One of the best aspects of this game is the ability to program your characters to fight for you via AI battles. It's a really easy way to earn rewards, coins, hearts and souls without having to go through the grind yourself (Need a few new skins or gear to freshen up your krew? AI battles!). If you really want to make the most out of it though, you need to adjust each characters AI settings to best reflect that characters strengths.
How do I use the new AI’s?
Every kombatant has 6 adjustable AI settings: grappling, rushdown, kombos, reversal, zoning and runaway. They also have 4 presets to get you started, which are Maniac, Strategic, Hard Zoner and Well-Rounded (all character AI’s are defaulted to Well-Rounded). Below is a list of settings for each kombatant that maximize their potential and strikes fear in those who oppose them (if only the AI's knew what fear was):
#1: Shang Tsung
Shang Tsung dares you to fight him and his soul-skull projectile friend…
Best AI setting for Shang Tsung:
- Soultaker abilities preset
- Distribution:
- Grappling: 10
- Rushdown: 10
- Kombos: 30
- Reversal: 10
- Zoning: 0
- Runaway: 0
How this AI setting works:
- He has some very damaging kombos (very irritating if he’s your opponent) that can keep you off the ground for a while, so most of the focus is on kombos
- Some of his best moves, which are essentially throws, are short rangedone up close (not all, but some) so there’s equal parts grappling and rushdown
- His best defense is his constant barrage of offensives, so there’s a lot more focus on kombos while the rest is divided evenly between grappling, rushdown and reversal
#2: Shao Kahn
Shao Kahn tries his best to get you to look over there! He loves practical jokes…
Best AI setting for Shao Kahn:
- True Kahn abilities preset
- Distribution:
- Grappling: 5
- Rushdown: 5
- Kombos: 25
- Reversal: 25
- Zoning: 0
- Runaway: 0
How this AI setting works:
- Shao Kahn is a power hitter, but needs a little bit of focus on grappling to incorporate his belittling grab moves
- The former emperor's best kombos are executed up close, so there has to be just a splash of rushdown
- Mister "Big 'n' Ugly" is a slower kombatant (despite his shoulder charge), so the rest of the focus needs to be on reversal
#3: Frost
Frost prepares to freeze her opponent into submission.
Best AI setting for Frost:
- Ice Machine abilities preset
- Distribution:
- Grappling: 5
- Rushdown: 15
- Kombos: 20
- Reversal: 20
- Zoning: 0
- Runaway: 0
How this AI setting works:
- Divides most of the focus on reversalsblocking and stringing kombos together, of which Frost has aplenty
- Makes room for incorporating her damaging throws with a dash of grappling
- Increased rushdown makes sure she stays as close as possible to the opponent to execute her kombos and avoids being zoned
#4: Johnny Cage
Johnny Cage poses for the camera; something he never tires of.
Best AI setting for Johnny Cage:
- Shock Jock abilities preset
- Distribution:
- Grappling: 10
- Rushdown: 27
- Kombos: 10
- Reversal: 13
- Zoning: 0
- Runaway: 0
How this AI setting works:
- This is a slightly altered Maniac preset, which works perfectly for him
- Slightly increased reversal and decreased rushdown allows him to get in the opponent's face while still protecting himself
- Equal parts of kombos and grappling allows him to divide his attack strategy between his brutal punches and dizzying throws
#5: Sonya Blade
General Blade blasts her defeated opponent towards a waiting helicopter.
Best AI setting for Sonya Blade:
- No Holds Barred abilities preset
- Distribution:
- Grappling: 8
- Rushdown: 20
- Kombos: 17
- Reversal: 15
- Zoning: 0
- Runaway: 0
How this AI setting works:
- Sonya is a brawler, (much like her baby daddy), and the increased rushdown ensures that she brings the fight up close
- Her kombos are fast and furious, so there's a little more focus on kombos than on reversals
- She has plenty of throws and grappling counters, so there has to be a little room for grappling
#6: Cassie Cage
Cassie forms a heart with her hands where her opponent’s heart used to beat.
