Unlocking all Kameo fighters in Mortal Kombat 1 is a game-changer for your kombat strategy-these powerful secondary fighters can turn the tide with unique special moves, combo breakers, and even their own fatalities. Starting with ten Kameos available at launch, you can unlock five more by leveling up your profile, hitting milestones at levels 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 to gain iconic fighters like Scorpion, Sub-Zero, and Motaro. The fastest way to level up and unlock them all is by diving into the new Invasion mode, where flawless victories and brutalities boost your experience gain. Mastering how Kameos work adds a fresh layer of depth to your Mortal Kombat 1 battles across Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation, and Xbox.
Some of these Kameos are older Mortal Kombat characters that didn’t make the kut for Mortal Kombat 1’s character roster, like Sonya Blade and Keno. A few of them – who you’ll need to unlock – are characters that also appear in Mortal Kombat 1 as standard fighters.
In this Mortal Kombat 1 Kameo guide, we’ll teach you how Kameos work and how to unlock all of them.
How Kameos work in Mortal Kombat 1
The Kameo system in Mortal Kombat 1 is a tag mechanic that allows players to call in a secondary character, known as a Kameo, to assist during fights. After selecting your main Fighter, you choose a Kameo who can perform special attacks such as projectiles, unique moves, or help with mobility. During combat, pressing a specific button (R1 on PlayStation or RB on Xbox) summons the Kameo to execute their assist move, provided you have at least one charge in the circular meter below your health bar, which regenerates over time. Kameos can also be used strategically to break enemy combos when the meter is full, adding depth to gameplay and combo potential. This system enhances variety and allows players to tailor their playstyle by pairing Fighters with complementary Kameos.
Every time you pick a fighter in Mortal Kombat 1, you’ll also pick a Kameo fighter. Kameos have their own set of skills, special abilities, and even finishers like Brutalities and Fatalities.
Mid-combat – as long as your Kameo Meter is at least half-full – you can use the assistbutton (R1/RB/R) to execute a special attack. Your Kameo character will then leap into the arena and fire off an attack. You can alter your Kameo’s moves by holding down a specific direction when you hit the assist button.
All Kameo fighters in Mortal Kombat 1
Mortal Kombat 1 features a diverse roster of Kameo Fighters who assist players during battles with unique moves and special attacks. The base game includes Kameo Fighters such as Cyrax, Darrius, Frost, Goro, Jax, Kano, Sareena, Sektor, Sonya Blade, and Stryker, all available from the start. Additional Kameo Fighters like Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Kung Lao, Shujinko, and Motaro are unlockable by leveling up your profile, with each unlocking at levels 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 respectively. These fighters add strategic depth by complementing your main character’s abilities, offering new combos, projectiles, and even their own fatalities.
While many of the main roster characters are available as Kameo fighters in the Kampaign, there are only 15 real Kameo characters for you to choose from at launch – only 10 of which are available when you first start the game.
Here are all Kameos you can play at launch, including those available from the get go:
- Cyrax
- Darrius
- Frost
- Goro
- Jax
- Kung Lao (locked)
- Kano
- Motaro (locked)
- Sareena
- Sektor
- Scorpion (locked)
- Shujinko (locked)
- Sonya
- Stryker
- Sub-Zero (locked)
How to unlock every Kameo in Mortal Kombat 1
To unlock every Kameo fighter in Mortal Kombat 1, you need to level up your player profile by playing the game, especially through the Invasion mode which grants experience quickly. New Kameo fighters unlock at specific profile levels: Scorpion at level 5, Sub-Zero at level 10, Kung Lao at level 15, Shujinko at level 20, and Motaro at level 25. Playing matches, achieving flawless victories, and finishing with Brutalities can speed up leveling. Initially, ten Kameo fighters are available, with these five unlocking as you progress, each bringing unique moves and fatalities to enhance your combat options.
The other five Kameos won’t be available until you increase your Mortal Kombat 1profile level, which you can do by playing the game normally. Invasions in particular are a great way to level your profile quickly, and you should have access to all five Kameo fighters before you’re even halfway done with the mode.
Here are the five unlockable Kameo characters and what profile level you unlock them at:
- Scorpion – Level 5
- Sub-Zero – Level 10
- Kung Lao – Level 15
- Shujinko – Level 20
- Motaro – Level 25
What secrets do Kameo fighters hold in turning the tide of Mortal Kombat 1 battles
Kameo fighters in Mortal Kombat 1 hold crucial secrets that can decisively turn the tide of battle by providing both offensive and defensive support. They can be summoned or ambushed to extend combos, disrupt opponents, and create openings that your main fighter alone cannot achieve. For example, Kameos can perform surprise attacks that mess with your opponent’s timing, block incoming projectiles, or stun enemies to set up powerful follow-ups. This unpredictability and versatility make Kameos essential for gaining an upper hand, especially in ranked matches where every advantage counts. Mastering when and how to call your Kameo-whether for quick combo extensions, defensive shields, or strategic mix-ups-can transform close fights into clean victories.
What hidden techniques do Kameo fighters use to surprise opponents in MK1
Kameo fighters in Mortal Kombat 1 use several hidden techniques to surprise opponents and gain the upper hand. One key tactic is to call in your Kameo right after a short attack string-such as a two-hit combo followed by pressing back and the Kameo button-to extend combos and deal significant damage, as exemplified by Sareena’s quick-hit pattern. Beyond combo extension, Kameos provide utility like armor against projectiles (e.g., Sub-Zero), gap-closing teleports (e.g., Motaro or Kung Lao), and setting up mix-ups that disrupt the opponent’s rhythm.
Kameos also have unique finishers and special moves that can be integrated into your strategy. For instance, some Kameos can launch enemies into the air to enable aerial combos, or perform surprise attacks that break the flow of the opponent’s offense. Timing is crucial-using Kameo moves during or immediately after your own attacks maximizes their effectiveness, while calling them in neutral situations is often less impactful.
Additionally, Kameos can assist with combo breakers, providing a defensive option to escape enemy combos at the cost of meter and availability. Their special abilities and finishers often reference classic Mortal Kombat moves, adding both flair and tactical depth to fights. Mastering these hidden techniques makes Kameos invaluable tools for catching opponents off guard and turning battles in your favor.
