Raiden isn’t just a Mortal Kombat character. He’s the living embodiment of thunderous justice, a god who wields lightning with terrifying precision. Across countless games, Raiden has stunned, scorched, and vaporized his enemies with some of the most powerful special moves and finishers ever created. His attacks aren’t just strong—they’re statements of divine power. Whether you’re a fan of his classic electric blasts or his cinematic modern fatalities, Raiden’s lightning moves have defined why he’s one of Mortal Kombat’s most feared champions. Let’s dive into the ten most powerful Raiden lightning strikes that left enemies—and players—in awe.
#10: Lightning Bolt – Mortal Kombat II
Raiden’s classic projectile, the Lightning Bolt, first became a staple in Mortal Kombat II. At a time when most fighting game projectiles were simple fireballs, Raiden’s bolt was a devastating, thunderous blast that struck with terrifying speed.
The move’s simplicity belied its power. A single well-timed Lightning Bolt could halt enemy advances, punish zoning attempts, or set up brutal juggles. What made it even scarier was Raiden’s ability to spam it in certain versions, locking down opponents who dared get too comfortable.
Behind the scenes, the developers intentionally made Raiden’s projectile feel “larger than life,” giving it exaggerated sound effects and screen-shaking impact to emphasize that you weren’t just being hit—you were being punished by a god. Even today, seasoned MK players get flashbacks to the feeling of eating a surprise Lightning Bolt across the screen.
#9: Electric Fly (Torpedo) – Mortal Kombat II
Another iconic move born in Mortal Kombat II, Raiden’s Electric Fly (commonly called the Torpedo) is one of the most aggressive lightning attacks in fighting game history. Raiden rockets across the stage, arms outstretched, crackling with electricity, smashing into opponents with unstoppable force.
The Torpedo isn’t just a cool rush attack—it’s psychological warfare. Opponents knew that no distance was safe. One slip-up, and Raiden would blast across the arena in an instant, sending them flying.
Developer notes revealed that they wanted Raiden’s movement to feel “like lightning incarnate”—instantaneous, terrifying, and devastating. The Electric Fly embodied that perfectly. It made Raiden a constant threat at every range and forced opponents to respect his space—or get punished brutally.
#8: Shocking Touch – Mortal Kombat: Deception
Mortal Kombat: Deception introduced a darker, more brutal Raiden after his “death” at the end of Deadly Alliance—and his Shocking Touch move perfectly reflected his newfound rage.
Shocking Touch was a brutal grab move: Raiden would seize his opponent and unleash a concentrated burst of electricity directly into their body, frying them from the inside out. The animation showed enemies convulsing violently, smoke rising from their bodies, while Raiden calmly finished them off.
Lore-wise, this move showcased Raiden’s growing willingness to abandon restraint. It wasn’t about quick incapacitation anymore—it was about punishment. In gameplay, it gave Raiden terrifying close-range threat potential, punishing players who thought getting inside his zoning range would save them.
#7: Thunder Strike – Mortal Kombat 11
In Mortal Kombat 11, Raiden’s Thunder Strike gave players one of his most cinematic and devastating new lightning moves yet. In this attack, Raiden summons a massive bolt of energy directly from the heavens, slamming it down onto the opponent with earth-shaking force.
What made Thunder Strike truly special was its versatility. It wasn’t just a flashy finisher—it could be strategically placed to control space, punish zoning, and catch opponent’s mid-action. If an enemy dared to throw out a slow move or jump predictably, Thunder Strike made sure they paid dearly for it.
Lore-wise, Thunder Strike fits perfectly into Raiden’s evolution in MK11, where his mastery over thunder and lightning is portrayed at its absolute peak. Developers confirmed in interviews that they wanted Raiden’s MK11 moveset to feel like “the wrath of a god unleashed”—and nothing sells that image like watching an enormous lightning bolt obliterate the stage under your command. In competitive play, using Thunder Strike smartly was a game-changer that allowed skilled Raiden players to control the rhythm of the match with divine precision.
#6: Electric Burst – Mortal Kombat 9 (MK2011)
MK9 rebooted the Mortal Kombat universe and brought back classic characters with brutal, modernized movesets—and Raiden’s Electric Burst was a perfect upgrade.
With Electric Burst, Raiden surrounded himself with a powerful sphere of raw lightning energy that exploded outward, damaging and knocking back any opponents nearby. It worked as an excellent “get off me” move, punishing aggressive rushdowns and giving Raiden room to reset the fight.
Beyond its practical uses, Electric Burst was packed with visual flair. Sparks flew everywhere, the arena shook with force, and enemies reeled dramatically under the impact of divine shockwaves.
Interestingly, MK9’s design team said they built Electric Burst specifically to reflect Raiden’s control over close-quarters chaos—not just zoning or projectiles, but full 360-degree domination. Facing a Raiden who had Electric Burst locked and loaded forced opponents to respect spacing—or risk getting vaporized by a god flexing his full power.
#5: Static Trap – Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe
While Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe is often seen as a strange offshoot; it gave Raiden one of his most underrated and strategically brutal lightning moves: Static Trap.
