Mortal Kombat games such as Mortal Kombat X (2015) and Mortal Kombat 1 (2023) have a wide range of modifiers available in different modes. These modifiers change the way the game is played. Usually, they are simple modifiers like increased health or damage. Sometimes, they are significantly more powerful and can end a round or even a match.
The Brutality Kombat Modifier is intended to provide a straightforward and competitive alternative way to conclude a match. When this modifier is active, all standard brutality requirements are completely removed. There are no health thresholds, round restrictions, or situational conditions that need to be met.
It does not matter who is winning or losing, how much health either character has remaining, or which round the match is currently on. A brutality does not need to occur on the final hit, the final round, or after a specific setup. None of the usual constraints apply.
Any move that has a potential brutality attached to it will automatically trigger its brutality animation as soon as the move connects. Moves that normally only allow brutalities at the end of a match now function as decisive finishers at any point while the match is still in progress.
When a brutality is triggered under this modifier, it immediately ends the entire match, not just the current round. The opponent is killed, and the performing player is declared the winner outright. This makes brutalities a legitimate and consistent win condition rather than a situational bonus.
Both players are equally able to use this mechanic. Either character can end the match at any time as long as the fight has not already concluded, regardless of score, round count, or remaining health. In practice, this creates a more direct and competitive way to finish an opponent, rewarding clean execution and deliberate move choice without relying exclusively on traditional match winning requirements.
Games: Mortal Kombat X (2015), Mortal Kombat 11 (2019), Mortal Kombat 1 (2023).