We have a confirmed list of Mortal Kombat 1 characters. Other than the pre-order bonus character Shang Tsung and in-game unlockable Havik, you get 24 playable characters in Mortal Kombat 1.
Let’s go.
All Playable Characters in Mortal Kombat 1
There are a few new faces in MK1. I’m sure that’s just how the game will play out, sticking to the core positives of Mortal Kombat with almost all known faces in the MK1 roster so far.
We’ll surely get a lot more playables added to the base game or at least DLC characters over time to what will act as a new platform for more content.
Most playable characters get a dedicated chapter.
Scorpion
We’ll know the Scorpion as Kuai Liang and not Hanzo Hasashi anymore. The changes apply to the character’s origin story but not to the meta.
Scorpion won’t be available in story mode.
We will come across the new Scorpion, who’s mastered by Hanzo, in one of Smoke’s story-endings.
The timeline changes are hugely interesting and MK1 demands more than a few playthroughs to get to the whole roster.
Playable in Chapter 9
Raiden
Like Scorpion, Raiden’s an obvious must-have for any Mortal Kombat release. It’s great to see that MK1 keeps Raiden as is, without changing the origin story or the meta.
Raiden does get a few crazy moves though. That’s a 23-move combo from Raiden with Stryker for Kameo.
Is Raiden OP in MK1?
Playable in Chapter 3
Kung Lao
Another fan favorite teamed up with Raiden, Kung Lao has saved Earthrealm and suffered under Shang Tsung in previous Mortal Kombat timelines.
The tranquility of watching Kung Lao and Raiden farming under the golden sun with all the peace in the world ahead of them brings tears to the most hardcore MK fans.
It’s great that MK still has its soul in all this madness.
Playable in Chapter 1
Kitana
Kitana has been the most popular female character choice in Mortal Kombat ever since she joined the Mortal Kombat II cast.
She’s both a gameplay favorite for her extensive mid-range meta and for a lot of other things.
In Mortal Kombat 1, Kitana and Liu Kang are still going strong. Yet this time out, she’s all for her sister Mileena, helping her duties as the Empress.
Mileena
Not the evil clone sister anymore, Mileena is born as the elder sister to Kitana and is to be enthroned as the Empress.
In Mortal Kombat 1, Mileena is constantly edging towards paranoia. She’s supposedly infected by the Tarkatan virus.
This puts a blemish on her aspirations as the Empress. Adding to that is how all around her consider Kitana the more level-headed of the two.
Playable in Chapter 12
Johnny Cage
Johnny Cage is still special in Mortal Kombat, even more true in MK1.
Here, he’s a struggling actor with a charming sharp tongue. Cage is looked up to by most other Earthrealm characters as a pro and his gameplay reflects that.
Unlike before, Cage is more melee-heavy now, surprisingly powerful in close combat. With this hype bar filled up, Cage can take on almost any character.
Playable in Chapter 2
Kano
Kano sports a new bad bald look. He’s still the leader of the Black Dragons and despite the overall good times in this new Mortal Kombat universe, it looks like Kano will play a negative role somewhere in the Story mode or later.
Sub-Zero
Sub-Zero continues to play a key role in Mortal Kombat 1 just as in previous MKs. And he continues as one of the most powerful characters to use in combat.
Also, Bi-Han is the Sub-Zero now since Kuai Liang is not Scorpion. And he betrays Earthrealm.
Playable in Chapter 8
Liu Kang
It’s all Liu Kang in the new Mortal Kombat and it looks like he’s heavily OP-ed as a playable character.
Liu Kang’s meta is all fire and some combo kicks making him a hard-to-beat MK1 playable.
Other than that, we already know by now that this new era of Mortal Kombat is about maintaining peace between the realms with Liu Kang acting as the powerful peacekeeper, taking the role of Raiden from the previous timeline.
Playable in Chapter 14
Baraka
Looks like MK1 is positioning Baraka as the tragic hero or the villain we all end up sympathizing with.
While in previous timelines Baraka played semi-major antagonist roles, here Baraka is a leader of the Tarkatans who all are infected by a deadly virus that turns them into monsters.
He’s now leading the Tarkatans from the Outerworld, scheming a plot against the Earthrealm or maybe just trying to find a cure.
Playable in Chapter 5
Li Mei
An instantly recognizable character but one that has been brushed under the carpet by others with more crucial roles in previous MK timelines, Le Mei looks like she’s OP-ed in MK1 and fans are happy about it.
