Updated at: 10-03-2023 - By: Leo Hall
There are 37 playable characters in Mortal Kombat 11, including both returning fan favorites and some notable newcomers from the worlds of film and comics. Each kombatant or playable character has a unique role to play in the game and not every one of them succeeds spectacularly. Some characters’ combos and playstyles can be picked up in a matter of days, while those of the more complex ones have a steady and challenging learning curve. This is why we’ve spent time compiling the MK11 tier list, which ranks the overall usefulness of the game’s fighters.We’ve divided the game’s wide variety of playable characters into the five tiers described below based solely on our subjective impressions of where they all sit. We spent significant time with all of the kombatants in the game, and used that data to create this ranking system. We realize that there is no universally accepted method for ranking the Mortal Kombat 11 characters. You should know that our compiled tier list is based entirely on our subjective impressions and interactions with the characters.This non-official, open-to-criticism ranking was derived using the aforementioned criteria. We have also included some background info on each fighter, including their best combos, attack patterns, and special moves.

Mortal Kombat 11 – A Quick Introduction

NetherRealm Studios developed the fighting game Mortal Kombat 11. Publishing by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, its development team includes veterans of Injustice, Mortal Kombat X, and more!

On April 23, 2019, Mortal Kombat 11 was made available to the public. It can be played on the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox One X, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, and PC.

SonicFox reveals his updated Mortal Kombat 11 tier list | ONE Esports

In this game, the player takes on the role of Kronika, who is bent on changing the past in order to exact vengeance on Raiden. The player begins by selecting a character and engaging in a series of battles to earn the right to use that character’s unique abilities in advance of the game’s climactic showdown with Kronika.

Once you’ve accomplished this, you’ll have to defeat several past selves before you can take on Kronika in the present.

With 25 playable characters at launch and more promised as downloadable content, the game boasts a fantastic roster. In order to ensure that those who only purchase the base game have a level playing field, the developers have stated that they will not be adding any gameplay differences between DLC characters.

While the majority of our Mortal Kombat 11 character tier list is dedicated to the game’s main roster, we have also included downloadable content characters. We’re treating all of the characters equally, so it doesn’t matter if you paid real money for them or not; you can pick whoever you like. Let’s jump right into our MK11 tier list, shall we?

S-Tier

All of the players we’ve ranked as “S” are the best at their positions in the game. There are a few types of damage dealers, zoners, and rushdown characters mentioned here. If you want to keep winning battles, whether online or off, pick one of these kombatants and learn to use it well.

Cetrion

In our rankings of all the Kombatants in Mortal Kombat 11, Cetrion is at the top. She is a master of attacking from a distance, or “zoning,” and is therefore a fantastic character. The elements of water and fire figure prominently in Cetrion’s most frequently used abilities and combos. She has no trouble at all delivering a five- or seven-hit combo. Taking everything into account, she is the best and, paradoxically, the easiest option for completing Klassic Tower in its most challenging setting.

Gender Female
Origin Heavens
Species Elder God
Combative Gameplay Zoner

Jacqui Briggs

If you’re looking for a great rushdown fighting style kombatant in Mortal Kombat 11, our first thought is Jacqui Briggs. She is an expert at using both simple and complex combos against her foes. When facing off against sluggish kombatants, Jacqui Briggs is the ideal solution.

Gender Female
Origin Earthrealm
Species Human
Style of Play Involving Conflict Rushdown

Liu Kang

It’s true that Liu Kang isn’t quite as dynamic in the rushdown as Jacqui Briggs, but he still has his moments. His high, medium, and low attacks all do respectable damage against the enemy. Fireball and flying dragon kick are two of Liu Kang’s other go-to special moves for keeping an opponent at bay.

Gender Male
Origin Earthrealm
Species Human
Style of Play Involving Conflict Rushdown

The Joker

The vicious version of “The Joker” never fails to completely dominate and destroy opponents in Klassic Tower or in online matches. When fighting, he can switch between high, mid, and low combos with ease. The Joker is a great rushdown character, and players should start using him immediately.

