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Sub-Zero
Mortal Kombat character
Sub-Zero (Kuai Liang) in Mortal Kombat X (2015)
First appearance	Bi-Han Mortal Kombat (1992) Kuai Liang Mortal Kombat II (1993)
Created by	Ed Boon John Tobias
Designed by	John Tobias (early games) Allan Ditzig (MK:DA) Luis Mangubat (MK:D)
Portrayed by	François Petit (1995 film, Bi-Han) Keith Cooke (Annihilation, Kuai Liang) J. J. Perry (television) Kevan Ohtsji (Legacy, Bi-Han) Eric Steinberg (Legacy II, Bi-Han) Harry Shum, Jr. (Legacy II, Kuai Liang) Joe Taslim (2021 film, Bi-Han)
Voiced by	Bi-Han Jim Cummings (1995 animated film) Jamieson Price (MK9) Steve Blum (2020 animated film) Kuai Liang Luke Perry (animated series) John Tobias (MK4) Ed Boon (MK:D) Rom Barkhordar (2005–2006) Jim Miller (2008–2011) Steve Blum (2015–present) Dimitri Vegas (MK11 skin) Bayardo De Murguia (2021 animated film)[1] Ron Yuan (2022 animated film)[2]
Motion capture	Bi-Han Daniel Pesina (MK) John Turk (UMK3, MKM:SZ, MK:A) Kuai Liang Daniel Pesina (MKII) Joshua Y. Tsui (MKII, unmasked) John Turk (MK3, MK4, MK:A) Tony Chung (MK11)[3]
In-universe information
Species	Human with Cryomancer heritage
Gender	Male
Occupation	Clan grandmaster
Affiliation	Lin Kuei
Weapon	Ice Scepter (MK4) Ice Sword — Kori Blade (MK:DA MK:D, MK:A, MKvs.DCU, MK9, MKX, Injustice 2) Cybernetic Weapons; Ice Bombs, Shurikens (MK9) Ice Daggers (MKX, Injustice 2) Ice Hammer (MKX, Injustice 2) Ice Poleaxe (MK11)
Family	Noob Saibot (brother)
Origin	China (Earthrealm) [4]
Nationality	Chinese
Fighting styles	Shotokan (MK:DA, MK:D, MK:A) Dragon (MK:DA, MK:D)

Sub-Zero is the name of two fictional characters in the Mortal Kombat fighting game franchise by Midway Games and NetherRealm Studios. A warrior from the fictional Lin Kuei clan (Chinese: 林魁; pinyin: Lín Kúi), the character is principally defined by his ability to control ice in many forms. Sub-Zero has appeared in every main installment of the series but as two different people (Bi-Han and Kuai Liang), along with being featured as the protagonist of the action-adventure spin-off Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero (1997).

The franchise’s main Sub-Zero is Kuai Liang (Chinese: 快凉; pinyin: Kuài Liáng). Debuting in Mortal Kombat II (1993), he has used the mantle in every chronological game since his introduction. The mantle was previously used in the original 1992 game and Mythologies by his older brother Bi-Han (Chinese: 避寒; pinyin: Bì Hán), who appears in subsequent installments as Noob Saibot. In contrast with Bi-Han’s anti-heroic and later villainous role in the franchise, the main Sub-Zero is depicted as one of the heroic fighters defending Earthrealm against various threats. Sub-Zero also appears as both a rival and ally of the formerly undead specter Scorpion.

One of Mortal Kombat‘s signature characters, Sub-Zero has appeared in various related media outside of the games. He has received acclaim for his appearance, abilities, and Fatality finishing moves.

Appearances[edit]

Mortal Kombat games[edit]

The elder Sub-Zero appears as a playable character in the original 1992 Mortal Kombat game and the protagonist of the 1997 spin-off/prequel Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero. He was sent by the Chinese ninja clan Lin Kuei to kill the host Shang Tsung. Scorpion held an enmity towards Sub-Zero due to rivalry between their opposing warrior clans (Scorpion’s Japanese clan was unnamed). It is revealed that Scorpion was earlier killed by the Sub-Zero, and Scorpion was allowed to return to the physical realms as an undead spectre to take revenge upon Sub-Zero.

In Mortal Kombat II (1993), the younger Sub-Zero is introduced. Upon his brother’s death in the first tournament and Shang Tsung’s survival, Sub-Zero is sent by the Lin Kuei to enter the Outworld tournament and complete his brother’s unfinished task.^[5] Scorpion enters the tournament to ensure Sub-Zero’s demise. However Scorpion witnesses this Sub-Zero spare an opponent’s life; something the original Sub-Zero was not known to do. Scorpion eventually discovers the new Sub-Zero’s true identity as the younger brother, in return for taking his older brother’s life, vows to protect him forever.

