MKX is still my favorite Mortal Kombat game of the modern era. Everything about it just feels so right and still is a blast to play a whole decade later
Funny you say that. When MKX was going strong everyone was complaining how brain-dead the game is with 50/50's, mixups too strong and stupid. That's why MK11 was more neutral focused.
@@azezel3176i think that's because when mkx came out we never had a game like that before and we wasn't use to that play style in all the 50/50s plus pressure and crazy ish that was in it but now we appreciate mkx because it's fast paced and fun and it makes us be more aware of all the crazy ish all the characters has and yes mk11 is more balanced and mk1 is still tryna find its way to be fun but mkx is just fun overall now that we understand it
@@corvoattano4544 I my opinion Mk1 is still better than mk11 because at least combos do exist in Mk1 but mk11 is just overall balanced than any nrs game again its just my opinion
MKX, along with USF4 and Xrd (Rev 1 and 2 count) are to me, the last great fighting games. Everything released after doesn't appeal to me because they changed so much.
Reptile's placement makes perfect sense, imo. He has safe armor, above average zoning, excellent mobility and mixups all as part of his base kit, and one of the better mids in the game.
Reptile's Zoning in MKX was one of the best in the game. Having the ability to have two or even 3 projectiles at once, as well as stopping the Forceballs in their place allows to control the pace of the match to perfection.
He doesn't really change much outside of damage (Nimble), unblockable (noxious), and whatever deceptive is (my fav variation btw). He's essentially a all around character.
@@MultiDevon123Actually he does. Noxious Reptile gets more room to use his Zoning and EX moves since he doesn't need meter for the Poison Gas, then for Deceptive and Nimble he has to use meter a lot more for pressure (Deceptive) or damage (Nimble).
I wanted to throw an MKX variationless tournament, but all the people who felt it was a good idea were also scared to play because nobody had practice with variationless characters. I gave them time to learn, and they still didn't want to join. Why? Because no one wanted to lose. I just wanted to have a fun tournament that was different and not taken too seriously.
this reminds me of the alternate meta for Ultra Street Fighter 4, _disabling all buttons except one._ the top character there, in my opinion, is "Adon with medium kick" becuz he retains access to 3 special moves, a crossup, a low, a command normal overhead, and a 2-hitting normal.
While the Variation System is Good, I wished MK11 didn’t have One, however MKX is the Only Exception, my only complaint is that it affects Skin Design and Weapons, plus Kung Jin is the Worst.
Yeah, custom variations in MK11 were annoying. You couldn’t just select what you wanted on the fly and play, and it was hard to tell exactly what moves your opponent had
@@derekwhite4312 nah that'd be between Scorpion, Sub-Zero & Raiden since Sub-Zero & Raiden have been in literally every main Mortal Kombat game (plus Injustice 2) and Scorpion's been in every Mortal Kombat (And Injustice 1) except OGMK3.
I remember watching Xarakamaka cook ppl on the ranked ladder with variationless Liu Kang. The top 5 characters could arguably be considered to have 4 variations
@@KuWota2k I really wish the people who posted the videos would cite their music sources where possible in general, especially when they're talking over it, making it even more difficult to narrow down for people who have never heard the song before. I think I got every song though since he cycles through four before ending on the _SFEX2_ character select theme as his outro: "Fake World", "Phantom Bomb", "Frozen Mist", and "White Field" are the songs used in that order before he starts reusing them. All of the _SFEX2_ and _SFEX_ songs are good though if you want to look into their soundtracks more. (I can't comment on _SFEX3_ at all as someone who has more or less never played it.)
I knew before the video even started that kitana was the best variationless because she lost nothing. Every variation made her better or even gave her better properties for already existing moves. My favourite kitana just because of how many fans u can throw in a combo. Mk1 kitana also slaps
Shout-out to variationless Kano for having unique Green lighting for his cyber equipment, giving him a distinct look from his variations where all other variationless characters look bland without the accessories and other stuff tied to the variations
sometimes I forget how much player 2 ermac looks better than player 1, because the RED ninja is wearing RED as his main color, who would have thought that would be better?
