MK1 characters tier list – all Mortal Kombat 1 fighters so far ranked

Since the game’s fiery reveal, fighting fans have been wondering about all the Mortal Kombat 1 characters on the roster. The semi-reboot known for its gory carnage promises a new fighting system that lets Kameo fighters enter combat for some sick combos. The game’s story has also been given a shake-up.

Mortal Kombat 1 finally has a release date and its fatalities are some of the most brutal yet. Here are the characters we’ve seen so far causing mayhem with timed combos and deadly X-rays.

Co-creator Ed Boon dropped a new gameplay trailer as promised, with six Main and Kameo fighter reveals. It focuses on the Lin Kuei faction. In addition, NetherRealm Studios’ latest Umgadi and Kombat Pack trailers gave us even more looks at the rest of MK1’s roster. Its Banished trailer has also got fans clamouring for more Mortal Kombat. Gamescom 2023 brought the heat with a new Rulers of Outworld trailer that showed off Sindel, General Shao, Motaro, and Shujinko. We’ve got the latest list of confirmed characters right here.

Mortal Kombat 1 characters ranked tier list

After spending a good amount of time with the Mortal Kombat 1 beta, here’s an MK1 characters ranked tier list based on how they performed:

Tier	Characters
S-Tier	Kenshi, Liu Kang
A-Tier	Sub-Zero, Li Mei, Johnny Cage
B-Tier	Kitana
C-Tier	NA

Mortal Kombat 1 Kameo fighters ranked tier list

While the main fighters are the ones who you’ll spend most of your time with, don’t count out your Kameo fighter assistants. Here’s an MK1 Kameo fighters ranked tier list based on the Mortal Kombat 1 beta:

Tier	Kameo Characters
S-Tier	Frost, Kano
A-Tier	Sonya Blade, Jax

Confirmed Mortal Kombat 1 characters

Here are all of the Mortal Kombat 1 characters that we’ve seen so far:

1. Liu Kang
2. Scorpion
3. Sub-Zero
4. Shang Tsung
5. Raiden
6. Kitana
7. Johnny Cage
8. Kenshi
9. Kung Lao
10. Mileena
11. Smoke
12. Rain
13. Homelander
14. Peacemaker
15. Omni-Man
16. Quan Chi
17. Takeda
18. Ermac
19. Li Mei
20. Tanya
21. Baraka
22. Geras
23. Reptile
24. Ashrah
25. Havik
26. Sindel
27. General Shao

And here are the Mortal Kombat 1 Kameo Fighters we’ve seen:

1. Kano
2. Goro
3. Jax
4. Sonya Blade
5. Kung Lao
6. Sub-Zero
7. Scorpion
8. Stryker
9. Erron Black
10. Cyrax
11. Sektor
12. Frost
13. Darrius
14. Sareena
15. Motaro
16. Shujinko

A leak included the following Kameo Fighters:

1. Tremor
2. Johnny Cage
3. Khameleon
4. Mavado
5. Ferra

Players have also spotted Reiko making a return from earlier Mortal Kombat games in MK1.

Mortal Kombat 1 Main Fighters list – MK1 character bios

Here are all the main fighters in Mortal Kombat 1:

S-Tier – Liu Kang

Recently becoming a god in Mortal Kombat 11’s DLC, Liu Kang is now a fierce protector of Earthrealm. Now known as the Fire God, MK1’s campaign will certainly have him recruiting new fighters to take part in a tournament. He’s got deadly flame skills, including a sinister fatality with flaming dragons ripping an enemy apart.

Liu Kang is both deadly and simple to play as in the MK1 beta. While his attack style is similar to how he functioned in Mortal Kombat 11, his god powers enhance his defense-beating combat. His Forward Left Punch is particularly fast, to the point that we’re already expecting a nerf. He has no difficulty in sitting at an S-Tier rating.

Scorpion

Hazo Hasashi is back for yet another bout of savage combat as Scorpion. He can be seen getting to work with a Kusarigama this time. I know the name of the scythe attached to a chain thanks to Nioh 2. Scorpion has the standard set of heated blades for some glorious X-ray moves and fatalities. He’s also a Kameo character. The biggest surprise was that Ed Boon, one of the creators of Mortal Kombat, called Sub-Zero his brother. That would be a nice change of pace from their bitter rivalry. If anything, it’ll justify me throwing hands as Sub-Zero when my brother picks Scorpion.

A-Tier – Sub-Zero

Where Scorpion blazes through, Sub-Zero’s chill will accompany him. The Mortal Kombat 1 variant of Sub-Zero is Bi-Han. As one of the most recognizable Mortal Kombat characters, it’s no surprise that he is also a Kameo fighter. It appears the deadly duo will be supporting Liu Kang this time. The Fire God will likely drive Mortal Kombat 1’s story mode so expect Sub-Zero to back him up.

