Matt Wilson
New member
Under the assumption that NRS is going to release another DLC chracter set for the holiday season, or that MK 10 is going to presumably take place during the MK 4 era, here is a list of chracters I'd like to see, one's that will not make it (as confirmed by Ed Boon) and changes that need to be made to certain characters before they are released.
Mk 4 Era
Kai - Designed to be 'quick and nimble' in the likes of Liu Kang, Kai had a lot of variety to his moves because he was designed (and looked like) an African Tribal warrior. However, is insertion as a Shailon Monk and affenity with fire made him too closely resemble Liu Kang. I'd like to see Kai make a come back, but with a more 'tribal' stance in regards to fighting, including moves that use either those hooked swords he had, or the Lightning Staff that Raiden gave him.
Jarek - Although he eventually gained his own move set in Armaggedon, Jarek was a cookie-cutter knock off of Kano (since Kano was absent in MK4, he was essentially the character that took his place). With a similar move-set and backround, Jarek would need an entire design over-haul before I'd allow him back into the series. A unique story-line (Kano's student seems too cliche) and an even more unique move-list would seperate him from his predacessor, giving him the individuality he needs.
Fujin - He was announced as a possible canidate for the 4th character DLC, and even if he didn't make it in this set, I'd really like to see him in either MK 10 or another DLC set they may or may not release. With a unique story line and the powers of the wind backing him, he'd be a perfect fit in the current line-up, and a good counter to the goody-two-shoes Raiden.
Reiko - Another possible canidate for DLC, (and can also be seen fighting in the backround of the Pit II day-time stage) Reiko was a chracter shrowded in mystery, and had A LOT of speculation surrounding him in regards to him being/not being Shao Kahn. Although it was later proven he wasn't Shao Kahn, the goofy 'easter egg'-esk move set they gave him in later MK titles kind of ruined his character persona, and I'd like to see him returned to his MK 4 roots, ninja stars and all.
Tanya - Gymnastic, twisty wrestling moves is what defined her the most and seperated her from the other female ninjas. Although kind of a Jade knock-off, she gained her own reputation and personality, and would be a welcome addition to the sausage fest that is Mortal Kombat. (also announced as a possible canidate for DLC content)
Shinnok - Although Shinnok will definentely be a boss in MK 10, I never considered him 'boss-like material', only because his powers, even as an elder god, and his fighting skills were not as epic as previous bosses like Shao Kahn. Although he would make a good boss for that particular game, he's not 'cheap' enough to not be considered as a future contender and kombatent in MK 10.
MK: DA Era
Bo'Rai Cho - Already turned down as a canidate as a fighter for MK 9 and any future MK title. Ed Boon stated that he wanted more 'solid' characters and not any goofy, hollow characters (these are my words, not his, I'm just adlibing) to be in the series.
Drahmin - Garbage.
Frost - Another possible canidate for future DLC, you can also see her fighting in the backround of Pit II. Anoter cliche story architype, Frost became popular among a lot of MK fans because of her indifference to Sub Zero and her own unique freezing abilities adjacent to his. However, a lot of those move (like the ice slide and ground freeze) are now used by Sub Zero, and with Cyber Sub Zero as a contender in the game as well, it's hard for me to fatham her fitting uniquely into the game unless NRS made her freezing abilities very, very unique in comparrison to Sub Zero.
Hsu Hao - Same as Bo'Rai Cho. He was an extremely unpopular character in the series, so NRS felt no reason to bring him back. Ever.
Li Mei - Although her story is so-so, she feels like another cookie-cutter knock off of the female ninjas with a few unique special abilities. I'm on the fence with this one, and I could care less if she made it into a future MK title or not, and I doubt she'd be missed if she didn't.
Mavado - I would place him under the category of 'place holder copy cat' character architype. Although his stretchy hooks were kind of cool, and I like his stark contrast to Kano's ruthlessness, he just seemed to be a knock off version of Kabal since he wasn't in the game. (The hooks kind of give it away) But, that doesn't mean with a fine tune-up that he wouldn't be a cool character to play. I like his story line, and I think if they run with the Red Dragon assassin story line, he'd be a nice addition to the roster.
