Noob
Smoke
Erron Black
Reiko
Havik Hoping for Noob, Smoke and Erron to be base roster and Reiko, Havik to be DLC. Although they are pretty unlikely their comic appearances boosted their popularity a fair bit and hopefully enough for at least one of them to make it.

Johnny Cage obviously - how does he go from saving the world and becoming as important as he was to not in mk11? He will be DLC at the very least. Also his ending suggests he may or may not have found a way to be quasi-immortal.

Jade - Will likely be the vessels for the new god character we are getting hints of, she wasn't seen at all as a revenant in in MKX if memory serves correct and her mk9 ending hinted that she died and came back as some thing else.

Fujin - with Raiden losing his shit, fujin steps up, much like in MK4, he may take Raidens role as protector, but is learning, just like the new generation fighters.

Ermac - would not surprise me if he takes shang tsung/Quan Chi's place as the one who transfers souls for local with the dragon king army. Who else is left? The sorcerer's ate dead, Reiko is??? And Reptile may in fact be onaga's vessels, so it's hard to say who can resurrect the Dragon King army aside from each, who could be more powerful this time around.

Erron Black - was popular, don't see how you don't bring the mercenary back. He could be the new Kano, only more neutral and less terrible/actually fun to play as.

Reiko
Havik
Fujin
Sareena (or Jade)
Kabal

I find it tough to make these lists because you dont want to list the obvious ones, you gotta keep it realistic (zebron?), but you wanna choose the fun ones. so...

1. Havik - a common one. The guy was awesome, nuff said

2. Fujin - MK4 had a big impact on me as a kid. Fujin was one of my main mans

3. Reiko - Again MK4 and one of my mains

4. Ermac - I think he is probably the most likely on my list and my fav palette swap ninja

5. The robots- I really liked the way tri-borg was done in MKX. If there aren't variations, maybe they will be one character but you can customize so they have bombs, missiles, a spear, or a combination of many of these elements. I can see why a lot of people wouldn't like that (you may not get a "true" Sektor or Cyrax) but it sounds like a good way to implement the traits of these characters without dedicating a slot to them.

01- Sub Zero
02- Smoke
03- Reptile
04- Reiko
05- Johnny Cage

1. Reptile: My Boy, would love a human skin.
2. Rain: Had a decent role in the MKX story with an awesome costume points into the right direction for him finally being included into the main roster.
3. Fujin: The fact that he wasnt in MKX was incredibly disappointing.
4. Havik: Ive always loved this crazy bastard, and he does have some significance in this timeline so his chances are good.
5. Kai: Unlikely, but ive always been a fan of African Shaolin monks.

1. Sonya
2. Cassie
3. Kung Jin

Everyone else I would be okay either way.

1: Kobra
2: Nitara
3: Sindel
4: Frost
5: Raidens unknown brother named Frank

Drahmin- This guy was beast in MKDA. I think he has potential and would be a good fit for MK11.

Dairou- One of my favorite MKD newbies. Has potential, but does need some work done to him.

Ashrah- Another one of my favorite newbies in MKD. I'd be wowed if she made the main roster.

Enenra Smoke- As it says "Enenra". We always get human or cyborg, so why not the creature this time around?

MK11 can seriously do without the cyborgs along with the likes of Sonya, Johnny, Jax, Reptile, Kano (even tho he's my fave classic character) and Mileena.

This is the best comment I've seen in 15 years being on this site. ????????????????????

Very happy to see so many rooting for Havik

1. Noob
2. Mileena
3. Smoke
4. Quan Chi
5. Havik

Reptile
Reptile
Reptile
Noob
Fujin

Aside from the obvious characters I would also love to see

1. Reiko
2. Kabal
3. Baraka
4. Onaga
5. Sektor

I have just 2 Fujin and Shang Tsung. That's it for me.

1. Fujin
2. Havik
3. Smoke
4. Cyrax
5. Sareena

I've always been a story nerd, so with that being said, and this being a time-bending storyline:

1. Reptile

I've never been a massive fan of the character, but he's important to the stories of numerous different games, and he's always felt like one of those "dropped ball" characters. He should have been a bigger deal in a lot of games, but then they turned him into an actual lizard and finally a vessel for Onaga. Someone will be trying to kill Reptile so he doesn't become Onaga. I would like this to converge with classic bodyguard Reptile and the Reptile who finally works out Shao Kahn is responsible for killing his entire race.

2. Jade

I swear my favorite color isn't green. Jade is another popular character with some important ties and allegiances to either play into or against. Whether it would be choosing to align with Kitana, with Shao Kahn, or whether she's from another universe where she lost Kitana and is seeking revenge or something. A version of Jade, and just where her allegiances lie could be interesting.

3. Noob Saibot

This is a fairly safe bet, but I imagine that there is going to be a fair bit of interplay between Classic Sub-Zero, Sub-Zero and Noob Saibot. While Sub-Zero can co-exist with his brother as a "type" of fighter, meaning you can fan-play as either, Noob Saibot really needs his own vessel. I can imagine a Classic Sub-Zero vs. Noob Saibot fight now.