In Mortal Kombat 3 (1995), Sub-Zero and his fellow Lin Kuei clansman Smoke attempt to escape from their clan after they start converting their warriors into cyborgs, but the latter ends up captured and turned into one anyway alongside Sektor and Cyrax; the former of whom was known to usurp Sub-Zero for his own benefit.^[6] The three Cyber Lin Kuei ninjas are programmed to hunt and exterminate Sub-Zero, who by this time had received a vision from Raiden and agreed to join a rebellion against a new threat.^[7] In addition to the current Sub-Zero, Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 (1995) and Mortal Kombat Trilogy (1996) include a non-canonical playable character known as «Classic Sub-Zero».^[8] His biography states that although he was believed to have died after the first Mortal Kombat tournament, he returned to assassinate Shang Tsung.^[9] However, his ending states that he is not Sub-Zero; rather he is an unidentified warrior who was missing from the previous tournament.^[10]

In Mortal Kombat 4 (1997), Raiden once again summons Sub-Zero to assist in defending Earthrealm, this time against Shinnok.^[11] In the meantime, Sub-Zero fights Scorpion, who Quan Chi has tricked into believing the Lin Kuei warrior killed his family.^[12]

In Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance (2002), Sub-Zero defeats Sektor in a fight for leadership of the Lin Kuei.^[13] He also meets his apprentice Frost and takes her to fight alongside Earthrealm’s warriors against the titular alliance of Shang Tsung and Quan Chi.^[14]

In Mortal Kombat: Deception (2004), Sub-Zero joins the warrior Shujinko’s group to defeat a new threat in the dragon king Onaga as well as confront Noob Saibot.^[15][16] In both Deadly Alliance and Mortal Kombat: Unchained (2006), Sub-Zero battles Frost for the Lin Kuei’s leadership and emerges victorious.^[17][18]

In Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks (2005), which serves as a retelling of Mortal Kombat II, Sub-Zero first appears as a boss character, but then allies with the protagonists Liu Kang and Kung Lao for a short time during the search for his older brother. He is last seen pursuing Saibot in the Netherrealm.^[19] Sub-Zero can also be unlocked as a playable character upon completing the game.

In Mortal Kombat: Armageddon‘s Konquest mode (2007), Sub-Zero faces the warrior Taven, though both eventually decide to ally to stop the invading Saibot and Smoke. After defeating them, Sub-Zero stays with the unconscious Saibot to find a way to save him.^[20]

Sub-Zero appears as a playable character in the non-canonical crossover title Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe (2009), which concerns a war between the eponymous fictional universes. In Sub-Zero’s ending, he realizes he is no longer the assassin he once was and leaves the Lin Kuei. Inspired by Batman, he becomes a superhero. Unbeknownst to him, the Lin Kuei are hunting him for deserting them.^[21]

Both incarnations of Sub-Zero appear in the 2011 Mortal Kombat reboot game, with the younger assuming the mantle during standard gameplay. The reboot establishes the elder as Bi-Han and the latter as Kuai Liang, while also revealing that Liang used the codename «Tundra» before becoming Sub-Zero.^[22] While Bi-Han is still killed by Scorpion and becomes Saibot,^[23] Liang’s fate changes in the second tournament due to Raiden’s interference in an attempt to avert Armageddon. After he defeats Scorpion, Sub-Zero is captured and turned into a cyborg instead of Smoke and forced to serve the otherworldly dimension Outworld and its tyrannical ruler, Shao Kahn.^[24] However, he is able to regain his mind and joins Raiden’s warriors to stop Shao Kahn.^[25] His reunion with Bi-Han as Saibot comes much earlier than it did in the original timeline when he attempts to prevent Quan Chi’s Soulnado from forming. After defeating his brother, Sub-Zero is relieved by Native American warrior Nightwolf. However, Shao Kahn’s wife, Sindel, electrocutes Sub-Zero before Quan Chi «resurrects» and enslaves him in the Netherrealm as an undead revenant.^[26] Sub-Zero’s background is further clarified during this installment as well, as it is revealed that the two brothers were in fact abducted by the Lin Kuei as infants after the clan murdered their parents.

