Mortal Kombat 1's Toughest Warriors: 7 Unforgiving Fighters That Will Test Your Skills

Highlights

Some fighters in Mortal Kombat 1 are more challenging to master than others, requiring time in Practice mode before playing online.

Havik, Sindel, Kenshi, Ashrah, Rain, Shang Tsung, and Geras each possess distinctive gameplay mechanics and movesets, which present a challenging learning curve. Notably, Geras stands out as the most formidable character, known for his intricate time-based powers and techniques.

In Mortal Kombat 1, players will find themselves playing as almost every Kombatant in the game's roster. This can happen through the game's story, Invasion modes or out of curiosity. It becomes apparent that certain fighters in Mortal Kombat 1 are more difficult to master, especially for beginners to the fighting game franchise. While characters like Reptile are relatively easy to learn and play, others require extensive practice in Mortal Kombat 1's Practice mode before players can confidently compete against other online gamers in ranked game modes.

7 The Destructive Havik

Havik, who made his highly anticipated return in Mortal Kombat 1, quickly became a crowd favorite for competitive gameplay. However, mastering his unique fighting style requires skill and practice. Havik's ability to tear his body apart and regenerate during battles, coupled with his arsenal of powerful special moves and combos, makes him a formidable opponent in the top tiers of Mortal Kombat 1's ranked game modes.

6 Magical Queen, Sindel

Sindel, a beloved character in Mortal Kombat 3, has captivated fans with her abilities to manipulate sound waves and use her hair as a weapon against her enemies. Far from boring, Sindel's moveset offers an exciting and dynamic playing experience.

Even without her magical powers, Sindel's moveset in Mortal Kombat 1 showcases her prowess as a skilled fighter. Her extensive array of combos is impressive, though mastering them can be quite challenging. Additionally, figuring out her special moves is no easy task, adding to the complexity of playing as or against Sindel.

5 The Blind Swordsman, Kenshi Takahashi

In Mortal Kombat 1's story mode, players will have the opportunity to control Kenshi Takahashi as one of the fighters. Initially, using Kenshi may be a bit perplexing due to his unique set of moves compared to the rest of the characters.

Equipped with a sword and ancestral abilities, Kenshi possesses the ability to overpower even the most formidable adversaries. However, it ultimately depends on the player's dedication and practice to determine if they wish to master this particular character. Nevertheless, Kenshi is undoubtedly one of the top fighters in Mortal Kombat 1, capable of inflicting immense damage, while his special moves provide flexibility in combat strategies.

4 Kind Demon, Ashrah

Ashrah, making her long-awaited comeback to the Mortal Kombat roster after her last appearance in Mortal Kombat: Deception, is a demon with an unusual agenda. While her goal is to attain heavenly power through acts of kindness, she possesses the ability to tap into her malevolent demon abilities when faced with a battle.

This distinctive trait adds a layer of complexity to her character, requiring players to familiarize themselves with this unique mechanic in order to truly master her as a formidable fighter. In contrast to other Kombatants, Ashrah stands apart with this exclusive ability. Additionally, fans must invest time and effort into honing her challenging combinations to unleash significant damage, as compared to other fighters who rely on simpler inputs for equally impactful results.

3 Water Sorcerer, Rain

In Mortal Kombat 1, Rain's character undergoes a refreshing transformation that sets him apart from other ninjas such as Sub-Zero or Reptile. Instead of being just another purple ninja on the roster, Rain stands out as a sorcerer who utilizes water-based magic and a formidable staff to overcome his adversaries.

This alteration not only adds a unique flavor to the character, but also introduces subtle changes to his gameplay mechanics, while retaining his immense potential. Rain exemplifies versatility, combining long-range zoning tactics with seamless up-close combos, thus making him a formidable fighter with a multitude of intricate strategies to explore within his arsenal of fighting abilities.

2 Shape-Shifter, Shang Tsung

In Mortal Kombat 11, players have the opportunity to unlock Shang-Tsung as the first DLC character. While he may appear similar to his previous versions, Shang-Tsung offers a new level of complexity with his shape-shifting abilities and zoner techniques. Unlike other fighters, Shang-Tsung has the ability to switch between two different forms, and even utilize his opponent's abilities. This unique feature adds an additional layer of depth to his gameplay, making him a more challenging character to master.

1 The Hourglass Guardian, Geras

From the moment the game was released, Geras has been recognized as the most challenging character to master. His presence in Mortal Kombat 1's ranked game modes has been nothing short of exceptional. Not only does Geras require a deep understanding to utilize effectively, but even facing off against him can be a highly intricate endeavor.

Harnessing the power of sand, Geras manipulates time to engage in combat with his opponents. Each Kombatant possesses a unique set of techniques, and Geras skillfully employs his moves to deceive, retaliate, and outmaneuver. However, every move he executes is akin to a complex puzzle piece within the greater scheme of the game.

Mortal Kombat 1

Platform(s) PC, PS5, Switch, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series SReleased September 19, 2023Developer(s) NetherRealm StudiosGenre(s) Fighting