There are three levels of ignorance from NRS on characters:
Hso Hao level: only Hsu Hao figures here. Khrome is not even considered tbh.
Reiko level: characters that have everything to be nice, with no backstory or just a little, different gameplay, but they are completely ignored despite the fact they could naturally become great characters. Reiko, Mavado, Li Mei, Nitara, Blaze, Taven & Daegon, Kobra & Kira [...] Here lies the majority of 3D characters. Jade usually is in here somehow.
Shinnok level: characters that are supposed to be awesome, were made to be awesome, for some they are indeed, but for some reason NRS doesn't give a damn. Shinnok is the obvious name, but Onaga also fits into this. Lately I've been feeling that Noob Saibot is getting into this vibe, and Shinnok took a huge step out of this classification. Fujin is also here, and I think his Armageddon role is the best example.
Those who are not in any of these above might figure into the usually chosen, knowing that some like Kenshi have gotten out of Reiko level. I think from then on, the importance is given the closer they get to the big three: Raiden, Scorpion and Sub-Zero. But lately, Liu Kang has stepped back a little, Johnny and Sonya have given large steps, Kitana and Kung Lao are side by side and remain on the train, Ermac and Reptile are, specially after MKX, on that gray line.
Also, while "the big three" are almost agreed by everybody, Scorpion has become waaaaaaaaaaaay on the top, Raiden assumed the second position basically being protagonist (even when he's not) and unfortunately everytime I'm feeling Sub-Zero is getting less love, despite being one of the "must".
