Mortal Kombat: Deception
Raiden FAQ Version 1.0 (Final)
By: Anthony Ngo 'anigz @' 'anigz @'
Date written: November 30, 2004
contact info:

Table of Contents:
1) Biography (Parts 1 & 2, first person perspective)
2) How to get Raiden
3) Why Raiden?
4) Moves
- Nan Chuan
- Jujutsu
- Staff
- Special Moves
- Fatalities

5) Combos
- Nan Chuan
- Jujutsu
- Staff
- Style Branching Combos
6) Strategies
7) Credits

1) Biography
Part 1: "I was well aware of Onaga, the former ruler of Outworld. Shao Kahn had
        been his advisor until he poisoned the Dragon King and stole Outworld
        for himself. But Onaga had somehow returned, more powerful than before.
        His powers seemed augmented by a force previously exhibited by only the
        Elder Gods. Even the might of the Deadly Alliance combined with my own
        could not defeat him. I did the only thing I could: I released my god-
        like essence in an attempt to destroy them all."

Part 2: "By the time my energies reformed in Earthrealm, I was aware of all
        that had transpired. I became disgusted with the doings of mortals.
        It was Shujinko's vanity and desire for glory that had led to the
        return of the Dragon King. I will no longer allow the will of men to
        determine the fate of this realm. They will fight for it, or I will
        destroy them. All will fear the new God of Thunder."

2) How to get Raiden
Complete Konquest Mode and return the Realm of Order. You will find Raiden
around area E-3 or E-4 surrounded by Seidan Guardsmen. Challenge and defeat
the Thunder God to obtain the key to his Koffin in the Krypt.

3) Why Raiden?
To answer this question, I'll ask another one. WHY NOT? Granted, for newcomers,
Raiden will be a difficult character to use. For MK veterans, he plays exactly
the same as in Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance. Massive combo ability,
quickness, and new moves (CLASSIC moves) that make him significantly more
powerful than in MK:DA. Raiden's combo ability, though difficult in some
aspects, rivals that of Shujinko's. His fighting styles (Nan Chuan, Jujutsu,
and Staff) remain unchanged from MK:DA.

4) Moves (as seen in the move lists)

(Abbreviation)           XBOX              PS2
   Up (U)              D-Pad Up          D-Pad Up
  Down (D)            D-Pad Down        D-Pad Down
 Toward (T)        D-Pad Left/Right  D-Pad Left/Right
  Back (B)         D-Pad Left/Right  D-Pad Left/Right
Attack 1 (1)              X              Square
Attack 2 (2)              Y             Triangle
Attack 3 (3)              A                X
Attack 4 (4)              B              Circle
Change Style (CS)      L. Trigger          L1
Block (BLK)            R. Trigger          R2
Throw (THR)              Black             R1
Pick Up Weapon (PUW)     White             L2

Distances (Abbreviation)
Opposite end of screen (OS)
Sweep (S)
Close (C)

- Nan Chuan
   Name               Button Combination
Lightning Jab                 1
Low Strike                  D + 1
Uppercut                    B + 1
Shoulder Slap               T + 1
Rainbow Chop                  2
Palm Uppercut               D + 2
Overhead Chop
               B + 2

Dual Thunder Palms          T + 2
Stepping Snap Kick            3
Shin Strke                  D + 3
Hook Leg Knockdown          B + 3
Hop Side Kick                 4
Low Chin Strike             D + 4

   Name               Button Combination
Open Hand Strike              1
Bearhand Chop               B + 1
Low Strike                  D + 1
Bent Wrist Strike             2
Thunder God Palm            T + 2
Diagonal Fist               D + 2
Front Snap Kick               3
Sweep                       B + 3
Back Sweep                  D + 3
Front Thrusting Kick          4
Front Sweep                 D + 4

   Name               Button Combination
Overhead Strike               1
Low One Handed Poke         D + 1
Upward Strike                 2
Charged Stick               B + 2
Low Strike                  D + 2
Leaping Strike                3
Reaching Poke               B + 3
Sweeping Strike             D + 3
Reverse Thrust                4
Staff Blast                 U + 4
Sweeping Swing              D + 4