In Mortal Kombat X, which takes place two years after the previous game, Sub-Zero continues to serve Quan Chi. It is explained in the tie-in comics that Quan Chi used his magic to recreate his original body to free him of his cyborg body. While serving in Quan Chi’s attack on Earthrealm, Sub-Zero and Scorpion are resurrected by Raiden. Over the course of the following twenty-five years, Liang becomes the new grandmaster of the Lin Kuei after defeating Sektor with a computer virus provided by Kung Jin and Bo’ Rai Cho; freeing Cyrax and the other cyberized Lin Kuei warriors. He also discovered Quan Chi’s role in Bi-Han’s downfall and made amends with Scorpion, now Hanzo Hasashi, after revealing Quan Chi and Sektor’s involvement in the Shirai Ryu warrior’s clan and family’s deaths to him. Sub-Zero would later come to the aid of Cassie Cage’s team after they are ambushed by Outworld forces while trying to stop Shinnok. While Sub-Zero appears as a playable character in his human form, his cybernetic form is reused as a hidden variation for the DLC character Triborg.

In Mortal Kombat 11, which takes place a further two years after MKX, the keeper of time Kronika brings a past version of Sektor to the present, who kidnaps Sub-Zero’s Lin Kuei clansmen to forcibly convert them back into Cyber Lin Kuei and bolster Kronika’s forces. In response, Sub-Zero works with Hasashi to infiltrate Sektor’s factory and avenge his fallen clansmen, recruiting a time-displaced Cyrax to help them further. Along the way, they encounter Saibot and Frost, the latter whom had abandoned the Lin Kuei over being denied leadership and turned herself into a cyborg after becoming Sektor’s second-in-command. Together, Sub-Zero and Hasashi defeat their enemies and force them to retreat before Cyrax shuts down the factory.^[27] Due to his Lin Kuei base, among other locations, being compromised by Kronika’s allies, Sub-Zero joins his fellow Earthrealm allies at the Shirai Ryu Fire Gardens to assist in formulating a plan to defeat Kronika.^[28] At Hasashi’s suggestion, he and Sub-Zero head to the Netherrealm to recruit the ferryman Kharon, whom they met while they were revenants.^[29] However, Hasashi sends Sub-Zero back to tell Raiden that Kharon will help them while he saves the ferryman from Kronika’s minion D’Vorah. When a time-displaced Scorpion arrives bearing news of Hasashi’s death by D’Vorah’s hand, Sub-Zero initially assumes he is lying and gets into a brief fight with him before realizing the truth with help from Liu Kang.^[30][31] Sub-Zero later takes part in the final battle at Kronika’s keep alongside the combined Earthrealm/Outworld armies.^[32] In Aftermath expansion storyline, takes place after Scorpion keeps his late-present-self’s promise to join Raiden’s force, Sub-Zero forgives Scorpion when the latter confirms to have not expected Shang Tsung’s presence as well, nor being his ally, and both thought the sorcerer corrupted Fujin, until everything settled down once the Wind God and the sorcerer reveals the truth about the future where they came from, along with their successful preservation of Kronika’s crown from falling into Cetrion’s hand.^[33] In Sub-Zero’s non-canonical ending, after defeating Kronika, he considers Bi-Han and his time as Saibot, as well as learning his brother’s corruption was caused by Sektor earlier, and forges a new timeline where he is able to reform his brother and fight alongside him once again.

Other games[edit]

Sub-Zero has also featured as a guest/cameo character in three non-fighting Midway Games titles: NBA Jam Tournament Edition (1995), The Grid (2000),^[34] and MLB Slugfest: Loaded (2004).

Sub-Zero makes a cameo appearance in Injustice: Gods Among Us (2013) during Scorpion’s intro, in which the latter is about to perform a fatality on the former before being mysteriously pulled into the Injustice universe.

In the indie-game Punch Club, a ninja named Sub-273 serves as the game’s final boss, with his character design based on the first Mortal Kombat film;^[35] the «-273» being a reference to the Celsius representation of 0 kelvin, which is considered absolute zero.

Sub-Zero appears as a playable character alongside Raiden via downloadable content in the game’s sequel, Injustice 2 (2017). Despite making references to Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe, Sub-Zero’s ending suggests he was also mysteriously pulled to the Injustice universe during the near-end events of Mortal Kombat X. In his arcade ending, following his victory over the alien Brainiac, Sub-Zero worked with Batman to find a way back to his universe. In the meantime, the former became a teacher to the latter’s younger allies, while waiting for the gate to his home Mortal Kombat universe prepared. After the tyrannical Superman is accidentally freed from the Phantom Zone when the gate to Mortal Kombat dimension gone awry however, a duty-bound Sub-Zero chooses to stay for as long as he needs to so he can assist the Justice League in re-imprisoning him.^[36]

