Mortal Kombat 11: 8 New Gameplay Features You Need To Know

2. Fatal Blow

Mortal Kombat 11
NetherRealm

So, X-rays have been retired as the series' indulgently cinematic match-enders, but what's going to take their place? That would be Fatal Blows, the aptly-named catch-up mechanic that, while not showcasing bone fractures and ball-crushing punches, are as viscerally violent as you'd expect of a Mortal Kombat game.

Skarlet impaling her enemies with solidified blood syphoned from their own bodies and Geras dishing out brutal blunt force trauma on an opponent frozen in time are but a sample of the delightful destruction made possible, but there are a few caveats to this new system you need to be aware of.

Like X-rays, Fatal Blows will cut a chunk of the opponent's health bar off in one fell swoop but their use no longer requires a full special meter to perform. Instead, falling below 30% total health at any point will provide access to the special attack, but only once per match. To account for their one-time use, whiffing a Fatal Blow won't lock you out of using one for the rest of a match, but you will have to wait out a recharge period before trying again.

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Contributor

Joe is a freelance games journalist who, while not spending every waking minute selling himself to websites around the world, spends his free time writing. Most of it makes no sense, but when it does, he treats each article as if it were his Magnum Opus - with varying results.