The success of any fighting game is largely determined by its roster of characters, and Mortal Kombat 1 stands as a testament to this fact. This reboot, which also serves as a sequel, unveiled its initial array of combatants during the official announcement, already demonstrating the exciting potential it holds.
With a character lineup featuring numerous well-known heavyweights, Mortal Kombat 1 is sure to satisfy long-time series fans. Despite this latest instalment resetting the narrative, iconic characters like Scorpion and Sub-Zero maintain their prominent presence, making them instantly recognizable for seasoned players.
Mortal Kombat 1 Characters List
Developer NetherRealm Studios has said that its latest title features “reimagined versions of iconic characters as they’ve never been seen before.” This is confirmed early into the reveal trailer when we see Liu Kang taking on the role of Fire God and creator of the rebooted MK universe.
Here is how Mortal Kombat 1’s character list looks at the moment:
Liu Kang
Liu Kang is one of the most iconic characters in the Mortal Kombat series, first introduced in the original Mortal Kombat game released in 1992. He is of Chinese descent and was an orphan adopted and raised by the Shaolin Monks. Trained by masters such as Bo’ Rai Cho, he became an incredibly skilled martial artist.
Liu Kang became renowned for his exceptional martial arts skills, most notably his flying kicks and powerful punches. Additionally, he possesses control over fire and can use it in various ways, such as hurling fireballs at opponents or even transforming into a fiery dragon. His character has undergone multiple transformations throughout the series, even having a stint as a vengeful zombie thanks to Raiden’s necromancy.
Scorpion
Scorpion, one of the original characters in the Mortal Kombat series, is an iconic figure known for his distinctive yellow ninja outfit and powerful abilities. His real name, Hanzo Hasashi, is usually overshadowed by his alias, Scorpion. After his clan and family were brutally killed by Sub-Zero, Hanzo was reborn as Scorpion, an undead revenant hell-bent on vengeance.
As Scorpion, he possesses a variety of supernatural abilities, including control over hellfire, teleportation, and the power to move between realms. He’s notorious for his “spear” attack, where he throws a kunai attached to a rope at his enemies and drags them towards him, often accompanied by his classic catchphrase “Get over here!”.
Sub-Zero
Sub-Zero is a central character in the Mortal Kombat franchise, notable for being one of the original characters in the series. There have been two main characters taking on the mantle of Sub-Zero, both of whom are brothers from the Lin Kuei clan: the elder, Bi-Han, and the younger, Kuai Liang.
After the elder Sub-Zero (Bi-Han) was killed by Scorpion, the younger brother (Kuai Liang) took up the Sub-Zero mantle to honor his fallen sibling and continue his legacy. Sub-Zero is known for his control over ice and cold, allowing him to freeze opponents or create weapons and obstacles out of ice. His signature move is the Ice Blast.
Raiden
Raiden is a key character in the Mortal Kombat franchise, introduced in the original Mortal Kombat game, he is depicted as the God of Thunder and a protector of Earthrealm. As a deity, Raiden has no specific origin in the traditional sense.
As the God of Thunder, Raiden has control over electricity, thunder, and lightning. He can unleash powerful electrical attacks, teleport, and even fly. Raiden often serves as a mentor and leader to the defenders of Earthrealm, guiding them through various Mortal Kombat tournaments and battles against those who threaten their world.
Kung Lao
Kung Lao was first introduced in Mortal Kombat 2, a direct descendant of the Great Kung Lao, a legendary warrior who was defeated by Goro 500 years prior to the original Mortal Kombat, Kung Lao seeks to honor his ancestor’s legacy and defend Earthrealm.
Kung Lao is an extremely skilled martial artist, often incorporating acrobatic maneuvers into his telekinetic fighting style. His most distinctive weapon is his razor-rimmed hat, which he uses both for melee attacks and as a projectile.
Kitana
Kitana first made an appearance in Mortal Kombat 2, she is portrayed as the princess of Edenia and the adopted daughter of the evil Emperor Shao Kahn. Kitana’s life took a drastic turn when Shao Kahn invaded her realm. Her father was killed, her mother was brainwashed, and she was adopted by Shao Kahn, growing up to become an assassin for him. Eventually, Kitana learns of her true heritage and turns against Shao Kahn.
Kitana is an agile and skilled fighter, trained in martial arts and assassination techniques. Her signature weapon is a pair of steel fans, which she uses for both melee combat and ranged attacks. Her romantic relationship with Earthrealm’s champion, Liu Kang, is also a recurring theme in the series.
Mileena
Mileena is portrayed as the evil clone of Princess Kitana, created by Shang Tsung for Shao Kahn, and first makes her appearance in Mortal Kombat 2. Mileena is a hybrid of Edenian and Tarkatan genetics, resulting in a mix of Kitana’s beauty and a Tarkatan’s fierceness. While she appears near-identical to Kitana, she possesses Tarkatan traits such as a mouth full of sharp, beast-like teeth.