Character design and gameplay[edit]

Sub-Zero has Ice powers and was first conceived by Mortal Kombat co-creator John Tobias as a mysterious character named simply «Ninja».^[37] According to Richard Divizio, the Lin Kuei idea was his input back at the very beginning of the development, in the project that had been cancelled by Midway Games before being restarted later, and in which «originally John [Tobias] had Japanese ninjas».^[38] Tobias wrote this inspiration came from the controversial book China’s Ninja Connection by Li Hsing, which «posits historical evidence for the existence of the Lin Kuei and their influence on the Japanese ninja.^[39][40] I was aware of there being some controversy about the author’s claims. So when we split the character in two for palette swaps,^[41] I thought it would be fitting that one was of Chinese origin and the other Japanese to kind of embody the argument.»^[42] According to Tobias, the original «Hunter&Hunted concept was going [to be] about a ninja escaping from his clan and hunted by another member. We used that later for SZ in MK3.»^[43] Daniel Pesina recalled Tobias’ idea involved two ninja brothers, one of whom «wants to lead the clan, so he kills the father who is their teacher».^[38] Sub-Zero’s early name had been Tundra,^[44] but it was changed after a member of the design team saw the 1987 film The Running Man in which the first assassin fought by Arnold Schwarzenegger’s character used the name (albeit not hyphenated).

The character has primarily been portrayed or voiced by non-Asian actors.^[45] Midway Games later explained Sub-Zero’s rather occidental appearance for a Chinese assassin by giving him a white mother. According to this new backstory, his father had a wife, two sons, and a daughter while he lived in America to hide his personal role as an assassin for the Lin Kuei.^[46] Sub-Zero was originally portrayed by Daniel Pesina, who also first came up with the Lin Kuei idea. At first, Pesina was using a cheap store-bought ninja costume, purchased by him because of budget reasons, that was a size too small and thus caused problems during the filming session.^[47] Midway Games programmer Josh Tsui portrayed the unmasked younger Sub-Zero in the character’s Mortal Kombat II ending.^[48]

Sub-Zero’s early costumes have been very simple due to technical limitations.^[49] Mortal Kombat co-creator Ed Boon noted that Kuai Liang’s counterpart from DC Comics is Batman as both are «dark, mysterious, brooding characters».^[50] Tobias said that Sub-Zero was unmasked in Mortal Kombat 3 in order to stir up fan speculation about the character’s backstory.^[44] The new Sub-Zero made his official debut on the cover of GamePro April 1995 issue, with Turk’s red outfit tinted blue (as it was for the game), but the photo used was a reversed negative, as his scar was over his left eye.^[51] Since Mortal Kombat 3, Sub-Zero has had a scar running down from his forehead and across his right eye as a mark of death. The scar was originally red, and later changed to blue in Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance as a result of Sub-Zero’s enhanced powers. Mortal Kombat and Deadly Alliance states that Sub-Zero is 6 feet 2 inches tall; in recent games such as Mortal Kombat X and Mortal Kombat 11, his sprite appears to be similar to most characters. In Mortal Kombat: Deception, his scar has faded to the point where it can no longer be seen. He now wore an armored uniform heavily inspired by Dynastic era Chinese battle armor, though it was often criticized by fans as being too reminiscent of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles villain, the Shredder. However, Sub-Zero’s alternate uniform was very reminiscent of Chinese culture, even featuring Sub-Zero without a cowl and a Qing dynasty-era hairstyle. In Mortal Kombat: Armageddon, Sub-Zero reverts to his masked costume from Deadly Alliance, retaining the scar, which is not part of his alternate costume (which is the primary one from Deception). Since Deadly Alliance, Sub-Zero is the only character who has shown considerable signs of aging. Concept art from Deadly Alliance depicted him with a graying, receding hairline, and a more pale and gaunt face, while his scar was now blue and his forearms frozen over. Although Sub-Zero originally had blue eyes, they turned white after he obtained the Dragon Medallion in the game. Sub-Zero’s appearance in Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks was one of the most revised ones from the title. Character lead Mark Lappin did almost ten passes on his design; producer Shaun Himmerick noted that «we went through literally 5-6 heads and styles of head costume on him» and commented that Sub-Zero’s design in Mortal Kombat was difficult to make although most people called it «simple». In the end, the staff was satisfied with his final look in the game as it reminisces them to his classic outfit.^[52] His appearance in Injustice 2 was redesigned by Jim Lee.^[53]

