How to Solve the "Use the Element That Brings Life" Clue in Mortal Kombat 1 Invasion

Since bursting onto the gaming scene in 1992, the Mortal Kombat franchise has evolved dramatically while staying true to its gory, combat-driven roots. Over 10 main installments and numerous spinoffs later, MK still reigns as one of the top fighting game series, with over 49 million games sold worldwide.

The recently released Mortal Kombat 1 (MK1) brings the iconic franchise into a new dimension, with groundbreaking graphics, massive roster of fighters, and inventive features that provide fresh challenges for veterans and newcomers alike.

One of the most exciting additions is the Invasion mode and its mysterious Kameo clue system. Solving these cryptic riddles requires critical thinking, MK knowledge, and a bit of luck.

Let‘s dive into how Invasion and Kameos work, then tackle the tricky "Use the element that brings life" clue step-by-step. Strap in for a wild ride across the realms!

A Brief History of Mortal Kombat Games

Mortal Kombat burst onto the gaming scene in 1992 with its shockingly realistic (for the time) gore and fighting mechanics. The controversial blood and fatalities sparked outrage but also obsession, making MK a quick success.

Early sequels like MKII and MK3 built on the momentum, introducing more characters, stages, and story depth. By MK4, the franchise went 3D on home consoles and arcades for the first time.

The 2000s saw a slowdown in major releases. MK languished as titles like Tekken and Street Fighter took over. But the reboot Mortal Kombat in 2011 marked a triumphant return, selling over 5 million copies globally.

Mortal Kombat X (2015) and MK11 (2019) continued the hot streak. Now MK1 looks to dominate with new modes, remastered graphics, and insane fatalities that push boundaries.

Some key stats on the Mortal Kombat franchise:

11 main fighting games since 1992 launch
Over 49 million games sold globally
MK11 (2019) sold over 8 million copies
More than 80 playable characters throughout the series
Famous for graphic fatalities and gore

It‘s this rich history and massive fanbase that MK1 builds upon with its fresh take on the classic formula.

New Features in Mortal Kombat 1 (MK1)

MK1 delivers the combo-chaining, bone-crunching brawls fans expect while introducing new modes like Kombat League and the mysterious single-player Invasion challenges.

Kombat League is MK‘s answer to esports and competitive gaming. Players battle online in ranked seasons, earning points to climb tiers for exclusive rewards. Top performers qualify for pro circuits with cash prizes up to $100,000.

Invasion is the new arcade-style single player mode with strategic elements. You pick a team of fighters to take on waves of opponents in multi-stage battles. The key hook is that solving clues between stages unlocks powerful AI-controlled teammates called Kameos.

These clues are vague phrases or riddles that reference MK lore, fatalities, and character biographies. They challenge your knowledge and creative thinking. Solving them grants Kameo bonuses like Scorpion, Raiden, or Sub-Zero joining your team.

Now let‘s dive into decoding a particularly tricky Invasion clue.

Understanding the "Use the Element That Brings Life" Clue

Many Invasion clues are clever but relatively straightforward. For example:

"Zap Them" = Use Raiden and his electric powers
"Dragon‘s Breath" = Pick Scorpion and use his fire spewing fatality

But the clue we‘re focused on here requires deeper analysis:

"Use the element that brings life"

This ten-word riddle has stumped many MK players. But breaking it down methodically reveals the solution:

It references using an "element". So a character with powers over nature – fire, water, lightning, etc.
The element "brings life". This implies a life-giving or sustaining force like water or wood.
We must "use" this element. Likely means selecting the character and performing some action in battle.

Put this together and the clue directs us to Rain, whose water-based powers literally sustain life. We‘ll need to "use" Rain in some way to solve the challenge.

Rain – The Aquatic Ninja Demigod

To understand why Rain fits the clue, let‘s dive deeper into his backstory and abilities:

Rain hails from Edenia and is part god, giving him divine control over water and weather.
His mortal name is Prince Rain, but he is simply called Rain due to his water-based powers.
He commands gushes of water, thunderstorms, and aquatic monsters in kombat.
Rain‘s brutal "Upside Down Uppercut" fatality dismembers opponents with a surge of water.
His ancestry as an Edenian god and dominion over the lifeblood of water make Rain the choice to solve our clue.

In short, Rain‘s origin story and water-focused abilities identify him as the "element that brings life" described in the Invasion challenge.

Step-By-Step Solution with Rain in MK1

Here is exactly how to solve "Use the element that brings life" using the power of Rain:

At the post-battle Kameo clue screen, hover over Rain and select him.
Load into the next Invasion fight with Rain as your character.
Build up Rain‘s Super Meter to activate his fatality.
Input Down, Back, Down, Forward + Block (X for Xbox, Circle for PlayStation) to trigger Rain‘s "Upside Down Uppercut" fatality.
Watch the cinematic of Rain enveloping his opponent in a surge of water and ripping their body in half.
With Rain selected and his fatality activated, you‘ve solved the clue! Rain will now appear as a Kameo to aid your team.

Executing his grisly, water-powered fatality fulfills the clue‘s instruction to "use" Rain and his life-giving element.

More Invasion Mode Clues and How to Decipher Them

Now that you‘ve seen one clue solved in detail, here are 5 more examples from Invasion and the solutions:

Clue 1: "Brighten Our Darkest Hour"

Solution: Select Raiden, the god of lightning and thunder. His electric powers provide light.

Clue 2: "Test Subject Escaped"

Solution: Pick Ermac, a creature created by Outworld scientists. So an escaped test subject.

Clue 3: "No Clone Zone"

Solution: Choose Scorpion, whose catchphrase is "Get over here!" referring to his rope spear move. He‘s an original kharacter, not a clone.

Clue 4: "Dragon‘s Den"

Solution: Pick Kung Lao, whose hat toss move is called Razor‘s Edge and resembles a spinning blade. Enter the dragon‘s den by selecting Kung Lao.

Clue 5: "Finish Twice"

Solution: Perform any character‘s fatality twice in one match. Double finish to solve.

These examples demonstrate how Invasion clues run the gamut from simple to complex. They test your positioning, fatality skills, trivia knowledge, and even basic math and language skills.

Here are some tips for deciphering them quickly based on my experience:

Read carefully – Don‘t skim; analyze every word for meaning.
Think literally – Some clues reference specific moves or gameplay actions.
Consider MK lore – Clues often relate to character backgrounds and abilities.
Reverse or rearrange words – Unscramble or read backwards if needed.

With practice, you‘ll unlock all 20+ Kameo bonuses. That will grant a huge advantage taking on the treacherous Invasion boss towers!

Final Tips for Conquering Mortal Kombat 1 Invasion Mode

In closing, here are some high-level tips to master MK1‘s Invasion mode:

Learn fatalities – Key for solving clues and gaining an edge against bosses.
Build a balanced team – Bring fighters with mix of styles and abilities.
Max out special moves – Invest koins to upgrade signature moves for added power.
Attempt each clue – Even vague ones. Trial and error pays off.
Tag team strategically – Swap fighters to recover health and take advantage of strengths/weaknesses.
Attempt flawless victories – Don‘t lose a round to earn bonus koins.

With persistence and clever thinking, you‘ll be solving Invasion clues and unlocking Kameos with ease in no time. That will give you an advantage surviving the brutal tower bosses like Kronika, Shao Khan and Raiden.

Now get in the kombat zone, execute some vicious fatalities and prove your might. Glory awaits!