“	We are many; you are one. Your abilities pale before us.	„
—Ermac to Takeda in Mortal Kombat X

Ermac is a red-clad ninja who wields powerful telekinetic abilities in the Mortal Kombat fighting game series. He made his debut in Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3, though fan speculation about his existence began earlier, stemming from a rumored glitch in the first Mortal Kombat game.

Since his debut, Ermac has often aligned himself with the antagonists of the series, yet he is generally portrayed as a neutral figure who seeks to better his native realm of Outworld, most notably by supporting those he deems worthy to rule it.

A new version of Ermac appears in Mortal Kombat 1 as a minor antagonist in the game’s Story Mode and later as downloadable content, serving as the fourth playable character in the Kombat Pack.

About Ermac

Making his debut in Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3, Ermac is a controversial and enigmatic character in the Mortal Kombat series, whose existence had been rumored since the franchise’s inception. Ermac is a fusion of countless souls destroyed during Outworld’s many wars, bound together and controlled by Emperor Shao Kahn and his Shadow Priests. Because of this, he refers to himself in the plural, using “we,” “our,” “us,” and “ours” instead of “I,” “my,” “me,” and “mine.”

The immense concentration of souls within Ermac grants him formidable powers, including telekinesis, teleportation, and the ability to traverse realms.

Ermac rarely displays emotion, but he has proven to be both wise and an exceptionally deadly combatant, capable of using his telekinetic powers to fight multiple opponents simultaneously while maintaining the upper hand. After disappearing following the events of Mortal Kombat Trilogy, he returned in Mortal Kombat: Deception where he was freed from Shao Kahn’s control by the blind swordsman Kenshi. In gratitude, Ermac taught Kenshi the Telekinetic Slam.

Freed from Kahn’s influence, Ermac chose to become a force for good—partly out of guilt for his past deeds. To atone, he aided Liu Kang in freeing the souls of his fallen allies from Onaga’s control.

In the alternate timeline, these events did not occur. Following the events of Mortal Kombat, Ermac came under the influence of both Shao Kahn’s and King Jerrod’s souls. Despite this, it is implied that Ermac retained his free will and was no longer inherently evil after Shao Kahn’s death. This is supported by his decision in Mortal Kombat X to side with Kotal Kahn as the rightful ruler of Outworld rather than Mileena, defying Shao Kahn’s decree.

While Ermac’s specific goals have varied throughout the series, his overarching allegiance has always been to Outworld, whether by defending it from threats like Onaga or seeking a worthy ruler to lead it.

In the current timeline, Ermac—who occasionally refers to himself as The Collective—is created by Quan Chi from the souls of the Living Forest. After several battles, King Jerrod’s soul, which also resided within the forest and was used for his creation, seizes control of Ermac’s body. Under Jerrod’s influence, Ermac allies with Liu Kang and the Earthrealm and Outworld champions to stop Titan Shang Tsung.

Eventually, Jerrod loses control, and Ermac, acting of his own accord, frees Quan Chi from prison. However, the construct soon abandons his creator’s ambitions and begins to wander Outworld in search of purpose.

Appearance

Starting as a palette swap of Scorpion in his debut in Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3, Ermac wore the iconic ninja garment, colored in black and red. From Mortal Kombat: Deception onwards, like most of his ninja counterparts, Ermac adopted a new and unique design, which is adopted in future games.

Ermac wears a black wrap around his head and face; it covers his entire head, and his mouth and nose. Only his eyes are showing. In the middle of this wrap is a metal pin. He wears an all red long-sleeved karate gi. He then wears a large vest over his red uniform. He wears more wrap around his forearms and black gloves. A piece of the vest hangs down around his thighs; his belt buckle is interlocking. His pants are red and baggy, and he wears gold and black boots; there is a metal portion that runs from the middle of the boot to his knee where there is a jewel of some sort.

Alternate Costume: As with his regular costume, Ermac wears a black "wrap" around the top of his head with a red symbol in the middle of it; his eyes glowing a deep white. He also wears a black mouth guard that covers his nose and everything else down; this "guard" extends to his neck as well, completely covering it. He wears what seem like red and black "suspenders" that flow all the way down in front of his legs. His arms are bare except for black wrist guards and black gloves. He wears a colorful belt with an exotic buckle. His pants are red and Ermac wears silver and black knee guards over silver and black boots; his shin guards are silver and black as well.

This design consists of a mask made only from black bandages fully wrapped around the head, leaving the eyes and nostrils visible, with a small green amulet placed on his forehead, functioning as a means to concentrate the souls in his body. Ermac's clothes are mainly black with red accents, with bandages wrapped around his arms and legs, giving him a sinister look.

This design is carried in Mortal Kombat (2011) with small modifications like the inclusion of shin guards with skull motifs. Ermac's appearance in Mortal Kombat X is inspired by his alternate appearance in the previous game, consisting of a hooded trench coat with the basic black and red scheme along with a few golden motifs. His face is also partially exposed, revealing decaying skin as a consequence of the lack of proper rejuvenation and income of souls. Before Kotal Kahn's takeover, most of his upper body was exposed and grafted a metal emblem similar to the one from Deception onto his chest to keep his souls from escaping. He also wore bandages around his head.

