30 Strongest Mortal Kombat Characters Ranked

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In terms of video game popularity and renown, it’s hard to beat the legendary status of Mortal Kombat. This iconic fighting game has been a mainstay in the gaming world for several decades, consistently evolving with each new release. The Mortal Kombat universe boasts a diverse cast of characters, ranging from relatively weak to incredibly powerful. For your perusal, here’s a rundown of the 30 strongest Mortal Kombat characters ever created.

In this compilation, you’ll encounter characters from various video games, presented in the order they’ve made their appearances. This list spans from the 30th to the 1st position, offering a glimpse into the character and franchise development over time. You’ll learn about these characters, discover why we’ve arranged them this way, and have your questions addressed, including some common ones.

30. Johnny Cage

Debut: Mortal Kombat (1992)
Affiliation: Hero

A renowned martial arts actor, Cage has been tutored by masterful instructors worldwide. He showcases his abilities and unique skills both on movie sets and in Tinseltown social circles. Currently, he leads the pack of favorite actors, playing leading roles in movies like “Dragon Fist” and “Dragon Fist II,” as well as the acclaimed “Sudden Violence.

In the 1992 film “Mortal Kombat”, there’s a brief skirmish between the protagonist and Kano aboard the ship en route to Shang Tsung Island. Additionally, the protagonist forms a friendship with Liu Kang during this journey.

29. Kenshi

Debut: Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance
Affiliation: Hero

From birth, Kenshi roamed the world, looking for combatants to test his skills and boost his self-esteem. Eventually, he encountered Song, who persuaded him that a true warrior requires an exceptional weapon.

In a turn of events, Kenshi obtained an ancient blade imbued with power, but the unleashing of spirits trapped within it left him permanently blind. It was later revealed that this enigmatic character was none other than Shang Tsung, who seized the liberated spirits and abandoned Kenshi, seemingly leaving him for dead.

28. Cassie Cage

Debut: Mortal Kombat X
Affiliation: Hero

In the game Mortal Kombat X, Cassie debuts as a soldier under the command of Sergeant Major Sonya Blade, who is also her mother. Together they embark on a mission to find Shinnok’s amulet. This artifact bestows immense power upon its possessor, and Shinnok seeks it to gain dominion over all.

In Cassie’s squad, which includes Takeda, Jacqui Briggs, and Kun Jin, she is the one in charge and will take the lead during their confrontation against Shinnok. At the beginning of the game, Cassie arrives along with her father Johnny, also present, in a helicopter together with her team.

27. Tremor

Debut: Mortal Kombat: Special Forces
Affiliation: Unclear

Earthquake, a character hailing from two realms – the planet itself and the Black Dragon clan, exhibits skills beyond the ordinary. As a ninja, his unique talent lies in controlling and shaping the earth and its byproducts. This ability often leaves his enemies quivering with fear and ultimately defeated.

He shows himself as a powerfully built man with a rugged physique, possessing a fair skin tone. Standing head and shoulders above his fellow ninjas, he towers even next to Goro and surpasses Kotal Kahn in size.

26. Kintaro

Debut: Mortal Kombat II
Affiliation: Villain

He’s determined to seek vengeance for Goro’s death by eliminating Liu Kang. The resemblance between them is striking, apart from their striped skin and bald heads (as both are tiger-like). Another notable difference lies in the presence of claws on Kintaro, which neither Goro nor Liu Kang possess. Additionally, Kintaro is significantly smaller than Goro in stature.

Following the Mortal Kombat competition, whispers spread throughout Outworld about the vanishing and presumed demise of Goro. In response, Shao Kahn elevates Kintaro, a comrade-in-species of Goro, to the position of Supreme Commander of his forces. Having learned that Liu Kang had defeated Goro, Kintaro swears vengeance for his fallen companion’s death by annihilating the earthly warrior in the next Mortal Kombat tournament.