Great idea for a video! Not to mention interesting and entertaining to watch. I agree with almost everything. I'd say Sonya Blade should be higher. She still has her crazy (most of them) mixups that can easily beat your B or even A tier characters.
The only character without variationless mode is Triborg (which I rather call him "Quad"borg due to getting the Cyber-SubZero variation, making him the only character with 4 actual variations, and as you said, mod/hax shenanigans doesn't count), is interesting how many characters really fall big time, and the very few that loses almost nothing to keep being the danger they are with variations.
@@steelbear2063 I know, is just the note of the supposed variationless Triborg as in the video is mentioned, as by default, picking Triborg variationless is Cyber Sub-Zero, but supposedly he has one that you cannot access without hacks.
@@talison461The other MK games don’t have a “happy rainbow color palette” they’re just not as dull and bland as MKX 😂 bro had to defend his favorite so badly
It’s crazy because Kitana and Tremor were two of my three faves to play in MKX (other being Kenshi) and it’s crazy to see them make up two of the top three!
Curious how MK11 works with variationless characters (I.E. no kustom moves equipped.) Could be my bias talking, but MKX characters without variations felt more 'complete' than MK11's barebone versions.
I'm willing to argue that variationless Kitana is a better character than mournful Kitana. She's basically the Royal Storm variation without the projectile parry, which wasn't such a good move anyway.
I played Sub/Reptile, and variations were everything for sub. I didn't care for any of 3 for Rep so I usually picked Noxious for the free damage. Sometimes I'd pick no variation just to mess with people
If Reptile is up there so is Mileena. He can't get anything started. Full screen he gets out zoned. Especially with her insta airs. Up close she low profiles everything and when he does get started it's either punishable or whiffs.
As someone who has never played MKX and only MK3 and trilogy it looks like the classic characters play a lot like their classic versions, so much I keep thinking Stryker is gonna come on screen and start shooting.
Amazing video. But one potential error in it. While Variationless Jax is ordinary, Jax with variations was not a weak character at all. In fact his Heavy Weapons Variation was pretty OP. Not the most technically fluid, but it helped win matches in hard mode, and once I met a professional player in a lounge in 2015 who was generally much better and faster but I narrowly lost 3-2 to him, albeit in a friendly match over drinks using Jax's Heavy Weapons variation.
I knew that Reptile is gonna be top tier, MKX Reptile had only one new move in any of his Variations, while still has amazing Zoning, Rushdown, mobility an neutral all around. And that makes me super happy!🦎
Dang I was just watching the super Variations video yesterday and was hoping for more mkx content. Tho I've been wishing mkx had a modding community on par with umvc3 so we could get new characters or skins
@user-co6wc8di5l. At least kung jin is the most unique Kombat Kids in the game when you think about the other 3 basically being versions of their parents/father figures! From what I can remember I don't think any other character has a bow staff! You may or may not disagree with me but that's ok!
See I hated variations in MKX but I didn’t hate MKX. I think a large part of that was because I was a Kitana main and 18:58 sums up why I feel I was ultimately ok.
Kitana variationless is one of the best. She still has all the good special moves, including square wave. Then Mileena pretty much sucks since she has the default combos and only the ball roll, saï throw and telekick
I'm surprised it took so long for this idea to surface.
Very true
They've probably had it planned for awhile now but it's understandable that it took so long
brother go back to destiny what you doing here?
@@PowerrewoP I’m spreading my influence.
@jaderabbit898 I've been held captive in destiny for 7 years now, let me go please
Don't forget Tremor's extra aspect- he keeps his original design!
