Summary
All is fair in love, war, and theMortal Kombatfranchise. After all, everything is fair game in a Tournament that decides the fate of all the Realms. As a result, normal martial artists contend with the likes of Cyborgs, Wraiths, Revenants, and even Gods to protect their Realms, conquer other worlds, or fulfill grudges.
In turn, almost everyMortal KombatTournament has a surprise to offer its spectators. While the Shaolin Monk Liu Kang almost always becomes Earthrealm’s savior, other Kombatants have natural abilities that put superpowers and nuclear weapons to shame. According to the lore of the universe, here are some of themost powerful characters in the franchise.
Updated Jun 10, 2025 by Rhenn Taguiam:With Ed Boon teasing a “leak” of Kitana’s live-action concept from 2025’s Mortal Kombat 2 film, fans of the gory fighting game might be eager to see just what the role of the princess would be in the reboot’s version of Outworld. And while players await Kitana (and potentially Mileena)’s debut in Mortal Kombat 2, the upcoming DLC Pack for the recent Mortal Kombat 1 game will feature not just female versions of Sektor and Cyrax, but also a Chaos-upgraded Titan Noob Saibot as well as crossover characters such as Conan the Barbarian, the T-1000, and Ghostface.
However, fans curious about how certain characters fit in the context of Mortal Kombat’s strongest characters might want to take a look at the Lin Kuei’s perfect cyborg, a half-god turned high mage, and one of the prophesied heroes of Armageddon.
Mortal Kombat (1992)
Powerset
Pyrokinesis, Teleportation, Hellfire Control (Original Timeline), Resurrection (Original Timeline), Hapkido (Fighting Style), Pi Gua (Fighting Style), Moi Fah (Fighting Style), Ninjitsu (Fighting Style)
Status inMortal Kombat 1
Alive
When the mortal known as Hanzo Hasashi and his Shirai Ryu brethren died at the hands of the Lin Kuei’s Sub-Zero,the sorcerer Quan Chi offered to transform him into a wraithnamedScorpionto have his revenge. It would take different timelines to have the vengeful Hanzo realize the truth of his clan’s death, but one thing remains the same: his power of fire transforms him into an exceptionally powerful threat. Such was Scorpion’s popularity that he became the poster character for theMortal Kombatseries.
Both the original and new timelines feature Hanzo as a master ninja and assassin, often hailed as the greatest in the Shirai Ryu, and can rival both Sub-Zeroes in terms of weapons mastery and combat prowess. His trademark weapon is the roped kunai, called the kyoketsu-shoge, and the remarkable ability to teleport. Pyrokinesis is an ability he shares across both timelines, but to different degrees. As a Wraith, the original timeline’s Scorpion can control and is immune to Hellfire, using it to burn his enemies with inextinguishable fire as intense as his current emotional pain. In the new timeline, Scorpion retains control over fire but isn’t implied to be Hellfire.
Scorpion In Mortal Kombat 1
Scorpion appears in two manners inMortal Kombat 1. When Liu Kang created his universe according to his Grand Design, he transformed Kuai Liang into Scorpion. As such, he became Bi Han’s right-hand man who helped lead the Lin Kuei as Earth’s guardians. Under this Scorpion persona, Kuai Liang retains all the abilities of his namesake, including his control over fire as well as his signature roped kunai. After Sub-Zero’s betrayal, Kuai Liang marries Harumi Shirai of Earthrealm and names their new clan after her, and among their promising new recruits is a young Hanzo Hasashi.
Unknown
The mantle ofSub-Zeroin theMortal Kombatfranchise would be worn by two individuals: Bi-Han and his younger brother Kuai Liang.Scorpion swears vengeance against Sub-Zeroafter he kills his clan, which ends with him killing the first one while Kuai Liang takes his place. Since then, the younger Sub-Zero would attempt to preserve the Lin Kuei’s legacy as Earthrealm’s protectors while wielding the Dragon Amulet, alongside the occasional rivalry with the Shirai Ryu. In an alternate timeline, Kuai Liang would make peace with Scorpion, finally stopping the bloodshed between the two clans.
Despite starting as a palette swap of Scorpion, Sub-Zero and his control over ice would become a notable aspect of his character. Ever the calm and collected warrior, Sub-Zero is merciless with his flash-freeze strikes and balanced kit that can accommodate fights across different ranges. He can also manipulate his life force of chi, enhancing his physical strikes.