Character Development

In the first few arcade versions of Mortal Kombat, there was a listing in the audit menu for "ERMACS". In Revision 3.0, it was actually listed directly underneath "Reptile Battles" giving the appearance that they were grouped together. It was believed to reference a character the same way "Reptile Battles" does which led people to believe that Ermac was also a secret character. The Ermac listing is a shortening of the term "Error Macro". This is referenced in a hidden reversed message in Mortal Kombat: Deception's Konquest mode which states "It is a little known fact that Ermac is short for Error Macro". Electronic Gaming Monthly published a photo to accompany a letter from Tony Casey reporting an alleged encounter.^[1] However, Ermac did not appear in any version. There is also no naturally occurring default character palette that would provide a full palette swap for Ermac. Ed Boon later confirmed in a Tweet that the Error Macro was simply a macro created to catch coding errors/traps.^[2]

The developers denied that he existed in Mortal Kombat II with one of the jumbled messages that appeared at the bottom of the screen after beating the game: CEAMR ODSE NTO EXITS (an anagram of "Ermac does not exist"), and the occasional appearance of the secret character Jade with the message "Ermac Who?" The numerous rumors of his existence led to his debut as an official character in Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3. His storyline is even based on his own rumor as well and later changed to become a legitimate character in Mortal Kombat Trilogy. Until Mortal Kombat: Deception, he was just another palette swapped ninja. Around the time of Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance, the creators made the choice to give all the ninjas their very own look and identity.

Rumors

Ermac was created by the MK Team because of fan mythology. It was said that by overplaying the Sega version of Mortal Kombat with Scorpion, the screen would eventually flaw and flash an alert message on the screen. The message read "ERror MACro" and it would turn Scorpion's yellow outfit red. This was proven to be completely false. Despite repeated references that tried to inform the player that Ermac did not exist, they eventually decided to create him and include him in Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3. This actually refreshed some of the speculations regarding this rumor.

Combat Characteristics

Powers and Abilities

As mentioned above, Ermac is not one person, but an entire collection of souls of warriors brought together into physical form through means of powerful magic, courtesy of Shao Kahn. Due to this, Ermac always refers to himself as a group instead of a single person (saying things such as, "we" and "us", instead of, "I" or "me"). As a result of his very being composing of thousands of souls, Ermac possesses various powers related to them, most commonly in the form of telekinesis, which allows him to manipulate every aspect of living and non-living objects with his mind. In addition to his telekinesis, he is also able to manipulate soul energy because of his composition, which he utilizes in the form of both levitation and firing projectile attacks.

In addition to his soul-based abilities, Ermac is also immensely skilled in physical combat. This may also be a result of the fact that many of the souls that make up his body are that of ancient warriors who possibly are the source of his knowledge of different forms of martial arts. As showcased by Takeda's failed attempt, Ermac is immune to telepathy due to the many minds of the thousands of souls within his body.

While he may not appear to have any at first glance, Ermac does have one major weakness: the Netherrealm itself. Since he is a being created completely by magic, his powers would decrease over time the longer he stays in the realm, weakening the bond holding the souls together and overall threatening his very existence. However, by using a mysterious stone dubbed the Soul Stone Shujinko found for him, he ultimately is protected from this threat.

In MK1, Ermac retains many of his signature skills, but his telekinetic powers are visually reinterpreted as various specters manifesting from his body to grab and assault his enemies. Additionally, Ermac's face as a consequence of being a collection of souls is malleable. While initially appearing gaunt and decayed in his default state, it'll transform into whichever soul in the swarm is the dominant persona, as is with the case of Jerrod.