Best AI setting for Cassie Cage:
- Digital Soldier abilities preset
- Distribution:
- Grappling: 10
- Rushdown: 5
- Kombos: 22
- Reversal: 23
- Zoning: 0
- Runaway: 0
How this AI setting works:
- Cassie’s kombos don’t require her to be right next to her opponent, allowing more of the focus to be applied to both kombos and reversals
- Like her mother, she has some pretty damaging throws so there’s just a little more focus on grappling
- She’s not exactly a zoner, but she can get across the screen pretty quick so there’s just a splash of rushdown in this setting
#7: Jax
Jax looks at his younger self, feeling too old for this shit…
Best AI setting for Jax:
- Grinnin' Barrett abilities preset
- Distribution:
- Grappling: 10
- Rushdown: 5
- Kombos: 22
- Reversal: 23
- Zoning: 0
- Runaway: 0
How this AI setting works:
- Same exact setting as Cassie Cage, enabling Jax to carry out crushing kombos
- He has some of the strongest grappling moves so a little grappling must be included
- Jax, like Cassie, is not a zoner so he needs a splash of rushdown to keep him approaching the opponent to better execute his kombos
#8: Scorpion
Scorpion basks in his glory, knowing that most people only hate him because they can’t beat him.
Best AI setting for Scorpion:
- Searing Rage abilities preset
- Distribution:
- Grappling: 3
- Rushdown: 15
- Kombos: 18
- Reversal: 24
- Zoning: 0
- Runaway: 0
How this AI setting works:
- Scorpion is most effective when rushing his opponents (not as much as Johnny Cage, but still), so there's a bit more focus on rushdown
- With his spear and teleport moves, no focus is needed on zoning
- Slightly more reversal than kombos because the kombos he does have are really strong, so fewer kombos are needed per round
#9: Noob Saibot
Noob wonders if he remembered to shut off his oven after baking Quan Chi a blackberry pie…
Best AI setting for Noob Saibot:
- Seeing Double abilities preset
- Distribution:
- Grappling: 0
- Rushdown: 5
- Kombos: 25
- Reversal: 25
- Zoning: 5
- Runaway: 0
How this AI setting works:
- Noob has his super effective shadow clone (don’t you DARE call it a shadow puppet), so there must be a little bit of zoning allowed
- Equal parts kombos and reversal gives Noob just as much offense as defense
- Noob's kombos need to be executed up close, so a dash of rushdown is needed
#10: Baraka
Baraka intimidates his opponent with an ‘X,’ simultaneously representing his favorite Marvel series!
Best AI setting for Baraka:
- Marauder abilities preset
- Distribution:
- Grappling: 10
- Rushdown: 15
- Kombos: 20
- Reversal: 15
- Zoning: 0
- Runaway: 0
How this AI setting works:
- Those crazy bone-arm-blade-thingyss can only reach so far, so increased rushdown ensures more slicing and dicing
- Kombos are key here, so at least one-thirdmost of the AI's focus should be on kombos
- Even distribution between reversal and rushdownblocking allows him to defend himself like a Tarkatan
#11: Raiden
Raiden shows how long his sandwich from Subway was.
Best AI setting for Raiden:
- Thunderwave abilities preset
- Distribution:
- Grappling: 10
- Rushdown: 15
- Kombos: 20
- Reversal: 15
- Zoning: 0
- Runaway: 0
How this AI setting works:
- Raiden's lightning bolt is as weak as Baraka's blade spark, so there's no focus on zoning
- He has some shocking kombos that involve close-up electrocutions and throws, so a good deal of focus is placed on kombos while some is also applied to grappling
- The Thunder God needs to protect himself like he tries to protect Earthrealm, so a good chunk of focus is on reversal
#12: Jacqui Briggs
Jacqui Briggs points to her watch to let you know she has to be out of here in five minutes!
Best AI setting for Jacqui Briggs:
- 1st Round KO abilities preset
- Distribution:
- Grappling: 8
- Rushdown: 2
- Kombos: 20
- Reversal: 30
- Zoning: 0
- Runaway: 0
How this AI setting works:
- Jacqui has several highly effective counters, so there's a bit more focus on reversals than kombos
- She has many projectiles but isn't quite a zoner, so just a tiny bit of rushdown works
- Like her father, she has a range of crippling throws so a bit of grappling is needed
#13: Sub-Zero
Sub-Zero intimidates his opponent by showing his strength, crushing some ice!
Best AI setting for Sub-Zero:
- Thin Ice abilities preset
- Distribution:
- Grappling: 0
- Rushdown: 0
- Kombos: 23
- Reversal: 12
- Zoning: 25
- Runaway: 0
How this AI setting works:
- Sub-Zero's fighting style has stayed pretty consistent throughout the years, and he's definitely the best zoner
- His kombos can be initiated and somewhat carried out from a distance so focus between zoning and kombos is almost equal
- While he does need some reversal for standard blocking, his best defense is in staying a distance from his opponent
#14: Kano
Kano stands, knife at the ready, waiting for you to mock his accent ONE more time!
