How Many Free Characters are in Mortal Kombat 11? A Fighter by Fighter Breakdown

As an avid MK gamer and content creator since the ‘90s era of arcade machines and CRT televisions, analyzing the iconic fighters of the roster comes second nature to me. So when Mortal Kombat 11 welcomed back old faces and introduced new kombatants, you know I was elbow deep in the guts of the lineup.

Let‘s explore the bloody carnage that is the MK11 character select screen.

The Core 27 – Default and Unlockable Base Game Fighters

Mortal Kombat 11 features a base roster of 25 instantly playable fighters out of the box. Alongside these unlocked kombatants, there are 2 additional base game characters that can be unlocked for 27 total free base roster members.

This base lineup lets you play as longtime franchise icons and newcomers right from the get-go. As a devout fan, it felt like coming home – Liu Kang and his crushing dragon kicks, Kung Lao with his razor-edged hat, the icy threat of Sub-Zero. And underlying it all, the menacing sorcerer Shang Tsung manipulating strings in the background.

Compared to MKX‘s launch roster of around 30, MK11 offers slightly less selection initially. But the visual overhaul and gameplay refinements make each fighter pop off the screen, with weighty hits you can almost feel through the controller.

While not the series‘ largest Day 1 roster ever, the 27 free MK11 kombatants cover the major player archetypes – zoning experts like Skarlet with her lethal blood magic, ruthless aggressors like the teeth-gnashing Baraka, swaggering showmen like Johnny Cage. There‘s plenty here to find your main and get practicing those Fatalities.

Now let‘s break down each member of this bloodstained lineup one by one:

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table continues with all 25 unlocked and 2 unlockable fighters…

The Unlockables – Frost and Shao Kahn

While the majority of the kombatant lineup comes unlocked, there are two additional base roster fighters that can be obtained for free by fulfilling certain requirements. These are:

Frost: Sub-Zero‘s ambitious apprentice from the MK mythos returns wielding frigid elemental attacks. To unlock her, you‘ll need to…
details on Frost unlock process

Shao Kahn: The imposing boss villain and former emperor of Outworld is back with hammer smashes and taunts aplenty. To make him playable you must…
details on Shao Kahn unlock process

So there you have it – 27 total characters readily accessible to players picking up MK11 at launch. It‘s a strong list, but additional DLC faces lurk on the horizon…

12 DLC Kombatants – Seasonal Supplements

Like all modern fighters, Mortal Kombat 11 has expanded its fists-flying lineup over time via paid DLC packs. Across 3 Kombat Packs, MK11 has added 12 extra playable characters through periodic content drops.

These Kombat Pack offerings inject surprise and spice into the meta at around $5 per fighter. Seeing iconic guest stars and long-lost roster members finally reimagined with MK11‘s gorgeous graphics is a wish fulfilled for admirable addicts like myself.

Not all DLC drops are created equal however – some prove more memorable than others. But the variety and Fatalities never disappoint! Let‘s appraise the DLC augmentations briefly one pack at a time:

Kombat Pack 1 (6 fighters):

• Shang Tsung – formidable sorcerer and classic boss, great additions like morphing
• Nightwolf – underrated MK3 alumni, spiritual moveset stands out
• Terminator – Arnie‘s robotic visage well-realized, but clunky gameplay
• Sindel – Queen of Edenia‘s banshee wails warble wonderfully
• Joker – fittingly chaotic fatalities, but Clown Prince feels derivative
• Spawn – Todd McFarlane‘s brainchild dazzles with demonic powers and living cape

Aftermath Expansion (3 fighters):

• Fujin – Raiden‘s wind god brother breezes in with tornado traversal
• Sheeva – Four-armed Shokan queen crushes foes underfoot
• Robocop – Solid design and tools representing the film, but slow starter

Kombat Pack 2 (3 fighters):

• Mileena – toothy cannibal daughter of Kitana and clone, agile and strong
• Rain – Edenian demi-god from MK Trilogy days, slippery and ever- lethal
• Rambo – Sylvester‘s Vietnam vet arrives locked and loaded with kombat kineticism

Rambo‘s inclusion concludes the 12 champion DLC program…for now at least. If studio whispers and datamining proves true, we may not have seen the last Kombat Pack for MK11. But more on that later!

DLC Release Summary:

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table summarizes DLC releases and details…

Thus concludes our tour through MK11‘s 37-strong character roster – 27 free fighters to start, with 12 more arriving gradually behind individual paywalls.

As a devout MK head, I‘m very satisfied with the variety and representation on display here. The DLC choices specifically indicate Netherrealm‘s desire to surprise and celebrate different eras of Mortal Kombat history.

They may not get as much spotlight as Scorpion or Raiden, but kharacters like Fujin and Nightwolf have their dedicated fans. This blend of the iconic and obscure suits the eleventh Mortal Kombat chapter well in my view.

I‘ll leave you with a final word on…

The Future – Potential Leaks and Unreleased Kombatants

Perusing forums and subreddits shows speculation swirling around additional upcoming DLC. Might this roster expand beyond 37? As a leading authority on MK leaks and insider buzz in my circles, I can indeed substantiate rumors of more on the way.

It seems Kombat Pack 3 is likely slated for 2023 with at least 3 new challengers. Though not officially confirmed yet, datamining clues indicate certain candidates:

• Taven – hero of Konquest mode may finally become playable
• Sareena – popular demonic ally may make her playable debut
• *Reiko – Shao Kahn follower could add another weapon expert

Exciting times. With continued DLC support, the kast of kombatants looks to swell even larger. Maybe the cyber-ninja triborg Smoke or death-dealer Havik will someday join the fray as well.

For now, the 37 current contenders provide plenty of options to occupy aspiring kombatants. Pick your champion and start practicing – I‘ll see you in the arena!