Signature Moves

• Teleport Punch: Just like Scorpion, Ermac vanishes in a cloud of fire and reappears behind his opponent punching them. This move can also be performed in the air. In MK 2011, he vanishes and reappears through green energy, and the move is named Force Port. In MKX, this is called Teleport and Ermac backhands the opponent in the stomach and when timed correctly, he can continue combos in some instances. Additionally, the attack can be used in the air, called Air Teleport, respectively, and has Ermac kick the opponent in the face when teleporting back. The juggle effect is increased with the airborne version of the attack. In MK1, this attack is called Shifting Spirits and has Ermac run away from the screen before re-appearing behind the opponent and knocking them away with a palm strike. This attack can also have Ermac re-appear in mid-air. The aerial version can have Ermac appear back at the ground level. (UMK3, MKT, MK:SM, MK 2011, MKX, MK1)
  • In MK 2011, the enhanced version is named Teleport. Ermac connects with the first punch and hits them with his elbow to knock the opponent down to the ground.
  • In MKX, the enhanced version is called Force Port, which has Ermac blast the opponent with three quick energy bursts for increased damage and knocking the opponent in the air for a juggle. Due to the bursts, the juggle effect is reduced, however, but is still present.
    • The enhanced airborne version is called Air Force Port, which has Ermac release a single burst to the opponent after kicking them instead of the multiple bursts from the original but retains the juggle effect. Additionally, this version deals slightly less damage than the original at the expense of an increased juggle effect compared to Force Port.
  • In MK1, the enhanced version decreases the distance the opponent is knocked away from Ermac, allowing him to follow up with attacks.
• Telekinetic Slam: Using his telekinetic powers, Ermac lifts his opponent and slams them hard on the ground allowing for a combo. In MK 2011 this is named Force Lift. In MKX, Ermac lifts the opponent up, turns them upside down, and slams them into the ground. (UMK3, MKT, MK:D, MK:SM, MK:A, MK 2011, MKX)
  • The enhanced version is named Telelift. Ermac lifts the opponent and slams them an additional time behind him, before the initial slam. In MKX, Ermac does so with more force, causing a bounce and giving kombo opportunities.
• Hado-Energy: Ermac sends a green zig-zag beam slithering at his opponent. This is named Force Ball in MK 2011 and can be done in the air, which is named Air blast. (UMK3, MKT, MK:D, MK:SM, MK:A, MK 2011)
  • The enhanced version is named Focus Ball, and the enhanced air attack is named Force Blast. The energy produced is larger.
• Soul Ball: Ermac shoots a sphere of soul energy straight at his enemy, which deals damage based on the number of levitating Soul Orbs are around Ermac. The attack can be used in the air, called Air Soul Ball, respectively. Additionally, the effects of each orb differ based on the number of present orbs; (MKX - Master of Souls Variation)
  • 3 Orbs - Deals the original damage and traps the opponent in Soul Energy, setting them up for a free hit. Additionally, Ermac is granted the use of Soul Release on the trapped opponent, causing the energy to explode, dealing more damage and launching the opponent in the air for a juggle.
  • 2 Orbs - Deals 25% more damage but no longer stuns.
  • 1 Orb - Deals 25% less damage. Does not stun opponent.
    • The enhanced version is called Soul Trap, which deals increased damage. Additionally, the enhanced version ignores the number of Soul Orbs that are currently levitating around Ermac, allowing for the enhanced version to stun the opponent regardless of the number of orbs present. Due to stunning the opponent, Ermac is granted the use of Soul Release. The attack can also be used in the air, called Air Soul Trap, respectively and retains the same properties.
• Soul Burst: Ermac releases a short ranged burst of soul energy with his hands. The attack can be used in the air, called Air Soul Burst, respectively. In MK1, this is called Spirit Punch, and it can be delayed and cancelled by dashing. (MKX, MK1)
  • In MKX, the enhanced version is called Soul Blast, which has armor, deals increased damage and knocks the opponent away from Ermac full-screen distance. When compared to the original, the attack takes slightly more time to activate. The enhanced airborne version, called Air Soul Blast, deals no extra damage, however it bounces the opponent off the ground for a juggle.
    • In MK1, the enhanced version is called Soul Blast, which has armor, deals increased damage and knocks the opponent away from Ermac full-screen distance.
• Up Soul Burst: Ermac releases a short ranged burst of soul energy with his hands in a upward diagonal angle which can strike airborne opponents, and grounded opponents at point blank. In some instances, it can be used to continue combos, however this is only granted during a juggle, otherwise, the opponent is knocked away by the blast. (MKX)
  • The enhanced version is called Up Soul Blast, which deals increased damage and knocks the opponent away half way across the arena.
• Mystic Float: Ermac uses his telekinesis to propel himself into the air for a few seconds. In MKX, this is called Hover. (MK:D, MK:A, MK 2011, MKX)
  • Mystic Bomb: After performing Mystic Float, Ermac slams his back down onto the ground, creating a small shock wave. In MK 2011 Ermac does this automatically after a few seconds in the air and is named Hover Slam. The player can delay the slam for a few more seconds as well. Also, while Ermac is in the air, you can cancel into either a Force Port or an Air-blast. In MKX this is called Ground Slam and he dives headfirst into the ground, hitting the ground with both fists, rather than with his back down. While Ermac is in the air, he can also perform his Teleport or an aerial Soul Burst. (MK:D, MK:A, MK 2011, MKX)
    • In MK 2011, the enhanced version is named Levitate Smash and can also be delayed for a short time.
  • Dive Kick: After performing Mystic Float, Ermac dives forward with an aerial kick. (MK:D, MK:A)
• Telekinetic Throw: Ermac telekinetically tosses his opponent across the arena behind him. (MK:D, MK:A)
• Low Telekinetic Toss: Ermac does almost the same as in Telekinetic Throw, but he tosses an enemy making him touch the ground. This move is followed by an uppercut. (MK:SM)
• Telekinetic Air Strike: Ermac makes air pressure much higher so it hits an opponent. Works only while in the air. (MK:SM)
• Telekinetic Tornado: Ermac makes a shield around himself then a lot of small hado-energy projectiles rise up striking the opponent if he is close to Ermac. He uses this move only in the final part of his boss battle. (MK:SM)
• Force Push: Ermac lifts his opponent via telekinesis, floating them backwards helplessly until he strikes them with a telekinetic blast. In MKX, this is called Tele-Choke. (MK 2011, MKX - Mystic Variation)
  • In MK 2011, the enhanced version is named Telepush. Instead of striking them with another telekinetic blast, Ermac flips the opponent upside down and slams them down face first.
  • In MKX, the enhanced version is called Levitate, which has armor, actives much faster and has Ermac recover from the attack much faster. Additionally, Ermac will concentrate while lifting the opponent, draining 50% of a bar of Super Meter and heals Ermac for 5% health while dealing slightly increased damage.
• Tele-Hang: Much like Tele-Lift, Ermac lifts his opponent via telekinesis and flips them upside down. However, in this version, he leaves them floating in the air, allowing for a free hit. If the opponent is not attacked, they take damage by falling headfirst into the ground. This replaces Force Lift in the Mystic Variation. (MKX - Mystic Variation)
  • The enhanced version is called Tele-Hold and is identical to the enhanced version of Force Lift, bouncing the opponent off the ground for a juggle but deals no extra damage.
• Disappear: Ermac uses his soul powers to disappear from the arena and evade any enemy attack for a moment. This replaces his Teleport in the Master of Souls Variation. (MKX - Master of Souls Variation)
  • The enhanced version is called Vanish and makes Ermac disappear faster.
• Soul Charge: Ermac flies straight at his opponent at high speed to hit them with his fists, knocking the opponent down. The attack can be used in the air, called Air Soul Charge, respectively. (MKX - Spectral Variation)
  • The enhanced version is called Spectral Charge, which has armor, deals increased damage and retains the same knockdown effect. The attack can also be used in the air, called Air Spectral Charge, respectively.
• Soul Ascension: Ermac begins to levitate slightly off the ground. While levitating, Ermac can move around and perform both basic attacks and certain special attacks. Ermac can hover for a long time, however not doing anything will force him to return to the ground. Performing special attacks force Ermac to return to the ground. The attack can also be used in the air, called Air Soul Ascension, respectively. This replaces Hover in the Spectral Variation. In MK1, this is known as Suspended Animation (MKX - Spectral Variation, MK1)
• Witch Slam: Ermac lifts his opponent off the ground with psychokinesis and summons a wraith that grabs them by the head and slams them to the ground. (MK1)
  • The enhanced version has the wraith suspend the opponent upside down in the air, leaving them open for attacks.
• Behind You: Ermac summons ghostly hands that grab the opponent and suspend them, while a giant demonic ghost appears behind them and slams them to the ground, lifting them up for Ermac to blast them away. (MK1)
  • The enhanced version is known as Too Late and has the ghost drive its claw through the opponent's back before Ermac blasts them away.
• Death's Embrace: Ermac summons a wraith that coats him in soul energy, making it so that his Super meter takes damage instead of his health bar when he is hit by the opponent. (MK1)
  • Death's Release: Ermac dispels the Death's Embrace aura. (MK1)
• Hungry Hands: While in mid-air, Ermac drops to the ground and sends a streak of soul energy along the ground that trips the opponent up upon contact. (MK1)
  • The enhanced version has ghostly hands grab the opponent's feet instead, immobilizing them and leaving them open for attacks.
• Shrieking Souls: Ermac drops to his knees and releases a font of soul energy from his mouth that knocks the opponent away upon contact. (MK1)
  • The enhanced version deals more damage.

