Mortal Kombat 1 Reiko Guide – MK1 Move List and Best Combos

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Looking for a detailed guide to Reiko in Mortal Kombat 1? While Reiko might now be second-in-charge after General Shao in Outworld, he’s still got plenty of fight in him. NetherRealm Studios’ rebooted Mortal Kombat universe gives this character new moves alongside his older move set.

To learn more about the characters in the game, check out our Mortal Kombat 1 roster tier list. Read our Mortal Kombat 1 review to learn more about the game’s story mode and other options.

Mortal Kombat 1 Reiko: An image of Reiko fighting Li Mei in the game.

Mortal Kombat 1 Reiko Guide

This guide will get you accustomed to Reiko’s lethal move set and combo potential. While you can initiate combos with the main character, you can rely on MK1’s new fighting system for an assist. The new Kameo system lets you call in another fighter to extend combos or land projectile attacks. Here’s how to unlock all Kameo fighters in Mortal Kombat 1.

Before you check out all of Reiko’s moves, here’s a chart that will let you understand this irrespective of which platform you’re on:

NotationAttackPlayStationXboxNintendo SwitchPC
1Front PunchSquareXYJ
2Back PunchTriangleYXI
3Front KickCrossABK
4Back KickCircleBAL

Reiko Move List

The latest iteration of the MK franchise refines its foundation but doesn’t tinker too much with what previous games got right. Moves in Mortal Kombat 1 can be classified into the following:

  • Basic Attacks
  • Aerial Attacks
  • Throws
  • Special Moves
  • Fatal Blow
  • Fatalities
  • Brutalities
Mortal Kombat 1 Reiko: An image of Reiko fighting Li Mei in the game.

Reiko Basic Attacks

You’ll be using basic attacks to start, extend, and end combos so keep track of them. Here are all of Reiko’s basic attacks in Mortal Kombat 1:

  • Busted Knuckles: Front Punch
  • Devastating Blow: Front Punch, Back Punch
  • Krude Kompany: Front Punch, Back Punch, Front Kick
  • Heavy Hook: Forward + Front Punch
  • Body Bag: Forward + Front Punch, Back Punch
  • Lethal Tactics: Forward + Front Punch, Back Punch, Back Kick
  • Leg Beater: Down + Front Punch
  • Straight Punch: Back Punch
  • Deadly Warfare: Back Punch, Front Punch
  • Raid: Back Punch, Front Punch, Back Kick
  • Brutal Backhand: Back + Back Punch
  • Bloody Pitcher: Forward + Back Punch
  • Face Breaker: Front Kick
  • Kollateral Damage: Front Kick, Back Kick
  • Push Kick: Back + Front Kick
  • Fatal Infiltration: Back + Front Kick, Back Kick
  • Open Toe: Down + Front Kick
  • Dislocator: Back Kick
  • Savage Siege: Back Kick, Front Kick
  • Mass Casualties: Back Kick, Front Kick, Back Kick
  • Low Takedown: Back + Back Kick
  • Thrust Kick: Forward + Back Kick
  • Ankle Snapper: Down + Back Kick

Reiko Aerial Attacks

With Mortal Kombat 1’s focus on aerial combat, try to launch enemies into the air and extend combos. Here are Reiko’s aerial attacks in MK1:

  • Haymaker: Forward + Up + Front Punch
  • Invaded: Forward + Up + Front Punch, Back Punch
  • Deadly Infantry: Forward + Up + Front Punch, Back Punch, Front Punch
  • Full Cross: Forward + Up + Back Punch
  • No Retreating: Forward + Up + Back Punch, Front Punch
  • Push On: Forward + Up + Back Punch, Front Punch, Back Kick
  • Brute Force: Forward + Up + Front Kick or Back Kick
Mortal Kombat 1 Reiko: An image of Reiko fighting Li Mei in the game.

Reiko Throws

Here are Reiko’s throws in Mortal Kombat 1:

  • Shove: Forward + Throw or Front Punch + Front Kick
  • Military Might: Throw or Front Punch + Front Kick

Reiko Breakers and Taunts

A Kombo Breaker lets you break free from combos by using three Super Meter charges. Taunts let you distract your enemies, prompting them to miscalculate moves. Here are Reiko’s Breakers and Taunts:

  • Kombo Breaker: Forward + Block
  • Taunts: Down, Down, Down, Down
Mortal Kombat 1 Reiko: An image of Reiko fighting Li Mei in the game.

