.
• Strangle — ↓, →, LP — close range; command grab against a grounded blocker.
• Cannonball — hold LK for about three seconds, release LK — advancing knockdown; unsafe if read.
• Diagonal Cannonball — →, ↓, →, HK — committed advancing special.
• Air Throw — Block while airborne and close — anti-air grab against a predictable jump.

3. Build damage from confirmed short strings

Practice Kano’s strings from stationary close range and confirm that the opening attack connects before completing the route. If the first hit is blocked, stop or reset spacing instead of completing the sequence automatically. Compact strings ending in a knockdown are more useful for regular play than unverified long arcade routes.

Start with LK, LP to learn a short low check. Then practice HP, HP, ↓+HP and HP, HP, ↓+LP, ↓+HP. The kick route HK, HK, LK, ←+HK gives a separate knockdown option. Add a jump-in or Run approach only after these routes connect consistently. Do not spend Run meter on a blocked opener.

• Two-hit low check — LK, LP — close range; simple pressure confirmation.
• Three-hit route — LK, ↓+LP, ↓+HP — low opener into knockdown.
• Three-hit route — HP, HP, ↓+HP — compact close punish.
• Four-hit route — HP, HP, ↓+LP, ↓+HP — close punish and knockdown.
• Four-hit kick route — HK, HK, LK, ←+HK — alternate knockdown string.
• Run approach — confirmed normal string, then knockdown ender — use only after the opening connects.

4. Punish failed approaches and reset safely

After blocking or causing a whiff, check whether Kano is still within normal-string range. At close range, use HP, HP or HP, HP, ↓+LP, ↓+HP. If the opponent has been pushed outside close range, do not swing at empty space. Walk forward, throw a measured knife, or hold Block until the next commitment.

If the opponent blocks repeated run-ins, stop short and threaten Strangle once Kano reaches close range. A jump attempt gives Kano time to use HP or Air Throw if the spacing permits. A crouching defender can avoid Strangle, so answer with ↓+LK, a standing normal, or a retreat rather than repeating the grab.

When Cannonball is blocked, hold Block and accept the reset. Charging another Cannonball immediately gives the opponent another predictable target. If Kano is cornered, preserve the Run meter and prioritize blocking, a jump read, or a close normal over a desperate special.

• Blocked or whiffed attack at close range — use HP, HP or the four-hit punch route.
• Opponent blocks run-ins — stop short and threaten Strangle at close range.
• Opponent jumps Strangle — use HP or Air Throw when close enough.
• Throw Knife is repeatedly jumped — stop throwing and prepare an anti-air response.
• Cannonball is blocked — hold Block and rebuild sweep-distance spacing.
• Kano is cornered — preserve Run meter and avoid predictable Cannonball releases.

5. Perform Kano’s finishers on the USA SNES release

Wait for the Finish Him or Finish Her prompt, then establish the required distance before entering the command. Fatality 1 is Skeleton Pull. Move to close range, hold LP, press →, ↓, ↓, →, and then release LP. Keep LP held throughout the directional sequence.

Fatality 2 is Laser Surgery. Stand outside sweep range, then press LP, Block, Block, HK. This is the eye-laser finisher and is not the close-range command. Kano’s Friendship is Bubble Gum: press LK, Run, Run, HK. His Babality is →, →, ↓, ↓, LK.

Kano’s Stage Fatality is ↑, ↑, ←, LK while holding Block. Begin by holding Block, enter ↑, ↑, ←, LK, then release Block after the final input. It is available on The Subway, Shao Kahn’s Tower, and The Pit III. Brutalities are not available in the original Mortal Kombat 3 SNES release.

For the Animality, first satisfy the shared Mercy condition: the opponent must have won a round, the match must reach round three, and Kano must be outside close range. Hold Run and press ↓ repeatedly until Mercy activates. Defeat the revived opponent, wait for the second Finish Him or Finish Her prompt, then hold HP, press Block, Block, Block, and release HP. Do not use a universal fixed number of ↓ presses for Mercy.

• Fatality 1, Skeleton Pull — hold LP, →, ↓, ↓, →, release LP — close range.
• Fatality 2, Laser Surgery — LP, Block, Block, HK — outside sweep range.
• Animality — after successful Mercy; hold HP, Block, Block, Block, release HP — close range.
• Friendship, Bubble Gum — LK, Run, Run, HK — Finish Him or Finish Her prompt.
• Babality — →, →, ↓, ↓, LK — Finish Him or Finish Her prompt.
• Stage Fatality — hold Block, press ↑, ↑, ←, LK, release Block — The Subway, Shao Kahn’s Tower, or The Pit III only.
• Mercy — third round after the opponent has won a round; stand outside close range, hold Run, and press ↓ repeatedly.
• Brutality — unavailable in original Mortal Kombat 3 for SNES.

Set the SNES controls and learn Kabal’s move reference

Use the default SNES mapping: Y is HP, B is LP, X is HK, A is LK, L is Block, and R is Run. Directions are relative to Kabal’s current facing. If Kabal crosses through the opponent, → and ← reverse. Remapped controls are acceptable, but preserve these functional attack labels when following the commands.

Close range means Kabal is touching the opponent. Sweep distance is the spacing at which ←+LK reaches. Mid range is the practical spacing between close and full-screen where Kabal’s finishing input can activate without touching the opponent. Full-screen means the fighters begin at opposite ends of the arena.

Kabal’s ordinary attacks include standing HP, LP, HK and LK; crouching ↓+HP, ↓+LP, ↓+HK and ↓+LK; ←+HK Roundhouse; ←+LK Sweep; jump punches; jump kicks; and a close throw with LP. His core specials are listed below.

• Spin Rush — ←, →, LK — close or mid range — punish recovery and committed approaches.
• Fireball — ←, ←, HP — ground or air — check movement and discourage jumps or advances.
• Buzzsaw — ←, ←, ←, Run — grounded target — surprise and briefly stun an opponent.
• Throw — LP — close range — punish an opponent who keeps blocking.
• Uppercut — ↓+HP — close or anti-air range — punish jump-ins and selected recovery.
• Sweep — ←+LK — sweep distance — knock down advancing opponents.
• Jump Punch — ↑+LP or ↑+HP — airborne — approach or interrupt predictable movement.
• Jump Kick — ↑+LK or ↑+HK — airborne — begin a confirmed attack string.

Control neutral space and pressure the corner

Begin around sweep or mid range. Walk backward to make the opponent advance, then use Fireball when their movement becomes predictable. Kabal’s Fireball is quick and large, but recovery leaves him vulnerable if the opponent has already committed to an attack. After a blocked Fireball, avoid automatically running forward; retreat, block or prepare to anti-air instead.

Use Spin Rush primarily after a whiffed normal, during projectile recovery, or as a deliberate approach callout. If Spin Rush hits, immediately confirm into a short string such as HP, HP, HK, ←+HK. If it is blocked or misses, Kabal can be punished, so do not chain another special automatically. Buzzsaw is most useful when the opponent has committed to remaining grounded. It can create a brief opening, but its stun window is short and must be converted immediately.

At the corner, use a short string, then pause. If the opponent continues blocking, walk forward and attempt the close throw. If they jump during the pause, stop attacking and use a standing normal, jump attack or Uppercut according to distance. If they reverse through the pressure, block rather than extending the string. The reliable conversion is after a confirmed hit or stun, not after a blocked Spin Rush.

• Hold sweep-distance space with Fireball and movement.
• Punish committed recovery with Spin Rush instead of using it randomly.
• Use Buzzsaw against grounded movement, not as an automatic full-screen answer.
• At the corner, alternate short strings, pauses, throws, anti-airs and blocks.
• Treat a blocked or missed Spin Rush as a defensive failure and reset neutral.

Practice reliable SNES combos and punish routes

Start with LK, LK, ←+HK. This is a compact close-range confirmation. If the first attacks connect cleanly, practice LK, LK, HK, ←+HK for a longer four-hit route.

For a basic close-range damage route, use LK, LK, HP, HP, ↓+HP. A second Uppercut route is LK, LK, HP, HP, ↓+LP, ↓+HP. These routes are short enough to practice on the SNES version without requiring an arcade-only dash loop.

After a confirmed Spin Rush, use HP, HP, HK, ←+HK. For a simple punish against clear recovery, use HP, HP, ↓+HP, or use LK, LK, ←+HK when you are close enough. The extended LK, LK, HP, HP, HK, ←+HK route is optional and should only be attempted after the opening hits visibly connect.

• Short string — LK, LK, ←+HK — close — basic confirmation.
• Four-hit string — LK, LK, HK, ←+HK — close — added damage.
• Uppercut route — LK, LK, HP, HP, ↓+HP — close — reliable ender.
• Alternative Uppercut route — LK, LK, HP, HP, ↓+LP, ↓+HP — close — optional link.
• Spin Rush conversion — ←, →, LK, HP, HP, HK, ←+HK — after Spin Rush hits.
• Short punish — HP, HP, ↓+HP — close — use after clear recovery.
• Optional extended string — LK, LK, HP, HP, HK, ←+HK — confirmed close hit only.

Perform Kabal’s verified SNES finishers

Fatality 1, Balloon Burst, is ↓, ↓, ←, →, Block at mid range. Do not stand touching the opponent, and do not retreat to full-screen distance. Use a practical mid-screen position where Kabal’s normal close attacks will not connect immediately but the fighters are not at opposite ends of the arena.

Fatality 2, Boo!, is Run, Block, Block, Block, HK at close range. Walk into touching distance before entering this command.

Kabal’s Animality is performed by holding HP, entering →, →, ↓, →, then releasing HP at close range. The Animality requires a successful Mercy first. Mercy is attempted in the third round after the opponent has won a round: stand outside close range, hold Run, and press ↓ repeatedly until the Mercy animation begins. Do not rely on a universal fixed number of presses.

Friendship is Run, LK, Run, Run, ↑. Babality is Run, Run, LK. Avoid pressing Block during the deciding round when attempting either one. Kabal’s Stage Fatality is Block, Block, HK at close range and works on The Subway, Shao Kahn’s Tower and The Pit III. Brutality is not available in this original SNES release.