Gender Male
Origin DC Multiverse
Species Human
Combative Gameplay Rushdown

Fujin

Fujin, Raiden’s brother, uses the Kusanagi no Tsurugi sword to surprise his opponents. He uses the wind to his advantage in order to perform special moves and combo attacks, and he is a master at doing so. In response to the question, “Which zoner Kombatant is comparable to Cetrion?” we will say Fujin.

Gender Male
Origin Heaven
Species God
Game-Play Favoring Violence Zoner

A-Tier

There isn’t a single character on our A-tier list who isn’t an excellent fighter in the game. Although not the best, once mastered they will serve their purpose admirably. It will be difficult for the enemy to defeat you if you have mastered all of these fighters’ attack and defensive techniques.

Sheeva

If you’re looking for a fighter who uses grappling techniques, Sheeva is your best bet. She and Geras are in a tight race for the title of best grappler-style fighter, but Sheeva comes out on top by a wide margin. This is due to the fact that unlike Geras, you will have an easier time pulling off her combos and special moves, and her attacks generally deal more damage.

Gender Female
Origin Outworld
Species Shokan
Game-Play Favoring Violence Grappler

Kabal

Kabal is a great new addition to the zoner fighting genre. His unique abilities and combos are not exploitable in any way. You can’t just spam Kabal’s movesets like you would Scorpion’s teleports and staggers and expect to win. This does double duty by both surprising and alarming the opponent. Because it is impossible to foresee your next move when using Kabal. Aside from that, Kabal isn’t a particularly damaging kombatant, but he’s still useful in Mortal Kombat 11.

Gender Male
Origin Earthrealm
Species Human
Fighting Games Zoner

Geras

Geras is the most proficient fighter of the grappler variety you will face in the game. His combos and special attacks are devastating, taking a sizable chunk out of the health of his foes. It will take time to master Geras, but in the end you will have a great chance of winning matches with him whether you play online or in single-player.

Gender Male
Origin The Keep of Kronika
Species Mechanically produced
Combative Play Grappler

Spawn

While there may be other rushdown characters in Mortal Kombat 11, Spawn is arguably the most challenging due to his unique move set. It can be difficult to master Spawn’s combos and time your special moves correctly. The effort will be worthwhile, though, once you have mastered this kombatant.

Gender Male
Origin Universe of Images
Species Hellish offspring with eternal life
Combative Gameplay Rushdown

Kano

In our A-tier list for MK11, Kano is once again another great grapple playstyle fighter. He’s not as hard to pick up as Spawn was. The majority of his combos and special moves are fairly effective and can be performed quickly. We advise trying the Ripper version of Kano first for those unfamiliar with the game.

Gender Male
Origin Earthrealm
Species Human
Combative Gameplay Grappler

Shang Tsung

Whenever we think of a martial artist who can strike enemies with a wide range of weapons and a respectable number of combos, Shang Tsung is the first name that comes to mind. To attack from a distance, he excels. To surprise their opponent, many players use Shang Tsung to lure them near the kombatant. Moreover, if you prefer to keep your distance from the adversary, he also has a few projectiles at his disposal.

Gender Male
Origin Earthrealm
Species Human
Conflict Resolution Skills Rushdown

Noob Saibot

Both rushdown and zoner elements can be found in Noob Saibot’s playstyle. This provides the kombatant with a wide range of options for expressing himself musically. You can, for instance, master the art of space control to exert pressure on your opponent or combine clone and ball attacks to spam his projectiles. This is why Mortal Kombat 11’s Noob Saibot is so interesting to play as.

Mortal Kombat 11 - The Definitive Ultimate Tier List! - YouTube

Gender Male
Origin Netherrealm
Species Wraith
Mode of Play that Involves Fighting In a Rush and in a Zone

Sub-Zero

Sub-Zero is one of our top-tier fighters. Those who have been using Sub-Zero since Mortal Kombat 9 or X won’t be let down by his performance in Mortal Kombat 11. Long-range combo starters would benefit greatly from his B1 (B: Backwards, 1: Front Punch). Aside from that, the speed with which he executes his B3, 2 (B: Backwards, 3: Front Kick, 2: Back Punch) is impressive. Sub-Zero is an excellent rushdown character with good medium- and long-range combos.

