Each character has three different variations a player can choose from after selecting a character. Variations can include a unique set of attacks, special moves, or weapons that are only exclusive to that variation. Some Brutalities are also exclusive to certain variations as a character must be capable of performing move to enact the finisher.
Though variations play a key element to the character's abilities and attributes, it is entirely optional to play without one. To do so, simply hit Up twice and then press Y/Triangle, depending on your system.
| Character
| Variation
| Description
| Physical Attribute(s)
|
Alien |
- Acidic
- Tarkatan
- Konjurer
|
- Gains Acid Blood, Erosive Blood, Exo Sting, and Exo Splash.
- Gains Tarkatan Rush, Chop Chop, Chop Chop Shop, Blade Spin, and Spinner.
- Gains Ovomorph, Advanced Ovomorph, Drone Drop, and Drone Slam.
|
- Smooth cranium based on Drone caste; Acidic blood dripping from tail.
- Ridged cranium based on Warrior caste; Takartan Blades extended.
- Wide, jagged cranium based on Praetorian caste.
|
Bo' Rai Cho |
- Bartitsu
- Dragon's Breath
- Drunken Master
|
- Gains Spinning Kane, Flying Kick, and attacks utilizing his Staff.
- Gains Fire Spit, Up Fire Spit, and Ground Fire.
- Gains Head Dive, Spinning Fists, Multi-Slap, and Drink.
|
- Cane is secured to his waist.
- Flask glows orange.
- Flask glows green.
|
Cassie Cage |
- Hollywood
- Brawler
- Spec Ops
|
- Gains stylish Air Akimbo Gunshots and Nut Kracker.
- Gains Take Down, Air Power Slam, and Bow Breaker.
- Gains various Air Strikes and The American Way.
|
- Wears a pair of sunglasses.
- Gloves are now yellow.
- Headset is added onto her right ear, a tactical device is secured onto the right side of her waist.
|
D'Vorah |
- Brood Mother
- Swarm Queen
- Venomous
|
- Gains Krawler and Bug Blast.
- Gains Vortex Swarm and Wasp Grenade.
- Gains Bug Burst and Ovipostior based attacks poison the opponent.
|
- Hood is removed.
- Insects flies around her body, stingers become black with red tips.
- A green, noxious substance is leaking out of her hands and from the scales on her legs.
|
Ermac |
- Mystic
- Spectral
- Master of Souls
|
- Gains an improved Tele-lift and the Tele-Choke.
- Gains the ability to fly and unique attacks from the air.
- Gains Soul Ball and the ability to disappear to avoid damage.
|
- Gloves and lower, inner portion of his jacket emit a green glow.
- A glowing, green gem is placed on his chest.
- Three soul orbs flow around his body.
|
Erron Black |
- Marksman
- Gunslinger
- Outlaw
|
- Gains unique Special Attacks utilizing a Long Rifle.
- Gains Standoff Stance and multiple trick shots with revolvers.
- Gains unique attacks utilizing a salvaged Tarkatan Arm Blade.
|
- Long Rifle is holstered on his back.
- Cowboy hat is placed on his head.
- Tarkatan arm blade is secured on his back.
|
Ferra & Torr |
- Ruthless
- Vicious
- Lackey
|
- Gains Pain and Gain ability to increase Torr's damage.
- Gains Boss Toss and Gut Ripper.
- An enhanced Torr fights solo as Ferra watches from the sidelines.
|
- Torr's mask is white in color.
- Red feathers are added onto Ferra's helmet. 4 sharp spikes are added to Ferra's back.
- Ferra is unmounted from Torr's back.
|
Goro |
- Dragon Fangs
- Kuatan Warrior
- Tigrar Fury
|
- Gains unique attacks utilizing Bladed Gauntlets.
- Gains powerful Ground Pound and Chest Charge.
- Gains Flame Ball and Dragon Breath.
|
- Bladed gauntlets are added onto his forearms.
- A Shokan helmet is added on his head.
- Markings on his back illuminate in a fiery aura.
|
Jacqui |
- Shotgun
- Full Auto
- High Tech
|
- Gains medium range Shotgun Blast and Low Shotgun Blast.
- Gains long range Machine Gun and Rocket attacks.
- Gains short range Plasma Blasts and Plasma Gauntlet Buff.
|
- Gauntlets are white in color.
- Portable machine guns are mounted on the gauntlets.
- Gauntlets are now advanced, covered with white metallic plates and illuminated in blue lights.
|
Jason |
- Unstoppable
- Slasher
- Relentless
|
- Adds Punishment, Rise and Resurrection.
- Adds Bloodshed, Machete Toss and Psycho Slash.
- Adds Pursuit and Lake Mist.
|
- Chain is placed around his neck, with the lower portion of it draped.
- A machete is wielded in his right hand.
- Mask is metallic and darker in color.
|
Jax |
- Pumped Up
- Heavy Weapons
- Wrestler
|
- Gains enhanced Ground Pound and interactive Gotcha Grab.