X-Rays/Fatal Blow

• X-Ray Move - Cannonball Slam: Ermac lifts up his opponent with his telekinetic powers and slams them into the ground headfirst, breaking the skull, spine and neck. Ermac then hovers above his enemy with his Mystic Float and does an elbow drop to the opponent's back, crushing their spine and ribs. (MK 2011)
• X-Ray Move - We are Many: Ermac flies up into the air before flying into his opponent with a headbutt, breaking the skull, then flying back up and flying back into them again, this time with a kick to the neck, snapping it (causing the opponent to fall to the ground) and the finally flies down onto the opponent, stepping onto their jaw, breaking it. (MKX)
• Fatal Blow - The Many: Ermac hits the victim with his power. Once his kameo partner does their part, Ermac conjures three soul warriors wielding spears. He telekinetically pulls the victim into the spit. To end it, Ermac turns the trio into a powerful burst which he hurls at the victim. (MK1)

Other Moves

• Throw: Ermac grabs his opponent's head, enveloping it in soul energy, and forces them down to their knees while charging energy in his opposite hand. He then blasts them backwards with a burst of energy, or he shoves them behind himself and blasts them in the back, knocking them down. (MK 2011)
• Psychic Palm: Ermac coats his hands with psychic energy and thrusts them forward. The attack can cancelled by dashing. In MKX this attack is known as Soul Charge and when fully charged the attack will stun the opponent briefly, setting them up for a free hit. The opponent collapses while stunned, and this is considered them in a juggled combo state. (MK 2011, MKX)
• Throw: Ermac grabs his opponent with one hand and lifts off high off the ground with them, throwing them down and then diving onto their chest with a headbutt. (MKX)
• Unstoppable Force: Ermac thrusts his soul energy-coated hands forward, blasts the opponent upwards with a soul burst and hits them in the air with another 2 bursts. (MKX)
• Wrung Out (Backward Throw): Ermac uses ghostly hands to lift the opponent off the ground and snap their bones before tossing them to the ground behind himself. (MK1)
• Sepulcher Slam: Ermac slaps the opponent across the face, delivers a palm strike to their gut, trips their legs and uses psychokinesis to toss them behind himself, slamming them to the ground. (MK1)
• Priest Kaller: Ermac summons ghostly hands to strike the opponent, punches them in the jaw to uppercut them, then uses ghostly hands to suspend them mid-air and turn them face down and teleports above the opponent, slamming down on their back with his knees. (MK1)