4. Jax

This guy has grown on me over the years, and I think he has needed to be a villain for a while. With timelines converging, there is the possibility for an even more mechanized Jax, a more human Jax, a more tortured Jax and perhaps even a traitor Jax. Fighting as a Terminator Jax from the future that traded his humanity so he could cruise the wastelands of Outworld collecting skulls could be cool.

5. Kitana

I almost went with Shang Tsung in this spot, since it would be interesting to see him jump over from a reality where he is the ultimate power into one where he doesn't even exist, or even a reality where Shao Kahn's chief sorcerer were female. But I've gone with Kitana because I think there is lots to do with her stories in different timelines. There is one where she never learnt the truth about her family being usurped by Shao Kahn, one where she is more than a damsel in distress and was actually the one who killed Shao Kahn, and another where she rules Hell. These Kitanas fighting each other or needing to go against Shao Kahn or clashing with people who were her allies in other realities has got endless potential.

Most of the "iconic" characters will be returning. People associate certain things with Mortal Kombat. There will be some soul-sucking wizardry, some heart rips, some Shaolin monks and some ice-freezing. Those things are fairly safe bets. But these are the time-bends I really want to see.

I'll be so annoyed if Sareena doesn't finally make a proper debut. Missed the boats for MK4 and MKDA, made it into Tournament Edition but who even bought that? In Armageddon she was overshadowed by like 62 other characters.

She's been waiting far too long.

5. Sindel

4. Nightwolf

3. Jade

2. Sareena - If she's not playable in this game then her chances for future games are going to drop drastically. This is true for nearly all 3D era characters.)

1. Fujin - This game's roster is "bring Fujin back or GTFO" status to me. He's in the same boat as Sareena is, with a lot more cameos and vicious teasing on NRS's part.

Honourable mentions - Noob Saibot, Smoke and Ashrah.

1. kung jin

2. fujin

3. kintaro

4. hydro

5. blaze ( reinvented)

1. Liu Kang: Liu is my favorite character, and in my opinion an obvious choice to bring back. I feel like being one of the netherrealm rulers gives him a big presence in the current story. I also feel like his story can go somewhere; he is ultimately a good should who was unnaturally corrupted, along with the other heroes he now apparently leads. I would not really be satisfied until these characters find themselves free of the corruption.

2. Cyrax: in my opinion the original cyber design was one of the coolest ones, and I believe Cyrax had the coolest moves and a good character behind the design. In the comics, Cyrax seemed to be following his old timeline arc of regaining his soul and fighting for good. Although he self-destructed in the comics, it seems that the game is okay with disregarding a lot of those events. I would like to see them find a way to write Cyrax into this one.

3. Frost: I think Frost had one of the cooler designs of the 3D era, especially of the female characters. I also think she had a decent story in Deadly Alliance, although I do think it's natural conclusion was her being killed while trying to use Sub-Zero's medallion (the rest was just filler in my opinion). I think they should use the new timeline as a reason to keep her around longer. Since there was a substantial time leap, I think Sub-Zero could act more as a mentor while Frost is out more in the heart of the action.

4. Erron Black: I think Erron is an MKX character with tons potential. I really like the idea of a scoundrel gun slinger wandering the wastelands, with the MK twist being that the wasteland is outworld. However, I think they failed to really expand on that idea in the MKX storyline. I think he was actually given the least amount of exposure out of all of Kotal Kahn's crew (even less than Ferra Torr). I sincerely hope that they expand on him in MK 11. I also hope they drop the idea of him being an actual 150+ year old cowboy. Instead I would like to see them go more the route of the comics, having be maybe a one time black dragon member who either declined or deserted.

5. Ashrah: this one may be a bit more of a long shot, but I actually think Ashrah had a very cool design and a promising story. Her white and gold color palette and holy sword seem to go well with the pristine aesthetic of the mystery character's realm. Her also being a demon slayer matches the fact that a good amount of the heroes are currently corrupted and stuck as demons in the netherrealm. I could see her desire to slay powerful demons making for an interesting clash between her and Kitana and Liu Kang.

1. Sindel: I assume with the time travel story that means dead characters who were not in MKX will return. And I feel like after the role she played in MKX's storyline and her connection to Kitana who we have to assume will play a somewhat prominent role in story mode as co-ruler of the Neatherrealm with Liu Kang she probably has the best shot of any dead character of returning to the roster in this game.
2. Nightwolf: similar reasons to Sindel along with his popularity as a character.
3: Kabal: Same reasons as Nightwolf.
4. Shang Tsung: after the hints dropped about him in MKX arcade endings I feel like he is almost a lock for this game, and I am excited to see him return in this post-MKX era in which the aesthetics are less cartoony than MK9. I'm also excited at the prospect of some real character development for him. I hope he finally turns into a "good guy" or at least an anti-hero, and fights against Raiden and Liu Kang & Kitana. I love the idea of Outworlders being good guys in this installment with Earthrealm warriors being divided for and against Raiden.
5. Noob Saibot: what was he up to during MKX? Where was he sent off to by the Soulnado? There's a ton of story potential there for him, and I also salivate at what they could do with him gameplay wise in this post-MKX era after he was kinda disappointing in that regard in MK9.

