Basically, this topic is to discuss the placing of the many male MK "Ninja's" (including the cyber-ninjas) skills on a storyline tier list. In other words it's about listing the Ninjas on order from strongest to weakest based on things we can see in the story storywise. Please give your reasons for your placements. You're able to split a character into as many incarnations as you feel is needed to express their varying skills over the years.
TOP
Noob-Saibot: Was once the top Lin Kuei and has now had wraith powers added to his own skills. MK:A seems tom imply that Sub-Zero would not have been able to handle him had Taven not stepped in.
Grand Master Sub-Zero (MKA onwards): Power was greatly increased by the dragon medallion.
Ermac: Made up of the souls of hundreds of warriors so is very likely quite powerful.
High
Spectre Scorpion: Defeated Younger Sub-Zero in MK4. Was defeated by Elder Sub-Zero once, but defeated him in their second (technically third) match.
Elder Sub-Zero (MK1): Top Lin Kuei of his time. Fought and defeated Spectre Scorpion once, defeated the second time.
Younger Sub-Zero (Pre-MKA): Strong enough to defeat Sektor, but not as strong as he would be when he got the medallion.
Middle
Sektor: Before becoming a cyborg he was one of the top Lin Kuei. Became even more powerful after being made a cyborg. Seems to have been approached before Younger Sub-Zero or Smoke.
Cyrax: Before becoming a cyborg he was one of the top Lin Kuei. Became even more powerful after being made a cyborg. Seems to have been approached before Younger Sub-Zero or Smoke.
Smoke: Before becoming a cyborg he was one of the top Lin Kuei. Became even more powerful after being made a cyborg. Seems to have been approached after Cyrax and Sektor.
Low
Rain: Apparently high ranking member of Shao Kahn's forces, also fought Taven, though he was defeated.
Living Scorpion: Had none of the abilities that make him so formidable, was able to fight against Elder Sub-Zero, but was defeated.
Younger Sub-Zero (MK2 - MK4): Was defeated by Scorpion in their first match (though this may have been due to Scorpion's experience fighting a similar opponent). Implied to be inferior to his elder brother.
BOTTOM
Human Smoke: Was captured when Sub-Zero managed to escape.
Reptile: I don't think he has ever canonically won a single fight in MK history.
Chameleon: Spent the entire series hiding, so is probably not too powerful.
TOP
Noob-Saibot: Was once the top Lin Kuei and has now had wraith powers added to his own skills. MK:A seems tom imply that Sub-Zero would not have been able to handle him had Taven not stepped in.
Grand Master Sub-Zero (MKA onwards): Power was greatly increased by the dragon medallion.
Ermac: Made up of the souls of hundreds of warriors so is very likely quite powerful.
High
Spectre Scorpion: Defeated Younger Sub-Zero in MK4. Was defeated by Elder Sub-Zero once, but defeated him in their second (technically third) match.
Elder Sub-Zero (MK1): Top Lin Kuei of his time. Fought and defeated Spectre Scorpion once, defeated the second time.
Younger Sub-Zero (Pre-MKA): Strong enough to defeat Sektor, but not as strong as he would be when he got the medallion.
Middle
Sektor: Before becoming a cyborg he was one of the top Lin Kuei. Became even more powerful after being made a cyborg. Seems to have been approached before Younger Sub-Zero or Smoke.
Cyrax: Before becoming a cyborg he was one of the top Lin Kuei. Became even more powerful after being made a cyborg. Seems to have been approached before Younger Sub-Zero or Smoke.
Smoke: Before becoming a cyborg he was one of the top Lin Kuei. Became even more powerful after being made a cyborg. Seems to have been approached after Cyrax and Sektor.
Low
Rain: Apparently high ranking member of Shao Kahn's forces, also fought Taven, though he was defeated.
Living Scorpion: Had none of the abilities that make him so formidable, was able to fight against Elder Sub-Zero, but was defeated.
Younger Sub-Zero (MK2 - MK4): Was defeated by Scorpion in their first match (though this may have been due to Scorpion's experience fighting a similar opponent). Implied to be inferior to his elder brother.
BOTTOM
Human Smoke: Was captured when Sub-Zero managed to escape.
Reptile: I don't think he has ever canonically won a single fight in MK history.
Chameleon: Spent the entire series hiding, so is probably not too powerful.