Mortal Kombat is the most recognized fighting game in video game history. Mostly due to the incredible amount of violence, of course, but also because of the franchise’s characters. We all have our mains in any Mortal Kombat game and for some, it took a lot of trial and error to find the right character to play as.

Whether you like characters who are all about speed or if you prefer characters with a lot of style, you’ll find the right MK combatant for you! So for Mortal Kombat 1, the newest addition to the series, which fighters do you think are perfect for beginners?

#1: Sub-Zero

Let’s break the ice…no?

The first on our list has to be the coolest, and pun TOTALLY intended, ninja of the Lin Kuei! In the previous timeline, Bi-han was killed by Scorpion and turned into the villainous Noob Saibot (Fun Fact: Noob Saibot backwards spells Tobias Boon, the last names of Mortal Kombat’s co-creators). In this new timeline, however, Bi-han not only retains his title of Sub-Zero, but he is now the Grandmaster of the Lin Kuei following the death of his father. 

Sub-Zero is a good character for beginners because of his ice attacks, which can stun opponents long enough for you to perform combos or escape incoming attacks. And while the ninja’s combos are easy to learn, they hit pretty dang hard! Probably the most useful, and annoying, attack of Sub-Zero’s is his Ice Klone, because if your opponent makes the mistake of running into the clone, they’ll freeze on contact leaving them open to your attacks. 

What makes Sub-Zero a great character for beginners:

• Sub-Zero’s main goal is to punish his opponents for making the smallest mistakes, mainly with his Ice Klone.
• He has fun and easy combos that he can pull off and combo enders such as his Ice Slide are useful for getting extra damage on your opponent.
• Basically all of Sub-Zero’s ice attacks can be used to either stun your opponent long enough for you to get out of danger, or keep them in place long enough for you to perform brutal combos on them.

#2: Reptile

I can see why Ashrah fell for him

Now this was a change no one saw coming. Reptile, the green lizard man who spits literal acid out of his mouth, has now become…well, he’s still a lizard man. But BY THE ELDER GODS he looks so good in his human form!

But even so, Reptile’s Zaterran form is still something to behold, especially in combat. When he transforms, Reptile has the ability to turn invisible, which is a problem in itself for whoever you’re fighting against. Not only that, but if you use the Force Ball in Reptile’s combos, then you can keep your opponent in the air for a while, so you can deal more damage.

What makes Reptile a great character for beginners:

• In Mortal Kombat 1, Reptile’s Force Ball is an even bigger problem than in earlier games because 1.) you can’t duck beneath the Force Ball because of how big it is, and 2.) you can control the speed of the Force Ball.
• Another cool special move of Reptile’s is his Death Roll, because while it does deal damage to your opponent, it can also be used to dodge projectiles.
• And let’s not forget, Reptile also has his Zaterran form to rely on, and it provides him with abilities such as invisibility.

#3: Johnny Cage

Mr. A-List posing for the camera

Love or hate this guy, you knew Johnny Cage was going to be on this list. Mr. Cage is still the same arrogant movie star he was in the last timeline, but deep down, he also has a good heart. If only Cris had stayed with him long enough to see the actor finally get some sense knocked into him…literally.

There’s a reason why Johnny is on this list, and no, it’s not for comedic effect. Honestly, Johnny Cage is a very well-rounded character and great for both beginners and pros. When his Hype Meter is full, which is filled whenever Johnny taunts his opponent, you can chain special moves as well as cancel your opponent’s special moves!

What make Johnny Cage a great character for beginners:

• Johnny Cage has good overheads and pop-ups, so you can continue a combo for a while and his Shadow Dash will allow you to do that without missing a beat.
• Also, Johnny special moves like his Nut Punch and Shadow Kick are going to have your opponent wanting to run to the hills, especially with his Hype Meter. 
• Johnny’s Hype Meter is probably the main thing you’ll want to look out for, because if that’s full, he can cancel your opponents specials and use enhanced specials without spending any of your meter.

