The roster of Mortal Kombat 1 brings together a blend of familiar faces and reimagined characters, all set within a newly rebooted timeline shaped by the Fire God Liu Kang. This 2023 installment refreshes the legendary fighting franchise while maintaining its brutal roots. With a mix of classic warriors, surprising alliances, and fresh interpretations, the character list is a central element that draws players back into the bloody arena. Whether you’re a long-time fan or a newcomer, understanding the full Mortal Kombat 1 roster is essential to mastering the game and enjoying its story, mechanics, and fierce one-on-one battles.
Main Roster Characters
Mortal Kombat 1 introduces a core roster of iconic characters, many of whom return with new backstories and roles in Liu Kang’s altered timeline. Here’s a breakdown of the major fighters available at launch:
- Liu Kang– Now a Fire God, he serves as the architect of this new era and a central figure in the storyline.
- Raiden– Reimagined as a humble Earthrealm warrior instead of a god, with a fresh personality and backstory.
- Scorpion– Maintains his fiery vengeance, but his identity and allegiances are reshaped.
- Sub-Zero– The ice-wielding Lin Kuei warrior returns, now with a different relationship to his brother and clan.
- Kung Lao– A young monk with aspirations to become a great warrior, featuring his iconic razor hat.
- Kitana– The Edenian princess plays a prominent role, tied closely to her sister Mileena and the Outworld politics.
- Mileena– Given a deeper, more tragic role, she remains a fan-favorite with deadly close-range attacks.
- Johnny Cage– The flashy actor with a fighting spirit is back, bringing comic relief and quick combos.
- Sonya Blade– The special forces soldier returns, though her prominence varies depending on the timeline shifts.
- Kenshi Takahashi– A blind swordsman with telekinetic powers, reimagined with an expanded story arc.
- Smoke– A surprise return to the roster, reintroduced with updated visuals and shadowy moves.
- Reptile– The shape-shifting Zaterran makes his comeback, emphasizing his inner conflict and stealth abilities.
- Baraka– More than a monster, Baraka is now portrayed with a tragic affliction tied to the Tarkat virus.
- Shang Tsung– A master sorcerer and manipulator, tied to premium editions and storyline branches.
- General Shao– Previously Shao Kahn, now redesigned with a militaristic and grounded approach to power.
- Sindel– The queen of Edenia maintains her deadly presence with powerful screams and aerial control.
- Rain– Upgraded as a mage with mastery over water and portals, giving him a unique twist on classic gameplay.
- Havik– A surprise addition from the 3D-era, bringing chaos and body distortion attacks into the mix.
Kameo Fighters
Mortal Kombat 1 introduces a new gameplay system called the Kameo Fighter System. These are support characters chosen before a match who assist the main fighter with special moves, combos, or breakers. They aren’t part of the main fighting roster but serve as key strategic tools in gameplay.
How Kameos Work
Kameo fighters can be summoned briefly during a fight to help turn the tide. Each one has unique assist moves and can be called upon to extend combos or add defensive options. They’re not swappable mid-match like tag fighters but function more like tactical support.
Confirmed Kameo Characters
- Cyborg Sektor– Offers classic missile and flamethrower assists.
- Cyborg Cyrax– Brings net traps and bombs from previous titles.
- Kano– Appears as an aggressive bruiser-style assist with knife attacks.
- Jax– Known for heavy punches and armored assists.
- Sonya Blade– Provides tactical support with ring toss and air kicks.
- Frost– Uses ice-based attacks to control enemy movement.
- Sareena– Offers fast, agile strikes and teleporting assists.
- Darrius– A returning fighter from Deception, providing powerful stance-based support.
Downloadable Content (DLC) and Future Additions
The roster of Mortal Kombat 1 expands through DLC packs. The first announced set is Kombat Pack 1, which adds both playable and Kameo characters from within and outside the Mortal Kombat universe.
Kombat Pack 1 Playable Characters
- Omni-Man– From the Invincible series, voiced by J.K. Simmons. A brutal powerhouse with fatal moves.
- Peacemaker– From DC Comics and The Suicide Squad, modeled after John Cena’s performance.
- Homelander– From The Boys, bringing terrifying superhuman powers into the fray.
- Quan Chi– Returning with his necromantic sorcery and manipulative fighting style.
- Ermac– A fan favorite returning with psychic and teleportation-based powers.
- Takeda– From Mortal Kombat X, returning with a hybrid martial arts and energy-whip style.
Kameo Fighters in Kombat Pack 1
- Tremor– Earth-based brute from Mortal Kombat X.
- Johnny Cage (Alternate)– As a unique Kameo form with different assist abilities.
- Khameleon– Classic ninja character with shifting powers.
- Mavado– Elegant but dangerous, bringing a unique assist style.
- Ferra– The aggressive half of the Ferra/Torr duo, now functioning independently.
Notable Roster Changes
Mortal Kombat 1 doesn’t just bring characters back it redefines them. With Liu Kang recreating the timeline, many warriors have altered relationships and motivations. For instance, Scorpion and Sub-Zero now appear to be brothers within the Lin Kuei, offering a fresh dynamic. Characters like Baraka and Mileena have new origin stories that add emotional depth, making the roster feel revitalized even for long-time fans.
Classic Characters Absent at Launch
Some well-known characters were not included in the base roster, including:
- Noob Saibot
- Kabal
- Nightwolf
- Skarlet
- Sheeva
Though missing initially, these characters could be added in future updates or DLCs, as the developers often expand the game with community feedback in mind.
Roster Diversity and Playstyles
The Mortal Kombat 1 roster was designed with varied playstyles in mind. Whether you favor aggressive rushdown fighters, zoning specialists, or defensive tacticians, the game provides options for all types of players.
Examples of Playstyle Variety
- Rushdown: Liu Kang, Mileena, Johnny Cage
- Zoning: Rain, Shang Tsung, Peacemaker
- Grappling: General Shao, Jax (as Kameo)
- Mix-up/Combo Heavy: Kenshi, Smoke, Takeda
This diversity ensures that each fight feels unique and allows players to find characters that match their preferred strategies.
The Mortal Kombat 1 roster is both a tribute to the franchise’s legacy and a bold step forward. By reimagining beloved characters and introducing new systems like Kameo fighters, the game reinvents what it means to fight in the Mortal Kombat universe. Whether you’re drawn to the brutal elegance of Rain, the raw power of General Shao, or the offbeat energy of guest fighters like Omni-Man and Homelander, the roster offers something for every player. As the game evolves through DLC and patches, the character list will only grow richer, ensuring Mortal Kombat 1 stays exciting and competitive for years to come.
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