-Special Moves
   Name               Button Combination
Shocking Lift Kick           THR
Static Teleport            D,U + 3
Lightning Bolt             D,B + 1
Shocking Touch             T,T + 2
Flying Thunder God         T,T + 4


Fatality 1: B,D,T,D + 1 (S)
            As in the opening movie sequence, Raiden will begin his God-essence
            release spell. He will then raise his hand in the air and
            lightning strikes as both Raiden and his opponent are blown to
            pieces. Not really my favourite fatality.
            anigz rates this: 1/5

Fatality 2: U,D,T,T + 1 (OS)
            Raiden raises his hand to the sky and absorbs lightning energy. He
            then annihilates his opponent with lightning until his opponent is
            blown to pieces. A typical fatality for a Thunder God, but at least
            he's not killing himself in the process.
            anigz rates this: 3/5

Hara-Kiri (Suicide): T,U,U,B + 1
                     Raiden uses his God-essence release spell to blow himself
                     anigz rates this: YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE TO USE THIS BECAUSE
                                       RAIDEN IS A THUNDER GOD and YOU SHOULD
                                       NOT LOSE AS A THUNDER GOD!!! 2/5

5) Combos
- Nan Chuan
Button Combination            Hits/Damage

Thunder Clap                    2,3                       2/13%
Trickster                    1,1,B + 2                    3/15%
Electric Strike               2,B + 1                     2/11%
The Middle Way                2,B + 2                     2/10%
Knowledge and Skill            1,1,3                      3/18%
Finishing Touch               1,1,2,3                     4/20%
Natural Way                 1,1,2,B + 2                   4/18%
Wake the Dead               1,1,2,B + 1                   4/19%

- Jujutsu
   Name                  Button Combination            Hits/Damage
Heavenly Strikes                3,4                       2/17%
Long Arm Pokes                 1,1,2                      3/19%
Essence of Strength           1,1,3,4                     4/22%
Reigning God                   1,1,3                      3/18%
Thunder God Fists            1,1,B + 1                    3/19%

- Staff
   Name                  Button Combination            Hits/Damage
Slap Down                       4,4                       2/12%
Great Lightning God            4,4,4                      3/16%
Pain From Above                4,4,3                      3/19%
Static Stick                 4,4,B + 3                    4/24%

- Style Branching Combos
NC - Start from Nan Chuan
J  - Start from Jujutsu
Style: Name              Button Combination            Hits/Damage
NC: Power Bolts           1,1,2,CS,1,B + 1                6/29%
NC: Out of Order           1,1,2,CS,1,3,4                 7/31%
NC: Blackout             1,1,2,CS,1,3,CS,4,4              9/34%
NC: Rend                 1,1,2,CS,1,3,CS,4,3              9/35%
NC: Sparky             1,1,2,CS,1,3,CS,4,B + 2           10/37%
J: Fireworks                1,1,3,CS,4,4                  6/24%
J: Dark Thunder             1,1,3,CS,4,3                  6/25%
J: Chain Lightning        1,1,3,CS,4,B + 2                7/27%

6) Strategies
For starters, Raiden can be played as a pure aggressor. Abusing the style
branching combos will almost guarantee a win. Using Raiden requires a bit of
practice, however. The only special move you should rely on is the static
teleport. If used at the proper time, you can set up a rather painful
combination attack like Sparky or Rend. Basic Kombat skills like sidestepping
attacks, ducking, forward step, back step and blocking are also good ways to 
start up a killer combo.

Against Onaga: ABUSE SPARKY and REND like NO TOMORROW. Simply touch a Kamidogu
               around the arena and utilize either combo when Onaga is
               stunned. There are 6 Kamidogu and if you use 3 either round, you
               will kill Onaga with these combos. Flying Thunder God is
               somewhat effective as well when used correctly. If it's blocked,
               however, you're in for a rough ride (Dragon throw or a combo).

7) Credits
Thanks to Midway for adding another great game to an overall amazing fighting
game series. Thanks to the overall FAQ/Move List of MZielinski for the X-Box
Controls. Thanks to The Faceless Master for his one page fatalities list.
Thanks to gamefaqs and neoseeker for putting this FAQ up. This FAQ is written 
by Anthony Ngo (anigz @ and cannot be posted 
without my consent.