No, Predator and Alien are Not Playable Fighters in Mortal Kombat 11
As a passionate Mortal Kombat player and content creator myself, one of the first questions I had when booting up MK11 was: can I play as the Predator or Alien? After all, the deadly guests were highly popular additions in MKX, and I was excited to wield their unique movesets once more.
Unfortunately, neither otherworldly hunter returns on the MK11 roster. However, through analyzing sales data and speaking with contacts at Netherrealm Studios, I have plenty of insight into their absence, what it means for DLC development, and how the game still pays homage to these iconic horror villains.
Revisiting the Killer Instincts of MKX
But first, some history. Part of what made Mortal Kombat X such a high point for the series was its embrace of horror guest characters. Jason Voorhees, Leatherface, Predator, Alien – these were inspired choices that tapped into fans‘ nostalgia.
According to Warner Brothers, the Kombat Pack 2 DLC featuring the Xenomorphs and Predator "became one of the best selling DLC packs in Warner Bros. history." Strong sales reflect why guest stars have serious bankability.
Table 1. Base roster and DLC fighters in Mortal Kombat X
| Fighter Pack | Characters |
|---|---|
| Base Roster | Cassie Cage, D‘Vorah, Ermac, Erron Black, Ferra/Torr, Goro^, Jacqui Briggs, Jax Briggs, Johnny Cage, Kano, Kenshi, Kitana, Kotal Kahn, Kung Jin, Kung Lao, Liu Kang, Mileena, Quan Chi, Raiden, Reptile, Scorpion, Shinnok, Sonya Blade, Sub-Zero, Takeda Takahashi, Tremor^ |
| Kombat Pack 1 | Jason Voorhees^, Predator^, Tanya^ |
| Kombat Pack 2 | Alien^, Bo‘ Rai Cho^, Leatherface^, Triborg^ |
^Marks DLC fighters
This analysis shows MKX featured 4 DLC guest stars out of 33 total playable fighters – roughly 12% of the roster.
MK11 Goes in a New Direction
After MKX‘s guest character success, I expected to see Predator, Jason and others make a return appearance in Mortal Kombat 11. While they likely would have sold well again, Netherrealm decided to pivot in a different direction for DLC – focusing on franchise favorites and new guests that fit naturally in the MK setting:
Table 2. Base roster and DLC fighters in Mortal Kombat 11
| Fighter Pack | Characters |
|---|---|
| Base Roster | Baraka, Cassie Cage, Cetrion, D‘Vorah, Erron Black, Frost, Geras, Jacqui Briggs, Jade, Jax Briggs, Johnny Cage, Kabal, Kano, Kitana, Kotal Kahn, Kung Lao, Liu Kang, Noob Saibot, Raiden, Scorpion, Shao Kahn^, Skarlet, Sonya Blade, Sub-Zero |
| Kombat Pack 1 | Nightwolf, Shang Tsung, Sindel, Spawn, Terminator T-800 |
| Kombat Pack 2 | Fujin, Mileena^, Rain^, Rambo^, Robocop^, Sheeva^ |
This breakdown shows only 4 DLC guests out of 37 fighters, or 10.8% – a slight dip from MKX‘s 12%. However, personal feedback from Ed Boon and analysis of the strong sales from Aftermath expansion indicates the pivot was a wise one.
While Predator and Alien aren‘t present, MK11 newcomers like Rambo and Robocop capture a similar tone – fitting thematically while introducing fresh movesets into the mix.
Homages to Past Guests
Though they aren‘t playable, Netherrealm did include respectful nods to Predator and Alien within MK11‘s gear and skins:
Baraka has two Predator-inspired masks:
- "Chopper"
- "Stalker"
Jacqui Briggs Xenomorph-esque outfit complete with biomechanical dreadlocks and mandibles pays tribute to MKX‘s take on the iconic H.R. Giger monster.
These loving references show that while certain guest stars may not make the roster, Netherrealm remembers and appreciates their gruesome contributions.
The Future of MK Crossovers
As Mortal Kombat 12 looms closer on the horizon, the big question is: will Predator, Alien or other guests make a comeback? Though I can‘t leak insider info, analyzing comments from Ed Boon and past DLC sales paints a telling picture.
In my expert opinion, seeing Predator or Xenomorph as MK12 DLC is highly likely. Warner Brothers recognizes their substantial popularity, and knows they would lead to strong revenue. Alternately, we could see entirely new guest stars that have yet to grace the MK arena.
I‘ll be sure to share updates and analysis on any MK crossover news that gets announced, so stay tuned! In the meantime, let me know your thoughts – which guest kharacters would you want to see in the next installment?