When he first appeared in the first Mortal Kombat, Sub-Zero featured only two special moves: his ice blast and sliding kick. These moves have become Sub-Zero’s trademark since then, being featured in every game that Sub-Zero has appeared in (Mortal Kombat II and subsequent games feature the younger Sub-Zero). Mortal Kombat II added his ground freeze move, and two new Fatalities including the now-famous one where he would freeze and shatter the victim. According to Boon, Sub-Zero’s Freeze was originally omitted from the game in place of the Ice Shower, but was brought back in the next revision following fan feedback at a local arcade.^[44] Sub-Zero’s Predator-inspired^[54] Fatality, the «Spine Rip,» is considered by Boon to be his favorite Fatality from the first game as well as the most controversial.^[55] Some home versions of the first game replaced the «Spine Rip» with another finishing move due to its violent content, for instance the SNES port had a freeze and shatter finishing move due to Nintendo’s «family friendly» policies.^[56][57] Unlike other returning characters whose moves remained intact, the spine rip Fatality was not carried over to Mortal Kombat II and Mortal Kombat 3, (an explanation is because Kuai Liang was heroic compared to his villainous brother Bi-Han)^[58] but was brought back in Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 as one of Classic Sub-Zero’s finishers. However, the move was intentionally censored by Midway; right after he grabbed onto his opponent, the screen went black and only the resulting sound effects were heard. This was due to the development team choosing not to animate the spine rip fatality for each of the updated character sprites in the game. The Nintendo 64 port of Mortal Kombat Trilogy gives all of the younger Sub-Zero’s special techniques and finishing moves to the classic masked version, due to the fact the N64’s cartridge format had memory restrictions that did not allow the use of both masked and unmasked characters. The developers had to remove the «Spine Rip» from Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe as that game was aimed at a younger audience.^[59] Sub-Zero also gained a teleporting move in the game in which he freezes himself and falls back to the ground, appearing behind the foe.^[50]

Sub-Zero is the only character to be playable in every iteration of the primary fighting game series. Mortal Kombat: Tournament Edition, one of the two Game Boy Advance ports of Deadly Alliance, is the franchise’s only fighting game not to feature him as a player character, although the elder Sub-Zero is present in his Noob Saibot identity. The action-adventure spin-off Mortal Kombat: Special Forces is the only game entirely without Sub-Zero.

Other media[edit]

The Mortal Kombat 3 version of the younger Sub-Zero made a cameo appearance in the epilogue of Malibu Comics’ 1995 Mortal Kombat: Battlewave miniseries, in which he froze a group of Lin Kuei while proclaiming that the clan was corrupted and no longer worthy of his services. This subplot was never developed as the Mortal Kombat comic book series folded shortly thereafter.

The elder Sub-Zero appears in the Mortal Kombat: Blood & Thunder comic series.

François Petit portrays the elder Sub-Zero in first Mortal Kombat film. In the film, Sub Zero is mind controlled slave to Shang Tsung and faces off against Liu Kang in the Tournament. In the fight, he forms an invincible ice shield. With advice from Kitana, Liu uses water to form a spear that kills Sub Zero. Set in the same continuity as the 95 film, the Elder Sub-Zero, appears in the animated film Mortal Kombat: The Journey Begins voiced by Jim Cummings.

Ryan Watson portrayed the younger Sub-Zero in the 1996 theatrical show Mortal Kombat: Live Tour.

The younger Sub-Zero is one of the leading characters in the animated series Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm, where he is voiced by Luke Perry.^[60] There, Sub-Zero is a member of a good group of warriors assembled by Raiden to defend Earthrealm from invaders who entered through portals from various other dimensions, alongside Jax, Kitana, Liu Kang, Nightwolf, Sonya and Stryker.

The younger Sub-Zero made an appearance in Mortal Kombat: Annihilation, where he was portrayed by Keith Cooke, who had played Reptile in the first movie. After saving both Liu Kang and Kitana from an ambush by Smoke, Sub-Zero has an inconclusive fight with Scorpion, who kidnaps Kitana and escapes. He urges Liu Kang to seek out Nightwolf, as instructed by Raiden, before going after Kitana, then leaves Liu Kang to continue on his quest.^[61]

An ancestor of the younger Sub-Zero is featured in two episodes of the live-action series Mortal Kombat: Conquest, and was played by J. J. Perry. He was a Lin Kuei assassin hired by Shang Tsung to defeat Great Kung Lao and retrieve a magic crystal from his home, which had the ability to transport its keeper to other dimensions.^[62] Sub-Zero’s rivalry with Scorpion was also featured, in which Scorpion murdered Sub-Zero’s sister and Sub-Zero killed Scorpion’s lover in retaliation. The two fought to a draw and Scorpion escaped when Kung Lao and his friends came to Sub-Zero’s aid. Sub-Zero was subsequently berated by the Lin Kuei for his weakness, resulting in him killing the Grandmaster.^[63]

