Sometimes, you want a character with cool abilities and interesting projectiles when you playMortal Kombat 1, and that is Rain. He can control water, using his various abilities to keep enemies at bay while also using his staff to fight against them, providing him with multiple tactics in different situations.

Rain has some unique mechanics that may make it challenging to play as him effectively, so you’ll need to spend some time seeing what he can do. As you learn his different moves, you can find out which Kameos synergize with him and start learning how to play him to win matches.

Rain and Johnny Cage clash against each other to fight in Mortal Kombat 1.

Rain Overview

As you can tell from the design, Rain has aprojectile-heavy play style,meaning you’ll mostly play keep away and focus onpreventing your opponents from reaching you.

He also has a good range on some of his normals and ways to fight off the enemy.

Rain using his Water Beam to launch an attack at Johnny Cage in Mortal Kombat 1.

Because of that, Rain performs best at a distance with a few tools to help him mid-range.He struggles at close range, since he can’t get his attacks to come out fast enough,and the enemy will be able to apply pressure.

With that in mind, you’ll want todevelop a defensive play style.

Rain blocking an attack and sliding back as Kano stands beside him in Mortal Kombat 1.

Rain has some solid escape tacticsto help him avoid trouble and moves to knock opponents away.

Since Rain is reliant on projectiles and distance, you must be mindful as you play him. If you throw out moves and hope for the best, your opponent can close the distance and take you down.

Rain calls on Kano to use his laser Kameo in Mortal Kombat 1.

With that in mind, Rain will take some practice, and you’ll need tolearn the distances on his movesto make the most of his kit.

Rain Special Moves

With Rain offeringmultiple special moves that can interact with his other abilities, you’ll need to go through his moves and their Enhanced versions to get a feel for how all the attacks synergize.

Water Beam

Back, Forward, 1

You shoot out a water stream forward, dealing damage. If you Enhance it, the move will deal extra damage.

Water Beam Charge

Hold 1 after Water Beam

You charge the attack for a second, then launch it, dealing more damage.It causes the opponent to crumple, so if they’re close enough, you can combo them.

Youdash backward and cancel the move.

Rain using his first Fatality on Tanya, causing water to swirl around her in Mortal Kombat 1.

Upflow

Down, Back, 1

You shoot water forward and up, whichcan work as an anti-air. Enhancing it deals more damage and lets you jump cancel it.

Water Gate

Down, Back, 2

You create a water portal, which you can interact with by using other moves.

Water Gate Teleport

Down, Forward, 2

You jump into a water gate andhop through the most recently created one, making them all disappear.

Confluence Beam

Back, Forward, 2 + Block

This move requires two Water Gates. You’ll have aflow of water instantly hit between the portals. It also costs a bar of Super Meter. It launches people into the air, so you can combo them.

Water Gate Teleport To Oldest Portal

Down, Forward, Back, 2

Instead of teleporting to the most recent portal, yougo to the oldest one.

(Air) Water Gate Teleport

The same asthe Water Gate Teleport, except you use it in the air.

(Air) Confluence Beam

Down, Forward, 2 + Block

The same asConfluence Beam, except you use it in the air.

(Air) Water Gate Teleport To Oldest Portal

The same as the grounded version, but you can use it while in the air.

Geyser

Down, Back 3

You launch two blast of water on the ground, launching enemies into the air. TheEnhanced version deals more damage and has Armor.

(Far) Geyser

Hold Forward after Geyser

Just like the other version, but you use it at mid-range rather than close.

Water Shield

Forward, Down, Back, 4

You create abarrier that destroys projectiles. Enhancing it causes the shield to follow you.

Ancient Trap

Back, Forward, 4

You throw water on the ground, pulling the opponent in and throwing them into the air. You can combo them after this move.

Rain God

Down, Down, Up

You hop into the air,throwing an electric sphere at mid-range. If it hits, the opponent launches, and you’re able to combo them.

Rain God Delay

Hold Up after Rain God

You’llstay in the air and can throw it after a few secondsor when you release Up.

Rain God Cancel

Press Flip Stance after Rain God Delay

You can drop back to the ground, not using the move.

Since the controls vary depending on the platform you play on, you canuse the following notation and apply it to your controls. That way, you’ll know what to press and which directions to hold as you play.

Forward: Toward the enemy

Back: Away from the enemy

Rain Tips

As you play Rain, you’ll do best when youstick to the edge of the screen but not to the point where you get trapped in the corner.

Try tofind time to create a Water Gate. That way, if your opponent forces you to the corner, you’re able to reset the fight and put yourself in a better position.

Regarding Rain’sSuper Meter, you’ll want tosave it for combo breakers and Confluence Beam. Confluence Beam can be an excellent way to catch enemies off-guard and combo people if you position yourself correctly.

If you don’t plan on using it, acombo breaker can be the perfect way to push people awaywhen they start attacking you. Otherwise, you’ll want to keep your distance and play it safe.

Remember thatyou do have some decent combos. Don’t be afraid to learn some of them and even use your Kameos to transition into those attacks so you’ll punish people for playing too carelessly.

Rain Kameo Tips

As you play Rain, you’ll want to pick Kameos to give youmore projectiles, a teleport, or as a get off me tool. TryKano, Motaro, and Scorpion.

Kano’s Neutral Kameo shoots a laser that deals good damage and comes out much faster than your projectiles. The double knife throw applies more pressure to enemies while you use other moves.His Forward Kameo works as a get-off-me tool, making Kano a balanced choice.

Motarooffers multiple projectiles to apply pressure to the enemy.He also has a teleport, moving you behind the opponentto keep your distance and apply more pressure. Pick Motaro if you want to focus on staying away from your enemies.

As for Scorpion, he has solid get-off-me tools with his Forward and Neutral Kameos, shooting fire in specific spots to prevent jump-ins. You also have his Back Kameo,which pulls you away from the enemy, allowing you to quickly create distance. Go with him if you need more defensive options.

Rain Fatalities

You’ll start with Rain’s first Fatality, but if you want to unlock the second one, you’llneed to get to Mastery Rank 14 with him.

If you want to master these Fatalities and use them whenever you feel like it, you should pick Learn on the Main Menu, then select Fatalities to practice them.