Look, the timeline in Mortal Kombat has always been a mess. It’s a tangled web of retcons, deaths, and "oops, let’s try that again" moments. But when Liu Kang basically became a god and hit the reset button, things got weird in a way that actually works. We aren't just looking at the same old faces in HD. The roster of all characters in Mortal Kombat 1 represents a total fundamental shift in how these icons exist.
If you haven't played since the arcade days, or even since MK11, you're going to be confused. Why is Scorpion a loyal brother? Since when is Baraka a tragic victim of a plague instead of a mindless jobber? Honestly, it’s a lot to take in.
The Core Fighters: A New Hierarchy
Lord Liu Kang really tried his best. He wanted a peaceful world, so he redesigned everyone's life stories. Take Raiden. He isn't the booming God of Thunder anymore. He’s basically a humble farmer. It’s a classic "chosen one" arc that feels fresh because we’ve seen him as the mentor for thirty years. Now, he’s the student.
Then you have the Lin Kuei. This is where it gets spicy. Sub-Zero (Bi-Han) is still a jerk, but now he’s the Grandmaster and Scorpion (Kuai Liang) is his brother. Yeah, you read that right. They aren't mortal enemies from rival clans; they’re family members who eventually stop seeing eye-to-eye because Bi-Han has massive "I want to rule the world" energy.
The Outworld politics are equally messy. Mileena isn't a clone created in a flesh pit this time. She’s the legitimate heir to the throne, but she’s suffering from the Tarkat disease. It’s a virus that turns people into bloodthirsty monsters. Kitana is her loyal sister trying to hide the secret. It’s actually kinda tragic. Sindel is a good mother and a fair ruler here, which is a massive relief for fans who hated her "secretly evil" retcon from the last game.
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Here is the breakdown of the main roster that launched the "New Era":
- Liu Kang: The Fire God and architect of this reality.
- Johnny Cage: Still an actor, still has a massive ego, but minus the green shadow powers.
- Kenshi: A Yakuza member trying to reclaim his family's sword, Sento.
- Kung Lao: A competitive farmer with a sharp hat and a chip on his shoulder.
- Smoke: Tomas Vrbada, an orphan adopted into the Lin Kuei who uses "practical" magic (smoke bombs and chemistry).
- Rain: No longer a demi-god, just a very talented High Mage of Outworld.
- Reptile (Syzoth): A shape-shifter who can actually look human. He's a good guy now!
- Baraka: A former merchant turned leader of the outcasts.
- Geras: The eternal guardian of the Hourglass and Liu Kang’s only real peer.
- Li Mei: Former Umgadi (royal guard) turned constable.
- Tanya: Leader of the Umgadi and Mileena’s secret lover.
- Havik: An anarchist from Seido who regenerates by breaking his own bones.
- Ashrah: A demon who cleansed her soul to become more human.
- Nitara: A vampire voiced by Megan Fox (which was a... choice).
- Reiko: General Shao’s most loyal and brutal soldier.
The Kameo System: Why Two is Better Than One
One thing people often miss is that the all characters in Mortal Kombat 1 list isn't just about who you control directly. The Kameo system brought back a ton of "forgotten" fighters. These are assist characters. They don't have full move sets, but they are essential for extending combos and covering your weaknesses.
It’s a nostalgia trip. You see Sonya Blade, Jax, and Kano in their classic 1992 outfits. Even weird picks like Motaro and Shujinko show up. It's NRS's way of saying "we haven't forgotten the 3D era," even if those characters aren't ready for the main stage yet.
Expanding the Universe with DLC
NetherRealm didn't stop at launch. They leaned hard into guest characters and returning favorites through the Kombat Packs and the Khaos Reigns expansion. This added some of the most "broken" and fun fighters to the mix.
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- Omni-Man: High-flying, brutal, and plays exactly like he does in Invincible.
- Peacemaker: Uses Eagly and a variety of helmets to annoy the hell out of opponents.
- Homelander: A zoner’s dream with lasers and a very condescending attitude.
- Ermac and Quan Chi: Returning MK staples that were technically in the story but became playable later.
- Takeda: The son of Kenshi, bringing some high-tech whip action to the New Era.
When Khaos Reigns dropped, we got gender-swapped versions of Cyrax and Sektor. This caused a bit of a stir in the forums, but their gameplay is undeniably slick. We also saw the return of Noob Saibot, though his origin is tied directly to the events of this game's story rather than the old Bi-Han lore. And of course, the guest list grew to include Ghostface, Conan the Barbarian, and the T-1000. It’s a weird party, but it works.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Roster
The biggest misconception is that these characters are just "skins" of their old selves. They aren't. If you try to play Rain like you did in MK11, you'll lose. He’s a zoner now, not a rush-down character. If you think General Shao is going to be the same powerhouse without his hammer (he uses an axe now), you’re in for a surprise.
The game forces you to relearn your favorites. The chemistry between a main fighter and a Kameo is the real "character" you're playing. A Sub-Zero with a Sareena Kameo plays entirely differently than a Sub-Zero with a Khameleon Kameo.
Final Insights for the New Era
The roster is officially "Komplete" as of the latest 2025 updates and the Definitive Edition release. NetherRealm has moved its primary development focus toward their next project—rumored to be Injustice 3 or perhaps something entirely new—so don't expect a Kombat Pack 3.
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If you're looking to jump in now, the meta has stabilized. Characters like Johnny Cage and Kenshi remain top-tier for high-level play, but the beauty of the final patch is that almost any pairing is viable if you put in the lab time.
Next Steps for Players:
- Master the Kameo Timing: Spend 20 minutes in practice mode just learning how to "call" your assist during a string. It’s the difference between a 20% combo and a 40% combo.
- Check the Frame Data: MK1 is very honest about frames. If you’re getting "mashed" on, it’s probably because you’re using a move that leaves you at a massive disadvantage.
- Explore the Towers: If the online sweat-fest is too much, the character-specific ending towers give you the best look at where these people are headed in the inevitable sequel.
The New Era is a wild experiment. It took characters we’ve known for thirty years and actually made them interesting again. Whether you love the new "Titan" lore or miss the old days of the Midway era, there’s no denying the sheer variety on display here.