1. Sareena - She deserves a proper spot in an actual mainline game. Her cameo in MKX was hreat and gives me a bit of hope, but im thinking realisitically if shes in it will be as DLC. She had ties to a lot of characters in yhe original timeline anf has the possibilities to be evil, neutral, good and even still a demon in different timelines.

2. Nitara - One of the best newcomers to the 3D she has been so underused. Needs a second chance.

3. Shang Tsung - My favourite villain and I missed his presence in MKX. Si many possibilities with the time bending too.

4. Kai - Another one hit wonder with untapped potential. Would like to see him fleshed out.

5. Kitana - I don't think I need to explain this lol simply put my favourite gaming character ever. Also be good to see where they take her evil revenant form. Also different versions in the timelines could be good and evil and if varying alignments.

Thise are my top 5 that i want in.

HMs: Sindel, Havik, Khameleon, Nightwolf, FerraTorr

Reiko
Johnny Cage
Rain
Darrius
Liu Kang (old timeline)

Coming up with five is tough, as I'm trying to balance wants with realistic possibilities based on MKX story.

1: Smoke, always been a favorite of mine but the last two games proved he can be much more in the MK franchise.

2: Sareena. I agree with others and feel that she's never been given a fair, serious chance in a game so far.

3: Elder Sub-Zero/Bi-Han, even if just a "timeline" variant. We already saw two Scorpions, so I think this could be an interesting way to do two Sub-Zeros to match.

4: Fujin. I was never passionate about the character, but I certainly don't hate him. I'd love to see what Netherrealm could do with him this time around.

5: Ashrah. Considering the events of MKX, I think her story could be given a rework to ally her with Earth forces.

My top 5 would be:

5. Shang Tsung: Probability 85%. The original sorcerer has a rough go in MK9 and MKX was really Quan Chi’s big time to shine. With him out of the way, I think fans have had enough time to missShang Tsung and I could see him playing a major role in MK11. Is it weird that I hope they bring him back as sort of an antihero?

4. Erron Black: Probability 80%. One of the more popular MKX newbies, I could see him fitting a variety of henchmen roles, but more than that, his look, background and all around cool factor are so unique that I’d honestly be shocked if NRS kept him out of the next game.

3. Li Mei: Probability 70%. She had a nice cameo in MKX, but the real excitement for me would being in seeing how NRS handles her. Mileena seems somewhat unlikely for a main roster role after the last game (even though all bets seem to be off plot-wise), so they could bring her back with sais and what not, or they could perhaps rebuild her from the ground up with a nod to a few of her old moves. Either way, she could have an intriguing role in the plot and I think she’s a 3D character that deserves another shot.

2. Fujin: Probability 90%. I mean, this HAS to be the game he finally comes back in (roster-wise), right? Raiden’s gone dark, so who leads the good Earth-realmers? Sub-Zero is a possibility, but my money is on the wind god. He’s consistently one of the most requested characters and with his cameo in MKX, I’d honestly be shocked if they relegated him to cameo again.

Honorable Mentions:

Mavado: Probability 10%. Not making the list because NRS seems to downright despise this guy, I still like the idea of the Red Dragon and I also think his character design is far cooler and offers far more potential than Daegon. I could see him being MK’s Omega Red with those rope things and that sounds awesome to me.

Skarlet: Probability 20%. The red female ninja seems more like fan service at this point, but I’d love to see who she’d become post-Shao Khan and I think the comic did a good job of showing off her potential.

Kira: Probability 5%. Her background still intrigued me, and if they take her out of the Black Dragon storyline, I could see her being a great badass foil for someone like Erron Black. Sure, her movelist would need to be rebuilt from scratch, but the same could be said bout most 3D era characters, even if to a lesser extent.

Tasia: Probability 30%. Sure, she’d be fan service, but that doesn’t lessen her potential. The fact that she was also in the comic tells me that she’s not entirely forgotten. Perhaps she becomes that sort of fan service DLC character like Tremor?

Anyways, here’s my number 1.

1. Sareena: Probability 51%. I really hope she makes the roster this time around. She has a story past with multiple characters, ties to both Earthrealm and the Netherealm, and the fact that she’s a demon could mean massive potential from a movelist standpoint. That said, I don’t think NRS sees her that way, which is why I put her at 51%. She had a cameo in the last game, and I have to believe they see how much fans want her, but unlike Fujin, I tend to doubt they’d see her as essential.