Best AI setting for Kano:
- Ripper abilities preset
- Distribution:
- Grappling: 10
- Rushdown: 10
- Kombos:25
- Reversal: 15
- Zoning: 0
- Runaway: 0
How this AI setting works:
- Kano is pretty much an Australian wrestling mercenary, so there has to be equal parts grappling and rushdown
- His best asset is his kombos (and his wicked Terminator eye), so most of the focus is distributed there
- He needs a little more focus on reversal than he does on grappling or rushdown to allow for his bone-breaking counters
#15: Liu Kang
Liu Kang belts a karaoke version of his favorite song, ‘Kung Fu Fighting’ by Carl Douglas.
Best AI setting for Liu Kang:
- Wu Shi Legend abilities preset
- Distribution:
- Grappling: 0
- Rushdown: 25
- Kombos: 30
- Reversal: 5
- Zoning: 0
- Runaway: 0
How this AI setting works:
- Despite his speed, Liu's best kombos are executed with his nunchucks and his fists, so he needs almost as much focus on rushdown as he does on kombos
- His best defense is his speedy offense, so only a small portion of focus is on reversal
- He's not a zoner, butnot does he have very effective throws so no focus is needed on grappling or zoning
#16: Kung Lao
Kung Lao stands waiting for you to notice his new vest that he just bought.
Best AI setting for Kung Lao:
- Lotus Fist abilities preset
- Distribution:
- Grappling: 0
- Rushdown: 10
- Kombos: 20
- Reversal: 30
- Zoning: 0
- Runaway: 0
How this AI setting works:
- Kung Lao's best asset is his lightning-fast fists and spin moves, so the offensive focus is primarily on kombos
- His kombos, while highly effective, don't have a lot of 50/50 in them so he needs a lot of focus on reversal
- His best kombos are executed right in the opponent's face (and sometimes directly behind or above the opponent), so a good chunk of focus is on rushdown
#17: Kitana
Kitana ends her interpretive dance with a stretched-out crouching tiger pose.
Best AI setting for Kitana:
- Highborn abilities preset
- Distribution:
- Grappling: 0
- Rushdown: 0
- Kombos: 15
- Reversal: 20
- Zoning: 15
- Runaway: 10
How this AI setting works:
- Kitana is unique in that she's the only kombatant that requires any focus on runaway; this allows her to use her bladed fans and fan-nados more effectively
- Most of her focus is on reversal, allowing her to block and punish much more effectively
- Her biggest advantage is zoning, so there's equal focus on kombos and zoning
#18: Jade
Jade, in her Revenant form, not laughing at any of your jokes (she doesn’t laugh at mine either, it’s ok).
Best AI setting for Jade:
- Jaded abilities preset
- Distribution:
- Grappling: 6
- Rushdown: 20
- Kombos: 24
- Reversal: 8
- Zoning: 2
- Runaway: 0
How this AI setting works:
- As one of the most diverse fighters in the roster, Jade has some focus in almost every aspect except for runaway (she's a lot of things, but she ain't no chicken)
- Most of her kombos are best executed up close, so focus on rushdown is needed almost as much as it is on kombos
- Her extended reach with her glowing pain-pole requires a tiny little bit of zoning focus
#19: Kabal
Kabal’s new and improved gas masks allow him to withstand even the worst of flatulence from Bo’ Rai Cho.
Best AI setting for Kabal:
- Mean Streak abilities preset
- Distribution:
- Grappling: 5
- Rushdown: 25
- Kombos: 25
- Reversal: 5
- Zoning: 0
- Runaway: 0
How this AI setting works:
- Those crazy hookswords of his allow him to pull off some awesome grabs, so a touch of grappling focus is desirable
- A lot of focus is on rushdown (really, 'rushdown' should be hisgood middle name) to incorporate his blinding and dizzying speed
- He's not quick enough to escape every single blow, so a touch of reversal focus protects his burned- self
#20: Skarlet
Skarlet waits for her opponent to attack so she can counter, back-stab and feast on his delicious blood.