Despite the bias of him being my favourite MK character, Sub-Zero is pretty solid in the MK1 beta. His new deadly vapours move goes well with the good-ol’ ice ball. Sub-Zero feels more like a defensive option than one that deals massive damage. His slides give him extra mobility and his combo extenders are great at launching enemies up. And while that fits my playstyle, it’s not particularly lethal unless the player knows what they’re doing. He sits at the A-Tier in our tier list because of his freeze attacks that pair up well with Kameo fighter attacks to extend combos.

Shang Tsung

Shang Tsung shows up as a pre-order bonus in Mortal Kombat 1. We don’t know if he’ll get to make a Kameo appearance just yet. And there’s a chance that players can still get him later as a paid purchase. It’s nice to see a villain return in this reboot.

Raiden

No longer a god, Raiden is now an eager recruit who still has lightning powers. He’s in the main roster but I wouldn’t be surprised if he made a Kameo appearance too. He appears in a monk outfit and seems to have a rather arrogant personality this time around. Raiden’s lightning-based attacks are still gorgeous and his fatalities are devastating too.

B-Tier – Kitana

The Princess of Edenia reprises her role in the latest edition of Mortal Kombat. Her lethal fans are back, complete with blood-spilling attacks and fatalities. She looks like an important character in the game’s main storyline as well. Expect to see more of her combos as we head towards Mortal Kombat 1’s launch.

While Kitana was solid in the MK1 beta, I’m certain she’s going to get a nerf. That’s because I spotted plenty of players using her left kick and right kick combo to wipe enemy health bars. It’s an exploit that will quickly be nerfed. And while her fans are potent, players discovered that using Kameo fighters could let them tackle this threat. That’s why she’s currently a B-Tier fighter in Mortal Kombat 1.

A-Tier – Johnny Cage

The charismatic character returns in Mortal Kombat as an actor with quite a collection. Kenshi fights him for his sword in the gameplay reveal. Johnny Cage delivers quick blows and his free-flowing combat ends with a face smash fatality. He doesn’t seem too convinced about Liu Kang’s little party of adventurers so it’ll be interesting to see how it all plays out. He’s definitely in the main roster and is voiced by Jean-Claude Van Damme. Players can also get an MK1 character skin in the likeness of the famous martial arts actor.

In the MK1 beta, Johnny Cage was a menace that earned our A-Tier rating with moves like Rising Star, Ball Buster, and Shadow Dash. With the help of his Hype ability, he can even cancel into special moves. While he isn’t the easiest player on the roster, newcomers will be able to quickly learn how to land devastating attacks as Johnny Cage.

S-Tier – Kenshi

Surprise, surprise. Kenshi isn’t blind this time. I hope it stays that way. It also appears that he needs to get his iconic blade back from a famous actor. In addition to the Kameo fighter backing him up, Kenshi also has a ghost samurai who shows up during many of his combos. NetherRealm Studios also showed off his default look but I hope this Kenshi gets to keep his eyesight.

The MK1 beta showed us just how potent a buddy samurai could be. Operating two characters in a fighting game is certainly a tall ask, but skilled players can use this to punish their foes and clear rounds. You can even land ghost attacks while blocking, making it a challenging character to play and encounter as an enemy. He handily earns our S-Tier ranking based off our time with the beta.

Kung Lao

It appears that Kung Lao isn’t as strong this time around. This classic character, present in both the main roster and the Kameo one, doesn’t have his bladed hat. At least, not at first. The story mode in MK1 might shed more light on how he gets his signature weapon.

Mileena

Kitana’s rival Kombatant is back once more. Mileena’s teeth also get some showtime in the Summer Game Fest showcase’s gameplay reveal. Her teleportation kicks are back, powered by the current-gen consoles’ extra horsepower. She is currently only on the main roster.

Smoke

With plenty of lethal combos and smoke-based attacks, Smoke makes a triumphant return in Mortal Kombat 1. And yes, he’s a part of the main fighting roster. I can’t wait to try his X-ray moves out on an unfortunate opponent.

Rain

Rain also makes a return in the latest instalment of the Mortal Kombat games. Their water-based attacks are particularly potent in MK1. The latest gameplay trailer showed an enemy being lifted off the ground by one such wave attack.

A-Tier – Li Mei

Another returning character, Li Mei started competing in the tournament to save her people. Her purple energy-based attacks and heel kicks are deadly in the right player’s hands.

Li Mei’s Rushdown abilities are exceptional in the MK1 beta. Abilities like Sky Lantern and Chain Reaction play off incredibly well with her uppercuts. With simple combos, she’s a good starting point in Mortal Kombat 1. That’s why she gets an A-tier rating from us.

