Mortal Kombat 1 Fatality List: Every Finisher and Input Command

Executing a Fatality is the definitive way to conclude a match in Mortal Kombat 1. This mechanic, a staple of the franchise since its inception, requires precise positioning and a specific sequence of button inputs once the "Finish Him" or "Finish Her" prompt appears. Following the massive expansions like Khaos Reigns, the roster has grown significantly, introducing new characters and returning mechanics like Animalities.

This comprehensive list provides the commands for every character currently available, including DLC fighters and Kameo assists.

Input Legend and Execution Distances

Before attempting these finishers, it is essential to understand the universal notation used in the fighting game community. Since Mortal Kombat 1 is available on multiple platforms, the following numbers correspond to the default face buttons:

1 (Front Punch): Square (PS), X (Xbox), Y (Switch)
2 (Back Punch): Triangle (PS), Y (Xbox), X (Switch)
3 (Front Kick): X (PS), A (Xbox), B (Switch)
4 (Back Kick): Circle (PS), B (Xbox), A (Switch)
Block: R2 (PS), RT (Xbox), ZR (Switch)
Kameo: R1 (PS), RB (Xbox), R (Switch)

Positioning Guide:

Close: Stand directly next to the opponent.
Mid: Stand approximately two to three steps away (sweep distance).
Far: Stand at the opposite side of the screen or at least a full jump's distance away.

Main Roster Fatality List

Ashrah

Ashrah utilizes her Kriss to purge evil, and her finishers reflect her journey toward enlightenment through violence.

Heavenly Light (Mid): Down, Forward, Down, 2
Threads of Ill Will (Mid): Down, Down, Back, 4
Animality (Mid): Down, Forward, Down, 4

Baraka

The Tarkatan leader uses his blades and raw ferocity. His fatalities are among the most visceral in the game.

Split Decision (Close): Back, Forward, Down, 1
Fatality 2 (Close): Forward, Back, Down, 4
Animality (Mid): Back, Down, Down, 2

General Shao

Shao’s finishers involve his massive axe and his immense physical strength.

Spin Cycle (Mid): Back, Forward, Down, 1
Axe-ident (Mid): Down, Forward, Back, 1
Animality (Mid): Back, Down, Down, 4

Geras

Geras manipulates the sands of time and the fabric of reality itself.

Sand Storm (Mid): Forward, Down, Down, 4
Temporal Execution (Close): Down, Forward, Back, 1
Animality (Mid): Back, Forward, Down, Forward

Havik

The cleric of Chaos uses his own regenerative body and limbs as weapons.

Atomic Heart (Close): Down, Forward, Down, 4
Fatality 2 (Close): Forward, Back, Down, 2
Animality (Mid): Forward, Back, Down, 2

Johnny Cage

Johnny maintains his Hollywood flair, often involving cameras, stunt doubles, or his own ego.

Hollywood Walk of Pain (Close): Forward, Back, Down, 2
Fatality 2 (Mid/Far): Forward, Down, Back, 4
Animality (Mid): Forward, Back, Forward, 2

Kenshi

Using the spirit of his ancestors and his Sento blade, Kenshi’s fatalities are precise and elegant.

Blended (Close): Forward, Down, Down, 2
Fatality 2 (Mid): Back, Down, Back, 1
Animality (Mid): Down, Down, Down, 1

Kitana

The Princess of Outworld utilizes her steel fans with lethal precision.

Royal Blender (Mid): Down, Forward, Down, 4
Last Kiss (Close): Down, Down, Back, 4
Animality (Mid): Down, Down, Forward, Down

Kung Lao

A master of the Shaolin, his razor-rimmed hat is the centerpiece of every execution.

Lao's and Clear (Mid): Back, Forward, Back, 4
Fatality 2 (Close): Back, Down, Down, 3
Animality (Mid): Back, Forward, Back, 2

Li Mei

Her Sun Do heritage is reflected in her use of purple energy and fireworks.

Roman Candle (Close): Forward, Back, Forward, 3
Grand Finale (Close): Back, Forward, Down, 4
Animality (Mid): Down, Back, Down, 1

Liu Kang

The Fire God commands the cosmic elements of fire and dragons.

Double Dragon (Close): Down, Forward, Back, 4
Spaghettification (Close): Back, Forward, Back, 3
Animality (Mid): Down, Back, Down, 4

Mileena

Her Tarkatan jaws and dual Sais make for messy, hunger-driven finishers.

Appetizer (Close): Back, Forward, Back, 1
A Little To The Left (Close): Down, Forward, Back, 3
Animality (Mid): Forward, Back, Back, 4

Nitara

The vampire from Vaeternus relies on flight and blood-letting.

