Mortal Kombat 1 has 22 characters (or ought to we are saying “kharacters”) for all gamers at launch — with extra accessible for individuals who pre-order or unlock via gameplay.
That’s lots of characters to maintain in your head without delay, and it may be straightforward to neglect who a few of these persons are — particularly since a few of them haven’t been main gamers in a Mortal Kombat sport since Mortal Kombat: Armageddon in 2006.
On this information, we’re going to stroll you thru the complete Mortal Kombat 1 roster of 23 characters, and introduce you to the six deliberate further characters coming in Mortal Kombat 1’s upcoming Kombat Pack DLC.
Beginning Mortal Kombat 1 character roster
Mortal Kombat 1 begins with a reasonably huge roster, and solely hides the 2 characters behind unlocks. All the different characters within the sport are totally playable from the second you boot up Mortal Kombat 1. You don’t have to beat the Kampaign or do something particular to unlock them for versus mode.
Let’s go over all 21 characters in Mortal Kombat 1’s beginning roster.
Ashrah
![Ashrah, an angelic demon, looks at the camera in Mortal Kombat 1](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/5aVK3dfX1OkNJSetcnOZMzQMRZk=/0x0:3840x2160/1200x0/filters:focal(0x0:3840x2160):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24923821/Mortal_Kombat__1_20230914123541.jpg)
Picture: NetherRealm Studios/Warner Bros. Video games
Ashrah is a fallen demon in Mortal Kombat 1, which principally simply means she’s an angel. She initially appeared in Mortal Kombat: Deception. Like many characters on this roster, it’s the primary time she’s been playable in a mainline sport since Armageddon.
Baraka
![Baraka looks to attack the camera in Mortal Kombat 1](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/0xsCdRw2M-lQgYYMR3InNVFEZdU=/0x0:3840x2160/1200x0/filters:focal(0x0:3840x2160):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24923819/Mortal_Kombat__1_20230914123530.jpg)
Picture: NetherRealm Studios/Warner Bros. Video games
Baraka is a survivor of the Tarkat plague, which turns him right into a big-mouthed monster with spikes popping out of his arms. He leads the opposite plagued folks into battle in service of Outland.
Common Shao
![General Shao wields an ax in Mortal Kombat 1](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/HWj5eWVb5jXMy9wumNGUssy4uDE=/0x0:3840x2160/1200x0/filters:focal(0x0:3840x2160):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24923806/Mortal_Kombat__1_20230914123425.jpg)
Picture: NetherRealm Studios/Warner Bros. Video games
Common Shao is the beloved and hated Shao Khan that Mortal Kombat followers have recognized and battled for years. However on this actuality, he’s not the emperor of Outland, and is as a substitute a trustworthy, highly effective basic who serves the realm.
Geras
![Geras holds a bunch of sand in his hand in Mortal Kombat 1](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/UgZg9CjUY6Ejcihj8r59-G-XJ4g=/0x0:3840x2160/1200x0/filters:focal(0x0:3840x2160):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24923820/Mortal_Kombat__1_20230914123535.jpg)
Picture: NetherRealm Studios/Warner Bros. Video games
Geras was an ally of Kronika, the Titan villain of Mortal Kombat 11. However on this new actuality, he’s been rebuilt by Fireplace God Liu Kang in an try to protect the recollections of the previous timelines.
Johnny Cage
![Johnny Cage mugs for the camera in Mortal Kombat 1](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/SC2tRpBbkTLqnEoCSLcvhrxW0vQ=/0x0:3840x2160/1200x0/filters:focal(0x0:3840x2160):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24923815/Mortal_Kombat__1_20230914123513.jpg)
Picture: NetherRealm Studios/Warner Bros. Video games
Johnny Cage is a film star who finds himself battling otherworldly entities within the Mortal Kombat match so as to keep related with the youth. He’s a collection staple, and makes use of inexperienced magic to assist sustain with the literal demons he’s battling towards.
Kenshi
![Kenshi holds two fingers up to his blindfold in Mortal Kombat 1](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/XeMooDyhe_36bBZbnfEqjhAftn8=/0x0:3840x2160/1200x0/filters:focal(0x0:3840x2160):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24923818/Mortal_Kombat__1_20230914123525.jpg)
Picture: NetherRealm Studios/Warner Bros. Video games
Kenshi is an old-school Mortal Kombat character, and performs closely into the “blind swordsman” archetype. He’s again on this new actuality, and is making an attempt to flee his household’s yakuza previous (through the use of his psychic sword powers to defend Earthrealm, it appears).
