Ermac's Mysterious Absence in Fire God Liu Kang's New Era - Unveiling the Secrets of Mortal Kombat 1!

Mortal Kombat 1 is embarking on a new and experimental journey after three decades of thrilling and violent action. The original timeline, starting with the 2011 version of Mortal Kombat, is being reset, making way for Fire God Liu Kang's fresh era after the events of Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath. Despite the supposed peace in the realms, the new canon of Mortal Kombat 1 doesn't seem to maintain tranquility for long. Developer NetherRealm Studios is quick to disrupt Fire God Liu Kang's plans.

The game includes many of Mortal Kombat's iconic characters, such as Scorpion, Sub-Zero, and Johnny Cage, who have been revealed in the roster. However, there are still a number of fan-favorite characters who have not yet been featured in any of the game's trailers. This leaves fans wondering if they will even be included. Baraka, Noob Saibot, and Ermac, for example, are staples with rich backstories that may not easily fit into Fire God Liu Kang's new era. Ermac, the renowned red ninja who possesses telekinetic powers to defeat his adversaries, falls into the same category.

Ermac's Mortal Kombat History Explained

Ermac has been a part of the Mortal Kombat series since its inception, initially appearing as a secret character due to a visual glitch that turned one of the ninjas red. However, he was officially introduced as a kombatant in Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 and has remained a prominent character in the franchise ever since. Unlike other ninjas in Mortal Kombat, Ermac has a distinctive move set that revolves around his telekinetic powers, making him a skilled zoner and one of the most visually captivating fighters in the game's history.

What sets Ermac further apart from the other ninjas is his unique origins. He embodies the souls lost in Outworld's wars and was created by Shao Kahn to serve as a subordinate. Despite rarely striving for power, Ermac transitions from serving Shao Kahn to assisting Mileena during her reign as empress in the 2011 Mortal Kombat reboot. Eventually, he supports Kotal Kahn when he overthrows Mileena. However, with the upcoming reboot of the Mortal Kombat timeline in MK1, it remains uncertain if Ermac will have any rulers to pledge loyalty to.

How Ermac Could Appear In Mortal Kombat 1

Ermac, one of the MK fighters, has an uncertain path to inclusion in Mortal Kombat 1. The possibility of Ermac appearing would depend on Shang Tsung, who is known for his manipulation of souls. If Shang Tsung is indeed the main antagonist in Mortal Kombat 1, as suggested by the game's reveal trailer, he could potentially create Ermac in Fire God Liu Kang's new era. While Ermac's powers and characterization would likely remain the same, this would give players the chance to play as the iconic ninja for the first time in almost a decade.

NetherRealm Studios is making bold changes to the Mortal Kombat franchise with Mortal Kombat 1. Along with a lore reset, the introduction of Kameo fighters in MK1 appears to be a highly dynamic feature. This also presents opportunities for beloved fighters to make an appearance, even if they are not fully playable characters. It is possible that Ermac could be one of MK1's Kameo fighters, but many fans of the telekinetic ninja would prefer if he returned as a proper playable character.

Mortal Kombat 1 releases September 19 on PC, PS5, Switch, and Xbox Series X/S.