Tanya

This powerful combatant returns in Mortal Kombat 1 with some big buffs to her traditional gameplay. She can be seeing performing a brutal fatality in the latest trailer. Known for her deception, Tanya is a minor antagonist who first showed up in Mortal Kombat 4.

Baraka

This brutal and unpredictable warrior is back for blood in Mortal Kombat 1. A member of the Tarkatan tribe, Baraka has appeared in multiple Mortal Kombat titles with his lethal blades and ferocious bite. And he’s arrived as another addition to NetherRealm’s upcoming Mortal Kombat game.

Geras

A noted servant of the Keeper of Time, Geras returns from Mortal Kombat 11 with god-like strength and the ability to manipulate time itself. It’ll be interesting to see how they handle this character’s powers alongside Liu Kang and his ascent to godhood. Expect powerful sand-based attacks that decimate your foes.

Reptile

Mortal Kombat 1 returns Reptile to eager fans but with a brand-new backstory. Dropping in via the Banished trailer, it appears that Reptile has been banished from his society due to his ability to take on human form. His poison-based attacks are deadly as ever as Reptile shifts from human form to his grotesque lizard form. And remember that he can turn invisible too in MK1.

Ashrah

A Netherrealm demon, Ashrah returns to Mortal Kombat 1 with her unique angel wings and blades. Despite her innocent appearance in white, she’s a demon that hunts other demons. Her weapon, however, appears to originate from a heavenly source. Watch out for her lethal winged attacks as you take her on in the game.

Havik

A Cleric of Chaos, Havik made his debut in Mortal Kombat: Deception. Returning from the Chaosrealm, Havik’s sole goal is to seed discord and will ally with anyone to see his ends through. His partially exposed skull grants him a striking appearance. He derives pleasure from pain, even his own. This can be best seen in a fatality where he punches an enemy until his arms literally fall off in MK1.

Sindel

Sindel returns in all her glory from MK 11. Her lethal hair attacks deal incredible amounts of damage to enemies and the Gamescom trailer showed off a terrifying fatality of hers. Her control over ultrasonic sound waves and sonic blasts are a deadly threat. Expect her to play a role in the game’s campaign alongside General Shao Kahn.

General Shao

Commonly known as Shao Kahn, this celebrated villain returns in MK1. The Gamescom trailer showcased a different side of him, one under a higher authority. In the Mortal Kombat 11 expansion Aftermath, he worked alongside Sindel as an antagonist. The latest trailer shows us the return of this partnership but it appears to be shakier than before. His arrogance is on full display here, with a battle axe instead of a hammer. He can even control it telekinetically, making for some sweet moves.

Mortal Kombat 1 DLC Fighters list

Here’s a list of all the confirmed Kombat Pack 1 fighters in Mortal Kombat 1:

Homelander (DLC)

When it comes to rampant murder, few characters can compete with Homelander. This narcissistic character from The Boys has just been confirmed as a DLC character for Mortal Kombat 1. Homelander’s charm and the ability to precisely hack people to bits with lasers is a winning combination for new X-rays and fatalities.

Peacemaker (DLC)

A character rising in prominence thanks to his TV show, John Cena plays Peacemaker in the DC Universe. It’s this version of the character that’s making its way to Mortal Kombat 1 via the Kombat Pack 1. Expect lethal pistol attacks and unique combos from this character.

Omni-Man (DLC)

Another character from Invincible, Omni-Man is a popular anti-hero character that’s a perfect fit for a game whose brand is unapologetic violence. As a darker take on a happier genre, Invincible’s character is a good addition to the Mortal Kombat Universe. Just don’t expect him to be absurdly overpowered.

Quan Chi (DLC)

This fan-favourite demon makes a triumphant return to the Mortal Kombat franchise. With deadly dark magic and necromancy abilities, he’s a powerful enemy against both Earthrealm and Outworld. While he was killed by Scorpion in Mortal Kombat X, expect the new reboot to shake things up with respect to his storyline.

Takeda (DLC)

An apprentice of Scorpion, Takeda uses plasma-empowered swords and bladed whips to disarm his enemies. He’s returning to Mortal Kombat 1 via the Kombat Pack 1 as well. We’ll get to know more about his story arc as we head closer to the game’s launch.

Ermac (DLC)

A ninja in red that uses telekinesis to bring foes to their knees, Ermac is a formidable opponent. He’s an odd one, with feats both heroic and villainous to his name. Expect a new arc alongside Mileena in the latest Mortal Kombat game.

Mortal Kombat 1 Kameo fighters list

S-Tier – Kano (Kameo)

Kano is back in his usual white outfit. His spinning attacks can be a part of any main character’s arsenal if you pick him as your Kameo fighter. A trailer shows off his heart-ripping fatality in all its disturbing glory. We don’t know if he’ll play a bigger role in MK1.