Kitana
![Kitana holds her knife fan in Mortal Kombat 1](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/50Bup0Kbg2CW3DNE2wZsL88pBwU=/0x0:3840x2160/1200x0/filters:focal(0x0:3840x2160):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24923801/Mortal_Kombat__1_20230914123344.jpg)
Picture: NetherRealm Studios/Warner Bros. Video games
Kitana is Mileena’s sister and one other daughter of Sindel, which makes her a princess of Outworld. She makes use of her fan blades to behave as her sister’s protector.
Kung Lao
![Kung Lao wears his bladed hat in Mortal Kombat 1](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ACUlHV_n5N0c2mBV9H0aJZ4RlFw=/0x0:3840x2160/1200x0/filters:focal(0x0:3840x2160):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24923816/Mortal_Kombat__1_20230914123517.jpg)
Picture: NetherRealm Studios/Warner Bros. Video games
Kung Lao — the person with the buzzsaw hat and one in all Liu Kang’s finest mates — is again on this new actuality for Mortal Kombat 1. A champion of Earthrealm, he and his hat are right here to assist defend his universe by way of Mortal Kombat.
Li Mei
![Li Mei stands at attention in Mortal Kombat 1](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/1SjJttFZeEhK21ksVIEBggkhlG8=/0x0:3840x2160/1200x0/filters:focal(0x0:3840x2160):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24923817/Mortal_Kombat__1_20230914123521.jpg)
Picture: NetherRealm Studios/Warner Bros. Video games
Li Mei is the chief of police in Mortal Kombat 1’s model of Outworld, and makes use of magic to subdue her foes. She appeared in Mortal Kombat X as an NPC, however hasn’t been totally playable since Mortal Kombat: Armageddon.
Liu Kang
![Liu Kang holds his flaming hands together in Mortal Kombat 1](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/do539fxBW9tAqQm9zEBFmx5syks=/0x0:3840x2160/1200x0/filters:focal(0x0:3840x2160):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24923814/Mortal_Kombat__1_20230914123459.jpg)
As soon as a pupil of Raiden, and the one actual remnant of the earlier Mortal Kombat actuality, Liu Kang is god in Mortal Kombat 1, and has reshaped the world in his picture. The explanation all the characters are barely completely different on this Mortal Kombat 1 is Liu Kang’s doing.
Mileena
![Mileena holds her blades to her side in Mortal Kombat 1](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/YWjtcYj_c8AMdpA-_t6HPKaHs58=/0x0:3840x2160/1200x0/filters:focal(0x0:3840x2160):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24923802/Mortal_Kombat__1_20230914123348.jpg)
Picture: NetherRealm Studios/Warner Bros. Video games
Mileena is the inheritor to Outworld, and is extraordinarily lethal with a blade. Below her masks, nevertheless, she’s hiding that she is contaminated with the identical plague as Baraka: Tarkat.
Nitara
![Nitara bares her teeth in Mortal Kombat 1](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/zCvh90v8zX-EE0qTum1GRACioqo=/0x0:3840x2160/1200x0/filters:focal(0x0:3840x2160):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24923822/Mortal_Kombat__1_20230914123550.jpg)
Picture: NetherRealm Studios/Warner Bros. Video games
Nitara is a vampire lady from the realm of Vaeternus, and is playable in a mainline Mortal Kombat sport for the primary time since Armageddon. She’s Mortal Kombat 1’s celeb character, and is voiced by Megan Fox.
Raiden
![Raiden holds lightning in her hands in Mortal Kombat 1](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ZSWLo1J9zV4l0VICpOTsoTf5oaU=/0x0:3840x2160/1200x0/filters:focal(0x0:3840x2160):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24923813/Mortal_Kombat__1_20230914123456.jpg)
Picture: NetherRealm Studios/Warner Bros. Video games
As soon as the god of lightning itself and Liu Kang’s mentor, Raiden is now a younger, human man within the actuality of Mortal Kombat 1. He joins the champions of Earthrealm to defend his dwelling in Mortal Kombat.
