25 Best Mortal Kombat Characters of All Time, Ranked (2025)

25.Frost

First Appearance — Mortal Kombat Deadly Alliance

Frost is a relatively new character in the MK universe, but has undoubtedly made an impact in a relatively short time. Originally a student of Grandmaster Sub-Zero in the Lin Kuei, Frost's desire for more power and belief that she was the true heir to the Lin Kuei legacy led her to betray the Grand Master.

Frost was deadly when she was human, but after her demise due to her arrogance with the Dragon Medallion, she came back as a cyber-enhanced warrior, even more of a threat than she was before.

24.Shinnok

First Appearance — Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub Zero

Initially an Elder God, Shinnok fell out of favor with the rest of the Elder Gods after attempting to rule over all the realms. Shinnok rebelled against the Gods but failed, and thus he was cast into the Netherrealm to suffer for all eternity. Shinnok became ruler of the Netherrealm, commanding an army of the dead and demons. With the help of the evil sorcerer Quan Chi, Shinnok was able to escape the Netherrealm and continued his mission to take over the universe.

23.Sektor

First Appearance - Mortal Kombat 3

Originally a human member of the Lin Kuei, when the original Grandmaster decided to institute the cyber initiative and turn all its members into half-human, half-cyborg warriors, Sektor was the first to volunteer. Soon after, he forced his comrades, Smoke and Cyrax, to undergo the procedure as well. Sub-Zero refuses to have his humanity removed and flees the Lin Kuei, which in turn leads to him being hunted by the cybernetic ninjas. Of the three original Cyber Ninjas, Sektor is the most ruthless and evil, with only one allegiance in life: the Grandmaster.

22.Ermac

First Appearance — Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3

Ermac officially became part of MK lore in Ultimate MK 3, after being a myth perpetuated by arcade mainstays. The red ninja is a being that is a collection of souls that Shang Tsung and Shao Kahn harnessed to make a mighty warrior. Ermac is a master of telekinesis, levitation, and soul manipulation. Carrying the power of thousands of warriors, Ermac is an unstoppable force and an essential weapon of Outworld.

21.Kenshi Takahashi

First Appearance — Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance

Kenshi was always seeking greater power, which led him to a disguised Shang Tsung, who used Kenshi in a scheme to gather more souls to fuel his own powers. Claiming a mighty sword lay in a well, Tsung tricked Kenshi into opening it, which may have held the sword, but also a plethora of trapped souls, and the rush of escaping souls blinded Kenshi. Through all this, Kenshi acquired the spirit-infused sword Sento, which houses the souls of his ancestors and gives him the ability of telepathy and a form of "sight" to help him in battle.

20.Cyrax

First Appearance — Mortal Kombat 3

A member of the Lin Kuei like Sub-Zero, Sektor, and Smoke, Cyrax was an unwilling participant in the Cyber Initiative who was forced to undergo the procedure to transform him into a cyborg. Unlike his partner Sektor, Cyrax saw the many flaws in the Lin Kuei's leadership, but it was too late. Even though he is now a cyborg, Cyrax's inner humanity hasn't been entirely driven out, and he constantly fights his programming and his conscience. He is later captured and reprogrammed by Sub-Zero and becomes an ally to Earthrealm’s forces.

19.Kitana

First Appearance — Mortal Kombat 2

The 10,000-year-old adoptive daughter of Outworld Emperor Shao Kahn, Kitana was originally the daughter of King Jerrod and Queen Sindel of Edenia. Shao Kahn and his Outworld forces invaded and conquered Edenia, killing King Jerrod and forcibly marrying Queen Sindel and adopting Kitana as his own daughter. For years, she was unaware that Kahn murdered her true father, and after discovering this, she defected from the forces of Outworld to aid the warriors of Earthrealm. A deadly fighter proficient with her fan blades, Kitana is truly a force to be reckoned with.

18.Kabal

First Appearance — Mortal Kombat 3

Originally a member of Kano’s Black Dragon crime syndicate, armed with hook weapons and super speed, Kabal was horribly burned and disfigured when Shao Kahn invaded Earth during the events of MK 3. He was found by Kano and refitted with a mask and breathing apparatus to hide his disfigured face. After his disfigurement, Kano reevaluated his life of crime and turned against the Black Dragon.

17.Sindel

First Appearance — Mortal Kombat 3

Initially, after Shao Kahn took over the realm, the Queen of Edenia was forcibly married to him. Unwilling to live under the control of Shao Kahn, Sindel took her own life. Eventually, Shao Kahn, with the help of Shang Tsung, harnessed Sindel's soul and corrupted it, in turn reviving her as a new, evil, and treacherous villain. Now loyal to Shao Kahn, Sindel became treacherous and merciless to her opponents, utilizing her banshee scream and prehensile hair.

