Mortal Kombat Wiki
Register
Advertisement
Mortal Kombat Wiki

Mortal Kombat IIMortal Kombat 3

 
 
We may not share blood, but we are brothers.
 

 

—Kuai Liang to Smoke in Mortal Kombat 1

This article is about Kuai Liang, the second Sub-Zero and the current version of Scorpion. For the other versions of the Sub-Zero and Scorpion character, see Sub-Zero (disambiguation) or Scorpion (disambiguation).

Kuai Liang (Chinese: 奎良)[2], once known as Sub-Zero (Chinese: 絶対零度; Absolute Zero)[3], Grandmaster (of the Lin Kuei), Tundra, and briefly as the cyborg LK-52O is a character in the Mortal Kombat fighting game series.

Kuai Liang made his playable debut in Mortal Kombat II as a Lin Kuei assassin and the the younger brother of Bi-Han, who was the original Sub-Zero in the original Mortal Kombat arcade game. He takes the mantle of Sub-Zero in his later appearances in the series but reappears under his original alias of Tundra in Mortal Kombat (2011) before again going under the mantle of Sub-Zero. In Mortal Kombat 1, he takes the mantle of Scorpion (Chinese: 蝎; Japanese: 蠍) in the new timeline.

Kuai Liang would become a frequent supporting character after his debut. He would later end the long standing rivalry between the Lin Kuei and Shirai Ryu after becoming Grandmaster and making peace with his rival Hanzo Hasashi in the alternate timeline.

About Kuai Liang

There are two incarnations of Sub-Zero, both of whom are siblings: the older brother Bi-Han, and younger brother Kuai Liang. Both are blue garbed warriors who, at different times, have used the codename "Sub-Zero", and both are members of the Lin Kuei. They are descended from Cryomancers, an exiled Edenian race possessing the ability to generate and control ice. However, they were born in Earthrealm and only the younger Sub-Zero would discover his heritage (in the original timeline). 

Kuai Liang bears a scar on his right eye. In the original timeline, he received it sometime prior to the events of Mortal Kombat 3. However, as seen in Deception, the scar eventually faded away, possibly as a result of the Dragon Medallion's power. In the second timeline, revealed in the Mortal Kombat X comic series, it was Kano who created the scar. In the current timeline, Bi-Han is the one who scarred him on his right eye with his ice dagger.

Bi-Han and Kuai Liang were born to a Cryomancer father and a Chinese-American human mother. Their father was a secret operative for the Lin Kuei in the United States, eventually taking both sons back with him to China, against their mother's wishes. The brothers would then be trained as Lin Kuei assassins. However, in Sub-Zero's trailer for Mortal Kombat 2011, the siblings' background stories are retconned that both brothers were kidnapped by the Lin Kuei when they were still children.

Bi-Han appeared as Sub-Zero in the first Mortal Kombat tournament, while Kuai Liang went by the codename "Tundra". After Bi-Han was killed by Scorpion, Kuai Liang swore to avenge him and took his brother's former codename "Sub-Zero" as a means of honoring his brother. He entered the second Mortal Kombat with only one goal in mind: hunting down his brother's killer.

Kuai Liang would bear the name Sub-Zero in all future games, whereas Bi-Han would be resurrected as a wraith by Quan Chi and given the name Noob Saibot.

Although both share traits in common, the two brothers differ significantly in many ways. Kuai Liang comes off as a menacing, stern, distant, and cold man who prefers to remain in the shadows, not unlike his elder brother. However, Kuai Liang is more serious, disciplined, humane, and honorable than Bi-Han ever was. In contrast to his older brother, who eventually succumbed to darkness, the younger Sub-Zero remained firmly on the side of justice. This vast disparity caused the two siblings to disown one another, stating "we share blood, we are not brothers".

Kuai Liang's strong moral principles have also brought him into conflict with his own clan. Horrified by the Lin Kuei's cyberization initiative, Kuai Liang openly rebelled and eventually left the clan altogether in horror and disgust, thereby breaking the sacred codes of honor. In response, his former clan marked him for death, programming Cyrax, Sektor, and his former friend Smoke to hunt down and terminate him. Kuai Liang subsequently joined Liu Kang, Raiden, and Earthrealm's other defenders in the struggle against Shao Kahn.

In both timelines, the younger Sub-Zero defeated and killed Sektor, becoming the new Lin Kuei Grandmaster in the process. Under his stewardship, the Lin Kuei would be reformed and rebuilt into a force for good.

Like most of the MK cast, Kuai Liang follows a character archetype. In his case, he is the enigmatic hero who shows up to aid the protagonists when needed.

About Kuai Liang as Cyber Sub-Zero

Cyber Sub-Zero replaced Smoke, as a Cyborg, in the Second Timeline. Smoke was saved by Raiden from the Cyber Lin Kuei, but Sub-Zero was turned into a Cyborg against his will instead. He regained his soul almost right after automation, when he engaged Kabal in kombat, and helped the Earthrealm Warriors. He was later killed by Sindel, with his soul afterwards being one of the many claimed by Quan Chi, who later restored him to his human form after deeming technology unreliable. Unlike the other Cyborgs, Cyber Sub-Zero's blood is blue instead of black; there is no in-game explanation for why that is, but the assumption can be made that it is likely some kind of refrigerant.

About Kuai Liang as Scorpion

In the new timeline, Kuai now assumes the role of Scorpion, replacing Hanzo Hasashi as this timeline's Scorpion. While his brother returns to his original iteration as Sub-Zero, Kuai is now a Pyromancer within the Lin Kuei, instead of a resurrected Wraith like Hanzo was before. Kuai also utilizes many of Hanzo's techniques, such as teleportation, his kunai, fire-based attacks, as well as the ability to summon fire on command. He retains his morals like his other timeline counterparts, with animosity towards Bi-Han for his brother's growing recklessness within the Lin Kuei.

After Bi-Han betrays not only his brothers in the Lin Kuei, but also Liu Kang and Earthrealm, he and his adopted brother Tomas defect from the Lin Kuei and denounce the clan. They aid Liu Kang in stopping an alternate timeline version of Shang Tsung that invaded their timeline. After the second Battle of Armageddon, Kuai Liang marries Harumi Shirai and founded the Shirai Ryu with her and Tomas as a means to protect Earthrealm after the Lin Kuei's treachery. As the clan begins finding new members, Tomas brings in their latest student that he adopts, a boy named Hanzo Hasashi.

Appearance

Sub-Zero dresses in the familiar blue-garbed ninja-like uniform. Originally, Sub-Zero was depicted with Asian facial features as revealed in the ending when unmasked, due to his Chinese-American heritage.

Around Mortal Kombat 3, Sub-Zero was given a scar over his right eye to help differentiate himself from his older brother. Sub-Zero was the first ninja-like character in the series to go on without a mask and wore a less-concealing version of his outfit.

In MK4, Sub-Zero has the red line down his right eye, and wears his older brother's Lin Kuei uniform (who wore it in MK Mythology). The mask has horizontal openings on the front and sides (like the ninja masks in MKII). His top is black with a blue vest over it, and a simple blue belt with no designs (like in MK1). He wears forearm guards that strap under the elbow and at the wrist only, with a blue piece on the outer side of it, and a squared piece that extends over the back of his hand. He has blue knee pads and shin guards with unique designs on them.

His alternate costume from Deadly Alliance and beyond is more of a stream-lined version of his original costume featuring the Dragon Medallion on the right side of his chest. Sub-Zero looks to have aged since the past tournament. He looks more menacing than ever though. He sports his classic Mortal Kombat 3 outfit with the blue "suspenders" down the sides of his upper torso. He has black pants with blue knee pads. His hands and hair are frozen with mist radiating off of them throughout the match.

In Deception and Armageddon, Sub-Zero dons an ancient armour once worn by his Cryomancer ancestors. Sub-Zero looks almost completely different than he did in Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance. He now wears a helmet that more than closely resembles the helmet worn by Shredder of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle fame. It is silver and black, and has the same design as Shredder's helmet. He wears a light blue vest, with metal shoulder pads adorned with symbols. Under this vest is a set of chain mail. He also has darker blue forearm bands, and blue and black gloves. He wears a dark blue and black belt, with a belt buckle. More chain mail hangs between his legs, falling near his thighs. His pants are very dark and baggy, they also have symbols on the thigh portions. He fights wearing dark boots as most of the other fighters do. 

Alternate Costume: Sub-Zero's alternate costume is MUCH different that his regular one in that he seems to have aged a lot!  He is completely bald except for a gray ponytail at the back of his head. He still wears his trademark blue mouth guard that covers everything from the tip of his nose down.  He wears a blue and black long sleeve shirt with silver plating over his stomach.  His shoulders are covered with a silver symbol and he wears blue wrist guards. His belt is blue and silver and has a circular buckle.  He also has a blue and silver flap that hangs in front of his legs; some of the metal plating extends into the flap.  He wears semi-baggy black pants over dark pseudo boots.

In MK 2011 Sub-Zero was turned into a cyborg by the Lin Kuei after being captured, because of this his cyber form looked similar to Sektor and Cyrax, but his dominant color was blue and his head looked different. He retains the cyborg appearance when transformed into a Revenant, and is reverted back to his human form later in Mortal Kombat X.

In Mortal Kombat X, Sub-Zero regained his human form and became a Revenant serving under Quan Chi. Like the others, his skin turned pale and his veins glowed yellow along with his eyes. His outfit was similar to his earlier appearance, but twisted by the sensibilities of the Netherrealm, which included a steel spine-like decoration on his back and a more armored vest. Unlike his previous appearance, he did not wear a hood, but still retained his mask. Upon being freed from Quan Chi's control, he wears an outfit similar to his MK3 and MKDA appearances, but allowed his facial hair to grow out. His scar is still featured prominently.

Interestingly, Sub-Zero is one of the few characters in the series to show signs of natural aging (faster than anyone due to the Dragon Medallion). Around Deadly Alliance, he is depicted with slight wrinkles and graying hair, which has begun to bald around the time of Deception. His scar also changes blue, and eventually fades from his face entirely.

In sporadic appearances beginning with MK4, Sub-Zero bears a flexible ice sheet on his forearms, a sign of his growing power of cryomancy. This aesthetic choice was carried over into MKX with his Cryomancer variation and in his guest appearance in Injustice 2, and can alternate between this and normal looking arms. Additionally in his guest appearance in Injustice 2, a frost aura comes from Sub-Zero's hands, a trait that also carries over to Mortal Kombat 11.

Character Development

It is believed that Sub-Zero was unmasked in Mortal Kombat 3 to give him an identity of his own. Because Sub-Zero had a nearly identical appearance to his elder brother from the first Mortal Kombat, fans didn't necessarily buy that this new Sub-Zero was the younger brother of the first, and because the younger Sub-Zero had a storyline that depended on the elder Sub-Zero's, the fans felt that this was the same Sub-Zero all along and begun to believe that there was only one Sub-Zero in the series. Midway gave Sub-Zero a new appearance and unmasked him to simply give him a new identity and make it clear that there are two Sub-Zeros and that the current Sub-Zero that exists today is the younger brother of the elder Sub-Zero.

Since Deadly Alliance, Sub-Zero has appeared far older, while few, if any characters show signs of dramatic aging. This is possibly due to the amplifications his powers have undergone during the time, as in MK:DA, his arms became frozen over, and his scar turned blue as well as his hair graying. In Deception, now wearing the armor of his ancestors in addition to the Dragon Medallion from MK:DA, Sub-Zero's skin has become far more pale than a normal human's.

Game Information

When filming Mortal Kombat 3, the unmasked Sub-Zero costume was red, as shown in the Mortal Kombat history section featured in Deadly Alliance, due to the photo capture technology used to recolor character sprites.

Since Mortal Kombat 3, Sub-Zero has had a scar running from his forehead across his right eye, but in the early arcade version of Mortal Kombat 4 and Deadly Alliance, this was forgotten, each time leading to speculations that his older brother had returned. The scar was first featured to be red, only to later change blue as a result of Sub-Zero's enhanced powers. In Mortal Kombat: Deception, his scar seems to have faded to the point where it can no longer be seen. In Mortal Kombat Armageddon, Sub-Zero's ninja outfit retains the scar, while his alternate outfit, his Deception armor does not, due to re-using models from two different games. In Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks, the player witnesses Kung Lao vertically slashing Sub-Zero's face with his hat, resulting in bloodshed and ultimately a scar. However, very little of Shaolin Monks is considered canon. Sub-Zero no longer has the scar in Mortal Kombat (2011), having not received it in the alternate timeline, though he later receives a similar facial scar after being cut by Kano in the Mortal Kombat X comic.

Although Sub-Zero originally had brown eyes, they turned white after obtaining the Dragon Medallion. Renders from Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks also give him white eyes. Official renders from Deadly Alliance depicts him having ice-blue eyes. After the timeline change, he originally features blue eyes, but these later turn white after he is revived by Raiden.

