Image via Warner Bros.
“Finish him!”
Mortal Kombatcelebrated its 30th anniversary this October. That’s three decades of over-the-top mayhem, stomach-churning gore, and throughout it all, a wry sense of humor to not take any of this too seriously. Back in its early days, the Mortal Kombat franchise was the topic of congressional hearings and hand-wringing over its effects on children. To what extent did any of this have long-term psychological effects?
Did the advancement of photorealistic graphics make the violence more impactful? There’s at least some evidence in recent years to suggest the latter; developers on Mortal Kombat 11 reported PTSD symptoms after animating the game’s signature Fatalities. But back in the 90s, the solution was for the gaming industry to self-regulate, lest the government do it for them. And the result is the current ESRB rating system. Rated T for Teen. Rated E for Everyone. Rated M for Mature. It’s a necessary gauge for violence and brutality.
Granted, every character from the Mortal Kombat series is brutal. But there are some that go beyond that--some, whose fatalities define their brutality, while others' brutality is defined by their cunning and ruthlessness. Brutal varies with each character on this list and although such a descriptor is often associated with villains or straight-up heartless dudes, you might be surprised by some of the fighters on here. Brace yourselves. Here are: The 20 Most Brutal Characters From The Mortal Kombat series.
20. Reptile
Mortal Kombat Character: Reptile
Level Of Brutality: 1.8
Honestly, Reptile has good intentions. He serves as a servant to just about every antagonist in the Mortal Kombat series, solely to see his race of reptilian creatures revived. But what makes Reptile one of the series' most dangerous characters is his fatalities. From vomiting acid into his opponent's mouth to eating separate pieces of their body, Reptile's memorable fatalities justify his being on this list.
19. Cyrax
Mortal Kombat Character: Cyrax
Level Of Brutality: 2.34
Cyrax was a human but became a cyborg ninja because of the Lin Kuei. His goal throughout the series is to kill the younger (second) Sub-Zero, but the master of ice manages to reprogram Cyrax with orders to kill Shao Kahn. Fast-forward to the latest MK and Cyrax attempts to escape the Lin Kuei's clutches before becoming a cyborg ninja, but ultimately fails to do so. So, how is Cyrax brutal? Similar to Reptile, Cyrax has some of the most grotesque fatalities the series has to offer. Seriously, he can blow up the entire planet and slice his opponents into pieces with his neon net. Kudos to Sub-Zero for being able to defeat this guy.
18. Mileena
Mortal Kombat Character: Mileena
Level Of Brutality: 2.75
You would hope that MK's first evil female character would be brutal, and she is. Essentially created to spy on Kitana for Shao Kahn, Mileena originally grew up as Kitana's lost twin sister. Fast forward several years and Mileena has taken over Shao Kahn's fortress as well as Edenia's forces. (Unfortunately, Shao Kahn takes back his fortress.) Not only does Mileena have some great fatalities (eating opponent's faces, throwing an arsenal of sais at her opponent) but she's a cunning and strong fighter: a deadly mixture of Kitana's agility and seduction, and Baraka's impulsive behavior.
17. Smoke
Mortal Kombat Character: Smoke
Level Of Brutality: 3.1
Imagine being turned into a cyborg ninja and having to kill a close friend/ally? This is what Smoke had to do when he was sent to kill the younger (second) Sub-Zero by the Lin Kuei. Although Smoke fails to kill Sub-Zero, it is when he is controlled by Noob Saibot that we witness just how brutal Smoke can be. He has the ability to transform humans into shadow warriors, and can manipulate smoke (duh) with absolute ease. The latter is what makes Smoke so dangerous, especially when he uses this ability for his fatalities. He can fill a person's body with smoke, which, well, basically burns their insides. Just check out his fatalities in the latest Mortal Kombat and you'll see what we mean.
16. Kabal
Mortal Kombat Character: Kabal
Level Of Brutality: 3.25
The guy wears a mask because of a slit windpipe and a grotesque face. If that isn't brutal we don't know what is. But there are other components to Kabal that make him one of Mortal Kombat's most dangerous characters. The fact that he was once a member of the Black Dragon clan; his superhuman speed and his fatalities, all contribute to his ruthlessness. Sure, he inevitably began as a good guy and ends a good guy, too, but regardless, it's not wise to get on Kabal's bad side. You've been warned.
