[Update 2: The recent Cage Family Trailer the recent details of the first chapter of Mortal Kombat X has revealed both Johnny Cage and Sonya Blade as playable characters. Their preliminary info is available in the gallery.]
[Update 1: Added a lot more information on character variations. Some characters don't have that information available, but we'll add more as that arrives.]
The character roster of Mortal Kombat X (pronounced 'X,' not "ten") has been slow but steady, as we head to its release date of April 14, 2015 for PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360.
Revealed at E3 2014 with four new characters alongside mainstays Scorpion and Sub-Zero, Mortal Kombat X has trickled out a mix of fighters, both new and old, for a current count of fourteen characters as shown in the gallery below. The game will span across 25 years after the ending of the last Mortal Kombat, combining characters in the Mortal Kombat lore from the past, present, and future. Each character will have three variants, each of which add different abilities for strategic effect.
The multiplayer component will include a 5-vs-5 tag team match and replace Challenge Towers with three online-only Living Towers. It also includes a new meta-game Factions mode where players can choose one of five teams to represent, earning ranking points and faction-specific rewards. More details on the Living Towers and Factions can be found in this feature.
The decision of Goro being a pre-order exclusive bonus has been controversial, causing many fans to object purchasing the title until he is included in the roster proper. Surprisingly, Mortal Kombat X has already been confirmed for EVO 2015 despite the game not being out yet, giving players just over two months to prepare for the competition.
Mortal Kombat X Roster
-
Cassie Cage
Badasses yield more badasses.
rn
rnCassie Cage is the daughter of Johnny Cage and Sonya Blade, a perfect fit for Mortal Kombat X's timeline which spans across 25 years. Cassie wears a blue tactical body suit with word "Cage" on the back as well as dogtags, two items that show her history as a cop and a military officer.
rn
rnShe wields a nightstick and a handgun, and her X-Ray Attack literally busts the balls off male opponents. Don't be surprised to find her blowing a piece of bubblegum after she finishes you off with a fatality.
rn
rnVariations:
rn- Hollywood: Gives her a variation of Johnny Cage's signature nut attack as well as an Air Akimbo
rn- Brawler: Adds Air Power Slam and Take Down
rn- Spec-Ops: Can call in missile strikes -
D\'Vorah
A more demonic version of Queen Bee from Darkstalkers, D'Vorah is an anthropomorphic insect woman who can use her stingers on her back. Her black cloak pairs well with her yellow bee-morph skin. rn rnFun Fact: Her name translates to "Deborah" in Hebrew. rn rnVariations: rn- Venomous: All of her ovipositor attacks poison the opponent, offering better chip damage and effective rushdowns rn- Swarm Queen: Grants her the ability to summon a wasp tornado and bug bombs, perfect for zoning and combo openers rn- Brood Mother: D'Vorah can spawn a crawling minion that can pin an opponent and leave him or her vulnerable rn -
Ermac
Seemingly a red-clad ninja with telekenetic powers, Ermac is actually a fusion of numerous souls who were killed in Outworld's many wars. Occasionally referring to himself as "we," as a collective construct, he can travel to many realms.
rn
rnWe will need to see whether he works as a force of good or as a force who's being controlled by a more sinister foe. He can levitate, use kinetic blasts, and hold opponents in place. His fatality crushes and contorts his opponent into a crunchy pretzel.
rn
rnVariations:
rn- Mystic: Adds Tele-lift and Tele-push
rn- Spectral: Can fly and grant unique air attacks
rn- Master of Souls: Can vanish and grants Soul Ball
rn
rn[YouTube Trailer] -
Ferra/Torr
Similar to Ice Climbers but far more sinister, Ferra & Torr is a duo gang who operate as a single character. Torra's brute size will knock characters around, but he can also throw Ferra around as a projectile for long-range tactics. In case you were wondering, Ferra is female and Torr is male.
rn
rnProper spacing will be incredibly important for this character who's relatively slow compared to the other character. But if you're able to get in just one throw from Torr, you'll inflict hefty amounts of damage.
