MORTAL KOMBAT XL – Kung Lao vs Johnny Cage Beginner’s Level Gameplay @ 1080p ᴴᴰ

In Mortal Kombat XL, Kung Lao and Johnny Cage both bring strong, unique playstyles to the table. Kung Lao is known for his control of space, speed, and ability to mix up opponents, while Johnny Cage excels in speed, mix-ups, and punishing mistakes with his flashy moves. Here’s a point-wise summary of the strong points of Kung Lao and Johnny Cage in Mortal Kombat XL:

Kung Lao’s Strong Points in Mortal Kombat XL:

1. Strong Zoning and Projectiles (Hat-based Attacks):
   • Kung Lao is known for his excellent zoning tools, particularly his Hat Toss. This projectile can be used both at long range and mid-range to pressure opponents. It can be amplified to make it even more threatening.
   • Hat Spin is a close-range zoning tool that deals continuous damage while controlling space around him. It’s a great tool for both offense and defense, especially when an opponent is in the corner.
2. Mix-ups and High-Speed Pressure:
   • Kung Lao excels in high-speed rushdown tactics. His quick attacks and overhead and low mix-ups allow him to keep his opponents guessing. He has several fast strings and high-low mix-ups, making it difficult for opponents to block everything effectively.
   • His ability to apply relentless pressure with quick attacks and his teleport allows him to maintain offensive dominance in the match.
3. Teleportation for Mobility and Mix-ups:
   • Kung Lao’s Teleport is an extremely useful tool for both offensive and defensive play. It allows him to escape from bad situations and quickly close the gap between him and the opponent.
   • The Teleport can be used in conjunction with his Hat Toss and Hat Spin, creating opportunities for unpredictable mix-ups. For instance, after a teleport, he can follow up with a jumping attack or hat-based special move.
4. Combo Potential and Damage:
   • Kung Lao is capable of high-damage combos, especially when he lands his special moves. He can link several of his fast normals into Hat Toss or Hat Spin to extend combos.
   • The Amplified Hat Spin gives him additional combo extensions, making him a high-damage character when in close range.
5. Control of Space and Area Denial:
   • Kung Lao has excellent control of space with his Hat Toss and Hat Spin. These moves can force the opponent to stay on the defensive, as they cannot easily approach him without getting hit by a projectile or a spinning hat.
   • Hat Spin also makes it difficult for opponents to jump in without getting caught in the attack, further reinforcing Kung Lao’s control over the battlefield.
6. Air Control and Aerial Pressure:
   • Kung Lao has strong air control and aerial pressure. He can use his jumping attacks and air Hat Toss to apply pressure from the air, preventing opponents from jumping freely and gaining the advantage in the air.
   • His jump-in attacks are fast and help him maintain control of the space, especially in mid-range confrontations.
7. Fatal Blow and Fatalities:
   • Kung Lao’s Fatal Blow is a powerful, high-damage move that can change the course of a match when used at the right moment. It’s a great tool to capitalize on mistakes and make a comeback.
   • His Fatalities are flashy and brutal, often involving his iconic hat and making use of his aerial superiority. These Fatalities help cement his presence as a skilled and dangerous fighter.
8. Variation Flexibility:
   • Kung Lao has several variations that give him flexibility in his playstyle:
     • Buzz Saw: This variation enhances Kung Lao’s teleport and pressure abilities, especially when it comes to using his teleporting hat to extend combos and punish opponents.
     • Tempest: Focuses on zoning and control through enhanced spinning hat techniques, allowing Kung Lao to maintain strong control of space and keep the opponent at a distance.
     • Hat Trick: This variation boosts Kung Lao’s projectile control and gives him enhanced mobility with his air hat toss for aerial pressure, making it more effective in controlling the neutral game.