In early versions of Mortal Kombat 4, Sub-Zero was able to draw a broadsword to use in battle. This same sword was also used by Scorpion in the same game. The second revision of the game changed his weapon to an "Ice Scepter" that could be used both as a club and as a means of freezing opponents. Any character who picked up the Ice Wand if it was dropped could use it to freeze Sub-Zero, though using it twice in succession would freeze the player similar to the behavior of Sub-Zero's freeze move. In Deadly Alliance, Deception and Armageddon, Sub-Zero used a large broadsword formed of solid ice called the "Kori Blade." In MK 2011, Sub-Zero could create Katanas out of ice to use combos, though not as a full on weapon as the Katanas melt shortly afterwards.

In the N64 version of Mortal Kombat Trilogy, the unmasked Sub-Zero was nowhere to be found, due to the N64's lack of ROM space of the cartridge, though the ninja Sub-Zero is still present. This version of ninja Sub-Zero can perform the moves of unmasked Sub-Zero in addition to his own, though not his finishers. While the unmasked version was omitted, his Babality sprite can be seen in Stryker's Friendship. The PlayStation, PC and Sega Saturn versions of MK Trilogy had two different forms of Sub-Zero with the correct movesets.

In Armageddon's Motor Kombat Sub-Zero drives a blue snow mobile with spiked tires and his special is to send an Iceball to another driver.

Sub-Zero, in one incarnation or another, is the only character to have been playable in all Mortal Kombat games, with the exception of Mortal Kombat: Special Forces and Mortal Kombat: Tournament Edition as well as the only character to have been playable in all of the original mainstream fighting games (other characters, such as Scorpion and Raiden, do appear in the updates for Mortal Kombat 3, but not in the original version).

Combat Characteristics as Sub-Zero

Powers and Abilities

Being descended from a race of Outworld inhabitants known as Cryomancers, Kuai Liang has the innate ability to control ice in many forms. Throughout the span of the series, Sub-Zero's powers have continued to evolve. His deadly ability to freeze comes from the process of him absorbing the air around him and storing it before releasing it as a cold substance or simply lowering the temperature of the surrounding air to create ice constructs. He is naturally used to the cold temperatures of his turf and is able to resist other Cryomancers' freezing abilities as shown in the Mortal Kombat X comic series where Frost fails to freeze Sub-Zero's arms. His ability to freeze is strong enough to turn the body's water content, flesh and bone into brittle ice with just a single tap of his fingers. He has even surpassed his (late) brother Bi-Han's freezing ability, whose ice can reach temperatures up to -500° Fahrenheit or -295.56° Celsius, which is way below absolute zero. [4]

He is one of the few combatants who can manipulate chi, the life energy of a martial artist. By channeling his chi, Sub-Zero can use it to enhance the power behind his physical strikes and make them strong enough to send other combatants flying with each strike he lands on them. The Dragon Medallion has not just increased the power of his freezing ability, but it has also given him another source of chi to channel power from. Sub-Zero is one of the many combatants capable of teleporting by turning his body into ice and reforming his physical form of flesh and blood in another location. He has also been shown to control and influence the cold aspects of the weather, although this aspect of his powers seems to be tied to his emotional state.

Aside from flash-freezing opponents, Sub-Zero also has the ability to instantly conjure up an ice statue of himself to act as both a scapegoat and a 'landmine' of sorts as any who touch it instantly flash freeze. He has created many different kinds of ice constructs for offense and defense. Such ice constructs include swords, daggers, hammers, axes, spears, shields, walls, spikes, statues and more. He is one of the characters that are more oriented on defense thanks to his ability to counter attacks by freezing melee attackers who come into contact with him and being able to create several defensive ice constructs that usually freeze on contact such as icy orb traps, ice clones, ice barriers and ice armor.

Ever since he takes possession of the Dragon Medallion, the scope of Sub-Zero's powers and abilities has increased significantly. As a member of the Lin Kuei, Sub-Zero has attained a great degree of skill in many forms of hand-to-hand combat. The Dragon Medallion and his ancestral armor increased and amplified his martial arts and ice-related abilities, as shown in his Deception Arcade ending. Throughout the Mortal Kombat series, Sub-Zero's abilities have grown more powerful; he was capable of killing an entire city's population while amplified by Blood Magik and was able to freeze a large building and shattered it with one punch.

Signature Moves

  • Ice Blast: Sub-Zero sends a blast of ice directly towards the opponent to temporarily freeze them in place for a free hit. He could also freeze opponents in midair, if timed correctly. In the earlier Mortal Kombat games, if Sub-Zero were to freeze the opponent twice, the second ice ball would bounce off the opponent, defrosting him/her, and back to Sub-Zero, freezing him and setting him up for a free hit. Like Scorpion's Spear, it has had different depictions. In MKII to MKT, it is depicted as a series of ice shards; from MK4 onward, it is an energy blast of ice condensed into a spherical form. In MK:DA, MK:D and MK:A, it is called Freeze Ball. In MKX, it takes the appearance of frozen mist in a beam-like projectile, and is also thrown with only one hand rather than two. In Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks, the Ice Freeze can also inflict a small bit of damage, even to enemies who are immune to being frozen by the move. In MK 2011, MKX, and MK11 this is called Ice Ball. (MKII, MK3, UMK3, MKT, MK4, MKG, MK:DA, MK:D, MK:U, MK:SM, MK:A, MKvsDCU, MK 2011, MKX, MK11)
    • In MK 2011, the enhanced version is called Ice Beam. Instead of a single ball of ice, Sub-Zero will shoot a beam of ice, making it easier to hit opponents in the air. The opponent is also frozen for a longer amount of time.
    • In MKX, the enhanced version is called Ice Blast which activates faster and is a much larger, faster-moving projectile rather than a beam. It also has the ability to destroy an enemy's projectile, should it come in contact with one.
    • Equipping Deep Freeze allows the attack to be amplified and alters its effects. This ability requires two ability slots when equipped. (MK11 - Equip Ability)
      • Amplifying the attack now has Sub-Zero send a fast moving Ice Ball that can strike ducking opponents, can continue combos in certain instances and destroys any incoming projectiles. Amplifying the attack now causes the attack to deal damage in addition to freezing the opponent and setting them up for a free hit.
  • Slide: Sub-Zero slides across the floor, knocking the opponent off their feet. It is assumed Sub-Zero slides by freezing the soles of his feet. This move was later given to Frost. In Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks, Sub-Zero can perform an uppercut or throw a snowball-like projectile after executing the Slide. In MK11, Sub-Zero is offered a brief moment of additional attacks when this attack is utilized in the corner of an arena, however the window is small unless juggle effects are applied. (MKII, MK3, UMK3, MKT, MK4, MKG, MK:SMMKvsDCU, MK 2011, MKX, MK11)
    • In MK 2011, the enhanced version is called Power Slide. After Sub-Zero hits the opponent, he will follow up with an additional twin palms attack.
    • In MKX, the enhanced version is called Icy Slide, which has armor and has Sub-Zero follow up with a blast of ice to the opponent's back.
    • In MK11, amplifying the attack has Sub-Zero grab the opponent by the leg mid-air and throw them into a giant ice wall where he follows up with a powerful punch to the stomach that knocks the opponent away, through the wall while also destroying said wall.
      • If Sub-Zero successfully lands three amplified Slides, the attack can turn into a Krushing Blow on the attack's third usage or any time after, with the punch to the stomach having more impact, dealing slightly over double the original damage.
  • Ground Ice: Sub-Zero freezes the floor and whoever steps on the circle of ice will temporarily slip all over the place, setting the opponent up for a free hit. Since it aims for the opponent's feet, it cannot be blocked. This move was also later adapted for Frost. In Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks, the Ground Ice maneuver can be upgraded to allow Sub-Zero to freeze the ground around him in a radius affecting multiple enemies or even create chunks of ice to pop opponents into the air. In MK 2011, the opponent is frozen to the ground, and the move is called Ice Puddle. In MK11, this attack is unblockable. This ability requires two ability slots when equipped. (MKII, MK:SM, MK 2011, MK11 - Equip Ability)
    • In MK 2011, the enhanced version is called Ground Freeze and it freezes the entire arena floor that is in front of him.
    • In MK11, amplifying the attack sends an ice trail towards the opponent, however the attack no longer becomes unblockable. Sub-Zero can only send one ice trail at a time.
  • Ice Clone: Sub-Zero creates an ice clone of himself anywhere he chooses, and anyone who touches it will freeze. However, in its debut during the MK3 installment, the clone will disappear instantly and harmlessly if created too close to the enemy. In MKX, it is called Ice Klone, and can be used as a shield to block damage, or a projectile if Sub-Zero is close to it. Additionally, the Klone vanishes immediately if Sub-Zero is hit by an attack, even if he blocks the attack. (MK3, UMK3, MKT, MK4, MKG, MK:D, MK:U, MK:A, MK 2011, MKX - Grandmaster Variation)
    • The enhanced version is called Ice Statue. The clone will stay for a longer period of time and Sub-Zero will spawn the clone much faster. Additionally, in some instances, Sub-Zero can continue combos after spawning the enhanced version when timed right.
      • In MKX, the klone can be shattered with Ice Burst if Sub-Zero is near it, dealing additional damage. In some cases, it can also allow a brief juggle.
    • Klone Toss: Sub-Zero grabs his Ice Klone and throws it at the enemy, knocking them to the ground. Enemies hit with Klone Toss will not be frozen as if they were to touch the stationary Klone otherwise. (MKX - Grandmaster Variation)
  • Ice Shower: Sub-Zero shoots ice straight overhead which falls back down atop his opponent. He can shoot it close, mid way, or far away to freeze the opponent. In Armageddon, it is known as Ice Pillar and instead of falling on the opponent, the ice comes up underneath them like a frozen geyser, freezing and suspending them in the air. As with the standard Ice Blast, the Ice Shower will also freeze Sub-Zero and set him up for free hit if he uses it against an already frozen opponent (MK3, UMK3, MKT, MK:A)
  • Ice Shaker: Sub-Zero emits a wave of cold air from his body freezing anyone or anything near him. (MK:DA)
  • Tombstone Teleport: Sub-Zero's body becomes ice, falls backward into the ground, and reappears behind his opponent. Sub-Zero performs this in MK11 after winning a round, but never in the actual game itself. (MKvsDCU)
  • Icy Counter: Sub-Zero quickly covers himself in a sheet of ice. If an opponent attacks him physically whilst in this state, they will automatically be flash-frozen as Sub-Zero disappears and reappears behind the opponent with his Kori Blade in hand to strike them down. A low or sweep attack from the opponent does not trigger this ability. (MKvsDCU)
  • Ice Nugget: Sub-Zero makes a block of ice above his opponent, which comes crashing down on their head. This attack is unblockable. (MKvsDCU)
  • Ice Burst: Sub-Zero sends out a pulsing wave of ice, knocking the opponent away. (MKX)
    • The enhanced version is called Frost Bomb, activates faster and launches the opponent into the air for extended combo.
  • Frost Hammer: Sub-Zero summons a large war hammer made of ice and slams it over the opponent's head, knocking them to the ground. (MKX - Cryomancer Variation)
    • The enhanced version is called Crushing Hammer, which activates slightly faster and bounces the opponent for a juggle effect at the cost of dealing slightly less damage.
  • Air Frost Hammer: Sub-Zero summons his Frost Hammer while in the air and slams the head into the ground, knocking the opponent off their feet. (MKX - Cryomancer Variation)
  • Polar Puncture: Sub-Zero grabs his opponent and stabs them three times in the lower chest area with an ice dagger and then stabs them a final time with two in the upper chest area. Sub-Zero is able to use special attacks after the final stab, so long as the correct input is used. (MKX - Cryomancer Variation)
    • The enhanced version, called Arctic Assault, has armor on startup but no extra damage. When enhanced, the attack will connect on standing opponents during a combo.
  • Barrier of Frost: Sub-Zero forms a large barrier of ice in front of him that cancels or absorbs projectiles. Additionally, the attack parries basic attacks and special attacks if they make contact with the barrier, with the exception of X-Ray attacks, by freezing them and setting them up for a free hit. (MKX - Unbreakable Variation)
    • The enhanced version is called Barrier of Ice, and activates faster, while retaining the same properties.
  • Frozen Aura: Sub-Zero encases himself in ice, granting him immunity to chip damage for some time. While encased in ice, the properties of some of Sub-Zero's specials change. Additionally, Sub-Zero is offered a very small window to continue combos when utilizing this special in a combo. Sustaining too much damage or not using any of the below effects in time will remove the buff. If Sub-Zero is attacked before encasing himself in ice, the buff will not take effect. (MKX - Unbreakable Variation)
    • If any of these effects occur, Frozen Aura shatters and must be reapplied to gain the effects.
      • Ice Burst - Deals 45% increased damage and increases the knockback effect if the attack is blocked by the opponent. Upon using this attack, even when blocked by the opponent, Frozen Aura will be removed.
      • Frost Bomb - Deals 50% increased damage, increases the knockback effect if the attack is blocked by the opponent and retains the original juggle effect. Upon using this attack, even when blocked by the opponent, Frozen Aura will be removed.
      • Icy Slide - Successfully landing the attack causes the mid-air ice blast to freeze the opponent in the air, setting them up for a free hit. Sub-Zero cannot trigger this freezing effect if the opponent has already been frozen during the combo nor can another freezing effect be applied if he had already used this effect.
    • The enhanced version is called Ice Aura, which is activated much faster, has Sub-Zero recover from using the move quicker and reduces all damage taken by 40%. Sub-Zero can also continue combos in some instances.
  • Cold Shoulder: Sub-Zero shoulder charges his opponent, leaving a trail of ice behind him on the ground. In MK (2011), Sub-Zero uses this move to initiate his X-Ray attack. In MK11, he forms an ice shield in front of his arm and shoulder, which shatters on impact with the opponent or if the attack misses. This replaces Slide when equipped. (MK:DA, MK:D, MK:U, MK:A, MK 2011, MK11 - Equip Ability)
    • In MK11, amplifying the attack has Sub-Zero follow up with two axe strikes and a swing with a large axe, knocking the opponent down for increased damage. The attack can be amplified even if the initial shoulder charge misses or if the attack is blocked by the opponent, which has Sub-Zero spawn and swing his axes. If the axes successfully hit, the additional strikes initiate.
      • If the attack is used as a Kounter or Punish then amplified, the attack turns into a Krushing Blow, with the final axe swing crushing and shattering the top of the opponent's skull, dealing almost double the original damage. This Krushing Blow can also be triggered if only the axe strikes hit the opponent as a Kounter or Punish, however the damage will be significantly decreased due to lacking the initial strikes.
  • Creeping Ice: Sub-Zero strikes the ground with his fist and causes ice spikes to rise up, damaging the opponent's shins and feet, causing them to stumble. (MK11 - Equip Ability)
    • Amplifying the attack has Sub-Zero hop and stomp down on the ground, causing additional spikes to appear, knocking the opponent off their feet for increased damage.
  • Rising Ice: Sub-Zero creates a burst of ice below him that propels him upwards and leaves ice spikes on the ground that launch the opponent briefly in the air. When used in the corner of an arena, this juggle effect is slightly increased. Additionally, Sub-Zero can dodge incoming attacks if this is timed right. (MK11 - Equip Ability)
    • Amplifying the attack deals increased damage and has Sub-Zero recover faster after performing the attack and launch the opponent higher into the air, allowing for a juggle effect to be used anywhere in the arena. Additionally, due to the recovery bonus, Sub-Zero can perform airborne attacks after using this attack and launching the opponent in the air. Like with the original, Sub-Zero can dodge incoming attacks if this is timed right.
  • Frigid Storm: Sub-Zero sends a ring of ice directly towards the opponent. The ring eventually condenses into a big ice ball. Sub-Zero is completely vulnerable while summoning the ice. (MK11 - Equip Ability)
  • Death-Cicle Barrage: Sub-Zero steps backwards and sends a volley of sharp icicles at the opponent, striking the opponent with five ice shards. If the attack misses, Sub-Zero only shoots three shards before stopping. (MK11 - Equip Ability)
  • (Air) Polar Axe: Sub-Zero creates an ice axe while in the air and throws it downwards at an angle. (MK11 - Equip Ability)
  • Arctic Trap: Sub-Zero creates a stationary ice orb, which lingers on the fightline for some time. If the opponent makes contact with the trap, whether them making contact themselves or Sub-Zero knocking them into the trap, the opponent will freeze in place, setting them up for a free hit. The opponent will not freeze if they make contact with the trap when blocking. Connecting or being struck by a Krushing Blow or Fatal Blow ends this effect prematurely. Additionally, if Sub-Zero successfully lands his Throws, the orb disintegrates immediately, ending the effect prematurely. This ability requires two ability slots when equipped. (MK11 - Equip Ability)

