List of Mortal Kombat species

Automatons
In Mortal Kombat, some characters have been turned into robots to improve their performace. It all started when the Lin Kuei clan decided to automate their ninjas. Sektor was the first ninja to undergo this process of roboticization, and he would prove to be their biggest success. The Lin Kuei programmed the new robots to their bidding, and Sektor's main objective was to see out and kill Sub-Zero, who left the clan in refusal to be transformed into a robot. Sektor was devoid of a soul, lost all human emotions, and never succeeded in his mission. After turning his back on the Lin Kuei, he ventured to Japan and formed his Tekunin faction.

Cyrax was another of the Lin Kuei members turned into a robot. He was also programmed to seek out Sub-Zero. However, Cyrax was captured by Sub-Zero, reprogrammed, and permanently malfunctioned. He was then captured by the Sonya Blade and Jax, and he was partially returned to his human state. Smoke was the third of the Lin Kuei warriors to undergo roboticization. After returning from a mission, he and Sub-Zero learned of Lin Luei's plans to transform their members to robots. The two fled; Sub-Zero escaped, but Smoke was captured and forced to become a robot. He was later captured in Outworld by Shao Kahn's army. Hopelessly imprisoned, he chose to shut himself down.

Centaurs
Centaurs are a race of part human- part horse, with a horse's body and a human head and torso. The only known Centaur in the Mortal Kombat universe was Motaro, who was killed by his Shokan rival Sheeva.

Elder Gods
The Elder Gods are the silent guardians of all reality in the Mortal Kombat universe. They watch and scheme, manipulating events in the realms to prohibit the return of the One Being. They do not care about the denizens born in the realms, and they only seek to keep the One Being at bay.

Long before the realms, there was One Being, who existed by drawing off the life forces of the Elder Gods. In response, the Elder Gods created the Kamidogu, a powerful weapons that shattered the One Being. The Elder Gods then created the realms from its body. One of their own wanted to control the realms, just as the One Being had controlled them. That Elder God, Shinnok, waged a war that nearly destroyed what they had created, and ended with Shinnok imprisoned in the Netherrealm. They cursed Shang Tsung, who consumed the souls of other mortals to maintain his existence, either not knowing or not caring that his need to devour mortal souls would lead to him learning the location of Shinnok's amulet.

The Elder Gods' rule of non-interference in mortal affairs, that do not threaten their existence, was evident when Shao Kahn, Emperor of Outworld, merged Earthrealm with Outworld to reclaim Queen Sindel, which was in direct violation of the sacred rules of Mortal Kombat. Raiden begged the Elder Gods to stop Shao Kahn, who was required by the sacred laws to win ten consecutive Mortal Kombat tournaments before he could take Earthrealm, but the Elder Gods did nothing.

Their non-intervention nearly cost them their existence when Shinnok escaped the Netherrealm and attacked them directly. Most of the Elder Gods were killed, and Rayden and Fujin gathered forces to stop him.

When Onaga was reincarnated, his 50-year mission to gather the Kamidogu through Shujinko was complete with the acquisition of Shinnok's amulet from Quan Chi. Now aware of a direct threat to their existence, the Elder Gods summoned Scorpion to act as their champion and destroy Onaga.

Humans
The majority of Mortal Kombat characters belong to the human race, although many of them possess superhuman qualities, such as the ability to control fire, ice, invisibility, and other abilities. Most humans originate from the Earthrealm, although they have been known to be found and originate from other realms. Usually those who come from the other realms are those that possess the most supernatural powers and characteristics. Because they possess a soul, they were the target for Shao Kahn's extermination squad and Shang Tsung's soul devouring. The humans are responsible for repelling the Outworld's forces and save the Earthrealm's existance.

Several factions exist within the human race, some of which are actually against the Earthrealm and formed alliances with those from the Outworld realms. The Lin Kuei are the most recognized faction within the human race, although they themselves possess superhuman qualities. The Outer World Investigation Agency actually formed from normal humans in an attempt to repel Shao Kahn from the Earthrealm after he invaded and killed many.

Many humans have been killed during Mortal Kombat, most notably Sub-Zero, Hanzo Hasashi (Scorpion), Liu Kang, and Hsu Hao. Some of their souls have fallen into the hands of Shang Tsung and his Soulnado, while others were able to regain their soul and life once again, i.e. Liu Kang. Others were brought back to life, and they live with no soul, i.e. Scorpion. Ermac, most notably, was created by Shao Kahn from the souls of great warriors, thus making him human-like.

Oni
Oni are hideous, gigantic creatures with sharp claws, wild hair, and two long horns growing from their heads. They are humanoid for the most part, but occasionally they are shown with unnatural features such as odd numbers of eyes or extra fingers and toes. They are believed to have emerged from the Netherealm. There, they roamed the realm in search of damned souls to torment for their own personal pleasure. After making their way to the Earthrealm, they were seen hiding in the Living Forest, consuming those who entered the forest. The only known Oni are Drahmin and Moloch. Belokk was also believed to be an Oni, but he was never featured in any game.

Saurions
Saurions are fictional creatures found in Mortal Kombat. They are humanoids who evolved from the dinosaurs. Standing on two legs and having bigger brains than their ancestors, they have the potential for more complex thought.

One of the many races within the Mortal Kombat universe, it is believed that they once thrived within Earthrealm but were driven from their home by the war waged between the Elder Gods Raiden and Shinnok. They fled to the realm of Zattera, where they thrived once more. Eventually Shao Kahn, the Emperor of Outworld, invaded and merged their realm with his own kingdom. The Saurions were seemingly driven to extinction within Outworld. There are only two known survivors, Reptile and Khameleon. Chameleon may also be a member of this race.

Shokans
In the Mortal Kombat universe, Shokan is the name of a race of half-human, half-dragon warriors. They are tall, exceptionally strong, and have four arms. Goro, Kintaro, and Sheeva belong to this race. Their biological enemies to the Centaur race, which includes Motaro.

Tarkatans
The Tarkatan are an interracial breed of warriors, mixed between a race from the Outworld and a race from the Netherrealm. They have ugly faces, spiky jaws, and blades coming out of their bodies. Baraka belongs to it, and it's also said that Mileena and Shao Kahn are Tarkatans too. Mileena, with applied magic by Shang Tsung, was to look like a "lost twin sister" of Kitana, although her true identity is Tarkatan.