16.Jax

First Appearance — Mortal Kombat 2

Major Jackson Briggs is a member of the Special Forces of Earthrealm and a dedicated soldier. After the events of Mortal Kombat, Sonya Blade enlists the aid of her partner Jax to aid her in the fight against Outworld. During the events of MK 2, Jax's arms are severely damaged, leading him to be implanted with cybernetic arms that greatly enhance his already formidable strength. Only filled with more desire to protect Earthrealm, after defeating Shao Kahn, from the Outer World Investigation Agency, to protect the realms against the threat of Outworld.

15.Baraka

First Appearance — Mortal Kombat 2

Baraka is feared throughout Outworld and is a loyal soldier to its ruler as a member of the bloodthirsty race known as the Tarkatans. Known for his long, sharp teeth and his blades protruding from his arms, Baraka is a formidable force in the tournament. Baraka's ruthlessness earned him a promotion to general in Shao Kahn's armies. Still, as time went on, his place in the war between realms was questioned when it became clear that Shao Kahn did not have the best intentions for his fellow Tarkatans.

14.Kung Lao

First Appearance — Mortal Kombat 2

Named after his ancestor, The Great Kung Lao, a former champion of Mortal Kombat who was killed by Goro, the new Kung Lao is a Shaolin Monk famous for his mastery of martial arts and his razor-brimmed hat, which he often uses as a deadly weapon.

After Liu Kang wins the first tournament, Kung Lao joins his fellow Shaolin Monks when Shao Kahn attempts to destroy the Earthrealm warriors. A calm and collected warrior, he knows that he is often overshadowed by the exploits of Liu Kang and thus only fuels Kung Lao to improve his skills as a fighter.

13.Quan Chi

First Appearance — Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub Zero


A cruel, cunning, and manipulative sorcerer from the Netherrealm, Quan Chi is behind many significant events throughout MK history. He was the one who freed Shinnok from the Netherrealm, he's the one who posed as Sub-Zero and murdered Scorpion's family and clan, and worst of all, during the events of Deadly Alliance, he teamed up with Shang Tsung and killed Liu Kang. Though he allies himself with different leaders such as Shinnok or Shang Tsung, Quan Chi's true loyalty is only to himself, and he will do whatever it takes to become ruler of all realms.

12.Sonya Blade

First Appearance — Mortal Kombat

A fearlessly determined commander of Earth's Special Forces, Sonya Blade, enters the tournament in her pursuit of Kano, the leader of the Black Dragon gang that also killed her former partner. Sonya is a fierce warrior, and her no-nonsense attitude ensures she will accomplish her mission no matter the cost. Shao Kahn’s forces unfortunately capture her and thus does not participate in Mortal Kombat 2, but Jax rescues her and continues her fight against Outworld.

11.Reptile

First Appearance — Mortal Kombat

Originally a secret character in the first Mortal Kombat, Reptile eventually would become a much more fleshed out character and a fan favorite. Reptile is a Saurian, a lizard like creature from the realm of Zaterra. After Outworld conquered Zaterra, Reptile became a humble servant/assassin for Shao Kahn and Outworld. Although originally loyal to Shao Kahn, it seems Reptile will serve anyone that best suits his needs such as Shang Tsung and Kotal Kahn. Reptile may not have true allegiances but he has one desire, to restore his race and Zaterra to its former glory.

10.Shang Tsung

First Appearance — Mortal Kombat

The OG Boss of the Mortal Kombat franchise —the shape-shifting sorcerer —left a lasting impact that resonates to this day in the series. Born in Earthrealm, this sorcerer betrayed his loyalty to his realm to serve Shao Kahn in exchange for immortality. This immortality came with a curse: Tsung must consume souls to remain immortal, or he will wither and die. Shang Tsung was the original host of Mortal Kombat, enlisting the aid of the powerful Goro. Tsung and his new ally gave the Emperor 9 victories in a row; they needed 10 to invade Earthrealm. Liu Kang defeated Goro and Tsung, thus foiling Kahn's plans. Eventually, Tsung would team up with Quan Chi and kill both Shao Kahn and Liu Kang, solidifying them as a deadly alliance.

9.Mileena

First Appearance — Mortal Kombat 2

The viciously deadly Mileena is a half-Edenian, half-Tarkatan clone of Kitana. Mileena was created when Kahn began questioning his adopted daughter's loyalty, and Shang Tsung created a clone even more loyal and twice as deadly. Armed with Sai instead of Kitana's fan blades, Mileena fights with a bloodthirsty depravity that makes her a feared foe every time one comes across her. Her Tarkatan blood gives her a horrifying visage that she keeps under a mask, but she will use her sharp fangs when the moment is necessary. Mileena has become a fan favorite not just for her edge, but also because she is often a fighter people select when they want a better chance at victory.