With Static Trap, Raiden created a charged field of electricity on the ground, trapping enemies in place if they stepped into it. It was a pure mind game move—forcing opponents to either hesitate, jump predictably, or risk getting caught and stunned long enough for Raiden to launch a devastating follow-up attack.
Static Trap elevated Raiden’s zoning game to the next level. It wasn’t just about throwing fireballs or flying attacks—it was about controlling space in a way that few characters could match.
Lore-wise, Static Trap perfectly fit Raiden’s character as a tactician. He wasn’t just overwhelming foes with power—he was outsmarting them, using their fear and movement against them. Even in a crossover game often criticized for watering down characters, Static Trap proved Raiden’s moveset could still innovate and dominate.
#4: Electric Fly (Modern Version) – Mortal Kombat 11
In Mortal Kombat 11, Raiden’s classic Electric Fly was reimagined and refined into one of his most fearsome tools yet. While the old-school version had Raiden recklessly launching across the screen, the MK11 Electric Fly was faster, hit harder, and could be meter-burned for brutal extensions.
This modern Electric Fly wasn’t just a rush down tool—it was a tactical missile. Players could use it mid-combo, punish missed projectiles, and even anti-air opponents if timed correctly. Its startup was deceptively quick, making it an unpredictable threat even against cautious enemies trying to space him out.
The new Electric Fly also fit Raiden’s MK11 design philosophy perfectly: a wise, battle-hardened god who uses his classic powers with greater precision than ever before.
Developer interviews revealed that MK11’s team intentionally redesigned Electric Fly to feel “like a divine judgment—swift and unstoppable.” Landing it mid-match wasn’t just about damage; it was a statement: you could run, but you couldn’t hide from the Thunder God’s wrath.
Even among a stacked cast of crazy MK11 characters, Raiden’s modern Electric Fly remained one of the cleanest, most devastating examples of classic move evolution done right.
#3: Electric Fatality – Mortal Kombat (1992)
No list of Raiden’s lightning-based powers would be complete without his iconic Electric Fatality from the original Mortal Kombat.
Simple, direct, and utterly brutal, this Fatality had Raiden channel electricity directly into his opponent until their body exploded into a pile of scorched bones and ash. No fancy cinematics. No slow-motion drama. Just pure, unfiltered destruction, delivered with an indifferent shrug from Earthrealm’s protector.
This move wasn’t just memorable because it was cool—it was a seismic shift for the entire fighting genre. Until Mortal Kombat, finishing moves had never been so gleefully violent, and Raiden’s electric execution helped set the tone for everything Mortal Kombat would become.
Behind the scenes, the original developers said Raiden’s fatality was meant to “feel like divine punishment”—instant, overwhelming, and completely merciless. And it worked. Even today, the raw brutality of that first Electric Fatality stands tall among the most legendary finishing moves ever made.
#2: Divine Storm (Fatal Blow) – Mortal Kombat 11
In Mortal Kombat 11, Raiden’s Fatal Blow, Divine Storm, delivered one of the most spectacular and powerful lightning-based finishers in the franchise.
Divine Storm isn’t just an attack—it’s an onslaught. Raiden summons a massive barrage of lightning strikes that hit from every angle, crushing bones, frying nerves, and smashing the opponent into the ground with divine fury. The visuals are stunning: arcs of pure energy dance across the screen as Raiden roars like a true god bringing the storm.
Gameplaywise, Divine Storm added an incredible comeback tool to Raiden’s arsenal. It could turn the tide of a match instantly, punishing reckless offense or finishing off weakened foes with dramatic, arena-shaking impact.
Lore-wise, it captured everything Raiden embodies judgment, power, and righteous fury. Developers confirmed that Divine Storm was designed as a “showcase of Raiden’s ultimate wrath,” and it absolutely delivers on that promise.
#1: Thunder God Raiden’s Lightning Combos – Mortal Kombat X
At the absolute peak of his lightning-powered dominance, Mortal Kombat X’s Thunder God variation of Raiden unleashed some of the most devastating combos and setups the series had ever seen.
Choosing the Thunder God variation allowed Raiden to string together electrified combos that stunned opponents long enough for massive follow-ups. His Lightning Strike specials created stunning juggles, frame traps, and brutal corner carries that left enemies completely helpless once caught.
In tournaments, Thunder God Raiden became notorious. A single mistake against him could lead to an unrelenting barrage of shocks, combo extenders, and stun loops that left opponents pinned to the wall without a prayer.
Developers crafted the Thunder God variation specifically to give Raiden players the feeling of “playing as a true elemental force”—and it worked perfectly. His lightning wasn’t just flashy. It was his core weapon, used with relentless tactical genius to dominate matches.
In MKX, Thunder God Raiden didn’t just win rounds. He terrorized the competition, proving once and for all that when Raiden taps into his true power, not even the strongest warriors can stand against the storm.
Raiden’s lightning isn’t just for show—it’s a reminder that power, when wielded by a true master, can shape the fate of realms. Across decades of Mortal Kombat history, Raiden’s electric might has dazzled players, devastated opponents, and defended Earthrealm again and again. His moves aren’t just powerful—they’re legendary. And every crackling bolt reminds the world why the Thunder God remains an unstoppable force of justice and destruction.