Reiko Special Moves

Reiko brings in some heavy-damage moves in MK1 with the help of special moves:

  • Retaliation: Down, Back, Front Punch
  • Pale Rider: Back, Down, Forward, Front Punch
  • Pale Riding: Hold Back
  • Assassin Throwing Stars: Back, Forward, Back Punch
  • Charging Pain: Back, Forward, Front Kick
  • Pain Knee: Hold Up or Back
  • Charging Pain Delay: Hold Front Kick
  • Tactical Takedown: Down, Back, Front Kick
Mortal Kombat 1 Reiko: An image of Reiko fighting Li Mei with his Fatal Blow in the game.

Reiko Fatal Blow

Here’s Reiko’s Fatal Blow move that can be triggered at low health:

  • The Soldier’s Spearit: Flip Stance + Block

Reiko Fatalities

Each MK1 character has two fatalities so far. Here’s how to unlock fatalities in Mortal Kombat 1. These finishers are the gory spectacles that celebrate this franchise’s penchant for violence. Geras’ finishers are no different. Here are Reiko’s fatalities in MK1:

  • The Impaler: Down, Down, Back + Back Punch
  • For the General: Back, Down, Down, Back Kick

Reiko Brutalities

Here’s how to unlock and do a brutality in Mortal Kombat 1. Initially, players will only be able to do a single type of brutality. As you progress forward, you will unlock new brutalities for characters. This is via the character mastery ranks system. Here are Mileena’s brutalities in Mortal Kombat 1:

  • The Klassic: Down + Back Punch
  • No Turning Back: Block and tap Back Kick four times rapidly
  • You Had Enough?: Down, Back + Front Kick and tap Down, Down, Down
  • Does It Sting: Down, Back + Front Punch and hold Front Punch
  • Not Even Close: Forward, Down, Back + Front Punch and hold Down
  • There And Back Again: Front Punch, Back Punch, Front Kick and hold Back
Mortal Kombat 1 Reiko: An image of Reiko fighting Li Mei in the game.

Best combos for Reiko in Mortal Kombat 1

These are the best combos to combine in Reiko’s arsenal in MK1:

  • Lethal Tactics is a great way to start combos. You can then extend them with other combos of his or call in a Kameo fighter like Jax, Sareena, or Sonya Blade. Darrius is the best Kameo for Reiko.
  • Assassin Throwing Stars is Reiko’s projectile attack. You can use it to mount pressure on enemies or force them to try aerial combat. It does solid chip damage so blocks can’t protect enemies for too long. 
  • Bloody Pitcher is a solid overhead attack so use it whenever you can. This can also knock enemies down.

That covers how to play Reiko in Mortal Kombat 1. He no longer uses Shao Kahn’s helmet in attacks but an optional skin does feature Reiko wearing it. Use these moves to take down opponents like Reptile, Raiden, and Scorpion. Warriors like Kenshi, Kung Lao, and Johnny Cage are recruited by fire god Liu Kang in the game’s story mode for a tournament in Outworld. Note that other Outworlders like Baraka, Sindel, Shao Kahn, and Kitana have had their backstories altered in the new timeline too. 

If you’re just getting into the game, consider checking our Mortal Kombat 1 tips and tricks. And if you’re itching to try sand powers, we’ve got a handy Mortal Kombat 1 Geras guide. The game is out on PC, PlayStation 5 (PS5), Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch. So get over to the game and try Reiko out for yourself. Over time, you’ll unlock new Kameo fighters like Motaro, Scorpion, and Shujinko. But existing Kameos like Sektor, Cyrax, and Kano are already pretty powerful and even come with their own fatalities like Armageddon.

Is Reiko going to be in mk1?

Yes, Reiko is playable in MK1.

About the Author

Antony Terence

Antony Terence is a Guides Writer for VideoGamer. While he is particularly fond of city-builders, shooters, and strategy titles, he won’t turn down a good JRPG or a turn-based roguelike.

Mortal Kombat 1

  • Platform(s): Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series S/X, Xbox Series X
  • Genre(s): Beat 'em Up