Mortal Kombat 11 launched on 23 April 2019 from NetherRealm Studios and grew to a 37-fighter roster through the Aftermath expansion and two Kombat Packs, packaged together as MK11 Ultimate from 17 November 2020. Its defining systems are Fatal Blows, Krushing Blows and Kustom Variations, wrapped around a third-person Krypt set on Shang Tsung's island. NetherRealm has long since moved on to Mortal Kombat 1, so MK11 is a finished game rather than a live one: it and its DLC were still on sale in early 2026 and it holds Steam Deck Verified status, but no balance patch is coming.
Your choice of weapons defines your damage output and playstyle. This guide ranks every major option, explains what makes each one strong, and tells you which builds they pair best with.
Weapons Rankings
| Weapon | Tier | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scorpion's Spear | S | Punishing whiffed attacks and projectiles from mid-screen. | The series' most recognisable move, a thrown spear that pulls the opponent in for a free combo. |
| Sub-Zero's Ice Klone | A | Controlling approach angles and forcing the opponent to take a bad route. | A stationary ice construct that freezes anyone who touches it. |
| Cetrion's Hell's Wrath | A | Covering the space above and in front of an approaching opponent at once. | A rock that drops from above at a set distance, one half of the two-direction pressure that made Cetrion a top-tier zoner. |
| Fujin's Wind Push | B | Escaping close-range pressure and re-establishing your preferred range. | A gust that pushes the opponent back, resetting spacing on demand. |
| Jacqui Briggs' Up Rocket | B | Anti-airing predictable jump-ins and converting them into full combos. | An upward rocket that covers the air space in front of her, one of the reasons Jacqui is difficult to jump in on. |
S-Tier: Scorpion's Spear
The series' most recognisable move, a thrown spear that pulls the opponent in for a free combo. In MK11 it is slower and more committal than in earlier entries, so it functions as a punish tool rather than a neutral option.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | S |
| Best For | Punishing whiffed attacks and projectiles from mid-screen. |
| Key Mechanic | Fatal Blow |
| Recommended Role | Zoner |
How to get it: Available from mid-game onward. See our walkthrough for the exact progression point.
Best builds using Scorpion's Spear: Pairs naturally with Zoner thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
A-Tier: Sub-Zero's Ice Klone
A stationary ice construct that freezes anyone who touches it. It is the backbone of every Sub-Zero game plan because it converts a defensive position into a trap without spending meter.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Best For | Controlling approach angles and forcing the opponent to take a bad route. |
| Key Mechanic | Krushing Blow |
| Recommended Role | Rushdown |
How to get it: Accessible in the early-to-mid game. Check our maps guide for the location.
Best builds using Sub-Zero's Ice Klone: Pairs naturally with Rushdown thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
A-Tier: Cetrion's Hell's Wrath
A rock that drops from above at a set distance, one half of the two-direction pressure that made Cetrion a top-tier zoner. Combined with her ground-level projectiles it leaves very little safe space to stand.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Best For | Covering the space above and in front of an approaching opponent at once. |
| Key Mechanic | Kustom Variations |
| Recommended Role | Setplay Specialist |
How to get it: Accessible in the early-to-mid game. Check our maps guide for the location.
Best builds using Cetrion's Hell's Wrath: Pairs naturally with Setplay Specialist thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
B-Tier: Fujin's Wind Push
A gust that pushes the opponent back, resetting spacing on demand. It is what lets Fujin fight the zoning war on his own terms rather than reacting to someone else's projectile pattern.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Best For | Escaping close-range pressure and re-establishing your preferred range. |
| Key Mechanic | Separate offensive and defensive meters |
| Recommended Role | Grappler |
How to get it: Found in later areas. Our walkthrough covers when you can access this.
Best builds using Fujin's Wind Push: Pairs naturally with Grappler thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
B-Tier: Jacqui Briggs' Up Rocket
An upward rocket that covers the air space in front of her, one of the reasons Jacqui is difficult to jump in on. It also opens combo routes that let her convert an anti-air read into real damage.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Best For | Anti-airing predictable jump-ins and converting them into full combos. |
| Key Mechanic | Flawless Block |
| Recommended Role | Neutral and Footsies Player |
How to get it: Found in later areas. Our walkthrough covers when you can access this.
Best builds using Jacqui Briggs' Up Rocket: Pairs naturally with Neutral and Footsies Player thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
Weapons Progression Path
The order you should acquire weapons as you progress:
- Starting gear → Enough to clear Shang Tsung's Island (the Krypt)
- Sub-Zero's Ice Klone → Your first real upgrade, available early
- Cetrion's Hell's Wrath → Mid-game upgrade with good scaling
- Scorpion's Spear → Best-in-slot, aim for this by late game
- Upgrade to max → The power spike from max upgrades is enormous
Weapons Tips
- Always upgrade your primary weapon before diversifying. One strong option beats three mediocre ones.
- Match your weapons to your build's stat priorities for maximum scaling.
- Spend Krushing Blows in the first round rather than saving them. Every Krushing Blow condition resets between rounds, so a Krushing Blow you held onto and never used is damage you threw away.
- Check our tier list for how weapons rankings affect overall build effectiveness.
More Mortal Kombat 11 Guides
- Mortal Kombat 11 Mortal Kombat 11 Overview
- Mortal Kombat 11 Best Builds
- Mortal Kombat 11 Tier List
- Mortal Kombat 11 Walkthrough
- Mortal Kombat 11 Beginner's Guide
- Mortal Kombat 11 Tips & Tricks
- Mortal Kombat 11 Combat Guide
- Mortal Kombat 11 Boss Guide
- Mortal Kombat 11 Maps & Locations
- Mortal Kombat 11 Crafting Guide
- Mortal Kombat 11 Classes & Characters
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