Rain
![Rain holds his staff in Mortal Kombat 1](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/R5vHXaU9o1yH-TDH5-zbMk8v26E=/0x0:3840x2160/1200x0/filters:focal(0x0:3840x2160):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24923804/Mortal_Kombat__1_20230914123405.jpg)
Picture: NetherRealm Studios/Warner Bros. Video games
Rain is one other returning character to the Mortal Kombat franchise, and that is the primary time he hasn’t been relegated to DLC or an NPC half in years. On this new actuality of Mortal Kombat 1, Rain is an Outworld sorcerer who makes use of water powers to take down his enemies.
Reiko
![Reiko looks at the camera in Mortal Kombat 1](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Z-gbgmHGGbeHB0a06xEyfRTv48Y=/0x0:3840x2160/1200x0/filters:focal(0x0:3840x2160):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24923808/Mortal_Kombat__1_20230914123432.jpg)
Picture: NetherRealm Studios/Warner Bros. Video games
Reiko is Common Shao’s right-hand man, and is coming again to Mortal Kombat 1 as a completely playable character for the primary time since Mortal Kombat: Armageddon.
Reptile
![Reptile looks into the distance in Mortal Kombat 1](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Pq-8A4cCRpxjVR9ozGTDrXZ6l2k=/0x0:3840x2160/1200x0/filters:focal(0x0:3840x2160):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24923812/Mortal_Kombat__1_20230914123451.jpg)
Picture: NetherRealm Studios/Warner Bros. Video games
Is Reptile a person or a lizard in Mortal Kombat 1? Sure. Reptile is a shapeshifter on this actuality, capable of change between his human and lizard type at will. He additionally spits acid.
Scorpion
![Scorpion stands behind the roster page in Mortal Kombat 1](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/4lI31pfqqzfU0NwY9A4lnl5JiZc=/0x0:3840x2160/1200x0/filters:focal(0x0:3840x2160):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24923810/Mortal_Kombat__1_20230914123439.jpg)
Picture: NetherRealm Studios/Warner Bros. Video games
The brother of Sub-Zero on this actuality, Scorpion has devoted his life in service to the Lin Kuei, and is a robust asset within the efforts to guard Earthrealm. Regardless of his background, Scorpion’s id hasn’t modified, and he’s nonetheless the franchise’s signature character. And sure, he nonetheless has that notorious “recover from right here” catchphrase.
Sindel
![Sindel looks into the camera in Mortal Kombat 1](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/6bsNFMf7ay8dMCYdVNaYxTdwBA4=/0x0:3840x2160/1200x0/filters:focal(0x0:3840x2160):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24923807/Mortal_Kombat__1_20230914123429.jpg)
Picture: NetherRealm Studios/Warner Bros. Video games
Sindel is the empress of Outworld in Mortal Kombat 1, and mom of each Mileena and Kitana. She makes use of her hair and scream powers to decimate her enemies, simply as she at all times has.
Smoke
![Smoke holds his knife menacingly in Mortal Kombat 1](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Lt5T7ROkVwg9fb8fzq0b0g4TOns=/0x0:3840x2160/1200x0/filters:focal(0x0:3840x2160):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24923809/Mortal_Kombat__1_20230914123436.jpg)
Picture: NetherRealm Studios/Warner Bros. Video games
Smoke rolls with Sub-Zero, Scorpion, and firm in Mortal Kombat 1 so as to help within the protection of Earthrealm. He makes use of his smoke-based powers to vanish and teleport across the enviornment.
Sub-Zero
![Sub-Zero holds ice in his hand in Mortal Kombat 1](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/YJx4a8ApHbGeyaoo5Vmr-d_MYlE=/0x0:3840x2160/1200x0/filters:focal(0x0:3840x2160):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24923811/Mortal_Kombat__1_20230914123443.jpg)
Picture: NetherRealm Studios/Warner Bros. Video games
The grandmaster of the Lin Kuei, Sub-Zero makes use of his ice powers to assist lead his band of warriors within the protection of Earthrealm alongside his brother, Scorpion. This relationship change is among the greatest in Mortal Kombat 1, taking hearth and ice from mortal enemies to kin.
Tanya
![Tanya holds her big stick in Mortal Kombat 1](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/rWQsFn3ISUIRSzxcs7KSmOU0uKc=/0x0:3840x2160/1200x0/filters:focal(0x0:3840x2160):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24923803/Mortal_Kombat__1_20230914123359.jpg)
Picture: NetherRealm Studios/Warner Bros. Video games
Tanya returns as a playable character in Mortal Kombat 1 after being relegated to a cameo within the earlier sport. She wields an enormous, blunt bat and acts as a paladin-esque character after being raised from the useless.
