The Mortal Kombat Tournament serves as the one thing that separates Earthrealm's freedom and its total damnation. Thanks to the efforts of Liu Kang and Earthrealm's defenders, the world stays safe from the likes of Shao Kahn. However, the Mortal Kombat franchise also showed that entities behind the scenes can transform this tournament to the death into their playground. In fact, beyond Realms themselves lie factions that have their own stake in each iteration of the Tournament.

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As the series progressed, factions in each Realm tried to manipulate events during a Mortal Kombat Tournament. In fact, some factions outright ignore the Tournament to begin their machinations. As with any universe, some of these factions strive to restore balance across the Realms, while others have their own nefarious objectives.

10 White Lotus Society

Earthrealm wasn't always prepared for threats outside the Realm. It was only after Goro killed the Great Kung Lao that Raiden and the Shaolin Order of Light created the White Lotus Society. Since then, Raiden and the White Lotus will be handpicking the best champions to represent Earthrealm in the Tournament, which now included the warrior Liu Kang and Kung Lao.

As with other secret societies, finding the White Lotus Society is extremely difficult. However, one can freely quit the White Lotus Society, meaning their numbers may almost always be small. Thanks to the Society, Earthrealm remains protected; however, sadly, it hasn't left its stereotype of being a secret fighting society.

9 The Black Dragon

Kano became famous in underground channels courtesy of his membership – and even leadership – of the Black Dragon. However, this mercenary troupe is actually a splinter group of the Red Dragon. Due to the former's strict code, some of their members wanted a more lax pursuit of their mercenary work. As a result, the Black Dragon would operate within both Earthrealm and Outworld to gather wealth and power.

Despite Kano's death, the Black Dragon may still resume activities under different leadership. Due to their reputation, they may still pursue the agenda of their latest client. Aside from their connections across the Realms, the Black Dragon remains a prominent but somehow "generic mercenary" group in the franchise.

8 The Brotherhood Of Shadow

Behind Quan Chi and his unholy schemes is his fanatical Brotherhood of Shadow. This dark cult looks at Quan Chi as their leader and worships the Dark Elder God Shinnok. In turn, the Brotherhood is constantly finding ways to orchestrate his return via his Amulet. Thanks to Quan Chi's efforts, the Brotherhood of Shadow managed to summon Shinnok in both the original and current timelines.

What perhaps makes the Brotherhood dangerous is their specialization in necromancy and dark magic. Moreover, their penchant for deception and secrecy helped cultivate countless members across Realms. Unfortunately, the default "cult of darkness" stereotype makes them a bit mundane compared to other groups in the franchise.

7 The Kahnum Of Outworld

Despite not being a formal group into itself, fans consider the Kahnum of Outworld as a faction of its own. When Shao Kahn usurped power by poisoning Onaga, his dictatorship over Outworld focused on the brutal conquest of Realms via Mortal Kombat. Upon his defeat, numerous individuals gained power over the Realm – Mileena, Kotal Kahn, and eventually Kitana Kahn.

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Essentially, the Kahnum introduces the dynamic element of politics in the brutal franchise. For instance, Shao Kahn has to deal not just with his conquest but the constant threat of failure and betrayal of his agents such as Shang Tsung. Meanwhile, Kitana Kahn introduces a more co-dependent rulership style with Queen Shiva of the Shokans and Baraka of the Tarkatans.

6 Outer World Investigation Agency

Convinced of the real threat of other Realms on Earth, the United States Special Forces (SF) created the Outer World Investigation Agency. In the original timeline, the OIA was to stop interdimensional forces from posing a threat against Earthrealm. Throughout the games, the OIA will add prominent Kombatants such as the blind swordsman Kenshi and the cyber assassin Cyrax to its roster.

The OIA adds a much-needed "investigation unit" twist to the unknown supernatural elements of the franchise. In the original timeline, it's the OIA's efforts that defeat the Black Dragon. However, a Red Dragon operative would sabotage and destroy the OIA HQ soon after. While the OIA is still operational in Armageddon, the new wider presence of the SF in the current timeline makes the OIA obsolete.

5 The Red Dragon

Unbeknownst to outsiders, the demigod Daegon created the Red Dragon as a mercenary troupe in pursuit of a higher power.

In the original timeline, Daegon and his Red Dragon established power in Earthrealm. Theoretically, Daegon hopes to muster enough forces to kill his brother Taven and take the near-godlike power of the elemental Blaze. In the current timeline, the Red Dragon established its presence in Outworld and possesses knowledge about the Dragon King Onaga.

If not Blaze, Daegon could still pursue the power of the Dragon King Onaga, Shao Kahn's predecessor that the tyrant chose to poison and not fight head-on. Sadly, working together with Havik, cleric of Chaosrealm, had most of their members decimated. Unless Daegon has a trick up his sleeve, the Red Dragon wouldn't have a physical force to meet their legendary reputation.

4 The Special Forces

Thanks to the efforts of Sonya Blade and Jax Briggs, the Special Forces grew from a small team into a large international unit. However, their purpose remains the same throughout the years: train operatives capable of protecting Earthrealm. 

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In the current timeline, their roster of fighters has slowly expanded into a new generation. This time around, under Sonya's leadership, Earthrealm warrior Johnny Cage trains new members of the Special Forces across factions such as the White Lotus Society, the Shirai Ryu, and their own trainees from the Special Forces.

In recent years, the Special Forces proved vital in establishing diplomatic relations between Earthrealm and other Realms. It's interesting to see how future games would depict their approach in both Kombat and diplomacy.

3 Lin Kuei

Of all assassins in the Mortal Kombat franchise, it's the Lin Kuei that perhaps had the most development. At first, fans only know of Sub-Zero as the "representative" of the clan – both the elder Bi-Han and the younger Kuai Liang. And now, it's included members such as Smoke, Sektor, Cyrax, and even Frost.

What makes the Lin Kuei interesting is the fact that it's a unique take on the "Lin Kuei" group in real life, which is apparently an ancient Chinese clan of assassins. Sub-Zero's current efforts in reshaping the clan is an interesting look as to how assassins may be trained and honed in future games.

2 Cyber Lin Kuei

It's one thing to become a part of a clan of assassins, but it's another level of awesome to get a cyberized body in the process. In both timelines – the Grandmaster in the original, and his grandson Sektor in the current – most of the Lin Kuei have become cyberized assassins. This is where the franchise's most notable cyborgs like Cyrax, Smoke, and Sektor himself have come from.

Sadly, cyberization orders were carried out even against the clansmen's will. It's thanks to Sub-Zero's efforts in the original timeline that freed the Lin Kuei from cyberization. While the Cyber Lin Kuei are no more, this historic and tragic moment in their history makes this sub-faction quite impressive given the gory nature of Mortal Kombat.

1 Shirai Ryu

Despite the rivalry between Sub-Zero and Scorpion, it appears their connections run deep – as the Shirai Ryu shinobi from Japan seem to be a splinter group of the Lin Kuei in China. Not much is known about the Shirai Ryu, aside from their rivalry with the Lin Kuei. And thanks to Quan Chi, the entirety of the Shirai Ryu was obliterated prior to the start of the series.

Thanks to Scorpion's efforts as a wraith, he managed to exact vengeance for his family and began reforming the clan. While Takeda Takahashi is currently its most prominent other member, the fact that new games will likely showcase the Shirai Ryu's newfound development makes it a faction to root for.

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