Gender Male
Origin Earthrealm
Species Cryomancer
Games That Involve Fighting Rushdown

Cassie Cage

All of Cassie Cage’s incarnations improve her rushdown abilities. She is a fantastic kombatant, and most of the time (if not all of the time), you will need to corner your opponent and land combos. Whether you’re playing a Spec Ops, Brawler, or custom game mode, Cassie Cage never fails to impress.

Gender Female
Origin Earthrealm
Species Human
Battle-style Play Rushdown

Kollector

The ‘Back in the Pack’ variation brings out the best in Kollector, making him the only zoner playstyle character to do so. Because in this iteration, his standard and special combos can easily force an adversary into a corner. Furthermore, his F12 is a great set of moves for stunning opponents or scoring a confirmed hit. Taking everything into account, it’s safe to say that Kollector isn’t the best zoner kombatant, but he’s also not the worst.

Gender Male
Origin Outworld
Species Naknada
Battle-style Play Zoner

Kotal Kahn

Almost every Kotal Kahn build is solid, and if you know how to apply pressure to your enemies, he can be a fantastic zoner character. If you want a high damage dealer, however, you should use the Ascension kombatant. Kotal Kahn deals heavy damage and has a close-range mid in the command grab.

Gender Male
Origin Outworld of Z’Unkahrah
Species Osh-Tek
a style of play characterized by conflict Zoner

B-Tier

Each of Mortal Kombat 11’s B-tier kombatants is a better than average zoner, grappler, or rushdown kombatant. It won’t be easy to get the hang of some of these personalities, unfortunately.

Kung Lao

Our Mortal Kombat 11 tier list has Kung Lao placed as a B-rank rushdown fighter. As a fighter, he exerts considerable pressure on his foes and has adequate command of the arena. Controlling situations is a breeze with Kung Lao’s F1 repertoire. If you want to learn this character quickly, the Hat Tricks is the best route to take.

Gender Male
Origin Earthrealm
Species Human
Playing Styles That Involve Fighting Rushdown

Johnny Cage

Johnny Cage is the type of boxer who enters a fight, throws a few combinations, and then exits the ring. You won’t get very far if you try to play a rushdown style with him. This is due to the fact that Johnny Cage’s fighting style relies more on the character’s motion than on static attacks. Wait for him to move out of range, then let your opponent come up and strike you. After that, you should hold your breath and strike back while they try to counter Johnny’s moves. In Mortal Kombat 11, he’s a lot of fun to train as a kombatant.

Gender Male
Origin Earthrealm
Species Human

Jade

Jade is a formidable combatant, and her decent range allows her to frequently surprise her foes with devastating attacks. Her “Deadly Assassin” style is the most combo-heavy of the different iterations she has. In a fight, Jade’s 434 combo gives her a significant advantage over her opponent. Due to its great range, most opponents are caught off guard by her 2124 combo. Finally, Jade’s parry can be boosted for added effect.

Gender Female
Origin Edenia
Species Edenian/Revenant
Combative Playstyle Zoner

Sindel

Sindel excels as a kombatant who uses the zoner fighting style. Every one of her attacks, if not all of them, is devastating. In terms of gameplay, Sindel is very similar to Noob Saibot. Similarly to him, she has a low IQ and a correspondingly slow learning curve. The first two of Sindel’s variants are simple to pick up. But her third one is tricky, and it takes a lot of practice to use her combos and special moves effectively and when they’re most needed in a fight.

Gender Female
Origin Edenia
Species Edenian/Revenant
Games That Involve Fighting Zoner

D’vorah

D’vorah is the optimal plan of action for dealing with zoning adversaries. When D’vorah is in close proximity to her opponent, she unleashes devastating high to mid to low combos. She can attack from a distance and maintain a safe distance from her foes.

Gender Female
Origin Isles of Arnyek
Species Kytinn
Combative Gameplay Grappler

Erron Black

Erron Black is a fantastic B-rank kombatant because of his skill at combining combos and special moves. Regrettably, he is not able to deal excessive damage to his foes with his combos. While he may be lacking in other areas, his combo skills more than make up for it. Erron has enough variation in his combos to keep the opposition on its toes.