• Fatality 1 — Balloon Burst — ↓, ↓, ←, →, Block — mid range.
• Fatality 2 — Boo! — Run, Block, Block, Block, HK — close range.
• Mercy — hold Run, press ↓ repeatedly — third round, after losing a round, outside close range.
• Animality — hold HP, →, →, ↓, →, release HP — close range, after Mercy.
• Friendship — Run, LK, Run, Run, ↑ — not closer than sweep distance; no Block in the deciding round.
• Babality — Run, Run, LK — no Block in the deciding round.
• Stage Fatality — Block, Block, HK — close range, only on The Subway, Shao Kahn’s Tower or The Pit III.
• Brutality — unavailable in the original North American SNES release.

1. Set the SNES controls and establish Cyrax’s spacing

Use the default North American SNES mapping: Y is HP, B is LP, X is HK, A is LK, L is Block, and R is Run. Direction inputs are relative to Cyrax’s facing. After a side switch, reverse → and ←. Close means immediately beside the opponent. Sweep means the spacing where a sweep can connect. Mid-screen is the normal central fighting distance. Full-screen means the farthest practical spacing across the arena.

Start with Cyrax’s grounded normals. Use ↓+HP as the main anti-air when the opponent jumps predictably. ←+LK is his Sweep and is useful for creating space after a blocked exchange. ←+HK is his Roundhouse and appears at the end of his reliable kick string. Use LP beside a standing opponent for a throw, and use jump punches or jump kicks when you have forced the opponent to block or retreat.

• ↓+HP — Uppercut — close to short range — primary anti-air and knockdown.
• ↓+LP — Crouch Punch — close — quick check after a confirmed trap hit.
• ↓+LK — Low Crouch Kick — close — low check and short conversion option.
• ↓+HK — High Crouch Kick — close — crouching kick with knockdown potential.
• ←+LK — Sweep — sweep range — creates space and sets up a reset.
• ←+HK — Roundhouse — close to short range — knockdown normal for the kick string.
• LP — Throw — close — use beside a standing opponent.
• ↓, →, Block, then LP — Air Throw — Cyrax grounded and opponent airborne — intercepts a nearby jump.

2. Control movement with Net and grenades

Capture Net is Cyrax’s primary grounded control tool. From sweep or mid-screen range, use ←, ←, LK when the opponent walks, runs, or commits to a grounded approach. If the Net connects, walk forward only after confirming that the opponent is pulled into usable striking range. A missed Net leaves Cyrax exposed to a jump-in or run-in.

Far Grenade is performed by holding LK, pressing →, →, HK, then releasing LK. Use it from sweep distance toward full-screen range to place a delayed threat along the opponent’s route. Close Grenade uses the same hold-and-release method with ←, ←, HK. Use it near the corner or after a knockdown to discourage immediate movement. Do not begin a grenade charge while the opponent is already attacking at close range.

Teleport is →, ↓, Block. It changes Cyrax’s position but is not automatically safe. Use it to escape a corner or punish an opponent who has committed to a slow recovery, not as a repeated pressure button. If a special misses, block the expected jump-in or projectile and return to sweep distance.

• Capture Net — ←, ←, LK — sweep to mid-screen — traps grounded movement and can enable a follow-up.
• Far Grenade — hold LK, →, →, HK, release LK — sweep to full-screen — delays the opponent’s approach.
• Close Grenade — hold LK, ←, ←, HK, release LK — close to corner — covers a delayed route after knockdown or conditioning.
• Teleport — →, ↓, Block — grounded — changes position; punishable if predictable.
• Air Throw — ↓, →, Block, then LP — Cyrax remains grounded while the opponent is airborne — anti-air throw option.

3. Use short strings before the six-hit chain

After a connected Net, a clean jump-in, or a punish against a blocked unsafe move, begin with the short strings. HP, HP, LP is the basic punch string. HK, HK, ←+HK is the dependable kick string. These routes are easier to confirm than a long chain and are preferable when the opponent’s recovery position is uncertain.

Cyrax’s documented six-hit chain is HP, HP, HK, HP, HK, ←+HK. Practice it from point-blank range first, then test it after Net. Grenade conversions depend on the opponent’s actual recovery position, so do not force the final normal if the opponent has been pushed too far away. A dropped chain is safer to abandon than to finish into a blocked attack.

• HP, HP — close — two-hit timing drill.
• LK, HK — close — short kick link.
• HP, HP, LP — close — three-hit punch string.
• HP, HP, HK — close — three-hit alternate string.
• HK, HK, ←+HK — close — three-hit kick string with knockdown.
• HP, HP, HK, HP — close — four-hit extension.
• HP, HP, HK, HP, HK — close — five-hit extension.
• HP, HP, HK, HP, HK, ←+HK — close — complete six-hit chain.
• Capture Net, walk forward, HP, HP, LP — conditional — use only when the opponent is pulled within punch range.
• Far Grenade or Close Grenade, then ↓+HP or a normal — conditional — choose the follow-up from the opponent’s recovery position.

4. Apply the neutral plan in a match

At full-screen range, use Far Grenade to make direct movement risky, then watch for a jump or block. Against grounded movement, Capture Net is the stronger confirmation attempt. Against a predictable jump, use ↓+HP if Cyrax is already positioned correctly; otherwise block and reset. Do not treat Teleport or Air Throw as universal reversal options.

At sweep distance, alternate between Net, Sweep, and a cautious walk-back. A blocked or avoided Net should normally end Cyrax’s turn. Near the corner, Close Grenade is most useful after a knockdown or when the opponent has been conditioned to block. If the opponent gets around the grenade, stop charging and defend.

Cyrax’s main weakness is recovery. His traps are powerful when they control a route, but a missed special gives the opponent time to jump in, run forward, or punish. Use a short string when uncertain and preserve position rather than chasing maximum damage.

• Full-screen — use Far Grenade to discourage a direct approach, then prepare to block or anti-air.
• Sweep distance — use Capture Net against grounded movement and Sweep when the opponent hesitates.
• Close range — use short strings, Throw, or Uppercut instead of charging a grenade directly in front of an attack.
• Corner — use Close Grenade after a knockdown or conditioning sequence.
• After a missed special — block, retreat to sweep distance, and rebuild the trap situation.

5. Perform Cyrax’s SNES finishers

At the Finish Him or Finish Her prompt, direction inputs are relative to Cyrax’s facing. Mirror → and ← after a side switch. Chopper is Fatality 1 and requires close range. Hold Block before entering ↓, ↓, ↑, ↓, HP, then release Block. Self-Destruct is Fatality 2 and also requires close range: hold Block, enter ↓, ↓, →, ↑, Run, then release Block. Do not exchange these names or commands with other ports or later Mortal Kombat releases.

Jaws is Cyrax’s Animality. After a successful Mercy, defeat the revived opponent and wait for the second Finish Him or Finish Her prompt. At close range, hold Block, enter ↑, ↑, ↓, ↓, then release Block. The shared Mercy condition applies: the opponent must have won a round, Cyrax must win the deciding round, and Cyrax must be outside close range while Run is held during the Mercy input.

Dancing Fool and Babality require that Block not be pressed during the winning round. The Stage Fatality uses Run, Block, Run at close range and is available on The Subway, Shao Kahn’s Tower, and The Pit III. Brutality is not available in original Mortal Kombat 3.

• Chopper — hold Block, ↓, ↓, ↑, ↓, HP, release Block — close — Fatality 1.
• Self-Destruct — hold Block, ↓, ↓, →, ↑, Run, release Block — close — Fatality 2.
• Jaws — after Mercy and the revived opponent’s defeat, hold Block, ↑, ↑, ↓, ↓, release Block — close — Animality at the second prompt.
• Dancing Fool — Run, Run, Run, ↑ — no Block during the winning round.
• Babality — →, →, ←, HP — no Block during the winning round.
• Stage Fatality — Run, Block, Run — close and only on The Subway, Shao Kahn’s Tower, or The Pit III.
• Brutality — unavailable — not supported by original Mortal Kombat 3.

6. Practice execution and recover from failure

Use five practice passes. First, connect Capture Net three times from mid-screen. Second, perform Far Grenade from sweep distance and Close Grenade near the corner, checking the LK hold and release. Third, repeat the two-hit and three-hit strings. Fourth, repeat the four-hit, five-hit, and six-hit chains from point-blank range. Fifth, confirm a grenade hit and convert only when Cyrax is visibly close enough to reach the opponent.

For punish practice, have the opponent block or use an unsafe special, then answer with HP, HP, LP or HK, HK, ←+HK. Against a jump-in, block unless Cyrax is already positioned for ↓+HP or Air Throw. If a combo drops, stop pressing buttons, block the opponent’s wake-up attack, and return to sweep distance.

Practice the finishers separately. Confirm the range before beginning, keep Block held for the entire Chopper, Self-Destruct, or Jaws command, and release it only where specified. Do not practice Jaws as an ordinary end-of-round input; its Mercy and second-prompt requirements are mandatory.

• Capture Net connects from mid-screen without being attempted point-blank.
• Far Grenade and Close Grenade both work with the correct LK hold and release.
• Teleport uses →, ↓, Block.
• Air Throw uses ↓, →, Block, then LP while the opponent is airborne.
• The two-hit, three-hit, four-hit, five-hit, and six-hit strings are repeatable from close range.
• Chopper succeeds with Block held through ↓, ↓, ↑, ↓, HP.
• Self-Destruct succeeds with Block held through ↓, ↓, →, ↑, Run.
• Jaws is attempted only after Mercy, defeat of the revived opponent, and the second finishing prompt.
• The Stage Fatality is tested only on The Subway, Shao Kahn’s Tower, or The Pit III.
• Brutality is not counted as an available original-MK3 finisher.

Set the SNES controls and learn Sektor’s spacing

Use the default SNES mapping unless the cartridge has been intentionally remapped: Y is HP, B is LP, X is HK, A is LK, L is Block, and R is Run. Check Control Configuration before practicing with a third-party controller. Direction commands are relative to Sektor’s facing, so reverse → and ← after he crosses through the opponent. The SNES move reference identifies these physical-button assignments and explains the notation used for held buttons and motions.

Close range means the fighters are nearly touching and normal throws can connect. Sweep range is the distance at which ←+LK reaches. Jump range is the spacing for a forward jump attack. Far range leaves a substantial gap, while half-screen range is approximately the middle distance between the fighters. Use the move’s contact point and the opponent’s position rather than counting character steps.

