Without a good strategy, all the combos, combo attacks and special moves mean little. Pull together all that you’ve learned with these strategies for playing as Lex Luthor.
Using Low Shot (Down + Light)
Low Shot is a fast poke that is best used as a quick attack to frustrate an opponent up close. Use it whenever an opponent is getting overzealous with pressure.
On hit, this grants enough advantage for a 50/50 mix-up attempt using Downward Destruction or High Currency.
Using Low Push Kick (Down + Hard)
Low Push Kick does indeed hit low and knocks the opponent down and backward, giving lex Luthor enough space to start laying traps and zoning his opponent.
It can be used as a whiff punish or a counter-poke up close after blocking an attack, and is good to just toss out in sweep range as well.
Having more range than most characters’ normals, it should be a go-to attack.
Using Sky Fall (Up + Hard)
Sky Fall is great when an opponent is in the air and near Lex Luthor.
When this hits, it will knock the opponent far away from Lex Luthor, allowing him enough time to set his mines and probes so they can force the opponent into a situation where Lex Luthor can score damage with his projectiles.
Using Downward Destruction (Forward + Medium)
Lex Luthor’s best overhead attack, Downward Destruction is fast and safe when blocked.
It’s best to use the move whenever the opponent is crouching up close, but is also great in situations where Lex Luthor will have advantage, such as after blocking an attack that leaves an opponent recovering, when Low Shot hits, after landing a blocked jumping attack, and for when opponents are expecting Highest Currency.
It knocks the opponent back on hit, which is where Lex Luthor wants his opponent to be, and it also can be Special canceled.
The ideal Special to cancel into would be Meter Burn Gravity Pull, since it sets up big damage. With Highest Currency, Downward Destruction becomes a very strong 50/50 game up close and should be an opponent’s biggest worry up close.
The attack is extremely useful whenever Lex Luthor has advantage, such as when Lex Probes are on the screen to force the opponent to block, allowing Lex Luthor to do his Downward Destruction or Highest Currency mix-up.
Using Photon Kick (Hard)
Photon Kick is one of Lex Luthor’s best normal attacks up close. It executes quickly and covers full sweep distance while knocking the opponent backward onto the ground.
It can be used as a poke, whiff punish, and to keep the opponent out whenever he or she gets into range.
It is completely safe when blocked, so there is never a reason not to use this attack in sweep distance.
Using Ion Push (Back + Hard)
Ion Push is a safe wall bounce attack that can be used specifically for combos after landing a Meter Burn Gravity Pull, and as a poke in sweep distance. Ion Push also can gain a hit of armor with Meter Burn.
This is useful for getting aggressive opponents off of Lex Luthor when they are in range.
Using Double Shot (Forward + Hard)
Double Shot can be used in sweep distance as a safe overhead to start a combo. It also can be used with Meter Burn to armor through any of the opponent’s attacks or projectiles as a single hit.
Using Highest Currency (Back + Light, Hard)
A two-hit low attack string that can be special canceled, Highest Currency works best when used with Meter Burn Gravity Pull, since it sets up big damage.
The last hit in Highest Currency is totally safe when blocked unless the attack trying to punish you is Superman’s Kryptonian Crush.
The main goal is to build a lot of meter so Lex Luthor can use Meter Burn Gravity Pull after landing Highest Currency, however Highest Currency into Meter Burn Gravity Pull cannot be hit confirmed, so you have to know it is going to hit.
Using this as a poke can be risky, since Gravity Pull is extremely unsafe when blocked and combo punishable.
To make the reward count for the risk, make sure you have meter for a Meter Burn Gravity Pull, so when it hits you get maximum damage.
Another strategy is using the first hit of Highest Currency as a poke; it is 100% safe and is a true block string with Lance Blast.
When people become used to blocking Back + Light canceled to Lance Blast, they won’t be thinking about Downward Destruction, and you can sneak that in as an overhead or finish the Highest Currency string, depending on how they are blocking the poke.