X-Rays/Fatal Blow

  • X-Ray - Deep Freeze: Sub-Zero charges at the opponent with a cold shoulder and punches into the stomach, proceeding to freeze and crush the opponent's entrails, also cracking their ribs. He recoils and headbutts the opponent in the side of the head, shattering their skull and jaw. This move can be delayed. (MK 2011)
  • X-Ray - Deep Freeze: Sub-Zero sucker punches the opponent before plunging his hand into their stomach, grabbing and ripping out their entrails. He freezes them into an icicle, which he violently rams into the opponent's eye socket. (MKX)
    • Sub-Zero can delay the activation, where he freezes himself, effectively turning the attack into a parry. If the opponent attacks Sub-Zero while this is done, they will freeze in place. Sub-Zero also has the option to cancel the attack, though it can only be done once it is turned into a parry. If the opponent is frozen from the parry effect, Sub-Zero can cancel the attack which leaves the opponent open for any other attack.
  • Fatal Blow - Chill Out: Sub-Zero pushes his opponent backwards and plunges two ice axes into their sides before kicking them to the ground. He then buries the blade of a larger Axe into their head and uses it as leverage to raise the opponent overhead and violently slam them into the ground, shattering the axes in the process. (MK11)

Other Moves

  • Suplex Throw: Sub-Zero grabs his foe, proceeds to roll backwards, brings up a leg as in a monkey flip and launches the foe halfway across the area. He then does a kip-up. Almost all male ninjas share the Suplex Throw pre-MK4. (MKII)
  • Icy Skateboard: Sub-Zero freezes his opponent and ride on the frozen opponent's body like a skateboard. (MK:DA)
  • Rib Breaker: Sub-Zero grabs his opponent, delivers two elbows to the ribs then flips his opponent to the ground. In Armageddon, he freezes the opponent then delivers a massive forward punch to the ribs knocking them down. (MK:D, MK:U, MK:A)
  • Free-Fall Super Move: Sub-Zero freezes his opponent solid, before slamming them to the ground with a powerful Axe-handle punch, shattering their icy restraint in the process. (MKvsDCU)
  • Throw: Sub-Zero creates an icicle and stabs the opponent with it, then twists it, breaking it. (MK 2011)
  • Force Claws: Sub-Zero winds up and then hits the opponent with a double palm strike. This move can be charged, and at full charge it will freeze the opponent on hit. (MK 2011)
  • Throw: Sub-Zero freezes his opponent solid, then punches them with an ice-covered fist, knocking them to the ground. (MKX)
  • Ability To Freeze: Sub-Zero kicks his opponent in the abdomen, pushes them back a bit then grabs them and throws them in the opposite direction. (MKX)
  • Ice Weapons: While in the Cryomancer Variation, Sub-Zero gains unique combos utilizing Ice Weapons. Additionally, some of his basic attacks and combos will be altered from their original to incorporate Ice Weapons, including gaining a new uppercut. (MKX - Cryomancer Variation)
  • Throw (Forward): Sub-Zero dazes his opponent with a punch, freezes a block of ice over their head and launches them straight into it with an uppercut. (MK11)
  • Throw (Backward): Sub-Zero buries an Ice Axe into his opponent's chest and kicks them to the ground behind him. (MK11)
    • If this is used on an opponent who had failed a Throw Escape, the attack turns into a Krushing Blow, with the Ice Axe to the chest shattering the ribcage, slicing and piercing through the opponent's heart and lungs before the kick to the ground, dealing over double the original damage. This Krushing Blow will not trigger if a Throw (Forward) is performed after achieving a failed Throw Escape instead of using a Throw (Backward).
  • Brutal Kick: Sub-Zero takes a few steps forward and knocks the opponent away with a powerful kick. This attack has armor breaking properties, ignoring the armor granted by specific abilities and Fatal Blows. (MK11)
    • If Sub-Zero connects two Brutal Kicks in a row or breaks armor with a single use, the attack turns into a Krushing Blow, with the kick to the chest shattering the opponent's ribcage, dealing nearly three times the original damage. This Krushing Blow can only be triggered by either of these conditions once during the match.
  • Cold Encounter: Sub-Zero delivers a quick chop and punch to the opponent before kicking them away. (MK11)
    • If this combo string is performed in a combo of 8 or more hits or the combo string brings the combo to 8 hits, the combo string turns into a Krushing Blow, with the kick to the chest shattering the opponent's ribcage, dealing nearly three times the original damage. Additionally, the knockback effect of the kick is increased, knocking the opponent nearly full-screen distance away from Sub-Zero.
  • Final Draw: Sub-Zero creates and slams his Ice Axes over the opponent's head and follows up with a rising kick and stomp the opponent, knocking them down. (MK11)
    • If this combo is performed on the opponent as a Kounter or Punish, the combo turns into a Krushing Blow, with the final downward stomp shattering and crushing the top of the opponent's skull, dealing over double the original damage.

Fatalities

  • Snowball Grenade: Sub-Zero creates a small orb of ice and launches it at the opponent. It lodges within their chest and detonates, causing them to explode from within. In MK:SM, Sub-Zero freezes the opponent first before launching the orb. (MKII, MK:SM)
  • Ice Shatter: Sub-Zero deep-freezes his opponent, then uppercuts their upper body, shattering it. In MK4, Sub-Zero shatters the opponent's entire body when uppercutting them. In MK:SM, Sub-Zero knocks off the opponent's upper body rather than shattering it. (MKII, MK4, MKG, MK:SM)
  • Freeze Kick: Sub-Zero freezes his opponent and kicks them, smashing them to pieces. (MKvsDCU)
  • Frosty!: Sub-Zero breathes icy breath at his opponent, who falls back and shatters upon contact with the floor. In the mobile phone version of UMK3, he still breathes icy breath, but uppercuts their body into pieces, similar to his Ice Shatter Fatality. (MK3, UMK3, MKT)
  • Overhead Ice Smash: Sub-Zero grabs the opponent and presses them over his head. After freezing the opponent, Sub-Zero breaks them into pieces with his own hands. In MKvsDCU, it is called Freeze Slam and Sub-Zero throws the opponent on the ground, shattering them, as well as MK3 GameBoy version only. (MK3, UMK3, MKT, MKvsDCU)
  • Ice Blast: Sub-Zero sends a blast of ice directly towards the opponent to temporarily freeze them in place, then opponent detonates. (MK3) (Game Gear and Master System versions only)
  • Spine Rip: Sub-Zero grabs the opponent's neck, and tears out their spine and skull. This Fatality was taken directly from his older brother. This was also used as a finisher in Armageddon. (MK4, MKG, MK:DA, MK:SM, MK 2011, MKX)
    • In the Game Boy Advance version of MK:DA, Sub-Zero rips out the opponent's frozen skull with the spine instead of the whole head with the spine. Several organs are also removed in the process during this version of the Fatality.
    • In MK:SM, Sub-Zero freezes the opponent first before performing the spine rip.
    • In MK 2011, this Fatality is unlocked via a DLC code.
    • In MKX, this Fatality is renamed to Head Rip.
  • Skeleton Rip: Sub-Zero sidesteps towards his opponent's back and rips a whole skeleton out of their body. Different from Kano's version in MK3; Sub-Zero pulls it from the lower spine. (MK:DA)
  • Freeze and Throw: Sub-Zero freezes his opponent before ripping the head off, sliding away, then throws the head at the opponent, shattering the body and head. (MK:D, MK:U)
  • Below Freezing: Sub-Zero freezes the legs of his foe and shatters them. He then walks toward the victim, ignoring their pleas for mercy, and proceeds to stomp on them, causing their head to explode. (MK:D, MK:U)
  • Have an Ice Day: Sub-Zero freezes his opponent from the foot up to the waist. He then rips the opponent's torso off and holds the victim's bleeding torso in victory. (MK 2011)
  • Spinal Smash: Sub-Zero rips the opponent's spine and skull out through their chest. He then freezes the opponent's body and smashes it with the spine. (MK 2011)
  • Chest Kold: Sub-Zero freezes his opponent's chest before punching through it, leaving a gaping hole through their torso, with their spine intact. He reaches in and grabs the spine with both hands, breaking it in half. Finally, he presses the victim over his head and rips them completely in half. (MKX)
  • Bed of Ice: Sub-Zero forms a frozen bed of spikes behind his opponent, then kicks them onto the surface and jumps onto them, impaling them in several places. As he stands over the opponent, Sub-Zero gives a final stomp, causing the spikes to penetrate the skull with one eyeball gouged out and impaled on a spike. (MKX)
  • Ice-Cutioner: Sub-Zero encases the opponent in a giant ice cube, forcing them to hunch over with their head and hands sticking out of the block of ice. As the opponent panics, Sub-Zero summons his Ice Pollaxe and executes the opponent with a swing of his axe, decapitating them. As their head rolls on the ground, Sub-Zero picks up the severed head, freezes it in his palm and shatters it to pieces with a powerful punch. (MK11)
  • Frozen In Time: Sub-Zero creates an ice clone holding a spear and slides toward his opponent, flipping them over his head and impaling them on the spear. As the opponent hangs upside down, Sub-Zero then plunges his hand into their chest and rips out their spine through their open chest cavity, taking their head with it. Finally, he violently impales the head onto the tip of the spear, popping out an eyeball. (MK11)

