Pre-FAQ: A notation write up by Azuro:
I posted this on Testyourmight.com, but I thought it could be a good idea to post it on SRK as well to help people new MK9 (like myself) get to know the basics.
I’ll update with more questions/answers as the topic progresses.
Q: What are the controls for MK9?
A: The game works on a 5 button set up: Front Punch (FP), Back Punch (BP), Front Kick (FK), Back Kick (BK) and a Block (BLK). For Tag-Team Kombat, there is an additional Tag Button (T).
On a standard controller, there is also a Grab Button and a Flip Stance Button. Grab is done by hitting FP+FK, and Flip Stance is preformed by hitting BP+BK.
Q: What does Flip Stance mean?
A: Flip Stance will make your character turn towards the camera or away from it. It is unknown at this time what added benefits or disadvantages Flip Stance allows. (More information to come)
Q: What is that yellow bar below the characters?
A: That is the super bar, which is broken into three segments. Your meter is built in three ways:
- Dealing block (chip) damage.
- Using special moves (that hit or are blocked)
- Being hit by your opponent.
At the start of a round, each player starts with 1/3 of their gauge built. You can score an additional free segement by being first to land a clean hit on your opponent in the first round.
Q: How is meter used?
A: You can use your meter in three ways:
-With Enhanced Moves (which take 1/3)
-A Kombo Breaker (Which takes 2/3)
-An X Ray move (which takes all three segments).
Q: What is an “Enhanced” move?
A: An enhanced (EX) move is the simple act of preforming your character’s Special move (for example, Sub Zero’s Slide with 
:f:BK), but in conjuction with the block button. (:f:BK+B).
Q: What makes the Enhanced move worth the meter?
A: Enhanced moves, like their name implies, is an enhanced, suped- up version of that characters special move. The properties differ from character to character. For instance, Sub Zero’s Enhanced Ice Ball becomes the Ice Beam, which stays active longer than the Ice Ball. Mileena’s Enhanced Ball Roll will make her charge forward faster and leaves the enemy launched higher for more combos.
Q: What is a Kombo Breaker?
A: Kombo Breakers (or simply Breakers for short) are done by preforming :f:+B when in hitstun (pretty much when you’re in a big combo). They freeze the combo and knock back your opponent.
Q: What makes a Breaker worth the meter?
A: Simply put, a Breaker allows you an easy way out of a big combo or if you just need some breathing room. Be warned; your opponent can counter Breaker your breaker and allow them to move back into a favourable position.
Q: What is an X Ray move?
A: An X Ray move is preformed by hitting Flip Stance and Block at the same time.The most devestating attack you can preform on your opponent in combat. When your opponent is hit by an X Ray attack, the camera zooms in dramatically to show all the internal damage you’ve done; shattered bones, fractured skulls, crushed livers, punctured eye sockets… all sorts of brutally brutal brutal things.
Every character has their own unique X Ray move that each function differently. Some character’s X Ray’s work as counter moves, others can be comboed into easily, some work as anti- airs. Experiment with your desired character to see how their X Ray works and find a way to use it in combat.
Q: How does Tag- Team work?
A: (will be covered later)
Q: How does blocking work?
A: Blocking, as mentioned earlier is preformed by holding the block (BLK) button. Simply hold the button to gaurd against high/mid attacks, and hit :d:+Block to defend against low attacks.
Note that even when blocking an attack, you’ll take still take a fractal of the damage from that attack (chip damage). Knowing when to block and when to counter will key if you want to survive.
Q: How do Throws work?
A: Grabbing, as mentioned earlier, is done with FP+FK or the grab button if you’ve got one/prefer it. Hit Grab for a back throw that will usually send your opponent tumbling behind you, or hit :f:+Grab to throw the opponent forward.
Some characters, like Scorpion, Kano or Jax can even grab in the air. Air grabs are preformed the same way as grounded grabs, but cannot be broken out of, and (depending on the character) can be comboed into. For instance, Scorpion can do jumping foward BK>Air Grab.
Q: How can I escape or counter Throws?
A: You can escape a regular throw by hitting FP during the beginning of your opponent’s throw. To break a back throw, do the same but with BP. Be warned: Crouching can allow you to sucessfully evade your opponent’s grapple, but if you block low you can still be thrown.