Mileena is a deadly fighter, exhibiting strength, agility, and the ability to teleport. Her signature weapons are a pair of sai, which she wields with deadly efficiency. Additionally, her Tarkatan bloodline gives her a ferocious bite attack, which is perfect for those fatality moments.
Johnny Cage
Johnny Cage is notable for his charisma, comedic relief, and Hollywood bravado. He is depicted as a successful but arrogant action movie star who enters the Mortal Kombat tournament to prove his martial arts skills are real. His relationship with Sonya Blade and their daughter, Cassie Cage, also adds depth to his character arc.
Cage is a skilled fighter, incorporating various martial arts techniques into his style, particularly those derived from Jeet Kune Do. His shadow abilities allow him to perform energy-infused moves like the Shadow Kick or Shadow Uppercut.
Shang Tsung
Shang Tsung is one of the main antagonists in the original Mortal Kombat game, he is a powerful sorcerer and shapeshifter, known for his cunning and ruthlessness. His primary role is to oversee the Mortal Kombat tournaments, ensuring they tip in Outworld’s favor.
Shang Tsung possesses the ability to absorb the souls of others, increasing his power and longevity. This also grants him the ability to shapeshift into any character he chooses, adopting their appearance, voice, and abilities. He’s a skilled sorcerer, so you’ll want to watch out for his variety of magical attacks.
From what we know so far, Shang Tsung is only available as a playable character for players who pre-order Mortal Kombat 1. While it’s possible that he will be made available through other means further down the line, nothing has been officially announced on the matter as of yet.
Quan Chi
Quan Chi’s origins are shrouded in mystery, befitting his deceptive nature. He is a free-roaming sorcerer, adept in necromancy, who serves as an emissary of the Netherrealm. He’s integral to several key plot points in the series, including the resurrection of Shinnok and the creation of Scorpion.
As a sorcerer, Quan Chi possesses various magical abilities, such as creating portals, resurrecting the dead, and manipulating energy. His most iconic power is perhaps his ability to summon and control skeletal hands from the ground to immobilize or attack his opponents.
Omni-Man
Omni-Man is a central character in the comic book series “Invincible,” created by writer Robert Kirkman and artist Cory Walker. He’s a Viltrumite, an alien species characterized by superhuman strength, speed, flight, and near immortality. He came to Earth ostensibly to help protect it, taking on the human identity of Nolan Grayson.
As a Viltrumite, Omni-Man possesses tremendous strength, speed, and durability. He can fly, and has a highly prolonged lifespan. Omni-Man’s physical prowess allows him to engage in high-stakes combat, making him a perfect character to play as in Mortal Kombat.
Ermac
Ermac was first introduced as a playable character in Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3. He was initially born out of a fan rumor and an in-joke within the game’s coding, but due to his popularity, he was eventually incorporated into the official roster. Ermac is not a singular entity but rather a collection of souls, created by Shao Kahn.
Being composed of multiple souls gives Ermac a unique set of abilities. He possesses significant telekinetic powers, allowing him to manipulate and move objects and opponents without physically touching them. He can also levitate, teleport, and launch energy projectiles.
Peacemaker
Peacemaker is a superhero in the DC Comics universe, most recently portrayed by John Cena in The Suicide Squad movie. His real name is Christopher Smith and is viewed as a pacifist diplomat so committed to peace that he’s willing to use force as a superhero to advance the cause. He uses an array of special non-lethal weapons, and also founds the Pax Institute.
Peacemaker is a superb athlete and hand-to-hand combatant. He’s trained in various forms of martial arts and is an expert marksman. While he doesn’t have any superhuman abilities, he does have access to a large amount of high-tech weaponry and equipment that he’ll likely make use of in Mortal Kombat.
Homelander
Homelander is from the comic book series “The Boys,” created by writer Garth Ennis and artist Darick Robertson. Homelander, whose real name is John, is the leader of The Seven, a corporate-owned and operated team of superheroes. Raised in a lab and injected with “Compound V,” a substance that grants superhuman abilities.
Possessing a range of superhuman abilities, including super strength, invulnerability, and the ability to fly, his laser vision is also likely to make him a formidable foe in Mortal Kombat.
Kameo Fighters
In addition, the game also includes Kameo Fighters, who “are a unique roster of partner characters to assist during matches, creating expanded gameplay possibilities for players.”
They “are chosen separately from the main roster of fighters,” according to the developer, but it’s unclear if they draw from the same pool of combatants or a different one.
- Tremor
- Johnny Cage
- Khameleon
- Mavado
- Ferra
- Jean Claude Van
- Stryker
That is what we know so far about Mortal Kombat 1’s character list. Its launch roster is bigger than just the 9 names revealed with its announcement, and we’ll learn more about who these fighters are in the lead-up to release. The Steam Store Page is now live.
For more on the fighting game, here is what we know about whether or not it supports rollback netcode or crossplay.
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