Mokap - Seriously? XD
Moloch - Ehhh maybe as a sub boss character, but definentely not playable.
Nitara - Her concept is cool, (the whole winged-vampire thing) but her lust for blood is already sedated by the insertion of Skarlet into the roster. We don't need to blood-fueled women in the game, even if one does look uniquely different from the other. If she were introduced again, they'd have to focus more on her vampiric roots, but since Mileena already bites necks, Kabal has super speed, and Skarlet has a lot of blood related moves, I just don't see it happening.
Onaga - Ehhh again, maybe a boss type character. Since Shao Kahn is technically dead in the new canon, he could serve as a good boss along side, if not greater than, Shinnok. He just reminds me too much of that one boss from Tekken 3 though.
MK Deception Era
Ashrah - A demon from the Neatherealm, her appearance is in contrast to her inner-self, which would be really good to explore story-line wise. However, I'd want them to really focus on demon-esk moves, which would make her stand out from every other character in the series, since there seems to be a lot of spectres and zombies, but no demons to really go on.
Dairou - I'm going to be honest. I never really like any of the Deception characters, and Dairou is no exception. He just kind of feels thrown in there, and although some of his special abilities are cool, there are already enough ninjas in this game. (They say he's a rogue assassin, and I hope they'd play on that character design more than just your standard ninja usage.) The best way I could describe him is a Naruto chracter. I don't know why.
Darrius - He would actually be a really cool fit into the game because his story line is so unique, and he's considered more of a revolutionary/terrorist than just some criminal thug lord like Kano or Mavado. With his own unique personality and goals, I'd say all they have to do is tweak his moves a little bit and give him some decent special abilities, and he'd be set to go.
Havik - He was mentioned in Noob Saibot's ending, but he's another one I'm on the fence about. As a possible DLC canidate, I'd want his moves to be reinforced with the architype of chaos and destruction; just some seriously crazy stuff, slow but lethal and bone crunching. That's how I view him, and that's how I'd want him to play out.
Hotaru - I like the way he looks, and he would make a good rival to Havik (since Hotaru only seeks to preserve order and balance), If they are going to make him playable in MK 10, I'd want to see him play out in a Mitsarugi fashion from Soul Calibur; a total samurai approach. With all the ninjas running amuck, it'd be nice to see some samurai actions thrown in there to kind of level the playing field. Plus the game could use more neutral characters other than making things so black and white.
Kira - Another unoriginal cookie-cutter knock off of, believe it or not, of Sonya and Kano combined. Another text book example of Ed Boon and Co. throwing characters together just for the sake of throwing together new characters.
Kobra - He reminds me of a Ken/Ryu-esk character from Street Fighter. A street brawler by nature, if they fixed him into a particular martial art(s), I think he'd be a unique contribution to the roster, but his story would have to be changed a bit. Unless they really expand upon the Kabal/Kano revialry, (which I doubt) then they'd have to introduce him in some other fashion. Maybe as just a simple contender to the tournament? I'm not sue, but he seems like a good choice to me.
Monster - GTFO
Shujinko - Liked by many fans, and also a possible canidate for DLC, if he didn't make it through this round then he'd surely fit in as the main protaginist of MK 10. Many seem to prefer him over Liu Kang as the 'hero' of the Mortal Kombat series, and for good reason. I hope they do this character justice if they do decide to release him.
MK Armaggedon
Daegon - Another character seen fighting in the backround of the Pit II stage, and possible canidate as DLC content. I'd want to see his special moves changed just a bit so it doesn't seem like another knock off of other characters (he places and looks a bit similar to Shao Kahn, and we have enough fire-enhanced characters in the game) As a half-god, dragon protector lord of war, I'd expect some unique visuals and fighting styles from this character if he were released.
Taven - Nah...more fire? Really? Rain is going to be introduced as DLC, and although his and Daegon's story could tie in, I want to see some individuality throwin into these characters, and not have them made just for the sake of having a few new characters added to the roster.
