—Noob Saibot's Battle Cry in Mortal Kombat (2011) |
Noob Saibot, once known as Bi-Han (璧漢 or 避寒)[1] and the original Sub-Zero, was a Lin Kuei assassin turned wraith from the Mortal Kombat fighting games series. He is one of the few original characters, debuting in the original Mortal Kombat arcade game as Sub-Zero, older brother of the current, younger Sub-Zero. He first appeared as Noob Saibot as a secret character in Mortal Kombat II, first becoming playable in Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3, and was once again a secret character in Mortal Kombat 4.
About Noob Saibot
Before his death, Bi-Han was the original Sub-Zero, one of the most powerful and devout warriors of the Lin Kuei clan. While essentially neutral, he was a cold-blooded, vicious assassin whose soul had become corrupted from years of violence and remorseless killing.
At the end of the first Mortal Kombat tournament, Bi-Han was murdered by Scorpion in retaliation for his own death at the former's hands. He then descended to the fifth plane of the Netherrealm where he was resurrected by the sorcerer, Quan Chi, who had earlier resurrected Scorpion. The evil within his soul was released by stripping him of pride, compassion, and everything else that made him human.
Reborn in the Netherrealm, Noob Saibot is the very incarnation of evil. He desires not only to remain in the Netherrealm, but to conquer and rule it. Although he has been seen in the service of evil warlords such as Shinnok and Shao Kahn, his ultimate allegiance is to himself.
Combat characteristics
Powers and abilities
When he was still the Cryomancer Sub-Zero, Bi-Han possessed incredible control over the element of ice. He could easily deep freeze opponents with temperatures of -500° Fahrenheit [2] (which surpasses even absolute zero) to the point of them becoming brittle enough to shatter into pieces. By a single touch he was even able to flash-freeze opponents and had the ability to freeze the entire air itself by concentrating all of his ice power into one destructive blast.
After his transformation, Noob Saibot's powers were not revealed until Mortal Kombat Trilogy, having borrowed minute versions of movesets from other ninjas. In Mortal Kombat Trilogy, his powers seem to be revolving around both shadow and phantom. With the phantom powers, Noob Saibot was able to remove and control a kombatant's powers using a ghastly force in the form of projectile attacks, as well as being able to lift them in the air. His prominent powers are of the shadowy element, being able to completely manipulate it and possessing the ability to teleport as well as render himself invisible by blending in with the shadows. He was also able to manipulate the shadows to increase or decrease the effectiveness of his and others' powers limitlessly. In Mortal Kombat (2011), these abilities are taken one step further, where Noob is shown to not only be able to animate his own shadow into a semi-liquid physical construct of himself, but also to be able to use it to fight his enemies for and alongside him. His intro and loss animations demonstrate the ability to morph into a similarly animated oily-liquid state similar to Smoke's cloud form, but does not utilize it in battle.
His weapons of choice are shurikens. He initially was to have these weapons (along with a scythe) in Mortal Kombat 4, but was replaced with Reiko. However, he begins using such weapons in Mortal Kombat: Deception.
In Mortal Kombat Conquest, Noob Saibot is shown being able to transform himself into an oily substance to cross vast distances and to teleport. As the show takes place centuries before the first game, no reference of him being Sub-Zero is mentioned.
Signature moves
As Sub-Zero
- Freeze: Sub-Zero could send a ball of ice to freeze the opponent in place. (MK, UMK3, MKT, MKM:SZ)
- Lin Kuei Slide: He could slide across the floor and knock the opponent off their feet. (MK, UMK3, MKT, MKM:SZ)
- Ground Freeze: 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. (UMK3, MKT, MKM:SZ)
- Ice Clone: Sub-Zero creates an ice statue of himself anywhere he chooses, and anyone who touches it will freeze. In MK Trilogy, Bi-Han was given this move only in the Nintendo 64 version. (MKT, MKM:SZ)
- 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. Bi-Han had this move only in the Nintendo 64 version of MK Trilogy. (MKT)
- Freeze in the Air: Sub-Zero sends a ball of ice straight ahead whilist airborne. (MKM:SZ)
- Diagonal Freeze: Sub-Zero shoots an ice blast upwards to freeze an airborne opponent. (MKM:SZ)
- Freeze on Contact: Sub-Zero runs forward, and freezes enemies he touches on the way past. (MKM:SZ)
- Super Lin Kuei Slide: Improved version of Lin Kuei Slide where Sub-Zero slides a greater distance. (MKM:SZ)
- Deep Freeze: He could deep freeze opponents to the point of them becoming brittle enough to shatter into pieces. (MKM:SZ)
- Polar Blast: He had the ability to freeze the entire air itself by concentrating all of his ice power into one destructive blast. (MKM:SZ)
As Noob Saibot
- Hidden Claw: Noob shoots out a spear on a rope at his opponent, dragging them over to him, allowing a free hit. This move is directly borrowed from Scorpion. In Mortal Kombat: Tournament Edition, Noob will laugh evilly then exclaims "Get over here!" (MKII, MK:TE)
- Confusing Teleport: Noob teleports to the other side of the screen and punches his opponent from behind. (MKII)
- Jump Attack: While in the air, Noob grabs the opponent and throws them. (MKII)
- Slide Tackle: Noob does a scissor kick to his opponent. (MKII)
- Disabler: Noob sends out a ghostly fireball which disables the opponent's special moves and blocks. This move was renamed Ghost Ball in MK 2011. (UMK3, MKT, MK4, MKG, MK 2011)
- The enhanced version is called Spirit Ball. It will confuse the opponent and deal more damage.
