Though I doubt Shinnok is the boss, that doesn't exclude the possibility that he is the mastermind behind the events of MKX's conflict. If there's any credit I can give MKA, it's that Shinnok's characterization was perfect, and I'd love to see more of that.

As for Kotal being good? Doubtful. Given the history of horrible shit in Mesoamerican theology, my guess is that Kotal once had a status not too different from Raiden's but lost it for being an asshole. Though it's not clear when Shao Kahn and the gods went separate ways, I think it's safe to say things were on bad terms when it happened. Something similar may have happened to Kotal.

That may be why both characters carry the title of "Kahn." Hell, maybe that's what Kahn means: to be expelled from power for being a douche. The only reason Shinnok is in the Netherrealm and they're not is because they most likely resigned their cause while Shinnok threw a shit fit and declared war on the gods.

Granted, this is all speculation. I have no fucking idea what Kotal is really about.

If Kotal's an Earthrealm god - and this is a big 'if' for me, because the Kahn part of his name gives him an Outworld vibe in my opinion - he's more likely to be evil, or neutral at best.



Their designs are painfully unoriginal and their powers are redundant. While almost any character can be revamped and improved, no name one-off bosses are very unlikely to be reintroduced as full-fledged characters. They'd be good bosses for some MKMSZ-themed challenge tower missions, though.

Earth gods' names pretty much end in -jin, as in Fujin, Kaijin, Suijin. Raiden is a variation of Raijin. At least the Japanese inspired ones. Could work for Aztec though. Do you think Nightwolf worships him?

Shao Kahn is based on a samurai.

Shinnok is based on a Chinese noble.

Are they native to Earthrealm?

I can not imagine supporting Kotal Shinnok. Soon he will be in the right, yes position. Only that I think he is the successor of Shao Kahn in Outworld. The moment the God of Outworld was destroyed it needs to be replaced (Fujin said something similar about the God of Earthrealm in MKD).