Kung Lao Mortal Kombat is one of the franchise’s most beloved characters — the razor-hat Shaolin monk who stands alongside Liu Kang as Earthrealm’s second Shaolin champion. His bladed hat is the most distinctive weapon in the franchise outside of Scorpion’s kunai, and his teleport/hat-throw combination gives him one of the deepest mix-up toolkits in the entire roster.
Mortal Kombat Kung Lao debuted in MK2 as a secret character who eventually entered the tournament. His Great Kung Lao — a legendary ancestor from the tournament’s ancient history — won the first Mortal Kombat tournament against Shang Tsung, making the Kung Lao name one of the franchise’s most storied legacies.
Kung Lao From Mortal Kombat has the frustrating position of always being in Liu Kang’s shadow. He is consistently portrayed as equally skilled but perpetually second — a narrative pattern the franchise has examined more explicitly in MK9 and MK1.
Kung Lao Mortal Kombat: Character Overview
| Property | Detail |
|---|---|
| Affiliation | White Lotus / Shaolin Monks |
| Weapon | Razor-edged bladed hat |
| Style | Mix-up heavy, hat control |
| Relationship | Liu Kang’s closest ally and rival |
| Great Ancestor | Great Kung Lao (tournament legend) |
| Debut | Mortal Kombat II (1993) |
Kung Lao’s Story
Kung Lao joined the tournament in MK2 to honor his ancestor’s legacy and fight alongside Liu Kang against Outworld’s invasion. He is consistently one of Earthrealm’s strongest defenders, yet the story narrative repeatedly positions Liu Kang as the chosen champion and Kung Lao as his companion.
In MK9, this narrative frustration becomes explicit: Kung Lao defeats Kintaro and Shao Kahn in rapid succession before being killed by Shao Kahn before the Elder Gods’ intervention saves Liu Kang. His death in MK9 is one of the franchise’s most emotionally impactful story moments.
In MK1 (2023), the Kung Lao of the new timeline is specifically not the champion Liu Kang selected — that role went to Liu Kang himself. This new-era Kung Lao must find his own place outside the legacy identity, which gives him one of MK1’s more interesting character arcs.
Kung Lao’s Signature Moves
Hat Throw
Kung Lao hurls his bladed hat horizontally. The hat travels full screen and can be aimed at standing or crouching height. One of the most precise zoning tools in the franchise.
Hat Spin
Kung Lao holds his hat in front of him, spinning it as a close-range trap. Opponents who walk into it take multiple hits.
Teleport
Kung Lao vanishes and reappears behind or above the opponent. His primary mix-up tool — combined with Hat Throw, it creates situations where opponents need to defend against multiple threat axes simultaneously.
Dive Kick
Kung Lao performs a downward aerial kick. An approach tool from jump height that can be used to land safely while threatening damage.
Pro Tips: Kung Lao Mortal Kombat
- Combine Hat Throw and Teleport for layered mix-ups: Throw the hat at one height, then immediately teleport to the opposite side of the screen. Opponents focused on blocking the hat get caught by the Teleport approach. This is Kung Lao’s core offense at high level.
- Hat Spin is best used against cornered opponents: In corner situations, the Hat Spin creates a pressure situation where opponents have limited escape from the spinning blade field.
- Vary Teleport timing: Predictable Teleports are punished easily. Teleport early, late, and mid-sequence to prevent opponents from establishing a consistent punish.
- Hat Throw at two heights conditions blocking: Alternating standing-height and crouching-height hat throws forces opponents to change blocking postures, opening gaps in their defense.
Common Mistakes Kung Lao Players Make
- Relying only on Teleport without hat setup: Teleport alone is predictable. Fix: always establish Hat Throw pressure first so opponents are focused on the hat before the Teleport arrives.
- Hat Spin in open space against mobile opponents: Hat Spin is slow to set up and easily avoided in open space. Fix: use it specifically in corners or after hard knockdowns where opponents have limited movement options.
- Neglecting his close-range normal attacks: Kung Lao has strong short-range normals that create pressure and combo opportunities. Fix: develop his normal attack game rather than relying entirely on specials.
Play Kung Lao Online Without Lag Using ExitLag
Kung Lao’s Hat Throw + Teleport combo requires precise timing that high latency disrupts. The mix-up only works when both moves register within the correct window. ExitLag reduces the latency that causes these timing inconsistencies.
Download ExitLag for PC at exitlag.com/download.
All game images used in this blog post belong to NetherRealm Studios / Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. They are used for informational and educational purposes only and do not imply endorsement or affiliation with the rights holders.
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