Are you playing Mortal Kombat 1? As you know, MK1 just released, and choosing the right character matters a lot. You can either explore different playstyles or go for the top-tier fighters. That’s where the Mortal Kombat 1 tier list helps.
We have played with all the characters in Mortal Kombat 1 to help to choose the best one. Whether you like the classic characters or the new ones, there is a fighter that suits your style. But if you aim to excel, our MK1 tier list will point you to the top choices.
Our Mortal Kombat 1 tier list will give you an idea of who the best characters are during the first beta and what made them powerful picks.
Before we begin, I want to invite you to check our other articles: Final Fantasy 7 Ever Crisis Weapon Tier List, Blade Ball Skill Tier List, Exoprimal Tier List, and Azur Lane Tier List. Now, let’s discuss the Mortal Kombat 1 Fighters tier list to find the best one.
Mortal Kombat 1 tier list Ranking
We’ve checked all the Mortal Kombat characters, and we’ve grouped them into five tiers: S, A, B, C, and D. This helps you see which fighters are the strongest.
| Tier | Detail |
|---|---|
| S | OP (Overpowered) |
| A | Strong |
| B | Good |
| C | Average |
| D | Weak |
MK1 Tier List 2025 – Best Characters
The Mortal Kombat 1 tier list ranks characters from S to D tier, assessing factors like their moveset, damage potential, and ability to counter opponents.
Let’s check which characters belong to each tier in the Mortal Kombat 1 tier list:
Mortal Kombat 1 S-Tier characters
These characters are the strongest in the game, with a wide range of powerful moves and combos. They are also relatively easy to learn, making them a good choice for beginners and veterans alike.
| Tier | Character |
|---|---|
| S | Johnny Cage |
| S | Kenshi |
| S | Liu Kang |
| S | Geras |
| S | Nitara |
MK1 A-Tier characters
These characters are also very strong, but they may require a bit more practice to master. They have a variety of unique abilities that can give them an edge in battle.
| Tier | Character |
|---|---|
| A | Li Mei |
| A | Kitana |
| A | Shang Tsung |
| A | Reptile |
| A | Raiden |
| A | Kung Lao |
| A | Havik |
| A | Scorpion |
Mortal Kombat 1 B-Tier characters
These characters are still viable, but they may not be as strong as the characters in the higher tiers. They may have some weaknesses that can be exploited by skilled opponents.
| Tier | Character |
|---|---|
| B | Sub-Zero |
| B | Reiko |
| B | General Shao |
| B | Sindel |
Mortal Kombat 1 C-Tier characters
These characters are still playable, but they may be at a disadvantage against the characters in the higher tiers. They may have difficulty winning against skilled opponents.
| Tier | Character |
|---|---|
| C | Ashrah |
| C | Mileena |
| C | Smoke |
| C | Baraka |
Mortal Kombat 1 D-Tier characters
These characters are the weakest in the game, having a number of weaknesses that can be exploited by skilled opponents.
| Tier | Character |
|---|---|
| D | Tanya |
| D | Rain |
Disclaimer: The Mortal Kombat 1 Tier List is subjective and based on our assessment. In-game performance may vary. Use it as a reference but choose characters that suit your playstyle.
What are the Best Mortal Kombat Characters?
The top Mortal Kombat characters are a matter of personal preference, but some of the most well-liked and effective characters are:
Johnny Cage
Johnny Cage is a cool fighter with fancy moves that make him jump around, like his famous nut punch. He also has a new thing called Star Power. It’s a bit tricky because he needs to get hit to fill it up, which means he loses some health. But when it’s full, he can do something amazing. He can use it to do special moves one after the other, like doing lots of nut punches in a row!
Kenshi
Kenshi is a fighter who can hit from far away with his big sword, and it can really hurt! But his sword swings are a bit slow compared to other fighters. If you practice and learn his tricky combos, you can still do well against faster opponents.
Liu Kang
Li Mei is a fighter who works best when teaming up with the right partner. In the recent beta, she did really well when paired with Jax instead of Frost.
When Jax used his ground pound move while she threw a lantern, it was super tough for opponents to dodge.
Li Mei could dish out damage almost as much as Liu Kang, do super long combos, and might be easier to play than Fire God.
Geras
Geras is a brand new character in Mortal Kombat 1. He’s a warrior who can control time, and he works for the Elder God Kronika.
Geras is super strong in Mortal Kombat 1. He can do all sorts of cool things with time, like making it go slower or even turning it back. He can even make copies of himself!