15. Ermac
Mortal Kombat Character: Ermac
Level Of Brutality: 3.45
Made up of souls destroyed in Outworld's wars, Ermac is controlled by Shao Kahn throughout most of the series. (Although he does have his moments on being on Earthrealm's side.) Ermac's fatalities make him one of Mortal Kombat's most brutal fighters, and the fact that he pulled apart Jax's arms in the latest Mortal Kombat only adds to this.
14. Rain
Mortal Kombat Character: Rain
Level Of Brutality: 3.9
Sure, Rain has some of the series' most brutal fatalities (he can slice his opponents into pieces with a blade made of water), but the guy is just brutal in general. He enslaves his own realm, Edenia, when he becomes its new protector, attempts to rule the other realms (beginning with Earthrealm) and drowns Shao Kahn in his own blood. Yikes.
13. Kenshi
Mortal Kombat Character: Kenshi
Level Of Brutality: 4.79
He's a blind swordsman; not much else gets more brutal than that. He's one of Earthrealm's most cherished fighters, destroying several criminal organizations and fighting alongside warriors such as Jax, Sonya and Sub-Zero. But what makes Kenshi truly brutal is his fatalities, one of which features the fighter bashing his opponent against the screen, then slicing them in half. We feel sorry for whoever crosses Kenshi's path on a bad day.
12. Sub-Zero
Mortal Kombat Character: Sub-Zero
Level Of Brutality: 5
To avoid confusion we’re talking about the younger Sub-Zero. So, how is this one more brutal than the first one? Well, not only is he an incredible fighter, but he’s also determined to avenge his brother’s death. So much so, that he easily defeats just about every person that gets in his way, and ultimately ends up destroying the same clan that created him: the Lin Kuei. But let’s not forget Sub-Zero’s fatalities; one his latest fatalities feature him freezing his opponent below the waist and ripping the top portion a part.
11. Raiden
Mortal Kombat Character: Raiden
Level Of Brutality: 5.5
He's a thunder god and has basically been one of Earthrealm's MVPs since Mortal Kombat's inception. He's a brutal dude obviously because of his fighting abilities and fatalities, but he also brings Liu Kang back to life when he's killed by Shang Tsung. There's also a period of time where he becomes a darker version of his former self, furious with how some Earthrealm inhabitants had treated their own realm. Raiden is as brutal as they come but it should be expected, considering he's essentially the head-honcho of the series.
10. Motaro
Mortal Kombat Character: Motaro
Level Of Brutality: 6
What makes Motaro so brutal is his strength and aggressiveness. He's considered one of the hardest characters to fight in the MK series and it's understandable why. The centaurian creature is immune to projectiles, can teleport and deals insane amounts of damage. He was a challenge for us, his difficulty never faltering. Sure, his fatalities (or lack thereof) weren't memorable, but the fact that he was difficult to beat, sure was.
9. Goro
Mortal Kombat Character: Goro
Level Of Brutality: 6.22
Another character whose brutality is well-rounded (strength, fatalities and the fact that he has four arms), Goro is arguably one of the strongest fighters a part of the series. Unlike Motaro, who wasn't as much of an imbalanced character as we would've assumed, Goro is undeniably imbalanced. One attack basically depletes half of your health bar, and any attack you manage to do on Goro barely affects him. This guy was the champion of the Mortal Kombat tournament for nine generations, and remained undefeated for 500 years. What a G. (Ha, get it? His name starts with a 'G'? Goro? Ok, sorry.)
8. Kintaro
Mortal Kombat Character: Kintaro
Level Of Brutality: 6.35
Kintaro was made to be an even stronger version of Goro and, well, he is. Kintaro is a part of a lower class clan of Shokan, unlike Goro and Sheeva, who are a part of a more elite class. This works in Kintaro's favor considering that he's much more savage and brutal than them. At the time of Mortal Kombat II's release, Kintaro was considered one of the hardest bosses because of his ability to teleport stomp and throw an opponent when they're in mid-air. Add his most recent fatalities into the mix and you get a fighter that was almost unbeatable.