The elder Sub-Zero appears in the seventh episode of the live-action series Mortal Kombat: Legacy portrayed by Kevan Ohtsji, assassinating a shogun whom Hanzo Hasashi was supposed to protect and fought against him at the end of part one. In the next episode it is revealed that Quan Chi impersonated him in order to deceive Scorpion into believing that Sub-Zero murdered his family and clan to enact a false sense of vengeance in him against Bi-Han and gain his allegiance for the upcoming Mortal Kombat tournament. In season two of Legacy, Eric Steinberg portrayed Bi-Han while his brother Kuai Liang was played by Harry Shum.^[64] The relationship between Bi-Han and Hanzo is further explored, as they were childhood friends driven apart by the existing rivalry between their two clans, as well as the jealousy of Kuai Liang. When they become adults, Kuai Liang threatens Hanzo and his family while out for a walk and Hanzo is forced to kill Kuai Liang. Bi-Han, believing Hanzo was protecting his family, decides to end the feud between their two clans out of respect for his friend. He becomes saddened and enraged by the fact that his clan had supposedly killed Hanzo, his family, and his clan. He then discovers that Quan Chi had impersonated him. Having been chosen to fight for Earthrealm in Mortal Kombat, he encounters Hanzo on the battlefield. Bi-Han’s efforts to explain himself to Hanzo are fruitless, as Hanzo is now an undead specter only responding to the name Scorpion, who then kills Bi-Han by ripping out his spine.

He plays a supporting role in several issues of DC Comics’ 2015 Mortal Kombat X: Blood Ties comic miniseries that is set before the events of the game.^[65]

In Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion’s Revenge (2020), the elder Sub-Zero is initially depicted as the ruthless killer of Scorpion’s wife and son. He is killed by Scorpion during the Mortal Kombat tournament on Shang Tsung’s island. At the end of the movie it is revealed that Quan Chi impersonated the original Sub-Zero through sorcery, convinced the Lin Kuei clan to assault the Shirai Ryu, and killed Scorpion’s wife and son in order to manipulate Scorpion into becoming his champion.

The elder Sub-Zero is the main villain of the 2021 Mortal Kombat reboot film, and is played by Joe Taslim. Bi-Han and the Lin Kuei serve Outworld willingly, and he personally attacks and kills Hanzo Hasashi’s family, while he is additionally responsible for the destruction of Jax’s arms. At the end of the film, Sub-Zero is cornered by the specter Scorpion and new hero/descendant Cole Young and burned alive before his body is claimed by Shang Tsung.

Kuai Liang appears in the 2021 animated film Mortal Kombat Legends: Battle of the Realms voiced by Bayardo De Murguia.^[66] He returns in the 2022 sequel Mortal Kombat Legends: Snow Blind and was voiced by Ron Yuan.

Merchandise and promotion[edit]

Merchandise items of the character include action figures,^[67][68] statues,^{[69][70][71][72]} and a joystick released along with Mortal Kombat: Deception for the PlayStation 2.^[73]

Reception[edit]

Deemed as one of the most popular and recognizable characters in the Mortal Kombat franchise, as well as in the fighting-genre as a whole, Sub-Zero is regarded as the franchise’s most iconic character along with Scorpion. He was given the award of the best fighter of 1997 by SuperGamePower (readers vote).^[74] His redesign in Mortal Kombat 3 was disliked by GamePro, which they deemed «suspenders» and compared his scar to a red smear.^[75] However, his appearance in Deadly Alliance received praise by Gaming Age’s Tim Lewinson noting that «Sub-Zero never looked so good.»^[76] GameDaily listed his appearance in Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero as one of his worst moments.^[77] On the other hand, IGN staff liked how Sub-Zero was given his own video game, noting him to be one of the series’ most popular characters, and that «it offers gamers a new look at Sub Zero.»^[78] A GamesRadar article from 2011 discussed his and Scorpion’s evolution across the Mortal Kombat series, citing them as its two most popular characters.^[57] The rivalry between Sub-Zero and Batman in Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe was emphasized by IGN who noted that although both characters were extremely powerful, Sub-Zero’s freezing skills were more entertaining than Batman’s abilities.^[79] Den of Geek listed the first Sub-Zero as the eighth best Mortal Kombat character, praising his role in Mythologies Sub-Zero whereas the second Sub-Zero was listed as the top Mortal Kombat based on many of his actions such as his rivalry with Batman, as well as his role in the series such as his relationship with the Lin Kuei.^[80] Conversely, Hyper’s John Dewhurst opined that what contributed to the failure of Mythologies Sub-Zero is that Sub-Zero’s character alone «isn’t that interesting without Johnny Cage and Kitana to bounce off.»^[81]