- Teleport Slam: Disappearing, then reappearing behind his opponent, he grabs them and slams them on the ground. The move is called Teleport Grab in Armageddon. (UMK3, MKT, MK4, MKG, MK:A, MK 2011)
- The enhanced version is called Teleport Smash and has Noob drag the opponent through the ground two additional times via portal.
- Shadow Throw: Noob sends out a shadowy construct that grabs and throws his opponent into the air. (UMK3, MKT)
- Teleport Attacks: Similar to the Teleport Slam, only he attacks the opponent instead of slamming them. (MK4, MKG)
- Air Fireball: From the air, Noob shoots a fireball down at the opponent. (MK4, MKG)
- Blue Fireball: Noob sends out a bluish-white fireball at his opponent. (MK:TE)
- We Live: Along with Smoke, the two charge and punch the opponent. (MK:D, MK:U)
- Death from Above: Noob Saibot summons Smoke from the air, who then appears and kicks the opponent in the face. (MK:D, MK:U)
- Dark Shadows: Noob Saibot summons Smoke, who appears and punches the opponent from behind. (MK:D, MK:U)
- Dark Assassin: Summoned by Smoke, he tosses shuriken at the opponent. In Armageddon, Noob performs this move without a partner. Unlike Reiko, who throws them one by one, Noob unleashes 4 shuriken in one throw. (MK:D, MK:U, MK:A)
- Darkness: Noob Saibot vanishes and reappears at will. (MK:D, MK:U, MK:A)
- Black Hole: Noob Saibot shoots a dark portal into the air which lands on the ground behind the enemy. It can also appear in front or landing right on the enemy. Should the enemy fall or be knocked into the portal, they will fall from the sky directly above Noob and receive damage from the drop. (MK:A, MK 2011)
- The enhanced versions are all called Darkness. The black hole will fall faster, and will drop the opponent head first into the ground.
- Shadow Slide: In a nod to his Lin Kuei Slide before his transformation, Noob sends his shadow out in a slide, which trips the opponent. (MK 2011)
- The enhanced version is called Saibot Slide and makes the opponent completely flip over the shadow onto their back.
- Shadow Charge: Noob Saibot sends his shadow clone to tackle his foe. (MK 2011)
- The enhanced version is called Saibot Charge and will have the shadow punch the opponent in the face before disintegrating.
- Shadow Upknee: Noob Saibot launches his shadow clone in the air, which kicks the opponent away from him. (MK 2011)
- The enhanced version is called Saibot Upknee. It is slightly more damaging, and sends the opponent further back.