• Standing attacks — HP, LP, HK, LK — close to mid range — use as checks and string starters.
• Crouching attacks — ↓+HP, ↓+LP, ↓+HK, ↓+LK — close range — use for low checks, anti-air attempts, and punishes.
• Jump punch — ↑, LP or ↑, HP — jump range — basic aerial approach.
• Forward flip punch — ↗, LP or ↗, HP — jump-in range — approach from the front.
• Backward flip punch — ↖, LP or ↖, HP — retreating jump range — escape pressure while attacking.
• Jump kick — ↑, LK or ↑, HK — jump range — use to challenge grounded approaches.
• Forward flip kick — ↗, LK or ↗, HK — jump-in range — approach or begin a juggle route.
• Backward flip kick — ↖, LK or ↖, HK — retreating jump range — leave the corner while checking pursuit.
• Sweep — ←+LK — sweep range — knockdown option when punches will whiff.
• Roundhouse — ←+HK — close to sweep range — strong ender for Sektor’s listed knockdown string.
• Throw — LP — close range — use when the opponent blocks repeatedly.
• Elbow — HP — close range — short normal that begins Sektor’s basic strings.

Control neutral with Missile and Homing Missile

Missile is →, →+LP. Use it from mid-screen or farther away to check grounded movement. Do not fire at a fixed rhythm. If the opponent blocks, advance cautiously; if they jump, prepare an anti-air; if they rush, retreat or block instead of launching another projectile. The straight Missile command and Sektor’s other specials are listed in the exact-SNES move reference.

For this chapter, Homing Missile uses the adopted exact-SNES motion →, ↘, ↓, ↙, ←, HP. Enter the directional sequence as one smooth motion, then press HP. It is most useful after the opponent has begun reacting to ordinary Missile. When Homing Missile forces a jump, hold your ground and anti-air. When it makes the opponent block or hesitate, walk forward and threaten a short string or throw. When the opponent rushes behind the projectile, stop firing and defend.

A shorter →, ↓, ←+HP notation appears in another SNES move reference, but this chapter does not present it as interchangeable with the adopted command. If the adopted motion is not registering, first verify the controller mapping and perform the directional sequence smoothly rather than replacing it with the conflicting entry.

Teleport is →, →+LK and can also be performed in the air. Use it against a clearly read projectile, a whiffed attack, or a confirmed opening. It is not a guaranteed escape: a blocked or missed Teleport leaves Sektor exposed.

• Missile — →, →+LP — mid-screen to far range — grounded projectile for movement checks.
• Homing Missile — →, ↘, ↓, ↙, ←, HP — long range — adopted exact-SNES motion; use it to force a reaction.
• Teleport — →, →+LK — ground or air — read-based approach or conversion tool; unsafe when blocked or missed.

Use short confirmed strings and Teleport conversions

After a clean jump-in, a blocked unsafe attack, or a confirmed Teleport hit, use HP, HP, ↓+LP. If the first HP is blocked, stop rather than completing the sequence automatically. This gives Sektor a compact punish without requiring a long run-linked route.

Sektor’s listed five-hit knockdown string is HP, HP, HK, HK, ←+HK. Use it after a clean close opening when the first punch connects. The final ←+HK should be omitted if the preceding hits have pushed the opponent outside sweep range. A shorter alternative is HP, HP, LK, LP, which is useful when the opponent is close but the kick ender would not reach.

The exact-SNES combo table also lists Teleport follow-ups such as ↓+LK, LP, HP, HK, ←+LK, ←+HK, and Missile. Select the follow-up only after confirming that Teleport hit. If Teleport is blocked, hold Block or retreat instead. Sektor’s compact kick confirms are HK, HK and LK, HK.

• Three-hit punish — HP, HP, ↓+LP — close range — reliable short punish.
• Four-hit confirm — HP, HP, LK, LP — close range — compact damage route.
• Five-hit knockdown — HP, HP, HK, HK, ←+HK — close range — use after a confirmed opening.
• Kick confirms — HK, HK or LK, HK — close range — use when punch range is unavailable.
• Teleport conversion — Teleport, then ↓+LK, LP, HP, HK, ←+LK, ←+HK, or Missile — confirmed hit only — choose according to landing distance.

Punish approaches and escape grappler pressure

When a grappler reaches close range, block the committed attack and wait for the recovery. Use HP, HP, ↓+LP if the opponent remains close, or ←+LK if the recovery leaves sweep distance. If both options would whiff, retreat and reset rather than forcing a late attack.

Do not jump during the middle of close pressure. Block until the sequence ends, then use ↖ if there is room to leave the corner. Once Sektor lands, regain mid-screen distance before returning to Missile. A blocked projectile that allows a grappler to walk directly into throw range is a signal to stop firing and defend.

If Teleport is blocked or misses, hold Block and walk ← whenever the opponent’s position permits. Against a grappler advancing behind a blocked projectile, block the approach and punish the recovery or a failed throw attempt. Sektor’s zoning works because it restores space; continuing to attack after the opponent has reached point-blank range removes that advantage.

• Blocked close approach — HP, HP, ↓+LP — close range — standard punish when the opponent remains nearby.
• Recovery at sweep distance — ←+LK — sweep range — knock down without whiffing punches.
• Corner escape — ↖ after the pressure sequence ends — corner — create room before resuming zoning.
• Missed Teleport recovery — Block, then walk ← — any range — survive the punish attempt and reset.

Perform Sektor’s SNES finishers

Trash Compactor, also labeled Compactor in some references, is Fatality 1: LP, Run, Run, Block at sweep range. Stand where ←+LK would connect, wait for the Finish Him or Finish Her prompt, and enter the sequence without walking.

Incinerator, also labeled Flame Thrower in some references, is Fatality 2: →, →, →, ←, Block at far range. Begin from a substantial gap. It commonly fails if Sektor is at sweep or close range.

Bat Animality is →, →, ↓, ↑ at close range. It requires a successful Mercy, defeat of the revived opponent, and the second Finish Him or Finish Her prompt. For Mercy, the opponent must have won a round and you must win the deciding round. Stand outside close range, hold Run, and press ↓ repeatedly until Mercy activates. Do not depend on one universal fixed Down count where SNES references disagree.

Ring the Bell Friendship is Run, Run, Run, Run, ↓ at half-screen range. Babality is ←, ↓, ↓, ↓, HK and is listed as usable anywhere. For both, win the deciding round without pressing Block. Sektor’s Stage Fatality is Run, Run, Run, ↓ at close range on The Subway, Shao Kahn’s Tower, or The Pit III. Brutality is not available in the original Mortal Kombat 3 SNES release.

• Fatality 1, Trash Compactor — LP, Run, Run, Block — sweep range — use at the finishing prompt.
• Fatality 2, Incinerator — →, →, →, ←, Block — far range — use at the finishing prompt.
• Bat Animality — →, →, ↓, ↑ — close range — requires Mercy, a second defeat, and a second finishing prompt.
• Ring the Bell Friendship — Run, Run, Run, Run, ↓ — half-screen range — win the deciding round without Block.
• Babality — ←, ↓, ↓, ↓, HK — anywhere — win the deciding round without Block.
• Stage Fatality — Run, Run, Run, ↓ — close range on The Subway, Shao Kahn’s Tower, or The Pit III.
• Brutality — unavailable — do not import the later Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 command.

Practice routine and completion check

Run five practice passes. First, execute every universal normal, jump attack, command normal, throw, string, and special from both sides. Second, land HP, HP, ↓+LP after a jump-in or blocked unsafe attack. Third, land HP, HP, HK, HK, ←+HK after a clean opening and stop immediately if the opener is blocked. Fourth, block an unsafe approach and choose the punch punish or sweep according to spacing. Fifth, begin at mid-screen, alternate Missile and Homing Missile using →, ↘, ↓, ↙, ←, HP, and return to zoning after every exchange.

Practice Trash Compactor, Incinerator, Friendship, and Babality separately because their ranges and round restrictions differ. Practice Bat only after arranging the Mercy condition, defeating the revived opponent, and waiting for the second finishing prompt. If an input fails, keep the controller mapping and screen side unchanged while adjusting only the distance or timing.

To complete the assigned goal, select Sektor in a normal Choose Your Destiny tower, defeat the regular opponents, defeat Motaro, defeat Shao Kahn, and allow Sektor’s victory presentation and character biography to appear. The match-completion requirement is separate from finisher testing: Versus codes and practice demonstrations do not replace the normal tower.

• Confirm the six default SNES button assignments.
• Execute every listed universal move, Sektor special, and documented string from both sides.
• Land HP, HP, ↓+LP after a clean opening.
• Land HP, HP, HK, HK, ←+HK after a clean opening.
• Punish a blocked unsafe approach and escape grappler pressure without repeating a blocked Teleport.
• Perform Trash Compactor at sweep range.
• Perform Incinerator at far range.
• Perform Friendship at half-screen range and Babality anywhere after winning the deciding round without Block.
• Trigger Mercy, defeat the revived opponent, and perform Bat at close range.
• Perform the Stage Fatality on The Subway, Shao Kahn’s Tower, or The Pit III.
• Complete the normal tower through Motaro and Shao Kahn, then allow Sektor’s victory presentation and biography to appear.
• Confirm that no Sektor Brutality is available in this edition.

Activate Cyber Smoke before entering the main menu

Power on or reset the original SNES cartridge. At the copyright screen, hold [Left] + A. When the Williams screen appears, release that pair and hold [Right] + B. When the quote screen appears, release the second pair and hold X + Y. Keep the final pair held until the Mortal Kombat 3 logo appears.

Smoke walking across the Mortal Kombat 3 logo confirms that the activation succeeded. Continue to character select and choose the Smoke slot. The activation is temporary, so repeat it after resetting or powering the console off. Human Smoke is not selectable in this original Mortal Kombat 3 SNES release. Stealth Select only conceals the cursor, and 205-205 is a Versus code; neither replaces the startup activation.

• Copyright screen — hold [Left] + A.
• Williams screen — release the first pair and hold [Right] + B.
• Quote screen — release the second pair and hold X + Y.
• Confirmation — Smoke walks across the Mortal Kombat 3 logo.
• Result — Cyber Smoke is selectable; Human Smoke is unavailable.

