Best Fighters in Mortal Kombat 1

In a nostalgic trip to the old days with a dash of modern technology, Mortal Kombat 1 takes us back to when the strange realms of Mortal Kombat first began. This means there are plenty of fan-favorites you’ll run into. Some are still popular even today, while others may have been vaulted until a time such as this. Veteran and new players alike should find safe haven in Mortal Kombat 1, as each fighter has received a fresh coat of paint, not only in their visuals but also in their playstyles. Still, not every character is worth sinking hours into.

With around 22 core and 20 Kameo fighters, it can be a little tricky settling on a character to place your bets on. Sure, you can take them all out for a quick match. However, learning one or two characters’ playstyles and special moves does help to level up faster in Mortal Kombat 1. So, then, how do you choose which character to start with? Well, our best fighters in Mortal Kombat 1 are a good place to start.

5. Scorpion

The yellow Ninja, Scorpion, is an undead assassin whose skills and abilities continue to be top-tier in Mortal Kombat 1. Plot-wise, Scorpion is a Pyromancer in the Lin Kuei league of assassins. He inherits many of Hanzo’s moves, like teleporting and fire attacks. He can also summon fire on command. As well as his popular kunai harpoon-like weapon, which he uses to strike enemies and execute the “get over here!” move.

Despite his diverse abilities, Scorpion can fall prey to veteran players who have mastered his moves. They’re relatively difficult to predict. But once you master them, the winner of a match is anyone’s guess. On the other hand, having many of Scoprion’s abilities remain the same means gamers with experience playing Mortal Kombat will enjoy a swift landing when picking him.

4. Kenshi

Is there anyone more deadly than a blind swordsman? What about a blind swordsman bent on slaying the sorcerer who took his eyes out? Kenshi is one of the strongest fighters in Mortal Kombat 1. He uses telekinetics and psychokinetics to thwart his enemies. His senses are heightened, unlike those of other fighters. With his ancestral sword, he unlocks a greater power that draws from the spirits of all warrior kings before him.

Interestingly, Mortal Kombat 1 is the first entry to showcase Kenshi’s life before losing his sight. And further portrays him as an ordinary man with no special powers. Then comes Mileena, who shows no mercy, gouging out Kenshi’s eyes. He’s also a past member of the Yakuza, which is alluded to by the multiple tattoos on his hands. Thereafter, Kenshi’s sword sucks out immense power from the souls trapped within the Ermac, elevating Kenshi to become one of the deadliest fighters. 

3. Sub-Zero

Sub-Zero is a standard Mortal Kombat fighter by now. Everyone knows him and, undoubtedly, can use him in battle. He’s the elder brother of Scorpion and also a Lin Kuei assassin. Plot-wise, he’s quite an interesting fellow, having started off as an ally before becoming an antagonist for his selfish benefits. He’s the grandmaster of the Lin Kuei in the new era. In the long run, though, he grows more ruthless and reckless, trapped in the pursuit of his own ambitions.

If you’ve played Mortal Kombat before, you should enjoy a soft landing thanks to the return of many of Sub-Zero’s classic moves. You must, however, master perfect timing to properly take charge of the arena. And use either of Sub-Zero’s freeze and teleport slams to take down anyone who dares challenge you to battle.

2. Johnny Cage

Jonathan Carlton, or Johnny Cage, is a movie star. But don’t mistake his day job for weakness in battle. He’s skilled in martial arts and has stuck around ever since the debut of the original Mortal Kombat game in the arcade era – which says a tad much. 

Johnny Cage has an intriguing personality, too. Thanks to leading an extravagant life, he barely makes ends meet – crazy, I know. At least he did break the bank to get the Sento sword, which he later passed on to Kenshi.

In the fighting arena, Johnny Cage handles himself exceedingly well. His strength and agility easily tip the scale in your favor. Besides martial arts, he’s also skilled in karate, which he uses to unleash devastating blows on enemies. Furthermore, he’s skilled in weaponry and military gear, so anything from pistols to armored tanks is his parte. Oh, and Johnny might be human. But he also has superpowers. Although Mortal Kombat 1 has toned down his Mediterranean magic and instead given him a hype meter to bump up Johnny’s special moves.

1. Shang Tsung

If you pre-ordered Mortal Kombat 1, then you should have access to Shang Tsung’s all-powerful, soul-snatching powers. He’s the main villain in Mortal Kombat 1, whom you’ll need to fight against in the final boss battle of the story mode. He wasn’t so great at first. Shang Tsung would disguise himself as an old man and sell off fake medicine and useless cures. Up until a mysterious guy called Damashi offered him the chance to become the greatest, most treacherous sorcerer the world has ever seen.

Besides the roller coaster story, Shang Tsung can absorb souls as well as shapeshift into the bodies of the souls he takes. He can become anyone he pleases, ultimately becoming an unstoppable force. His potent special moves give you an upper hand against nearly every other fighter in Mortal Kombat 1. Plus, he can switch between his young and old forms, which changes up his skills and moves, thus creating an even more versatile set of skills to play with.

So, what’s your take? Do you agree with our best fighters in Mortal Kombat 1? Are there more fighters we should know about? Let us know over on our socials here.