Sub-Zero In Mortal Kombat 1
Bi-Han returns to the mantle of Sub-Zero inMortal Kombat 1, carrying with him a brutal seriousness that, on occasion, made him doubt the need to even protect all the realms. As Grandmaster of the Lin Kuei, he slowly believed Liu Kang held the clan back and sought to be free of his “corruption.” Bi-Han and the Lin Kuei defect against Liu Kang but are defeated, while members Kuai Liang and Tomas defect to form their own “successor” clan. It’s unknown whether Sub-Zero becomes Noob Saibot in the next installment through mere transformation or in his original resurrection story.
Mortal Kombat 2 (1994)
Darkness (Noob Saibot), Cryomancy (as Sub-Zero), Teleportation, Immortality, Hapkido (Fighting Style), Pi Gua (Fighting Style), Monkey (Fighting Style)
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Bi-Han’s descent intoNoob Saibotwas explained in the events ofMythologies: Sub-Zerowhen Raiden confirmed Quan Chi’s statement that Bi-Han contains evil in his heart and would suffer a cruel fate should he die with a corrupted soul. Upon his death at the hands of Scorpion, Bi-Handescends into the Netherrrealm and becomes Noob Saibot, a Wraith at the full control of the sorcerer he detested, Quan Chi. Throughout the games, Noob Saibot would antagonize his younger brother, stating how he was a disgrace to the legacy of the Lin Kuei.
Being the first Sub-Zero in theMortal Kombatgames, Bi-Han also has remarkable control over ice. Some state Bi-Han is a more skilled cryomancer compared to his younger brother, as evidenced by more brutal attacks. However, it’s Bi-Han’s transformation into Noob Saibot that transformed him into a force to reckon with. As a Wraith, Noob Saibot isn’t just partly immortal, but he can also control the darkness to create weapon constructs, clones and even become invisible. This allows him to overwhelm foes easily, especially when he summons his clones inside an opponent to tear them apart from within.
Noob Saibot In Mortal Kombat 1
Noob Saibot isn’t present inMortal Kombat 1, although Bi-Han’s defeat at the hands of his brother Kuai Liang may pose the perfect opportunity to embark on this transformation. It’s yet to be seen whether Bi-Han’s descent into Noob Saibot will be due to a mere power upgrade or a resurrection from the dead.
Mortal Kombat
Green Energy, Karate (Fighting Style), Jeet Kune Do (Fighting Style), Shinto Ryu (Fighting Style), Shorin Ryu (Fighting Style)
Status InMortal Kombat 1
Alive, creating theMortal Kombatfictional universe in the current timeline
Despite his comedic appeal and rather annoying exterior,Johnny Cagepacks a punch. While most would wonder what a washed-up action star is doing in a death tournament like Mortal Kombat,Johnny’s fighting prowessdoesn’t seem to be solely because of his status as a character.
The games eventually explained that the green energy coming from Johnny Cage is actually a bloodline power. It seems the Cages are descendants of ancient warriors who can tap into special powers to protect Earthrealm. And it’s not just any kind of “power” — it allowed Johnny Cage to stand up to an Elder God like Shinnok. It’s his green energy blast that managed to stop Shinnok’s resurrection plan from fully coming to fruition.
Johnny Cage In Mortal Kombat 1
Compared to his Original Timeline counterpart, Johnny Cage in Liu Kang’s new era has yet to tap into his Green Energy, which was originally explained inMortal Kombat 11as power inherited from his Mediterranean Warrior ancestors. Whether or not the loss of this power meant it was only about to manifest or become lost entirely is yet to be revealed. At the end of his Tower Mode, Johnny is in the process of creating theMortal Kombatuniverse as per Liu Kang’s request to slowly indoctrinate Earthrealm about the existence of other realms.
Earthrealm Champion, Teacher of Shujinko in the Shaolin Temple
Aside from Liu Kang, one of the most notable characters inMortal Kombatwould probably beKung Lao. Aside from his signature rounded hat, Kung Lao is also Liu Kang’s “rival” as a Shaolin monk, as they both possess the same vigor and enthusiasm for their pursuit of martial arts. However, whereas Liu Kang is humble, Kung Lao is arrogant and outspoken - eager to prove his point rather aggressively.