- X-Ray Move - Together Again: Noob Saibot first calls his shadow to appear from behind his opponent and grab them. Noob then punches the foe in the face, breaking the whole skull, the shadow then breaks their spine, heart and ribs by kneeing them in the lower back. Noob then kicks the opponent in the stomach, causing them to vomit on his leg. (MK 2011)
- Fatal Blow: Noob Saibot traps the opponent's legs through a portal. His shadow clone charges them from behind, leading to him performing a dropkick on their head. Then his shadow clone would later smash the opponent to the ground, leading to Noob stomping on the back of their skull. He then shoves the blade of his sickle through the opponent's chin and skull. (MK11)
Other Moves (As Noob Saibot):
- Throw: Noob Saibot grabs his opponent by the shoulders, then summons his shadow twin from behind. The shadow twin pulls the opponent into the ground, and pummels them off screen while Noob laughs evilly. The opponent is then teleported back onto the screen. (MK 2011)
- Throw (Forward): Noob Saibot uppercuts the opponent into a portal who flies out of a portal on the ground infront of Noob, who uppercuts them again, sending them through the portal again and finally kicks them away. (MK11)
- Throw (Backward): Noob Saibot hoists the opponent into a portal who then is held by a shadow clone above him by their feet, allowing him to punch them twice and slamming them down. (MK11)
Fatalities
As Sub-Zero
- Spine Rip: The first Fatality that he had in the series involved ripping out opponent's head and spinal cord from their shoulders. It was one of the most infamous fatalities (with Kano's Heart Rip Fatality), which later spun a web of controversy around the violence factor in the game. This Fatality was later given to his younger brother in future games and to Scorpion in Deception. In Trilogy and UMK3, the screen blacks out before Sub-Zero separates the spine, parodying the controversy that first surrounded the Fatality. It was also later used as a finisher in Armageddon. (MK, UMK3, MKT, MKM:SZ)
- Ironically, Bi-Han has been depicted being killed by this very Fatality twice, in Mortal Kombat (2011) and Mortal Kombat: Legacy.
- This Fatality is also credited for influencing the creation and introduction of the ESRB games rating system due to the its realistic and graphic nature.
- Ice Stalagmite: Sub-Zero uppercuts his opponent, and immediately freezes the ground to form an ice stalagmite as the opponent falls and is impaled on it. (MKT)
- Sliding Knockout: In the Game Boy version of Mortal Kombat, Sub-Zero slides across the screen and knocks out the opponent. (MK)
- Super Uppercut: In Sega Genesis version of Mortal Kombat, Sub-Zero delivers a powerful uppercut that knocks out the opponent. This Fatality works only if Blood Mode is off. (MK)
- Deep Freeze Backfist: In the SNES version of Mortal Kombat, Sub-Zero jumps away from the opponent and freezes them, then jumps back in front of the opponent and backhands them, shattering them to pieces. (MK)
As Noob Saibot
- Teleport Slams: Noob performs his special move of teleporting and slamming the opponent into the ground, repeatedly, until the victim explodes. Rarely, on the N64 version, it was possible for CPU opponents to perform this Fatality without winning, resulting in a game freeze. (MKT)
- Shadow Spin: Noob lifts his arm to summon a spinning cloud identical to the one that surrounds an opponent affected by his attack-disabling projectile. It drops onto the opponent, lifts him or her into the air, then spins until the victim's bones fly out of the spinning tornado. (MKT)
- Torso Rip: Noob grabs his enemy around the torso and rips it off, he then throws it to the ground. This Fatality is borrowed from Johnny Cage. (MK4)
- Torso Kick: A secret Fatality, it only occurs if the one-button fatalities cheat is turned on. It is copied wholesale from Reiko, Noob Saibot's would-be replacement in MK4 and MKG; Noob delivers a mighty kick to the opponent's torso, separating it from the head, arms, and legs. (MK4, MKG)
- Ice Shatter: Another secret Fatality, this one is copied from Sub-Zero; Noob Saibot freezes the opponent whole and shatters them with an uppercut. This one is quite the foreshadowing, considering Noob Saibot's then-unrevealed origins. (MKG)
- Shuriken Barrage: Another secret Fatality, again copied from Reiko, where he tosses many shuriken at the opponent rapidly. In Deception, Noob takes out a deck of shuriken and throws a few of them at the opponent's body, before unloading all of the remaining shuriken on his hand over their torso and head, causing the victim to collapse to the ground, dead, afterwards. (MK4, MK:D, MK:U)
- Make a Wish: Noob summons his shadow clone and each one grabs one of the opponent's legs. They then start pulling until the opponent is completely ripped in half. They each then hold up the halves of the victim. (MK 2011)
- As One: Noob creates a portal below the opponent, and his shadow clone comes out and grabs his/her torso. When the opponent's legs are through the portal, Noob closes it, crushing the midsection, and leaving the victim crawling on the floor to bleed to death. (MK 2011)
- Unnamed Fatality: Noob first eviscerates his opponent with his sickle, then jams his hand into the wound. A moment after pouring dark energy into their body, his clone crawls out of their mouth and proceeds to tear them in half from the inside. (MK11)
