One of the most iconic names in gaming history,Mortal Kombatcaused controversy when it was first released in 1992, but has since become one of the longest-running series in gaming, with multiple spin-offs and even a movie franchise. The game allowed players to performacts of extreme violence, which forcedMortal Kombatto be at the forefront of censorship in gaming.
For all its early controversy, theMortal Kombatseries has continually led the way in depicting powerful warrior women, defeating or even being the franchise’s most deadly enemies. These badass characters have become some of the most iconic and popular throughout the series and have had a lasting impact on gaming and popular culture.
10Skarlet
Species: Outworlder
Skarlet was a rumored character sinceMortal Kombat IIand was eventually revealed in the DLC of a later game. A deadly warrior, Skarlet is the adopted daughter of Shao Khan and acts as his bodyguard. Her backstory has changed over time, from originally being created by Shao Khan as an experiment, she is now Shao Khan’s pupil, who taught her the ways of sorcery and blood magic.
Skarlet is a formidable and devoted warrior of Outworld and has a strong fascination with blood. She fights with various blade types, while often covering her face with a mask.
9Frost
Species: Human/Cryomancer
Frost is a rare character who goes from being on the side of good to that of evil throughout her story. She allowed her jealousy and ambition to fuel her anger. She challenged her clan leader, Sub-Zero, in combat and lost, being banished for her actions.
This would lead her down a more dangerous path to Kronika, who would use her to help reset the timeline. Frost would later havecybernetic augmentationsimplanted in her body, making her more powerful than before. Raiden would then use her to connect to the other cyborgs to shut them all down.
8D’vorah
Species: Kytinn
D’vorah is thought to be the last living member of her species, the Kytinn. The Kytinn is an insect hive race that forms into humanoid bodies that appear to be a single being. She can control other insects to fight for her, as well as regenerate her body after extreme damage.
One of the highest-ranked and notable members of the Outworld Empire, D’vorah was the feared second-in-command to Kotal Khan. Although seemingly loyal, her true motives are for the survival of her race. She will go to any lengths and ally herself with any side to achieve her goals.
Species: Edenian/Mutant Clone
Mortal Kombat II
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One of the longest-running antagonists in the series, Mileena is a mutant clone of Kitana and her opposite in almost every way. Where Kitana questioned the morality of Shao Khan and the invasion of Earth, Mileena proved herself to be a sadistic and cruel version thattook pleasure in others’ pain.
Wanting nothing more than to kill her sister, Mileena fights with her twin Sai, hiding her face behind a ninja mask, only revealing her large razor-toothed mouth when she aims to bite chunks out of an opponent.
6Sheeva
Species: Shokan
A proud member of the Shokan race, Sheeva was the bodyguard of Queen Sindel and fought for Outworld, during the invasion of Earthrealm. Sheeva walked in the footsteps of other iconic Shokan, most notably Goro, and would later become the Queen of her people.
Although Sheeva is tied to Shao Khan and the Outworlders, she is most loyal to her race and will do anything to protect her people. Sheeva, like all her people, is a large being with four distinct arms and great strength.
5Cassie Cage
Species: Human
As the daughter of Luke Cage and Sonya Blade, Cassie Cage is one of the more recent characters in thelong-running fighting franchise. Although she is a newer character, she has already cemented herself as one of the strongest female characters in the series.
A Commander in the Special Forces, Cassie proved her strength when she single-handedly defeated Shinnock, the fallen Elder God and one of the main antagonists of the series. Cassie was trained by both her parents and inherited Johnny Cage’s green energy skills.
4Kitana
Species: Edenian
One of the most popular characters inMortal Kombat, Kitana has appeared in 23 of the 26 games throughout its history and has been central in the ongoing narrative that makes up the series and its different timelines.
At 10,000 years old, Kitana is a princess of Edenia and is still considered young among her people. For decades, she fought alongside Shao Khan for Outworld, but would eventually betray him and fight for Earthrealm, realizing the extent of her former master’s tyranny. With her deadly fan attacks, Kitana is a powerful and enduring warrior.
3Sindel
The mother of Kitana and Mileena, Sindel, is one of the most powerful characters in the series. Ruler of the realm of Edenia, Sindel has been depicted asboth villainous and heroicthroughout the different timelines.
With an array of mystical powers, Sindel is one of the unique characters, often using her hair as a weapon. She is also able to levitate and can attack using her scream. Although she is not one of the central characters in the ongoing narratives, she is often a core part of the plot and has appeared in 14 entries of the franchise.
Daughter of Kronika, and sister to the fallen god Shinnok, Cetrion is an Elder God of life, virtue, and light. She is the exact opposite of her brother, who brought about death. Together they are two of the same coin under their mother, who uses them to keep balance in the universe.
After the defeat of Shinnok by Raiden and the balance ended, Cetrion worked with her mother to create a new timeline where brother and sister would once again keep the balancebetween the light and the dark.
1Kronika
Species: Titan
One of the most powerful beings in theMortal KombatUniverse. Kronika is a Titaness of considerable influence and strength, above even the Elder Gods. She is the mother to Shinnock and Cetrion and acts as the main antagonist inMortal Kombat 11.
To rebalance the forces of good and evil, Kronika decided to reset the timeline, something she had done in the past. This caused the past and present to merge, causing chaos. Although she seems all-powerful, she can be beaten, which was proved true when the Fire God, Liu Kang, defeated her in combat.