25. Sektor

Debut: Mortal Kombat 3
Affiliation: Hero

His task mirrored that of his colleagues Cyrax and Smoke: locate and terminate the renegade ninja Sub-Zero, who had not been mechanized and departed from the clan. In his former human existence, he was an exceptionally loyal member of the Lin Kuei, to such an extent that he voluntarily sought the Grand Master Ninja’s approval for the automation process.

Sector holds the conviction that true esteem within our tribe can solely be earned by advancing technologically, and scorns Cyrax and Sub-Zero because they defied the instructions given by the grandmaster.

24. Cyrax

Debut: Mortal Kombat 3
Affiliation: Hero

In Mortal Kombat 3, Cyrax is introduced as the second in a trio of cybernetic ninja models. Similar to his comrades Sektor and Smoke, Cyrax was designed with the objective of tracking down and eliminating the renegade ninja, Sub-Zero.

In response, he declined the orders of the Lin Kuei, who aimed to convert their fighters into robots. Consequently, he parted ways with the clan, leading the Lin Kuei to dispatch three mechanical assassins to eliminate Sub Zero.

23. Nightwolf

Debut: Mortal Kombat 3
Affiliation: Hero

In this version, Nightwolf is a Native American warrior who possesses the ability to have psychic connections with Raiden. Through one of these psychic links, Nightwolf gains knowledge about Shao Kahn’s impending invasion on Earth.

Through his shamanic abilities, Nightwolf had previously shielded his tribe prior to joining forces with Earth’s warriors in their battle against the Emperor and his minions. Following his triumph over Shao Kahn, Nightwolf began experiencing a series of unsettling dreams – recurring nightmares, if you will – which foretold the return of Onaga.

22. Rain

Debut: Mortal Kombat 3
Affiliation: Hero

In the game “Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3,” Rain debuted as a purple ninja character whose background isn’t significantly distinct from the others. However, his backstory reveals that he is the son of an Edenian general who met his end battling Shao Kahn.

As a child, Rain mastered martial arts and was later approached by Shao Kahn with an offer: serve in his army or perish. Choosing survival over loyalty, he allied with Shao Kahn’s forces. However, during the conquest of Earthrealm, Rain encountered Kitana, the princess of Edenia, who persuaded him to reconsider his allegiance to her homeland. Ultimately, he opted to rebel against Shao Kahn.

21. Goro

Debut: Mortal Kombat (1992)
Affiliation: Villain

In the realm of Outworld, home to numerous distinct species, the Shokan are led by their prince, Goro. This land is ruled by the ominous Dark Emperor, Shao Kahn. After a long stint in the cobalt mines, leaving him weakened and older, the sorcerer Shang Tsung announces a fresh Mortal Kombat tournament, inviting Goro to participate.

In this round, Goro claims the title of Ultimate Victor after overpowering the mighty Kung Lao, whose spirit is consumed by Shang Tsung. After going undefeated for half a millennium, Goro meets his match in a young monk from the Shaolin Temple, Liu Kang, who consequently wins the title of Ultimate Victor.

20. Smoke

Debut: Mortal Kombat II
Affiliation: Villain

In human guise, Smoke was a lethal assassin, often working alongside the Lin-Kuei ninja clan. He was a comrade of Sub-Zero, specifically the second Sub-Zero, who is the younger brother of the original one who took part in the Shaolin tournament during the first Mortal Kombat. Together with Sub-Zero, he embarks on a quest in the Outworld.

In the mystical realm of the Living Forest, nestled within the Outworld, there exists an elusive figure – Smoke. Unlike other combatants who engage in fierce battles, Smoke is more of a silent observer, much like Jade and Noob Saibot. He maintains a defensive posture, preferring to watch rather than directly engage opponents.

19. Sub-Zero

Debut: Mortal Kombat (1992)
Affiliation:

Sub-Zero is a character from the Mortal Kombat video game series, and there are actually two characters who carry this name. The original character is named Bi-Han, appearing in the first Mortal Kombat game released in 1992 before transforming into Noob Saibot. Starting from Mortal Kombat II (released in 1993), his younger brother Kuai Liang took over the role of Sub-Zero. Both characters have the unique ability to manipulate ice in various ways.