Same with other characters like Kotal Kahn, Kung Lao, Liu Kang, and Alien if you wanna go into specific details
MKX is still my favorite Mortal Kombat game of the modern era. Everything about it just feels so right and still is a blast to play a whole decade later
Funny you say that. When MKX was going strong everyone was complaining how brain-dead the game is with 50/50's, mixups too strong and stupid.
That's why MK11 was more neutral focused.
@@azezel3176i think that's because when mkx came out we never had a game like that before and we wasn't use to that play style in all the 50/50s plus pressure and crazy ish that was in it but now we appreciate mkx because it's fast paced and fun and it makes us be more aware of all the crazy ish all the characters has and yes mk11 is more balanced and mk1 is still tryna find its way to be fun but mkx is just fun overall now that we understand it
MK1 is an embarrassment compared to thos
@@corvoattano4544 I my opinion Mk1 is still better than mk11 because at least combos do exist in Mk1 but mk11 is just overall balanced than any nrs game again its just my opinion
MKX, along with USF4 and Xrd (Rev 1 and 2 count) are to me, the last great fighting games. Everything released after doesn't appeal to me because they changed so much.
Reptile's placement makes perfect sense, imo. He has safe armor, above average zoning, excellent mobility and mixups all as part of his base kit, and one of the better mids in the game.
Reptile's Zoning in MKX was one of the best in the game. Having the ability to have two or even 3 projectiles at once, as well as stopping the Forceballs in their place allows to control the pace of the match to perfection.
He doesn't really change much outside of damage (Nimble), unblockable (noxious), and whatever deceptive is (my fav variation btw). He's essentially a all around character.
@@MultiDevon123Actually he does. Noxious Reptile gets more room to use his Zoning and EX moves since he doesn't need meter for the Poison Gas, then for Deceptive and Nimble he has to use meter a lot more for pressure (Deceptive) or damage (Nimble).
Variatonless tourney when? 👀
Bro PLEASE
That'd be kinda cool, actually.
@destroyerfgc
PC scene does them all the time
Remember to ban triborg
Triborg 😎, having a 4th variation under his variationless slot
I wanted to throw an MKX variationless tournament, but all the people who felt it was a good idea were also scared to play because nobody had practice with variationless characters. I gave them time to learn, and they still didn't want to join. Why? Because no one wanted to lose.
I just wanted to have a fun tournament that was different and not taken too seriously.
Just make a tournament without a winner then. Endless king of the hill style or something similar.
@@kingol4801
Why even bother with those people?
@steelbear2063 Yeah, I tried putting forth effort. You're right, I wasted energy doing so.
I miss MKX Kitana. She is so watered down in the new games.
She used to be the Kombo Queen. More she's an Only Fans wannabe, 😢
I was thinking the exact same thing I miss old school combo queen kitana. 😢
I'm a broken record with this but her not being able to combo off of her fan toss is criminal 😭
@@arethasD6belt I feel the same way
this reminds me of the alternate meta for Ultra Street Fighter 4, _disabling all buttons except one._
the top character there, in my opinion, is "Adon with medium kick" becuz he retains access to 3 special moves, a crossup, a low, a command normal overhead, and a 2-hitting normal.
Shouts out JWong's 1-button Gouken
Is it me or do a lot of mk1 characters who aren't the top tiers feel like variationless characters
Quan chi has like 10 special moves and is still the worst
We need an MKX revival, absolutely nutty game that was so much fun to watch.
Awesome video! I’m always down for some MKX action!
Triborg: no variation mode cant be activated, 404 error
Yeah i knew kitana would be top 1 its literally the same character
Facts
While the Variation System is Good, I wished MK11 didn’t have One, however MKX is the Only Exception, my only complaint is that it affects Skin Design and Weapons, plus Kung Jin is the Worst.
Yeah, custom variations in MK11 were annoying. You couldn’t just select what you wanted on the fly and play, and it was hard to tell exactly what moves your opponent had
I'm here once again requesting Competitive History of Liu Kang.
