Mortal Kombat 1 Welcomes Conan the Barbarian in Major Content Update
The legendary warrior joins the roster alongside significant gameplay improvements and technical enhancements.
Mortal Kombat 1 has expanded its roster with the arrival of Conan the Barbarian, bringing the iconic sword-wielding warrior into the brutal fighting arena. This latest update introduces the character alongside numerous gameplay improvements and technical enhancements as the game continues its Khaos Reigns storyline.
The DLC character features Arnold Schwarzenegger’s likeness from the 1982 film adaptation, with Chris Cox returning to provide voice work after his previous performance as the Terminator in Mortal Kombat 11. Conan’s moveset emphasizes brutal swordplay and powerful combinations, staying true to the character’s barbaric nature while smoothly integrating into the game’s combat system.
Fans of the original Conan mythology will appreciate the carefully crafted references throughout his moves. These include appearances by a red-clad Sonya Blade, nodding to Red Sonja, and an Animality featuring a Cimmerian bull—a callback to Conan’s childhood feat of breaking a bull’s neck. His Fatalities showcase the expected level of brutality, complete with devastating sword strikes and signature Arnold-style grunts.
Beyond Conan’s addition, the update delivers substantial character adjustments for fighters like Kitana, Raiden, and Reiko, introducing new moves and balance changes. The patch also addresses various technical aspects, including the implementation of ray-tracing options for PC and PS5 Pro users, enhancing the visual experience with improved reflections and lighting effects on select stages and characters.
Mortal Kombat 1 Technical Improvements Target Platform-Specific Enhancements
The update brings targeted improvements across different platforms. PC players receive new display and audio language options, alongside shader cache optimizations. Nintendo Switch users will notice better online practice functionality and improved Kombat League features. The PS5 Pro version gains ray-tracing support, while general fixes address AI behavior, screen reader functionality, and various visual glitches.
Character-specific adjustments modify several fighters’ capabilities. Havik’s Blood Bath mechanic now activates only below 30% health, while Kitana gains new aerial moves. The update also rectifies issues with Shang Tsung’s morphing abilities and addresses multiple Kameo fighter interactions, including improvements to Scorpion’s Flame Aura and Motaro’s Fatal Blow mechanics.