So you wanna know about Raiden from Mortal Kombat? Smart move. Whether you're a longtime fan or just discovered this lightning-slinging powerhouse, I've been exactly where you are – diving into wikis at 2 AM trying to understand why this blue-hatted god keeps changing alignments. Let's cut through the noise and talk real MK lore without the fluff.
Who Exactly IS Raiden?
Raiden's not just some dude with electric powers. He's Earthrealm's eternal guardian god, and honestly? He's kinda bad at his job sometimes. Look, I love the guy – been maining him since MKII – but let's be real: his decisions in the storylines give me anxiety. Remember when he killed Liu Kang? Yeah, that was... a choice.
His origin's straightforward: eternal protector, answers to the Elder Gods, wears that iconic rice hat like it's Gucci. But here's what most articles miss – Raiden's constantly wrestling with his own rules. He can't directly interfere unless other gods step in first. Talk about bureaucratic red tape!
Personal rant: His MK11 redesign had me conflicted. The armored look? Cool. Losing the classic hat? Blasphemy. But that glowing eye effect when he powers up? *chef's kiss*
Key Facts Every MK Fan Should Know
| Attribute | Details | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| First Appearance | Mortal Kombat (1992) | Only original character besides Liu Kang in every main game |
| Alignment | Usually Lawful Good (except Dark Raiden arcs) | His moral shifts create major plot twists |
| Signature Weapon | Staff of Edenia (Varies by game) | Extends combo potential in fighting mechanics |
| Voice Actor | Richard Epcar (Since MK vs DC) | That gravelly "OUTSTANDING" is iconic |
Raiden's Wild Power Evolution
Remember MK1 Raiden? Dude had like three moves. Now he's basically Thor on steroids. But not all upgrades stuck – his MK: Armageddon flying mechanic felt clunky as hell. Here's how his abilities shaped up:
Essential Raiden Moves Through History
| Move | First Seen | Current Status | Combo Utility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric Fly | MKII (1993) | Core move in MK11 | Closing distance + pressure tool |
| Torpedo | MK3 (1995) | Removed after MK4 | Was OP for corner escapes |
| Shocking Touch | MK: Deception (2004) | Variation move in MK11 | Frame trap beast |
| Lightning Storm (X-Ray) | MKX (2015) | Evolved into Fatal Blow | 35% unblockable damage |
Fun story: I once lost a tournament match because I relied too much on his teleport. Lesson? Raiden's not about spamming specials – he's a positioning character. Gotta control space like a chess master.
Gameplay Breakdown: Dominating as Raiden
Wanna stop button-mashing? Here's the real tea from competitive play:
Why Raiden Rules
- Best teleport in MK11 (recovery frames are stupidly fast)
- Electric fly punishes zoning HARD
- Fatal Blow has armor properties (tank through attacks)
- B2,1 string is plus on block (keep that pressure!)
Why Raiden Makes You Cry
- Duckable highs in key strings (looking at you, F11)
- No reliable overhead starter
- Struggles against rushdown characters
- Complex optimal combos (justice requirements are brutal)
Pro Player Tips They Won't Tell You
- Frame Trap Secret: After blocked Superman, immediately input Shocking Touch. Catches mashers 80% of time
- Corner Carry Combo: F1,1 → DB2 (amp) → dash → B1,1 → BF3 (33% midscreen)
- Mind Game Trick: Teleport cancel into throw. Works twice per match max against good players
- Matchup Must: Against Scorpion? Never teleport first. Ever.
"Raiden rewards patience. You're playing the long game, not fishing for Krushing Blows." - Anonymous tournament champ (after kicking my ass)
The Dark Raiden Saga: What Actually Happened?
Okay, let's unpack MK's most confusing plot twist. After Armageddon, Raiden said "screw diplomacy" and went full Punisher mode. Why? Because centuries of getting screwed over by rules made him snap. Personally? I thought Dark Raiden was badass in concept but wasted in execution.
Timeline breakdown:
- MKX Ending: Becomes dark after corrupted by Shinnok's amulet
- MK11 Intro: Terrorizing villains pre-main story
- The Twist: Past Raiden kills present Dark Raiden (time travel headaches!)
Missed opportunity: NetherRealm teased a Raiden civil war that never happened. Still salty about that.
Raiden's Wildest Story Moments
| Game | Controversial Moment | Fan Reaction |
|---|---|---|
| MK: Deadly Alliance | Let Shao Kahn "win" to expose Shang Tsung | 50% called it genius, 50% called it character assassination |
| MK9 | Murders Liu Kang to prevent worse fate | Fandom still divided after 10+ years |
| MK11 Aftermath | Becomes Fire God with Liu Kang | "Finally a W for our boy!" - Reddit |
Raiden FAQ: What Players Actually Ask
Why does Raiden from Mortal Kombat keep changing sides?
Great question. It boils down to his "protect Earthrealm at any cost" directive. When diplomacy fails (which it always does), he becomes more extreme. MKX's corruption arc just amplified existing frustrations.
Is Raiden stronger than Fujin?
Lore-wise? Debatable. Fujin controls wind/air which counters lightning. Gameplay-wise? Fujin's more technical but Raiden hits harder. Personal take: Fujin's tornadoes annoy me more to fight against.
What's Raiden's worst matchup in MK11?
Jacqui Briggs. No contest. Her pressure shuts down his spacing tools. I'd rather fight Geras 10 times than Jacqui once.
Why did Raiden wear that ridiculous hat?
Original designer John Tobias said it was inspired by Toshiro Mifune samurai films. Real talk? Probably hid bad sprite work in MK1. Thank god for redesigns.
Raiden's Visual Evolution
From pixelated mess to god of thunder:
- MK1-3: Blue onesie, awkward lightning hands
- MK4: Added armor (still looked like plastic)
- MKDA-MKA: Edgy black costume phase
- MK9: Return to classic with detail upgrade
- MKX: Dark Raiden's glowing veins era
- MK11: Functional armor + cape physics masterpiece
Personal favorite? MK11's "Revenant" skin. That ashy glow with red lightning? Perfection.
Competitive Scene Truths
Wanna use Raiden in tournaments? Brace yourself:
Pro Insight: "Top tiers abuse him up close. You win by making opponents respect your space control." - MK11 EVO top 8 player
Reality Check: He's rarely banned but almost never wins majors. Requires insane matchup knowledge.
Raiden Tier Rankings History
| Game Version | Tier Position | Patch Changes |
|---|---|---|
| MK11 Launch | Bottom 5 | Terrible frames + unsafe strings |
| After First Patch | Mid Tier | B1,1 damage buff made combos viable |
| Current (Post-ultimate) | High Tier | Electric fly recovery reduced + new krushing blows |
Final thoughts? Raiden from Mortal Kombat embodies the series' soul – flashy, dramatic, and unapologetically extra. Is he perfect? Hell no. But when you land that 40% corner combo with sparks flying everywhere? Feels like being a god yourself.
Still got questions? Hit me on Twitter – I'll settle your Raiden debates personally.
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