Mortal Kombat 11 can be a brutal and challenging experience for newcomers. With all the mechanics, terminology, and characters to learn, it’s no surprise that many players start off making mistakes. That’s totally normal—every fighter goes through the early struggles. But recognizing and fixing those mistakes early on can massively speed up your progress.

In this guide, we’ll go over eight of the most common beginner mistakes in MK11, why they hold you back, and how to fix them.

8. Button Mashing

Let’s face it—everyone starts by mashing buttons. It feels like the only option when you don’t know what you’re doing. But it quickly becomes a bad habit. Mashing prevents you from learning correct input timing and creates messy, unintentional combos that don’t land when it matters. You also lose the chance to develop real strategy, spacing, or footsies.

Instead, learn what each button does. Practice clean, deliberate inputs. If you want a move to come out, press the button once and time it properly. Spend time in training mode learning which attacks have good range and which are safe on block. Trust us—pressing buttons with intention is the first step to becoming a real fighter.

7. Jumping Too Much

Jumping is tempting—it’s fast, it feels evasive, and it can lead into combos. But in MK11, jumping predictably is one of the easiest ways to get punished. Smart opponents will anti-air you with uppercuts or quick pokes, and once they see you always jumping, they’ll shut you down.

That doesn’t mean never jump. Use it to avoid projectiles or to mix things up, but always have a reason to jump. Be mindful of when and how you jump—mix in neutral jumps, jump kicks, or delayed timing to stay unpredictable. Stay grounded when it counts.

6. Poor Meter Management

MK11’s dual meter system—offensive and defensive—is a key part of your toolkit. Yet many beginners burn all their resources too early. Offensive meter is used to amplify moves and extend combos. Defensive meter allows you to break out of juggles, roll out of corners, or wake up with invincible attacks.

Learn to hold on to meter until it counts. Don’t always amplify every move just because you can. If you use it all in Round One, what happens when you get cornered in Round Two with no escape tools? Efficient meter usage can flip a match even when you’re behind.

5. Learning Too Many Characters Too Soon

Exploring the roster is fun—but trying to master five characters in your first week? That’s a trap. Each fighter has their own tools, mechanics, and combos, not to mention that you’re still learning the game’s fundamentals.

Focus on one or two characters until you understand spacing, defense, pressure, and how the game flows. Once you’ve got that down, you’ll be in a much better position to branch out and pick up new mains or counter-picks.

4. Relying on Tier Lists

Tier lists might be tempting, especially if you’re serious about winning. But unless you’re competing at tournament-level play, they aren’t gospel. Just because a character is S-tier doesn’t mean they’re right for you—or that they guarantee success.

Play the character who feels right. Top-tier characters still require skill and knowledge. And remember, balance patches happen. A “low-tier” character today could win a tournament tomorrow—just ask Johnny Cage players. It’s the player, not the tier, that makes the biggest difference.

3. Practicing Combos Only in Training Mode

Learning combos is essential—but just memorizing them in practice mode doesn’t mean you’re ready to land them in matches. Too many new players drill combos on a standing AI and then freeze up in live matches.

Practice situational combos. Learn your mid-screen, corner, and anti-air follow-ups. Practice hit confirms. Know how to adjust mid-combo if the first hit is blocked. Start applying your combos in real matches—even if that means landing a basic 20% combo instead of dropping a flashy 40% string. Reliable and simple always beats stylish and inconsistent.

2. Not Using Training Mode to Its Full Potential

Training mode isn’t just a place to learn combos. It’s your lab. Use it to:

• Study frame data: Learn what’s safe and unsafe.
• Test punishes: Record the dummy doing unsafe moves and practice responding.
• Understand matchups: Set the dummy to use specific tools that give you trouble.
• Practice execution under pressure: Simulate real match flow.

Frame data isn’t as scary as it looks. Fast attacks (lower startup frames) are good for pressure and punishes, but usually do less damage. Slower attacks hit harder. Learn to balance both in your gameplay.

Honorable Mentions

• Over-aggression: Constantly rushing in without a plan gets you punished. Learn to wait and bait.
• Ignoring defensive tools: Remember your get-up attacks, rolls, and air escapes. Use them.
• Getting emotional: Tilt ruins decision-making. Stay calm and evaluate the situation.

1. Giving Up Too Early

The hardest part about fighting games is the beginning. There’s a steep curve—and the only way through is repetition and persistence. You’ll lose. A lot. You’ll drop combos, you’ll eat projectiles, and you’ll get perfected. That’s the process.

Don’t let a bad match discourage you. Use your losses as fuel. Ask yourself what went wrong, then go into training mode and work on it. Maybe you weren’t blocking properly. Maybe you whiffed a punish. Whatever it is, it’s a learning opportunity.

Progress in fighting games is gradual. One day you’re dropping a combo. The next day, you land it three times in a row. One match at a time, you get better.

Final Words

Fighting games are like chess at 60 frames per second. You don’t get good overnight, but you do get better with every match, every mistake, and every step forward. Play with purpose. Learn from your losses. And above all—have fun.

Stick with it, and you’ll be amazed how far you go.