Other finishers
As Sub-Zero
- Friendship: Sub-Zero winds up a box which makes a giant snowman head pop out of it, scaring off his opponent. (MKT)
- Animality: Sub-Zero turns into a polar bear and mauls his opponent. (MKT, N64 only)
As Noob Saibot
- Friendship: Spare Me: Noob Saibot goes bowling, and ends up getting a split. Shao Kahn then says "That was pathetic." (MKT)
- Animality: Crazy Ant-ics: Noob turns into an anteater and swallows the opponent whole. (MKT)
- Hara-Kiri: Shuriken Headshots: Having taken to using shurikens in this game, Noob Saibot simply throws them upwards and lets them fall back down on his head. (MK:D, MK:U)
- Babality: Noob Saibot summons a portal, but gets sucked up, and ends up summoning a portal below himself as well. Noob Saibot is then caught in an infinite loop where he keeps falling through both portals in a comical fashion. (MK 2011)
Movie and TV appearance
Noob Saibot's former identity of Sub-Zero appears in the first Mortal Kombat movie as one of Shang Tsung's guardians, played by François Petit. He fought Liu Kang, and used his freezing abilities to create a force field in an attempt to draw Liu Kang in to his death, but was himself killed after Liu Kang threw a nearby wooden bucket of water (placed there by Raiden to aid Kang) towards the force field, creating an icicle, on which he was impaled. His relationship with Scorpion is all but ignored; Shang Tsung only remarks that they are the "deadliest of enemies, but slaves under my power."
Noob Saibot, as Sub-Zero, appears in the animated film Mortal Kombat: The Journey Begins. He is a servant of Shang Tsung alongside Scorpion, and the two are forced by the sorcerer to team up in order to kill Liu Kang, Johnny Cage, and Sonya Blade. Engaging the trio in combat, they are stopped from killing them by Raiden. The rivalry between Sub-Zero and Scorpion is explored during the course of the film, although interpreted differently from that of the games.
Noob Saibot (played by J. J. Perry) appears in Mortal Kombat: Annihilation, emerging from Ermac's chest to assist him in his fight with Sonya Blade. Almost successful in killing her, they are stopped by Jax Briggs who quickly slays Saibot while Sonya finishes Ermac. No reference to him originally being Sub-Zero is mentioned.
Noob Saibot, played by Master Sultan Uddin, also appeared in Mortal Kombat: Conquest. In the eponymous episode, Saibot was an imprisoned Outworld warrior mistakenly released by Siro and Taja; Saibot was then recruited by a sorceress to assassinate Kung Lao, a task at which he failed. In this incarnation, Saibot was completely covered in or made of black oil, and he wielded an Escrima stick that he could use as a striking weapon. Fire seemed to make him explode.
Sub-Zero's older brother, the original Sub-Zero, appears briefly in the first episode of Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm, in a flashback which shows him being defeated by Liu Kang like in the first movie. However, because the show was being aimed at a younger audience, instead of getting impaled by an ice stalagmite like in the movie, Sub-Zero froze himself instead.
Unlike in the games in Mortal Kombat Legacy, Bi-Han and Hanzo are close friends and sparring rivals rather than bitter enemies, often frequently training in a hayfield outside of their respective villages. However, their fathers eventually discover them and summon them back to their abode. Bi-Han then proceeds to ask his father as to why the Lin Kuei and the Shirai Ryu are in conflict with one another though the answers he gives implies that he himself doesn't know. Later on when Bi-Han succeeds his father as general of the clan, he forbids any violent conflict between them and the Shirai Ryu as part a bold joint attempt with his old friend, also a general, to unite the clans in peace rather than continue the senseless fighting between the two. The two eventually reunite on the same hayfield and remarks he has no hard feelings concerning the death of his younger brother, Kuai Liang. Confirming that this would be the final time the two clans would fight, Bi Han and Hanzo shake hands, attempting to move forward with joining the clans together.
However, tragedy would strike when news reaches of him of the death of not only Hanzo, but the entire Shirai Ryu as well as the Shogun. In his anger, he almost takes the life of his messengers but then is stopped by his mystic, who informs him that dark forces were at work. He discovers there that the sorcerers Shang Tsung and Quan Chi were not only responsible, but had even framed Bi-Han by using his form. Quan Chi in his form, the Lin Kuei draws out a still mortal Scorpion into a fight against Bi-Han (Sub-Zero) in order to keep Scorpion from protecting his village. Bi-Han kills Scorpion's Shogun by freezing him, and then proceeds to sneak up on Scorpion, throwing him through the Shogun's remains. Bi-Han then stomps on the Shogun's frozen head before conversing with his rival, telling him the Lin Kuei plan before they fight. Scorpion eventually manages to defeat him. When he reaches the village he witnesses his family's frozen remains and then is himself killed by Sub-Zero from behind. At the end, Sub-Zero is revealed to be Quan Chi, who impersonated him in order to make Scorpion believe Sub-Zero murdered his family and clan, so he can gain his allegiance for the upcoming Mortal Kombat tournament.