Brutalities

Mortal Kombat X

  • Snow Ball: Sub-Zero performs an Ice Blast from across the screen on a frozen opponent, smashing their torso to pieces. (MKX)
    • Must be full-screen distance.
    • Can not be performed an a frozen, airborne opponent.
  • Frozen Dinner: Sub-Zero freezes his opponent then performs a Rising Fist, shattering their head to pieces. In the Cryomancer variation, Sub-Zero performs an Upward Sword to shatter the opponent's head. (MKX)
    • Can not be performed an a frozen, airborne opponent.
  • Pick Your Brain: Sub-Zero performs a Polar Puncture, only this time, he stabs the opponent in the head instead of the chest, leaving a blade stuck in their head as they fall dead. (MKX - Cryomancer Variation)
    • Must connect a number of hits before finishing with Polar Puncture.
  • Ice Cubed: While encased in his Frozen Aura, Sub-Zero performs an Icy Slide with the ice blast obliterating the opponent and leaving their head intact. The camera pans down and zooms in on the head, now encased in an ice cube. (MKX - Unbreakable Variation)
    • Icy Slide must reduce the opponent to 0 health.
  • Splitting Image: Sub-Zero performs an Ice Klone or an Ice Statue, then performs an Ice Burst to shatter the klone to pieces, piercing the opponent's face, chest, and arms. The opponent freezes shortly after. Alternatively, Sub-Zero performs a Klone Toss with the pieces of ice piercing into their body with the same effect as shattering the Klone with Ice Burst. (MKX - Grandmaster Variation)
    • A button must be held.
  • Ice Skulpture: Sub-Zero performs his Throw, only this time instead of knocking the opponent away when frozen, he palm thrusts them through the chest, knocking out their heart and leaving a gaping hole in their chest. The opponent's head falls off shortly after. (MKXL - Secret)

Mortal Kombat 11

  • The Klassic: Sub-Zero performs an uppercut, decapitating the opponent with a rising uppercut with their spine still attached. This Brutality is shared with every character. (MK11)
    • Must not block an attack for the entirety of the final round.
    • A button must be held.
  • Off With Your Head: Sub-Zero performs an amplified Slide, only this time instead of punching the opponent, he throws an Ice Axe at their neck, decapitating the opponent as their body slides down the ice wall. (MK11)
    • A button must be pressed repeatedly.
    • Will not trigger on Krushing Blow, if it has not been activated during the match.
  • Dancing On The Ceiling: Sub-Zero performs his Throw (Forward), only this time when he punches the opponent upwards, they are impaled on ice stalagmites in the frozen block. Their body remains stuck in the block as Sub-Zero performs his Brutality Victory Pose, with their blood constantly dripping from the ceiling. (MK11)
    • A button mush be held.
  • Falling To Pieces: Sub-Zero performs a regular or amplified Ice Ball on a frozen opponent, destroying the entire upper half of their body while their legs remain frozen in place. This Brutality is nearly identical to his Snow Ball Brutality from MKX. (MK11)
    • Must not be Close to the opponent.
  • Big Leg: Sub-Zero performs a Brutal Kick with the impact of the kick severing the opponent's legs at the knees as they are kicked forward. The opponent crawls forwards before bleeding to death. (MK11)
    • Requires a number of Brutal Kicks to connect during the match.
    • Will not trigger on Krushing Blow, if it has not been activated during the match.
  • Seeing Double: Sub-Zero performs an amplified Cold Shoulder, with the final axe swing cutting the opponent vertically in half from the head down. (MK11)
    • Must connect a number of hits before finishing with an amplified Cold Shoulder.
    • Will not trigger on Krushing Blow, if it has not been activated during the match.
  • Slicing Meat: Sub-Zero performs a Double Axe Slam, cutting off the opponent's arms. The arms freeze immediately upon being severed. (MK11)
    • Requires Sub-Zero to be at a certain health level.
  • Butchered: Sub-Zero performs an (Air) Polar Axe that lodges into the opponent's head, freezing the head immediately and reducing it to a frozen skull as the opponent falls dead. (MK11)
    • A button must be held.
  • Frost Bite: Sub-Zero performs a Creeping Ice, causing an ice stalactite from behind his opponent to erupt from the ground, impaling them through the chest. (MK11)
    • A number of Creeping Ices must be performed.
  • Forgotten: Sub-Zero performs a Ground Ice, trapping and freezing his opponent. As the frozen opponent tips, it shattered into pieces. (MK11)
    • A number of Ground Ices must be performed.
  • Out Cold: Sub-Zero performs his Throw (Backward), however instead of impaling the opponent with his Ice Axe, he immedaitely throws the opponent towards the screen, removing the flesh from their face upon impact. Their body slowly falls down the screen shortly after. (MK11)
    • A button must be held.
    • Will not trigger on Krushing Blow, if it has not been activated during the match.
  • Alternate Dancing On The Ceiling Brutality: Sub-Zero performs his Dancing On The Ceiling Brutality, only this time, the opponent's body falls from the stalagmites. (MK11 - Secret)
    • Has the same requirements as Dancing On The Ceiling.
    • Requires certain buttons to be held.
  • Alternate Off With Your Head Brutality: Sub-Zero performs his Off With Your Head Brutality, only this time, the axe holding up the opponent's head disappears, causing the head to fall near Sub-Zero's feet as he performs his Brutality Victory Pose. (MK11 - Secret)
    • Has the same requirements as Off With Your Head.
    • Requires certain buttons to be held.
  • Alternate Falling To Pieces Brutality: Sub-Zero performs his Falling to Pieces Brutality, only this time, causing the head and the upper body skeletonized while frozen. (MK11 - Secret)

Other Finishers

  • Friendship #1: Sub-Zero takes out a Sub-Zero doll and text appears on screen saying "Buy a Sub-Zero Doll!" (MKII)
  • Friendship #2: Sub-Zero uses his ice powers to create a snowman in front of him. (MK3, UMK3, MKT)
  • Friendship #3 - Frosty Treats: Sub-Zero runs away in joy and comes back riding an ice cream cart. He uses his powers to make a popsicle. (MK11)[5]
  • Animality: Sub-Zero turns into a polar bear and mauls his opponent. (MK3, UMK3, MKT)
  • Multality - Ice Stomp: Sub-Zero leaps up and comes back down, stomps on the ground and then freezes and shatters all opponents. (MK:SM)
  • Brutality - Frostbite Rage: Sub-Zero covers himself up in ice, sliding toward the opponent, mercilessly pounding them until they shatter. (MK:SM)
  • Hara-Kiri - Meltdown: Sub-Zero covers himself with ice, falls over and shatters, leaving him as a mess of ice and bones. (MK:D, MK:U)
  • Babality: Sub-Zero turns into a baby, urinates on the floor and accidentally freezes it with his feet, causing him to slip and hit his head on the ground, making him cry. (MK 2011)

Combat Characteristics as Cyber Sub-Zero

Powers and Abilities

As a cyborg, Sub-Zero's natural strength is further enhanced through cybernetics. While he has a noticeably lighter frame, he appears to easily be the strongest and most capable of the cyborg ninjas, not only for soundly defeating his former Lin Kuei brethren Sektor and his older brother, but also both Shokan champions, Kintaro and Goro single-handed at the same time. He still retains his old cryomancy powers and wields the same skill he had when he was human, but these have been translated into a fighting style especially suited for his unique frame, taking attributes from both his original form and Cyrax.

While he can fire ice blasts in an instant from his chest cavity, he still performs the charging motion subconsciously to help focus his power. He still retains the ability to shape the cold around his body into solid weaponry and thus, regularly uses an ice sword in battle, albeit with a different, much larger shape featuring a hand guard. Like Cyrax, he has the ability to teleport by separating his limbs and reconfiguring at a different location. While he has lost the ability to make ice clones, he is instead given the ability to flash-freeze himself temporarily, passing the freeze to melee attackers for a quick counterattack.

Signature Moves

  • Ice Ball: Cyber Sub-Zero sends a ball of ice directly towards the opponent to temporarily freeze them in place for a free hit. This move is similar to his freeze in human form, except it's smaller, slightly slower, and is fired directly from the chest. (MK 2011)
    • The enhanced version is called Ice Beam. Cyber Sub-Zero shoots a beam of ice instead of a ball, and the opponent stays frozen for a longer amount of time.
  • Ice Bomb: Cyber Sub-Zero drops an ice bomb from his chest compartment. When the bomb explodes, it damages the opponent. It will freeze the opponent if the bomb is in very close range to them. There are short, medium and long-range variations of the attack. This ability is similar to Cyrax's Bomb. (MK 2011)
    • The enhanced version is called Cryo Bomb and sends out three bombs at once. It is unblockable.
  • Slide: Cyber Sub-Zero slides across the floor, knocking the opponent off their feet. This move is taken directly from his human form. (MK 2011)
    • The enhanced version is called Cyber-Slide. Cyber Sub-Zero travels further and faster and follows-up with a flying kick.
  • Teleport: Cyber Sub-Zero's limbs detach from his body with a flash of blue-white light. Then they reattach behind his enemy. This ability is borrowed from Cyrax. (MK 2011)
    • The enhanced version is called Bangport. Cyber Sub-Zero's detached limbs hit the opponent while teleporting, damaging the opponent.
  • Ice Parry: Cyber Sub-Zero flash-freezes himself in a sheet of ice. If he is touched by melee attacks while in this state, he will pass the freeze to his opponent and hit them with his Kori Blade. This does not work when hit by low attacks. (MK 2011)
    • The enhanced version is called Frozen Parry. Cyber Sub-Zero completely freezes his opponent without a counterattack.
  • Divekick: While in the air, Cyber Sub-Zero dives down in a diagonal kick. This can be done in close and far proximity. (MK 2011)
    • The enhanced version is called Powerkick and it makes him kick the opponent three times.

X-Ray

  • Cool Down: Cyber Sub-Zero does a Dive Kick to get behind his opponent, dizzying them, then creates a ball of ice and slams it to the back of their head, damaging their skull. Then he creates a Kori Blade and stabs upward through their back before pushing his opponent to the ground. (MK 2011)

Other Moves

  • Throw: Cyber Sub-Zero grabs his opponent and freezes them. He then punches them in the face, knocking them to the ground, or steps behind them and kicks them in the back, knocking them to the ground. (MK 2011)

Fatalities

  • Kold Fusion: Cyber Sub-Zero enters a code on his arm and then jumps onto his opponent, freezing both of them in the process. They both eventually explode into shards of ice, leaving only the opponent's legs. This Fatality resembles the Hara-Kiri Finishers of Mortal Kombat: Deception, as well as Cyrax's MK3 Self-Destruct Fatality, further giving him resemblance to Cyrax. (MK 2011)
  • Brain Freeze: Cyber Sub-Zero fires two Shurikens from his chest, one into each of the opponent's eyes. He then charges an ice blast and fires it while shooting a third shuriken. Both shurikens in the eye sockets get into the opponent's brain, where they spin in place, shredding it, which is shown in a fashion similar to the X-Ray moves. Finally, the opponent enters rigor mortis, freezes in a comical pose with their limbs twitching in awkward ways, and falls to the ground, dead. (MK 2011)
    • If this Fatality is performed on Kratos, he will simply fall over once the shurikens tear his brain to pieces.

Other Finishers

  • Babality: Cyber Sub-Zero plays with one of his ice bombs. Then he drops it and it freezes himself into a block of ice. His cries can be heard while he is frozen. (MK 2011)

Combat Characteristics as Scorpion

Powers and Abilities

In the New Era, instead of a Cryomancer as he was in the previous timelines, Kuai Liang is now a Pyromancer taking on the name of Scorpion. Unlike Hanzo Hasashi in the previous timelines, who was a hellfire-wielding hellspawn, Kuai Liang is a human capable of manipulating natural fire.

In Mortal Kombat 1, Kuai Liang carries a kusarigama as his weapon.

Signature Moves

  • Spear: Kuai Liang sends out a rope with a tipped Kunai at the end, where it impales into the opponent's chest, dealing damage, pulling them to him and setting them up for a free hit while shouting "GET OVER HERE!" or "COME HERE!". Connecting a second Spear will pull the opponent towards Kuai Liang and knock them down to the ground immediately after, ending the current combo. This attack can miss ducking opponents. (MK1)
    • Enhancing the attack deals increased damage and allows it to strike ducking opponents.
  • Blazing Charge: Kuai charges at his opponent, impaling them with his kusarigama before pulling on the rope its connected to, ripping the blade out and dealing damage. Kuai travels nearly full-screen distance when charging at the opponent. (MK1)
    • Enhancing the attack grants armor and increased damage.
  • (Air) Kyo Snag: While in the air, Kuai tosses his kusarigama forward and pulls in airborne opponents towards himself. This attack can be used at a different range, called (Air Close) Kyo Snag, respectively. (MK1)
    • Enhancing the attack deals no extra damage, however it allows Kuai to strike the airborne opponent with follow-up attacks.
  • Twisted Kyo: Kuai sets his kusarigama ablaze and spins it around his body six times, causing a multi-hitting attack with the final strike knocking the opponent to the ground. (MK1)
    • Enhancing the attack deals increased damage.
  • Flame-Port: Kuai teleports behind his opponent, slashing them in the face with his kusarigama. This attack can miss ducking opponents. The attack can also be used in the air, called (Air) Flame-Port, respectively, and can allow Kuai to continue combos in some instances when used on an airborne opponent. (MK1)
    • Enhancing the attack on a grounded opponent cancels the teleport, however, when used on an airborne opponent, the attack deals increased damage and allows for a greater window for follow-up attacks on an airborne opponent.
  • Devouring Flame: Kuai summons a pillar of flames to burn his opponent from underneath. Unlike Hanzo's version, this attack is not unblockable. (MK1)
    • Enhancing the attack make the attack unblockable, however the opponent does not stumble from the flames. Additionally, the opponent is affected by a minor damage-over-time effect.