I'm not saying that some of these characters aren't beyond saving. Even the cookie-cutter knock off characters can be brought back to life with a uniqueness and individuality that any MK player would be proud of, but seriously, NRS has had a reputation of introducing these characters as hallow interpretations of other characters that didn't make it into that particular game.
Mk 4 Era
Kai - Designed to be 'quick and nimble' in the likes of Liu Kang, Kai had a lot of variety to his moves because he was designed (and looked like) an African Tribal warrior. However, is insertion as a Shailon Monk and affenity with fire made him too closely resemble Liu Kang. I'd like to see Kai make a come back, but with a more 'tribal' stance in regards to fighting, including moves that use either those hooked swords he had, or the Lightning Staff that Raiden gave him.
Jarek - Although he eventually gained his own move set in Armaggedon, Jarek was a cookie-cutter knock off of Kano (since Kano was absent in MK4, he was essentially the character that took his place). With a similar move-set and backround, Jarek would need an entire design over-haul before I'd allow him back into the series. A unique story-line (Kano's student seems too cliche) and an even more unique move-list would seperate him from his predacessor, giving him the individuality he needs.
Fujin - He was announced as a possible canidate for the 4th character DLC, and even if he didn't make it in this set, I'd really like to see him in either MK 10 or another DLC set they may or may not release. With a unique story line and the powers of the wind backing him, he'd be a perfect fit in the current line-up, and a good counter to the goody-two-shoes Raiden.
Reiko - Another possible canidate for DLC, (and can also be seen fighting in the backround of the Pit II day-time stage) Reiko was a chracter shrowded in mystery, and had A LOT of speculation surrounding him in regards to him being/not being Shao Kahn. Although it was later proven he wasn't Shao Kahn, the goofy 'easter egg'-esk move set they gave him in later MK titles kind of ruined his character persona, and I'd like to see him returned to his MK 4 roots, ninja stars and all.
Tanya - Gymnastic, twisty wrestling moves is what defined her the most and seperated her from the other female ninjas. Although kind of a Jade knock-off, she gained her own reputation and personality, and would be a welcome addition to the sausage fest that is Mortal Kombat. (also announced as a possible canidate for DLC content)
Shinnok - Although Shinnok will definentely be a boss in MK 10, I never considered him 'boss-like material', only because his powers, even as an elder god, and his fighting skills were not as epic as previous bosses like Shao Kahn. Although he would make a good boss for that particular game, he's not 'cheap' enough to not be considered as a future contender and kombatent in MK 10.
MK: DA Era
Bo'Rai Cho - Already turned down as a canidate as a fighter for MK 9 and any future MK title. Ed Boon stated that he wanted more 'solid' characters and not any goofy, hollow characters (these are my words, not his, I'm just adlibing) to be in the series.
Drahmin - Garbage.
Frost - Another possible canidate for future DLC, you can also see her fighting in the backround of Pit II. Anoter cliche story architype, Frost became popular among a lot of MK fans because of her indifference to Sub Zero and her own unique freezing abilities adjacent to his. However, a lot of those move (like the ice slide and ground freeze) are now used by Sub Zero, and with Cyber Sub Zero as a contender in the game as well, it's hard for me to fatham her fitting uniquely into the game unless NRS made her freezing abilities very, very unique in comparrison to Sub Zero.
Hsu Hao - Same as Bo'Rai Cho. He was an extremely unpopular character in the series, so NRS felt no reason to bring him back. Ever.
Li Mei - Although her story is so-so, she feels like another cookie-cutter knock off of the female ninjas with a few unique special abilities. I'm on the fence with this one, and I could care less if she made it into a future MK title or not, and I doubt she'd be missed if she didn't.
Mavado - I would place him under the category of 'place holder copy cat' character architype. Although his stretchy hooks were kind of cool, and I like his stark contrast to Kano's ruthlessness, he just seemed to be a knock off version of Kabal since he wasn't in the game. (The hooks kind of give it away) But, that doesn't mean with a fine tune-up that he wouldn't be a cool character to play. I like his story line, and I think if they run with the Red Dragon assassin story line, he'd be a nice addition to the roster.
Mokap - Seriously? XD
Moloch - Ehhh maybe as a sub boss character, but definentely not playable.
