Board Thread:Mortal Kombat X/@comment-25163804-20141003034939

I'm introducing a new segment called 'Kombat Analysis' where I look at character fights and trailers in MKX and break them down into fine details and tidbits for those who don't have time to do so. For the first one, I'll be looking at the most recently revealed fighter, Quan Chi. Watch the trailer here to follow along if you wish.

The first thing in the trailer we see is that Quan Chi will fight Kano. This is particularly interesting because this is the only trailer where two returning characters beat the piss out of each other (Save the first two trailers with Scorpion and Sub Zero). Next, we see that Ed is not in the trailer, but Executive Producer Shaun Himmerick takes over for the narration. These two details are relatively minor, but could back up something I hypothesize, which I'll cover later.

Next, we get to see Quan Chi's epic new design and variation differences: Warlock has two green skeleton hands on his back and the lower part of the skull on his chestplate glows green. This is also the only variation where his eyes don't change color. The Summoner variation has both the blade-like ornaments above his shoulders and his eyes glow a sinister blood-orange color. The Sorcerer variation is the last one shown with the changes, but it's the most substantial: His irises and most of his tattoos glow purple, vividly so. Only the black tattoos over his eyes and head are not purple here. One final note: The Cove has had its name changed. Back at E3, Ed joked that they 'spelt it wrong' with a C instead of a K, a kind of in-joke in the MK fanbase. However, now the 'Cove' is now written as 'Kove'.

Now, we get into the fight. Quan Chi rides in on a demonic horse-like creature and dismounts. Kano inserts his heart like in his reveal trailer and the two share the following pieces of dialogue. Quan Chi: "Fool." Kano: "I've heard your worst, Sorcerer." Quan Chi: "You shall SEE my worst." Quan Chi's Sorcerer variation then shows his 'Spell Circles' special moves, which creates stationary circles directly under him where he can stay and gain power from them. Before one is made, however, we see two key special moves from Quan Chi's arsenal that I believe will stay throughout variations: His Green Skull, which he now fires from his head instead of from his hands, and the Magic Pillar. Then, a purple Spell circle appears under Quan Chi, and we see its effects. The Skull becomes purple and inflicts some kind of debuff to Kano. The debuff itself is unknown, but I believe it to be a damage decrease. Quan Chi then fires two Magic Pillars in a meter-burned attack, as well as the pillar becoming purple, probably showing it does more damage. The Netherrealm oni then fires a Skull in mid-air, showing Quan Chi now has an air-to-ground attack. Kano jumps over it, however, and we see the circle doesn't follow Quan Chi, but stays in place, meaning two things. One: Quan Chi can be forced out of the circle and return to normal, and Two: The circles may actually be placeable at certain ranges. After a quick exchange, Quan Chi sets up a Green Circle, which does something different. Kano throws a knife at Quan Chi after he summons this circle, and the knife disappears before hitting Quan Chi. This means that all ranged special moves do not work on Quan Chi so long as he is in said circle. He then uses his Trance move on Kano, which, accompanied by a magic 'tether', forces Kano to come to Quan Chi. The Sorcerer showcase ends with a meter-burned Teleport Stomp, with a nice new animation for the extra hits.

Next, the Warlock variation comes into play. This is the kind of 'tricky' variation to keep foes guessing. The first attack Quan Chi throws is a sword slash, which means that, at least in this variation, Quan Chi will be using a sword as a weapon. This weapon is summoned into his hand, then disappears. Next, a portal appears and Quan Chi reaches into it from behind, grabs Kano's head from the back, and pulls him through the portal, slamming him in front of Quan Chi. This would probably be useful for bringing zoning opponents into range for Quan Chi's attacks. He then pulls off a kombo into a low command grab special move, which he meter burns, slamming Kano through a portal in the floor, sending him through it and having him get grabbed by Quan Chi. It's probable that the non meter-burned version of this attack is a simple slam. Anyway, the grab in this variation involves Quan Chi creating another portal on the floor and pushing Kano through it, followed by a kind of chest blast that hits a falling Kano. Kano then throws his own kombo, including a meter burned grenade plant. He says 'No Charge' before it explodes, sending Quan Chi into the air. He then uses a flying knee attack that is exactly like what is shown in the original German leaks, followed by a cannonball. After this, Quan Chi pulls off a long combo which includes about mid-way through a short range chest burst aimed right at Kano. This could be an attack or a special move. The final attack of the Warlock showing is a meter-burned special where Quan Chi stabs behind him into a portal, stabbing Kano in the back. When Kano falls to his knees, Quan Chi kicks Kano in the back through the portal. This brings Kano a bit closer to Quan Chi.

Finally, the Summoner variation shows Quan Chi summoning a Netherrealm bat-like demon to attack. Like General Zod's Wraith from Injustice, the bat waits idle for Quan Chi's commands. Unlike the wraith, the bat flies above Quan Chi instead of behind the foe. The first attack from the bat shown is an attack where the bat attacks Kano and bites him repeatedly, much like Zod's Wraith. Unlike Zod, however, Quan Chi stands idle, laughing at Kano's misery. I imagine there to be an MB version where he can attack with the bat, but we'll have to see. After the attack, the bat flies back to the NetherRealm. After a brief exchange, Quan Chi summons the bat again, and does a long kombo resulting in Kano being sent in the air via MB Pillar, where the bat proceeds to torch Kano with a fireball, sending him flying, only for Quan Chi to bring Kano back with a Trance attack. Quan Chi then finishes off the kombo. Summoning the bat a third time, Quan Chi sends it to attack low, and fast. The bat then tackles Kano at high speed, sending him flying back. Quan Chi then uses his X-Ray, a non-delayable, fast projectile that flies across the screen. It hits Kano, and Quan Chi walks through a portal and comes out in front of Kano, crushing his skull with two magic skulls. He then kicks Kano through a portal, following him through. Kano falls through another portal and Quan Chi follows with a stomp that crushes his neck and skull.

The Icing on the Cake, the fatality, is where things get... scary. Quan Chi suspends his sword and summons Kano over, the aussie's mouth hanging open.... only for Kano to walk into the sword, mouth-first. And KEEP walking, on top of that! Note: The sword doesn't move.

Now, for my hypothesis on Who's Next: We now have 5 returning and 4 new characters in MKX. We also have Quan Chi fighting Kano instead of a new guy. As such, I believe the next new character will be a brand-new original fighter, going toe to toe with one of the new guys, with Ed Boon helming this trailer.  