Use the SNES mapping and Smoke’s basic attacks

The default SNES mapping is Y = HP, B = LP, X = HK, A = LK, L = Block, and R = Run. Direction commands are relative to Smoke’s facing; reverse → and ← after the fighters cross sides. Close range means the fighters are touching. Sweep range is just outside ordinary throw distance. Full-screen places the fighters near opposite arena edges.

Use standing attack buttons for normal starters, ↓ plus an attack button for crouching attacks, and ↑ plus an attack button while airborne. Smoke’s standard close-range throw is LP. His verified air throw is Block during close airborne contact. His uppercut is ↓ + HP. His sweep is ← + LK, and his roundhouse is ← + HK.

• Standing normals — HP, LP, HK, or LK — basic attacks and string starters.
• Crouching attacks — ↓ + an attack button — low attacks and compact pokes.
• Jump attacks — ↑ + an attack button — jump-in starters.
• Ground throw — LP at close range — throw a standing opponent.
• Uppercut — ↓ + HP — close anti-air and punish.
• Sweep — ← + LK — knockdown at sweep range.
• Roundhouse — ← + HK — long normal and knockdown tool.
• Air throw — Block while airborne and close — anti-air option.

Control neutral with Harpoon, Teleport Uppercut, and Invisibility

Harpoon, also called Spear in some references, is ←, ←, LP. Use it after an opponent whiffs a long normal, during a predictable approach, or after a jump-in creates enough space. Do not repeat it automatically on block or miss; once the opponent begins jumping over it, reposition instead of firing again.

Teleport Uppercut is →, →, LK and can be performed from the ground or air. The ground version is useful against a readable projectile or jump trajectory. The airborne version changes Smoke’s approach angle, but it is not a universal escape from pressure.

For the adopted exact-SNES command, Invisibility is performed by holding Block, entering ↑, ↑, Run, then releasing Block. One alternate SNES notation prints ↑, ↑ + Run without a Block hold. Treat that as a conflicting alternate rather than the primary command. Invisibility is a timing tool, not a substitute for blocking an active attack.

Run by holding → + Run. Preserve the Run resource for a confirmed approach or string link instead of repeatedly running into a blocking opponent.

• Harpoon/Spear — ←, ←, LP — mid-screen — approach control and hit conversion.
• Teleport Uppercut — →, →, LK — ground or air — readable projectile, jump, or approach punish.
• Invisibility — hold Block, ↑, ↑, Run, release Block — timing disruption.
• Run approach — hold → + Run — close distance or link a confirmed string.

Practice Smoke’s strings and practical conversions

Start with the compact strings HP, HP, LP and HK, HK, LP. The five-hit sequence is HP, HP, LK, HK, LP. Confirm that the opener connects before completing the sequence. If the opener is blocked, stop instead of spending Run automatically; Smoke’s goal is to preserve position rather than force a blocked string.

Practice Harpoon as a separate conversion drill: confirm that it connects, walk forward only as needed, then attempt HP, HP, LK, HK, LP. Do not treat that follow-up as guaranteed when Harpoon connects from excessive distance. Teleport Uppercut into Harpoon is a spacing exercise, not a universal guaranteed route; use it only when the teleport leaves Smoke close enough and the opponent remains vulnerable.

Run each route through five tests: close range, sweep range, a jump-in, a blocked opener, and a deliberately missed conversion. After a drop, hold Block briefly, walk back to sweep range, and rebuild neutral. Against repeated jump-ins, choose the uppercut or air throw instead of forcing a ground string.

• Three-hit string — HP, HP, LP.
• Three-hit string — HK, HK, LP.
• Five-hit combo — HP, HP, LK, HK, LP.
• Conversion drill — confirmed Harpoon, then HP, HP, LK, HK, LP.
• Spacing drill — Teleport Uppercut, then attempt Harpoon only when the opponent remains in range.
• Recovery — block after a drop and reset at sweep distance.

Perform Smoke’s supported finishers

Armageddon — full-screen distance: hold Block, enter ↑, ↑, →, ↓, then release Block. Keep Block held throughout the directional sequence. Bomb Snack — sweep distance: hold Block + Run, enter ↓, ↓, →, ↑, then release the held buttons. Establish the range before entering either command.

Horn Friendship — far distance: Run, Run, Run, HK. Babality — ↓, ↓, ←, ←, HK. Do not press Block during the deciding round when attempting a Friendship or Babality.

Bull Animality — outside sweep range: ↓, →, →, Block. Animality requires the shared third-round condition: the opponent must have won one round, Smoke must win the deciding round, and Smoke must be outside close range. Hold Run and press ↓ repeatedly until Mercy activates. Defeat the revived opponent, wait for the second Finish Him or Finish Her prompt, and then enter the Animality command.

Stage Fatality — →, →, ↓, LK at the required stage range. The exact-SNES references used here identify The Subway, Shao Kahn’s Tower, and The Pit III as the relevant Stage Fatality arenas. Brutality is not available in original Mortal Kombat 3; it belongs to later releases such as Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3.

• Armageddon — full-screen — hold Block, ↑, ↑, →, ↓, release Block.
• Bomb Snack — sweep distance — hold Block + Run, ↓, ↓, →, ↑, then release.
• Horn Friendship — far distance — Run, Run, Run, HK.
• Babality — ↓, ↓, ←, ←, HK.
• Mercy — third round, opponent won one round, hold Run, stay outside close range, press ↓ repeatedly.
• Bull Animality — outside sweep range — ↓, →, →, Block, after Mercy and the revived-opponent victory.
• Stage Fatality — →, →, ↓, LK — use an eligible stage.
• Brutality — unavailable in this original release.

Clear the tower and verify Smoke’s ending biography

Choose Smoke in the normal Choose Your Destiny ladder and defeat every regular opponent on the selected route. The tower selection determines the number of regular fights. After the regular opponents, defeat Motaro first and Shao Kahn second. A Versus code that starts a boss encounter does not replace the normal one-player ladder.

Against Motaro, keep moving and avoid standing directly in front of his grab. Ordinary throws are not a dependable strategy against him. Punish the recovery of committed attacks with a short string, sweep, or a confirmed Harpoon when Smoke is at the correct distance. Against Shao Kahn, block charges and hammer swings, then answer during recovery with a short string, sweep, Harpoon, or another confirmed punish.

After Shao Kahn falls, allow Smoke’s victory presentation to finish and continue watching for Smoke’s ending biography/material. Smoke lacks a separate introductory biography in the selected exact-SNES reference, but that does not remove the ending requirement. Completion is confirmed when the normal ladder, Motaro, Shao Kahn, Smoke’s victory presentation, and Smoke’s ending biography/material have all appeared.

• Complete a normal Choose Your Destiny tower through its regular opponents.
• Defeat Motaro first.
• Defeat Shao Kahn second.
• Allow Smoke’s victory presentation to appear.
• Allow Smoke’s ending biography/material to appear.
• Do not expect a separate introductory Smoke biography.
• Log Cyber Smoke activation and Versus codes separately from ladder completion.

Set the SNES controls and establish Sub-Zero’s distances

Use the default SNES mapping unless the cartridge has been remapped in Options: Y is HP, B is LP, X is HK, A is LK, L is Block, and R is Run. Direction commands are relative to Sub-Zero’s current facing. If the fighters cross sides, → and ← reverse. Hold a button only when the command or finisher specifically calls for a hold.

Close range means Sub-Zero is directly beside the opponent and within throw range. Sweep range is just beyond throw distance, roughly the distance at which a sweep can connect. Outside sweep means farther away than sweep range but not necessarily full-screen. Jump range is the space covered by a forward jump. Full-screen means the fighters are separated across most of the arena. Set the required distance before beginning a finisher input; do not expect the opponent’s knockback to place Sub-Zero correctly.

• Throw — LP — close range — use after a blocked approach or when the opponent is guarding repeatedly.
• Uppercut — ↓+HP — close range — anti-air and knockdown normal.
• Sweep — ←+LK — sweep range — low knockdown attack.
• Roundhouse — ←+HK — close to mid-range — reaching knockdown normal.
• Standing normals — HP, LP, HK, LK — close to mid-range — use to check spacing and start short strings.
• Jump attack — jump plus HP or HK — jump range — use against a late anti-air or occupied opponent.

Control the approach with Sub-Zero’s specials

Freeze is ↓, →, LP. Use it against grounded movement, predictable advances, and opponents who repeatedly occupy the same lane. A clean Freeze gives Sub-Zero time to walk forward and begin a confirmed string. Avoid throwing it point-blank without a read: if it is blocked or avoided, the opponent can usually retaliate before Sub-Zero recovers.

Ice Shower is ↓, →, HP. The front placement is ↓, →, ←, HP, and the behind placement is ↓, ←, →, HP. Use the three placements to catch grounded movement and discourage opponents from jumping over the same lane. They are less reliable at point-blank range because the recovery can be punished.

Ice Clone is ↓, ←, LP. Place it in the path of a committed charge rather than directly on top of a standing opponent. It is particularly useful against Nightwolf’s shoulder charge, Kano’s Cannonball, Liu Kang’s Bicycle Kick, and Shao Kahn’s shoulder rush. Slide is ←+LP+LK+Block. It can pass beneath some high attacks and punish recovery, but it is unsafe when blocked, so do not cancel into it automatically from a blocked string.

• Freeze — ↓, →, LP — grounded mid-range — primary freeze starter.
• Ice Shower — ↓, →, HP — mid-screen — challenge grounded movement.
• Front Ice Shower — ↓, →, ←, HP — directional placement — cover the space ahead.
• Behind Ice Shower — ↓, ←, →, HP — directional placement — cover the space behind.
• Ice Clone — ↓, ←, LP — mid-range setup — stop committed movement.
• Slide — ←+LP+LK+Block — low approach — pass under some high attacks or punish recovery; unsafe on block.

Convert Freeze hits and punish unsafe attacks

After a close Freeze or a clean jump-in, practice HP, HP, LP, LK, HK, ←+HK. Confirm that the first HP connects before continuing. If the opponent is farther away, use the shorter HP, HP, LK, HK, ←+HK route. These are practical SNES routes, but the starting distance still matters; do not force the longer sequence after a distant Freeze.

For a basic punish, block the opponent’s unsafe special and press HP only when Sub-Zero is close enough to reach. If HP connects, finish with ←+HK or the shorter string. If the opener whiffs, stop rather than adding a committed Slide. Against a predictable charge, place Ice Clone first, then walk forward after the opponent is stopped and choose HP, a throw, or the short string.