Fatalities

• Telekinetic Slams: Ermac repeatedly slams the opponent with his telekinetic powers until they explode. In MK:D, he yells "YES!" after the opponent explodes. (UMK3, MKT, MK:D)
• Uppercut Explosion: Ermac uppercuts his opponent, which explodes on contact. (MKADV)
• Uppercut from Hell: Ermac unleashes a devastating uppercut that decapitates the opponent. (UMK3, MKT)
• Telekinetic Tear: Ermac lifts the victim into the air with his telekinetic powers. With both hands, he brings them together as the opponent's body is suddenly forced into a fetal-like position before spreading the opponent out and rips them in half. (MK:D)
• Boss Fatality: Ermac makes three telekinetic slams, then rises up an enemy and two stones. He powerfully strikes the enemy with these stones. (MK:SM)
• Mind Over Splatter: Ermac lifts his opponent in the air with his powers, then rips off their arms and legs. He then smashes them headfirst into the ground, crushing their head. (MK 2011)
• Pest Control: Ermac shrinks the opponent in a comical fashion with his powers, causing them to start running around in fear. Ermac then violently stomps on the shrunken opponent, and proceeds to wipe his boot off on the ground. This Fatality is somewhat similar to Jax's Boot Squash Fatality in MK3, but Jax grows himself into giant size while Ermac simply shrinks the opponent. (MK 2011)
  • If this Fatality is performed on Kratos, he will start yelling in place at Ermac instead once he is shrunken.
• Inner Workings: Ermac lifts his opponent with his telekinesis and breaks the upper and lower halves of his opponent's body. He then rips out his victim's organs through their mouth and crushes them into a ball, leaving his victim in the air with their guts dangling from their mouth. (MKX)
• Head Out: Ermac rips the victim's head off using his telekinesis, then shoves it downward through the neck and into their body before violently pulling it out through the stomach, spraying blood, guts and intestines before him. The victim's severed head is seen floating in midair near Ermac's hand. (MKX)
• Vitruvian Maim: Ermac lifts his opponent with his telekinesis, with their arms and legs fully outstretched. He then spins the opponent around, separating their hands and feet from their arms and legs, and leaving them hanging upside down. Ermac then spins the opponent around a second time in the opposite direction, severing their arms and legs and placing their severed hands and feet on opposite ends before brutally crushing the opponent's torso into a ball of bloody meat, with their new mismatched limbs and head sticking out amidst a pool of blood. (MK1)
• Swallowed Soul: Ermac delivers a palm strike that removes his opponent's soul from their body. He steps forward, and as he swats the air with both of his hands, he rips the opponent's body in half. Ermac stands before the victim's bisected body, takes a deep breath, and abnormally loosens his jaw. The opponent's soul tries to escape from Ermac, but they are unable to do so. He ingests their soul in chunks, and he grumbles afterwards. (MK1)

Other Finishers

• Friendship: Rabbit Transformation: Ermac levitates the opponent, who disappears and then reappears one instant later transformed into a white rabbit. (UMK3, MKT)
• Friendship # 2: PC-in-the-Box: Ermac winds up a box and a computer erupts out of the box at a dizzied opponent, most likely referencing his origin. (MKADV)
• Animality #1 - Frog With The Mouth: Ermac turns into a frog. It then opens its mouth at the feet of the opponent and then eats them alive. (MKT)
• Animality #2 - We Are Locusts: Ermac turns into a locust swarm that spirals around the victim, shredding their skin and flesh until they become a gore-drenched skeleton. (MK1)
• Hara-Kiri - Head Slams: Ermac kneels and smashes his own head onto the floor until it explodes. (MK:D)
• Babality: Ermac tries to perform a Mystic Float but ends up just getting stuck in the air. Then he starts crying while continuously back-flipping. (MK 2011)

Brutalities

Mortal Kombat X

• Nether Force: Ermac performs an Air Force Port, destroying the flesh around the opponent's torso and arms when he releases the green energy pulse, reducing their upper body to a green skeleton. (MKX)
  • A number of Special Attacks must be performed during the match.
• We Win: Ermac performs a Force Lift, only this time when he drops the opponent on their head, their head explodes on impact with the ground. (MKX)
  • Must connect a number of hits before finishing with Force Lift.
  • In the Mystic Variation, Ermac must perform a second Tele-Hang during the final combo, otherwise the opponent will remain suspended in the air before falling to the ground with no effect.
• Gluttony: Ermac performs a Tele-Hold, only this time instead of dropping the opponent on their head, he rips them in half vertically from the head down while suspending them in the air with telekinesis. (MKX - Mystic Variation)
• Soul Eater: Ermac performs either a Soul Ball or Soul Trap then performs a Soul Release that cause the bound opponent to explode at the waist, causing their upper body to fly into the air before landing on the ground. (MKX - Master of Souls Variation)
  • A combo with a certain number of hits must be performed during the match.
  • 3 Soul Orbs must be active.
• Controlled Chaos: While in the air from a Soul Ascension, Ermac performs either a Soul Charge or Spectral Charge that obliterates the opponent's entire upper body with their arms flying off in the opposite direction. (MKX - Spectral Variation)
  • Soul Charge or Spectral Charge must be performed while using Soul Ascension.