This time out, she has a lot more than martial arts in her bag, summoning purple dragons and jaguars like a sorceress while still sporting crazy powerful combos along the way.
Playable in Chapter 10
Geras
Geras is on the good side now. So much so that in this new Mortal Kombat 1 timeline, Geras is the faithful and powerful guardian who’s now destined to protect the Hourglass of Time.
He also gets unique and crazy good moves as a playable character in Mortal Kombat 1 including an ability to stop time and deal damage.
Reptile
Another top MK antagonist who’ll be playing a more positive role in this new Mortal Kombat 1 timeline.
Reptile is now on Liu Kang’s side, and he’s even tasked to stay on the lookout for the Shin Kuei retaliation under Sub-Zero now teaming up with Shang Tsung.
This time out, Reptile a.k.a. Syzoth can go invisible.
Playable in Chapter 7
Ashrah
A rare change to a common theme of MK1 is Ashrah. Unlike most other character backstories, Ashrah’s remains the same.
She looks more demonic now despite her angelic powers of the light. And while Ashrah seems to be on the same side as Liu Kang, whether her past comes back to make her take the wrong path is to be seen.
Playable in Chapter 6
General Shao
A complete reimagination or rather a dissociation from Shao Kahn, General Shao is another character who’s quite from MKX.
Other than the axe instead of the hammer, General Shao now has the Outworld army under his control but on the throne sits Sindel!
Regardless of whether Shao will try a coup, he still is a badass playable character, definitely OP-ed.
Sindel
As the Emperor of the Outerworld, Sindel balances her ambitions for her kingdom with the careful consideration of not creating enmity with the Earthrealm and Liu Kang.
She’s wary of Liu Kang’s power and consistently dials down General Shao’s aggression with a penchant to avoid war.
But she’s at her best as a playable character, who can deal damage with her hair!
Playable in Chapter 11
Nitara
Nitara is the vampire girl in Mortal Kombat 1.She’s on her own story of separating her kin from the Outerworld. She’s voiced by Megan Fox.
Reiko
More than a bit part role despite the limited screen time, Reiko goes head-to-head with Raiden early on right in the royal court.
Reiko is General Shao’s right-hand guy. He looks evil and powerful. He’s even got some sweet moves. Almost looks Dothrakish.
Kenshi
Kenshi is another playable Mortal Kombat 1 character who gets a new life and lots of screen time (including a dedicated chapter) in the game.
A character with a separate fanbase, Kenshi is sure to have even more fans rooting for him post-MK1 – it even includes the scene where he loses his eyesight.
But Kenshi is the surprise package in combat since when you’re fighting with Kenshi, you’re also summoning Santo, and this is the deadliest combo in all MK1.
Playable in Chapter 4
Smoke
Smoke is the reliable and loyal ally of Scorpion when Sub-Zero defects against Liu Kang. Unlike in previous timelines, he’s not a cyborg or a villain but instead a full-fledged good guy in MK1.
Rain
Rain was previously a Ninja and he had a few move tricks up his sleeve as well. In this new MK1 timeline though, he’s a mage with a staff and he’s siding with Sub-Zero. The elements are stacking up!
Tanya
Tanya plays second fiddle to Mileena in MK1 even after Mileena transforms under the virus. She’s still the Umgadi warrior but a loyal one to the throne or rather the should-be Empress.
Mortal Kombat 1 Roster Exclusive Characters
NetherRealm Studios were always about to add more characters to the game, either in separate packs or right into the game, from before the beta access in August.
Pre-Order Exclusive Shang Tsung
If you’ve successfully pre-ordered Mortal Kombat 1, you’ll get Shang Tsung as a playable character from the official release date. But MK1 will surely add DLCs later that will let you play Shang Tsung. Until there’s a new DLC, you will find Shang Tsung grayed out in the character slot.
Unlockable Character Havik
Completing the Kampaign is how to unlock Havick in Mortal Kombat 1. And it’s worth it. One playthrough and you get the secret character in MK1.
Kombat Pack Characters
Homelander, Omni-Man and Peacemaker will debut as Mortal Kombat 1 characters with the Kombat Pack.
The intent is obviously to spice up the battle between good and evil. With these characters, the MK franchise is following due course since they were acquired by Warner Bros. Even if these characters don’t make sense in the long run, they’ll be fun for sure.
Mortal Kombat 1 brings a lot more stuff than it ever did before and despite a competitive season of big games, it has pulled off well from the hype. Here’s a bit more on MK1 gameplay.