Run five practice passes: a close Freeze conversion, a sweep-distance Freeze attempt, a jump-in conversion, a blocked-special punish, and an Ice Clone response to a charge. After a dropped combo, return to neutral spacing before trying again. This separates execution errors from a route that was attempted from the wrong distance.

• Freeze or jump-in → HP, HP, LP, LK, HK, ←+HK — longer route — spacing-sensitive conversion.
• Freeze or jump-in → HP, HP, LK, HK, ←+HK — shorter route — easier conversion.
• Confirmed opener → HP, HP, ←+HK — compact punish practice — stop if the first hit misses.
• Blocked unsafe special → HP — punish only when Sub-Zero is within reach.
• Ice Clone → walk forward → HP or throw — punish a stopped charge.

Perform Sub-Zero’s finishers on the original SNES release

Fatality 1, Chiropractor, is performed at close range: Block, Block, Run, Block, Run. Stand directly beside the opponent before entering the sequence. Fatality 2, Ice Breath, is performed outside sweep range: ←, ←, ↓, ←, Run. Move farther away than sweep distance first, then enter the command while still facing the opponent.

Animality is Polar Bear King. It requires the shared Mercy prerequisite: the opponent must have won one round, Sub-Zero must win the deciding third round, and Sub-Zero must be outside close range with Run held while pressing ↓ repeatedly until Mercy activates. Defeat the revived opponent. At the second Finish Him or Finish Her prompt, move to close range, hold Block, press →, ↑, ↑, then release Block. Do not attempt the Animality at the first prompt or before the revived opponent has been defeated.

Friendship is LK, Run, Run, ↑. Babality is ↓, ←, ←, HK. The Stage Fatality is ←, ↓, →, →, HK, performed at close range on The Subway, Shao Kahn’s Tower, or The Pit III. Brutality is not available in original Mortal Kombat 3 on SNES. The Bell Tower is not one of the Stage Fatality stages for this release.

• Fatality 1: Chiropractor — close range — Block, Block, Run, Block, Run.
• Fatality 2: Ice Breath — outside sweep range — ←, ←, ↓, ←, Run.
• Animality: Polar Bear King — close range after Mercy, revival, and the second prompt — hold Block, →, ↑, ↑, release Block.
• Friendship — LK, Run, Run, ↑.
• Babality — ↓, ←, ←, HK.
• Stage Fatality — close range on The Subway, Shao Kahn’s Tower, or The Pit III — ←, ↓, →, →, HK.
• Brutality — unavailable in the original North American SNES release.

Confirm the SNES controls and establish Sonya’s spacing

Use the default mapping unless the cartridge options have been changed: Y is HP, B is LP, X is HK, A is LK, L is Block, and R is Run. Direction commands are relative to Sonya’s facing. If she crosses the opponent, → and ← exchange roles.

Begin at sweep distance, just outside normal throw range. From there, Energy Rings can control grounded movement while Sonya remains far enough away to avoid an immediate close punish. At mid-screen, alternate Rings with small advances and retreats. Once the opponent reaches close range, stop throwing Rings and use a confirmed normal, Leg Grab, or throw. Close means normal throw range; sweep distance is just beyond throw range; jump distance is the space covered by a normal jump; full-screen means nearly the entire stage separates the fighters.

• Energy Rings — ↓, ↘, →, LP — mid-screen or farther — control grounded approaches.
• Standing High Kick — HK — sweep-to-mid range — challenge predictable jumps and forward movement.
• Standing Low Kick — LK — close-to-sweep range — interrupt movement and create space.
• Throw — use the game’s close throw command — close — punish sustained blocking.
• Leg Grab — ↓+LP+Block — close — grounded grab after conditioning the opponent to block.

Use Sonya’s exact-SNES move reference

Sonya’s primary special moves are Energy Rings, Leg Grab, Flying Punch, and Bicycle Kick. Energy Rings travel horizontally and should be used before the opponent reaches close range. Flying Punch crosses space quickly, but it is a committed approach and should be reserved for a read, a whiff punish, or a confirmed opening. Bicycle Kick can finish a confirmed sequence, but a missed attempt leaves Sonya exposed while she returns to the ground. Leg Grab is useful against passive grounded defense but is blockable and should not be repeated after the opponent has shown they are waiting for it.

Her basic attacks are HP, LP, HK, and LK. The documented SNES strings include HP, HP, LP, HK, HK, ←+HK, HP, HP, LP, ←+HP, and the six-hit route HK, HK, HP, HP, LP, ←+HP. Treat these as hit-confirm routes: stop after the opener or short sequence if the opponent blocks.

• Energy Rings — ↓, ↘, →, LP — mid-screen or farther — primary projectile.
• Leg Grab — ↓+LP+Block — close — fast grounded grab; unsafe when anticipated.
• Flying Punch — →, ←, HP — approach range — punish a committed recovery or catch a predictable jump path.
• Bicycle Kick — ←, ←, ↓, HK — close-to-mid range — finish a confirmed opening.
• High-kick string — HK, HK, HP, HP, LP, ←+HP — close — documented six-hit conversion.

Convert openings into practical SNES combos

Begin with the short routes so the first-hit confirmation becomes automatic. Use HP, HP, LP for a basic three-hit conversion, or HK, HK, ←+HK for a kick-based route. The longer documented route is HK, HK, HP, HP, LP, ←+HP, listed in the SNES move reference as a six-hit conversion.

Do not force the full string against a blocking opponent. If the first hit is blocked, stop and return to sweep distance. After a knockdown, avoid running directly into the opponent without a read. Walk back toward sweep range, then resume Ring control or wait for a jump. This reset makes the next approach easier to identify and reduces the chance of being punished by a wake-up attack.

• Three-hit punch string — HP, HP, LP — close — beginner conversion.
• Three-hit kick string — HK, HK, ←+HK — close — quick damage route.
• Four-hit route — HP, HP, LP, ←+HP — close — use after a confirmed opener.
• Six-hit route — HK, HK, HP, HP, LP, ←+HP — close — advanced documented conversion.
• Dropped combo — stop pressing, retreat to sweep distance, and resume Ring control.

Apply pressure, anti-air, and punish rules

Use Energy Rings to force the opponent either to jump or to advance during projectile recovery. If they jump over a Ring, stop throwing more and answer with standing HK, a retreat, or a backward jump kick. After a successful anti-air, regain space instead of automatically starting another Ring at close range.

At close range, alternate a blocked normal with a throw or Leg Grab, but do not repeat Leg Grab once the opponent is ready to block it. Against a missed projectile or unsafe special, advance during recovery and use the shortest confirmed string. Flying Punch is a useful committed answer to airborne movement, but it should not replace standing HK as the safer anti-air check.

• Jumping opponent — standing HK or backward jump kick — jump range — regain spacing afterward.
• Grounded blocker — walk forward and throw — close — punish repeated blocking.
• Missed special — advance during recovery, then use HP, HP, LP or HK, HK.
• Blocked opener — stop the chain and reset rather than assuming Run makes it safe.

Perform Sonya’s Fatalities

Fatality 1 is Smash Bubble. Stand at half-screen distance. Hold Block+Run, enter ↑, ↑, ←, ↓, and release both held buttons after the final direction. Keep both shoulder buttons held throughout the directional sequence. Releasing early can produce an ordinary jump, block, or run input. The exact-SNES reference adopted here identifies half-screen as the required range.

Fatality 2 is Kiss of Death. It works at anywhere distance: enter ←, →, ↓, ↓, Run during the finishing window. Remain stationary while entering the command. If the move fails, first verify that the finishing prompt is still active and that the directional sequence was performed relative to Sonya’s current facing.

• Smash Bubble, Fatality 1 — hold Block+Run, ↑, ↑, ←, ↓, release both — half-screen.
• Kiss of Death, Fatality 2 — ←, →, ↓, ↓, Run — anywhere distance.
• Held-input drill — establish half-screen spacing, hold both shoulder buttons, enter every direction, then release together.
• Brutality — unavailable in the original North American SNES Mortal Kombat 3 release.

Perform the other available finishers

Friendship uses ←, →, ←, ↓, Run. The exact-USA-SNES references also list a Babality, but they do not agree on its complete command: one reference gives a compact ↓, ↓, →, LK notation, while another prints a longer directional sequence. Because the discrepancy cannot be resolved confidently for this exact release, do not publish either command as definitive. Treat Babality as source-qualified and verify it against the move list used for the cartridge or hardware setup before relying on it.

Friendship and Babality require the usual non-Block condition for the deciding round. The Stage Fatality is →, →, ↓, HP and must be attempted on a compatible stage. The verified North American SNES locations are The Subway, Shao Kahn’s Tower, and The Pit III. Do not use The Bell Tower as a confirmed location for this edition.

Sonya’s Animality requires holding LP, entering ←, →, ↓, →, then releasing LP at close range. The opponent must have won one round. Sonya must win the deciding round, perform Mercy outside close range at the first finishing prompt, defeat the revived opponent, and use the Animality at the second prompt. Mercy uses held Run with repeated ↓ inputs; no universal fixed repetition count is used here because the exact references disagree.

• Friendship — ←, →, ←, ↓, Run — finishing prompt — do not press Block during the deciding round.
• Babality — exact command source-qualified and unresolved in the exact-SNES references — finishing prompt — do not rely on the disputed short notation as definitive.
• Stage Fatality — →, →, ↓, HP — The Subway, Shao Kahn’s Tower, or The Pit III.
• Animality — hold LP, ←, →, ↓, →, release LP — close — Mercy and second prompt required.
• Brutality — unavailable in this edition.

Recover from failed attempts and confirm completion

If Smash Bubble fails, check the range first: the adopted exact-USA-SNES reference requires half-screen. Then repeat the command while keeping Block+Run held until the final ↓. If Kiss of Death fails, remain stationary and verify that the finishing prompt is active. For Friendship, review the deciding round for an accidental Block press. For Babality, consult the exact move list attached to the cartridge documentation rather than assuming the conflicting short command is correct.

Sonya’s character chapter is complete when you can control sweep-to-mid range with Energy Rings, land one documented combo route, and perform at least one verified finisher. Full-game completion is separate: finish Sonya’s normal Choose Your Destiny tower, defeat Motaro, defeat Shao Kahn, and allow Sonya’s victory presentation and character biography to appear.