Mortal Kombat 1

• The Klassic: Similar to his UMK3 fatality, when Ermac rips off the head's opponent with a simple uppercut.
• Distorted: Ermac performs his Throw and lifts the opponent with his telekinesis, snapping their limbs before breaking their neck.
• Separate Ways: Ermac performs his Priest Kaller kombo and lifts the opponent with his telekinesis, slowly tearing their body down the middle.
• Old Times: Ermac performs Behind You and lifts the opponent with his telekinesis, repeatedly slamming them against the ground until their body explodes.
• Runaway Soul: Ermac performs Shrieking Souls, blowing off the opponent's upper body as their soul files upwards.
• We Have Won: Ermac performs Spirit Punch and shrinks the opponent to a tiny size, stomping on them and crushing them to a smear.
• Dropped Off: Ermac performs Enhanced Witch Slam and has the wraith lift the opponent much higher, dropping them and crushing their head on impact.
• Transparent: Ermac performs his Returned to the Earth kombo and destroys the opponent's body with a pillar of soul energy, leaving only their head and limbs.

Appearances in Other Media

Film

In the movie Mortal Kombat: Annihilation, Ermac (played by John Medlen) was one of Shao Kahn's generals. Ermac was portrayed as a cunning and mostly quiet character, though he did not hesitate at the opportunity for a power grab after the death of Rain. However, the position of general was awarded to Kahn's wife Sindel. Ermac survived until the final confrontation with Earthrealm warriors, where he did battle with Sonya Blade. Noob Saibot spawns from Ermac's body during the fight to assist him and they nearly slayed Sonya until Jax interfered. Both ninjas are ultimately defeated - Ermac's neck is broken by Sonya, echoing Kano's similar death in the first movie. This version of Ermac refers to himself as "I" instead of "We".

Mortal Kombat: Legacy

Ermac appears in Season Two of Mortal Kombat: Legacy portrayed by Kim Do Nguyen.

While Ermac's appearance is radically different from his game version, he more or less fulfills the same function as one of Shao Kahn's most lethal enforcers, though his history with Kenshi is completely changed. In the series, Ermac is a demon ordered by Shao Kahn to guard the sword Sento, which is hidden in a cave inside a mountain somewhere in Earthrealm specifically Japan. Ermac was ordered to challenge anyone who seeks to remove the blade from where it is impaled in the cave, absorbing their souls and adding them into Ermac himself. It was said that only the Sento itself could kill Ermac if his heart was ever pierced by the blade.

When the ronin warrior Kenshi arrives to claim the blade after learning of its legend from an old man he saved, Ermac confronts him and in their battle, while Kenshi succeeded in removing the blade, Ermac blinded him. Ermac could not pursue after Kenshi, having been mystically bound to the cave where the sword was sealed.

Several years later, Ermac is summoned by Shang Tsung to compete in the Mortal Kombat Tournament, having agreed to take part in it and allowed to leave the cave. Ermac is the first of Shang Tsung's kombatants to face one of Raiden's, specifically his old enemy Kenshi. Seeking to reclaim the sword, Ermac and Kenshi duel in a field, with Kenshi wielding the Sento sword while Ermac used hand-to-hand, and both warriors having improved in skill since their last encounter.

Though he manages to disarm Kenshi of the Sento, Ermac is briefly overpowered by Kenshi's superior martial arts and momentarily caught off guard when Kenshi manifests new telekinetic powers. But Ermac manages to gain the upperhand using his own telekinesis to strangle and knock the ronin over before binding Kenshi with his telekinetic tentacles. Though Ermac's victory seems at hand, Kenshi frees himself using his telekinesis to summon the Sento back to his hand and cut the tentacles off of himself before impaling Ermac through his heart with the very blade he had been sworn to protect.

While Ermac remains stunned and standing, Kenshi then uses a telekinetic pulse to send the blade completely through the demon's heart. Ermac dies, the first to be defeated in the tournament, his body exploding as all the souls he ever consumed are released.

Television

In the animated series, Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm, Ermac had a one-episode appearance in which he and his army attempted to use a non-canon female ninja, Ruby, to defeat Jax and to lure the other warriors to their doom. Ruby proved to be true to her friends on the side of good, however, and Ermac's forces were defeated. Ermac's appearance in this episode was as a normal human who had an allegiance to Shao Kahn and even revealed a goatee and receding hairline when he unmasked. His only inhuman feature was his solid white eyes. He was voiced by Kevin Michael Richardson.

Quotes

Mortal Kombat (2011)

• "We are many; you are but one." (Battle Cry)
• "We are many, You are one. We will destroy you!" (To Liu Kang before their fight)
• "You have disturbed our regeneration process." (To Sub-Zero, Jax, and Sonya)
• "We will break you as well." (To Sub-Zero after he maims Jax Briggs)
• "The emperor will have your soul." (To Stryker before their fight)

Mortal Kombat X

Story Mode

• "Our creator, Shao Kahn, is dead. We will serve whom we choose." (To Mileena before siding with Kotal Kahn)
• "We would serve the new ruler of Outworld." (To Kotal and D'Vorah)
• "We exist to serve, bound by Shao Kahn's magic." (After Takeda attempts to read his mind)
• "We are many; you are one. Your abilities pale before us." (To Takeda before they fight)
• "We sense them. But the forest teems with souls." (To Kotal about Cassie Cage's team)
• "You are spawn of Jackson Briggs." (When recognizing Jacqui Briggs)
• "We took your father's arms. We will take all of you." (To Jacqui before they fight)

Mortal Kombat 1

• "Your soul belongs to us."
• "We are forged from agony and pain."
• "Welcome to the Collective."
• "We see strength in your death."