In the MK1 beta, players loved using Kano’s lasers to tackle projectiles. His spinning attacks were great too. He sits at our S-Tier ranking based on his performance so far.

Goro (Kameo)

Four-armed Goro makes a short appearance in Mortal Kombat 1’s gameplay reveal trailer. He looks like he’s lost a bit of his height but he’s still a towering menace with his punches. He makes a Kameo appearance but I hope he’s a playable character too.

A-Tier – Jax Briggs (Kameo)

With a classic look and a beloved fatality, Jax is back in business. While his growing in size is a crazy feat, some gags just need to be experienced without looking into the lore. He makes short work of an opponent with his boot, now aptly massive.

Jax is a good option if you want to keep combos going, based on our experience in the MK1 beta. Just remember that his attacks take some time to wind up. He’s a good A-Tier pick as a Kameo Fighter.

A-Tier – Sonya Blade (Kameo)

Sonya Blade from Special Forces is an interesting addition. As a Kameo fighter, she retains her classic costume and even performs an all-time favourite fatality, a kiss that burns an enemy to ashes. She’s a confirmed Kameo fighter but she’d make a solid playable character too.

Sonya remains versatile as ever, with her projectiles, aerial attacks, and throws in the MK1 beta. She handily earns an A-Tier in our rankings.

Stryker (Kameo)

Curtis Stryker makes quite the Kameo appearance by disabling the Fire God with his flashlight and taser. We don’t know much more about his whereabouts. While he shows up in his white-and-blue outfit, I hope we get to see some more customization options like the image above.

Erron Black (Kameo)

We don’t know much about his appearance outside an Ed Boon tweet confirming him as a Kameo character. He’s had quite the journey so hopefully he makes it into the main roster too.

Cyrax (Kameo)

A personal favorite of mine from the previous Mortal Kombat entries, Cyrax is back in Mortal Kombat 1. He deals devastating explosive attacks alongside Smoke in the game’s latest gameplay trailer.

Sektor (Kameo)

Not to be outdone by Cyrax, Sektor is here to burn your foes to a crisp. He’s a Kameo fighter for now. We might get to know more about how the Lin Kuei faction ties into the main storyline as we head closer to the game’s launch.

S-Tier – Frost (Kameo)

Their devastating ice combos are back. Frost is back as a Kameo fighter in the game’s latest reveal. But it remains to be seen if they make it to the main roster.

In the MK1 beta, Frost was a remarkably helpful Kameo character. With a frozen orb attack that freezes enemies, you can shut down enemies or keep your combos going. Frost also has abilities that freeze the ground or stab a foe with frozen knives. This versatility places her at the S-Tier in our findings.

Darrius (Kameo)

Darrius makes a return from Mortal Kombat Deception as a Kameo Fighter. Expect melee-focused assistance if his previous appearances are anything to go by. He can be seen performing some quick grabs in the latest MK1 gameplay footage.

Sareena (Kameo)

Sareena returns to Mortal Kombat as another demon from Netherrealm. Her fire-based attacks are deadly, especially when paired with the right fighting partner.

Motaro (Kameo)

Motaro made a big splash at Gamescom with his return. This memorable boss made his first appearance in Mortal Kombat 3 and has evolved alongside the franchise’s bloody legacy. His metallic tail still fires lethal electric blasts as a Kameo Fighter and are great at keeping enemy combatants at bay. Mortal Kombat 1 also reinterprets his reflective skin into a forcefield that he can use in battle.

Shujinko (Kameo)

Shujinko was also revealed at the Gamescom event. He can be seen unleashing a flurry of blows onto an opponent as a Kameo Fighter. It remains to be seen if he has the same versatile skillset as before, ranging from Scorpion’s Spear Throw and Sub-Zero’s Icy Breeze to Raiden’s Flying Jinko back from Mortal Kombat: Deception.

That covers all the Mortal Kombat 1 characters and Kameo fighters. This list was created from the information we have from MK1 so far. The Mortal Kombat 1 beta gave us further context that informed our tier lists and ranked character list. We’ll add more characters here so stay tuned for the latest updates regarding the wide-ranging case of legendary fighters. With unique gameplay opportunities in the form of its Kameo system, Mortal Kombat 1 has a lot going for it.

Check out the goriest Mortal Kombat 1 fatalities and its pre-order options if you’re looking to get into the game’s brawls across elaborate stages.

Who are the characters in Mortal Kombat 1?

Mortal Kombat 1 has confirmed characters Liu Kang, Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Shang Tsung, Raiden, Kitana, Johnny Cage, Kenshi, Kung Lao, Mileena, Smoke, Rain, Li Mei, Tanya, Baraka, Geras, Reptile, Ashrah, Havik, General Shao, and Sindel so far.

Who is Sub-Zero in Mortal Kombat 1?

The Mortal Kombat 1 variant of Sub-Zero is Bi-Han.