Smoke (Mortal Kombat)
Encyclopedia
Smoke, whose real name is Tomas Vrbada, is a fictional character
in the Mortal Kombat
fighting game
series. First appearing as a hidden
unplayable opponent in Mortal Kombat II
, Smoke makes his playable debut in Mortal Kombat 3
as an unlockable character. While Smoke is human in MK2, he becomes a cyborg
in MK3, alongside Cyrax
and Sektor
. As his name suggests, he always has smoke flowing through his body.
, and had gone with him to Outworld on his mission to kill Shang Tsung
. They did not accomplish their mission. When Sub-Zero and Smoke returned to the Lin Kuei, they discovered that their clan had chosen to transform their best warriors into cyborgs, already performing the procedure on Cyrax and Sektor. Smoke and Sub-Zero turned on their clan and fled. Sub-Zero managed to escape, but Smoke was captured and converted into a cybernetic warrior, designated LK-7T2. Under the programming of the Lin Kuei, Smoke was forced to hunt his old friend.
During the events of MK3 and Shao Kahn
's invasion of Earth, Smoke's fortunes continued to fail him. Although he discovered, with Sub-Zero's help, that he still retained his soul and was in fact one of Raiden
's Chosen warriors and aided Sub-Zero in defeating Cyrax and Sektor, he was captured by Kahn's forces. The inert Smoke was transported to Outworld as a trophy and was locked away in the bowels of Kahn's fortress.
Nearly a decade later, however, he was discovered by Noob Saibot
. He reactivated the cyborg, whose nanotechnology set about repairing and improving his systems. Reprogramming Smoke to obey only him, Saibot turned the cyber-ninja into both his ally and template for a future army of cyber-demons that was to rise from the Netherealm. Although Ashrah's ending depicted Smoke's innate goodness battling his cyborg programming, Smoke remained paired with Noob until the next game.
In Mortal Kombat: Armageddon
s Konquest mode, Smoke appears with Noob staging an attack on the Lin Kuei temple located in Arctika. It is shown that Smoke has the ability to transform humans into shadow warriors, dark versions of their former selves. He does battle with Taven but is eventually beaten. He teleports away to inform Noob of Taven's interference with their plan.
In Smoke's Armageddon ending, he defeats Blaze and fuses with his power. His nanobot technology increases and becomes a life of its own. The microscopic machines begin to multiply at an exponential rate
, eventually consuming the entire realm of Edenia until they transform it into a living grey material that calls itself Smoke.
In Mortal Kombat (2011), Smoke is saved from being automated, but his friend Sub-Zero gets automated instead. In his ending, Shao Kahn's violent death shook the very core of Smoke's being and dislodged his earliest memories. Smoke realizes he is no mere assassin, being aware of his true identity.
. In Mortal Kombat Trilogy
, he was given his own set of Fatalities. His human form in UMK3, unlockable by entering a code after selecting his cybernetic form, was initially an actual part of the storyline. His ending described that he was able to somehow escape his artificial body, and had entered training in preparation for Mortal Kombat 4
. However, Mortal Kombat Trilogy retcon
ned this, and his human form was then described as being a non-canon
character, simply how he remembered himself.
Before Smoke was created for Mortal Kombat: Deception
, a tinted Cyrax was used as a filler until the final version of the game was finished. An unlockable photo of him as a tinted Cyrax is in the Krypt.
Unlike previous hidden characters who acquired their own unique special moves and combination attacks upon becoming part of the standard cast, Smoke continued to use techniques identical or similar to other characters through the MK3 series, in both his human and cyber forms. It was not until Mortal Kombat: Deception that Smoke arguably acquired his first original set of moves.
In reboot
game Mortal Kombat (2011), Smoke is once again human and Sub-Zero gets automated instead of him.
Smoke's "Armageddon" fatality is among the most popular fatalities ever and is mentioned in many lists from gaming websites.
, and was played by Ridley Tsui
. He was a silver-colored version of Sektor, as he shot missiles from his chest in lieu of his harpoon. His backstory with Sub-Zero was ignored in the film's non-canon storyline; Smoke was instead sent by Shao Kahn
to keep Liu Kang and Kitana
away from Sindel, but he was collaboratively destroyed by Liu Kang and Sub-Zero.
In the animated series Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm
, Smoke appeared in one episode (titled "Old Friends Never Die"), serving the Lin Kuei clan and seeking Sub-Zero. He is briefly seen in human form in a flashback scene before becoming automated, where it is shown that he and Sub-Zero defected the clan together, but Smoke chose to stay behind at a certain point to help Sub-Zero escape. In the end, Smoke's human soul was able to overpower his programming and he stood to the vow of friendship between him and Sub-Zero. He was voiced by Jeremy Ratchford
.
Smoke makes a very brief appearance in his human form during the ending of one Mortal Kombat: Conquest
episode, following Sub-Zero's betrayal of the Lin Kuei. Smoke is called upon by the clan as the next warrior to be sent to hunt and kill the traitor, at which point he emerges from mist as a faint, grey figure with glowing red eyes.
Smoke appears as a minor character in Malibu Comics
series Battlewave, and appeared on the cover of the third issue along with Jade. He was a hidden assassin of Shao Kahn. He is usually seen with Jade, likely since fans regularly associated them with each other after they appeared in the background of the Living Forest in MKII. Among his abilities, he was capable of turning his entire body into smoke and making himself untouchable (though Jax disposes him easily by opening a hole in the plane they fight on, blowing him out). He would also spout the word "Toasty!" while speaking.
Smoke and Jade are ordered to take down menaces to Shao Kahn's rule. They attempted to kill the hospitalized Jax after Goro attacked him, but Jax stopped their attempt. They then hijacked the plane he and Johnny Cage used to travel to Outworld. Faced with defeat again, their last attempt to regain the emperor's grace was during Raiden and Kano's fight in the third issue of the miniseries Rayden & Kano, where they tried to kill a weakened Raiden, but were instead stopped by Kano himself.
named Smoke, along with Cyrax and Sektor as the first on the list of "gaming's most malicious machines", commenting "no one does killer cyborgs quite like MK." Game Rant ranked Smoke at #3 on their "10 Most Awesome Mortal Kombat Characters" list, citing his teleport uppercut and harpoon special moves. Game Rant also listed his "Smoked Out" fatality from MK 2011 as an honorable mention on their "Top 10 Fatalities Of Mortal Kombat 9 (2011)" list, praising it's uniqueness, as well listing Cyber Smoke as their most wanted DLC character for MK 2011. Paste
also ranked his "Smoked Out" fatality as the 7th best from that game. ScrewAttack
listed Smoke as the 5th best character on their "Top 10 Mortal Kombat Kharacters" list, commenting "With Scorpion's harpoon and Reptile's invisibility, this is one ninja you do not want to screw with". Topless Robot listed Smoke as the 8th goofiest Mortal Kombat character, commenting that the smoke flowing around his body is weird and his fatality from MK3 where he blows the whole planet.
That same fatality appears to be one of the most popular fatalities. It was listed as the best fatality ever by IGN
and the most confusing fatality by Game Informer
. That fatality was also listed as the best fatality ever and the 2nd most gruesome finishing move by UGO Networks. GameSpy
ranked that fatality as #9 on their "10 Biggest Video Game Explosion" list.
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
in the Mortal Kombat
Mortal Kombat (series)
Mortal Kombat, commonly abbreviated MK, is a science fantasy series of fighting games created by Ed Boon and John Tobias. The first four renditions and their updates were developed by Midway Games and initially released on arcade machines. The arcade titles were later picked up by Acclaim...
fighting game
Fighting game
Fighting game is a video game genre where the player controls an on-screen character and engages in close combat with an opponent. These characters tend to be of equal power and fight matches consisting of several rounds, which take place in an arena. Players must master techniques such as...
series. First appearing as a hidden
Secret character
A secret character can be a player character or a non-player character in a video game that must be unlocked by completing a goal within the game...
unplayable opponent in Mortal Kombat II
Mortal Kombat II
Mortal Kombat II is a competitive fighting game originally produced by Midway Games for the arcades in . It is the second game in the Mortal Kombat series. Like its predecessor, various home versions were produced...
, Smoke makes his playable debut in Mortal Kombat 3
Mortal Kombat 3
Mortal Kombat 3 is a fighting game developed by Midway and released in 1995, first as an arcade game. It is the third game in the Mortal Kombat series...
as an unlockable character. While Smoke is human in MK2, he becomes a cyborg
Cyborg
A cyborg is a being with both biological and artificial parts. The term was coined in 1960 when Manfred Clynes and Nathan S. Kline used it in an article about the advantages of self-regulating human-machine systems in outer space. D. S...
in MK3, alongside Cyrax
Cyrax
Cyrax is a fictional character in the Mortal Kombat series. Making his debut in Mortal Kombat 3, Cyrax is a cyborg ninja who used to be human until he was automated, along with Sektor and Smoke.-In video games:...
and Sektor
Sektor
Sektor is a fictional character in the Mortal Kombat series. Making his debut in Mortal Kombat 3 in 1995, Sektor is a cyborg ninja who used to be human until he was automated, along with Cyrax and Smoke....
. As his name suggests, he always has smoke flowing through his body.
In video games
Smoke started out as a Lin Kuei assassin. He was a friend and ally of the younger Sub-ZeroSub-Zero (Mortal Kombat)
Sub-Zero is the name given to two video game characters from the Mortal Kombat series. The older Sub-Zero first appeared in the first Mortal Kombat game, being replaced by his younger brother in Mortal Kombat II and the subsequent games...
, and had gone with him to Outworld on his mission to kill Shang Tsung
Shang Tsung
Shang Tsung is a boss and player character in the Mortal Kombat fighting game series. A powerful and deadly sorcerer and a primary antagonist in the Mortal Kombat series, Shang Tsung is a shapeshifter who absorbs the souls of those he slays in order to maintain his youth and power...
. They did not accomplish their mission. When Sub-Zero and Smoke returned to the Lin Kuei, they discovered that their clan had chosen to transform their best warriors into cyborgs, already performing the procedure on Cyrax and Sektor. Smoke and Sub-Zero turned on their clan and fled. Sub-Zero managed to escape, but Smoke was captured and converted into a cybernetic warrior, designated LK-7T2. Under the programming of the Lin Kuei, Smoke was forced to hunt his old friend.
During the events of MK3 and Shao Kahn
Shao Kahn
Shao Kahn is a boss, announcer and recurring playable character from the Mortal Kombat fighting game series. The main antagonist in the Mortal Kombat series, Shao Kahn is the Emperor of Outworld known for his godlike strength, extreme brutality and knowledge of black magic...
's invasion of Earth, Smoke's fortunes continued to fail him. Although he discovered, with Sub-Zero's help, that he still retained his soul and was in fact one of Raiden
Raiden (Mortal Kombat)
Raiden is a player character in the Mortal Kombat fighting game series. Raiden, also known as Lord Raiden, is a thunder god of the Mortal Kombat universe and protector of Earthrealm. He commands many supernatural abilities such as the ability to teleport, control over lightning, and flight...
's Chosen warriors and aided Sub-Zero in defeating Cyrax and Sektor, he was captured by Kahn's forces. The inert Smoke was transported to Outworld as a trophy and was locked away in the bowels of Kahn's fortress.
Nearly a decade later, however, he was discovered by Noob Saibot
Noob Saibot
Noob Saibot is a video game character from the Mortal Kombat fighting game series. He debuted as a hidden character in Mortal Kombat II , although the later game Mortal Kombat: Deception established his true identity as that of the original Sub-Zero, who was killed by his nemesis Scorpion after...
. He reactivated the cyborg, whose nanotechnology set about repairing and improving his systems. Reprogramming Smoke to obey only him, Saibot turned the cyber-ninja into both his ally and template for a future army of cyber-demons that was to rise from the Netherealm. Although Ashrah's ending depicted Smoke's innate goodness battling his cyborg programming, Smoke remained paired with Noob until the next game.
In Mortal Kombat: Armageddon
Mortal Kombat: Armageddon
Mortal Kombat: Armageddon is the seventh game in the Mortal Kombat fighting game series. The PlayStation 2 version was released in stores on October 11, 2006 while the Xbox version was released on the October 16, with a Wii version released on May 29, 2007 in North America.The game was not released...
s Konquest mode, Smoke appears with Noob staging an attack on the Lin Kuei temple located in Arctika. It is shown that Smoke has the ability to transform humans into shadow warriors, dark versions of their former selves. He does battle with Taven but is eventually beaten. He teleports away to inform Noob of Taven's interference with their plan.
In Smoke's Armageddon ending, he defeats Blaze and fuses with his power. His nanobot technology increases and becomes a life of its own. The microscopic machines begin to multiply at an exponential rate
Grey goo
Grey goo is a hypothetical end-of-the-world scenario involving molecular nanotechnology in which out-of-control self-replicating robots consume all matter on Earth while building more of themselves, a scenario known as ecophagy .Self-replicating machines of the macroscopic variety were originally...
, eventually consuming the entire realm of Edenia until they transform it into a living grey material that calls itself Smoke.
In Mortal Kombat (2011), Smoke is saved from being automated, but his friend Sub-Zero gets automated instead. In his ending, Shao Kahn's violent death shook the very core of Smoke's being and dislodged his earliest memories. Smoke realizes he is no mere assassin, being aware of his true identity.
Character design
Smoke was an unplayable gray clone of Scorpion in MKII, and in UMK3, he shared his uppercut decapitation Fatality with ErmacERMAC
ERMAC is a forum in which risk management professionals can nurture relationships with other risk management professionals. It also provides a forum in which these professionals can discuss topical energy risk management issues and ideas...
. In Mortal Kombat Trilogy
Mortal Kombat Trilogy
Mortal Kombat Trilogy is a fighting game developed and published by Midway in 1996. It is a compilation of content from the previous Mortal Kombat titles, based primarily upon the gameplay mechanics of Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3...
, he was given his own set of Fatalities. His human form in UMK3, unlockable by entering a code after selecting his cybernetic form, was initially an actual part of the storyline. His ending described that he was able to somehow escape his artificial body, and had entered training in preparation for Mortal Kombat 4
Mortal Kombat 4
Mortal Kombat 4 is the fourth main game in the Mortal Kombat series of fighting video games developed by Midway Games. Released to arcades in 1997, Mortal Kombat 4 is the first title from the series to use 3D computer graphics as well as one of the first games that Midway made in 3D. Eurocom later...
. However, Mortal Kombat Trilogy retcon
Retcon
Retroactive continuity is the alteration of previously established facts in a fictional work. Retcons are done for many reasons, including the accommodation of sequels or further derivative works in a series, wherein newer authors or creators want to revise the in-story history to allow a course...
ned this, and his human form was then described as being a non-canon
Canon (fiction)
In the context of a work of fiction, the term canon denotes the material accepted as "official" in a fictional universe's fan base. It is often contrasted with, or used as the basis for, works of fan fiction, which are not considered canonical...
character, simply how he remembered himself.
Before Smoke was created for Mortal Kombat: Deception
Mortal Kombat: Deception
Mortal Kombat: Deception is a fighting game developed and published by Midway as the sixth installment for the Mortal Kombat series. It was released for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox in October 2004, while a Nintendo GameCube version was published in March 2005. Mortal Kombat: Deception follows the...
, a tinted Cyrax was used as a filler until the final version of the game was finished. An unlockable photo of him as a tinted Cyrax is in the Krypt.
Unlike previous hidden characters who acquired their own unique special moves and combination attacks upon becoming part of the standard cast, Smoke continued to use techniques identical or similar to other characters through the MK3 series, in both his human and cyber forms. It was not until Mortal Kombat: Deception that Smoke arguably acquired his first original set of moves.
In reboot
Reboot
Reboot can refer to:* Rebooting , an event sequence when restarting a computer* ReBoot, a Canadian CGI-animated television series* ReBoot , a video game based on the television series...
game Mortal Kombat (2011), Smoke is once again human and Sub-Zero gets automated instead of him.
Gameplay
When first appear in MKII, Smoke's moveset was identical to that of Scorpion. In MK3, he borrows Reptile's invisibility and Sektor's teleport uppercut. It's not until Deception that Smoke starts to utilize a more unique moveset, using the smoke from his body as part of his special moves. In MK 2011, Smoke's moveset gets a big overhaul. Unlike most characters, most of his special moves are new to that game.Smoke's "Armageddon" fatality is among the most popular fatalities ever and is mentioned in many lists from gaming websites.
In other media
The robot version of Smoke appeared in Mortal Kombat: AnnihilationMortal Kombat: Annihilation
Mortal Kombat: Annihilation is a 1997 American martial arts action film that was the sequel to 1995's Mortal Kombat, and was directed by John R. Leonetti, who had served as the cinematographer for the previous film...
, and was played by Ridley Tsui
Ridley Tsui
Ridley Tsui is an actor, director and action choreographer of martial arts films....
. He was a silver-colored version of Sektor, as he shot missiles from his chest in lieu of his harpoon. His backstory with Sub-Zero was ignored in the film's non-canon storyline; Smoke was instead sent by Shao Kahn
Shao Kahn
Shao Kahn is a boss, announcer and recurring playable character from the Mortal Kombat fighting game series. The main antagonist in the Mortal Kombat series, Shao Kahn is the Emperor of Outworld known for his godlike strength, extreme brutality and knowledge of black magic...
to keep Liu Kang and Kitana
Kitana (Mortal Kombat)
Kitana is a recurring player and a one-time boss character in the Mortal Kombat fighting game series. One of the lead characters of the Mortal Kombat saga, Kitana is the princess of the otherdimensional realm of Edenia and the daughter of Queen Sindel...
away from Sindel, but he was collaboratively destroyed by Liu Kang and Sub-Zero.
In the animated series Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm
Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm
Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm, also known as Mortal Kombat: The Animated Series, is a cartoon series based on the popular Mortal Kombat video game series...
, Smoke appeared in one episode (titled "Old Friends Never Die"), serving the Lin Kuei clan and seeking Sub-Zero. He is briefly seen in human form in a flashback scene before becoming automated, where it is shown that he and Sub-Zero defected the clan together, but Smoke chose to stay behind at a certain point to help Sub-Zero escape. In the end, Smoke's human soul was able to overpower his programming and he stood to the vow of friendship between him and Sub-Zero. He was voiced by Jeremy Ratchford
Jeremy Ratchford
Jeremy Ratchford is a Canadian actor. He starred as Nick Vera on the TV series Cold Case.While in Canada, Ratchford played Marvel Comic book character Banshee in a live action version of Generation X TV movie...
.
Smoke makes a very brief appearance in his human form during the ending of one Mortal Kombat: Conquest
Mortal Kombat: Conquest
Mortal Kombat: Konquest is an American martial arts television series that aired for one season from 1998 to 1999, and was based on the popular Mortal Kombat fighting game series. The program was filmed at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Orlando, Florida.-Storyline:"In each of us there burns a soul...
episode, following Sub-Zero's betrayal of the Lin Kuei. Smoke is called upon by the clan as the next warrior to be sent to hunt and kill the traitor, at which point he emerges from mist as a faint, grey figure with glowing red eyes.