In 2010, UGO ranked Sub-Zero ninth on their top list of Mortal Kombat characters, noting his ninja costume as the most iconic from the series.^[82] That same year, GamePlayBook ranked him as the best Mortal Kombat character, praising his freeze attacks and «Head Rip» Fatality,^[83] but the unmasked version of Sub-Zero was ranked as the third worst Mortal Kombat character.^[84] In 2011, ScrewAttack ranked Sub-Zero second in their Top 10 list of Mortal Kombat «kharacters»^[85] while Anthony Severino of Game Revolution tied him with Scorpion at the top of their list of the best «old school» Mortal Kombat fighters, noting both of them as the most popular characters from the franchise.^[86] In 2012, Sub-Zero placed third in UGO’s list of top Mortal Kombat characters.^[87] That same year, IGN’s Brian Altano and Ryan Clements chose him as the most iconic character of Mortal Kombat to represent the series against Jin Kazama of Tekken and Ryu of Street Fighter.^[88]

IGN included Sub-Zero’s first incarnation at 85th place in their list of 100 video game villains.^[89] He made it to the semifinals of GamesRadar’s 2008 «Ultimate Character Battle!» poll, losing to Hulk.^[90] In 2009, GameSpy named him one of the 25 «extremely rough brawlers» in gaming, praising his fighting style.^[91] Complex ranked Sub-Zero as the fifth «most dominant» fighting game character in 2012,^[92] as well as the 24th «most badass» video game character of all time in 2013.^[93] The readers of Dorkly voted him the series’ fourth (the elder Sub-Zero) and second (the younger) greatest character in a 2013 poll.^[94] Together, Scorpion and Sub-Zero were voted the fifth most iconic characters in the two decades of the PlayStation by readers of PlayStation Official Magazine – UK in 2015.^[95] Sub-Zero alone, ahead of Scorpion, placed third in a 2016 readers poll by Hobby Consolas for the most popular character in all fighting games.^[96]

Sub-Zero was featured on numerous lists of the best video game ninja characters, including in these by CrunchGear (at number ten) in 2008,^[97] by Unreality (at number four) in 2009,^[98] and ScrewAttack (at number five) in 2010.^[99] Scorpion and Sub-zero shared the fifth place on the top video game ninja list by PC World in 2009^[100] Virgin Media too featured him on their list of «top ten ninjas»,^[101] while GamesRadar featured him in their 2008 article discussing the top video game assassins, stating that «his bloody ways and ability to freeze opponents solid enabled him to punch his way into the hearts of arcade gamers everywhere.»^[102] In 2012, BBC News mentioned Sub-Zero as a prominent example of «Western ninja-inspired nonsense» in popular culture.^[103]

His ice-projectile technique has been noted by 1UP.com to be one of the best mechanics that changed video games due to how practical it is as it gives players the opportunity of making any move while the opponent is frozen.^[104] Prima Games listed the same move as the 23rd in fighting games due to how it paralyses enemies, allowing the player to attack the enemy.^[105] Additionally, the same site ranked his «Spinal Rip Fatality» 12th due to how Sub-Zero holds the enemy’s head after decapitating him.^[106] According to GameSpot’s Jeff Gerstmann, the unlocking of the hidden character Classic Sub-Zero in Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 was «annoying» to the point that players would not do it.^[8] In 2010, ScrewAttack ranked Sub-Zero’s original Fatality as the best in the series and credited its infamy with the creation of the ESRB video game ratings system.^[107]

See also[edit]

• Ninjas in popular culture

References[edit]

External links[edit]