- Gains a Rocket Launcher and Submachine Gun.
- Gains the Multi-Slam, Back Breaker, and Grab Kombos.
|
- Purple lights pulsates throughout his cybernetic arms.
- Rocket launcher and submachine gun is secured onto his back and waist, respectively.
- Orange lights pulsate throughout his cybernetic arms, which are darker in color.
|
Johnny Cage |
- A-List
- Fistcuffs
- Stunt Double
|
- Can charge Normal and Special Attacks for increased damage.
- Gains Fist Bump, Flashy Kombos, and Normal Attacks.
- Gains the ability to create Stunt Double Mimics.
|
- Bandages around his forearms are now black.
- Brass knuckles with "CAGE" engraved on them are placed onto his hands.
- Sunglasses are green in color.
|
Kano |
- Cybernetic
- Commando
- Cutthroat
|
- Gains multiple Eye Laser and grenade attacks.
- Gains the Choke Grab, Power Slam, and High/Low Parry.
- Gains Knife attacks and Power Up move.
|
- Cybernetic equipment and grenades emits a red glow, Bowie Knives are removed and combat knives are secured on either side of his waist.
- Cybernetic equipment and grenades emits a yellow glow.
- Cybernetic equipment and grenades emits a blue glow.
|
Kenshi |
- Kenjutsu
- Balanced
- Possesed
|
- Gains Telekinetic Push, Slam, and Toss.
- Gains the ability to project images of himself to attack.
- Gains the ability to summon Demons from his shattered blade.
|
- Blindfold is removed, revealing his blue, glowing eyes.
- Hilt and sheath of the Sento is blue.
- The Sento is cracked with a red, glowing hue covering the cracked portions of the sword, sheath is removed.
|
Kitana |
- Mournful
- Royal Storm
- Assassin
|
- Gains unique Special Attacks utilizing Jade's Glaive and Staff.
- Gains Fan-Nado, Bounce Back and Square Boost.
- Gains Assassin Strike, Princess Parry, and Sharpen.
|
- Jade's Glaive and staff are secured on her back and waist, respectively.
- Mask is removed, hair sticks emits a blue glow.
- Attire is now prominently black, black face paint is added around her eyes.
|
Kotal Kahn |
- Blood God
- War God
- Sun God
|
- Summons Crystal, Obsidian and Blood Totems.
- Gains crushing Macuahuitl based attacks
- Gains God Choke Command Grab and Soul Scorch.
|
- Tattoos and eyes emits a red glow, a set of sickles are secured on the back of his pauldrons.
- Tattoos emits a blue glow, a Macuahuitl is placed on his back.
- Tattoos and eyes emits a yellow glow, a set of sickles are secured on the back of his pauldrons.
|
Kung Jin |
- Shaolin
- Ancestral
- Bojutsu
|
- Gains Chakram based Normal and Special Attacks.
- Gains the ability to empower arrows with ancestral spirits.
- Gains unique Staff based Special Attacks.
|
- An illuminated Chakram is secured on his right hip.
- Quiver is larger and the nock of his arrows glow white.
- Dragon ornament on the staff end of his bow illuminate in a fiery glow.
|
Kung Lao |
- Buzz Saw
- Tempest
- Hat Trick
|
- Gains multiple Hat Grinder Special Attacks.
- Gains an Orbiting Hat Shield for offense and defense.
- Gains the ability to place Hat Traps that can be recalled.
|
- Spiked razors are added around the brim of his hat.
- Bladed brim of his hat emits a blue glow.
- White Lotus symbol on his shirt and kanji on his loincloth emits a blue glow.
|
Leatherface |
- Pretty Lady
- Killer
- Butcher
|
- Gains Saw Toss, Up Saw Toss, and Low Saw Toss.
- Gains Berzerker Stance.
- Gains Gut Slice, Blood Bath, and attacks utilizing his mallet.
|
- Wears a business suit and a white mask with makeup on it.
- Wears a dark grey shirt and a beige mask.
- Wears a dark red shirt with a brown mask and black arm wraps.
|
Liu Kang |
- Dragon's Fire
- Flame Fist
- Dualist
|
- Gains Empowered Dragon Fireballs and Flying Kick.
- Gains Dragon Parry, Windmill Punch and Shaolin Flame.
- Can switch between Light and Dark forms to heal or harm.
|
- Black, distinctive face paint is added onto his face.
- Forearm guards are red.
- Headband and belt are grey.
|
Mileena |
- Ethereal
- Piercing
- Ravenous
|
- Gains the ability to Teleport forward, backwards, or in place.
- Gains unique attacks utilizing her Sai.
- Gains High/Low Pounce and additional biting attacks.
|
- Skin complexion is paler in color, red markings are added onto her arms.
- Sais emit a purple glow and are secured on her back.
- Veil is removed.
|
Predator |
- Warrior
- Hunter
- Hish-Qu-Ten
|
- Adds Yautja Strike, Dread Slam, and Self-Detonate.