Nitara - Her concept is cool, (the whole winged-vampire thing) but her lust for blood is already sedated by the insertion of Skarlet into the roster. We don't need to blood-fueled women in the game, even if one does look uniquely different from the other. If she were introduced again, they'd have to focus more on her vampiric roots, but since Mileena already bites necks, Kabal has super speed, and Skarlet has a lot of blood related moves, I just don't see it happening.
Onaga - Ehhh again, maybe a boss type character. Since Shao Kahn is technically dead in the new canon, he could serve as a good boss along side, if not greater than, Shinnok. He just reminds me too much of that one boss from Tekken 3 though.
MK Deception Era
Ashrah - A demon from the Neatherealm, her appearance is in contrast to her inner-self, which would be really good to explore story-line wise. However, I'd want them to really focus on demon-esk moves, which would make her stand out from every other character in the series, since there seems to be a lot of spectres and zombies, but no demons to really go on.
Dairou - I'm going to be honest. I never really like any of the Deception characters, and Dairou is no exception. He just kind of feels thrown in there, and although some of his special abilities are cool, there are already enough ninjas in this game. (They say he's a rogue assassin, and I hope they'd play on that character design more than just your standard ninja usage.) The best way I could describe him is a Naruto chracter. I don't know why.
Darrius - He would actually be a really cool fit into the game because his story line is so unique, and he's considered more of a revolutionary/terrorist than just some criminal thug lord like Kano or Mavado. With his own unique personality and goals, I'd say all they have to do is tweak his moves a little bit and give him some decent special abilities, and he'd be set to go.
Havik - He was mentioned in Noob Saibot's ending, but he's another one I'm on the fence about. As a possible DLC canidate, I'd want his moves to be reinforced with the architype of chaos and destruction; just some seriously crazy stuff, slow but lethal and bone crunching. That's how I view him, and that's how I'd want him to play out.
Hotaru - I like the way he looks, and he would make a good rival to Havik (since Hotaru only seeks to preserve order and balance), If they are going to make him playable in MK 10, I'd want to see him play out in a Mitsarugi fashion from Soul Calibur; a total samurai approach. With all the ninjas running amuck, it'd be nice to see some samurai actions thrown in there to kind of level the playing field. Plus the game could use more neutral characters other than making things so black and white.
Kira - Another unoriginal cookie-cutter knock off of, believe it or not, of Sonya and Kano combined. Another text book example of Ed Boon and Co. throwing characters together just for the sake of throwing together new characters.
Kobra - He reminds me of a Ken/Ryu-esk character from Street Fighter. A street brawler by nature, if they fixed him into a particular martial art(s), I think he'd be a unique contribution to the roster, but his story would have to be changed a bit. Unless they really expand upon the Kabal/Kano revialry, (which I doubt) then they'd have to introduce him in some other fashion. Maybe as just a simple contender to the tournament? I'm not sue, but he seems like a good choice to me.
Monster - GTFO
Shujinko - Liked by many fans, and also a possible canidate for DLC, if he didn't make it through this round then he'd surely fit in as the main protaginist of MK 10. Many seem to prefer him over Liu Kang as the 'hero' of the Mortal Kombat series, and for good reason. I hope they do this character justice if they do decide to release him.
MK Armaggedon
Daegon - Another character seen fighting in the backround of the Pit II stage, and possible canidate as DLC content. I'd want to see his special moves changed just a bit so it doesn't seem like another knock off of other characters (he places and looks a bit similar to Shao Kahn, and we have enough fire-enhanced characters in the game) As a half-god, dragon protector lord of war, I'd expect some unique visuals and fighting styles from this character if he were released.
Taven - Nah...more fire? Really? Rain is going to be introduced as DLC, and although his and Daegon's story could tie in, I want to see some individuality throwin into these characters, and not have them made just for the sake of having a few new characters added to the roster.
I'm not saying that some of these characters aren't beyond saving. Even the cookie-cutter knock off characters can be brought back to life with a uniqueness and individuality that any MK player would be proud of, but seriously, NRS has had a reputation of introducing these characters as hallow interpretations of other characters that didn't make it into that particular game.