18. Noob Saibot

Debut: Mortal Kombat II
Affiliation: Villain

As a die-hard fan, I’ve got to say, it was none other than the original Sub-Zero who met his demise in the first tournament following a brutal clash with Scorpion. His icy disposition, transforming him into a relentless and immoral combatant, led him to the Netherrealm – a realm that doubles as a form of hell, where he was reborn as Noob Saibot, an enraged spirit, born from malice.

When Shao Kahn launches an invasion on Earth, Noob Saibot is instructed to align with Shao Kahn’s forces, win his favor, and ultimately betray his empire by siding with the Earth’s warriors.

17. Ermac

Debut: Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3
Affiliation: Villain

Originally, Ermac was a character created as a “red ninja,” who was born from a spell cast by Shang Tsung. This powerful being is a fusion of the souls of numerous warriors that perished during the conquest of the Kingdom of Edenia.

In simpler terms, Ermac is a unique ninja character in the Mortal Kombat universe. He was created by a sorcerer named Shang Tsung using magic and the combined souls of many warriors who died fighting for the Kingdom of Edenia during conquest. This gives him immense power and a dark history.

Immediately following his formation, he was enlisted to serve under Shao Kahn. During this time, he became a member of Earth’s elimination teams in the Mortal Kombat 3 series. However, in their confrontation, Ermac and his forces ultimately suffered defeat.

Just prior to the occurrences in Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance, Ermac crosses paths with Kenshi. In a gesture of gratitude for being liberated from his obligations to Shao Kahn, Ermac imparts his knowledge of telekinesis to Kenshi in return.

16. Triborg

Debut: Mortal Kombat X
Affiliation: Villain

Before the demise of Grand Master Lin Kuei, Triborg arranged for all clan members to undergo tests without their knowledge. The purpose was to covertly store their data in a concealed location. Later, after Sub-Zero defeated Sektor and Cyber Lin Kuei single-handedly, the Special Forces discovered this hidden data memory and tried to use it as a basis for creating a new test subject in a lab.

In the course of this fusion, Sektor, Cyrax, Smoke, and Cyber Sub-Zero’s individual consciousnesses melded into a single entity, which named itself Triborg. This unified consciousness then eliminated all Special Forces personnel within the lab and escaped.

15. Scorpion

Debut: Mortal Kombat (1992)
Affiliation: Villain

In the popular Mortal Kombat series, Scorpion stands out as a highly recognized and cherished figure. Although Scorpion’s rivalry with Sub-Zero has softened over time, these two characters remain emblematic of polar opposites within the game universe. This duality is further emphasized by their respective powers (fire for Scorpion and ice for Sub-Zero), which in essence represent opposite elements in nature.

14. Shujinko

Debut: Mortal Kombat: Deception
Affiliation: Hero

The man believed to be the champion of the Elder Gods, now elderly, is striving to correct his past errors and reestablish harmony across multiple realms disrupted by them. Long ago, during his youth, he was accompanied by a being who declared themselves Damashi – said to be a messenger from the Elder Gods, on a quest to find a mortal powerful enough to challenge the gods.

After his nod of agreement, Damashi explained the task at hand to him: gather all six Kamidogu across various realms – Earthrealm, Netherrealm, Chaosrealm, Orderrealm, Outworld, and Edenia. Additionally, he imbued him with a unique ability to absorb the abilities of every warrior he encounters.

13. Kotal Kahn

Debut: Mortal Kombat X
Affiliation: Villain

In the realm of gaming, I, a towering figure with azure-hued skin and eyes, have ascended to the throne of Outworld following the events in Mortal Kombat (2011). My physique is massive yet defined, a testament to years of strength training. This sun god character, inspired by the ancient Aztecs, now rules over this fictional universe.

Kotal Kahn hails from the realm of Osh-Tekk, once ruled by his father Kotal K’etz before it joined Outworld. Similar to Osh-Tekk, he is the sole survivor of his kind, but among the Maya people, he is revered as a deity, specifically the god of war known as Buluc Chabtan.