Vaeternian Sacrifice (Mid): Down, Down, Back, 1
Fatality 2 (Mid/Far): Back, Down, Back, 4
Animality (Mid): Down, Back, Forward, 1

Raiden

The young champion of Earthrealm channels lightning with shocking results.

The Storm's Arrival (Close): Back, Forward, Back, 2
Ride the Lightning (Mid): Down, Forward, Back, 1
Animality (Mid): Down, Back, Down, 4

Rain

Now a High Mage of Outworld, Rain uses water-based sorcery to drown or dismantle foes.

The Red Sea (Close): Down, Down, Back, 4
Under Pressure (Mid): Down, Forward, Back, 3
Animality (Mid): Forward, Back, Down, Back

Reiko

Shao’s loyal general uses brutal military tactics and gladiatorial weaponry.

The Impaler (Mid): Down, Down, Back, 2
For the General (Close): Back, Down, Down, 4
Animality (Mid): Forward, Down, Down, 1

Reptile

Syzoth switches between his human and reptilian forms to dissolve enemies with acid.

Indigestion (Mid): Forward, Back, Down, 4
Acid Reflux (Close): Forward, Down, Back, 3
Animality (Mid): Down, Down, Back, 4

Scorpion

Kuai Liang uses the fire of the Shirai Ryu and his iconic chain spear.

Eye-Palling Victory (Mid): Down, Forward, Back, Block
Killer Klones (Close): Back, Forward, Back, 2
Animality (Mid): Forward, Down, Down, 4

Shang Tsung

The sorcerer uses potions, claws, and his ability to steal souls.

Side Effects (Close): Back, Down, Down, 4
Feeding Time (Mid): Forward, Down, Back, 2
Animality (Mid): Forward, Back, Down, 3

Sindel

The Empress uses her banshee scream and prehensile hair as deadly tools.

Hair Comes Trouble (Mid): Down, Back, Down, 1
Livin' the Scream (Mid): Back, Forward, Back, 2
Animality (Mid): Back, Down, Down, 4

Smoke

A master of stealth and vapor, Smoke’s finishers are fast and disorienting.

Hazed and Infused (Any): Back, Forward, Down, 1
Up In Smoke (Any): Down, Forward, Back, 2
Animality (Mid): Down, Forward, Down, Block

Sub-Zero

Bi-Han’s cryomancy is used to create frozen sculptures of his victims.

Hairline Fracture (Any): Forward, Down, Down, 2
Brain Freeze (Close): Forward, Back, Down, 4
Animality (Mid): Down, Forward, Down, Forward

Tanya

Tanya uses her three-sectioned staff and Umgadi mystical arts.

Helping Hands (Close): Down, Back, Down, 3
Show of Hands (Mid): Back, Forward, Down, 2
Animality (Mid): Down, Back, Down, Back

DLC & Khaos Reigns Fatality List

As of the 2026 updates, the roster includes iconic guest characters and the newly reimagined cyborgs. These often require the Kombat Pack or the Khaos Reigns expansion.

Noob Saibot

The shadow assassin returns with portal-based executions.

Fatality 1 (Mid): Forward, Back, Down, 2
Fatality 2 (Mid): Down, Down, Back, 1
Animality (Mid): Down, Back, Down, 4

Cyrax

The cyber-assassin focuses on net-based traps and explosives.

Burst Your Bubble (Mid): Down, Forward, Down, 4
Fatality 2 (Mid): Back, Forward, Back, 2
Animality (Mid): Forward, Back, Forward, 3

Sektor

Sektor’s flamethrowers and missiles provide a technological end to any fight.

Fatality 1 (Mid): Back, Forward, Back, 4
Fatality 2 (Mid): Down, Forward, Back, 2
Animality (Mid): Down, Down, Forward, 4

T-1000

The liquid metal assassin from Terminator 2 uses blades and mimicry.

Judgment Day (Mid): Forward, Down, Back, 1
Liquid Metal (Close): Back, Forward, Down, 4
Animality (Mid): Down, Down, Down, 2

Ghostface

The slasher icon utilizes stealth, knives, and "meta" horror tropes.

Slashing the Fourth Wall (Close): Down, Forward, Down, 3
Fatality 2 (Close): Back, Forward, Back, 2
Animality (Mid): Down, Forward, Forward, 1

Conan the Barbarian

Conan uses raw strength and his signature sword.

Secret Ingredient (Close): Back, Forward, Down, 1
Fatality 2 (Close): Back, Down, Back, 3
Animality (Mid): Forward, Forward, Down, Down

Omni-Man

The Viltrumite's finishers are direct references to the Invincible series.