• Verify Y=HP, B=LP, X=HK, A=LK, L=Block, and R=Run.
• Use Energy Rings — ↓, ↘, →, LP — to control mid-screen.
• Land one short string and practice the documented six-hit route without forcing it on block.
• Perform Smash Bubble at half-screen, Kiss of Death at anywhere distance, or another verified finisher with its prerequisites.
• Complete the normal tower, defeat Motaro and Shao Kahn, and wait for Sonya’s victory presentation and biography.

1. Confirm the SNES layout and Sindel’s core attacks

Use the default SNES layout: Y=HP, B=LP, X=HK, A=LK, L=Block, and R=Run. Direction commands are relative to Sindel’s facing, so reverse → and ← after the fighters cross sides. Close range means the fighters are immediately beside each other. Sweep distance is the spacing where a sweep can connect. Jump distance is the normal forward-jump span. Full-screen means the farthest ordinary ground spacing. If a third-party controller is connected, verify the mapping before practicing finishers.

For ordinary attacks, use standing, crouching, jumping, and close attacks with the corresponding attack buttons. Useful command normals for this chapter are ←+LK for Sweep, ←+HK for Roundhouse, ↓+LK for Low Crouch Kick, ↓+HK for High Crouch Kick, and the forward- or backward-flip punch using ↗+LP or ↗+HP, and ↖+LP or ↖+HP. Sindel’s close LP functions as her throw, while HP is her close elbow attack. These attacks are most useful after a scream stun, a jump-in, or a blocked opponent’s unsafe commitment.

• Throw — LP — close range; use immediately beside the opponent.
• Elbow — HP — close range; close attack for short confirms.
• Sweep — ←+LK — sweep distance; low knockdown normal.
• Roundhouse — ←+HK — longer command normal for spacing.
• Low Crouch Kick — ↓+LK — low attack; use to vary close pressure.
• High Crouch Kick — ↓+HK — close attack and combo component.
• Flip Punches — ↗+LP or HP, ↖+LP or HP — airborne approach or retreat attacks.

2. Control neutral with Fireball, Float, Air Fireball, and Sonic Scream

Fireball — →, →, LP — is Sindel’s primary ground projectile. Use it from sweep distance or farther to make the opponent block, jump, or advance. It is especially useful for forcing a reaction before Sindel changes position. Do not throw it point-blank against an opponent already moving forward, because the recovery can be punished.

Air Fireball — ↓, ↘, →, LK — is performed while jumping or floating. The complete motion includes all three directional stages; do not shorten it to ↓, →, LK. Use it to alter Sindel’s descent or complete a practiced aerial conversion, not as a grounded anti-air.

Float — ←, ←, →, HK — puts Sindel into aerial movement. Press Block to land. Float is a movement tool rather than guaranteed invulnerability, and Sindel cannot attack normally while remaining airborne. Use it to change jump timing, drift away from a projectile, or set up an Air Fireball.

Sonic Scream — →, →, →, HP — is a close-range stun. It must connect near the opponent to have its intended effect. On a successful stun, walk in and use a short confirm such as HP, HP, ↓+HP. If it misses, block or retreat rather than repeating it immediately.

• Fireball — →, →, LP — sweep distance or farther; fast approach check.
• Air Fireball — ↓, ↘, →, LK — while jumping or floating; descent control.
• Float — ←, ←, →, HK — aerial movement; press Block to land.
• Sonic Scream — →, →, →, HP — close-range stun; punishable when it misses.

3. Build damage from short confirms into aerial extensions

Start with the compact routes listed in the exact-USA-SNES combo table. HP, HP, ↓+HP is the primary three-hit close punish. HK, HK, ←+HK is a three-hit knockdown route with slightly different spacing. Other reliable routes include HP, HP, LP; HK, HP, HP; HP, HP, LP, HK; HK, HP, HP, ↓+HP; and HK, HP, HP, LP. Confirm the first hit before committing to the rest. If the opponent blocks, stop rather than forcing the final attack.

For a longer conversion, use HP, HP, ↓+HP, then Flip Kick and Air Fireball. A second longer route is HK, HP, HP, ↓+HP, then Flip Kick and Air Fireball. These routes require close starting spacing and correct juggle position. They are not guaranteed from every jump-in or from every point on the screen. Practice them first after a stationary close hit, then after a successful Sonic Scream.

When Sindel lands a jump-in, aim to land close enough to confirm HP, HP, ↓+HP. If the jump pushes the opponent out of range, do not swing at empty space. Return to sweep distance and resume Fireball control. After a dropped combo, block the first retaliation, retreat, and reset rather than attempting another airborne approach immediately.

• 2 hits — HP, HP — basic close confirmation.
• 2 hits — HK, HK — alternate close confirmation.
• 3 hits — HP, HP, ↓+HP — primary close punish.
• 3 hits — HK, HK, ←+HK — knockdown route.
• 3 hits — HP, HP, LP — short close route.
• 3 hits — HK, HP, HP — alternate close route.
• 4 hits — HP, HP, LP, HK — close conversion.
• 5 hits — HP, HP, ↓+HP, Flip Kick, Air Fireball — close range and correct juggle spacing.

4. Adjust the plan for ordinary opponents, Motaro, and Shao Kahn

Against ordinary opponents, begin around sweep distance. Use Fireball to provoke a jump or advance, then answer the response with a grounded attack or jump-in. If Sindel reaches close range, confirm HP, HP, ↓+HP or use Sonic Scream when the opponent has committed to entering its short range. On block, end the string unless the next hit has been confirmed.

Motaro reflects projectile attacks and cannot be thrown, so repeated Fireballs, throws, and close-range aerial approaches are poor foundations for this fight. Stay grounded, block his committed attacks, and punish his recovery with HP, HP, ↓+HP when he finishes within range. Avoid Float near Motaro because his projectile and anti-air responses can catch Sindel during aerial movement.

Against Shao Kahn, block his committed charges and heavy attacks, then punish the recovery with the short HP route. Use HK, HK, ←+HK when Sindel is slightly farther away. Fireball may make Kahn advance from long range, but do not blindly chase behind it. The normal SNES ladder leads to Motaro and then Shao Kahn.

• Regular opponents — Fireball from sweep distance, then punish the response.
• Blocked string — stop unless the next link is confirmed.
• Motaro — avoid projectile and throw plans; punish recovery from the ground.
• Shao Kahn — block committed attacks and punish recovery.
• Dropped combo — block, retreat, and reset at sweep distance.

5. Perform the exact SNES finishers and verify completion

Bad Hair Day, Fatality 1 — Run, Run, Block, Run — close range. Fatal Scream, Fatality 2 — Run, Run, Block, Block, Run+Block — close range. The final Run+Block is simultaneous. These are the exact-USA-SNES commands; do not substitute the commonly circulated Hair Spin sequence or the shorter Fatal Scream command from another listing.

Babality — Run, Run, Run, Run, ↑. Friendship, Kickball — Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, ↑. To use either of these, win the deciding round without pressing Block. Stage Fatality — ↓, ↓, ↓, LP. The Stage command is listed for the SNES release; use it only where the arena permits a stage finish.

Queen Bee, Animality — hold Block, enter →, →, ↑, HP, then release Block — close range. It requires the shared third-round Mercy setup: the opponent must have won a round, Sindel must win the deciding round, Sindel must be outside close range for the Mercy attempt, and the Run button must remain held while ↓ is pressed repeatedly until Mercy activates. Defeat the revived opponent, reach the second Finish Him or Finish Her prompt, move to close range, hold Block while entering the Queen Bee command, and release Block after HP. Brutality is unavailable in original Mortal Kombat 3.

For the assigned completion goal, clear a normal Choose Your Destiny tower, defeat Motaro, defeat Shao Kahn, and allow Sindel’s victory presentation and biography to appear. A finisher test, Mercy, Animality, or Versus code does not replace the normal tower completion requirement.

• Bad Hair Day — Run, Run, Block, Run — close range.
• Fatal Scream — Run, Run, Block, Block, Run+Block — close range.
• Babality — Run, Run, Run, Run, ↑ — avoid Block during the deciding round.
• Friendship — Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, ↑ — avoid Block during the deciding round.
• Mercy — hold Run and press ↓ repeatedly — shared third-round prerequisite.
• Queen Bee Animality — hold Block, →, →, ↑, HP, release Block — close range after Mercy, the revived opponent, and the second prompt.
• Stage Fatality — ↓, ↓, ↓, LP — use on a compatible stage.
• Brutality — unavailable in original Mortal Kombat 3.
• Completion — defeat the regular tower, Motaro, and Shao Kahn, then wait for Sindel’s presentation and biography.

Set the controls and establish Sheeva’s useful range

Use the default SNES layout unless the cartridge has been remapped: Y is High Punch, B is Low Punch, X is High Kick, A is Low Kick, L is Block, and R is Run. Directions are relative to Sheeva’s facing. When the fighters cross sides, reverse → and ← for every command.

Close range is normal throw distance. Sweep range is approximately one sweep away. Jump range is where a forward jump attack can connect. Full-screen means the fighters are at opposite ends of the arena. Sheeva is strongest from close through sweep range, where her heavy normals, chains, and throw threat make blocking costly. At full-screen distance, use Fireball to discourage a full-screen advance instead of trying to win a prolonged projectile exchange.

• Y — High Punch — close-range check and chain starter.
• B — Low Punch — close-range check and throw input.
• X — High Kick — long normal and chain component.
• A — Low Kick — low check and chain component.
• ←+A — Sweep — low knockdown attack.
• ←+X — Roundhouse — long knockdown kick.
• ↓+Y — Uppercut — anti-air and punish against unsafe jump-ins.
• →+Y — forward flip punch used in Sheeva’s documented chains.
• B at close range — Throw — use after conditioning the opponent to block.
• L — Block — defensive button.
• R — Run — approach and combo-link button.

Use Sheeva’s specials as committed spacing tools

Fireball is ↓, ↘, →, HP. Use it from sweep distance or farther to interrupt a slow advance and force a jump or block. The move is useful for controlling space, but its recovery makes repeated use risky when the opponent is already close or has begun advancing behind a block.

The adopted exact-SNES table lists Ground Stomp as ←, ↓, ←, HK. Another SNES reference prints ↓, ↓, ←, HK. Use the adopted ←, ↓, ←, HK command for this chapter and treat the other notation as an alternate source entry rather than combining the commands. Ground Stomp is slow and punishable when anticipated, so use it against a grounded opponent who is likely to remain still or retreat predictably.

