NetherRealm Studios Lead Developer Ed Boon has revealed that Mortal Kombat 1 will be undergoing major balance changes, and also revealed modern information about the character Takeda, who will be appearing in the upcoming DLC.
In the tweet below, Boon said that Takeda will be playable at the upcoming Evo fighting game tournament on the weekend of July 19, and posted a video showing the character interacting with Smoke before the fight. We see Takeda, one of the so-called Kombat Kids, alongside Cassie Cage, Kung Jin, and Jacqui Briggs, with his signature bladed whips.
Takeda @ @Evo#MortalKombat11 photo: twitter.com/MRIB4385kQ
— Ed Boon (@noobde) July 11, 2024
Takeda is the final DLC character from Kombat Pack 1 and is set to release later this month alongside the final Kameo character, Ferra. Dataminers have already uncovered evidence suggesting that another six DLC characters will be coming to the bloody fighting game as part of Kombat Pack 2.
In a separate series of tweets, Boon said that Takeda’s Evo build includes upcoming bug fixes and a balance patch with “significant improvements” to various characters in the game. Nitara, for example, is set to receive “major” buffs. Kameo Warriors will also receive buffs. Detailed patch notes will be released early next week.
This version of Takeda will also include bug fixes and a balance patch, significantly improving fighters such as:
Nitara (some MAJOR buffs)
Li Mei (modern pop-up combo series)
Quan Chi (modern portal kick)
Scorpion (EX-teleport boost)Crazy jump buff with hook…
— Ed Boon (@noobde) July 11, 2024
…and many other improvements/buffs not listed here…
We will release detailed information on the Takeda version early next week.
(4 of 8)
— Ed Boon (@noobde) July 11, 2024
According to Boon, fan polls have revealed the top five characters the community hopes to see get much-needed balance changes. Meanwhile, fans really want modern Kameo characters. Perhaps Kombat Pack 2 will offer another set along with modern DLC characters.
As for the players on the list, they’ve appeared on a lot of your lists…
Good
Hawk
Shang Tsung
Below zero
Quan Chi
LateWait for further information!
(6 of 8)— Ed Boon (@noobde) July 11, 2024
Finally, we would like to sincerely thank all MK fans who keep our games at the top of the bestseller lists, even 9 months after release!
(8 of 8) photo: twitter.com/dCi5TpTjHx
— Ed Boon (@noobde) July 11, 2024
NetherRealm has confirmed plans to reveal the future of Mortal Kombat 1 at San Diego Comic-Con 2024, during a panel scheduled for Friday, July 26 at 2pm PST / 5pm EST / 10pm UK Time. The plans for Year 2 could include what Boon has already hinted at for Mortal Kombat 1, such as: story DLC and “big surprise after that”. Meanwhile, Mortal Kombat 2 Movie is scheduled for release on October 24, 2025.
Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter @wyp100. You can contact Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
