Table of Contents

How Friendships Work in Mortal Kombat 11: A Complete Guide

Friendships in Mortal Kombat 11 (MK11) are a delightful alternative to the game’s brutal Fatalities. They are playful finishers that allow you to show some compassion, or at least comedic relief, towards your defeated opponent instead of ending them in a gory spectacle. To execute a Friendship, you must win the match and then, during the “Finish Him/Her” phase, input a specific button combination while standing at a certain distance from your opponent. It’s not enough just to win the match; you have a brief window of opportunity to input these commands before the match ends, making precise execution crucial. Think of Friendships as a way to inject a bit of lighthearted fun into the otherwise serious and violent world of Mortal Kombat. They are performed in the exact same way as Fatalities, only with very different outcomes, a welcome change of pace!

The Mechanics of Friendship Execution

Inputting the Correct Commands

The core of performing a Friendship in MK11 revolves around knowing the correct button inputs for each character. Unlike Fatalities, which often feature similar inputs, Friendships have distinct combinations unique to each fighter. These inputs are found in the move list of each character, under the “Finishers” section. It’s crucial to memorize or have the moves list readily available, especially if you want to avoid accidentally performing a Fatality instead. You must stand at the correct range from the opponent to ensure that the friendship is successfully executed. This is usually a medium distance, but sometimes the range can be closer or further from your opponent depending on the character.

Timing is Key

Just like performing Fatalities, timing is absolutely crucial for a successful Friendship execution. After defeating an opponent, the screen will display “Finish Him/Her,” and you have a short window to input the necessary command. If you’re too slow, the match will simply end, and you’ll have missed your chance to show off your character’s lighter side. Therefore, knowing the correct inputs ahead of time and practicing the timing is essential if you aim to get a consistent performance.

Examples of Friendship Inputs

Here’s a small taste of the different inputs required for Friendships, note that “One”, “Two”, “Three” and “Four” correspond to face buttons on your controller and can be different depending on your platform.

Baraka: Forward, Back, Down, Down, One.
Cassie Cage: Forward, Back, Down, Down, One.
Cetrion: Down, Down, Down, Down, One.
Fujin: Back, Down, Back, Down, Two.

These unique inputs emphasize that each Friendship is distinct to the individual character, reflective of their personality and backstory.

The Purpose of Friendships

A Lighthearted Contrast to Fatalities

The primary purpose of Friendships is to offer a light-hearted contrast to the brutal Fatalities that are so heavily associated with the Mortal Kombat franchise. While Fatalities are all about gore and over-the-top violence, Friendships offer a moment of levity and humor. This provides a break from the intense nature of the game and allows players to enjoy something different while still demonstrating mastery of their chosen character.

Celebrating Victory with Whimsy

Friendships also serve as a way to celebrate victory with a touch of whimsy. Rather than ending the match with the gruesome death of your opponent, you get to see your fighter participate in something fun or silly. This makes the win feel that much more satisfying and serves as a reward for those skilled enough to consistently win and perform these finishers.

A Nod to the Series’ History

The inclusion of Friendships is also a nod to the history of the Mortal Kombat series. Introduced in Mortal Kombat II, Friendships provided an alternative to Fatalities in the wake of the game’s controversy stemming from its violence and gore. Over time, Friendships have become a beloved part of the series’ identity, representing a fun and often humorous break from the violence.

Are Friendships Unlocked in MK11?

No, unlike some other aspects of the game, Friendships are not locked behind any progression system in MK11. You can perform any Friendship right from the start, as long as you have the correct inputs and successfully win the match. Every Friendship command can be found within the characters move lists under the “Finishers” section. This makes them accessible to both casual players and seasoned veterans, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the sillier side of Mortal Kombat.

FAQs: Your Questions About MK11 Friendships Answered

Here are some frequently asked questions to further your understanding of Friendships in Mortal Kombat 11:

Do I need to unlock Friendships to use them in MK11? No, you do not need to unlock Friendships. They are available for all characters from the beginning of the game, provided you know the correct button input and distance.
Are Friendships character-specific? Yes, each character has their own unique Friendship, each with different animations and button inputs.
Where can I find the list of Friendship inputs? You can find the Friendship inputs in the move list of each character, located under the “Finishers” category in the pause menu.
Do Friendships require special conditions to perform? Yes, similar to Fatalities, Friendships require the player to win the match, be in the “Finish Him/Her” phase, and input the correct command within a brief timeframe. The range between you and your opponent must also be correct.
Are Friendships just comical alternatives to Fatalities? Yes, they serve as a lighthearted alternative to the game’s brutal fatalities, offering humor and levity after a match.
What is the difference between Friendships and Fatalities? Fatalities are gory, violent finishing moves intended to kill the opponent in gruesome fashion. Friendships are fun, non-violent finishing moves where the player shows a moment of kindness.
Can I use Friendships online? Yes, you can use Friendships in online matches, provided you meet the necessary conditions to execute them.
Do Friendships do any actual damage? No, Friendships do not cause damage. They serve as a non-violent way to end a match.
Can you perform a Friendship in practice mode? Yes, you can practice executing Friendships in practice mode. This is a great way to get the timing and inputs down.
Are there hidden Friendships that need to be unlocked? No, all the Friendships are available to use from the beginning of the game. There are no hidden Friendships.
What happens if I don’t input anything during the “Finish Him/Her” phase? The match will simply end without a Friendship or Fatality being performed.
Are there any rewards or unlocks tied to performing Friendships? There are no direct rewards or unlocks tied to performing Friendships, they are purely for entertainment and showcasing mastery of a character.
Do all characters in MK11 have a Friendship? Yes, all characters in the base game of MK11, as well as DLC characters, have a Friendship move available.
Is it more difficult to perform Friendships compared to Fatalities? This depends entirely on the player and the moveset of the character in question. The button inputs are unique to each character and are memorization based.
Can you change the input commands for Friendships? No, you cannot change the default inputs for Friendships. The controls are preset and fixed for each character.

By understanding the mechanics of performing a Friendship in MK11, you can elevate your gameplay and enjoy all facets of the game. From the brutal Fatalities to the hilarious Friendships, there’s a lot of fun to be had in Mortal Kombat 11. Happy Finishing!

How do friendships work in MK11?