Bi-Han, donning a new garb, participates in the Mortal Kombat tournament to not only fight for Earthrealm, but to track down and confront Hanzo, who has now become Scorpion, in an attempt to inform him of the nature concerning his death and the destruction of the Shirai Ryu. However, Scorpion is far too consumed by his vengeance and attacks him with the intent to kill. Though Sub-Zero puts up a valiant fight, he ultimately loses when Scorpion impales him from behind with his kunai and then proceeds to rip out his head and spinal cord, killing him instantly.
Novel
In the Mortal Kombat novel, by Jeff Rovin, his Sub-Zero identity appears. He appears as a man even more brutal in comparison to his videogame counterpart. After he killed Yong Park (Scorpion's human form) by disemboweling him in front of his family and throwing his corpse into a river, he went into seclusion. He receives a message from Shang Tsung, who enlists him to kill the man working for the order of light, Liu Kang. After donning his costume, he goes after Liu Kang somewhere close to a temple. He kills two of Liu Kang's friends and proceeds to battle him. He almost wins, but Liu Kang awakens his fire powers and forces him to flee. Later, while Raiden and Liu Kang battle Goro and Reptile, Sub-Zero catches them off guard and freezes them. He prepares to kill them, but Yong Park, resurrected by Yu (the god of waterways and canals, who did this because Yong's entrails greatly poisoned his canals) and having fused himself with his son Tsui (becoming Scorpion), snatches them away and awakens them. They all battle, with Sub-Zero making a swift escape using an smoke bomb, and never being seen again.
Quotes
Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero
- "Grandmaster, in honor of the Lin Kuei, I bring you this sacred Map of Elements."
- "Let's get something straight... I am not a ninja... I am LIN KUEI! Scorpion was a ninja!"
- "Scorpion was tipped off! He knew I was breaking into that temple and if he wasn't there, there wouldn't have BEEN a battle! You are responsible for this, sorcerer!" (To Quan Chi, in the Grandmaster's chamber)
- "Your peace of mind almost cost me this mission!" (to Quan Chi, referring to Quan Chi also hiring Scorpion to get the Map of Elements)
- "Fine. I get to the temple, and then what? What's inside?"
- "I thought Shao Kahn was-"
- "That amulet isn't worth the bronze it's molded from."
- "I was JUST earning my living..." (To Raiden, when Raiden confronts him about allowing Quan Chi access to the amulet.)
- "Quan Chi could simply be a lunatic sorcerer. I've never heard of an Elder God named Shinnok! Or of a place called the Netherrealm!
- "I'll do it, Thunder God... But only because I have no choice."
- "Who are you?!" (to a mysterious figure in the cell with him)
- "I had no choice!" (to Scorpion, in reference to killing him in the Shaolin Temple)
- "I wasn't rejected - I was sent!" (to the mysterious old man in the cell with him)
- "Haven't you ever tried to escape... old man?"
- "Then I would have been the dead one!"
- "What?!" (after being accused of killing Scorpion's family and clan)
- "You're mistaken! Quan Chi is responsible for their deaths!" (to Scorpion)
- "I was busy!" (to Quan Chi)
- "NEVER, sorcerer! (declining offer to join The Brotherhood of Shadow)
- "Why did you help me?" (to Sareena, after Sareena knocks Quan Chi off the platform)
- "There won't be anywhere to go if I don't get the amulet back." (in response to Sareena asking to go back to Earthrealm with him)
- "You don't understand. I can't leave without -" (is abruptly cut off by Shinnok sending Sareena to another plane in the Netherrealm)
- "Here... the amulet." (hands the amulet to Raiden)
- "That's it? Not even a thank you?"
- "Quan Chi told me that you sent me because my soul was tainted with evil. Is that true?" (to Raiden)
- "Was that a yes... or a no?"
- "I vow to serve and obey the Lin Kuei."
Mortal Kombat: Armageddon
- "You will join me or you will die!"