Lui Kang corny
I gotta admit, you are consistent
@@9922hhAAg don’t watch it, if it comes out. Easy fix 🤷🏻♂️
That would be his longest video probably haha
@@derekwhite4312 nah that'd be between Scorpion, Sub-Zero & Raiden since Sub-Zero & Raiden have been in literally every main Mortal Kombat game (plus Injustice 2) and Scorpion's been in every Mortal Kombat (And Injustice 1) except OGMK3.
I remember watching Xarakamaka cook ppl on the ranked ladder with variationless Liu Kang. The top 5 characters could arguably be considered to have 4 variations
I remember Ninjakilla doing the same thing for 1 match when he was more known as "MKX Liu Kang main". Probably on Destroyer's channel.
The fact that Kitana is NUMBER 1 on this list makes it even sadder on how she was treated in the later installments.
MKX is still entirely fun! And again, thank you for the SFEX 2 music. Your commentary and music choice make this fun to listen while working
what track was used? it sounds great!
@@KuWota2k I really wish the people who posted the videos would cite their music sources where possible in general, especially when they're talking over it, making it even more difficult to narrow down for people who have never heard the song before. I think I got every song though since he cycles through four before ending on the _SFEX2_ character select theme as his outro: "Fake World", "Phantom Bomb", "Frozen Mist", and "White Field" are the songs used in that order before he starts reusing them.
All of the _SFEX2_ and _SFEX_ songs are good though if you want to look into their soundtracks more. (I can't comment on _SFEX3_ at all as someone who has more or less never played it.)
@@MusicoftheDamned thank you so much! You're absolutely right in that first part, more content creators should do so.
I knew before the video even started that kitana was the best variationless because she lost nothing. Every variation made her better or even gave her better properties for already existing moves. My favourite kitana just because of how many fans u can throw in a combo. Mk1 kitana also slaps
7:50 Kano has some nasty ball cancel combos 🔥🔥🔥
Shout-out to variationless Kano for having unique Green lighting for his cyber equipment, giving him a distinct look from his variations where all other variationless characters look bland without the accessories and other stuff tied to the variations
sometimes I forget how much player 2 ermac looks better than player 1, because the RED ninja is wearing RED as his main color, who would have thought that would be better?
Well, unless it’s a mirror, you could always press start ;)
@@escapethematrix4204 I know, that doesnt solve the problem
Competitive history of Johnny Cage when? Sure hope that happens sooner than later
Now that we’ve done this, what are the best and worst characters in MK11 without Variation moves?
I wonder what Super thinks of this. He made videos of like every character variationless
He would've put VLess Sonya in F tier for sure 😂
This video is pretty dope, I like the sfex2 soundtrack here
Great idea for a video! Not to mention interesting and entertaining to watch. I agree with almost everything. I'd say Sonya Blade should be higher. She still has her crazy (most of them) mixups that can easily beat your B or even A tier characters.
This feels like what 80% of the community wants.
I love your videos man really interesting all of them
Man Kitana in MK X was so cool. I miss her.
The only character without variationless mode is Triborg (which I rather call him "Quad"borg due to getting the Cyber-SubZero variation, making him the only character with 4 actual variations, and as you said, mod/hax shenanigans doesn't count), is interesting how many characters really fall big time, and the very few that loses almost nothing to keep being the danger they are with variations.
You don't need mods or hax to play as CSZ, I don't know why people think that
@@steelbear2063 no, you need mods to play as variationless triborg, because cyber sub takes the spot that would normally have no variation
@@steelbear2063 I know, is just the note of the supposed variationless Triborg as in the video is mentioned, as by default, picking Triborg variationless is Cyber Sub-Zero, but supposedly he has one that you cannot access without hacks.
@@PikangsFutaba
Ah, I see, I see.