Gender Male
Origin Earthrealm
Species Human
Competing Violently Zoner

Scorpion

Scorpion’s special moves and combos can either work out beautifully or completely ruin the game. His Deathspin and Teleport are both extremely risky maneuvers. However, he otherwise has fairly effective jump attacks. The stings of a scorpion are highly effective as well.

Gender Male
Origin Netherrealm
Species Spectre
Games That Involve Fighting Rushdown/Zoner

The Terminator

When compared to the other kombatants, Terminator stands out. His style of play incorporates elements of both rushdown and zoner. Except for a few projectile-based attacks, most of his attacks deal significant damage but have limited range.

Gender Male
Origin Cinematic Series: Terminator
Species T-800 Model
Strategy Games with a Focus on Combat Rushdown/Zoner

Jax Briggs

Although Jax Briggs is a difficult fighter to master, his abilities are generally easy to pick up. He has a large hitbox, decent projectile attacks, and the ability to deal significant damage.

Gender Male
Origin Earthrealm
Species Human
Combative Gameplay Grappler

Raiden

It takes a lot of practice to become proficient with Raiden, but if you learn when and how to use his combos and special moves, you’ll be able to easily dispatch of your opponents. In the meantime, use Quick Charge, Electric Burst, and Storm Cell frequently to deal respectable damage to foes while you practice mixing up your combos to confuse them.

Gender Male
Origin Heavens
Species God
Combative Gameplay Rushdown

Sonya Blade

In our B-tier list for MK11, Sonya stands out as the best brawler and rushdown fighter. Her zoning playstyle is top-notch, but if you’d prefer a less restrictive approach, her first variant is the way to go. If you enjoy switching between a rushdown and a zoning playstyle frequently, Sonya is a fantastic character to main.

Gender Female
Origin Earthrealm
Species Human
Playing Styles That Involve Fighting Rushdown

Frost

Frost provides many different weapons and traps to use against an adversary. The majority of her combos and special moves, however, are simply too complicated to throw her opponents off guard.

Gender Female
Origin Earthrealm
Species Cryomancer
Combative Gameplay Zoner

Rain

When compared to Terminator, Rain is another one-of-a-kind character who has the potential to provide a wide range of gameplay options. Suppose you have a good handle on executing attacks at a distance and know how to make effective use of his dash speed. In that case, you can continue to throw mix-up attacks that confuse your opponents and then surprise them into submission time and time again.

Gender Male
Origin Edenia
Species Demi-God
Strategy Games with a Focus on Combat Zoner

Mileena

Mileena is an exciting character who can counter Sheeva’s stomp attack and whose combo attacks can cause significant zoning damage. While it may take some time to master all of her nuances and put them to use in battle, doing so will ultimately be beneficial.

Gender Female
Origin Outworld
Species Tarkatan and Edonian Mix
Combative Gameplay Rushdown

C-Tier

Everyone in our C-tier of kombatants is below-average and has a unique playstyle that is difficult to master. It can be difficult to time the execution of these fighters’ complex movesets during battles.

Rambo

If you ask us, Rambo is one of the best Mortal Kombat 11 kombatants you can choose if you prefer the zoner fighting style. Overhead attacks make up the bulk of his basic and advanced combos, and he lacks a diverse array of low attacks beyond his specials. Players still rely heavily on Rambo’s FUBAR, Shoulder Roll, and grab combos during battles.

Gender Male
Origin Multi-Film Saga Rambo
Species Human
Combative Gameplay Zoner

Baraka

The best way for Baraka to escape a sticky situation is for him to close the distance, land a few blows or a combo, and then quickly escape. As a kombatant, he is second to none, boasting both speedy and lethal projectiles. Baraka’s combos are typically focused on mids and lows, making it easy to consistently use them. The most overused of his basic attacks by far is his jump kick.

Gender Male
Origin Outworld
Species Tarkatan
Battle-style Play Rushdown

Nightwolf

Although he isn’t the best rushdown kombatant, Nightwolf is far from the worst. The Ancestral form of this character is the one we’d recommend trying out first if you’re new to the game. In this iteration, instead of playing like a rushdown character, Nightwolf acts more like a grappler. This version of him does away with his launcher in favor of a teleport set that comes in handy for sneak attacks.