Story Mode

• "We are Ermac. A collection of souls, bound by Quan Chi's magic. We live to obey his commands."
• "We are many. You are one. We will destroy you."
• "Quan Chi requires your death. His demand will be satisfied." (After Ashrah defeated him in a round)
• "We are charged with defending the fortress. None will escape us."
• "We are Ermac. It is pointless to resist us."
• "We are many. You are one."
• "Your soul will become part of our collection."
• "Defeat is unavoidable. You will join us." (After Mileena lost to him in a round)
• "Uhh... Gah... Raaaaaahhh..." (moans in pain)

Trivia

General

• In the game Skullgirls Encore, the character Fukua has a color palette that is based off of Ermac's colors. This is one of her three color palettes referencing Mortal Kombat, the other two being Reptile and Rain.

Mortal Kombat 3/Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3/Mortal Kombat: Trilogy

• In UMK3, he shared the Uppercut From Hell Fatality with Human Smoke.
• In UMK3, Ermac had a tanned skin complexion, but his player 2 palette depicts him with a Caucasian skin tone. However, in MK Trilogy, the Caucasian skin tone became default.
• Despite his UMK3 ending suggesting that he will return in the "fourth Mortal Kombat", Ermac did not appear at all in either Mortal Kombat 4 or Mortal Kombat Gold.

Mortal Kombat: Deception

• In his Deception ending, he is described by Shujinko as being capable of handling Kung Lao, Sonya, Kitana, Jax, and Johnny Cage all by himself (with relative ease), facing them in the Chamber of Artifacts arena. The five combatants were under the control of Onaga at the time and therefore may have been fighting at significantly less than their full potential, allowing Ermac to effortlessly hold off all five of them at one time. Along with this, it is thought that Ermac was truly aware of Onaga's scheme and the possible consequences of it.
• Because he had taught Kenshi the Telekinetic Slam, it was believed that he was going to be Kenshi's mentor and trainer. This concept was to give him a rather "human" look, but because Ermac is well known to the fans as a ninja, the concept of giving him a human look was dropped (it was also said that his concept made him look too wealthy as well). Also, being Kenshi's mentor didn't make sense since Kenshi is considered to be a skillful and talented warrior himself, so that concept was dropped also. However, Kenshi and Ermac remain as comrades-in-arms in the original timeline.

Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks

• In Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks, one Game Over message reads, "Ask Ermac for Help". This is designed as a hint to the player of how to encounter the hidden boss fight with Ermac at the warrior shrine. Some believe this as a reference to MK:D, however this is very unlikely as the games have yet to have any history in exchanging messages from each other, let alone revealing storyline which has not yet to have taken place. Ermac's appearance at the Warrior´s Shrine (a stage in the first Mortal Kombat) in Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks can be taken as a sort of inside joke, as he was rumored to be in the first Mortal Kombat game; the hoax that appeared on EGM also hinted that, supposedly, the way to fight him had something to do with the Warrior Shrine. Also, he takes the place of the Scorpion statue for who he was originally a palette swap of.

Mortal Kombat: Armageddon

• Ermac also appears in the intro of Armageddon. Ermac is seen briefly in the beginning when he clotheslines Rain as the Forces of Light first run into the Forces of Darkness. After Sheeva sends Bo' Rai Cho and apparently Cyrax flying, he and Nightwolf begin to fight Sheeva with a series of punches. Though unsuccessful, Sheeva almost killed them by choking them, until Kenshi stabs Sheeva with his sword. It was after Kenshi's battle with Quan Chi that Ermac appears to recover, and tosses Quan Chi off of the pyramid. He then jumps into the air and comes down on Kenshi's ribcage while revealing that he is, in fact, Shang Tsung, while the real Ermac was nowhere else to be seen.

Mortal Kombat (2011)

• In MK 2011, Ermac's "Mind Over Splatter" Fatality only seems to rip Sheeva's top arms off, leaving the lower two intact and unharmed.
• His "Pest Control" Fatality seems to be based on Jax's MK3 fatality, where he grew in size and stomped on his opponent, only that in this case, it is the opposite: Ermac shrinks his opponent instead of growing larger.
• He is the only male ninja in MK 2011 to have a Klassic Costume without a Klassic Fatality.
• When he performs his "Pest Control" Fatality on Kratos, Kratos will yell at him instead of running around in fear.
• Story wise, he is, so far, the second character created by Shao Kahn's will, the first being Mileena and the third being Skarlet. Unlike Mileena and Skarlet, he turned against Kahn to act as a heroic being.
• Ermac is the only character whose battle damage concept on one of his outfits was supposed to have his eyeball hanging out.
• Along with Kano, Sektor, Cyrax, and Cyber Sub-Zero, Ermac is one of the few characters who don't have one of their eyeballs stuck to the screen while being victims of Kenshi's "Scatterbrained" Fatality.