Fatal Blow

  • Speared and Seared: Kuai leaps into the air, shooting his Kunais at the opponent, impaling them in the chest and shattering their neck in the process. He then pulls the opponent in, bearhugging them and engulfs himself and the opponent in flames before lawn darting the opponent head-first into the ground into an explosion of fire. (MK1)

Other Moves

  • Fire Drop (Backward Throw): Kuai leaps off his opponent, shooting his Kunai into their chest, then sends them flying behind him in the opposite direction. (MK1)
  • Demonic Slam: Kuai slashes the opponent then grabs them and slams them into the ground in the opposite direction. This is an Aerial Attack and can only be performed in the air. (MK1)

Fatalities

  • Eye-Palling Victory: Scorpion smashes the ground with an explosion, causing the opponent to fly up. He then uses two spears to impale the opponent's stomach and then they go backwards through the back of the head and out the eye sockets. He then pulls back, taking the head off and then shouts "COME HERE!" as he takes the spears back, with the head splitting the remaining body in half. Scorpion catches the head as the poor halves of the body fall in front of him. (MK1)
  • Killer Klones from Netherrealm: Scorpion dives into the ground and summons 3 clones of himself. One clone impales the opponent's chest with a sword, another one swings an axe to the back of their head, leaving it stuck, and another clone breathes fire on the opponent's body, torching it. The original Scorpion uses his spear and impales the opponent's body and shouts "GET OVER HERE!" before kicking the top half of the opponent's skeleton out of their body, leaving the body falling to its knees, and the axe humorously still on the skull. (MK1)

Brutalities

Mortal Kombat 1

  • The Klassic: Scorpion uppercuts the opponent's head off, with their spine still attached. (MK1)
  • Choke On It: Scorpion grabs the opponent with Fire Drop, ties his rope around their neck, and keeps pulling on it until the opponent's neck is cut through, with their head hanging on a piece of skin. A secret variation has Scorpion fully decapitate the opponent with the rope. (MK1)
    • The opponent's health must be brought to 0 with the initial grab.
    • Several buttons must be pressed quickly.
  • Any Way You Slice It: Scorpion uses Blazing Charge to dash through the opponent, and tugs his kusarigama attached to the opponent's lower half, bisecting them. (MK1)
    • A button must be pressed repeatedly.
  • Hot Head: Scorpion performs Flame-Port and decapitates the opponent with a kusarigama swing. (MK1)
    • A button mush be held.
  • Stop Ahead: Scorpion performs Spear and pulls the opponent's head off with the kunai. (MK1)
    • A button mush be held.
    • Must be Jump distance away from the opponent.
  • Burn for Me!: Scorpion sets his opponent ablaze with Devouring Flame and makes him burn to the bone. (MK1)
    • A button mush be held.

Appearances in Other Media

Mortal Kombat: Annihilation

The younger Sub-Zero makes a brief appearance in Mortal Kombat: Annihilation. After saving Liu Kang and Kitana from an assassination attempt by Smoke, Liu Kang asked how could he survived as Sub-Zero was killed by Liu Kang during the tournament prior to Shao Khan's invasion. Sub-Zero took off his mask, revealing his face, and told Liu Kang it was his elder brother killed by Liu Kang. Kitana asked for Sub-Zero's help, to which he agreed. However, they were attacked by Scorpion. As Liu Kang rushed to the assistance of Sub-Zero, Scorpion teleported away from the battle with Kitana as his captive. Afterwards, Sub-Zero is not seen again for the remainder of the movie. Sub-Zero was portrayed by Keith Cooke, who appeared as Reptile in the first movie.

Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm

Sub-Zero, voiced by Luke Perry, appears in the cartoon Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm as one of the leading characters. Sub-Zero has to prove he was trustworthy in "Kombat Begins Again", the first episode of the series, since his status as a Lin Kuei traitor cast a shadow of doubt over his intentions, especially with Sonya, who takes longer to be convinced. In the next episode, "Sting of the Scorpion", he confronts and is defeated by Scorpion, only to be succeeded by Liu Kang. His last important episode is the 5th episode "Old Friends Never Die", in which he is attacked by former friend Smoke, and is able to free his soul and later take on the Lin Kuei Grandmaster.

Mortal Kombat (Malibu Comics)

Sub-Zero makes a cameo appearance in the comic book series Mortal Kombat published by Malibu Comics. He appears in the epilogue of the story arc Battlewave, in which, wearing his MK3 attire, freeze a group of Lin Kuei while proclaiming the clan is corrupted and no more worthy of the services of Sub-Zero. If there was any plannings to the younger Sub-Zero, they were never explored as the comic books ended before adapting the Mortal Kombat 3 stories.

Mortal Kombat: Rebirth

Sub-Zero and his brother are mentioned in the short film Mortal Kombat: Rebirth, by Sonya Blade and Jax Briggs, in an attempt to gain Scorpion's trust, and get him to enter Shang Tsung's tournament as Sonya Blade told Hanzo Hasashi that if he joined the tournament, he would get the opportunity to kill Sub-Zero. Scorpion believed he was dead, but he was then informed that the one he had killed was the older brother.

Mortal Kombat: Legacy

Kuai Liang, played by Harry Shum Jr., appears in the second season of Mortal Kombat: Legacy. Contrary to most of his counterparts in other media, this version of Kuai Liang is portrayed as a man without morals or honor as he used Scorpion's son, Jubei, as bait to attempt to lure him into an ambush. What happens to him is unknown, but it is implied he was killed by Scorpion.

Quotes (as Sub-Zero)

Mortal Kombat: Annihilation

  • "You must go. There will be others."
  • "You killed my older brother."
  • "I helped her."
  • "Legend says the princess is the key to stopping Kahn."
  • "Kahn reprogrammed Smoke to come after you... in order to keep you apart from Queen Sindel."
  • "Let's hope you succeed."

Mortal Kombat 4/Gold

  • "The battle is finished, your quest for vengeance is over, Scorpion!" (to Scorpion, when he defeated him)
  • "I serve no one! Not the Lin Kuei, and not you. (to Quan Chi when he knocks him down)
  • "Your soul will never rest, Scorpion. The Lin Kuei may have been responsible for your murder... But your family's true killer still remains free..." (to Scorpion, after being defeated by him)

Mortal Kombat: Armageddon

  • "Rest? Think again intruder. You may have bested my Lin Kuei warriors, but you will not get past me."
  • "I am Sub-Zero. Grandmaster of the Lin Kuei. And you are trespassing. Fight!"
  • "Your tattoo!"
  • "It resembles the dragon image on the door behind you! Who are you? And why are you here?"
  • "This must be what?"
  • "I assure you. It had been abandoned long before we arrived."
  • "I assume you have a key."
  • "I may."
  • "Friends of yours?"
  • "Time to choose sides: Friend or Foe?"
  • "Then defend the Lin Kuei Temple! Smash these new intruders!"
  • "I should thank you. You probably saved my life."
  • "He is Noob Saibot. A warrior from the Netherrealm. He is my brother. He was corrupted long ago. But now I have the chance to save him.
  • "The Lin Kuei owe you much, Taven. In return for your aid I will help you find the men who have been hunting you. They are called the Red Dragon, a clan of mysterious warriors. I can't help you get inside their base, but I can reveal its location. Charred Mountain."

Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe

  • "Closer than you think!" (to Liu Kang)
  • "Is this the way of the so-called "Forces of Light"? Exterminate your enemies?" (to Liu Kang)
  • "Many of our warriors have disappeared, and now I have found their assassin." (to Liu Kang)
  • "I heard your communication. You and your Special Forces dogs were about to--"
  • "How do I know I can trust you?"
  • "What?"
  • "Scorpion..."
  • "Another one! Quan Chi was right!" (when he sees Wonder Woman)
  • "I am Sub-Zero."
  • "The Lin Kuei do not know the meaning of surrender!" (to Wonder Woman)
  • "Fight!"
  • "You are the invaders!" (to Wonder Woman)
  • "You should've finish him."
  • "He is Jax. A formidable warrior, as you will soon discover." (to Wonder Woman)
  • "Obviously, I am a captive. It appears we are now allies." (to Sonya Blade over radio and Jax)
  • "True. But you'd be a fool to refuse my help." (to Jax)
  • "Only that these warriors are unlike anything that I've encountered. I don't know yet who commands them." (to Jax about the DC universe)
  • "The most logical assumption would be that Shao Kahn has returned to finish what he started, with his new army."
  • "Now I need to find someone... The sorcerer who may have answers."
  • "Like it or not, we need him. When there is a threat or invasion, he usually knows something about it."
  • "Raiden. I have come seeking assistance."
  • "I'm not my brother." (to Raiden)
  • "The Lin Kuei also have reasons to be concern about this new crisis."
  • "For the same reason you helped my brother, to protect Earthrealm." (to Raiden)
  • "Quan Chi foresaw this intrusion from the other world. And if their champion would pose a dire threat."
  • "Yes. Much like this rock formation, the warrior's appeared near the Lin Kuei temple. I wore him down and sealed him in ice." (to Raiden about the Fortress of Solitude and Superman)
  • "I must find Quan Chi. To the man who reveal all that he knows."
  • "Scorpion was here. I can sense the Nether, but he must have vanished from this spot."
  • "You do not look so innocent yourself." (to Deathstroke)
  • "Sub-Zero." (to Deathstroke)
  • "It is none of your concerns." (to Deathstroke)
  • "I'm not from your world." (to Deathstroke)
  • "And I assume you are the enemy." (to Deathstroke)
  • "Scorpion's trail is weak, but I can still track him."
  • "This way."
  • "This is where Scorpion first entered the mortal realm."
  • "What was he doing here? What is this place?" (inside the Bat Cave)
  • "Then I will do it the hard way!" (to Batman)
  • "Quan Chi! There were rumors that the Elder Gods had punished you. I see the rumors were true."
  • "That was not me." (to Scorpion about his family and clan's murder)
  • "You're free..."
  • "You used us." (to Quan Chi)
  • "It's not intentional. I swear it to you."
  • "More intruders!"

Mortal Kombat (2011)

  • "This fight will be your last!" (Battle Cry)
  • "You are right, Smoke. But assuming Bi-Han's identity is the best way to honor him." (to Smoke)
  • "We should separate. Our fellow Lin Kuei will not be far behind once our absence is discovered."
  • "If he killed Bi-Han, he will die." (about Shang Tsung)
  • "Be stealthful as the night..." (to Smoke)
  • "A pity you could not cooperated."
  • "Cyrax!"
  • "I'm sorry for what they did to you..." (to Cyrax)
  • "... but I will not comply."
  • "I will face the Lin Kuei when my task is done, not before." (after defeating Cyrax)
  • "I am not the Sub-Zero you speak of. He was my brother." (to Sonya and Jax)
  • "I'm only here to find out Sub-Zero's fate." (to Sonya and Jax)
  • "Where would I find him?" (to Sonya and Jax)
  • "Not if I break you first." (to Ermac)
  • "I remain whole, for now." (after defeating Ermac)
  • "You have stopped the bleeding." (to Sonya)
  • "I must go to the Coliseum." (to Sonya)
  • "There is a portal to the south. You can use it to transport yourselves back to Earthrealm." (to Sonya)
  • "Shao Kahn! I challenge Scorpion, the murderer of my brother! You will bring him before me!"
  • "I would kill you. But that is not my purpose here." (after defeating Reptile)
  • "Your followers hold you in high esteem, warlord. They fight and die for your amusement. My brother participated in this folly. I do so only to face his killer!"
  • "I am his family and clan! I fight for his honor!" (to Scorpion)
  • "For my brother!" (after defeating Scorpion)
  • "No! I will not be turned!" (being taken away by the Lin Kuei)
  • "My soul was corrupted Now it is cleansed." (to Sektor)
  • "Artificial enhancements are no substitute for the human soul." (after defeating Sektor)

Mortal Kombat X

Gameplay

  • "You cannot win!" (Brutality win quote)
  • "Feeling chill in despair." (Brutality win quote)