Mortal Kombat (2011)
As Sub-Zero
- "Now you will feel death's cold embrace!" (To Sonya Blade)
- "Will not...or cannot?" (To Scorpion)
- "To hell with your clan!" (To Scorpion)
- "The Netherrealm..." (To Scorpion after getting dragged to the Netherrealm by Scorpion)
- "That is not me!" (To Scorpion after Quan Chi shows him a false vision of Sub-Zero murdering his family)
As Noob Saibot
- "We have indeed. We knew someone would come for her." (Speaking to Liu Kang and Kung Lao about Kitana)
- "May you join her in death." (To Kung Lao)
- "Earthrealm is finished. It will not be missed." (To Sektor)
- "The one Kano warned about. He is mine." (About Cyber Sub-Zero, to Quan Chi)
- "You. You are not worthy of the name Sub-Zero." (To Cyber Sub-Zero)
- "I wore those colors before you." (To Cyber Sub-Zero)
- "Yes, Kuai Liang. It is I. Quan Chi restored me." (To Cyber Sub-Zero)
- "I have no flaws. Quan Chi has perfected me." (To Cyber Sub-Zero)
- "It suits my purpose." (To Cyber Sub-Zero)
- "We share blood. But we are not brothers." (To Cyber Sub-Zero)
Mortal Kombat: Legacy
- "Hanzo... his whole family, his entire clan...slaughtered? He, who I'd promised to end this violence?!" (To his subordinates upon learning of Hanzo's death)
- "YOU LIE!" (When his subordinates deny responsibility for Hanzo's death)
- "No, Hanzo...! I gave no such order!" (To Scorpion)
- "You've been deceived! Please, Hanzo, don't do this!" (To Scorpion)
Trivia
- Bi-Han "壁漢" literally means "flat-jade man", while "避寒" is Chinese for "escape cold".
- Sub-Zero's original name was going to be "Tundra", which canonically became the younger Sub-Zero's original codename.
- In Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 and Mortal Kombat Trilogy, Bi-Han is referred to as "Masked SubZero" in the game's credits. Most publications however refer to him as "Classic Sub-Zero".
- If Bi-Han performs his Animality finisher in the disc versions of Mortal Kombat Trilogy, he will not actually transform or kill his opponent. Instead, he will simply pose, with the announcer declaring Animality nonetheless.
- In the Nintendo 64 version of MKT, due to the limited amount of space within the cartridge, Bi-Han is the only Sub-Zero featured in the game. To compensate for this, he is given Kuai-Liang's Ice Shower and Ice Clone attacks, as well as his proper Animality finisher.
- Noob Saibot is actually 'Boon' and 'Tobias' spelled backward, named so after the co-creators of Mortal Kombat, Ed Boon and John Tobias.
- In every game in the series from Mortal Kombat: Deception onward, his name is simply written in the lifebar as "Noob". There is a commonly held misconception by fans that since John Tobias left Midway Games, the "Saibot" portion of the name had to be removed for legal reasons. This is false because Tobias does not own the rights to the name of "Saibot"; in fact the character is still called Noob Saibot during cutscenes and endings. It may be simply the result of the development team splitting up the name Noob-Smoke, but since the character has long been known with his full name, the change seems to come from an arbitrary decision to remove every reference to Tobias, like they have done in every commentary about Mortal Kombat origins in Deadly Alliance and Deception.
- According to a tweet by Ed Boon, Noob is the character, while Saibot is his shadow clone. [3]
- This is hinted by the name of three of his enhanced moves in MK 2011: Saibot Slide, Saibot Upknee and Saibot Charge.
- In Mortal Kombat: Deception, it is revealed for the first time that Noob Saibot is actually the original Sub-Zero, and states that he has not seen his brother since becoming a wraith. Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks contradicts this, by being set in the Mortal Kombat II timeline and having Sub-Zero aware of Noob's identity. It also claims Noob is "possessed by one of the Elder Gods" which does not sit well with his Deception story. However, the majority of events in Shaolin Monks are regarded by most fans as non-canon due to their contradictory nature.
- The fact of "being possessed by one of the Elder Gods" could be a reference of his alignment with Shinnok.
- In Noob's appearance in Mortal Kombat II, his special abilities are copied from Scorpion. This would be repeated for Mortal Kombat: Tournament Edition.
- In Mortal Kombat 3, Noob Saibot is not a fully black 'ninja' palette swap, but is actually a completely black version of Kano, because there are no 'ninjas' in that game. He also has absolutely no special moves, but uses some of Kano's combos. Also, in the Sega Genesis port, he even has Kano's Eye Laser Fatality. In the Arcade version of MK3, when Noob wins a round, the announcer says, "Kano shows mercy!" This is an obvious programming glitch.