#4: Scorpion

GET OVER HERE, and play Mortal Kombat 1…please?

Ah yes, here we have the hot-headed, undead Shirai Ryu himself: Hanzo Hasash—no, NO! In Mortal Kombat 1, Hanzo is no longer Scorpion. Yep, the title of the fire-wielding ninja now belongs to Sub-Zero’s brother Kuai Liang…who was actually Sub-Zero…in the previous timeline….

ANYWAY, Scorpion’s signature spear and fire attacks are more than likely the main reasons why players pick this ninja as their fighter. Scorpion is not only powerful, but he has great range as well. And you can use his spear to continue unleashing a barrage of attacks on your opponent.

What makes Scorpion a great character for beginners:

• Scorpion is a pretty straightforward character, and so his moves/combos are really easy to learn.
• He’s a good mix-up character, so if you want to keep your opponent on their toes, then Scorpion is the right character for you.
• Scorpion’s special moves are fun to use and attacks such as his hellfire become unblockable if you enhance it.

#5: Liu Kang

Jeez Bruce Lee, smile would you?

You know, for a guy with fire powers, Liu Kang is pretty chill (yes, more puns, FIGHT ME). Well, I guess he doesn’t have to worry about being the Chosen One anymore…now he has a whole TIMELINE to worry about! Good thing the god of fire has Geras to help him out from time to time. 

As a god and a martial artist, Liu Kang has an arsenal of attacks, both basic and supernatural. Projectiles such as Liu Kang’s Fireball are useful for hitting opponents from a distance. And if you do want to get up close and personal, don’t worry, this god can throw hands!

What makes Liu Kang a great character for beginners:

• Liu Kang’s Fireballs are insanely fast in Mortal Kombat 1, and his air Fireballs are even faster, so it’ll be hard for your opponent to dodge/block them in time. 
• And with his Fireballs, Liu Kang can cover all sections of the stage, especially if assisted by a Kameo like Kano or Sonya.
• Liu Kang has really simple combos, but they still deal heavy damage and you can use a special move to end the combos as well.

#6: Raiden

The SHOCK fans felt when they saw that Raiden is young

Speaking of “The Chosen One”, let’s say hello to Raiden! The former god of thunder was living a peaceful life as a farm boy with his friend Kung Lao. That was until Liu Kang dragged into the world of MORTAL KOMBAT!

Despite not being a god in the new timeline, Raiden is given a magical amulet that allows him to wield lightning as he did before. Raiden can use projectiles in the form of orbs of electricity, and his signature Electric Fly has Raiden charge toward his opponent no matter the distance. But his most useful skill has to be Raiden’s Shocker ability, which electrocutes your opponent at the end of a string. 

What makes Raiden a great character for beginners:

• While he doesn’t have the flashiest combos like other characters, Raiden’s combos still hit hard and if you pair them with his Shocker ability, he’s a force to be reckoned with.
• Moves such as Raiden’s teleportation and his Electric Fly will help to escape incoming attacks, get the drop on your opponent, or close the distance between you and your opponent.
• And Raiden’s Electric Orb is used as a projectile, so you can still hit your opponent from a distance if you need to.

#7: Li Mei

A pretty rose indeed

The one thing that hasn’t changed about Li Mei in this new timeline is the fact that she is still an exceptional warrior. She’s no longer fighting for the freedom of Sun Do’s people, but she’s now using her fighting skills to protect Edenia’s royal family. Despite Sindel and her daughters obviously blaming Li Mei for the death of King Jerrod. 

Li Mei has plenty of tricks up her sleeve, but she’s a great character for beginners because of this. If you want to get the upper hand when playing against more experienced players, then Li Mei is the perfect character for that! Not only does she have moves that are incredibly hard to block, but her aerial attacks are to be feared for sure.