Best AI setting for Skarlet:
- Blood Drive abilities preset
- Distribution:
- Grappling: 5
- Rushdown: 0
- Kombos: 18
- Reversal: 24
- Zoning: 13
- Runaway: 0
How this AI setting works:
- Like Jade, Skarlet is a very diverse fighter and needs focus on everything except for rushdown and runaway (she ain't coming to you but she ain't running away)
- Most of her focus is on reversal because she is at her best when she is punishing a failed kombo
- She's one of the few really effective zoners, especially with her blood tendril, so a good amount of focus is on zoning
#21: Erron Black
Erron Black remembers a time when a killer with a hockey mask was the worst of his troubles.
Best AI setting for Erron Black:
- 52 Kard Pickup abilities preset
- Distribution:
- Grappling: 0
- Rushdown: 0
- Kombos: 15
- Reversal: 25
- Zoning: 20
- Runaway: 0
How this AI setting works:
- Like Skarlet, Erron is at his best when punishing a failed kombo (or utilizing his ridiculous snake-slide), so much of the focus is on reversal
- As the second-best zoner on the roster with his rifle and snake slide, one-thirdalmost half of the focus is on zoning
- Erron has some pretty strong kombos so the rest of his focus allocation must be on kombos
#22: D’Vorah
D’Vorah poses for the camera, unsure of what to do with her hands…
Best AI setting for D'Vorah:
- Buzzed abilities preset
- Distribution:
- Grappling: 0
- Rushdown: 0
- Kombos: 30
- Reversal: 30
- Zoning: 0
- Runaway: 0
How this AI setting works:
- D'Vorah is a straight-up brawler from any distance, so half of her focus is on kombos
- Because she's not really a zoner and doesn't have a huge amount of really effective throws, the other half of the focus is on reversals
- This distribution allows her to relatively stay put and dish out a good ol' whooping when approached
#23: Kotal Kahn
Kotal Kahn demands that you return his lunchbox!
Best AI setting for Kotal Kahn:
- Totemic abilities preset
- Distribution:
- Grappling: 0
- Rushdown: 15
- Kombos: 5
- Reversal: 30
- Zoning: 10
- Runaway: 0
How this AI setting works:
- Kotal does not have as many effective kombos or grapples (though he's as hard a hitter as Shao Kahn), so much of the focus is on reversal
- He's got a pretty good selection of projectile and long-range attacks, so a sizable chunk of focus is on zoning
- Though his kombos are limited, his hits are heavy and very damaging (especially with his wide-bladed sword) so rushdown needs some attention here
#24: Cetrion
Cetrion, after reviewing the culture of Earthrealm, does her best ‘come at me bro’ pose.
Best AI setting for Cetrion:
- Spring Cleaning abilities preset
- Distribution:
- Grappling: 10
- Rushdown: 0
- Kombos: 20
- Reversal: 25
- Zoning: 5
- Runaway: 0
How this AI setting works:
- As an elder god, Cetrion has amazing abilities utilizing all four elements (earth, wind, fire and water), so much of the focus is on kombos
- Many of her most effective attacks are projectiles (the boulder throw, the fire stream, etc.), so a bit of zoning focus is needed
- Even more devastating than her projectiles are her grabs (that damn feather-tendril grab), so grappling needs a bit more focus
#25: Kollector
Kollector shows off the fact that he can carry a melee weapon and a lamp while kicking back and relaxing at the same time.
Best AI setting for Kollector:
- Back in the Pack abilities preset
- Distribution:
- Grappling: 0
- Rushdown: 0
- Kombos: 30
- Reversal: 30
- Zoning: 0
- Runaway: 0
How this AI setting works:
- Much like D'Vorah, Kollector is a brawler (and he has almost as many limbs as the bug queen) and needs a lot of focus on kombos
- He doesn't have a wide range of throws or projectiles, so focus that would be there is in kombos instead
- This weird guy needs all the rest of his focus on reversal to protect his ugly face
#26: Geras
Geras gets called out on sounding quite similar to some robot called ‘Optimus Prime.’
Best AI setting for Geras:
- Infinite Warden abilities preset
- Distribution:
- Grappling: 15
- Rushdown: 5
- Kombos: 25
- Reversal: 15
- Zoning: 0
- Runaway: 0
How this AI setting works:
- With his sand-teleporting and quicksand pits, this S-Tier fighter needs at least some focus on grappling
- His kombos are krushing but generally need to be executed up front or from right behind, so a lot of focus needs to be on kombos with just a touch of rushdown
- This time-altering henchman isn't exactly invincible, so a good chunk of focus should be on reversal