8.Raiden

First Appearance — Mortal Kombat

Raiden is the God of Thunder and protector of Earthrealm. Known for his wisdom as well as mastery of hand-to-hand combat, Raiden has been called upon to defend the sanctity of the tournament and the safety of the realms. When Shang Tsung and Shao Kahn seek to corrupt the tournament, Raiden often takes on the form of a mortal, still retaining his powers of thunder and lightning, and enters the tournament himself to ensure victory for Earthrealm. Though he is powerful and a God, Raiden isn't perfect. Growing tired of Earthrealmers constantly putting Earthrealm in danger, he becomes a dark version of himself, and he also almost unwittingly wipes out the entirety of the fighters for Earthrealm. He means well, but even Gods can be wrong in Mortal Kombat.

7.Goro

First Appearance — Mortal Kombat

Easily the most visually iconic character in MK history, Prince Goro of the Shokan struck fear in all arcade players when they first encountered him. This four-armed giant is a multi-time Mortal Kombat champion, defeating the original Kung Lao, who started a win streak that almost led to the demise of Earthrealm. Seemingly killed when Liu Kang finally beat him, Goro has popped up again from time to time throughout the series, mostly in favor for the glory of the Shokan race. Goro's allegiances have changed throughout.

6.Shao Kahn

First Appearance — Mortal Kombat 2


The warlord Emperor of Outworld, Shao Kahn lives only for bloodlust, war, and dominion over all realms. Kahn has conquered many realms in his time as Emperor, but the one that escapes his reach is the Earthrealm. To create a cosmic loophole to allow his invasion, he proposes the Mortal Kombat tournament. If his outworld representatives can win 10 tournaments in a row, the Elder Gods must abide by his invasion of Earthrealm. Until the arrival of Liu Kang and his allies, Kahn had never tasted failure until now. He may have suffered some defeats, but he will not rest until he rules over all of existence.

5.Liu Kang

First Appearance — Mortal Kombat

Considered the main protagonist of the series, Liu Kang is a Shaolin Monk extremely gifted in martial arts. Liu Kang entered his first tournament and defeated the long-reigning champion Goro, as well as Shao Kahn's right hand, Shang Tsung. Enraged by this defeat, Kahn organized another tournament hosted in Outworld, which once again saw Liu Kang the victor, defeating the Emperor himself. Liu Kang had a long run as Mortal Kombat Champion, though unfortunately, he was killed by the combined deception of Shang Tsung and Quan Chi. Kang would later be resurrected and even earn the title of God and keeper of time.

4.Kano

First Appearance — Mortal Kombat



Kano is a ruthless criminal and the leader of the Black Dragon criminal empire. Known as a proficient combatant and his cybernetic red eye that doubles as a laser, Kano has no loyalties to anyone but himself and is willing to serve the highest bidder. Kano entered the tournament when he started illegally trafficking advanced Earthrealm weaponry to the armies of Outworld. He is pursued into Outworld by Sonya and Jax, who are also drawn into the deadly tournament, hoping to bring justice to the killer.

3.Sub-Zero

First Appearance — Mortal Kombat



The first Sub-Zero (Bi-Han) was a Lin Kuei assassin proficient in cryomancy (control of ice). Unlike his younger brother Kuai Lang, Bi Han was cold and emotionless, always willing to do what it took for the Lin Kuei, no matter who he had to kill. Before the events of the first Mortal Kombat game, Quan Chi framed Sub-Zero and the Lin Kuei for the murder of Scorpion, his family, and his clan, the Shirai Ryu — all part of a larger plan by Quan Chi to turn Scorpion into an undead specter that would do his bidding. Scorpion entered the tournament and killed Sub-Zero. In the events of Mortal Kombat 2, Bi-Han’s younger brother Kuai Liang took on the role in a more honorable and respected manner, aligning himself with the warriors of Earthrealm to defeat Shao Kahn.

2.Johnny Cage

First Appearance — Mortal Kombat

A Hollywood star who may be too confident for his own good, luckily, he has his proficient martial arts skills to fall back on.

Cage was always proud that he did his own stunts in his films, but the problem was that nobody believed he was the real deal and that he relied on stunt doubles and cheap effects. To prove his naysayers wrong, Cage enters Mortal Kombat to prove to himself and the world that he is the best martial artist in all of Hollywood.

Unfortunately, things got real, real quick, and Cage found himself in a world of gore and death. Even though he was unwilling at first, Johnny Cage became one of Earthrealm's most reliable defenders.

1.Scorpion

First Appearance — Mortal Kombat


This undead warrior wasn't always the way he is now. Before the events of Mortal Kombat, Scorpion, aka Hanzo Hasashi, was a great warrior and leader of the Shirai Ryu. He also had his own family, whom he cared for dearly. One day, the rival clan, the Lin Kuei (led by Sub-Zero), seemingly attacked the Shirai Ryu unprovoked, killing many of the people in the town, as well as Hanzo and his family. In the Netherrealm, Hanzo swore vengeance against Sub-Zero and, with the aid of Quan Chi, was reborn as the undead revenant Scorpion, able to throw his signature chained spear and control hellfire itself. Scorpion goes on to kill Sub-Zero in the tournament, but he eventually learns that not all is as it seems when it comes to the actual murderer of his family and clan.