If they are crouching, hit them with Downward Destruction; if they are standing, finish the string. You can also grab them if you aren’t confident about going for the 50/50 .
Using Criminal Mind (Light, Light, Medium)
Criminal Mind is a safe combo starter when blocked, and cannot be interrupted by anything in the game, plus the last hit launches for a Gravity Pull follow up.
Criminal Mind doesn’t have to be canceled into Gravity Pull for it to work, since the last hit gives you enough time to confirm that the opponent was successfully hit before you decide to perform Gravity Pull.
Criminal Mind can be used up close when blocking unsafe attacks that are punishable when guarded, and after landing a jumping attack.
Using Gravity Pull (Down, Back + Medium)
Gravity Pull is how Lex Luthor nets his damage. Using Meter Burn with this attack gives Lex Luthor combo opportunities that aren’t normally possible with his normal Gravity Pull.
This is important, because Lex Luthor isn’t a combo-centric character, and this is the best and most consistent way for him to score big damage.
While the opponent is trying to get around Gravity Mines, Lex Probes, Orbital Strikes, and Lance Blasts, he or she is susceptible to getting caught by a Gravity Pull and losing a lot of his or her life bar.
Gravity Pull can also be used to pull the opponent into the range of Gravity Mines and Lex Probes, which will combo the opponent if he or she isn’t blocking.
Gravity Pull will grab opponents out of any attack they are executing with the right timing.
This is a great counter-zoning tool at half screen, and is worth the risk of just tossing it out from that range.
Unfortunately, this comes with a draw back, as it leaves Lex Luthor very open when blocked up close and is combo punishable.
From farther away, it is much harder to punish Lex Lurthor when blocking Gravity Pull.
Using Gravity Mine (Down, Down + Hard)
Gravity Mine is best used as a zoning tool for keeping the opponent at specific ranges. However, the Meter Burn isn’t worth it, which is best used for Gravity Pull.
Gravity Mine is there to either catch an opponent trying to run away from Orbital Strike, or to control a certain space on the playing field, allowing Lex Luthor to set up all of his Special Moves on the opponent.
Whenever a Gravity Mine is on the screen, use Orbital Strike, Lance Blast, Lex Probe, or Gravity Pull, depending on what the opponent is doing.
If the opponent is staying on the defensive, use Orbital Strike and Lex Probe. If the opponent is trying to advance forward, you can use Corps Charge or Lance Blast.
Using Orbital Strike (Down, Forward + Hard)
Orbital Strike is an attack that homes in on the opponent for an unblockable attack. It executes quickly and will keep the opponent from wanting to stand still for too long.
The Meter Burn version of the attack hits three times and allows Lex Luthor to use Gravity Pull to follow up a combo at 3/4 of the screen.
Orbital Strike forces an opponent to move around, and this can cause him or her to jump and land on a Gravity Mine, get hit by Lance Blast, or move in the range of a Lex Probe—all of which allows Lex Luthor to continue his zoning.
Orbital Strike should be Lex Luthor’s most used Special Move from a distance.
Using Lex Probe (Down, Back + Hard)
Lex Probe is another proximity Special Move, good for controlling a great deal of space in front of Lex Luthor.
With Meter Burn, he throws out two probes that cover the same amount of space, but instead of shooting once it will fire twice.
This makes dealing with Lex Luthor’s projectiles even more difficult; use this attack to slow the opponent, allowing Lex Luthor to move around freely.
Lex Probes also work great offensively too, allowing Lex Luthor to pressure his opponent and force him or her to want to block.
If the probe hits the opponent, Lex Luthor can get a free combo if in range, making blocking in this situation an opponent’s best option.
Unfortunately for that opponent, Lex Luthor has an up-close 50/50 mix-up, or he can charge Lance Blast up and hit the opponent with an unblockable blast.