Teleport Stomp is ↓, ↑. Use it to alter position or surprise a stationary opponent, not as an automatic reversal. If the opponent blocks or avoids it, defend as Sheeva lands. Against repeated jump-ins, block the attack and answer with ↓+Y when the opponent lands within uppercut range.

• Fireball — ↓, ↘, →, HP — mid-screen and long-range space control.
• Ground Stomp — ←, ↓, ←, HK — adopted exact-SNES command; committed grounded read with punishable recovery.
• Alternate Ground Stomp notation — ↓, ↓, ←, HK — printed by another SNES reference.
• Teleport Stomp — ↓, ↑ — repositioning and surprise approach; not a guaranteed reversal.
• Uppercut — ↓+Y — anti-air and punish after unsafe recovery.

Convert close openings into confirmed strings and throws

The documented punch chain is HP, HP, LP, →+HP. Use it after a clean close-range opening or a punish. If the first punch is blocked, do not complete the entire sequence automatically; stop, block, or disengage before the opponent retaliates.

The documented kick chain is HK, HK, LK, ←+HK. It provides a second close-range knockdown route. The seven-hit route is HP, HP, LP, HK, HK, LK, ←+HK. Practice the shorter chains first, then add the kick section only after the opening punches consistently connect.

Sheeva’s close-range throw uses B, the physical Low Punch button. A blocked normal does not make the throw guaranteed. Walk forward after conditioning the opponent to guard, pause briefly, and attempt the throw. If the opponent attacks during the approach, block and punish. If they jump or retreat, use a high normal, sweep, or Fireball to reclaim space.

• Four-hit punch chain — HP, HP, LP, →+HP — confirmed close-range opening.
• Four-hit kick chain — HK, HK, LK, ←+HK — confirmed close-range opening and knockdown.
• Seven-hit chain — HP, HP, LP, HK, HK, LK, ←+HK — advanced confirmed route.
• Throw — B at close range — use after conditioning the opponent to block.
• Sweep — ←+A — low knockdown and neutral reset.
• Uppercut — ↓+Y — punish jump-ins and unsafe recovery.

Perform Sheeva’s SNES finishers

Use these commands during the Finish Him or Finish Her prompt. Fatality 1 is performed at close range with →, ↓, ↓, →, LP. Enter the sequence without adding Block or Run.

Fatality 2 is also close range. Hold HK, enter ←, →, →, then release HK. Keep HK held throughout the directional sequence. Do not substitute the Fatality 1 command or release the button early.

Friendship is →, →, ↓, →, then HP. Babality is ↓, ↓, ↓, ←, HK. Do not press Block during the deciding round when attempting either finisher.

Animality is Run, Block, Block, Block, Block. First reach the required third-round situation: the opponent must have won a round and Sheeva must win the deciding round. Stand outside close range, hold Run, and press ↓ repeatedly until Mercy activates. Defeat the revived opponent, wait for the second Finish Him or Finish Her prompt, and enter the Animality command.

Stage Fatality is ↓, →, ↓, →, LP at close range. For this original North American SNES release, use The Subway, Shao Kahn’s Tower, or The Pit III. Brutality is not available in this version.

• Fatality 1 — →, ↓, ↓, →, LP — close range.
• Fatality 2 — hold HK, ←, →, →, release HK — close range.
• Friendship — →, →, ↓, →, HP — avoid Block during the deciding round.
• Babality — ↓, ↓, ↓, ←, HK — avoid Block during the deciding round.
• Mercy — hold Run, press ↓ repeatedly — required third-round situation and outside close range.
• Animality — Run, Block, Block, Block, Block — after Mercy, a second victory, and the next finishing prompt.
• Stage Fatality — ↓, →, ↓, →, LP — close range on The Subway, Shao Kahn’s Tower, or The Pit III.
• Brutality — unavailable in original SNES Mortal Kombat 3.

Practice Sheeva’s match plan and recover from mistakes

Run a five-pass drill. First, land HP, HP, LP, →+HP from close range. Second, land HK, HK, LK, ←+HK. Third, punish a jump-in or unsafe grounded attack with one of those chains. Fourth, walk forward after a blocked normal and attempt a throw only if the opponent continues guarding. Fifth, use Fireball with ↓, ↘, →, HP from sweep distance, block the approach, and answer with ↓+Y or a grounded normal.

If a chain drops, stop attacking and block. Back away to sweep distance, watch for a jump, and reset instead of immediately attempting Ground Stomp. If Fireball is blocked at mid-screen, prepare for the opponent’s approach rather than repeating it. If Teleport Stomp is blocked or avoided, defend as Sheeva lands and accept the reset. Against crouch-blocking, walk forward and threaten the throw. Against frequent jumpers, prioritize blocking and uppercutting over chasing with Teleport Stomp.

• Pass 1 — confirm the punch chain from close range.
• Pass 2 — confirm the kick chain and knockdown.
• Pass 3 — punish a jump-in or unsafe grounded attack.
• Pass 4 — threaten Throw after a blocked normal.
• Pass 5 — perform Fireball with ↓, ↘, →, HP from sweep distance, then defend the approach.
• After a drop — block, retreat to sweep distance, and reset instead of forcing a stomp.

Set the SNES controls and learn Nightwolf’s spacing

Use the default North American SNES layout unless the cartridge has been remapped: Y=HP, B=LP, X=HK, A=LK, L=Block, and R=Run. Direction commands are relative to Nightwolf’s facing; reverse → and ← after the fighters change sides. Close means touching distance. Sweep distance is just outside a sweep’s reach. Jump distance is roughly one forward jump away. Full-screen means the farthest practical separation.

Nightwolf is most comfortable around sweep distance. From there, Energy Arrow can force an approach, Hatchet Uppercut can punish a jump, and either shoulder attack can punish a careless advance. Do not stand still at full-screen after firing an Arrow: walk back only far enough to preserve spacing, then be ready to block or anti-air.

• High Punch — HP — Y — close — fast close-range check and string starter.
• Low Punch — LP — B — close — quick check and throw input.
• High Kick — HK — X — standing kick and string component.
• Low Kick — LK — A — low starter and Shoulder Charge component.
• Uppercut — ↓+HP — ↓+Y — jump-in range — anti-air and knockdown.
• Crouch Punch — ↓+LP — ↓+B — close — quick interrupt.
• Crouch Kick — ↓+LK or ↓+HK — ↓+A or ↓+X — close — low checks.
• Sweep — ←+LK — ←+A — sweep distance — knockdown and spacing reset.
• Roundhouse — ←+HK — ←+X — standing kick and string ender.
• Throw — LP — B — close against a blocking opponent — punish passive defense.
• Jump Punch or Jump Kick — ↑+punch or kick — airborne — advancing pressure.

Control neutral space with Arrow, Reflection and both shoulder attacks

Energy Arrow is ↓, ←, LP. Use it from sweep distance through full-screen to make the opponent advance, block or jump. It has recovery, so do not fire when the opponent is already close enough to reach Nightwolf. After a blocked or missed Arrow, hold Block or move back toward sweep distance instead of automatically firing again.

Projectile Reflection is ←, ←, ←, HK. It returns selected projectiles, but it is not a universal shield. The exact-SNES references specifically exclude Sub-Zero’s Ice Shower, Kabal’s Gear Slice and Shang Tsung’s Fire Eruption. Use Reflection as a read against a recognized projectile pattern, not as a replacement for blocking.

Shoulder Charge is →, →, LK. Use it after a confirmed string, against a whiffed normal or to catch a retreating opponent at mid range. Red Shoulder Charge, also called Red Dash in some move references, is ←, ←, →, HK. It travels as a committed mid-range charge and is best reserved for a clear whiff punish, a predicted advance or a confirmed combo route. Do not throw it out repeatedly: if the attack misses or is blocked, the recovery gives the opponent a punish opportunity. Red Shoulder Charge is a separate move from the regular Shoulder Charge and should not replace it in standard combo practice.

• Energy Arrow — ↓, ←, LP — sweep to full-screen — projectile and approach control.
• Projectile Reflection — ←, ←, ←, HK — against a compatible visible projectile — defensive read and projectile return.
• Shoulder Charge — →, →, LK — mid range — confirmed hit or whiff punish; unsafe when blocked or missed.
• Red Shoulder Charge — ←, ←, →, HK — mid range — committed approach or whiff punish; use sparingly because it is punishable when it fails.
• Hatchet Uppercut — ↓, →, HP — close to mid range — anti-air and combo ender.

Use short strings, Hatchet conversions and punish routes

Nightwolf’s documented SNES strings include HP, HP, LP; LK, HP, HP, LP; HP, HP, LP, HK; HP, HP, LP, ←+HK; and HP, HP, LP, Hatchet. Begin with HP, HP, LP because it is short and easy to confirm. If the first hit is blocked, stop the string and defend, retreat or attempt a close throw only when the opponent continues blocking.

For a reliable close conversion, confirm HP, HP, LP, then perform Hatchet with ↓, →, HP. The same conversion can follow LK, HP, HP, LP when the low starter connects. Use HP, HP, LP, ←+HK for a simpler knockdown when you do not want to risk special-move timing.

Practice Red Shoulder Charge separately from the regular charge. First punish a whiff from mid range with Red Shoulder Charge. Then test it after a confirmed string only if the opponent is positioned close enough for the charge to connect. If it is blocked, immediately return to defense rather than pressing another attack. After any dropped route, hold Block, disengage and re-establish sweep distance.

• Basic confirm — HP, HP, LP — close — stop if blocked.
• Hatchet conversion — HP, HP, LP, ↓, →, HP — close — confirmed hit only.
• Low-start conversion — LK, HP, HP, LP, ↓, →, HP — close — use after a connected low starter.
• Knockdown route — HP, HP, LP, ←+HK — close — reset to neutral after contact.
• Shoulder Charge route — HP, HP, LP, ↓, →, HP, →, →, LK — confirmed hit and suitable spacing — higher execution risk.
• Red Shoulder Charge punish — wait for a whiff, then ←, ←, →, HK — mid range — do not use after a blocked string.
• Anti-air — ↓+HP — jump-in range — punish the jump and regain initiative.
• Dropped-route recovery — hold Block, disengage and return to Energy Arrow spacing.