Being the reincarnation of the Great Kung Lao, the present Kung Lao shares much of his ancestor’s combat prowess. Compared to the likes of Johnny Cage and Shujinko with innate supernatural talents,Kung Lao is admittedly not as supernaturally powerful. However, he had proven capable of using his martial arts against Shang Tsung and Quan Chi simultaneously, even defeating them before Shao Kahn snapped his neck. Regardless of his untimely demise in the franchise, Kung Lao being able to defeat Shang Tsung and Quan Chi at the same time was a feat even greater than the Great Kung Lao, proving the descendant succeeding his ancestor.
Kung Lao In Mortal Kombat 1
Kung Lao maintains his ambitious and prideful sense of self inMortal Kombat 1,unsurprisingly leading to his defeat in the selection fights for Earthrealm’s Champion. However, while his appearances with Johnny Cage and Kenshi Takahashi implied some similarities in their power levels, Kung Lao dominates in his earlier exposure to knowledge about the realms and his innate ingenuity, especially in the construction of his bladed hat. After his attempts to train the prodigious Shujinko spiraled out of control, he now shares the responsibility with Raiden.
N/A
The Lin Kuei’s pursuit of cybernetics as a means of attaining more power became a focal point across all timelines in theMortal Kombatseries, with the Lin Kuei’s Cyber Initiative resulting in popular seriescyborgs Cyrax, Sektor, and Smoke. Both timelines would see Sub-Zero be converted into Cyber Sub-Zero, and all cyborgs switch states between human and automaton across various instances in both timelines. In the alternate timeline, the Lin Kuei Grandmaster before Sub-Zero had already begun storing test results of his clansmen in data banks, which the Special Forces accessed after Sub-Zero defeated all cyborgs. However, this resulted in a cybernetic body absorbing the consciousness of the four cyborgs, transforming intoTriborg.
Now pursuing a mission to kill all living things and reestablish a Cyber Lin Kuei with him at the helm, Triborg would wreak havoc across Earthrealm before Sub-Zero defeats him once and for all. By tapping into his component cyborg’s power set, Triborg can use a buzzsaw, bombs, and a net (Cyrax), flamethrowers and missiles (Sektor), smokes and teleportation (Smoke), as well as ice-themed cybernetic weapons (Cyber Sub-Zero).
In Mortal Kombat 1
While Triborg doesn’t make an appearance inMortal Kombat 1, the recent DLC teasing the arrival of Cyrax and Sektor means the Cyber Lin Kuei shouldn’t be too far off. With Bi-Han expectedly turning traitor and taking the Lin Kuei with him, it wouldn’t be a stretch to see him fully pursue the Cyber Initiative like in the other timelines to create the game’s iconic cyborgs. If one were to theory craft, Triborg could be among the aces in the hole Bi-Han would have in his fight against Liu Kang.
Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3
Half-God Physique (Formerly), Weather Control (Formerly), Hydrogenesis and Hydrokinesis, Zi Ran Men, Bojutsu
In both of his original incarnations,Rainis introduced as a refugee who turns into one of Shao Kahn’s fiercest fighters. While Rain defects against Shao Kahn in the original timeline upon learning that the Kahn killed his adoptive father, the alternate Rain pursues power in the high court after siding with Mileena in her quest to take over the throne of Outworld.
As Rain would eventually learn, he is the bastard child of Edenia’s god-protector Argus. This granted him a durable half-god body, alongside the special powers of manipulating both water and the weather. He can encase others in orbs of water, and can even call down lightning upon his enemies. Unfortunately, his limited involvement in terms of fights would not reveal the true extent of his potential. However, his nature as a half-god alone places him among some of the strongest Kombatants in the series. In his current mortal incarnation, Rain is still powerful enough to summon a massive wave that can engulf an entire capital.
Rain’s reappearance inMortal Kombat 1would place him as a High Mage of Edenia instead of a demigod. Unlike his first counterparts, Rain can control water through a special staff. The story ofMortal Kombat 1would see ambition get the better of Rain and have him join Shang Tsung and General Shao’s coup against Empress Sindel. When Liu Kang thwarts their plans, Rain flees Edenia and joins Havik’s crusade against Seido, the capital of Orderrealm. It’s here that Rain summons a tsunami that drowns and destroys the whole capital. Guilty of his actions, Rain surrenders to Outworld’s forces and awaits his punishment.
