Balance is the hardest thing to get right in any game with a major competitive fanbase. Weakening an overpowered character in one patch can cause them to fall into the underused tier, while strengthening a less-used character in another can cause them to shoot up the ranks and overwhelmingly dominating the competition. Such is the case right now in the Mortal Kombat 11 competitive scene with Jacqui Briggs' "Upgraded" variation, which many players are calling for to be nerfed, if not removed completely.
Since being added to the series in Mortal Kombat X, variations have been a staple in the competitive community. By allowing players to choose different loadouts for each character, fitting them with variation-specific abilities and kombos, the variation system has opened up a wide new variety of potential play styles, no longer limited to character choice alone. In MK11, the series expanded variations even further, adding even more and even giving players the option to create their own custom loadouts.
But with so many options available to players, the potential of certain variations are bound to be abused. Jacqui Briggs' third variation "Upgraded," for example, was added in October as part of Mortal Kombat 11's Season 4 patch. Since then, this new version of Jacqui has been appearing more and more in tournaments, dominating all but the best of the best competitors. "Upgraded" has slipped under the radar for the most part, avoiding being nerfed in past few month's patches, but some fans are starting to bring attention to what many claim is an overpowered variation.
Like most other MK11 variations, "Upgraded" outfits Jacqui with three bonus abilities in addition to her standard moveset. Bionic Bounce allows her to leap forwards, upwards, or backwards at a much greater distance than a regular jump. Enhanced Air Blast lets her amplify her Shrapnel Blast ability in the air, causing her to briefly float and avoid potential counterattacks. Finally, (Air) Ground Pound allows Jacqui to plummet downwards in midair, causing a damaging shockwave upon landing.
Individually, these abilities may not seem that overpowered, but used together by a skilled enough Mortal Kombat player, they make Jacqui a force to be reckoned with, allowing her to chain extended combos with massive damage. By using Bionic Bounce to close in on her Mortal Kombat 11 opponents, a competent Jacqui player can easily stagger an opponent with Enhanced Air Blast before dropping down and locking them into a combo with Ground Pound.
What makes this combination even more deadly is the number of options Jacqui has to avoid being countered or punished during her onslaught, as Bionic Bounce can be used in any direction, and Enhanced Air Blast can be used twice in a row in case Jacqui's opponent anticipates her first attack. What makes "Upgraded's" advantages more worrying than, say, Sub-Zero's newfound exploit against Nightwolf is that it can be used effectively against almost any fighter.
While overpowered, an "Upgraded" Jacqui isn't completely unstoppable. Characters with quick anti-air attacks like D'Vorah have proven to be effective foils against this variation. Furthermore, due to MK11's meter system, characters can only use two amplified special moves in quick succession before having to wait for them to recharge. This caveat can effectively neutralize a Jacqui player's battle plan if they use up their meter too quickly. Despite her potential counters, and the fact that playing as "Upgraded" Jacqui isn't exactly cheating, many believe that it's time for the developers to step in and nerf the variation that's been dominating the Mortal Kombat community in recent months.
Mortal Kombat 11 is out now for PC, PS4, Stadia, Switch, and Xbox One.