Why Ermac is Not in Mortal Kombat 11: Fatality or Future DLC?

As a competitive MK player and content creator, I was shocked to see Ermac omitted from MK11‘s launch roster. This fusion soul construct has been a series staple since UMK3 thanks to his distinctive powers and intricate combos. Yet when the dust settled on the starting lineup, Ermac was nowhere to be found.

So why exclude such a recognizable fighter with over 20 years of history? As an Ermac loyalist, I‘ve broken down the most likely explanations while investigating what the future could hold for my vanished main.

Killed in Action: His Death in MKX‘s Story

The most straightforward reason for Ermac‘s absence is his canon death in MKX, making him one of the only deceased kombatants not to return in MK11. In the comics and game storyline, he is the first fighter to fall in Raiden‘s fateful tournament, foolishly ambushed by Sonya before being blasted into smithereens.

Unlike with undead fighters like Liu Kang and Kitana, Ermac‘s physical form was completely obliterated as the souls comprising his body violently erupted. This seemingly wrote him out of the ongoing narrative while freeing up a coveted roster spot for an all-new kombatant like Geras.

The MK11 roster favored new faces like Geras over veterans like Ermac

So could Ermac still return down the road even if he‘s canonically dead? His demise didn‘t stop MKX DLC additions like Fujin, so there‘s hope yet for a comeback. But guest stars are likely higher on NRS‘s DLC priority list, making an Ermac appearance far from guaranteed.

Redundant With Newcomer Cetrion

Cetrion‘s elemental powers render her quite similar to Ermac in terms of zoning and setplay potential. As MK11 already features a stacked roster, NRS may have cut Ermac to avoid redundancies across the select screen.

Both function as keepaway fighters baiting opponents from afar before ensnaring them in intricate setups. For example, Cetrion‘s Dead Woods and Ground Pound serve a comparable role to Ermac‘s Force Lift and Tele-Slam respectively. Their playstyles conspicuously overlap, though Cetrion boasts a more polished and cohesive design befitting MK11‘s mechanics and tactics.

Difficulty Implementing His Soul Theme

As a fused "composite being" of conquered souls, Ermac‘s variations could have manifested different spirits and movesets. But interweaving all those intricate backstories may have exceeded NRS‘ streamlined custom variation parameters.

By contrast, fellow newcomer Cetrion enjoyed tailor-made elemental styles in "Force of Nature," "Hell‘s Warden," and "Deadly Winds." Building comparable variations around Ermac‘s esoteric soul dynamic may have stalled during conceptual stages.

What Does His Krypt Cameo Imply?

Diehard supporters like myself took solace from Ermac‘s hidden Krypt cameo, suggesting he still exists in MK11‘s continuity albeit behind the scenes. But reading too much into brief Easter eggs is often fruitless – Reptile enjoyed similar Krypt teases in MKX only to end up cut from MK11 entirely.

Still, with so much obscure history still clouded in mystery, it‘s enticing to speculate on Ermac‘s true fate following MKX‘s ambiguous ending. Is he reconstituting a broken body like Noob Saibot or withering in Shang Tsung‘s island flesh pits? I‘m hopeful NRS revisits his narrative someday to provide definitive closure.

Community Response and Future DLC Odds

Judging by forum reactions, Ermac‘s omission outraged longtime mains while confusing casual fans who expected his inclusion. Indeed, polls conducted on social platforms indicate a vocal portion of players eagerly awaiting his return.

As a recognizable ninja staple through three separate timelines, Ermac always seemed like a safe roster bet before this sudden exclusion. He racked up impressive usage metrics across MK9 and MKX while ranking among the most popular characters historically as shown below:

Ermac boasts strong usage rates historically

Could DLC finally redeem this absentee fan favorite? His odds seem long based on NRS‘s priorities and his role being non-essential currently. But no fighter boasting Ermac‘s legacy and popularity stays sidelined forever.

Through 27 years and across all timelines, "we are Ermac" always persevered against far mightier foes than roster cuts. That resiliency gives me hope I‘ll unleash his soul powered combos once more when MK12 arrives!