Mortal Kombat 3
Prehensile Hair, Banshee Scream, Zha Chuan (Fighting Style), Fu Jow Pai (Fighting Style)
Dead, Residing inside Ermac
As Queen of Edenia,Sindelis no pushover. While she’s best known for her ultrasonic screaming, her control over sound is just one of her magical abilities. Sindel can fine-tune her control over sound to achieve different effects. For instance, she can use her scream to flay opponents or even paralyze them. Moreover, she can make her hair prehensile, giving her access to a wide range of long-ranged moves. She also has powers of levitation.
While her powerset seems limited, Sindel is powerful enough for Shao Kahn to recognize her as his queen. She can go toe-to-toe against Earthrealm’s protectors and defeat them single-handedly, evenforcing Nightwolf to use his self-destruct move just to defeat her.
Sindel In Mortal Kombat 1
Whereas Sindel, in previous timelines, has become the evil resurrected Queen of Outworld, Titan Liu Kang’s design transformed Queen Sindel into a firm but fair ruler that ushered the realm’s golden era. Unfortunately, General Shao and her sorcerers’ deception would result in her death, with King Jerrod’s influence over Ermac allowing the entity to absorb her soul. In her Tower Ending inMortal Kombat 1, she teams up with Jerrod in the hopes of dominating the other spirits residing in Ermac, subduing them to their control to have a unified front.
Green Force, Val Tudo (Fighting Style), Tae Kwon Do (Fighting Style)
Not Mentioned, Status Unknown
Nightwolffrom the Matoka Tribe has dedicated himself to becoming one of Earthrealm’s protectors, using his magic in the process. Thanks to this ability,Nightwolf has access to an array of magical abilities— including energizing himself and his weapons and creating auras and shields. Moreover, Nightwolf has some control over nature, being able to summon lightning from clouds or even disintegrating enemies with a beam of light at the cost of his own life.
Outside his movelist, Nightwolf has an array of abilities that allow him to go toe-to-toe with sorcerers Quan Chi and Shang Tsung. As a Sin Eater, Nightwolf can absorb evil energies without hurting his psyche. He may even use the sins of his ancestors to bind evil entities such as Onaga — one of the beings closest to an Elder God’s power — to the Netherrealm.
Nightwolf In Mortal Kombat 1
Holding the title of Nightwolf transformed Grey Cloud of the Matoka into one of Earthrealm’s fiercest protectors, using spiritual energy to manifest Green Force that he uses to empower his attacks. He’s among Titan Liu Kang’s chosen alongside Shang Tsung and Fujin to ensure Kronika cannot interrupt Liu Kang’s new design. Unfortunately, his fate remains unknown when Fujin and Raiden stop Shang Tsung from absorbing his soul.
Active, in pursuit of Onaga for his rebellion
People across the realmsknow Shao Kahn for his ferocity, coupled with godlike strength. The Kahn of Outworld wields both fighting prowess and magic. Like Shang Tsung,Shao Kahncan use soul absorption to steal abilities and knowledge. As a Kombatant, Shao Kahn uses less of his magic and more of his endurance and strength. However, he can also use mysterious green energy to create projectiles, weapons, and force fields in battle.
Shao Kahn is also the stereotypical proud tyrant, which is often the cause of his downfall. However, his sheer tenacity and ambition give him more drive to act towards his goals. Shao Kahn trumps Onaga, as the former defeated Blaze to attain ultimate power. Sadly, Raiden’s efforts would make Shao Kahn’s futile.
Shao Kahn In Mortal Kombat 1
Shao Kahn inMortal Kombat 1is demoted to the rank of General, revealing a begrudgingly submissive figure to both Sindel and Liu Kang. The General maintains his original self’s sense of ambition, however, as he reflects discontent in Outworld’s rather “stagnant” peace. While lacking the undeniable power of his original counterpart, Shao’s influence has earned him followers even after escaping prison. Discontent with the lack of combat readiness of his revolt’s willing soldiers, he sends Reiko on a mission to subdue Onaga in the hopes of using the beast to topple Mileena’s rule.