- However, in UMK3 for Sega Saturn, he is obviously the completely black version of Kano, not the ninja.
- If Sub-Zero sends a blast of ice directly towards Noob Saibot to temporarily freeze them in place for a free hit, Noob Saibot got fully white and invisible. However, in the Genesis version, he is the fully visible Kano.
- Noob Saibot would always be fought in Noob Saibot's Dorfen in the arcade, PlayStation, PC and Saturn versions of MK3 and UMK3. Noob Saibot was also the secret character that could be fought in other stages aside from his own (Noob Saibot's Dorfen), as in MK3 and UMK3 for Genesis and SNES he could only be fought at the Balcony due to the fact that Noob Saibot's Dorfen is not in that version of the game.
- Noob Saibot was supposed to be a playable character in Mortal Kombat 4 as well, but was removed in favor of Reiko, who was made by modifying Noob's model. He instead became a secret character in the home console releases, comprised of his original model and using moves and fatalities borrowed from other characters. Noob had two additional costumes, a shirtless look with a skull head, and a grim reaper-like hoodie with pants. The only thing Noob did not borrow from other characters was his weapon: a long scythe (this would eventually replace Reiko's spiked club in Mortal Kombat Gold). Despite being playable in early versions and eventually being reinstated in the home versions of the game, Noob lacked both a story, bio sequence and an ending.
- Noob Saibot guest stars in Midway's 2001 arcade game The Grid, along with Scorpion and Sub-Zero. Unusually, while Scorpion and Sub-Zero re-use their Mortal Kombat 4 models and designs, Noob is presented using a recolored Scorpion model instead of his original model.
- In MKII, UMK3/MKT, MK4 and MK:TE, Noob Saibot bleeds red blood. In MKD, however, Noob bleeds black blood instead. This has carried over to subsequently released games. MK (2011) also reveals his muscles are blue.
- An early Mortal Kombat: Deception costume design for him became Havik, a different character altogether.
- Both versions are as well simultaneously active in Malibu Comics' short-lived non-canon Mortal Kombat series.
- These comics ignored Sub-Zero's inherent evil altogether, as they were released before its first mention in Mortal Kombat Mythologies. Sub-Zero is, however, depicted as being the victor of Shao Kahn's tournament, defeating Goro and claiming the Dragon Medallion, even as he is killed by Scorpion.
- In Malibu's "Baraka" issue (1995), Noob Saibot appears as a "good guy", and offers Baraka his assistance in hunting Scorpion down and saving an infant Tarkatan (who is considered to be "Outworld's only hope").
- During his time as Sub-Zero, he disliked being called a "ninja". As a Lin Kuei loyalist, he referred to himself as a "Lin Kuei warrior" and distinguished the difference between the two.
- Ironically, Noob uses Shurikens, which are commonly used by ninjas.
- Upon their appearance in Deception, there has been a massive outcry by fans that Noob and Smoke were a tag-team, as they felt it cheapened the characters' appearance and pushed Smoke (already an underdeveloped character storywise) further into obscurity. This resulted in the characters once more being split into two separate playable entities in Armageddon.
- Losing to Noob Saibot in the SNES version of Mortal Kombat II will cause shouts of "You will die, mortal!" and "Toasty!" from Shao Kahn and Dan Forden, respectively. However, in the Arcade version, Shao Kahn says, "Feel the power of-" and is abruptly cut off by Forden's "Toasty!"
- Losing to Noob Saibot in the arcade version of Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 will cause Shao Kahn to say "It's official, you suck!" instead of Noob's actual name. The explanation for this is because Noob Saibot's name is mocked relentlessly, since "noob", "n00b" or "newbie" is a slang term for a novice or newcomer, or somebody inexperienced in any profession or activity, particularly regarding video games and Internet activity.
- This is further supported in Mortal Kombat: Armageddon when Noob Saibot gains a weapon of his own: Troll Hammer, with troll being a term for those who cause grief and mischief in order to purposefully extract a negative response.
- Challenge 155 of the Challenge Tower in Mortal Kombat (2011) is called "Still A Noob", mocking Noob Saibot's name even further.
- It was not until Trilogy that Noob Saibot finally attained a full sprite palette. Prior to that, it was simply a fully black colored sprite with no tones. In addition, before said game, Noob Saibot would turn white whenever frozen.