Trained Killer (Close): Down, Down, Back, 4
The Final Lesson (Mid): Back, Forward, Down, 3

Quan Chi

The necromancer uses void portals and bone-based magic.

Pentagram (Mid): Forward, Back, Down, 4
Fatality 2 (Mid): Down, Forward, Back, 2

Peacemaker

He uses his shield, his sonic helmet, and Eagly.

Pest Control (Mid): Down, Forward, Down, 4
Fatality 2 (Mid): Back, Forward, Back, 2

Ermac

The collection of souls uses psychokinesis to tear opponents apart.

Vitruvian Maim (Mid): Down, Forward, Down, 4
Fatality 2 (Close): Forward, Back, Forward, Back, 2

Homelander

The leader of The Seven uses heat vision and overwhelming arrogance.

Winging It (Mid): Down, Forward, Down, 3
Fatality 2 (Far): Back, Forward, Down, 1

Takeda

The Shirai Ryu prodigy uses high-tech whips and kunai.

Fatality 1 (Mid): Forward, Down, Down, 4
Fatality 2 (Mid): Back, Forward, Back, 2

Kameo Assist Fatality List

Kameo characters have their own single fatality that can be triggered alongside the main fighter.

Cyrax (Mid): Forward, Back, Forward, Kameo
Darrius (Mid): Down, Back, Forward, Kameo
Frost (Mid): Back, Down, Back, Kameo
Goro (Close): Back, Forward, Down, Kameo
Jax (Far): Forward, Down, Forward, Kameo
Kano (Mid): Back, Down, Forward, Kameo
Kung Lao (Mid): Forward, Back, Forward, Kameo
Motaro (Mid): Forward, Down, Down, Kameo
Sareena (Mid): Back, Down, Down, Kameo
Scorpion (Mid): Down, Forward, Down, Kameo
Sektor (Mid): Back, Forward, Back, Kameo
Sonya Blade (Mid): Back, Forward, Down, Kameo
Stryker (Mid): Forward, Down, Forward, Kameo
Tremor (Mid): Down, Forward, Back, Kameo
Khameleon (Mid): Down, Forward, Down, Kameo
Janet Cage (Mid): Forward, Back, Forward, Kameo
Mavado (Mid): Down, Forward, Back, Kameo
Ferra (Far): Down, Forward, Down, Kameo
Madam Bo (Mid): Back, Forward, Down, Kameo

Special & Seasonal Fatalities

Seasonal fatalities were introduced as unique finishers that any character can perform. These are often tied to specific holiday events or store purchases.

Halloween Finisher (Any): Block (Hold) + Up, Up
Thanksgiving Finisher (Any): Block (Hold) + Down, Down
Winter Finisher (Any): Block (Hold) + Forward, Forward

The Return of Animalities

Animalities, a fan-favorite mechanic from Mortal Kombat 3, were reintroduced as part of the Khaos Reigns update cycle. Unlike standard Fatalities, Animalities allow the fighter to transform into a spirit animal to maul their opponent. Every character in the game, including guest characters, has one Animality command. Most are performed at Mid distance.

Execution Tips for Success

Mastering the Fatality list is about more than just memorizing buttons. Here are several tips to ensure the move triggers every time:

Check the Distance: The most common reason a Fatality fails is incorrect positioning. If a move says "Close," make sure your character model is touching the opponent. If it says "Mid," stand roughly two jump-lengths away. Using the dash (Forward, Forward or Back, Back) can help you reach the sweet spot quickly.
Input Speed: You do not need to enter the commands at lightning speed, but you must be deliberate. If you press the buttons too slowly, the game might register them as separate movements or basic attacks.
Use the Block Shortcut: For fatalities that involve an "Up" input, holding the Block button while entering the directions can prevent your character from jumping, which would otherwise ruin the sequence. Just remember to release Block before pressing the final action button (1, 2, 3, or 4).
Practice in the Tutorial: Mortal Kombat 1 includes a specific "Fatality Training" mode. This mode provides a visual guide on the floor showing you exactly where to stand and a timer that resets, allowing you to practice the rhythm without the pressure of a real match.
Easy Fatality Tokens: If you find specific inputs difficult, "Easy Fatality" tokens can be used. By holding Block and pressing 3 (for the character's primary finisher) or Block and 1 (for the Kameo finisher), the game will execute the move automatically regardless of distance.

Fatalities remain the ultimate expression of victory in Mortal Kombat 1. With the current roster fully expanded, players have hundreds of ways to end a fight. Whether you are using the classic fire of Scorpion or the liquid-metal blades of the T-1000, this list ensures you are prepared to "Finish Them" in style.