Mortal Kombat X

• During Cassie's "Selfie" fatality, it is shown that Ermac has commented on the image as well as several other characters. His username, "It'sNotAirmac", references the past games he was in, such as UMK3, in which the announcer would pronounce his name as "Airmac" rather than "Ermac".
• The concept art of Ermac shows that he had become Shao Kahn's living prison. This had been stated in matches but not the story mode of MKX. This was confirmed by the developers in Ermac's concept art as Shao Kahn seems to be trying to take over Ermac.
• In Mortal Kombat X, Ermac refers to themselves as "me" rather than "us" in intro dialogues with Kung Lao and Tremor.
• In many interactions in MKX, some fighters will sense a single soul fighting for dominance inside Ermac. Other interactions has Ermac state that Shao Kahn's soul is indeed part of his collection of souls. This can further support the idea that Shao Kahn is fighting for control over Ermac's body.
  • Ermac will even say "Feel the wrath of Shao Kahn" in some of his interactions, a quote directly taken from Shao Kahn himself.
• In MKX, Ermac will not say his famous quote "We are many; you are but one" when he wins a match against himself, Triborg, or Ferra and Torr. This is because these fighters are pairs or collections, as none of them are a singular fighters.
  • To himself and Triborg, he will instead say "You are outnumbered".
  • To Ferra & Torr, he will instead say "we are many, you are but two".

Mortal Kombat 11

• Although Ermac is not playable nor appears in the story mode of Mortal Kombat 11, he is frequently referenced when referring to the incident in which Jax lost his arms.
  • Ermac also cameos via Shang Tsung's moveset, where he'll take on Klassic Ermac's appearance and use his Telekinetic Slam move.
• In MK11, Shang Tsung can perform Ermac's Gluttony Brutality from MKX in its entirety when Shang Tsung performs Force Lift as Ermac.

Mortal Kombat 1

• Ermac's virtue is presented as "His Future".
• When fighting Ermac in the Story Mode of Mortal Kombat 1, he reuses assets from Noob Saibot and Shang Tsung's appearances in Mortal Kombat 11. However, in the Khaos Reigns storyline, Ermac's moveset is properly from his current playable DLC counterpart.
• Following Ermac's Egyptian mummy motifs, his second Fatality, Swallowed Soul, features a scene where he opens his mouth wide, paying homage to Arnold Vosloo's Imhotep, the first film in The Mummy franchise. His We Are Locusts animality, where he turns into a swarm of locusts, references an infamous ancient curse associated with the Plagues of Egypt, the locust swarm.
• Excluding Takeda, Cyrax, Sektor, and Noob Saibot, all of whom do not appear in the main story, Ermac is currently the only character whose Union of Light skin is not available in-game.
• If Quan Chi performs his Final Offering fatality on Ermac, his eyes will not glow green, since they are green already.

References

Navigation

Mortal Kombat series - Main Characters This box: view • talk • edit

Ashrah | Baraka | Bi-Han | Blaze | Bo' Rai Cho | Cassie Cage | Cetrion | Chameleon | Cyrax | D'Vorah | Daegon | Dairou | Darrius | Drahmin | Ermac | Erron Black | Ferra | Frost | Fujin | General Shao | Geras | Goro | Hanzo Hasashi | Havik | Hotaru | Hsu Hao | Jacqui Briggs | Jade | Jarek | Jax Briggs | Johnny Cage | Kabal | Kai | Kano | Kenshi | Khameleon | Kintaro | Kira | Kitana | Kobra | Kollector | Kotal Kahn | Kronika | Kuai Liang | Kung Jin | Kung Lao | Kurtis Stryker | Li Mei | Liu Kang | Mavado | Meat | Mileena | Mokap | Moloch | Motaro | Nightwolf | Nitara | Onaga | Quan Chi | Raiden | Rain | Reiko | Reptile | Sareena | Sektor | Shang Tsung | Sheeva | Shinnok | Shujinko | Sindel | Skarlet | Smoke | Sonya Blade | Takeda | Tanya | Taven | Torr | Tremor | Triborg Mortal Kombat series - Minor Characters This box: view • talk • edit Apep | Argus | Caro | Delia | Descendant of Apep | Earth God | Fire God | Floyd | Great Kung Lao | Harumi Hasashi | Hydro | Jataaka | Jerrod | Kalima | Katara Vala | Kharon | Kia | King Gorbak | Madam Bo | No Face | One Being | Orin | Overlord Zeffeero | Satoshi Hasashi | Tasia | Water God Mortal Kombat series - Guest Characters This box: view • talk • edit Conan | Freddy Krueger | Ghostface | Homelander | Jason Voorhees | The Joker | Kratos | Leatherface | Omni-Man | Peacemaker | The Predator | RoboCop | Rambo | Spawn | The Terminator | The T-1000 | The Xenomorph Mortal Kombat series - DC Characters (MKvsDCU) This box: view • talk • edit Batman | Captain Marvel | Catwoman | Dark Kahn | Darkseid | Deathstroke | The Flash | Green Lantern | The Joker | Lex Luthor | Superman | Wonder Woman