After a disappointing cameo in the previous entry, Kenshi is back in Mortal Kombat 1 and arguably better than ever. The blind swordsman still wields his trusty sword Sento, but this time it allows him to summon a single spirit to aid him. From his moves list to some general pointers, this guide will go over how to play Kenshi in MK1.

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Mortal Kombat 1 Kenshi Guide

  • Basic Attacks
  • Aerial Attacks
  • Throws
  • Special Moves
  • Fatal Blow
  • Fatalities
  • Brutalities
  • How to Play Tips

MK1 Kenshi Moves List

Before we map out the move list, let’s break down the general notations. We’ll be using the number system that members of the community have long used for Mortal Kombat games.

NotationCommandPlayStation InputsXbox InputsNintendo Switch Inputs1Front PunchSquareXY2Back PunchTriangleYX3Front KickCrossAB4Back KickCircleBA

Kenshi Basic Attacks

Move NameInputsSheath Slap1See No Evil1, 4Blind Sided1, 4, 1Belly BusterDown+1Silent Palm2Gut Check2, 1Tamahag-Pain2, 1, 2Spirit StrikeBack+2Silencing SoulsBack+2, 2Dark RitualForward+2Slice N’ DiceForward+2, 2PinnedForward+2, 2, Back+2Spirit AwayForward+2, 2, Forward+2Deep StabForward+2, 2, Down+2Rising FistDown+2High Kick3Sneaky SneakerDown+3Face Breaker4Heighten Senses4, 4Achilles CutterBack+4Sweeping HeelDown+4Sento StanceDown, Back, 1Disable Spirit Action (While Held)Hold R1/RBBrutal Bow1Off Balance1, 2Blind Justice1, 2, 2Five Rings SlashBack+1Transcending CutBack+1, 2Quick Laceration2Don’t Blink2, 1ImpalerBack+2Upper SliceForward+2Fading LightForward+2, 2Lost WayForward+2, 2, 1Rising BladeDown+2Hammering Heel3Tibia TapperForward+3Bad FeelingForward+3, 2GuttedDown+3Chest Cracker4Down The Middle4, 2Get Back4, 2, 1Cut DownBack+4Double TapForward+4Painful PokeDown+4

Kenshi Aerial Attacks

Move NameInputsQuick SwipeForwardUp+1BleedingForwardUp+1, 2Spirit SpikeForwardUp+1, 2, 2Hilting FlowerForwardUp+2Blooming BladeForwardUp+2. 2BootedForwardUp+2, 2, 4Flying BootForwardUp+3 or ForwardUp+4Sento Aerial AttacksDown, Back, 1Quick SliceForwardUp+1Losing BloodForwardUp+1, 1Deep CutsForwardUp+1, 1, 2Upper GashForwardUp+2TreatedForwardUp+2, 3Falling ApartForwardUp+2, 3, 4Foot FrenzyForwardUp+3 or ForwardUp+4

Kenshi Throws

Move NameInputsShoveForward+L1/LB or Forward+1+3Deep TissueL1/LB or 1+3

Kenshi Special Moves

Move NameInputsAncestral GuardDown, Forward, 1Extend Ancestral GuardDown, Forward, 1 (Hold)Ancestral Guard (Cancel)L2/LTSoul ChargeBack, Forward, 1Enhanced Soul ChargeBack, Forward, 1+R2/RTDemon DropDown, Back, 2Enhanced Demon DropDown, Back, 2+R2/RTClose Demon DropDown, Back, 2, BackEnhanced Close Demon DropDown, Back, 2+R2/RT, BackFar Demon DropDown, Back, 2, ForwardEnhanced Far Demon DropDown, Back, 2+R2/RT, ForwardRising KarmaBack, Forward, 3Enhanced Rising KarmaBack, Forward, 3+R2/RTForce PushBack, Forward, 4Charge Force PushBack, Forward, 4 (Hold)Enhanced Force PushBack, Forward, 4+R2/RTEnhanced Charge Force PushBack, Forward, 4 +R2/RT (Hold)Sento StanceDown, Back, 1Summon AncestorDown, Back, 1Spirit Bop1Double Dose2Lunging Soul3Pekara Punish4Banish AncestorDown, Back, 1Spiritual AlignmentDown, Back, 2Enhanced Spiritual AlignmentDown, Back, 2+R2/RTSoaring SentoDown, Back, 3Enhanced Soaring SentoDown, Back, 3+R2/RTTeamworkDown, Back, 4Ancestral AssistDown, Back, 4+R2/RT

Kenshi Fatal Blow

Move NameInputsTwo Heavens AssaultL2+R2/LT+RT

Kenshi Fatalities

Move NameInputsBlendedForward, Down, Down, 2

Kenshi Brutalities

Move NameInputsThe KlassicDown+2

Related: Mortal Kombat 1 Fatalities: The Complete List

How to Play Kenshi in Mortal Kombat 1

Screenshot by GameSkinny

This is one of the more complicated characters that we’ve seen so far. On his own, he has some fun, if not basic, attacks and strings to use. What sets him apart is his ability to summon his ancestor spirit. These are some things to keep in mind when learning how to play Kenshi in Mortal Kombat 1.

  • Don’t Blink is a solid starter for some of his combos.
  • Rising Karma is a great launcher that Kenshi can easily dash forward after to continue a combo.
  • The most important thing to learn is his Sento Stance, as it provides Kenshi with some new moves and summons the spirit to assist him.
  • Teamwork is a fantastic combo ender that provides a unique set up — it will leave the opponent sandwiched between Kenshi and his ancestor spirit.

He’s certainly not easy to learn, but you should have a better understanding after reading through this Mortal Kombat 1 Kenshi guide. There’s likely still plenty to discover with this character, so you can expect we’ll be updating articles like this as well as our list of all MK1 Brutalities once we have the opportunity to play more.

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