Story Mode

  • "It is time to entertain our guests." (to his Lin Kuei ninjas)
  • "You are not welcome here. State your intentions." (to Kung Jin)
  • "You demand my cooperation. Yet you are cut off. Surrounded. What will you do?" (to Cassie Cage and her partners)
  • "Talking. Always his first choice."
  • "Cassandra Cage, you lead this group, but they do not follow. What would your mother do?" (asking Cassie Cage)
  • "You are more like your mother than you think." (after defeating Cassie Cage)
  • "Your powers should have revealed my intention, Takahashi Takeda. No doubt Kenshi taught you how to use them." (to Takeda Takahashi)
  • "Let us see."
  • "You are not your father. Not yet." (after defeating Takeda)
  • "You announced your arrival, Jacqueline Briggs." (To Jacqui Briggs)
  • "Yes. Military decorum is important in your family."
  • "Our histories share a dark chapter." (to Jacqui Briggs)
  • "Do not judge yourself harshly, Specialist Briggs." (after defeating Jacqui)
  • "Kung Jin, you should rally your companions rather than mock your superiors." (to Kung Jin)
  • "False bravado does not suit you." (after defeating Kung Jin)
  • "That opportunity has passed."
  • "Yes, I suppose so. Chuo! Dangin!" (calling his Lin Kuei ninjas to unbind Cassie and her partners)
  • "A training exercise."
  • "You and your friends show much promise, Cassandra Cage. But until you function as one...you will fall short." (to Cassie)
  • "Master Hasashi. I'm grateful that you've come." (while greeting Scorpion)
  • "You reestablish the Shirai-Ryu as I reform the Lin Kuei. We both seek to shed our clans' dark pasts. Dedicate them to Earthrealm's protection. Our common purpose gives us a chance to end old rivalries. To start anew." (to Scorpion about the story of themselves)
  • "Our honor is indeed stained. Please. Sit."
  • "After you and I were freed from Quan Chi's control, I sought out my clan. I had hoped rebellion from within would have quashed the Grandmaster's plans. But Sektor had realized his father's vision. The Lin Kuei had been fully cyberized. I pledged to kill Sektor and his followers. Reform the Lin Kuei and restore our honor." (to Scorpion about the past time)
  • "When I finally killed Sektor, I discovered the Lin Kuei had not sacrificed its honor with the Cyber Initiative. We had abandoned it long before."
  • "Master Hasashi, wait!" (telling Scorpion to stop)
  • "I did not bring you here for treachery." (to Scorpion after stopping Frost)
  • "Frost is strong, but lacks judgment. She cannot see the wisdom of peace. I will deal with her." (to Scorpion about Frost)
  • "For years, I had thought you had unfairly blamed the Lin Kuei for the death of your family and clan. But Sektor's cyber-preserved memories revealed the truth." (to Scorpion)
  • "Had I known of my clan's complicity in the Shirai-Ryu's extinction, our history would be different." (to Scorpion)
  • "Quan Chi is responsible for Bi-Han's death." (to Scorpion and assuring Hanzo he holds nothing against him for Bi-Han's death)
  • "You stood together against formidable odds. Lesser warriors would not have fair so well." (after saving Cassie, Jacqui, Kung Jin, and Takeda)
  • "I will remain here to push Kotal Kahn back to Outworld. Proceed to the Sky Temple. Earthrealm's fate lies with you."

Mortal Kombat: Legacy

  • "I'm tired of you telling me what to do. You're going to regret underestimating me all these years." (To Hanzo)

Mortal Kombat 11

Gameplay

  • "You will scream."
  • "I will end you."
  • "Shame on you, Frost."
  • "You are no Lin Kuei."
  • "Beg for your life."
  • "For the Lin Kuei."
  • "You are finished."
  • "As the snow falls, so will you."
  • "You lack patience."
  • "I'll rip out your spine."
  • "Winter is here."
  • "You cannot win."
  • "Warmed up yet?"
  • "Not much of a challenge."
  • "Have a chill in your spine?"
  • "You call that kombat?"
  • "The ice cracks beneath you."
  • "Earthrealm deserves better."
  • "Death is a cold hand."
  • "Your blood runs cold."
  • "Your teeth chatter."
  • "You are no warrior."
  • "Cold enough for you?"
  • "Your bones will freeze."
  • "You will fail."
  • "You'll not survive."
  • "This fight was your last."
  • "Kombat is finished."
  • "Your soul will never rest."
  • "Ability: To freeze."
  • "Let the cold be your tomb."

Story Mode

Part 1: Mortal Kombat 11

  • "I recognize your footsteps, Hanzo." (To Hanzo)
  • "The old Cyber Lin Kuei factory was defunct, buried beneath this quarryuntil the time disruption." (Explaining to Hanzo the situation)
  • "Now, Sektor's returned and reactivated it. He's building an army by processing Lin Kuei warriors kidnapped from my temple."
  • "We could enter though that tunnel, but a frontal assault would be..."
  • "Needlessly dangerous. There's another entrance, less populated."
  • "We get help on the inside..."
  • "He was converted against his will. If we disable the behavior inhibitors that control him..."
  • "All Cyber Lin Kuei are linked to a common network. Cyrax can shut them down from within."
  • "I don't know. Focus on disabling Cyrax. He's the key." (when asked about the unknown woman in the cloak)
  • "Frost!"
  • "I gave you a home. I was your mentor. Yet after all this, you allied with Sektor? He corrupted the Lin Kuei!"
  • "Keep Cyrax alive. We need him." (To Scorpion, if the player chooses him)
  • "There is no future in which you are fit to lead the Lin Kuei." (To Frost)
  • "You deceive yourself, Frost." (After defeating Frost)
  • "The upgrade, Cyrax. Is this Kronika's doing?"
  • "Take the others." (To Scorpion, if the player chooses him)
  • "You've been enslaved, Cyrax. First by Sektor, now by Kronika."
  • "It ends today."
  • "You will be freed." (After defeating Cyrax)
  • "He'll need a moment to initialize."
  • "Sektor? Show yourself!"
  • "Bi-Han?!" (Seeing Noob Saibot alive)
  • "Leave Bi-Han to me." (To Scorpion, if the player chooses him)
  • "I uphold the Lin Kuei principles I thought you shared."
  • "We share blood. We are not brothers." (To Noob Saibot after defeating him, a callback from Noob’s word in MK (2011))
  • "Your soul is intact, Cyrax. Trust me, I speak from experience."
  • "We need your help, Cyrax."
  • "Aid Cyrax. Sektor is mine." (To Scorpion, if the player chooses him)
  • "I've taken your head once, Sektor. I will do it again."
  • "The Cyber Lin Kuei are finished." (After defeating Sektor)
  • "It is not the end. I will find a way to restore you. Anything is possible. Hanzo and I are living proof."
  • "Machine or man, you have a warrior's soul. As long as I am Grandmaster, the Lin Kuei will welcome you." (As he says goodbye to Cyrax)
  • "First we speak with Raiden."
  • "Kharon, of course."
  • "He travels in the space beyond realms, transporting damned souls to the Netherrealm."
  • "Agreed. But why not use Kharon's fleet? The bridge clearly taxes her power." (To Hanzo)
  • "In which case he may help us."
  • "Are you certain Kharon will aid us?" (Before returning to Earthrealm)
  • "Your Shaolin masters, they're ready?" (To Liu Kang)
  • "That is likely what it will take."
  • "No. If we do not hear soon, I will return to the Netherrealm." (As Liu Kang and Kuai Liang are worried about Hanzo's whereabouts in the Netherrealm)
  • "Get Raiden." (As Scorpion appears instead of Hanzo, to their surprise)
  • "Why are you here, Scorpion? Where is Grandmaster Hasashi?"
  • "And now, you have come to finish us."
  • "I find that impossible to believe." (Before fighting Scorpion)
  • "Such wasted potential."
  • "She commands them? Not Sektor?" (Surprised that Frost is the new Cyber Lin Kuei's leader)
  • "If so, she is linked to them. They follow her thoughts."
  • "Liu Kang?" (As Liu Kang became a god)

Part 2: Aftermath

  • "What is he doing here?" (Questions Scorpion about Shang Tsung's arrival)
  • "If you are here to help, prove it. Join me against the sorcerer."
  • "Fujin?! Raiden thought you lost when the timeline was broken..."
  • "But you stand with Shang Tsung?!"
  • "This may be the sorcerer's trick."
  • "Why you have joined Shang Tsung is beyond me, Fujin."
  • "What has he done to corrupt your mind?" (Before fighting Fujin)

Mortal Kombat Legends: Battle of the Realms

  • "Not good enough."
  • "No, not yet."
  • "Smoke!"
  • "You shall pay for my brother's death."
  • "No one kills him except me."
  • "You're lying."
  • "I don't care."
  • "I will never forgive you."
  • "Brother No, We've been lied to. Whoever hired the Lin-Kuei wants that for an Evil purpose, You can't give it to them!"

Mortal Kombat Legends: Snow Blind

  • "Do not dwell on what you are, but what you can be. There is nothing more poisonous than "I can't." You can, if you believe. Even if all of Heaven and Hell are allied against you, you can." (training Kenshi)
  • "Not yet." (To Scorpion)
  • "What the hell...?"
  • "Lying around." (To Kenshi about Kano's whereabouts)
  • "You were right."
  • "No."
  • "Using what you know to help others. Something I forgot somewhere along the way."
  • "Because of you, I have some sense of honor again. Thank you."
  • "Remember what I said about my power. I can feel it... Even now, it can't be controlled. I made a promise."
  • "And if I don't keep it, he will."
  • "I'd leave that to you."
  • "You are the Lin Kuei now."
  • "Find others, train them, protect Earthrealm for there will be other threats."
  • "And I trust you can handle them."

Quotes (as Cyber Sub-Zero)

Mortal Kombat (2011)

  • "You are not authorized for portal use." (To Kabal, upon Kabal's exit from the Outworld portal)
  • "Sub-Zero. Unit LK-52O" (Introducing himself to Kabal)
  • "As you will soon discover." (To Kabal, after Kabal mocks him)
  • "Yes, Smoke." (Waking up from his reactivation)
  • "I remember..."
  • "The things I have done for Shao Kahn..."
  • "He cannot be allowed to merge the realms." (To the Earthrealm warriors)
  • "They are unaware of my defection. I could deceive them." (To Stryker)
  • "I killed him in Earthrealm."
  • "He was formidable. I have no choice."
  • "What mission brings us here?"
  • "Impossible."
  • "My soul was corrupted." (To Sektor)
  • "Now it is cleansed."
  • "Artificial enhancements are no substitute for the human soul." (After defeating Sektor)
  • "Thank you, Sektor." (After interrogating him)
  • "For what purpose?"
  • "I will help you." (Help freeing the soldiers)
  • "Go! All of you! Now!"
  • "All those teeth and claws, yet still overmatched." (After defeating Goro and Kintaro)
  • "Behind me!"
  • "Come no further, fiend of Outworld!" (To Ermac)
  • "You are not so fearsome." (After defeating Ermac)
  • "I must go. I need to investigate the graveyard."
  • "That is for the best."
  • "This is Sub-Zero."
  • "I have encountered Quan Chi. He seems to be casting a spell."
  • "Hurry. The spell appears to be nearly complete."
  • "Who are you to judge?" (To Noob Saibot)
  • "Bi-Han?!"
  • "Restored? You and I both. We are just flawed copies of our former selves."
  • "For what end? To serve the Netherrealm and Outworld?"
  • "But brother, we are--"
  • "Then I will not regret your defeat."
  • "You are right. We are not brothers." (After defeating Noob Saibot)
  • "The Lin Kuei. They surround us!"

Quotes (as Scorpion)

Mortal Kombat 1

  • "Get over here!" (after wrapping Kung Lao's ankle with his kunai and pulling him)
  • "You should have fled when you could."
  • "Prepare to regret ever crossing the Lin Kuei." (challenging Kung Lao)
  • "Second-guessing your choice to confront me?" (after Kung Lao lost to him in a round)
  • "Was that necessary, brother?" (to Sub-Zero)
  • "Patience, Bi-Han. There are many demands on Liu Kang's attention."
  • "His teaching did not pass with him. They should still guide us."
  • "We're trained differently. It takes years to master our ways." (to Kung Lao)
  • "Glory? We fight for duty." (to Sub-Zero)
  • "We must honor his vision Bi-Han."
  • "We are, brother."
  • "I will be pleased when we complete our mission."
  • "Let us win it first, brother."
  • "If we break it, we'll halt their construction."
  • "Waaah!" (being buried under a pile of treasure caused by Shang Tsung)
  • "Ignore him, brother. He promises only corruption." (to Sub-Zero about Shang Tsung's offer)
  • "Bi-Han, don't listen! We must stop them, not--" (before being interrupted by Sub-Zero)
  • "But brother--"
  • "Bi-Han!! How could you?! Father would turn in his grave if he saw this!" (after witnessing Sub-Zero's betrayal)
  • "Let him die?! You said you tried to save him!"
  • "You may corrupt Bi-Han, but you won't corrupt me." (after defeating General Shao in a round)
  • "Neither of you are up to the task." (after defeating General Shao)
  • "The sorcerer tempted him into forsaking his oath." (to Rain)
  • "Your scheme will fail. I'll see to it." (after defeating Rain in a round)
  • "The mistake is yours, Outworlder." (after defeating Rain)
  • "Desist or I'll scorch the rest of you." (after defeating Havik in a round)
  • "A Lin Kuei's flame is not easily smothered." (after defeating Havik)
  • "He's betrayed us. We're all in imminent danger." (to Smoke)
  • "I knew Bi-Han's frustrations ran deep. But I never thought they could inspire such madness. We can't let his corruption spread."
  • "Thank you. We may not share blood, but we are brothers."
  • "Not when it betrays Lin Kuei principles. We won't sacrifice them to serve your ambition!" (to Sub-Zero)
  • "Stay back! This is my fight." (to Smoke)
  • "I want no part of it! You pervert all that it means to be Lin Kuei!" (to Sub-Zero before challenging him)
  • "You disgrace our family and clan!" (after defeating Sub-Zero in a round)
  • "You are my grandmaster no longer." (after defeating Sub-Zero, severing his ties to the Lin Kuei clan)
  • "You forget Cyrax and Sektor. Their loyalty to Bi-Han is absolute. They'll sooner abet his corruption than follow me." (to Smoke)
  • "We must chart a new course. One that both honors our Father's legacy and serves Earthrealm."
  • "Help me. We can't leave him here to aid Shang Tsung."
  • "We must take the crown. Without it, he can't raise more warriors." (to Liu Kang)
  • "Ssseeehh!" (yells as the heroes attack the Dragon Army)
  • "When this crisis ends, we will deal with that one." (to Smoke)
  • "How will we do that?"
  • "We must divide our forces. You, Shang Tsung, Quan Chi will use your magic to attack the portals." (Explains Raiden the plan)
  • "As you do, Kenshi and Jerrod will grind down the Dragon Army."
  • "The rest of us will attack our dark doubles. If they're defeated, it will hopefully throw the dragon warriors into disarray."
  • "Enough with the empty flattery. If you want our trust, give us actions, not words." (to Shang Tsung)