What makes Li Mei a great character for beginners:

• One of the few tricks Li Mei has is her lanterns, which when your opponent comes into contact with them, they explode like bombs.
• And speaking of the air, Li Mei has plenty of aerial attacks, so you won't have to worry about keeping your opponent in mid-air.
• Li Mei as a fighter is fun to play with, but the damage she can deal is absolutely insane, especially when it comes to her special moves!

#8: Baraka

He’s actually a nice guy once you get to know him

I couldn’t help but love Mortal Kombat 1’s version of Baraka! He may look like a blood-thirsty monster, but in this timeline, Baraka is an honorable man who had the misfortune of being infected with a disease called Tarkat. Now he fights to defend others like him, who were banished to the Wastelands to keep the disease from spreading.

Of course, the most dangerous thing about Baraka is his arm blades, one of the many “perks” of his condition. Because of his blades, Baraka’s basic attacks have much more range than any other character and boy, he can hit hard AND fast. Baraka is a fighter who will have you trapped in a corner in seconds if you’re not careful.

What makes Baraka a great character for beginners:

• Again, Baraka’s arm blades give you an advantage as they give his basic attacks more range.
• Baraka also has air specials that can be used in a combo, which is great for getting some extra damage. 
• He has really easy combos that you can master too, such as his “Slaughter House”, which is literally just you pressing the same button six times in a row!

#9: Mileena

Raphael ain’t got nothing on her!

And while we’re on the topic of Tarkat, here’s another victim of the terrible disease, Princess Mileena. This beauty, and beast, is now one of the blood daughters of Empress Sindel, which makes her Princess Kitana’s actual sister. Not a freaky abomination made by Shang Tsung because Shao Kahn wanted a Tarkatan for a daughter (don’t ask me why, the man was insane!).

Mileena is brutal when it comes to combat, which is one thing that seems to be a constant in whatever timeline she’s in. She’s not shy, that’s for sure, and it shows in her fighting style as Mileena has more close-ranged attacks. Her teleportation attacks and rolls are only a few of her moves you should look out for.

What makes Mileena a great character for beginners:

• Mileena has some of the easiest combos to learn, which is partly due to her having many built-in attacks, so she basically does most of the work for you.
• You can also perform cancels for those kinds of combos and do a special move such as Mileena’s Ball Roll.
• Because of moves such as her teleportation and Ball Rolls, Mileena can avoid incoming attacks like projectiles if you can spot them quick enough. 

#10: Smoke

Take a look at this smokin’ hot ninja (Okay, okay, I’m done with the puns!)

Look, I know I said Sub-Zero was the coolest ninja, but I lied okay? No, that title belongs to Tomas Vrbada, AKA Smoke! Yep, Smoke has returned to the world of Mortal Kombat as the adopted brother of Sub-Zero and Scorpion, and he’s got a cool knife too!

Although MK1’s version of Smoke doesn’t have powers like Scorpion or Sub-Zero, he more than makes up for it with his use of weapons, mainly his karambit, and magic. Smoke is all about getting the drop on his opponents, which is understandable considering that he’s a NINJA. With Smoke’s teleportation and smoke abilities, he will leave his opponents constantly guessing his next move.

What makes Smoke a great character for beginners:

• Smoke is an insane mix-up character, and while his normal attacks usually deal low damage, they are really quick so the damage piles on just like that.
• As with previous games, Smoke is known for his speed and once he begins an assault, your opponent will have a VERY low reaction time.
• Smoke is all about catching his opponents off-guard, and many of his abilities such as his Smoke-Ports and Smoke Bombs are just a few ways you can successfully pull off a surprise attack.

Think of this list as a starting point for you if you’re just starting to play Mortal Kombat 1. It may take some time for you to find the right fighter, but that’s okay. Just play around and see which combatant’s style works best for you. Maybe start with your favorite character from previous Mortal Kombat games or just pick someone who looks cool. I won’t judge you, I promise!

You may also be interested in:

• Best Mortal Kombat Villains (and Their Arch Enemies)
• Top 10 Mortal Kombat 1 Best Beginner Characters
• Top 10 Mortal Kombat 1 Best Fatalities