Unleashing Ancient Rivals: The Ultimate Showdown Between Mortal Kombat 1's Rain and Injustice 2's Dr Fate

Mortal Kombat 1 has been consistently introducing new fighters since its initial announcement, with each reimagined classic character receiving high praise from fans. After Liu Kang's world-altering actions in Mortal Kombat 11, it comes as no surprise that the twelfth installment in the series is bringing fresh innovation to its roster. While the core fighters from the earlier games have made their expected comeback in Mortal Kombat 1, it's evident that NetherRealm is also committed to satisfying the desires of less prominent fan favorites.

In the latest trailer for Mortal Kombat 1, which focuses on the Lin Kuei members, beloved fighters such as Smoke, Cyrax, and Sektor were unveiled to great excitement from fans. Smoke, who is rarely seen in his human form, is just one example of NetherRealm's bold approach in giving Liu Kang's world a truly new feel. Characters like Smoke were logical choices due to the strong fan support they received in their original appearances, but the latest Mortal Kombat also takes a risk. In the trailer, the purple ninja Rain makes his official return, paying homage to NetherRealm's history while facing off against the Lin Kuei.

Rain's Mortal Kombat 1 Iteration is Groundbreaking for the Character

Once a joke character in the early stages of Mortal Kombat, Rain has been a seldom-seen character throughout the series. While he recently made a noteworthy appearance in Mortal Kombat 11 as part of the DLC roster, it had been almost a decade since his last inclusion. Back in Mortal Kombat 9, he was also available as DLC almost a decade prior, with his original appearance in a game's base roster dating all the way back to 2006's Mortal Kombat: Armageddon. Due to his typically sidelined role, Rain has never been given much narrative focus, which makes his significance in Mortal Kombat 1, as demonstrated in his reveal trailer, truly exceptional.

With the dawn of Liu Kang's new world, Rain has been reconceptualized and his moveset has undergone a complete overhaul. In Mortal Kombat 11, he no longer wields the katar and instead possesses a scepter that he uses to summon his signature water magic. His moves now incorporate a mix of shorter range projectiles and flashy normal attacks with disjointed hitboxes, showcasing a more technical use of masses of water. With new special moves like his anti-air water wave and opponent-binding whirlpool, it is evident that he has been transformed into a trap-focused fighter, reminiscent of one of the standout characters from Injustice 2.

The New Rain Takes After Doctor Fate's Traps

NetherRealm Studios has gained notoriety for its powerful zoning characters that dominate tournaments with long-range projectiles. However, Rain's latest version in Mortal Kombat 1 takes a page from Injustice 2's Doctor Fate, who focused on trap-oriented gameplay. Similar to Doctor Fate, Rain features moves with long startup times and situational uses, allowing for a more methodical play style of screen control. While Doctor Fate utilized powerful zoning tools like the Amon Ra Blast, his entire kit revolved around strategically placing lingering projectiles to bait opponents into making mistakes.

Rain's connection to Doctor Fate goes even deeper, potentially making him the most intriguing version of the character yet. With a special move that summons a storm cloud, Rain has the ability to create actual precipitation above him. This move may even grant him a buff similar to Doctor Fate's Dark Magic, enhancing his special moves. Embracing the play style of a trap character, Rain's kit could include moves like Doctor Fate's Spell of Judgment and Spell of Punishment. These abilities have the potential to make Rain one of the most technically skilled fighters in the entire roster when Mortal Kombat 1 is released this year.

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