Mortal Kombat 1 reboots the franchise timeline with Liu Kang as the new keeper of time, reimagining classic characters in a new era. The defining new mechanic is the Kameo Fighter system — you select both a main fighter and a Kameo assist character who can be called in during combos, for defense, or to extend pressure. This creates a tag-team dynamic layered on top of MK's signature brutal combat. The roster features redesigned versions of classic fighters with new move sets, and the Invasion mode offers a board-game-style single-player experience.
Resource management and crafting determine how quickly your power scales. This guide covers what to prioritize, where to farm, and how to avoid wasting resources on the wrong upgrades.
Crafting Priority List
The order you should invest resources:
| Priority | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Primary weapons | Biggest damage increase per resource spent |
| 2 | Core build gear | Enables your role's key synergies |
| 3 | Defensive upgrades | Survivability for boss fights |
| 4 | Secondary weapons | Situational options for specific content |
| 5 | Consumables | Temporary boosts for hard content |
Resource Farming by Area
Living Forest
Key resources: Stage Fatality, wall splat combo opportunities, environmental interactions Farming efficiency: Low value per run, but safe and consistent
Focus on gathering materials for Sub-Zero (Main) upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Lin Kuei Temple
Key resources: Stage Fatality, wide stage for zoning, thematic freezing effects Farming efficiency: Good early-game farming spot
Focus on gathering materials for Sub-Zero (Main) upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Shang Tsung's Laboratory
Key resources: Tight stage for pressure, destructible environment, Stage Fatality Farming efficiency: Best mid-game farming, worth revisiting
Focus on gathering materials for Sub-Zero (Main) upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Outworld Coliseum
Key resources: Balanced dimensions, crowd reactions, neutral competitive stage Farming efficiency: High-value materials for late-game upgrades
This is where you farm materials for Liu Kang (Main) max upgrades. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Fire Temple
Key resources: Stage transitions, fire hazard interactions, Stage Fatality Farming efficiency: Best resources in the game, requires strong build
This is where you farm materials for Liu Kang (Main) max upgrades. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Upgrade Path
Early Game (Living Forest — Lin Kuei Temple)
- Upgrade your starting weapons to functional level
- Craft basic defensive gear
- Save specialty materials — you'll need them later
- Focus on Sub-Zero (Main) once accessible
Mid Game (Shang Tsung's Laboratory)
- Push Sub-Zero (Main) to mid-level upgrades
- Start collecting materials for Liu Kang (Main)
- Craft situational consumables for boss fights
- Upgrade build-specific gear pieces
Late Game (Outworld Coliseum — Fire Temple)
- Max out Liu Kang (Main) — this is your top priority
- Complete your build's core gear set
- Craft endgame consumables
- Optional: upgrade secondary weapons for variety
Crafting Mistakes to Avoid
- Spreading upgrades across multiple weapons — Focus one weapon to max before diversifying.
- Hoarding materials — Use them. The game provides enough if you farm efficiently.
- Upgrading the wrong gear — Check our builds guide before investing.
- Ignoring Shang Tsung's Laboratory farming — This area has the best resource-to-time ratio in mid-game.
- Crafting consumables too early — Save specialty materials for late-game recipes.
Resource Efficiency Tips
- Down+2 (uppercut) is a universal anti-air. If an opponent jumps at you, crouch and Down+2 for a full combo starter. Practice the timing in Training mode.
- Farm Shang Tsung's Laboratory during mid-game for the best return on time
- Check the walkthrough to know when each resource becomes available
- Match your farming route to your build — some classes farm faster in certain areas
More Mortal Kombat 1 Guides
- Mortal Kombat 1 Mortal Kombat 1 Overview
- Mortal Kombat 1 Best Builds
- Mortal Kombat 1 Tier List
- Mortal Kombat 1 Walkthrough
- Mortal Kombat 1 Beginner's Guide
- Mortal Kombat 1 Tips & Tricks
- Mortal Kombat 1 Weapons Guide
- Mortal Kombat 1 Combat Guide
- Mortal Kombat 1 Boss Guide
- Mortal Kombat 1 Maps & Locations
- Mortal Kombat 1 Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy Mortal Kombat 1, check out these related guides:
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- Monster Hunter Wilds Crafting Guide — action game with similar mechanics