Dark Scorpion

  • "My fire burns!" (after Shang Tsung lost to him in a round)

Armageddon Scorpion

  • "No one can save you now."
  • "I will make you burn."
  • "You should fear the Shirai Ryu."
  • "You won't like how this ends."
  • "Thank you, Kitana." (thanking Titan Kitana)
  • "I am honored, Liu Kang. Shall we finish this."
  • "What's happening?!"

Trivia (as Sub-Zero)

General

  • "奎良", the localized Chinese name of Sub-Zero, going by the first name-last name standard (the second character represents the person's first name), can be translated as "Liáng Kuí". 良 Liáng ("good") is a rare surname in the Sinophone region.
    • The alternative Chinese characters for his name Kuai Liang are "快涼" (WG: K'uai4 Liang2; PY: Kuài Liáng), literally meaning "Fast and cool"; additionally, "涼快" means "cool".
  • The Chinese characters on Sub-Zero's MK:DA primary costume "冰龍的" (WG: Ping1-Lung2 tê; PY: Bīng-Lóng te), mean "Ice Dragon's" (as in "this belongs to Ice Dragon"). 冰= "Ice" // 龍= "Dragon" // 的= "'s". His alternative costume of the same game has the same Chinese Characters with addition to another "Ice" (冰龍的冰). As a result, it now means "Ice Dragon's Ice".
  • His weapon is called the "Kōri-Blade". Kōri (or hyō) is Japanese for "ice" (氷), hyōten (氷点) is "freezing point", and hyōtenka (氷点下) is "below freezing" — or, "sub-zero".
  • In Defenders of the Realm, Sub-Zero is shown to grow weak and debilitated in hot environments. It is unknown if this applies to other depictions.
  • In an episode of Malcolm in the Middle, Reese mentions the fact that nobody believes that he beat the last level of Mortal Kombat, to which Hal responds "Because that's just ridiculous; no one beats Sub-Zero."
  • Sub-Zero inspired the professional wrestling character known as Glacier in World Championship Wrestling. Ray Lloyd, a regional Karate champion, played the role for several years.
  • Despite not being a playable character in MK:TE, he is still involved in Sareena's ending.
  • Ed Boon stated that Sub-Zero was originally going to be called "Tundra", which canonically was Sub-Zero's original codename before changing it to Sub-Zero, honoring his fallen brother.
  • The game Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks has a small Easter egg when two players select Sub-Zero in versus mode; his player 2 outfit is recolored black and resembles Noob Saibot.
  • In a Top 10 list hosted by Screwattack.com, Sub-Zero was placed at #2 of the Mortal Kombat Characters in the Mortal Kombat Series.
    • In another Top 10 list hosted by Screwattack.com, Sub-Zero was placed at #5 of the ninja characters in the video games.
    • In another Top 10 list hosted by Screwattack.com, Sub-Zero's Spine Rip Fatality was placed at #1 of the top Mortal Kombat Fatalities.
  • According to John Vogel, the Sub-Zero who taught Shujinko is an ancestor of the current Sub-Zero. As the event happened decades ago, this Sub-Zero should be Bi-Han and Kuai-Liang's grandfather.[6]
  • Machinima held a V.S. video featuring Scorpion and Sub-Zero where fans could vote on who would win. Sub-Zero received 5,728 votes, but Scorpion won with 6,262 votes.
  • A parody character called Absolute Zero appears in the game Adventure Quest Worlds.
  • Kuai Liang's older brother Bi-Han had a weapon called the Troll Hammer in MK Armageddon, Kuai Liang has similar weapon in Mortal Kombat X, made out of ice.
  • Fans of the Saudi Arabian soccer team known as Al-Hilal have payed tribute to Sub-Zero & the Mortal Kombat series before their club's matches first by showing Sub-Zero's face and then showing the words: "Finish 'em."
  • Sub-Zero is similar to Taven in the regard that they both have a brother (Noob Saibot/Daegon) that became corrupted (Noob's descent into darkness/Daegon's influence from Shinnok) and both have tried to kill them (Noob in Deception/Daegon in Armageddon).
  • The League of Legends character Shen has two alternate skins that reference both Scorpion and Sub-Zero.
  • Sub-Zero, Scorpion, Jax and Sindel are currently the only characters who have returned to Human form from being Revenants.
    • Sub-Zero is currently the only character to change from two different Revenant forms before returning to Human form.
      • This is because he was transformed into a Revenant as a Cyborg in MK 2011 then changed into the Revenant form seen in the Story Mode of Mortal Kombat X before being returned to Human form.

Mortal Kombat II

  • Despite being known as Tundra at the time of his debut, he is still referred to as Sub-Zero even when selecting him.
  • In MKII, it is possible to defeat an enemy using only uppercuts, which in-turn, would allow the final blow to be a freeze move. If done quickly, a player could freeze the opponent as a final blow and perform either the Deep Freeze Uppercut or the Ice Grenade to finish their opponent which would then be followed by the thaw and collapse of the character just finished. The result would be to finish an opponent with a Fatality while still leaving their body on screen.

Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance

  • During the making of Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance, Sub-Zero was originally given Tae Kwon Do as his primary fighting style, but this was given to Sonya instead.

Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe

  • In his MKvsDCU ending, he becomes Earthrealm's version of Batman, even altering his attire based on Batman's, also, his leaving of the Lin Kuei to pursue this goal is similar to some plot elements of Batman Begins.

Mortal Kombat (2011)

  • During Sub-Zero's Mortal Kombat (2011) arcade ending, a warrior in shadow can be seen performing the infamous Spine Rip Fatality on another warrior. This is likely depicting Scorpion's death by the original Sub-Zero, Bi-Han, in the Shaolin Temple.
  • In his MK 2011 ending, Sub-Zero's partnership with Scorpion is very similar to the one formed by Shang Tsung and Quan Chi; they are even referred to as a "Deadly Alliance".
    • Unlike Shang Tsung and Quan Chi's alliance however, this alliance did not end with Sub-Zero and Scorpion fighting each other, instead they remained partners.
  • Sub-Zero, counting his Klassic Fatality and cyber form, is the only character in Mortal Kombat (2011) that has 5 Fatalities. Also, counting his cyber form, he is the only character who is playable in two complete chapters. Also, he is the only character to fight the same opponent twice, this one being Ermac, who is fought once in each of his chapters.
  • In addition to his MK Klassic Costume, Sub-Zero later received an additional outfit with the Freddy Krueger compatibility pack, labeled as the MK3 Klassic Costume. Although the head resembles his MK3 appearance, the outfit is in fact the ninja outfit worn by Ninja Sub-Zero from UMK3.
  • When using Sub-Zero's alternate costume in Mortal Kombat (2011), most of his sound files are changed to Noob Saibot's; this can be clearly heard when he dies from a Fatality or performs the Ice ball special move. This can be interpreted as being the first time in many years since the Elder Sub-Zero was last playable in canon.
    • Furthermore, when wearing his Klassic Costume (Bi-Han's original costume), Sub-Zero's voice clips remain those of Kuai Liang.
    • The alternate color for his Klassic outfit in MKX resembles the color of the original Sub-Zero.
  • Originally in MK 2011, Sub-Zero's human form possessed the Icy Counter from MK vs DCU. He was later given the Ice Clone instead, while the Icy Counter was given to his cyber form.

Injustice: Gods Among Us

  • Sub-Zero, along with Shao Kahn, cameo during Scorpion's intro in the game where Scorpion appears as a playable guest character.

Mortal Kombat X

  • Sub-Zero is the only character whose X-Ray attack does not break or damage any bones.
  • Sub-Zero, along with Raiden and Reptile, has the weakest X-ray attack, dealing only 31% damage.
  • Sub-Zero in his Cryomancer Variation is the only character with an uppercut that hits Mid rather than High. This means that it is unavoidable if the opponent does not block while ducking.
  • With the exception of reflected Brutalities, Sub-Zero's Frozen Dinner Brutality is the only Brutality that can be performed by more than one person. The other two are Shinnok and Triborg as Cyber Sub-Zero.
    • Interestingly, Shinnok can steal the Brutality in his Impostor variation while Triborg simply borrows the finisher.
  • Sub-Zero's Arcade outfit is never seen in the Story Mode. This is also the same for Kung Lao, Liu Kang, Kitana and Scorpion.
  • He is shown to be able to teleport in the MKX Story Mode, but is never able to do it in actual gameplay.
  • Sub-Zero is featured on the main cover art for Mortal Kombat XL.

Injustice 2

  • Sub-Zero appears as the first guest character in Injustice 2, but is actually the second guest character to be a part of the Injustice games, the first being his rival, Scorpion, in Injustice: Gods Among Us.
  • Sub-Zero is voiced by Steven Blum, reprising his role as the character from Mortal Kombat X.
    • Steve Blum also voices Hal Jordan in Injustice 2, replacing Adam Baldwin as the voice for Green Lantern.
  • Sub-Zero was given an appearance redesign by legendary DC Comics artist, Jim Lee, for his debut in Injustice 2, something Lee had done with his rival Scorpion.
    • Raiden would also receive a similar redesign, again made by Lee.
  • This is the first game in which Sub-Zero's Ice Ball does not stun on initial hit, and must be Meter Burned in order to actually stun.
    • This was more than likely taken from Scorpion's Spear in Injustice: Gods Among Us as a balancing mechanic for both characters.
  • Sub-Zero is the third character to have broken the 4th wall after Red Hood's Victory Pose, the Flash when selecting him for a fight and before the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' Victory Pose, as he performs his infamous Spine Rip Fatality on the cameraman as his Victory Pose.
  • Sub-Zero will mentions the events of Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe during some of his interactions.
  • During an interaction with Bane, Sub-Zero indirectly references the Cyber Initiative, comparing Bane's imprisonment to being transformed into a cyborg.
  • During an interaction with Cheetah, she states that he "lacks Killer Instinct", for which Sub-Zero will reiterates with "I have engaged in Mortal Kombat." This is a possible reference to another fighting game called Killer Instinct developed by Double Helix Games, Iron Galaxy Studios, Rare and Microsoft Studios and published by Microsoft Studios and the Mortal Kombat series he belongs to.
    • Another reference to Mortal Kombat comes from his Arcade ending, where he states Batman offered Sub-Zero his aid "in gratitude for [his] flawless victory".
  • Although most of his assets were imported from Mortal Kombat X, Sub-Zero utilizes some techniques from his brother Bi-Han before his resurrection as Noob Saibot.
    • During a mirror match, one of the Sub-Zeros will reveal that they are Bi-Han, who had finally been freed from Quan Chi.
    • Another interaction reveals the other Sub-Zero is actually Shang Tsung in disguise.
  • Sub-Zero's Arcade ending reveals that he arrived in the Injustice Universe directly after the events of the Story Mode of Mortal Kombat X after forcing Kotal Kahn and his army to retreat back to Outworld during the climax of the Story Mode.
  • The name of Sub-Zero's Super Move, Deep Freeze, is a possibly unintentional reference to the episode of the same name from Batman: the Animated Series, which, coincidentally, centered around an ice-based individual, this being Mr. Freeze.
    • It has also been the name of his X-Ray attacks from Mortal Kombat (2011) and Mortal Kombat X, respectively.
      • His Legendary Multiverse item also grants a bonus using the same name.
  • The name of one of Sub-Zero's combos, Chinese Ninja Warrior, is a possibly unintentional reference to his theme song, which refers to him as such.
    • The name of another one of his combos, Permafrost, is another possibly unintentional reference to the character of the same name from the animated series Static Shock.
  • The names of his shaders reference events or characters in the Mortal Kombat series.
    • His primary shaders use his actual name, Kuai Liang, while a black shader is named after his brother Bi-Han.
    • A red and yellow shader reference Sektor and Cyrax, with shaders being named Cyber Initiative.
      • A shader representing his own cyber form is obtainable as well.
    • A green shader called Secret Kombatant is a reference to Reptile, the first secret male ninja in the Mortal Kombat series.
      • A purple shader is also obtained with the same name, possibly a reference to Cyber Smoke, as the only other purple palette swap ninja in the series is Rain, however Rain was never a secret character.
  • Since he arrived in the Injustice Universe after the events of the Mortal Kombat X Story Mode, his appearance between the games shows major inconstancies.
    • When comparing the appearances, Sub-Zero lacks this beard and scar over his right eye, otherwise appearing much younger than he does in MKX.
  • Sub-Zero's signature weapon in the game, his Ice Hammer, can be changed to an Ice Axe by equipping the Aftermath Set weapon or his Legendary Multiverse item which turns it into a battle axe.
  • Although he never says Erron Black's name in MKX, Sub-Zero says Erron's name in its entirety when clashing with Deadshot in Injustice 2, which references Erron's X-Ray attack from MKX.