rn
rnVariations:
rn- Ruthless: Adds Pain and Gain buffing ability
rn- Vicious: Ferra deals more damage; adds The Boss Toss and Little Kutter
rn- Lackey: Ferra disabled, but Torr has an expanded moveset -
Goro
As an exclusive pre-order character (for now), Goro is an Outworld Shokan four-armed beast known for his brutal strength and grappling power. Not much is known about him yet, apart from what we can gather from his history inthe series, but you can expect that he won't be easy to topple.
rn
rnPerhaps this is an indication that the female Shokan Sheeva will return as well. However, Goro being a pre-order character has caused negative fan reaction, with some believing that he should be unlockable in the game on Day One instead of being restricted behind a paywall. -
Kano
One of the first legacy characters revealed, the cyborg Kano wields his signature laser eye beams and many, many, many knives. He might seem like a background character in the universe for the most part, but Mortal Kombat X has given him a slew of upgrades by way of his variations. He seems for more deadlier than before.
rn
rnVariations:
rn- Cutthroat (green light): Better knife attacks and a buff for attacks
rn- Cybernetic (red light): Timed grenade attacks and throws
rn- Commando (yellow light): Deadly grappling moves, and low or high counter
rn
rn[YouTube Trailer] -
Kitana
The Chun-Li of the Mortal Kombat universe, Kitana is a fan-favorite femme fatale who uses her spiked blade fans to deadly effect. Though traditionally 10,000 years old, she's still considered "young" as an Edenian. But after loyally serving Shao Kahn for years, she turns to the good after learning the truth.
rn
rnShe can use her fans as a projectile and can suspend an opponent in a tornado levitation. Kitana can also propel herself toward an enemy with a quick flying lunge.
rn
rn[YouTube Trailer] -
Kotal Kahn
A gigantic Aztec warrior resembling the emperor Montezuma, Kotal Kahn has shining gold equipment based on Quetzalcaotl, the Aztec God of the Wind, and holds a Tecpatl in his belt. With green skin and glowing eyes, his appearance looks similar to Ogre from Tekken 3.
rn
rnThe "Kahn" in his name refers to him having taken over Outworld, allegedly, after the downfall of Shao Kahn before him.
rn
rnVariations:
rn- Sun God (yellow tattoos): Gives Sun God Choke and Soul Scorch
rn- War God (blue tattoos): Grants Macuahuitl-based moves
rn- Blood God (red tattoos): Adds various totems to his arsenal -
Kung Lao
Kung Lao is a former Shaolin monk who is also a member of the White Lotus Society. Attempting to prove himself as qualified as Liu Kang, he is surprisingly a pacifist but will punish those who threaten his world with a face full of spike-hat. rn rnVariations: rn- Buzzsaw: Can use hat as an assist on the floor that moves forward rn- Tempest: Hat becomes a shield, and gives him wild spinning and kick attacks rn- Hat Trick: Opens multiple uses for the hat as a trap and combo-opener rn rn[YouTube Trailer] -
Quan Chi
A villainous sorcerer who brought Scorpion back to life (so maybe he's not so bad?), Quan Chi uses his necromantic powers and cunning to conquer Earthrealm and even reality itself. Ever the ruthless opportunist, he will do anything it takes to become the next ruler of, well, everything.
rn
rnHis new fatality sees him fly through a dimensional portal onto an opponent's neck.
rn
rnVariations:
rn- Sorcerer: Can cast magical fields that augment self or cripple opponent
rn- Warlock: Adds tricky portal attacks (as if they weren't tricky enough)
rn- Summoner: Can summon a Netherrealm Bat
rn
rn[YouTube Trailer] -
Raiden
Ever the reigning Thunder God of the Mortal Kombat universe, Raiden remains the protector of Earthrealm against the forces of Outworld. You can't have a Mortal Kombat without Raiden.
rn
rnRaiden's godlike mastery of lightning lets him shock his foes, grants him teleportation powers, and gives him momentary use of suspension.
rn
rnVariations:
rn- Thunder God: Electric blasts for melee aggression, adding combo versatility and juggle opportunities
rn- Displacer: Teleporation for tricky maneuvers and setups
rn- Storm Lord: Lightning orb traps for zoning
rn
rn[YouTube Trailer] -
Reptile
Originally just a green color swap for Scorpion and Sub-Zero in the original Mortal Kombat, Reptile has become a beast all its own.
rn
rnLike his namesake, Reptile can spit acid at his opponent. His fatality uses his corrosive venom to melt the opponent's face off.