Johnny Cage’s Strong Points in Mortal Kombat XL:

1. Quick Strikes and Speed:
   • Johnny Cage is a character focused on speed and quick strikes. His fast normals allow him to easily pressure his opponent and keep them on the defensive. His attacks come out fast, making him hard to counter once he gets in on his opponent.
   • He excels at applying quick pressure through fast strings, low attacks, and his iconic Nut Punch.
2. Mix-ups and Unpredictable Pressure:
   • Johnny Cage has an impressive mix-up game with his overhead and low attacks, making it difficult for opponents to block his attacks effectively. He can switch between quick high and low strikes to break through the defense.
   • His special moves, like Shadow Kick and Nut Punch, add to his mix-up potential, allowing him to change up his approach and punish any predictable opponent reactions.
3. Powerful Special Moves:
   • Johnny Cage’s special moves are among his greatest strengths:
     • Shadow Kick is a fast, long-reaching attack that can punish opponents at mid-range or finish a combo.
     • Nut Punch is a classic, powerful attack that can break through an opponent’s guard and hit at surprising angles. It is also safe when used correctly and can catch opponents off-guard.
     • Force Ball is a projectile that helps control space and can be used as a zoning tool, giving Johnny Cage options to control mid-range confrontations.
4. Combo Potential and Damage:
   • Johnny Cage has high-damage combos, especially when he connects Shadow Kick into Nut Punch or other special moves. His ability to link his quick normals into special moves makes him a threat at all ranges.
   • He has access to amplified versions of his special moves, which extend his combos and allow him to deal more damage. His stunt doubles also help him maximize his combo potential in some variations.
5. Punishing Power:
   • Johnny Cage’s moves like Shadow Kick and Nut Punch are particularly good at punishing unsafe attacks from his opponents. He can easily capitalize on his opponent’s mistakes with quick punishes that deal significant damage.
   • Amplified Nut Punch and Shadow Kick can be used as punishers when opponents attempt unsafe zoning or overcommit to an attack.
6. Mobility and Agility:
   • Johnny Cage has excellent mobility and agility. His Shadow Kick lets him close the distance quickly, while his fast normals make it easy for him to rush down opponents and maintain offensive pressure.
   • His quick jump-ins and aerial attacks allow him to control both the ground and air, keeping opponents from escaping.
7. Psychological Warfare and Mind Games:
   • Johnny Cage’s personality and taunting style play into his psychological warfare during the match. He can throw off his opponents with his confidence and taunting attacks like Nut Punch, which can break through their defense and cause frustration.
   • His Stunt Double variation introduces more mind games with shadow clones, making it harder for opponents to predict his next move.
8. Fatal Blow and Fatalities:
   • Johnny Cage’s Fatal Blow is a fast and flashy move that can deal massive damage and change the momentum of the match. It’s a great tool to use when his health is low, and he needs to secure a comeback.
   • His Fatalities are known for their dramatic style and humor. The Nut Punch and his other cinematic Fatalities reflect his show-off personality, making them memorable and satisfying to execute.
9. Variation Flexibility:
   • Johnny Cage has multiple variations to cater to different playstyles:
     • Hollywood: Focuses on zoning and punishing with Force Ball and Shadow Kick. This variation is great for controlling space and picking off opponents at mid-range.
     • Stunt Double: Features shadow clones that can confuse and mix-up the opponent, adding an extra layer of unpredictability.
     • A-List: Enhances Johnny Cage’s combo game with more powerful amplified moves that extend his attacks and make him a much more aggressive fighter.

Verdict:

• Kung Lao in Mortal Kombat XL is a high-speed, pressure-heavy character who excels at both zoning and mix-ups. His Hat Toss, Hat Spin, and Teleport give him the tools to control space, confuse opponents, and land high-damage combos. He’s a character that can easily overwhelm opponents with his speed and unpredictability, especially when paired with his variation flexibility.
• Johnny Cage, on the other hand, is a quick, mix-up-oriented fighter who relies on speed, pressure, and punishing mistakes. His Shadow Kick, Nut Punch, and Force Ball provide excellent tools for both offense and defense. Johnny Cage is an expert at controlling the flow of the match, dealing with high-speed attacks, and psychologically unsettling his opponents with his flashy moves and taunting style.

If you prefer a rushdown, pressure-heavy character with excellent mobility and the ability to control space, Kung Lao is the ideal choice. If you prefer a quick, mix-up-heavy character with the ability to punish mistakes and apply constant pressure, then Johnny Cage is the fighter for you. Both characters are highly effective, each bringing their own strengths to the battlefield in Mortal Kombat XL.

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