Bio:
- Name: Baraka
- Age: Unknown
- Weight: 127 kg
- Height: 6’5
- Gender: Male
- Resides: Outworld
- Race: Tarkatan
- Eye Color: orange
- Status: Deceased
- Alignment: Evil
Baraka was introduced as a mean, unforgiving, and unpredictable warrior in service of the Emperor of Outworld. He belongs to a race of nomadic mutants, a crossbreed between vile Netherrealm demons and denizens of Outworld, called tarkata. They apparently populated 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.
Mortal Kombat II
In the events leading up to the second Mortal Kombat tournament, Baraka led the attack on the Wu Shi Academy in Earthrealm. Enraged, Liu Kang sought vengeance as predicted by Shao Kahn. During the ensuing tournament, Baraka partnered with Mileena to overthrow Shao Kahn and rule Outworld, but their plan never came to fruition. Mileena was murdered by Kitana and Baraka was sent away to the lowlands of Outworld.
Mortal Kombat Gold
Following Shao Kahn’s fall from power, Baraka escaped and spent time traveling alone. Baraka encountered the necromancer Quan Chi while wandering through Edenia. Quan Chi offered Baraka a chance to rule the realm at his side if he agreed to join the army of Shinnok. Eager for battle, he readily accepted. Once again Baraka planned to betray his new masters, but after Shinnok was defeated by Liu Kang, his opportunity was lost once again.
Mortal Kombat: Deception
Baraka would find a new master, Onaga, The Dragon King, in whose strength he had great faith. After freeing Mileena from her prison, Baraka recruited her to Onaga’s ranks. She posed as Princess Kitana, using her position to misdirect the Edenian forces into combat against the Tarkatan raiding parties well away from Onaga. This was intended to give the Dragon King the time he needed to complete his schemes. However, she gave command of Kitana’s army to Bo’ Rai Cho. From inspiration by Liu Kang’s spirit, his forces defeated many Tarkatans, which angered Baraka. Although Mileena agreed to meet him in the Beetle Lair, Baraka decided to send another Tarkatan in his place. This proved to be a wise choice, as the Tarkatan he had sent was killed by Mileena.
Mortal Kombat: Armageddon
Baraka joined the Forces of Darkness in the Battle of Armageddon. He was seen battling Kung Lao and later on being sent flying by Shao Kahn while trying to get to the Pyramid of Argus. He was later killed by Kung Lao’s Razor-Rimmed Hat.
Mortal Kombat 9
Baraka entered the first tournament in order to help Outworld win over Earthrealm so that his master, Shao Kahn, could conquer it. He fought Johnny Cage in the second round of the tournament, but was defeated by the actor. Shang Tsung then ordered Johnny Cage to kill Baraka for his failure, but Cage refused to do so.
Baraka and Sheeva were ordered by Shang Tsung to kill Cyrax, a Lin Kuei that had been discussing personal matters with Raiden. He was therefore considered to be a potential threat to the emperor’s plans. Baraka and Sheeva followed Cyrax to the Pit, where they intended to terminate him for a breach of contract. After defeating the Shokan, Cyrax tried to leave the area, only to have Baraka stand in his way. Cyrax taunted Baraka for his defeat at Johnny Cage’s hand before he himself engaged the Tarkatan warlord in combat, and defeated him. After the tournament had ended, Baraka, Kitana, and Reptile brought Shang Tsung to Shao Kahn for the sorcerer’s trial.
Following orders from the emperor, Baraka led his Tarkatan hordes in the attack on the Wu Shi Academy. Many monks were killed and Sonya was kidnaped in the process. This prompted Raiden and his allies to venture into Outworld to defeat the emperor.
Baraka assists fellow Tarkatans loading captive Shaolin monks onto a ship commanded by D’Vorah. D’Vorah reminds Baraka that Shao Kahn wants the hostages kept alive, and Baraka replies that their wounds are not fatal. Before the ship can leave, Raiden, Liu Kang, and Kung Lao arrive to rescue the hostages. While his minions fight Kang and Lao, Baraka personally confronts Raiden. The two fight, and Raiden emerges victorious.
The new tournament commenced in Shao Kahn’s throne room, and the first match was between Baraka and Jax. The major defeated the Tarkatan warrior with relative ease. Baraka went to where tarkatans were guarding the Tower Kitana was being held captive at. He instructed one of his underlings not to play with the weapons Shang Tsung had purchased from the Black Dragon. Moments later, Jade arrived and demanded entrance to the Tower, but Baraka refused to let her pass. Comparing Baraka to a guard dog, Jade mocked him by ordering him to heel before she defeated him in a fight. Baraka remarked that Edenians have no loyalty, to which Jade taunts him further before stomping on his head, knocking him unconscious.
Baraka later appears alongside Kahn’s other minions following the emperor’s defeat in the second tournament. Presuming Kahn to be dead, they debated over who would rise to power and take his place. Baraka argued that Mileena was Shao Kahn’s sole heir and the rightful successor to the throne of Outworld. it was speculated that Baraka also favored Mileena due to her being half Tarkatan. Shang Tsung responded by saying that Mileena only existed because of his sorcery, implying that he should rule. Before the argument could go any further, Shao Kahn appeared, still wounded but alive thanks to Quan Chi’s magic. Baraka and the others quickly bowed to the emperor in a show of respect. His Tarkatan armies were sent as shock troops during the Earthrealm invasion. It can also be assumed that as their leader, Baraka was also dispatched among them.
Mortal Kombat X
Baraka becomes a loyal servant to the Empress Mileena. Although Ermac quickly switches sides after Reptile reveals her origins as a product of sorcery, Baraka refuses to betray her. In the ensuing confrontation between Mileena and Kotal’s allies, he is brutally slain by D’Vorah.
Powers 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. He also has a potent healing factor, as he was able to survive Kung Lao’s Body Slice.