12. Sindel

Debut: Mortal Kombat 3
Affiliation: Villain

In the Mortal Kombat fighting video game franchise, Sindel is portrayed as a powerful sorceress. First appearing in Mortal Kombat 3, she is introduced as the mother of Princess Kitana and the spouse of the malevolent Emperor Shao Kahn.

Originally, Sindel was a secondary character who held a significant position in her first game, but compared to others, she had limited playable roles. However, in recent developments, Sindel has become a key figure in the series’ history, playing a pivotal role not only in the 2011 reboot but also in its subsequent events.

11. Daegon

Debut: Mortal Kombat: Armageddon
Affiliation: Villain

In contrast to popular belief, Daegon is not only Taven’s elder sibling but actually his younger brother. Unlike Taven, Daegon was accidentally born prematurely from the dragon’s incubator, which was overseen by Caro, leading to his early awakening.

In a turn for the worse, Daegon begins to lose control. Upon discovering the existence of Blaze, he seeks the aid of Shinnok, who deceives him by claiming that his parents are showing preference towards his brother. Deceived and enraged, Daegon ultimately takes their lives, eventually leading to the formation of the Red Dragon Clan.

10. Taven

Debut: Mortal Kombat: Armageddon
Affiliation: Hero

In the Outworld realm, the future king, who is also older brother to Daegon, does not rule the kingdom but rather the order. He governs using a democratic system of regency. The character named Taven debuts in the story titled ‘Armageddon’. The narrative primarily focuses on a contest between Taven and his brother Daegon, a battle set up by their father to prevent Armageddon from befalling the kingdom.

Originally, they were transported to Earthrealm and nurtured by dragons named Caro and Orin until Blaze commanded them to be awakened, marking the start of their mission. This mission involves seeking out and vanquishing Blaze.

9. Shang Tsung

Debut: Mortal Kombat (1992)
Affiliation: Villain

Initially, Shang Tsung was a human residing on Earth, yet for unexplained reasons, he chose to depart from his home and journey into the realm controlled by Shao Kahn, which lies beyond our world.

In this scenario, he transforms into a powerful sorcerer, capable of stealing souls from vanquished warriors and harnessing their abilities. He is also known as the champion of the initial nine Mortal Kombats, engaging in battles to enable his emperor to transcend the boundaries between the Outer Realm and Earth.

8. Quan Chi

Debut: Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm
Affiliation: Villain

In a realm known as the Netherworld, there resides a formidable sorcerer named Quan Chi, who is proficient in the art of magic. One fateful day, he discovers that the ancient deity Shinnok has been banished from the Netherworld in the previous conflict. With the intention of resurrecting him, Quan Chi recruits the skills of a ninja warrior named Sub-Zero to locate an amulet capable of such a feat and bring Shinnok back to the Netherworld.

Unknowingly, Sub-Zero discovers the medallion and hands it over to Quan Chi. With this artifact, Quan Chi releases Shinnok from his prison, but ultimately meets his match when confronted by Sub-Zero and Sareena.

7. Fujin

Debut: Mortal Kombat Mythologies:
Affiliation: Hero

As a devoted admirer, I’d like to share some insights about this captivating character. Known as Fujin in the realm of Mortal Kombat, he is revered as the deity of the wind, and interestingly, he shares a lineage with Raiden. His name echoes that of a traditional Shinto deity, a testament to his divine heritage.

His initial, enigmatic appearance was in Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero, albeit under an anonymous guise as a boss character. However, it wasn’t until Mortal Kombat 4 that he stepped into the limelight, revealing himself as Fujin to the world.

Originally, his duty involved guarding Shinnok’s amulet, but he found himself overpowered by Noob Saibot. Later, Fujin engaged in battle alongside his brother against Netherrealm. Following Shinnok’s defeat, Raiden reverted to the council of elder gods and was assigned the role of Fujin, protector of Earthrealm.