Geras can also take a lot of hits without getting hurt too much. He’s a really tough fighter in the game.
Nitara
Nitara is a vampire queen from a place that’s getting invaded by Outworld. In Mortal Kombat 1, Nitara is super agile. She can fly and use her wings to attack. She’s also got some cool blood powers, like sucking her opponent’s blood and making blood bats.
Nitara can’t take as many hits as some other fighters, but she’s really fast and can be tricky to fight against because she’s so unpredictable.
Li Mei
Li Mei is a warrior from the Umgadi clan, and they’re all about keeping Outworld’s people safe.
In Mortal Kombat 1, Li Mei is balanced, which means she’s got a little bit of everything – speed, power, and agility. She’s not the strongest fighter, but she can do cool stuff like teleport and summon butterflies.
Even though she’s not the toughest, she’s really adaptable and can be tricky to defeat. She’s also a top pick for beginners because she’s simple to pick up and can do great in battles.
Kitana
Kitana is super popular in Mortal Kombat because she’s been in all the main games since Mortal Kombat II. People really like her because she is beautiful, strong and really skilled.
In Mortal Kombat 1 you can play as Kitana. She’s a balanced fighter, meaning she’s got some speed, power, and agility. She uses sais as her weapons and has special moves like her fan lift and air projectile.
Kitana is a tough opponent in Mortal Kombat 1. She’s got style and strength, making her a great choice for players who want a powerful and stylish fighter.
Shang Tsung
Shang Tsung is one of the toughest characters in Mortal Kombat. He’s like a magic and fighting expert, and he’s really tricky.
In Mortal Kombat 1, Shang Tsung is the final boss you have to face. He’s crazy strong and can be super hard to defeat. He can do lots of powerful stuff, like turning into others and taking their souls.
People really dig Shang Tsung in Mortal Kombat. He’s been in every main game since the first one. Fans like him because he’s sly, powerful, and a big-time bad guy.
Reptile
Reptile is a skilled fighter known for his weapon, the sai. People like him in Mortal Kombat because he’s been in every main game since the first one. He’s cool because he’s mysterious and has a unique fighting style.
In Mortal Kombat 1, you can unlock Reptile as a secret character by doing specific things. He’s strong but can be tricky to handle. He has powerful moves, but he’s not super fast and can get hurt easily.
If you want a challenge, try Reptile. He’s a different character with lots of potential. But remember, mastering him takes practice because he’s not the easiest to control.
Raiden
Raiden is the God of Thunder and Earthrealm’s Guardian. He’s a strong character with lots of moves. He can use his electric powers to stun and hurt his enemies. Raiden is also quick and can dodge enemy attacks easily.
If you want a powerful and flexible character, pick Raiden. He’s also a good choice for beginners because he’s not too hard to learn.
Kung Lao
Kung Lao is a really good fighter, and he’s known for using his special weapon, a sharp hat.
In Mortal Kombat 1, Kung Lao is balanced, which means he’s got a bit of speed, power, and agility. He’s got attacks with his hat and some special moves like his spinning hat throw and flying kick.
Kung Lao is a tough opponent in Mortal Kombat 1. He’s versatile and can be tricky to beat. If you want a strong and stylish character, go for Kung Lao.
Havik
Havik is all about causing chaos and is a master at it. He’s famous for his unpredictable fighting style, filled with tricks and illusions.
Havik is a powerful character with many moves. He can use his chaos powers to create illusions, teleport, and even mess with his opponent’s minds. He is also really skilled in hand-to-hand combat and can take different weapons including his special sword called the Chaos Amulet.
In Mortal Kombat 1, Havik is a challenging opponent because he’s got so many tricks. If you want a strong and stylish character, Havik is an excellent choice.
Scorpion
Scorpion is a strong character with lots of different attacks. He can use fire to burn his enemies and summon demons from a place called the Netherrealm using his hellfire powers. Scorpion is also really good at fighting up close and can use different weapons, like his special kunai.
In Mortal Kombat 1, Scorpion is a tough opponent. He’s versatile and can be hard to beat. If you want a powerful and stylish character, Scorpion is a great pick.
Conclusion
We hope our Mortal Kombat Tier List guide has been helpful in selecting the best character for your gameplay. If you want more articles be sure to check out our other articles, such as Monster Hunter Now Weapons Tier List and Final Fantasy 7 Ever Crisis Tier List don’t hesitate to explore our Tier List category. Happy gaming!