Precisely functioning the same as color palettes and skins in Mortal Kombat 1, gear is another creative way to customize your characters before heading off into matches. The tiers range from Common to Legendary, and the gears target the most essential component of the fighter, whether it be hats, masks, or bladed weapons.
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Sometimes the default form of the character doesn't come equipped with the most interesting accessories. Therefore, switching out gear is a great way to personalize the character into the best possible version you want to see. That begins with these incredible MK1 gears available for unlocking right now.
10 Sub-Zero - Grand Visionary
Mortal Kombat 1's new timeline sees Bi-Han back as Sub-Zero, and Kuai Liang (formerly Sub-Zero) now becomes Bi-Han's brother Scorpion. The default mask doesn't quite do justice to the character design of Sub-Zero, and if you want to see the return of that old-school look, the Epic Grand Visionary is the best option.
The top half has a coating of blue that's missing from the original mask, and the bottom half has a nice glow of ice-blue lights. The shape and edges, especially the dented nose region of the Grand Visionary mask, have the classic aesthetic of older games like Mortal Kombat (2011) while also having some parallels with Noob Saibot's mask design. This is also important because Bi-Han becomes Noob Saibot in the lore.
9 Havik - Chaotic Evil
Not only is this one of the nicest-looking gear you can equip Havik with, but it's also a fun play on Havik's detachable head. Chaotic Evil is like the Uncommon Self-Determined headgear, but this Rare version has a much better palette of silver and a darkish magenta color, with the eyes glowing and feeling much more menacing.
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It's also just a funny thing to have on Havik because the gear makes it look as though his head is inside a creature's jaws, teeth hanging down right over the eyes. He even tears his head off to see the selection of gear on him, so this cosmetic makes it seem his head is being eaten off.
8 Liu Kang - Firedrake
Liu Kang's gear focuses on his arm wrappings, and there are some pretty cool designs in store if you want to move away from his standard bandages. Although Rare and Epic options like Fists of the Anointed Guardian and Bonfire Grip offer nice colors and patterns, the Uncommon Firedrake is actually the unique and stand-out choice here.
The firedrakes seem made of ivory and have spikes in the shape of waves across the middle section, and the material underneath is a nice black-and-white pattern contrast. The whole design of it almost reminds you of the iconic 19th century The Great Wave off Kanagawa print.
7 Rain - Rod Of Varunuganga
Rain's staff is his source of power and a major aspect of his character. The default one doesn't have much personality to it and just looks like a rudimentary design. This is a case yet again where an Uncommon item beats out Epic, Rare, and Legendary, as the Rod of Varunuganga gear perfectly transforms the staff into a character of its own.
This staff now looks like it's blinged-out in purple crystals and gold, and the head is a crescent skull shape of an alien serpent-like creature, sharp teeth lining the inside. This is definitely the type of artifact you'll see Indiana Jones, Nathan Drake, or Lara Croft risking their lives for, even the name sounds like it.
6 Scorpion - Fire-Breather
Although Scorpion's mask does have the gold-yellow sheen in the default version and isn't just silver like Sub-Zero's, it's still not the most compelling option for this iconic fighter. While it might be considered a Rare gear, the Fire-Breather is by far the most epic mask any version of Scorpion would want to wear.
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The inspiration behind this one is the Japanese samurai mempo masks, which are pieces of facial armor recognizable for their noses, fanged teeth, and fierce expressions. You can infuse a little of Jin Sakai into Scorpion's character design, and what's even better is the Fire-Breather keeps the luxuriant gold finish.
5 Kitana - Nekrotonan Bladed Fans
Kitana's customizable gear is rightfully her signature bladed fans that get to slicing and dicing during her combat. Out of all the possible gear options, the Epic Nekrotonan Bladed Fans give you two fans for the price of one in an even more stylish design, combining the aesthetics of the Legendary Prakanmut Iron Fans and Rare Rangkong Cutters.
The fan blades here emit the same majestic sparkly blueish glow that lights up the fan material in the Prakanmut style, and the fan material on the Nekrotonan displays a similar blue-white illustration print but of a more intricate and detailed dragon pattern instead of cranes or fish.
4 Reptile - Wozakian Conflict Half-Mask
No matter if you prefer seeing your Reptile character maskless or in a mask, there's no argument that the Wozakian Conflict Half-Mask is one of the best-designed masks to be featured on this fighter. The polished look of the style and finishes aside, it gives you the best of both forms with regard to Reptile's characteristics.
Reptile's redesign in Mortal Kombat 1 showcases that he can switch between his human form and his giant deadly Lizard form. The original green mask has always been an iconic part of his classic ninja attire and his reptile form is also just as critical, so this mask combines the two and sees his human form blend seamlessly with the carnivorous side.
3 Raiden - Consecrated Protector
Another change to MK1's new timeline is that Raiden isn't Earthrealm's protector anymore, Liu Kang and his godly powers take his place in this task instead. However, this Epic Consecrated Protector hat can give Raiden back that title, even if it's just in a piece of gear.
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Considering all the other hats available as gear, the Consecrated Protector is an absolute must to equip if you play as Raiden, exhibiting a far more phenomenal design than his Legendary gear and one of the best hats in the game, period. It completely elevates the standard straw hat design, displaying a gold conical gong aesthetic with a delicate white ribbon and dynamic blue ring outlines that highlight his blue lightning abilities.
2 Shang Tsung - Nomavin Shearers
Mortal Kombat 1 adds a new element to Shang Tsung's gauntlet, which comes in the form of three sharp Wolverine-like blades that can shoot out from the arm gear. It becomes an effective new attack in matches and is used in his second fatality to cut an opponent open and grow a small but deadly serpent chest-burster.
These claw blades help brilliantly redefine his character, and the Nomavin Shearers is a Legendary skin that you'll absolutely want to see for them. These bladed gauntlets have a beautiful gold pattern going around the arms, with Tsung's emerald green magic visible through the gaps, also enchanting each blade with its color. It's almost reminiscent of Doctor Strange's glowing emerald and gold Eye of Agamotto pendant.
1 Smoke - Man Of Ideals
Out of all the masked fighters in the game, Smoke has the best gear with the Legendary Man of Ideals mask. There's also the fantastic Easter egg Fogged In mask nod to Watchmen character Rorschach coming in second, but this mask is the best and most fearsome look cosmetically for the elusive smoke-manifesting fighter.
The Man of Ideals has a very TMNT Shredder-like look to it, with the nose being a sharp curve reaching all the way to the forehead. The base color of black with striped glowing purple lines running all around it is bold, intense, and visually striking, and also feels like you're wearing Call of Duty's dark matter camo on your face.
NEXT: Mortal Kombat 1: The Best Fatalities