Perform Nightwolf’s original SNES finishers

Fatality 1 requires close range. Hold Block, enter ↑, ↑, ←, →, release Block, then press Block again before the finishing window expires. The first Block is held rather than tapped.

Fatality 2 is listed by one exact-SNES table as ←, ←, ↓, HP from mid or half-screen distance. An older SNES reference lists ←, ←, ←, ↓, HP from sweep distance. Test the two-← command first; if it fails on the cartridge, test the three-← command from sweep distance rather than combining the two sequences.

Friendship is Run, Run, Run, ↓ from outside sweep distance. Babality is →, ←, →, ←, LP from outside sweep distance. Do not press Block during the deciding round for either finisher. Stage Fatality is Run, Run, Block on The Subway, Shao Kahn’s Tower or The Pit III. Brutality is unavailable in original Mortal Kombat 3.

Animality is →, →, ↓, ↓ at close range, but it requires a successful Mercy first. Mercy is available in the third round when the opponent has won one round and Nightwolf wins the deciding round. Stand outside close range, hold Run and press ↓ repeatedly until the Mercy animation begins. Defeat the revived opponent, wait for the second Finish Him or Finish Her prompt, then perform Animality.

• Fatality 1 — close — hold Block, ↑, ↑, ←, →, release Block, press Block.
• Fatality 2 adopted command — mid or half-screen — ←, ←, ↓, HP.
• Fatality 2 alternate source-qualified command — sweep distance — ←, ←, ←, ↓, HP.
• Friendship — outside sweep distance — Run, Run, Run, ↓; no Block during the deciding round.
• Babality — outside sweep distance — →, ←, →, ←, LP; no Block during the deciding round.
• Stage Fatality — The Subway, Shao Kahn’s Tower or The Pit III — Run, Run, Block.
• Mercy — third-round deciding win, opponent won one round, outside close range — hold Run and press ↓ repeatedly.
• Animality — close after Mercy and the second victory prompt — →, →, ↓, ↓.
• Brutality — unavailable in original Mortal Kombat 3.

Finish the Nightwolf ladder and verify completion

Choose Nightwolf in normal one-player Choose Your Destiny, complete the selected tower route, then defeat Motaro followed by Shao Kahn. Against Motaro, avoid relying on Energy Arrow because his projectile reflection makes ordinary zoning unreliable. Use jump kicks, short confirmed strings, Hatchet Uppercut and carefully timed shoulder attacks, then retreat after blocked pressure. Against Shao Kahn, punish committed hammer or shoulder attacks, avoid standing close during his taunts and use Energy Arrow to encourage an advance before returning to defense.

After Shao Kahn falls, allow Nightwolf’s victory presentation to finish and wait for his character biography to appear. A finisher, Cyber Smoke activation or Versus Kombat Kode does not substitute for normal ladder completion.

• Select Nightwolf and begin a normal Choose Your Destiny tower.
• Use Energy Arrow, Reflection, anti-air, short confirmed strings and both shoulder attacks deliberately.
• Defeat Motaro after the regular opponents.
• Defeat Shao Kahn after Motaro.
• Allow Nightwolf’s victory presentation to finish.
• Allow Nightwolf’s character biography to appear.

1. Set the SNES controls and establish Stryker’s spacing

Use the default SNES layout unless the options screen has been changed: Y is HP, B is LP, X is HK, A is LK, L is Block and R is Run. Direction inputs are relative to Stryker’s current facing. When he crosses the opponent, reverse → and ← for every command.

Close range means the fighters are nearly touching and throw range is available. Sweep distance is just outside normal throw range. Mid-screen is the usual spacing for grenades, while full-screen places both fighters near opposite edges. Start most drills at sweep distance, where Stryker can threaten either grenade without immediately standing inside the opponent’s throw range.

His basic reference includes standing and crouching punches and kicks, the uppercut, roundhouse, sweep, throw, jump attacks, High Grenade, Low Grenade, Baton Trip and Baton Toss. The exact-SNES references used here do not agree on Machine Gun Baton, so do not build a required route around that move.

• High Punch — HP — standing punch and close-range chain normal.
• Low Punch — LP — standing punch and throw input at close range.
• High Kick — HK — standing kick and chain normal.
• Low Kick — LK — standing kick and chain normal.
• Uppercut — ↓+HP — anti-air and close punish.
• Sweep — ←+LK — sweep-distance knockdown.
• Throw — LP — close range.
• High Grenade — ↓, ←+HP — sweep to mid-screen zoning.
• Low Grenade — ↓, ←+LP — sweep to mid-screen zoning.
• Baton Trip — →, ←+LP — committed knockdown attack.
• Baton Toss — →, →+HK — confirmed-hit ender.

2. Use grenades to control movement, not to attack automatically

High Grenade and Low Grenade share the same directional motion and differ by the final punch button. From sweep distance, alternate ↓, ←+HP and ↓, ←+LP so the opponent cannot respond to one fixed trajectory. A grenade that hits gives you time to advance; a grenade that forces a jump lets you prepare an anti-air or block the landing attack.

Do not throw grenades point-blank against a blocking opponent. If the opponent jumps over or otherwise avoids the grenade, Stryker has a long enough recovery window to be hit. After a missed grenade, hold Block and retreat rather than immediately throwing the other version.

Against a stationary blocker, walk forward behind the grenade and threaten LP for a throw, a standing normal or Baton Trip. Against a jumper, stop throwing and use ↓+HP when the jump arc comes within reach. The purpose of the grenade is to make the opponent move into a punishable choice.

• High Grenade — ↓, ←+HP — sweep to mid-screen — checks jumps and changes timing.
• Low Grenade — ↓, ←+LP — sweep to mid-screen — checks grounded movement.
• Grenade hit — advance — use a normal or confirmed Baton Toss rather than guessing.
• Grenade avoided — Block, retreat — do not force a second special immediately.
• Jump over grenade — block the landing attack, then punish recovery.

3. Convert confirmed hits into Baton Toss

Use HP, HP, LP as the safest basic practice string. If the string is blocked, stop and defend; do not automatically finish with a special. On a confirmed hit, →, →+HK produces Baton Toss and gives Stryker a practical knockdown conversion.

The exact-SNES combo reference also lists HP, HP, LP, High Grenade and HP, HP, LP, Low Grenade. These routes are useful after a clean opening when the opponent is already positioned for the grenade. They are not pressure sequences to perform blindly on block.

At close range, LK, HP and HK, HP are short two-hit strings for checking whether the opponent is vulnerable. If either connects, continue only when the next hit is confirmed. If the opponent blocks, return to Block or walk back to sweep distance. Stryker’s main weakness is the recovery after a blocked baton or grenade, so defensive restraint is part of his game plan.

• Basic string — HP, HP, LP — close range — stop on block.
• Baton Toss conversion — HP, HP, LP, →, →+HK — confirmed hit only.
• High Grenade conversion — HP, HP, LP, ↓, ←+HP — use after a confirmed string.
• Low Grenade conversion — HP, HP, LP, ↓, ←+LP — use after a confirmed string.
• Short check — LK, HP — close range — confirm before extending.
• Short check — HK, HP — close range — confirm before extending.

4. Practice three routes and recover from a dropped string

Practice Route 1 from close range: HP, HP, LP. Once the three hits connect consistently, practice Route 2: HP, HP, LP, →, →+HK. Use Route 3 after a confirmed string when the opponent is at suitable distance: HP, HP, LP, ↓, ←+HP. Substitute Low Grenade for High Grenade only after the first version is reliable.

Run five passes. First, hit with High Grenade from sweep distance. Second, hit with Low Grenade from the same spacing. Third, perform HP, HP, LP against a blocking opponent and stop. Fourth, punish a whiff with LK, HP or HK, HP. Fifth, complete the Baton Toss route only after confirming that the opening hit connected.

If any route drops, hold Block, defend the opponent’s response and walk backward until outside throw range. Reset to sweep distance before trying again. Do not mash another grenade or Baton Trip during the recovery period. On original hardware, prioritize clean directional motions and deliberate final-button presses over rapid inputs.

• Route 1 — HP, HP, LP — confirmed close string.
• Route 2 — HP, HP, LP, →, →+HK — confirmed Baton Toss conversion.
• Route 3 — HP, HP, LP, ↓, ←+HP — confirmed High Grenade conversion.
• Block test — perform the string against defense and stop before the special.
• Recovery test — Block, retreat to sweep distance, then restart neutral after a drop.

5. Perform Stryker’s SNES finishers

This chapter follows the exact-USA-SNES table that identifies Fatality 1 as Bomb Vest and Fatality 2 as Tazer. Bomb Vest is ↓, →, ↓, →+Block at close range. Tazer is →, →, →+LK at close range. Because other SNES references reverse the numbering and give Tazer a different range, use the adopted table consistently rather than combining instructions from both tables.

Friendship is LP, Run, Run, LP. Babality is ↓, →, →, ←+HP. For either one, do not press Block during the winning round. The Stage Fatality is performed on The Subway, Shao Kahn’s Tower or The Pit III by holding Block, entering →, ↑, ↑+HK, then releasing Block. Stand close to the opponent before beginning the stage command.

Animality is Run, Run, Run+Block at sweep distance. It requires the qualifying third-round situation: the opponent must have won a round, Stryker must win the deciding round, and Stryker must be outside close range while performing Mercy. Hold Run and press ↓ repeatedly until Mercy activates. After the opponent is revived, defeat them again and wait for the second Finish Him or Finish Her prompt before entering Animality. Brutality is not part of this original SNES Mortal Kombat 3 release.

• Bomb Vest, Fatality 1 — ↓, →, ↓, →+Block — close range.
• Tazer, Fatality 2 — →, →, →+LK — close range in the adopted exact-SNES table.
• Friendship — LP, Run, Run, LP — no Block during the winning round.
• Babality — ↓, →, →, ←+HP — no Block during the winning round.
• Stage Fatality — hold Block, →, ↑, ↑+HK, release Block — The Subway, Shao Kahn’s Tower or The Pit III.
• Mercy — deciding-round win, opponent previously won a round, outside close range, hold Run and press ↓ repeatedly.
• Animality — Run, Run, Run+Block — sweep distance after Mercy and the revived opponent’s defeat.
• Brutality — unavailable in the original SNES release.