7. Shao Kahn
Mortal Kombat Character: Shao Kahn
Level Of Brutality: 6.4
Ah, Shao Kahn. It's debatable that the Emperor of Outworld isn't as strong as some of the fighters before him, but he was brutal not only in his strength but his cunning, too. For example, he only becomes the Emperor of Outworld because he poisons Onaga, the Dragon King. He even serves as the catalyst to Sindel's suicide, and stops her soul from going to the afterlife. Throughout the series Kahn makes and breaks false alliances for his own selfish reasons, leaving "allies" to die in his place as he plans his next moves. Inevitably, Kahn is defeated by Liu Kang several times (in the latest MK he loses to Raiden), but you can't deny that he didn't go down without a fight. (Or two, or three...)
6. Shinnok
Mortal Kombat Character: Shinnok
Level Of Brutality: 6.66
Shinnok is one of the most evil characters a part of the series. As the ruler of the Netherrealm, Shinnok can impersonate any other being of his choosing, and transform into a powerful demon. Shinnok not only has the attacks and fatalities to back up how brutal he is, but he has the cunning and deviousness, too. He can manipulate people to do his bidding, and questioning his actions essentially leads to death. (As was the case in Mortal Kombat 4 when Shinnok kills Reptile.) He's arguably as heartless as Shao Kahn, and somehow manages to get out of the most severe scenarios, never giving up on his goal of taking over all of the realms.
5. Scorpion
Mortal Kombat Character: Scorpion
Level Of Brutality: 7.8
Of course Scorpion would be in the top five. Originally one of the strongest warriors a part of the Japanese ninja clan, Shirai Ryu, Scorpion would end up becoming a hellspawn revenant, seeking vengeance on those that destroyed his clan and family. Although Scorpion remains a pretty neutral character throughout the series, he's at his most deadly when he's deceived or betrayed. Take his relationship with Quan Chi, for example. Quan Chi leads Scorpion to believe that the Lin Kuei killed his family and clan, when it was actually Chi's doing. Well, Scorpion gets his revenge in the best manner possible. With the help of his clan's spirits, Scorpion burns Chi alive, killing him slowly and painfully. Never get on Scorpion's bad side, guys.
4. Kung Lao
Mortal Kombat Character: Kung Lao
Level Of Brutality: 8.88
It makes sense that Kung Lao is so high on here when you think about it. Although he's a pacifist, when he's pushed to the edge he basically becomes one of the series' deadliest combatants. Seriously, the guy has several different fatalities, two of which involve using a rabbit. Nothing gets more brutal than rabbits, dude. Then, of course, there's his razor-sharp hat, which can dismember Lao's opponents with absolute ease. These strengths, along with the fact that he's one of Earthrealm's strongest fighters, is what makes Lao such a brutal character.
3. Liu Kang
Mortal Kombat Character: Liu Kang
Level Of Brutality: 9.5
Liu Kang is so brutal that Raiden brings him back from the dead. He's arguably the strongest fighter a part of the series, and has served as Earthrealm's main MVP for just about every MK game. He's got the attacks and fatalities but he's also just a brave and courageous dude, that defends Earthrealm time and time again. Seriously, it basically takes two of MK's most evil fighters to take Liu Kang down. Thanks for protecting us, even from the grave, Liu Kang.
2. Quan Chi
Mortal Kombat Character: Quan Chi
Level Of Brutality: 9.9
As an opportunist, Quan Chi is willing to do just about anything to achieve his goals. Chi betrays Shinnok by giving him a replica of his Amulet, and even manipulates Scorpion into believing that the Lin Kuei were responsible for the destruction of his clan and family. He's MK's root of all evil, having a hand in just about every villain's scheme. Top that off with some extremely gory attacks and Quan Chi is second in command to the most brutal character of the series...
1. Shang Tsung
Mortal Kombat Character: Shang Tsung
Level Of Brutality: 10
Shang Tsung. He kills Liu Kang, man. (He also takes Great Kung Lao's soul, so, yeah.) Nothing is more brutal than killing off the series' main protagonist. Tsung probably had you crying (you're not alone--so were we) and wondering if Earthrealm would finally be taken over by the bad guys. Fortunately, that doesn't happen, but at least Tsung was pretty close. Along with being able to steal people's souls and being, arguably, MK's most ruthless villain, Tsung had several fatalities to choose from that were all pretty brutal. For killing our hero and being a cold-blooded mastermind, Tsung gets the top spot for the Most Brutal Mortal Kombat character.