I really like this video
I hope you do one on Injustice 2 Mechanics
I actually would've played this game way more if the colour pallet wasn't so terrible
Youre right, im sorry that an M rated game full of Blood and gore doest have a happy rainbow color palette 💀👍
@@talison461 Like MK1, 9, 7, 2, 3, and 11 do
@@talison461The other MK games don’t have a “happy rainbow color palette” they’re just not as dull and bland as MKX 😂 bro had to defend his favorite so badly
It fits the game imo but ur right it’s annoying after a while only seeing brown and gray
@@talison461you can have a gory game that looks visually interesting and colorful (aka MK9, MK1). MKX just happens to look really bad lmao
how about a video of the most repeated bad match-up from the series?
I think it would be good to see it like a non-canon new rivalry
It’s crazy because Kitana and Tremor were two of my three faves to play in MKX (other being Kenshi) and it’s crazy to see them make up two of the top three!
i remembered when MKX came out, in first public version Kitana was WEAKEST character in the game, and in the end of support she is STRONGEST...
Well said, I completely agree with the top 5. Although I'd have had Jason a bit higher personally.
Thank God someone's finally talking about Variatinless.
Cool and interesting topic ....
PS: I still have hopes for MK2 Kompetitive history
Curious how MK11 works with variationless characters (I.E. no kustom moves equipped.)
Could be my bias talking, but MKX characters without variations felt more 'complete' than MK11's barebone versions.
In MKX variations are a bonus.
In MK11, moves are integral, although replaceable. Without them a character is a skeleton of itself at best.
I'd put Sonya in D tier. All she gets is 50/50s with literally no launchers so its just the string into leg grab.
Got a cool idea what about a tier list with each character with their variations combined
I have tears in my eyes seeing MK without hit-stops... It's so beautiful
What's that
@@just_2swiftWhen the screen and the characters freeze for a brief moment whenever anyone gets hit
@@soulwarrior5791 oh okay. So mk1 has this?
@@just_2swift Yes. Even though you may not see it right away, you can definitely feel it.
@@soulwarrior5791 I feel like this is there so Kameo combos are a bit easier.
I'm willing to argue that variationless Kitana is a better character than mournful Kitana. She's basically the Royal Storm variation without the projectile parry, which wasn't such a good move anyway.
I played Sub/Reptile, and variations were everything for sub. I didn't care for any of 3 for Rep so I usually picked Noxious for the free damage. Sometimes I'd pick no variation just to mess with people
I was sorta expecting triborg to show up at the 1st spot as a fakeout/joke considering his 'variationless' is a real variation in itself.
MKX didnt feel good untill it got its final patch
MKX, if it had the full-full roster, would be THE best Mortal Kombat.
Make a video talking about why mk1 numbers so low
If Reptile is up there so is Mileena. He can't get anything started. Full screen he gets out zoned. Especially with her insta airs. Up close she low profiles everything and when he does get started it's either punishable or whiffs.
Please make a tier list for super variations
whats a super variation?
@@trashcan7594 Super variation is when a character has all 3 variations enabled at the same time
Kitana is the combos queen what can we do
U should do this with mk1 oh wait u can't
Is it just me or does this game still look really good? I guess I like MK a lot better with the darker color pallete.
A great start to my Saturday
I kind of need to see a variationless tournament now
Love ya Jake, love ya Ryan hope you guys have a great day. May the Elder Gods bless you 💛❤️🕸️
Nice that Triborg was made for the variations ALONE.
Someone should have made a tournament with this
As someone who has never played MKX and only MK3 and trilogy it looks like the classic characters play a lot like their classic versions, so much I keep thinking Stryker is gonna come on screen and start shooting.
i wish there was a version of each character with the moves from each variant that would be so awesome
Honestly would’ve been interesting to see a variation-less tournament back in the day lol
I now feel like Im a bad person for maining variationless Kitana and only using Royal Storm against zoners
I'm so mad that cyber Sub-Zero don't count he was my favorite and only non-variant to play
Im curious to where kitana would be on a list with variations
Imagine if, in a torunament, someone flexed and chose variationless and won, now THAT would be awesome.