6. Shinnok

Debut: Mortal Kombat 4
Affiliation: Villain

Initially, Shinnok was a benevolent deity appointed to safeguard the newly formed Earth Kingdom. However, as time passed, his ambition to rule took hold, angering the older gods. Consequently, he faced off against Raiden, the god of thunder. Defeated, Shinnok was banished to the Netherrealm, a realm where malevolent souls are imprisoned. With this, Raiden took over as the protector of Earthrealm instead.

In the realm of the supernatural, Shinnok is tormented by demons, with Lucifer, their ruler, presiding over this domain. However, when he encounters the sorcerer Quan Chi, Shinnok receives aid, enabling him to overpower Lucifer and seize control of this dreadful realm.

5. Liu Kang

Debut: Mortal Kombat (1992)
Affiliation: Hero

In the Mortal Kombat fighting video game series, Liu Kang is one of the main characters, introduced in the initial 1992 game as a Shaolin monk participating in the Mortal Kombat tournament with the goal of defending Earth.

Following his triumph in the Mortal Kombat tournament, Liu Kang emerges as the revered hero of the series, assuming the role of champion and chief protector of Earth under the guidance of his mentor, the god of thunder Raiden. He is further entangled in a romantic relationship with Princess Kitana, who is the adopted daughter of the malevolent Outworld emperor Shao Kahn.

4. Blaze

Debut: Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance
Affiliation: Villain

In Mortal Kombat II, we first encounter Blaze as he stands off against Liu Kang from afar. This character was metamorphosed into a fire elemental by followers of the Dragon King Onaga. His purpose is to safeguard the power of all warriors in the realm. However, when this strength posed a danger to everyone, Blaze was tasked with waking Taven and Daegon.

During Blaze’s downtime, he finds out that there are too many combatants and that Daegon has been awake for a while. This realization makes him understand that Taven needs to return and manage to halt the impending Armageddon.

During his break, Blaze notices an excessive number of fighters and realizes Daegon is already awake for some time. He concludes that Taven must be brought back and should work towards averting Armageddon.

3. Onaga

Debut: Mortal Kombat: Deception
Affiliation: Villain

Eons ago, I found myself as the gaming avatar of Onaga, the Dragon King, ruling over Outworld. Craving eternal life, I commanded my loyal subjects to fetch the last remaining dragon egg in existence. My hope was that the blood of a hatchling dragon would bestow upon me immortality. Regrettably, fate had other plans; I breathed my last before I could witness the power of the dragon’s blood.

Shao Kahn, one of his loyal followers, secretly poisoned him in order to seize the throne as the emperor of Outworld. Over time, Onaga’s once-invincible army, capable of being resurrected numerous times due to the dragon king’s power, became like mummified remains and eventually faded into obscurity.

2. Shao Kahn

Debut: Mortal Kombat II
Affiliation: Villain

Shao Kahn served as a trusted advisor to the Dragon King Onaga, ruler of the Outworld, who constructed the most powerful empire known; however, before Onaga’s ambition for eternal life could become a reality, Shao Kahn secretly killed him and seized his throne in the Outworld. He later expanded his territories, either through military force or by issuing challenges to the champions of other kingdoms in the deadly tournament called Mortal Kombat.

In a Mortal Kombat tournament, Shao Kahn defeated Edenia’s champions, gaining control over Edenia. Afterward, he executed King Jerrod and took Sindel as his wife, making Kitana his stepdaughter. Stricken by grief over her husband’s death, Sindel ended her life; however, Shao Kahn retained her soul within the Outworld, denying her passage to the afterlife.

1. Raiden

Debut: Mortal Kombat (1992)
Affiliation: Hero

Since the initial release of “Mortal Kombat” in 1992, he has consistently made appearances; it was here that he joined Shang Tsung’s tournament during its inaugural event, both in the video game and the accompanying comic book series. Initially, he was portrayed as a ruthless and self-centered deity, solely focused on demonstrating his battle prowess and dominance. In contrast to later depictions, this original version had no allegiance but to himself. Eventually, he took charge of the protagonists in their fight against the forces of evil.

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2025-06-04 11:48