Ermac
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{{Mortal Kombat character
| name = Ermac
| image = Image:Ermac Bio Model Deception.PNG
| age = Unknown
| height =
| weight =
| origin = Outworld
| appearances = Mortal Kombat
UMK3
MKT
MKA
MK: Deception
MK: Shaolin Monks
| race =
| allies = Shujinko
Kenshi
Liu Kang
| enemies = Onaga
Ashrah
| weapons = Axe
| fighting-styles = Hua Chuan
Choy Lee Fut
| alignment = Good
| portrayers = John Turk (UMK3, MKT)
John Medlen (second movie)
}}
Ermac is a character in the Mortal Kombat fighting game series.
Contents |
About Ermac
Making his official debut in Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3, Ermac has been a controversial and mysterious character in the Mortal Kombat series, whose existence was rumored since its inception. It is now clear that Ermac is an amalgam of many souls destroyed in Outworld's wars who came to be controlled by Shao Kahn and his shadow priests. Due to the sheer concentration of souls within Ermac, he possesses the gift of telekinesis, and can travel to different realms. However, the depths of Netherealm drain his powers and souls, weakening him dramatically while there.
He made his return in Mortal Kombat: Deception, where he was not only free to choose his own destiny, but also a force of good. To prove this, he decides to help Liu Kang in his own quest.
Storyline
Ermac is an entity composed of legions of dead souls, dispatched in meaningless wars; the manner in which the souls fused into Ermac is unknown. Shao Kahn, after learning of his existence, brought Ermac under his control, finding his vast skill and telekinetic powers of use. On one mission for Shao Kahn in the Netherealm, Ermac became acquainted with Shujinko, and was assaulted by Ashrah, who believed him to be a demon. Ermac served as one of Shao Kahn's greatest warriors, participating in the invasion of Earthrealm (as recounted in Mortal Kombat 3. However, after Shao Kahn's defeat and subsequent loss of power, Ermac remained under Kahn's control, and wandered Outworld without instructions. During the events of Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance, the wandering Ermac was found by the blind swordsman, Kenshi, and freed from Kahn's control. To show his gratitude, Ermac taught Kenshi the art of telekinesis.
Ermac's newfound freedom meant he was also free to choose his own destiny. He decided to repent his earlier ways and became a force for good. After making this decision, he met a warrior soul who, like Kenshi, understood his suffering. This warrior soul was that of Liu Kang, and was in need not only of another ally, but assistance in freeing his enslaved comrades. Ermac was eager to help Liu Kang, as this was an opportunity to help him atone for the evil he had committed in Shao Kahn's name.
Possible Future
Ermac decided to help Liu Kang, and the two would set out to free Kang's allies from Onaga's control. Ermac's ending depicts them as successful, but whether they were or not is unclear at the present time. With their immenent return in Mortal Kombat: Armageddon, where they are scheduled to make a reappearance, more facts will be revealed.
Memorable Moves
- Fireball: Ermac sends out a green fireball much like Shao Kahn's. (UMK3, MKT)
- Teleport Punch: Just like Scorpion, Ermac would vanish in a cloud of fire and reappear behind his opponent punching them. (UMK3, MKT)
- Air Teleport Punch: Ermac could do his move in the air. (UMK3, MKT)
- Telekinetic Slam: Using his telekinetic powers, Ermac would lift up and slam the opponent hard on the ground. (UMK3, MKT, MKD)
- Telekinetic Throw: Using his powers yet again, Ermac would throw his opponent on the ground behind him. (MKD)
- Hado-Energy: Ermac sticks one hand out and send a green fireball slithering through the air. (MKD)
- Mystic Float: Ermac uses his telekenetic powers to take flight. (MKD)
- Mystic Bomb (when using mystic float): Ermac hits the ground with extreme force causing a shockwave. (MKD)
- Dive Kick (when using mystic float): Ermac does a diving kick. (MKD)
Fatalities
- Uppercut From Hell - Ermac performs an uppercut that knocks his opponent's head off their shoulders. (UMK3, MKT)
- Telekinetic Massacre - Ermac repeatedly telekinetically slams the opponent over and over until they explode. (UMK3, MKT, MK:D)
- Telekinetic Compactor = Using his telekinetic powers once again he crushes the opponent inward, then stretches them out horizontally until they snap. (MK:D)
- Headbanger - As a Hara-Kiri, he repeatedly slams his head into the floor until his skull explodes. (MK:D)
Other Finishers
- Magic Trick - He turns his opponent into a rabbit. (MKT)
- Frogger - Turning into a frog he swallows his opponent whole. (MKT)
Movie appearance
Image:ErmacMKIIIRevolutio.jpg 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 apparent death of Rain. However, the position of general was awarded to Sindel. Ermac survived until the final confrontation with the Earthrealm warriors, where he did battle with Sonya Blade and Jax. Noob Saibot spawns from Ermac's body during the fight to assist him, though both are ultimately defeated.
TV appearance
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 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 an ordinary human member of the Lin Kuei, and even sported a small beard.
Trivia
- Ermac originated as a result of a glitch in the original Mortal Kombat which turned Scorpion red. His existence was also attributed to a rumor that he was the second hidden character in the game (one story tells of being able to fight him using only punches in the Hall of Champions arena). A story and photograph from a gamer who had claimed to have fought him appeared in the pages of Electronic Gaming Monthly. "Ermac" stands for ERror MACro. He was said to use Scorpion's moves and Johnny Cage's Shadow Kick, and Fireball moves when the glitch occurred.
- The MK crew 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: "camre seod ton tsixe" (Ermac does not exist). The numerous rumors of his existence led to his debut as an official character in Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3.
- Because he is composed of many warrior souls permanently fused into one being, he refers to himself as "We" instead of "I".
- Was the first Mortal Kombat character to use the power of telekinesis.
- Because he had taught Kenshi the art of telekinesis, 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 as 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.