Gender Male
Origin Earthrealm
Species Human
Toy warfare Rushdown

Kitana

Ever since the first patch, Kitana’s mid- to high-damage fan combos and attacks have been severely nerfed. She’s gotten a lot of upgrades that have made the kombatant slightly stronger over time. Even so, she is limited in her ability to perform combos when faced with unexpected obstacles. Players who were invested in Kitana’s continued existence have turned to custom options for a long time, but even those have failed to make a significant impact on the game.

Gender Female
Origin Edenia
Species Edenian
Combative Gameplay Zoner

D-Tier

Our D-tier fighters are sluggish and unexciting. They are not worth the investment when playing online or when playing Klassic Tower games in hard mode.

Mortal Kombat 11 Friendship Tier List (updated) by Moneybam on DeviantArt

Skarlet

Skarlet is one of the Kombatants in our D-rank Mortal Kombat 11 Characters who may be challenging to master if you prefer a zoner playstyle. Her special attacks and combos, especially the high ones, do a fair amount of damage, but stringing them together might be difficult if you don’t have good timing. On the other hand, Skarlet’s teleport variation is relatively simple to learn and can be used effectively against a zoner.

Gender Female
Origin Outworld
Species The Purpose and Methods of a Genomic Experiment
Method of Play Involving Conflict Zoner

Robocop

In Mortal Kombat 11, Robocop is likely the only zoner character whose movesets are heavily based on projectiles. His melee attacks are reminiscent of the Terminator, but they are repetitive and boring. Robocop’s second variant is fantastic for zoning out other kombatants and dealing respectable damage to opponents if you’re still interested in playing with him.

Gender Male
Origin RoboCop Series
Species Cyborg
Combative Gameplay Zoner

Shao Kahn

When compared to other kombatants, Shao Kahn is a weaker choice because he is both too rigid and moves too slowly. Fighting effectively while also knowing and able to execute his combos requires exceptional timing and recall. Shao Kahn’s only redeeming feature, in our opinion, is that he deals substantial damage and causes significant health depletion.

Gender Male
Origin Outworld
Species God
Method of Play Involving Conflict Zoner

What does a tier list mean?

To put it simply, a tier list is a ranking of characters based on their strengths and weaknesses. The rankings and abilities of each character are outlined, making this an excellent resource for players curious about who ranks highest and why.

How does the MK11 tier list work?

The Mortal Kombat 11 tier list is functional because it categorizes each character into a specific set. Tiers range from “S” (the best) to “E” (the worst), with “S” representing the top tier and “E” representing the lowest tier, wherein the fighter has almost no chance of winning against others.

Why MK11 tier list is important?

Players need a reliable Mortal Kombat 11 tier list to learn which characters are the best and where they stand in comparison to one another. In addition to helping you advance through levels more quickly, knowing your own strengths and weaknesses is one of its many benefits.

Which tier is the best?

Characters in the MK11 S tier are considered the best in the game because they are unrivaled in terms of fighting prowess. In almost any situation, they will prove to be victorious due to their arsenal of powerful moves, abilities, and combos.

What are the tiers in MK 11 tier list?

In MK11, the tiers go from “S” (the lowest) to “E” (the highest). With an “S” at the top and an “E” at the bottom, these rankings are from best to worst. As more details about Mortal Kombat 11 emerge, this ranking may shift.

How often is the MK 11 tier list updated?

Each new patch and DLC release usually results in an update to the MK 11 tier list. This guarantees that the rankings of all fighters in Mortal Kombat 11 are correct and reflect their abilities and performance in the most recent build of the game.

Why do players use the Mortal Kombat 11 tier list?

To see where each character stands in comparison to the rest, players can consult the Mortal Kombat 11 tier list. If you’re new to Mortal and want to get a feel for how the game works and how the various characters in it perform, this is a fantastic resource for you.

Summary

You may have some concerns or questions now that you know how we ranked every playable character on a scale of one to five. The best attacker, zoner, grappler, or rushdown fighter in the game may come to mind.

If you are having success with a kombatant ranked C or D in the game, you should continue using it regardless of our answers.

For the most part, that’s all there is to know about the playable characters in Mortal Kombat 11. Tell us which character you think is the best zoner, grappler, and rushdown fighter in the game. Leave a comment and tell us what you think.