Learn how to unlock Havik and Shang Tsung in Mortal Kombat 1
There are two unlockable characters in Mortal Kombat 1 at launch: Havik and Shang Tsung. Right here’s what you’ll have to do to unlock every of them, and somewhat bit about who they’re within the Mortal Kombat universe.
Learn how to unlock Havik
![Havik flexes in Mortal Kombat 1](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/42KppGx1F3QyLMESlZdxxyEx6BA=/0x0:3840x2160/1200x0/filters:focal(0x0:3840x2160):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24923823/Mortal_Kombat__1_20230914123555.jpg)
Picture: NetherRealm Studios/Warner Bros. Video games
Havik is Mortal Kombat 1’s solely unlockable character that you simply get by truly enjoying the sport. You may unlock Havik by finishing Mortal Kombat 1’s story mode.
Havik is an anarchist who has appeared in a couple of Mortal Kombat video games up to now.
Learn how to unlock Shang Tsung
![Shang Tsung holds a potion in Mortal Kombat 1](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/lsv7N7ho7p107fbMrTZ99_SNRx8=/0x0:3840x2160/1200x0/filters:focal(0x0:3840x2160):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24923805/Mortal_Kombat__1_20230914123417.jpg)
Picture: NetherRealm Studios/Warner Bros. Video games
Shang Tsung is technically an unlockable character for Mortal Kombat 1, and you unlock Shang Tsung by pre-ordering the sport. Like most pre-order characters in Mortal Kombat, you’ll have the ability to purchase him as DLC at a later date in case you fail to pre-order in time. (In Mortal Kombat 11, DLC characters, together with Shang Tsung, price $5.99.)
One of many extra well-known Mortal Kombat villains, Shang Tsung was the unique host for the sport’s titular tournaments, and is a robust form shifting sorcerer.
Mortal Kombat 1 DLC characters
![The DLC characters for Mortal Kombat 1 — Omni Man, Peacemaker, Ermac, Takeda, Quan Chi and Takeda — stand together](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/3lpxVU4QpzIou9nAgQ346bxMHfk=/0x0:920x613/1200x0/filters:focal(0x0:920x613):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24921285/Mortal_Kombat_1___Official_Kombat_Pack_Roster_Reveal_Trailer_Thumbnail.6.jpg)
Picture: NetherRealm Studios/Warner Bros. Video games
Mortal Kombat 1 will likely be getting an infusion of latest characters within the coming months — most of them probably received’t seem till someday in 2024 — with its Kombat Pack DLC. Half of the Kombat Pack’s roster are beloved Mortal Kombat characters that didn’t make the lower for Mortal Kombat 1, and the opposite half are problematic tremendous “hero” faves from our favourite TV exhibits.
Right here’s the complete roster of the primary Kombat Pack, which comes packaged in Mortal Kombat 1’s Premium Version.
Ermac
Within the previous universe of Mortal Kombat, Ermac was a group of souls inside what primarily simply appears like a mummy. He served Shao Kahn, the emperor of Outworld. He does play a component within the Mortal Kombat 1 predominant story, however you received’t have the ability to truly play as him till the DLC characters arrive.
Homelander
Homelander comes from the Amazon Prime collection The Boys — and the comedian of the identical identify. He’s the large Superman-like superhero of that world, and can be a raging fascist with a god advanced. He’ll slot in simply nice with a number of the villains of Mortal Kombat.
Omni-Man
Omni-Man is, like Homelander, one of many greatest superheroes from his universe. He comes from Invincible, one other Amazon Prime present that comes from a comic book.
Peacemaker
Peacemaker was as soon as an obscure DC villain, introduced into the limelight by John Cena in James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad film. Then he starred in his personal present, Peacemaker. And now he’s coming to Mortal Kombat 1.
Takeda
Takeda is among the “Kombat Youngsters” from Mortal Kombat X, and is the son of Kenshi Takahashi — a fighter who returns to Mortal Kombat 1. Within the previous universe, Takeda skilled underneath Scorpion and used bladed whips as his major weapon.
Quan Chi
Quan Chi was an evil, necromantic sorcerer from the Netherrealm who served the Elder God Shinnok. In Mortal Kombat 1, he does issue into the sport’s predominant story. However, like Ermac, you received’t have the ability to truly management him till he comes out as DLC.