Look, we've all been there. You just clutched a match against a level 60 Shirai Ryu Scorpion who spammed teleports for three rounds. The screen goes dark. The announcer bellows that iconic "FINISH HIM!" and your hands start sweating. You try to remember the inputs for that one move where your character does something unspeakable with a sword. You fumble. You accidentally jump. You punch them in the face, they fall over like a sack of potatoes, and the match ends with a pathetic "Winner" screen.
It’s embarrassing.
Honestly, getting a fatality Mortal Kombat X style isn't just about gore. It’s about the exclamation point at the end of a sentence. If you miss it, the sentence feels unfinished. Mortal Kombat X (MKX) changed the game by introducing different variations for every character, meaning your muscle memory from MK9 might actually be tripping you up.
The Secret to Nailing Every Fatality Mortal Kombat X Offers
Most people think you just have to mash the buttons fast. Wrong. It’s about the rhythm and, more importantly, the distance. MKX is picky. If the move list says "Mid" and you’re sniffing your opponent's neck, the game will ignore your inputs.
Basically, there are three zones you need to know:
👉 See also: Why 4 in a row online 2 player Games Still Hook Us After 50 Years
- Close: You should be close enough to whisper a secret. Literally right next to them.
- Mid: About two steps back. Think "sweeping kick" range.
- Far: About a full jump’s distance away.
If you're struggling with the "Up" input—which usually makes your character jump and ruins the combo—here’s a pro tip: Hold the Block button while you do the directional inputs, then let go right before you hit the final face button. It keeps your feet on the ground and your dignity intact.
Why Some Fatalities Are Harder to Find
You’ve probably noticed that when you first start, your move list only shows one fatality per character. The second one is "hidden." You don't actually need to unlock it in the Krypt to use it, though. If you know the button combo, you can perform it, and the game will permanently save it to your list. It’s like a rewards program for being a nerd.
Take Ermac’s "Inner Workings" fatality. It's a "Mid" distance move. You press Down, Up, Back, Square (on PS4/PS5) or X (on Xbox). If you do it right, he yanks the opponent's intestines out with telekinesis. It’s arguably one of the most disturbing visuals in the entire franchise. But if you're standing too close? You'll just do a weird little dance and look like a fool.
The Problem With Easy Fatalities
NetherRealms added "Easy Fatalities" as a consumable. You hold a trigger and press one button. Simple, right? Sure, but you have to buy them with Krystals or earn them. Most of the community considers them a bit of a "scrub move." Plus, there’s nothing quite like the rush of hitting a complex 5-button sequence under the pressure of a ticking clock.
✨ Don't miss: Lust Academy Season 1: Why This Visual Novel Actually Works
Beyond the Fatality: Brutalities and Faction Kills
MKX didn't stop at the standard finishers. They brought back Brutalities, but they aren't the 11-hit combos from the 90s. In this game, they’re "conditional" finishers.
For example, to pull off a Brutality with Cassie Cage, you might need to have over 50% health or land the final blow with a specific special move. They’re way harder to pull off than a fatality Mortal Kombat X usually requires because they happen during the fight, not after. You don't get a "Finish Him" prompt. You just have to know it's coming.
Then there are Faction Kills. These were tied to the online Faction War. They’re less personal—usually involves a satellite laser or a stray arrow from off-screen—but they have one huge advantage: the inputs are almost always the same for every character. If you’re playing a character you’ve never used before and you don't want to look like a noob, just hold Block and press Forward, Forward.
The Most Iconic MKX Finishers You Need to Try
If you're looking for the "best" ones to show off to friends, you've got to try these:
🔗 Read more: OG John Wick Skin: Why Everyone Still Calls The Reaper by the Wrong Name
- Johnny Cage’s "Here’s Johnny": A literal tribute to The Shining. He rips their torso open and sticks his face through. Close range. Back, Forward, Back, Forward, Square (PS) or X (Xbox).
- Mileena’s "Face Feast": She... well, the name says it all. It’s close range and involves a lot of biting. Down, Back, Down, Back, X (PS) or A (Xbox).
- Quan Chi’s "Both Ends": He makes the opponent walk through a portal and... it gets messy. This one is "Close" range. Down, Forward, Back, Forward, Triangle (PS) or Y (Xbox).
What Most People Get Wrong About Spacing
I’ve seen people complain that their game is "glitched" because the fatality won't trigger. 99% of the time, it’s because they’re in the "Mid" zone when they should be "Close."
The game calculates distance based on the tiles on the floor. If you're ever unsure, go into Fatality Training Mode. It literally puts a green box on the floor showing you exactly where to stand. Spend ten minutes there with your main character. You'll never miss a finish again.
Actionable Steps for Mastering Fatalities
Don't just jump into online Ranked matches and hope for the best. Follow this path instead:
- Ditch the Stick: Use the D-pad for your inputs. Analog sticks are too imprecise; a slight diagonal tilt will register as two different directions and break your combo.
- Memorize One "Safe" Finisher: Every character has a Faction Kill. Memorize the "Hold Block + Forward, Forward" input so you always have a backup plan.
- The "Up" Buffer: Practice holding Block for any fatality that requires an "Up" input. This is the single biggest reason people fail.
- Check the Krypt: If you want the "official" way, head to the Krypt. Most second fatalities are hidden in the Dead Woods Cemetery or Shao Kahn’s Temple.
- Watch the Timer: You have about 5-8 seconds. If you mess up the first time, you usually have enough time for one more attempt. Take a breath. Stop mashing.
Nailing a fatality Mortal Kombat X is the ultimate flex. It tells your opponent that not only did you beat them, but you also know your character inside and out. Now go hit the Lab and stop punching people in the face when the music stops.