EveryMortal Kombatgame introduces new game modes and fighting mechanics to keep the formula fresh – the series has been around for 30 years, after all. Though the series has had tag-team combat in various forms in the past,Mortal Kombat 1introduces the Kameo mechanic, whichlets players choose a partnerfor unique attacks and synergies.

RELATED:Mortal Kombat 1: How Long to Beat

Every Kameo inMK1has unique abilities and a unique finisher, which help expand the depth of combat and the breadth of abilities available to players. Kameos are a core system inMortal Kombat 1, and players will have a hard time getting anywhere in online mode, or certain singleplayer modes,without learning the ins and outsof this new mechanic.

How To Use Kameos in MK1 Effectively

Compensate For Character Weaknesses

Some characters arestrong in some areas but weak in others, like their ability to restrain enemies or deal damage from afar, or their ability to launch enemies in the air and keep them there. Kameos come with a handful of moves each that give players more options and open up their moveset.

Jax, for example, can use a low slam that deals damage in a wide area after a moment. Cyrax can shoot a net from far away, keeping enemies in place to close the distance. After getting a feel forMK1’s character weaknesses and strengths, start experimenting with different Kameos to see how their different moves and abilities can fill in the gaps.

Mortal Kombat 1 Kameos Explained Scorpion Sektor Kameo Win Screen

Extend Combos By Incorporating Kameo Abilities

One of the most useful methods of using Kameos inMK1is touse their abilities to extend combos. Some combos are difficult to transition into one another, but Kameos can connect the two and allow players to successfully pull off significantly more complex combos.

Raiden with Stryker as his Kameo partner canpull off a F4, 3, 4followed by the forward Kameo move of Stryker’s to launch enemies into the air after a series of low kicks. This gives Raiden a chance to add an Aerial portion to their combo.

MK1 Kameos

It can be difficult to pull off the exact timing on Kameo moves to extend combos. The best way to time a Kameo ability is toperform the input right after the initial combo, as if it is part of that combo, with no wait between inputs. Then, simply follow up the Kameo’s combo extender with another combo – for the Raiden combo listed above, try following the Kameo extender with a F3, 4 combo twice to juggle them in the air, and finish off the combo string with the Razzle Dazzle ability (DF2).

RELATED:Mortal Kombat 1: All Shrine Rewards (Season 1)

Perform Unique Kameo Finishers

Not only doMK1Kameos take part in players' Fatal Blows, buteach Kameo also comes with its own unique Finisher. These finishers vary from Kameo to Kameo, and typically harken back to that character’s classic Fatalities from their original games. Jax will grow enormously and stomp on the enemy, Sub-Zero will rip out their spine, Stryker will plant a bomb on the enemy, and so on.

Some Kameofatalities are completely new, wholly original finishers. For example, Shujinko’s Kameo finisher sees him perform the Five Point Palm Exploding Heart technique on the opponent – a reference toKill Bill.

To see the inputs for each Kameo’s finisher, head to the Move List menu, and scroll over to the Kameo Moves tab. Here, players will see the names and inputs for each of the Kameo’s normal moves, as well as the inputs for their unique Kameo fatality.

Break Enemy Combos (With A Full Meter)

One of the most important uses of the Kameo system is to break combos. InMortal Kombat 1, combo breaking is tied to the Kameo system and the Meter – the bar that fills up on the bottom left of the screen as players deal and take damage. Theonly way to break an enemy’s combo is by using a Kameo in the middle of their input string.

By pressing the Block input and forward, after an enemyhas begun a combo string, players can summon their Kameo to break out and make some space. However, players must have a completely full Meter to be able to combo break. Once a Combo Breaker has been used, the Meter will be completely depleted, and thus cannot be used again until it’s been charged enough.

Every Unlockable Kameo in Mortal Kombat 1

The Kameo system inMortal Kombat 1presents players with a second roster of Kameo characters after they’ve selected their main fighter. There are currently 15 Kameos inMK1, from returning classic faves like Jax and Frost as well as characters whohaven’t appeared inMortal Kombatfor a long time, like Motaro and Sareena.

RELATED:Mortal Kombat 1: How to Get Skins and Change Outfits

There are likely more Kameo characters to come in future Kombat Pack DLCs and Expansions. For now, these are thefifteen that players can earn by progressing their Account Level– or by buying theMK1Kameo Unlock Pack to get all of them at once.

Account Level 5 reward

Account Level 25 reward

Account Level 10 reward

Account Level 20 reward

Account Level 15 reward

OriginalMortal Kombat

Mortal Kombat 1is available for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch.