Baraka

**Baraka** is a character in the *Mortal Kombat* fighting game series, who made his debut in *Mortal Kombat*.

## About Baraka

Baraka was introduced as a mean, unforgiving, and unpredictable warrior in service of The Emperor Of Outworld, (Shao Kahn) in *Mortal Kombat II*. He belongs to a race of nomadic mutants, later revealed in *Mortal Kombat: Deception* to be called Tarkata, a crossbreed between vile Netherrealm demons and denizens of Outworld, apparently populating the vast wastelands of Outworld. Like most members of his race, Baraka possesses long blades extending from his forearms. Although he has had numerous incursions with the Earthrealm warriors, he does not appear to have any particular rivalry or hatred towards Earth or its inhabitants. As a loyal warrior, he fights for those whom he calls "master".

## Character development

While brainstorming possible character ideas for *Mortal Kombat II*, several designers visited a local costume shop and found a Nosferatu mask. They painted the mask to enhance its horrifying appearance and added false fingernails to appear as long fangs. This mask was worn by Richard Divizio, the actor who portrayed Baraka in the game. In a video interview, on the bonus DVD included with the special edition of *Mortal Kombat: Deception*, Divizio stated that the mask was a "skin-tight" fit, and throughout his motion capture filming, he was sweating profusely. *"He was a pretty cool character,"* Divizio said to *Electronic Gaming Monthly* in 1994, *"but I didn't like him too much."*

Early Baraka concept art by character designer John Tobias portrayed him as a masked, bald human ninja armed with hookswords. The swords were later used by Kabal — also played by Divizio — in *Mortal Kombat 3*.

Another Baraka concept portrayed him as a creature with extra-long, metal talon-studded, muscular arms, but it was felt this might create an unfair reach advantage and so was re-sketched with blades inspired by the *X-Men's* Wolverine, whose claws extend from his hands.

The third and final attempt at a Baraka design included a full head of black hair tied up in a bun, and a large red dot on his belt to go along with his familiar red-and-white tunic and black pants. The red dot, added simply as a decoration, was axed because it was misinterpreted as symbolizing the red dot on the Japanese flag, and the hair was gone shortly thereafter, finalizing Baraka's bald look used throughout the *MK* series.

In *MKF*, Baraka now has two little spikes coming out on each of his upper face cheeks; making him more unique and easier to identify among other Tarkatans.

## Game Information

In the early stages of *Mortal Kombat II*, Baraka was going to be given a fatality in which he would slice his opponent's stomach open and let their entrails spill to the ground. This was actually deemed too gory, even for Mortal Kombat by the development team and still has not been seen in game-form. This would eventually become Kabal's fatality in*Mortal Kombat 2011*.

Baraka's biggest drawback in his first appearance was that he lacked a moving special attack, and was thusly considered to be a low-tier character. Although only he and Jax (a high-tier) shared this problem, Jax's other specials were considered much better than Baraka's. This, combined with a bug that allowed opponents to leg sweep Baraka far out of normal range during his Blade Spark (due to a forward-extended blade when firing it), ensured his place near the bottom. Baraka was given better special moves in later games to improve his repertoire, and the sweep bug was fixed.

In *Mortal Kombat Gold*, Baraka has a scar lined with large metal staples splitting his body straight down the middle. According to a render of Baraka and Mileena found in *Deception* 's Krypt, this was the end result of Baraka's brush with Kung Lao's Hat Slice fatality during *Mortal Kombat Trilogy* (although this fatality is only usable in *MK2* and *Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks*). Baraka survived the attack and the staples were implemented to hold his body together while he healed. However, an unused bio for Baraka had him dying from Kung Lao's attack and being revived by Shinnok. This bio was released in a few strategy guides for the game, sparking the misconception that he had actually died.

In *Mortal Kombat: Deception*, after the use of a special move, Baraka's blades which came out in the process of the move would slide back in without a sound. However, if the player executes a special move in the Blade style, the blades will never shoot back in. Baraka is also revealed to be "The Scourge Of Outworld". This is the exact title given to Kintaro in the Malibu series of *Mortal Kombat* comics. Also, if Baraka is defeated in the first round, he will lift himself up using his blades and start the next round using his blades as his fighting style. He is the only character to switch to or remain in his weapon style after being defeated. All other characters revert to their first fighting style if using weapons, or remain in the same style if not.

In *Mortal Kombat: Armageddon* and in *Mortal Kombat: Deception*, Baraka is playable in all the mini-games available, these include Chess Kombat, Puzzle Kombat, and Motor Kombat.

## Bios

* **Mortal Kombat** - *"Baraka is the fiercest of the Tarkatans, vicious nomadic mutants from the wastes of Outworld. Like all Tarkatan males, he joined Shao Kahn's army once he came of age and survived the brutal Ritual of Blood. He gained the rank of Enforcer after single-handedly defeating a rebel faction. His loyalty and strength make him a favorite of the emperor; his retractable blades have slain many of Shao Kahn's most bitter enemies. As a kontestant in the Mortal Kombat tournament, he will ensure his emperor's claim to Earthrealm."*

## Kombat Characteristics

### Power and Abilities

As a Tarkatan, Baraka possesses greater stamina and fighting power than a normal human, along with his trademark weapon - the Tarkatan blades that extend from his forearms. He is also shown in many cases to have a highly acute sense of smell, as he can tell the true identity of targets by their scent, and a potent healing factor, as he was able to survive Kung Lao's vertical hat slice fatality in the events of *Mortal Kombat Trilogy* (though he required giant staples to hold his body together).

## Movelist

### Signature Moves

* **Flying Shard:** Baraka fires a spark by scraping his blades together and aiming at his opponent. This is called **Spark** in *MK 2011*.
	+ The enhanced version is called **Sparked**. Baraka fires a bigger spark which causes a knockdown as well as increases the damage.
* **Chop Chop Blades:** Baraka slices his opponent up vertically with his blades numerous times. In *MK vs DCU*, he follows up with his **Mutant Blades** move. In *MK 2011* Baraka repeatedly stabs his opponent in the gut rather than slashing them, and is only called **Chop Chop**.
	+ The enhanced version is called **Chop Chop Shop** and stabs the opponent two more times.
* **Blade Swipe:** Baraka performs a quick, strong swipe at the opponent with his blade. This move is implemented an advancing auto-combo move called **Slices** in *MK 2011*.
	+ The enhanced version is called **Slicer**. Baraka adds an uppercut to the end of the **Slices** combo.
* **Blade Spin:** Baraka would spin like a top with his blades extended, damaging his opponent. Baraka could spin indefinitely in the *MKT* version of this move.
	+ The enhanced version is called **Spinner** and connects with two more slices in his vicious spin.
* **Blade Charge:** Baraka quickly lunges at his opponent with both blades out. In *MK vs DCU*, this move appears after Baraka's Chop Chop Blades connects.
	+ The enhanced version is called **Blade Rush**. This increases the damage and range.
* **Scrape Kick:** Baraka releases his Tarkatan Blades and launches at his opponent with his legs. This move is a command attack rather than a special move. Baraka is very vulnerable if this attack misses his foe completely.

####  Blade Master

Gains combos utilizing his blades. His blades are extended out and glow red.

* **Scrape Kick:** Baraka releases his Tarkatan Blades and launches at his opponent with his legs. This move is a command attack rather than a special move in *MK 2011*. Baraka is very vulnerable if this attack misses his foe completely.
* **Triple Flying Shard**: Baraka jumps high and shoots three shards at once.
* **Air Blade Spin:** After a jump, Baraka spins like a top, damaging his opponent.

#### Primitive

Gains Tarkatan Rage and Pounce. Markings appear on his body, and his clothes are ripped up.

* **Tarkatan Rage:** Baraka bites himself, reducing his damage for a period of time. (*Primitive Variation*)
	+ The enhanced version is called **Tarkatan Fury**. Baraka will bite himself two times, reducing his damage twice.
* **Pounce:** Baraka pounces at the opponent, attacking them with a flurry of slashes.
	+ The enhanced version is called **Tarkatan Pounce**. After slashing, Baraka throws the opponent away.

#### Tarkatan General

Gains Tarkatan Launch and Blade Deflect. He wears the general's helmet.

* **Tarkatan Launch:** The Tarkatan grunt appears, dive-bombing at the opponent with their blades out. Has **Close**, **Mid** and **Far** versions.
	+ The enhanced version is called **Tarkatan Sacrifice**. The Tarkatan grunt is loaded with bombs, diving at the opponent's feet: doing more damage.
* **Blade Deflect:** Baraka deflects projectiles away by using his blades.
	+ The enhanced version is called **Blade Reflect** and instead of deflecting projectiles, Baraka reflects projectiles back at the opponent.

### Other Moves

* **Throw:** Baraka lifts his opponent up in a choke, then promptly extends his blades through their face before either kicking them off.
* **Reverse Throw:** Baraka lifts his opponent up in a choke, then promptly extends his blades through their face before flings them away.

### X-Ray Move

* **Nail and Impale:** Baraka rushes forward, impaling his opponent with both blades & lifts them up like in his MK2 fatality. He then rams his left blade through their carotid artery damaging the neck, throat and jaw and then through the eye socket causing damage in the skull. After this, Baraka kicks the opponent off his blades and they'll go flying back with a trail of blood.

## Finishing Moves

### Fatalities

* **Blade Lift:** Extending both blades, Baraka stabs his opponent in the torso and lifts him/her high. The victim screams and flails about helplessly before expiring, the limp form twitching as it slides down the deadly shears. In *Shaolin Monks*, Baraka spreads out his arms, cutting the torso into pieces.
* **Slicey McSlicer:** Baraka releases his blades and starts chopping up his opponent into thinly cut slices from top to bottom. The opponent falls into thinly sliced pieces afterwards.

### Brutalities

* **The Slicer:** Using his Tarkatan blades, Baraka spins his arms around like a helicopter, while in front of the opponent, cutting off their arms. After that, Baraka stabs his opponent in the gut, killing them, then throws their dead body away.
* **Sectioned Off:** Using **Chop Chop Shop**, Baraka continues chopping, but faster as the opponent screams once he stops, they being julienned.
* **Open Split:** Baraka slices (uppercuts with his claws) the opponent up from the middle. Their body opens up and all inside will pile out and the now-empty body falls on the ground. (*Blade Master Variation*)
* **Bloodthirsty:** While under the influence of **Tarkatan Rage**, Baraka pounces at the opponent, ending the attack with a headbutt; carving their head in. (*Primitive Variation*)
* **Kamikaze:** The bombed Tarkatan grunt grabs the opponent and explodes, the opponent's lower body is destroyed and they struggles a bit before giving up. (*Tarkatan General Variation*)

## Sequences

### Battle Intro

Baraka walks onto the battlefield and sharpens his blades. He then says, “My blades will find your heart!”

### Victory Pose

Baraka carves the ground around him like a circle with his blades and crosses his arms, forming an X with his blades out.

## Trivia

* His name means "*bless*" in Arabic and "*blessing*" in Swahili.
* Baraka is the first character to swear in the comic book series and the franchise overall. He interrogated a monk while searching for Kung Lao and tells him: "Well, have a wild fucking guess!" when the monk seems unresponsive.
* His *MKII* design is carried over into *Deception* and *Armageddon* as an alternate costume.
* He was rumored to be playable in MK3 and UMK3 via Shang Tsung transformation, with a look similar to Kano's, but with a white stripe. This rumor was proven false by tests and experiments on MK3 and UMK3.
* Before *Deception*, many fans believed Baraka was dead due to a cutscene recording his death in *Mortal Kombat Gold* that could be unlocked in the Krypt of *Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance*. The other *Gold* endings were unlocked as a montage while Baraka's ending was a stand-alone unlockable, furthering this belief.
* In *Mortal Kombat Gold*, if Meat is selected using Baraka, or Quan Chi uses his Fatality using his Fatality Steal Fatality, Baraka's entire forearms will replace either characters' forearms to accomodate the use of Tarkatan Blades.
* In *Deception*, he used the Hung Gar fighting style that Reptile had in *Deadly Alliance*. Drahmin then used the same fighting style in *Armageddon*.
* In Konquest mode of *Deception*, while learning his blade style, an unusual glitch causes his blade to flash purple when he congratulates the player for completing a task.
* Baraka is seen in the opening scene of *Armageddon* fighting Kung Lao and is later seen being hit by Shao Kahn's hammer atop the pyramid. In *MK 2011*, he is seen with his head split in half with Kung Lao's hat in between his halved head, while his left arm is missing but later shown in the spine of Sub-Zero, leading many to believe Baraka killed Sub-Zero but was then killed by Kung Lao.
* In his ending in *MK vs DCU*, Baraka and the Tarkata become the MK counterpart of the DC comics' alien race, The Dominators.
* In the short-film *Mortal Kombat: Rebirth*, Baraka has a much different origin. Instead of being a Tarkatan, he is depicted as a plastic surgeon, who accidentally killed a patient but has since then killed dozens of others on purpose. Ashamed of being named a failure, he pierces parts of his face, sharpens his teeth and has surgically applied metal blades on each of his forearms. In this film, his real name turns out to be 'Alan Zane'.
* His alternate costume in *MK 2011* is similar to his armor from *MK vs DCU* and *Armageddon*.
* In *MK 2011*, if Baraka performs a Stage Fatality on the PS3 Exclusive Chamber of the Flame, his Tarkatan Blade will pierce through the opponent as he holds them over the three Fatality choices.
* Along with Nightwolf, Sonya, Kabal, and Quan Chi, Baraka never appears in *Mortal Kombat (2011)*'s Story Mode in his alternate costume (with the exception of the intro).
* Baraka's *MK 2011* Ladder Ending is the only one in which Shao Kahn is not physically killed.
* Baraka's **Mutant Dissection** Fatality is seen briefly during the movie *40 Year Old Virgin*, followed by one of Sub-Zero's fatalities. However, there is no way for two whole matches to be completed in the short amount of time that passes.
	+ They are also seen using Nintendo 64 controllers, despite the fact that they are playing Deception on the Xbox. This is done intentionally for comedic effect.
* Baraka's death in the original timeline mirrors that of his encounter with Kung Lao in MKII, and subsequent reappearance in Mortal Kombat Gold, where he was on the receiving end of his **Vertical Slice** finisher.
* In *MKX*, a non-canon storyline shows an Alien chestbursted out of him.