Mortal Kombat Mobile

  • Sub-Zero was one of the original characters that lacked a Diamond Card, however with Update 2.0, he now received three cards of Diamond status.
  • Sub-Zero is one of two characters with more than 4 taunts in the Feats of Strength. The other is Johnny Cage.
  • His Grandmaster Card was originally the first card in the game with the self Resurrection ability.
  • Sub-Zero's Klassic card is one of three Challenge Cards added to the Faction Wars store after its initial Challenge. The others are Klassic Scorpion and Klassic Ermac.
  • Sub-Zero's Klassic Card is the only card in the game that performs both special attacks for his Special 2, as his Passive alternates both attacks for the Special 2 for a chain attack.
    • Additionally, Klassic Sub-Zero's Ice Ball is the only version of the attack with a minigame identical to Scorpion's Spear.
  • Sub-Zero's Kold War Card is the only card with two Stuns for both Special attacks without Krushing Blows, as both his Special 1 and 2 inflict Freeze onto the opponent.
  • His MK11 Card's Fatal Blow is renamed Axe the Question and is the only Fatal Blow to affect the opponent with Frostbite.
  • His MK11 Card is the only Sub-Zero Card that inflicts Power Drain, Bleed, Stun, and Frostbite effects.

Mortal Kombat 11

  • Mortal Kombat 11 is the second game after Injustice 2 where Sub-Zero creates Ice Axes as weapons. This was only achievable in Injustice 2 with his Legendary Multiverse item, which changes his hammer to a double-sided battle axe.
  • Sub-Zero is one of the few characters whose voice actor from Mortal Kombat X reprises their role in MK11.
  • According to interactions with Noob Saibot, the name "Sub-Zero" was originally their grandfather's.
  • During a Mirror Match, two possible interactions happen:
    • The second Sub-Zero is revealed to be Bi-Han before his resurrection as Noob Saibot.
    • The second Sub-Zero is revealed to be Kuai Liang and Bi-Han's Grandfather, the first Sub-Zero, who tells Kuai Liang to fight him in order to truly earn the mantle of "Sub-Zero".
  • Kuai Liang and Noob Saibot are the only klassic trilogy era-based fighters in MK11 who never have their past-selves appeared in its story mode. Kuai Liang's absence can be explained by him undergoing the cyborgization process when the other fighters were affected by the Timequake.
  • When interacting with Raiden, Raiden discuss about a dream he had, which Sub-Zero will reply with "of a Dark Knight and a Caped Wonder". This is a reference to both the DC fighting game series Injustice, developed by NetherRealm Studios, and Sub-Zero and Raiden's inclusion in the second game as playable guest characters.
    • It is further referenced in an interaction with Cetrion, which Cetrion states to Sub-Zero that his dream of going there was no dream, hinting at the possibility that both Raiden and Sub-Zero actually went to the Injustice Universe.
  • Sub-Zero is one of the few characters that actually refers to Noob Saibot as Bi-Han.
  • After winning a match with a Brutality, Sub-Zero may either spawn an ice klone performing his klassic victory pose, a snow man, or a polar bear. This idea may have been taken from his guest appearance in Injustice 2, where various items could change the shape of his Ice Klone character trait.
  • When interacting with Skarlet, Sub-Zero tells her the temperature to freeze blood; -3 degrees Celsius.
  • In MK11, where Eternal Klash Skin Pack, Sub-Zero's costume was taken from Mortal Kombat: Deception's primary costume.

Trivia (as Cyber Sub-Zero)

General

  • Sub-Zero as Cyber Sub-Zero is currently the only Cyborg Revenant to be created.
  • Sub-Zero being transformed into a cyborg is referenced during an interaction with Bane in Injustice 2 (See Above).
  • He has the lightest frame of all cyborgs, going as far as to have his brain shown after a few strikes.
  • The name "Kuai Liang", may possibly be a pun / anagram on the term 凉快 (WG: Liang2-k'uai4 ; PY: Liángkuai) meaning "Pleasantly Cool".

Mortal Kombat (2011)

  • To unlock Cyber Sub-Zero, the player needs to defeat him in Chapter 13 of Story Mode.
  • Cyber Sub-Zero is the only character whose ending is mute.
  • The "Cyber" part of his name is not said by the announcer.
  • He is the only character with a Fatality that puts his opponent into a "Rigor Mortis" state.
    • This does not occur on guest character Kratos, as stated above (See Cyber Sub-Zero Fatalities).
  • The shurikens used in his Brain Freeze Fatality have the Lin Kuei symbol on them.
  • Unlike the other cyborg ninjas, Cyber Sub-Zero has a unique tint of blue for his blood.
    • Cyber Sub-Zero, along with Blaze and D'Vorah, is one of the few characters to have a very rare blood color. In his case, it is presumed to be some kind of specially designed coolant or antifreeze to accommodate his freezing abilities.
  • The Ice Parry special move, previously known as Icy Counter, was one of his human form's special moves in Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe.
    • Originally, his human form was going to have the Icy Counter, but it was given to his cyborg form in later development.
    • This move could also be considered a variant of Freeze on Contact, a move his older brother displays in later levels of Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero.
  • Unlocking him will earn the player a secret achievement titled Cold Fusion. He is one of the two characters who grant achievements when they are unlocked, the other being Quan Chi.
  • He is the only character whose X-Ray Move must be activated in the air.
  • According to the electronic readout when he is reactivated, his internal temperature is -52° Fahrenheit (-47° Celsius).
    • Also, when Cyber Sub-Zero's slaving protocols are disengaged, the electronic readout shows that his brain function was lowered. This means that the Lin Kuei did this to prevent complex thinking in their cyber members, like Cyrax, so they wouldn't disobey orders.
  • In Cyber Sub-Zero's moves list, under the enhanced attacks it will read Cryo bomb (Close) but for Medium and Far, the "b" in Cryo Bomb is capitalized.
  • Cyber Sub-Zero is one of the only five characters that does not fight a good character in MK 2011's Story Mode. The others being his original human counterpart, Kung Lao, Stryker and Nightwolf.
  • Bo' Rai Cho, Kenshi, Frost and Reiko are located inside his database, as seen when he first tries to learn the identity of Kabal.
  • Cyber Sub-Zero, along with Nightwolf, is the only character in whose ending is possessed by Shao Kahn.
  • Despite not being present in the original timeline, Cyber Sub-Zero received a Klassic Costume with the Freddy Krueger Compatibility Pack, along with his unmasked human counterpart. This is possibly a reference to Cyber Smoke.
  • Cyber Sub-Zero's unit designation LK-52O, unlike the ones used by Sektor LK-9T9, Cyrax LK-4D4 and Smoke LK-7T2, has the two numbers before the letter rather than the number separating them. His number also resembles the initials in his name S(5) and Z(2).

Mortal Kombat X

Mortal Kombat 1

  • Kuai Liang's virtue as Scorpion is presented as "Honor".
  • During the second Battle of Armageddon, the final warrior may occasionally run into an amalgamation of General Shao with the same icy powers as Sub-Zero called Shao-Zero. This may somewhat allude to Cyber Sub-Zero's ending in Mortal Kombat (2011), where Shao Kahn's spirit appears to overtake Cyber Sub-Zero's body to merge into a new warrior, both robotic and tyrannical.

Trivia (as Scorpion)

General

  • Kuai Liang got his scar in the past timelines as Tundra/Sub-Zero. Now as Scorpion, he gains it after his brother Bi-Han sliced his eye with an ice dagger.

Mortal Kombat 1

  • Kuai Liang said the quote "We may not share blood. But we are brothers." to Smoke. Is a mirror to "We share blood. We are not brothers." when Kuai Liang said the quote to Bi-Han. Both Bi-Han betrayed his younger brother for power and leadership in MK11 and MK1.

Errors

  • He is not exactly holding onto his opponent during his Have An Ice Day Fatality in MK 2011.
  • In MK 2011, Cyber Sub-Zero can summon invisible Cryo Bombs when timed correctly, which can have different effects based on his combo.
  • In MKX, when Sub-Zero turns his X-Ray into a parry, projectiles will cancel the parry effect. However, if a throwable interactable is used sweep-distance away from him, the object and opponent will freeze, and the X-Ray can be initiated.
  • In MKX, Sub-Zero does not actually have to be full-screen distance to perform his Snow Ball Brutality. This is the same for Scorpion's Nether Hole Brutality.
  • In MK11, when Sub-Zero performs the Dancing On The Ceiling Brutality, the "Finish Him/Her" quote appears, although the Brutality will still initiate.
    • On rare occasions, the text remains on the screen even when the Brutality text appears on the screen as well.
  • In MK11, the blood splatter from impaling the opponent's face into an ice spear during his Frozen In Time Fatality clips into Sub-Zero's face after freezing frame. This is only visible based on which mask is selected.
  • In MK11, Sub-Zero can perform the entirety of his Final Draw combo during his Slicing Meat Brutality, with the kicks not doing anything to the opponent when their arms are sliced off.
  • In MK11, Sub-Zero's masks clip through the shoulder/collar part of his default outfit during the second half of his Out Of The Cold intro.
  • In the mobile version of Mortal Kombat, Sub-Zero's loading picture for his MK11 appearance lacks his beard from the original outfit.
  • In MK11, Sub-Zero can trigger the Krushing Blow version of Brutal Kick even if he doesn't connect the attack twice in a row like the requirement needs.
    • This error only seems to occur when Sub-Zero lands Brutal Kick, then tries landing a second but it is blocked by the opponent. At this point, the Krushing Blow should not trigger, however no matter how many times the opponent blocks Brutal Kick after, successfully landing the next Brutal Kick triggers the Krushing Blow despite the attack not connecting twice in a row. This error is not present with other characters with Krushing Blows that require attacks to successfully connect twice in a row.
  • In MK1, Scorpion's Kameo icon in the Story Mode incorrectly shows him with his scar, despite not yet receiving it in his appearances as a Kameo Fighter.

References

  1. https://www.ign.com/articles/mortal-kombat-legends-snow-blind-cast-plot
  2. 奎良 (WG: K'ui2 Liang2; PY: Kúi Liáng; meaning "Striding Good") per localization in East Asia since 2010s
  3. Earliest seen in Japanese manual of SNES version Mortal Kombat)
  4. https://imgur.com/gallery/7ZQlNlp
  5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKAWQfjsQUo
  6. Shujinko Bio Card - YouTube

Navigation

Ashrah | Baraka | Blaze | Bo' Rai Cho | Cassie Cage | Cetrion | Chameleon | Cyrax | D'Vorah | Daegon | Dairou | Darrius | Drahmin | Ermac | Erron Black | Ferra/Torr | Frost | Fujin | General Shao | Geras | Goro | Hanzo Hasashi | Havik | Hotaru | Hsu Hao | Jacqui Briggs | Jade | Jarek | Jax Briggs | Johnny Cage | Kabal | Kai | Kano | Kenshi | Khameleon | Kintaro | Kira | Kitana | Kobra | Kollector | Kotal Kahn | Kronika | Kung Jin | Kung Lao | Li Mei | Liu Kang | Mavado | Meat | Mileena | Mokap | Moloch | Motaro | Nightwolf | Nitara | Onaga | Quan Chi | Raiden | Rain | Reiko | Reptile | Sareena | Scorpion | Sektor | Shang Tsung | Sheeva | Shinnok | Shujinko | Sindel | Skarlet | Smoke | Sonya Blade | Stryker | Sub-Zero | Takeda | Tanya | Taven | Tremor | Triborg

Freddy Krueger | Homelander | Jason Voorhees | The Joker | Kratos | Leatherface | Omni-Man | Peacemaker | The Predator | RoboCop | Rambo | Spawn | The Terminator | The Xenomorph
Batman | Captain Marvel | Catwoman | Dark Kahn | Darkseid | Deathstroke | The Flash | Green Lantern | The Joker | Lex Luthor | Superman | Wonder Woman
Advertisement