Smoke appears as a minor character in Malibu Comics
Malibu Comics
Malibu Comics was an American comic book publisher active in the late 1980s and early 1990s, best known for its Ultraverse line of superhero titles. The company's headquarters was in Calabasas, California. Malibu imprints included Aircel Comics and Eternity Comics...
series Battlewave, and appeared on the cover of the third issue along with Jade. He was a hidden assassin of Shao Kahn. He is usually seen with Jade, likely since fans regularly associated them with each other after they appeared in the background of the Living Forest in MKII. Among his abilities, he was capable of turning his entire body into smoke and making himself untouchable (though Jax disposes him easily by opening a hole in the plane they fight on, blowing him out). He would also spout the word "Toasty!" while speaking.
Smoke and Jade are ordered to take down menaces to Shao Kahn's rule. They attempted to kill the hospitalized Jax after Goro attacked him, but Jax stopped their attempt. They then hijacked the plane he and Johnny Cage used to travel to Outworld. Faced with defeat again, their last attempt to regain the emperor's grace was during Raiden and Kano's fight in the third issue of the miniseries Rayden & Kano, where they tried to kill a weakened Raiden, but were instead stopped by Kano himself.
Reception
GamesRadarGamesRadar
GamesRadar is a multi-format video game website featuring regular news, previews, reviews, videos, and guides. It is owned and operated simultaneously in the UK and US by worldwide publisher Future Publishing...
named Smoke, along with Cyrax and Sektor as the first on the list of "gaming's most malicious machines", commenting "no one does killer cyborgs quite like MK." Game Rant ranked Smoke at #3 on their "10 Most Awesome Mortal Kombat Characters" list, citing his teleport uppercut and harpoon special moves. Game Rant also listed his "Smoked Out" fatality from MK 2011 as an honorable mention on their "Top 10 Fatalities Of Mortal Kombat 9 (2011)" list, praising it's uniqueness, as well listing Cyber Smoke as their most wanted DLC character for MK 2011. Paste
Paste (magazine)
Paste is a monthly music and entertainment digital magazine published in the United States by Wolfgang's Vault. Its tagline is "Signs of Life in Music, Film and Culture."-History:...
also ranked his "Smoked Out" fatality as the 7th best from that game. ScrewAttack
ScrewAttack
ScrewAttack . is a video game-related website that showcases original entertainment for an audience of video game enthusiasts. Its content is also shown on GameTrailers and IGN...
listed Smoke as the 5th best character on their "Top 10 Mortal Kombat Kharacters" list, commenting "With Scorpion's harpoon and Reptile's invisibility, this is one ninja you do not want to screw with". Topless Robot listed Smoke as the 8th goofiest Mortal Kombat character, commenting that the smoke flowing around his body is weird and his fatality from MK3 where he blows the whole planet.
That same fatality appears to be one of the most popular fatalities. It was listed as the best fatality ever by IGN
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
and the most confusing fatality by Game Informer
Game Informer
Game Informer is an American-based monthly magazine featuring articles, news, strategy, and reviews of popular video games and associated consoles. It was formed in August 1991, when FuncoLand started publishing a six-page magazine, free in all its retail locations...
. That fatality was also listed as the best fatality ever and the 2nd most gruesome finishing move by UGO Networks. GameSpy
GameSpy
GameSpy Industries, Inc., known simply as GameSpy, is a division of IGN Entertainment, which operates a network of game websites and provides online video game-related services and software. GameSpy dates back to the 1996 release of an internet Quake server search program named QSpy. The current...
ranked that fatality as #9 on their "10 Biggest Video Game Explosion" list.