Fire God Liu Kang’s new reality from Mortal Kombat 11 is fully manifested in Mortal Kombat 1, the gory fighting game series’ latest reboot. The official trailer revealed a more vibrant look and some big changes to the game’s system. Chief among these changes is the Kameo Fighters system.
Kameo Fighters can be picked from a secondary roster. Kameo Fighters can be called to perform different attacks, which players can follow up, chain into combos, and end with fatalities. An initial list of characters has been named for Kameos, but some fan favorites and long-overdue fighters can be welcome additions to the roster.
Confirmed Kombatants
Mortal Kombat 1’s trailer revealed the initial roster of playable characters. Most are from the original 1992 entry, which is fitting, given that the universe is starting from scratch. But as MK 11 ended with 37 playable characters, this initial roster will surely expand.
- Johnny Cage
- Kenshi
- Kitana
- Kung Lao
- Liu Kang
- Mileena
- Raiden
- Scorpion
- Shang Tsung
- Sub-Zero
Confirmed Kameo Fighters
In the same thread, this roster of Kameo Fighters will expand through unlocks and DLCs:
- Jax
- Kano
- Sonya
- Sub Zero
- Goro
- Stryker
- Erron Black
10 Nightwolf
Nightwolf re-entered canon in the second part of Mortal Kombat 11, only to have an ambiguous ending after Raiden and Fujin intervened on his behalf. In this new continuity, he can Kameo as his original self, or pass the mantle of Nightwolf to another character.
The concept of Nightwolf as a title passed from the Matokan guardian, the Great Spirit, allows NetherRealm to reinvent the character. By debuting him as a Kameo fighter, his supernatural powers and moveset can also be highlighted. Given his moveset, he can be a great asset for long-range kombatants who need a rushdown option.
9 Fujin
Fujin and Nightwolf were present in MK 11, and there’s no reason for these characters to not return. Both have been ardent protectors of Earthrealm since their debut. They also possess movesets that make them welcome additions to any esports tournament.
But if they remain on the sidelines, they can provide serious aerial support. Fujin especially can provide some mid-range action to complement characters that can’t control space well. His wind attacks can also be used to bait or hook opponents for combos.
8 Havik
Video game and fighting game fans usually think of Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Raiden, or other day-one characters when they think of Mortal Kombat. But while Havik isn’t a household name, the Chaosrealm cleric did play a huge part in the comic series.
Gameplaywise, a Havik summon could prove to be frustrating for opponents. He heals, and if he can transfer that effect to the player, it can play like a second wind of sorts. Havik’s body-twisting attacks can help him reach opponents staying at a distance.
7 Reptile
Reptile appeared in MK 11 as a playable character, but his role in the game is truncated. As the lone Raptor left alive pre-reboot, bringing him back would pose interesting questions regarding his race, and their destructive effects on the Outworld.
Plot implications aside, Reptile’s unique abilities can be used to provoke opponents and catch them unawares. Reptile can turn invisible and spit acid, two attacks that can be hard to prepare for if the player applies pressure on the opposition.
6 Ermac
With the confirmation that King Jerrod, Kitana’s father, and Sindel’s first husband, is one of the souls within Ermac, it would be interesting to have Ermac around for story purposes. We may see it come true, as he may make his debut in the new timeline if the leaks for the first Kombat Pack are confirmed.
Until then, the concept of Ermac as a Kameo Fighter is appealing to players who want to keep opponents guessing. If Kameos have defensive purposes, his anti-airs and pokes can be devastating to flow.
5 Cyrax
Cyrax is outright tragic, having served the Lin Kuei with the belief that it was honorable and worthy of serving. In every incarnation, Cyrax is forced to become a cyborg, or else made soulless or tortured. If he comes back, he may have a shot at retaining his human form and use cybernetics instead of being forced into living as a cyborg.
Should he return as a human, he can finally put his Sambo fighting style to good use. Command grabs can’t be teched. Expect a few broken controllers if Cyrax gets one. But if he becomes a cyborg again, his arsenal of weapons can clean up well.
4 Baraka
While other characters deal with nuance and long-term schemes, Baraka is here to demand respect for his people. The Tarkatan serves Mileena and Shao Khan to bring meat to his ever-hungry people. As a Kameo fighter, he can use his teeth and blades to restrict opponents.
Baraka’s slow movement would be no problem if his job is to pop in and out to deliver Krushing Blows. He can also surprise opponents with his projectiles to either create an opening for an attack or keep them in range.
3 Jade
Kitana’s faithful bodyguard is an obvious choice for a Kameo. Other than her allegiance, her secret orders of assassinating Kitana if she disobeys Shao Khan can make for some great drama.
Other than narrative, she can also be a great support Kameo. Jade has never been known for her damage, but she is known for her range. Any opponents hoping to control space should be wary of Jade’s projectiles and staff. She can also force them to meet the player where they stand.
2 Kabal
Depending on the continuity, Kabal is either a tragic fallen hero or a massively selfish villain. In this new continuity, he may still be a cop, doomed to face Shao Khan’s machinations. He may have already turned undead and under the amoral leadership of the Black Dragon.
In any case, Kabal offers literal hooks to create safety and space for players who need some breathing room. His high attack speed can also help players chain devastatingly fast combos to punish any opponent's errors.
1 Kombat Kids
Normally, a full reboot means waving everything that happened in previous iterations off. But Cassie Cage, Jacqui Briggs, Kung Jin, and Takeda Takahashi still have a shot at some sort of cameo. After all, Mortal Kombat plays with time, alternate realities, and frequent reboots.
If the kids somehow make it, they have outstanding abilities that make for great support. Cassie’s drones and Kung Jin’s projectiles can zone opponents and trigger neat effects such as meter drain. Jacquie and Takeda, on the other hand, can flex their fast and ranged normal for great staggers.
Mortal Kombat 1 is set to release on September 19, 2023.