rn
rn[YouTube Trailer] -
Scorpion
Otherwise known as Hanzo Hasashi, Scorpion needs no introduction to fighting fans. After being killed by the Lin Kuei and Sub-Zero, he resurrects as a specter by sorcerer Quan Chi and is hellbent on revenge. Scorpion killed the elder brother Sub-Zero in combat in the last Mortal Kombat, allowing Kuai Liang, the younger brother of Sub-Zero, to take up the icy mantle.
rn
rnScorpion wears his trademark yellow ninjitsu outfit and can use his signature Kunai that pulls opponents toward him as he shouts "Get over here!"
rn
rnVariations:
rn- Ninjitsu: Adds unique attacks utilizing Dual Swords
rn- Hellfire: Adds Hell Ball, Demon Fire and Flame Aura
rn- Inferno: Adds the ability to summon a Demonic Minion
rn
rn[YouTube Trailer] -
Sub Zero
The yin to Scorpion's yang, Sub-Zero returns as the classic blue Lin Kuei warrior who has mastered the power of cyromancy. It's unclear whether this marks a return of the original Sub-Zero, Bi-han, or his younger brother, Kuai Liang. This is because Scorpion ostensibly killed Bi-han in Mortal Kombat (2011).
rn
rnSub-Zero uses his icy powers to freeze enemies, create clones, and form sharp icicles that can be thrown. His counter-based X-Ray attack freezes his opponent's intestines and stabs his opponent in the eye. Ouch!
rn
rnVariations:
rn- Unbreakable: Adds Frozen Aura and Barrier of Frost
rn- Grandmaster: Ice Clone can be thrown or used as a shield
rn- Cryomancer: Ice Weapons are a go!
rn
rn[YouTube Trailer] -
Takashi Takeda
Not much is known about Takashi Takeda, revealed in the story trailer for Mortal Kombat X, apart from the fact that he's the son of the blind Kenshi. It doesn't seem that Takashi is blind, however, so he may not have the same sense of hearing that made Kenshi such a deadlier warrior. However, don't be surprised if he has telekinetic, teleportation, and sword maneuvers as passed down from his father. -
Jacqueline Briggs
As another character revealed in the Story trailer for Mortal Kombat X, Jacqueline Briggs has been detailed as the daughter of Jax. Kinda obvious, given their same last name. With her fists in the air, we can assume that she's a brawler just like her father. She doesn't seem to have any of the biotic upgrades of Jax, though, perhaps relying on her melee prowess instead. -
Kung Jin
Kung Jin, the third character reveal for the new generation of fighters in the Story trailer for Mortal Kombat X, is the son of the hat-throwing Kung Lao. Unlike his father, though, it seems that Kung Jin is a master of archery. Near the 1:40 mark in the trailer, we see one of his fatalities with a decapitation of his enemy's head as it's sniped with three arrows. -
Mileena
The last official character to be revealed in the Story trailer for MKX is Mileena, described by the developers as a "power-hungry clone." Not that surprising given that she's been a clone of Kitana in Mortal Kombat lore and has coveted Kitana's place as Princess. In this story set 25 years in the future, it would seem that Mileena wishes to reclaim her throne which was stolen by Kotal Kahn and now bears a mysterious but powerful talisman as well as a rebel army at her beck and call. -
Johnny Cage
Johnny Cage, ever the smart-aleck, will be the first character players will control in MKX's Story Mode. As one of the few remaining EarthRealm warriors, he leads the last members of the military in hunting down Shinnok and Quan Chi.
rn
rnHe still retains his signature nut punch, and his green-powered forward kick can be charged for additional damage. His forceball can be talked low or high, and his flip kick can dish out extra anti-air damage. If that doesn't make you want to put on some shades, I don't know what will. -
Sonya Blade
Recovered from her many injuries from Mortal Kombat X, Sonya returns as a Major in EarthRealm's ragged military in order to protect the world from Shinnok and Quan Chi's forces. Her moveset has yet to be revealed, but it will likely be based on her previous incarnation where she can blast energy rings, perform kartwheels, and use her signature leg grabs to whip the opponent's head around. She obviously maintains a relationship with Johnny Cage given that Cassie Cage is on the roster.
