Mimicry

Mimicry
Mimicry is a fighting technique used in the Mortal Kombat series''. '' Mimicry is where a fighter mimics their opponent fighting styles or abilities, whether this be from the opponent they are facing or stealing abilities or fighting styles from other opponents. Mimicry is a rather difficult trait to master, however some have managed to master the technique to perfection, making them some of the deadliest fighters in the Realms.

The Technique
When utilizing mimicry, various traits take place. With some, the fighter will simple perform a move identical to the opponent. This is not to be confused with a fighter barrowing a move from another fighter, similar to both Kenshi and Ermac's telekinetic abilities or Reptile's original appearance in the first Mortal Kombat where he barrows both Scorpion and Sub-Zero's moves.

The Fallen Elder God of Death, Corruption and Darkness, Shinnok, is a master of a form of Mimicry, as he is able to perfectly replicate and perform his opponent's attacks in an identical manner as them, similar to Reptile's original appearance.

The Sorcerer Shang Tsung is by far the most well known user of the technique and has mastered it in a manner far beyond the Fallen Elder God Shinnok. In addition to performing attacks identical to the opponent like Shinnok, Shang Tsung has mastered the ability to morph, or rather, shapeshift into a fighter or even the person he is currently fighting, mimicking not only their abilities, but their appearance, voice, and overall fighting style.

The cyborg known as Triborg has a cyberized version of mimicry in the form of his shapeshifting abilities. Similar to Shang Tsung, Triborg can transform himself into four of the pervious Lin Kuei assassins, Sektor, Cyrax, Smoke and Sub-Zero, the latter two in their cyborg forms.

The guest character Alien shows a minor form of mimicry due to its race's genetics trait to take on the characteristics of the host it is born from. While not entirely on the some level of mimicry as Shinnok or Shang Tsung, the Xenomorph will exhibit similar fighting tactics to its host while adapting it and integrating it into its own. This is shown by the Tarkatan-Xenomorph. Born from a Tarkatan warrior of unknown origin, once it reached adulthood, it utilized the techniques seen by many Tarkatan warriors.

List of Known Users of Mimicry

 * Shang Tsung
 * Shinnok
 * Triborg

Non-Canon

 * Alien (Non-Canon Guest Character)

Trivia

 * Shang Tsung was the first user of the technique, dating all the way back to the first Mortal Kombat.
 * In Mortal Kombat X, with his Mimicry move, Shinnok is able to steal his opponent's Brutalities should he follow the requirements to complete it during the match.
 * In MKX, the character Triborg is introduces as the first pure cyborg of the series with the ability to shapeshift and mimic the fighting styles and abilities of Sektor, Cyrax, Smoke and Sub-Zero.
 * In Mortal Kombat 11, Shang Tsung could steal his opponent's Brutalities by using his Soul Steal and morphing into them and performing the Brutality, however, similar to Shinnok, the Brutality's requirements must be met to perform.
 * In MK11, Shang Tsung not only mimics his opponent's by using his Soul Steal, but is also able to mimic Reptile, Rain, Ermac, Smoke, Scorpion, Sub-Zero and Noob Saibot, all of which are integrated into his special moves.