Yay kitina finally top tier🎉
Amazing video. But one potential error in it.
While Variationless Jax is ordinary, Jax with variations was not a weak character at all.
In fact his Heavy Weapons Variation was pretty OP. Not the most technically fluid, but it helped win matches in hard mode, and once I met a professional player in a lounge in 2015 who was generally much better and faster but I narrowly lost 3-2 to him, albeit in a friendly match over drinks using Jax's Heavy Weapons variation.
I assume Triborg doesn't count as having a "Variationless"
I'm really happy to see my boy Reptile at number 2! :)
Putting jax at bottom is crazy
I knew that Reptile is gonna be top tier, MKX Reptile had only one new move in any of his Variations, while still has amazing Zoning, Rushdown, mobility an neutral all around. And that makes me super happy!🦎
I love Armageddon reptile
@@9922hhAAg Same here dude, favorite design of Reptile ever, only rivaled with MK1 Reptile.
Dang I was just watching the super Variations video yesterday and was hoping for more mkx content. Tho I've been wishing mkx had a modding community on par with umvc3 so we could get new characters or skins
idk why but variationless kung lao kinda gives me his MK3 counter part vibes. is it just me?🤔🤔
Quality content as usual
If it counts, Variationless Triborg is S Tier cus it just gives you Cyber Sub-Zero...
Edit: Figured he'd be banned
I mean kittana just loses a projectile perry lol
LETS GOOOOO
I had no fucking idea this was an option and would likely never use it anyways lol but cool video!
I hope to see competitive history of Shang Tsung
Up twice and 2?? Whats 2??
It’s universal fighting game buttons. 2 would be triangle on PlayStation and Y on xbox
@@LeGeeked. Thank you
I kinda forgot that Kumg Jin existed. 😂 He was always the most forgettable of the kids.
Jacqui is the worst 🤢
@user-co6wc8di5l. At least kung jin is the most unique Kombat Kids in the game when you think about the other 3 basically being versions of their parents/father figures! From what I can remember I don't think any other character has a bow staff! You may or may not disagree with me but that's ok!
@@treefiddy_Yugo-slay-via I'd put Takedas style as more unique. To me Kung Jin was likely copied or at least inspired by Green arrow from injustice.
@@OwenLeBlanc-l7h I was talking about mk specifically but whatever floats your boat!
I was today years old when i found out you could play without Variations
For real tho, i would not mind if they make a return
Good video
FINALLY I CAN PLAY KITANA AND LOOK VISUALLY PLEASANT TO ME
Ferra torr without variation is quite fun to play
See I hated variations in MKX but I didn’t hate MKX. I think a large part of that was because I was a Kitana main and 18:58 sums up why I feel I was ultimately ok.
Triborg, cause his variationless is Cyber Sub
I'm pretty sure there's an argument for variationless Liu Kang being a viable choice even with variations legal so seeing him at 5 is wild.
Kitana was just amazing in MK X
I had no idea kitana was this strong in MKX💀
Even though i dont play MKX at all, it's such a cool game to just sit and watch. Theres so many crowd pleaser characters that are just cool to watch
I love mkx!!! But now I play and try to up block lol nope 😂
no way after I made the comment about their being 4 variations in your recent video, you then created this video. 😩 😩
Before watching this video, I’m betting that Triborg is either top tier or disqualified
Edit: well there you have it
Kitana variationless is one of the best. She still has all the good special moves, including square wave.
Then Mileena pretty much sucks since she has the default combos and only the ball roll, saï throw and telekick
I honestly believe that mournful kitana would be the variation to use here because I genuinely think it's worse than variationless kitana
this game would be perfect if you could cycle thru variations on the fly with the stance button like you could the fighting styles in the 3D era
I miss this game😤😭💯