- Despite being an unplayable character in the arcade version of UMK3, Noob Saibot had his own versus screen portrait and can be seen battling Human Smoke. This is because Noob Saibot was supposed to be a playable character like Human Smoke (as hidden), but had not been finished in time. This is also supported by playable ROM versions of the UMK3 arcade. Using a character modifier, Noob Saibot can be selected. When chosen this way, he has Kano's dial-combos and a character select picture that mimics Human Smoke's "?". His stage pattern remains at Noob's Dorfen, similar to Human Smoke's Lost Portal. It was then in the Wave Net edition, that a secret code finally allowed playability of Noob Saibot freely.
- In all games both brothers have appeared, Sub-Zero's Ice Blast and Noob's Disabler have had the same button combination (Down, Forward, Low Punch).
- In MK 2011, however, Sub-Zero's ice ball uses a slightly different combination than Noob's ghost ball (Down, Forward, Front Kick and Down, Forward, Front Punch respectively). Also, Cyber Sub-Zero's Ice Ball uses the same combination as the Ghost Ball.
- In MK 2011, when Quan Chi shows Scorpion the attack on his family, Sub-Zero is shown wearing the outfit his younger brother wears, not the one he is wearing.
- In MK 2011, Noob seems to have the same stance as Sub-Zero's in MK. This is a nod to him being the original Sub-Zero.
- Further stating his former identity, when the player uses Sub-Zero's Alternate Costume, most of his sound files are changed to Noob's (albeit without deep accent), such as his Iceball shout, which is exactly the same as his Ghost Ball shout.
- Also, Noob's alternate outfit is the same outfit he wore when he appeared as Sub-Zero in the first tournament, save for a few differences: Noob's version has a black tone, and lacks the Lin-Kuei's emblem on the left part of his chest.
- In the opening cutscene of the MK 2011 Story Mode, Noob Saibot is seen with a sword lodged in his spine. Many believe this sword to be Scorpion's Mugai Ryu.
- In the SNES and Genesis versions of Mortal Kombat II, Noob Saibot is playable via a Game Shark cheat device. Due to a lack of coding for the character as being player accessible, trying to attack with him often crashes the game.
- In the Sega Genesis version of Mortal Kombat II, Noob Saibot's harpoon is black, in the Amiga version is black/normal, while in all the other versions it has the correct color palette.
- When using Klassic Noob Saibot's alternate colors in MK 2011, Noob will summon Klassic Smoke as opposed to his usual shadow clone. Although this may be a reference to the Noob-Smoke alliance from Deception, subsequent matches will replace Smoke with Noob's normal shadow clone, implying it might in fact be a glitch due to the fact both klassic kostumes were released at the same time. The only way to cause Smoke to reappear is to quit the match and select Noob once again from the character select screen. Even while Smoke is active while playing as Noob, Noob's shadow clone will still be used for the Make-a-Wish Fatality as well as Noob's mid-match victory and victory sequences.
- In MK 2011, when he is selected in the second color for his Klassic Kostume and is frozen, his arms appear black, while the rest of his body is frozen normally.
- Noob Saibot's X-Ray Move is the only one that will make the opponent vomit, which will happen regardless of whether the character is wearing a mask or not.
- Also, this is the only X-Ray that involves the help of a second "person".
- In MK 2011, during Cyber Sub-Zero's chapter, he shows a dominating attitude in front of his younger brother and calls him "unworthy of the name Sub-Zero". This attitude towards Kuai Liang could be derived from true disdain, an added effect from his dark resurrection, or a combination of the two.
- As seen in the cutscenes of Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero, Bi-Han has respect for the Grandmaster, yet has a rebellious attitude towards him.
- In MK 2011, Noob Saibot, donning his classic costume, can be battled as a secret character in Arcade Ladder. This is done by winning both rounds without blocking in The Cathedral while Noob stands in the background.
- In a Top 10 video hosted by Screwattack.com, Bi-Han's Make A Wish Fatality appeared as #2 in their Top 10 Gruesome Video Game Deaths, with his As One Fatality being mentioned during the snippet in said placement.
- Bo' Rai Cho and Kung Lao, in his revenant form, make mention of Noob Saibot during interactions with Sub-Zero in MKX.
- Bi-Han is mentioned in Injustice 2 by his brother Kuai Liang, who is featured as a playable guest character in the game.
- Additionally, two of Sub-Zero's shaders in the game are named after Bi-Han.
- The Spine Rip fatality was inspired by a scene in the first Predator movie