The Meter Burn version will launch the opponent into the air, allowing Lex Luthor to Gravity Pull him or her in for damage, Meter Burn the Gravity Pull for a full combo, or just pull off a Back + Hard attack to combo without spending meter.
Using Lance Blast/Up Lance Blast (Down, Forward/Back + Light)
Lance Blast is Lex Luthor’s standard projectile attack that travels full screen, and he can charge the attack or dash cancel out of it. When charging, it has three levels.
The first level is when you’d normally perform the attack, and when blocked it pushes back. The second level will cause the projectile to launch the opponent on hit.
The third is an unblockable attack that only travels a short distance. This works well with all of his Special Moves, especially when the opponent gets close.
This strategy, however, works best when the opponent hesitates due to a Lex Probe or a Gravity Mine on the screen.
When the opponent begins to jump or back dash to avoid a charged Lance Blast, Lex Luthor can dash cancel forward or backward, which will allow Lex Luthor to perform another attack to punish the opponent in his or her recovery.
Lance Blast is totally safe when blocked.
Using Corp Charge (Back, Forward + Medium)
Corps Charge is mainly used as a whiff punisher or to catch opponents off guard when trying to advance or retreat, or as a whiff punisher outside the range of Lex Luthor’s normals.
Another way you can use Corps Charge is when the opponent tries to run away from Lex Probes, Gravity Mines, Orbital Strikes, or a charged Lance Blast. Corps Charge can also be used as a combo ender.
Using Energy Shield CHaracter Power
If Lex Luthor needed anything else to make his zoning complete it’s this, his Character Power. If an opponent finally gets through Lex Luthor’s projectile obstacle course nonsense, he or she still has to deal with Lex Luthor being able to absorb attacks.
If the opponent tries to hit him, he can just hit an opponent out of whatever attack the opponent tries—more than likely an attack that pushes the opponent full screen or starts a combo.
Lex Luthor can charge his shield up to three levels: At level 1, he has armor and absorbs one attack; at level 2 it cuts the attack’s damage in half and preserves armor; and at level 3, he still has armor and the attack causes no damage.
Using this along with everything else Lex Luthor has is a pain even when you are finally next to him. The only downside is he has to charge the Power up, but the rewards are worth it.
Using Coordinates Received
Coordinates Received is a safe Super Move that has armor, so it can blow through Special Moves. Its only downside is the lack of range, so it must be used up close.
However, seeing that Lex Luthor has one of the best ranged tactics in the game, this makes his Super Move useful.
Most characters are going to try to get next to Lex Luthor to stop him from attacking, but by that time he should have a full bar of meter. One false move and Lex Luthor unleashes his Super.
Using Jump In Attacks and Cross Ups
Lex Luthor’s jumping Medium is his cross up attack, and jumping Hard is his best jump attack, as it covers a wide range in front of him.
This is also another tactic to use to make it even harder for opponents to approach him. Jumping Hard will be one of Lex Luthor’s most used attacks.
Using Air-To-Air
Lex Luthor’s best air-to-air is definitely his jumping Hard. It out ranges every air-to-air attack in the game and makes it so Lex Luthor can attack while retreating or advancing.
If an opponent gets too close, jump backward and use Lex Luthor’s jumping Hard to give yourself space.
If you want to advance toward the opponent and attack at the same time to cover a big range in front of you, then use jumping Hard like an attacking shield to help you control the distance between yourself and your opponent.
More Lex Luthor tips from Prima (check out Wonder Woman):
Lex Luthor – Introduction and Best Basic Moves: How to win like a bad guy
Lex Luthor – Best Combo Attacks: The best combo attacks to use when playing Lex Luthor
Lex Luthor – Best Special Moves: From Gravity Pull to Corp Charge, we’ve got Lex Luthor’s best special moves for you
Lex Luthor – Combos: All the combos revealed, No Meter Burn or One Meter Burn, we’ve got you covered!
Get it all with the official guide to Injustice: Gods Among Us
INJUSTICE: GODS AMONG US and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and © DC Comics. (s13)