- Adds Medi-Kit and Snag.
- Adds Plasma Shot and Plasma Caster.
|
- Bio-mask is removed.
- Armor plates are metallic and darker in color.
- Plasma Caster is secured onto his shoulder.
|
Quan Chi |
- Warlock
- Summoner
- Sorcerer
|
- Gains the ability portals to attack form all angles.
- Gains the ability to summon a Netherrealm Bat to attack.
- Gains magical fields that augment self or cripple opponent.
|
- Glowing, green skeletal hands are secured on his back, skull within his chest armor emit a green glow.
- Eyes and spikes on his pauldrons emit a red glow.
- Eyes and markings emit a purple glow.
|
Raiden |
- Thunder God
- Displacer
- Master of Storms
|
- Gains additional hits to electrical attacks and Enhanced Lighting.
- Gains the use of Teleport and Sparkport.
- Gains the ability to place Static Traps.
|
- Lightning surges throughout his gauntlets.
- Lightning surges throughout his body.
- Glowing symbols and electricity emits from his Hat, which has been altered to a different variant.
|
Reptile |
- Noxious
- Deceptive
- Nimble
|
- Gains a persistent noxious cloud that inflicts unblockable damage.
- Gains various stages of invisibility.
- Gains the ability to increase speed and slow the opponent.
|
- A green, insect polluted noxious cloud surrounds his body.
- Mask is removed.
- A snake is enfolded around his waist.
|
Scorpion |
- Ninjutsu
- Hellfire
- Inferno
|
- Gains unique attacks utilizing Dual Swords.
- Gains Hell Ball, Demon Fire and Flame Aura.
- Gains the ability to summon a Demonic Minion.
|
- A pair of swords are secured onto his back.
- Arms emit a fiery aura.
- A skull is draped on the right side of his waist.
|
Shinnok |
- Necromancer
- Imposter
- Bone Shaper
|
- Gains unique Special Attacks utilizing a giant skeletal hand.
- Gains the ability to steal his opponent's Special Attacks.
- Summons various deadly skeletal weapons.
|
- Flesh of his forearms are removed, exposing the bones within.
- The gems throughout his attire emits a red glow.
- A green, glowing staff handle is secured to the right side of his waist.
|
Sonya Blade |
- Special Forces
- Covert Ops
- Demolition
|
- Can call in a Special Forces Drone for additional attacks.
- Gains the Garrote Parry and Military Stance.
- Gains various Explosive and Disruptor Grenades.
|
- Tactical armband emits a green glow.
- Black, camouflaged face paint is added onto her face.
- Grenade cartridge bands are secured on either thigh.
|
Sub-Zero |
- Cryomancer
- Unbreakable
- Grandmaster
|
- Gains the ability to create Ice Weapons.
- Gains defensive Frozen Aura and Barrier of Frost.
- Gains an Ice Clone that can be thrown or used as a shield.
|
- Arms illuminate in a blue aura.
- Mask is covered in a layer of ice.
- An illuminated Lin Kuei medallion is fixed onto the right of his torso.
|
Takeda |
- Ronin
- Shirai Ryu
- Lasher
|
- Gains unique attacks utilizing dual Pulse Blades.
- Gains Shirai Ryu inspired attacks, such as Quick Phase.
- Gains attacks utilizing Charged Energy Whips.
|
- Yellow Pulse Blade hilts are fixed onto his gauntlets.
- A grey, skull embellished mask covers his mouth.
- Whip equipment pulsates an orange glow.
|
Tanya |
- Kobu Jutsu
- Pyromancer
- Dragon Naginata
|
- Gains Tonfa toss, Blade Dive, and attacks utilizing her Tonfas.
- Gains Dark Shroud, Low Fireball, and High Fireball.
- Gains Staff Stance, Swing Kick, and attacks utilizing her Staff.
|
- Tonfas are secured on either side of her waist.
- Orange, glowing streaks are marked throughout her body.
- A Naginata is secured on her back.
|
Tremor |
- Aftershock
- Crystalline
- Metallic
|
- Gains Earth Shake and Air Earth Shake.
- Gains Krystallization and Summon Krystal.
- Gains Lava Skin and Gold Skin.
|
- Mask is removed.
- Rock formation throughout his torso and arms emits a glowing, teal aura.
- Rock formation throughout his torso and arms are gold in color.
|
Triborg |
- Smoke (LK-7T2)
- Sektor (LK-9T9)
- Cyrax (LK-4D4)
- Cyber Sub-Zero (LK-52O)
|
- Gains Smoke's Specials and Abilities.
- Gains Sektor's Specials and Abilities.
- Gains Cyrax's Specials and Abilities.
- Gains Cyber Sub-Zero's Specials and Abilities (hidden variation).
|
- Takes on the appearance of Smoke (black body with red lights).
- Takes on the appearance of Sektor (red body with blue lights).
- Takes on the appearance of Cyrax (yellow body with green lights).
- Resembles Smoke but is blue with blue lights.
|
