The 10 Best Mortal Kombat Characters
Mortal Kombat started its journey in 1992 when the idea for a horror-fantasy gaming genre was pitched. Since then, the game has unfolded into one of the most successful fighting-based electronic games in history. One of its greatest appeals has been its characters. While there are only a handful of mainstays that have been present throughout the game’s existence, the concept creators of the game have continued to supply an inexhaustible source of militant characters. Each one is equipped with their own hand-combat skills, with many having a source of fantastical energy that comes in handy during their sparring ceremonies.
While it can be difficult to successfully rank the best of the best Mortal Kombat charters in its entire 27 year run, here are some of the more well-established fighters that have supreme capabilities.
10 Kitana
This 10,000-year-old princess hails from Edenia. Her age is unencumbered by her looks, which reflect that of a young woman with a strong physique. Kitana is the stepdaughter of Shao Kahn, whom she eventually betrays. Alongside her romantic partner, Liu Kang, she became one of the leaders of the Netherrealm.
Kitana’s attire consists of a royal blue one-piece, and she usually wears a matching face mask. She sometimes relies on her Steel Fans during battle to unarm her opponent or to help her levitate. Her main skills, however, fall under hand to hand combat.
9 Raiden
In his original timeline, Raiden was a mortal who resided in the Earthrealm. He typically wore white robes with a blue vest and a straw hat. His abilities have always consisted of electrical bolts and he is able to move as quick as lightning. He can also teleport, shock, and can sometimes summon a lightning rod.
In current Mortal Kombat storylines, Raiden is the God of Thunder and Protector of Earthrealm. He eventually turns in to Dark Raiden, where his glowing white eyes transform into red. In this form, he is heavily armored, though his signature straw hat is intact.
8 Liu Kang
In the earliest version of the fighting game, Liu Kang served as a traditional combat fighter, who was best known for his martial arts capabilities. He is a pastiche of Bruce Lee and generally serves as the protagonist in the game and other media works. His garb is made up of only black pants with red attributes added to his later renditions.
Liu Kang is one of the few original characters that remain in the game. His valor as a warrior makes him a great choice for gamers. His powers have progressed over the games’ series, giving him the ability to procure fireballs to throw at his opponents.
7 Cassie Cage
Cassie Cage is the daughter of Johnny Cage and Sonya Blade, two of the characters who pioneered the initial Mortal Kombat game. Although Cassie is only human, she inherited her superhuman strength from her father. Her signature moves consist of the Glow Kick which facilitates aerial moves as her body glows green from the Shadow Energy. Her mother taught her combat skills including the infamous Nut Cracker which disables her male opponents quite effectively.
Cassie has short blonde hair from her mother and showcases sass like her father. She heads a special forces task team in the Earthrealm and is constantly trying to live up to her parents legacy.
6 Reptile
Reptile’s initial veneer was just an exact replica of Sub-Zero and Scorpion's costume, only in bright green. His current costume is markedly more fierce, with scale-like textures and an all-encompassing mask in the form of a reptilian creature. This redesign first appeared in Deadly Alliance when his backstory as a reptile-human hybrid became more defined.
One of Reptile’s most powerful strategies fall under his ability to become invisible; a blending technique not unlike a chameleon. He has also been known to spit acid and extract forces of homing energy.
5 Frost
Another Deadly Alliance addition came in the form of the female version of Sub-Zero: Frost. She served as an apprentice to the original Mortal Kombat character. She was an eager learner and fighter, having accomplished the skill of freezing her adversaries.
Once Sub-Zero made amends with his rival, Scorpion, Frost deemed him unfit to lead and tried to challenge him. Although she was defeated, Frost continued to make it her mission to dominate the Earthrealm. She was eventually cyberized by Kronika, changing her garb from a blue one piece and face guard to a brilliantly armored uniform.
4 Shao Kahn
Shao Kahn debuted in Mortal Kombat II in 1993. His outward gear only consists of spiked armor, a headpiece, and a dominating staff, with his chest left predominantly bare. His inner capabilities range from superhero strength to magical proficiency.
This character has always been a massively strong and effective character throughout Mortal Kombat’s series. He harnesses the power of a green energy and can even absorb the souls of his opponents. His Wrath Hammer is another one of his more elaborate props that works to disarm his attackers.
3 Millena
Millena’s look most closely reflects Kitana, but with a purplish-pink facade. She is actually a clone of Kitana, though she feels a blazing hatred towards her predecessor and frequently tries to take her place as princess of Edenia. Millena is a ninja warrior and she makes extensive use of her acrobatic skills and agility.
Millena is equipped with Soaring Sais that is powered by a purple energy. She also uses a unique technique, the Leaping Neckbite, where she attacks her opponent from above and works to claw and eat away at their face and neck.
2 Scorpion
Scorpion has served as a mascot to Mortal Kombat since its beginnings. This character is a human whose real name is Hanzo Hasashi. His family was killed, which led him into the life of an assassin. His skills are malevolent and gory, with ingenuity such as hellfire and teleportation serving as his culminating powers.
Scorpion wears a yellow costume, has glowing white eyes, and a signature protective mask. Unmasked Scorpion is known as Inferno Scorpion. Scorpion's weapons of choice include the Kunai, Scorpion Sting, and Spear, among a long inventory of other powers.
1 Sub Zero
Another leader in the Mortal Kombat series, Sub-Zero is on par with his rival, Scorpion. Their garments are distinctively similar, with Sub-Zero’s vestiges being blue instead of yellow. Sub-Zero is the master of ice manipulation and is known for freezing his opponents in order to attack. His human name is Bi-Han, who is sent on a mission to take treasure from Shang Tsung. In the original fighting tournament, Sub Zero is killed by his nemesis, Scorpion, and is later resurrected as Noob Saibot.
Sub-Zero’s ice projectile is said to be one of the most innovative mechanics to have been enlisted into a gaming character. Furthermore, his Spinal Rip Fatality move is noted as one of the most morbid character actions, which gave Sub-Zero his merciless disposition.