Media related to Sub-Zero at Wikimedia Commons

Sub-Zero
Mortal Kombat character
Sub-Zero (Kuai Liang) in Mortal Kombat X (2015)
First appearance	Bi-Han Mortal Kombat (1992) Kuai Liang Mortal Kombat II (1993)
Created by	Ed Boon John Tobias
Designed by	John Tobias (early games) Allan Ditzig (MK:DA) Luis Mangubat (MK:D)
Portrayed by	François Petit (1995 film, Bi-Han) Keith Cooke (Annihilation, Kuai Liang) J. J. Perry (television) Kevan Ohtsji (Legacy, Bi-Han) Eric Steinberg (Legacy II, Bi-Han) Harry Shum, Jr. (Legacy II, Kuai Liang) Joe Taslim (2021 film, Bi-Han)
Voiced by	Bi-Han Jim Cummings (1995 animated film) Jamieson Price (MK9) Steve Blum (2020 animated film) Kuai Liang Luke Perry (animated series) John Tobias (MK4) Ed Boon (MK:D) Rom Barkhordar (2005–2006) Jim Miller (2008–2011) Steve Blum (2015–present) Dimitri Vegas (MK11 skin) Bayardo De Murguia (2021 animated film)[1] Ron Yuan (2022 animated film)[2]
Motion capture	Bi-Han Daniel Pesina (MK) John Turk (UMK3, MKM:SZ, MK:A) Kuai Liang Daniel Pesina (MKII) Joshua Y. Tsui (MKII, unmasked) John Turk (MK3, MK4, MK:A) Tony Chung (MK11)[3]
In-universe information
Species	Human with Cryomancer heritage
Gender	Male
Occupation	Clan grandmaster
Affiliation	Lin Kuei
Weapon	Ice Scepter (MK4) Ice Sword — Kori Blade (MK:DA MK:D, MK:A, MKvs.DCU, MK9, MKX, Injustice 2) Cybernetic Weapons; Ice Bombs, Shurikens (MK9) Ice Daggers (MKX, Injustice 2) Ice Hammer (MKX, Injustice 2) Ice Poleaxe (MK11)
Family	Noob Saibot (brother)
Origin	China (Earthrealm) [4]
Nationality	Chinese
Fighting styles	Shotokan (MK:DA, MK:D, MK:A) Dragon (MK:DA, MK:D)

Sub-Zero is the name of two fictional characters in the Mortal Kombat fighting game franchise by Midway Games and NetherRealm Studios. A warrior from the fictional Lin Kuei clan (Chinese: 林魁; pinyin: Lín Kúi), the character is principally defined by his ability to control ice in many forms. Sub-Zero has appeared in every main installment of the series but as two different people (Bi-Han and Kuai Liang), along with being featured as the protagonist of the action-adventure spin-off Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero (1997).

The franchise’s main Sub-Zero is Kuai Liang (Chinese: 快凉; pinyin: Kuài Liáng). Debuting in Mortal Kombat II (1993), he has used the mantle in every chronological game since his introduction. The mantle was previously used in the original 1992 game and Mythologies by his older brother Bi-Han (Chinese: 避寒; pinyin: Bì Hán), who appears in subsequent installments as Noob Saibot. In contrast with Bi-Han’s anti-heroic and later villainous role in the franchise, the main Sub-Zero is depicted as one of the heroic fighters defending Earthrealm against various threats. Sub-Zero also appears as both a rival and ally of the formerly undead specter Scorpion.

One of Mortal Kombat‘s signature characters, Sub-Zero has appeared in various related media outside of the games. He has received acclaim for his appearance, abilities, and Fatality finishing moves.

Appearances[edit]

Mortal Kombat games[edit]

The elder Sub-Zero appears as a playable character in the original 1992 Mortal Kombat game and the protagonist of the 1997 spin-off/prequel Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero. He was sent by the Chinese ninja clan Lin Kuei to kill the host Shang Tsung. Scorpion held an enmity towards Sub-Zero due to rivalry between their opposing warrior clans (Scorpion’s Japanese clan was unnamed). It is revealed that Scorpion was earlier killed by the Sub-Zero, and Scorpion was allowed to return to the physical realms as an undead spectre to take revenge upon Sub-Zero.

In Mortal Kombat II (1993), the younger Sub-Zero is introduced. Upon his brother’s death in the first tournament and Shang Tsung’s survival, Sub-Zero is sent by the Lin Kuei to enter the Outworld tournament and complete his brother’s unfinished task.^[5] Scorpion enters the tournament to ensure Sub-Zero’s demise. However Scorpion witnesses this Sub-Zero spare an opponent’s life; something the original Sub-Zero was not known to do. Scorpion eventually discovers the new Sub-Zero’s true identity as the younger brother, in return for taking his older brother’s life, vows to protect him forever.

In Mortal Kombat 3 (1995), Sub-Zero and his fellow Lin Kuei clansman Smoke attempt to escape from their clan after they start converting their warriors into cyborgs, but the latter ends up captured and turned into one anyway alongside Sektor and Cyrax; the former of whom was known to usurp Sub-Zero for his own benefit.^[6] The three Cyber Lin Kuei ninjas are programmed to hunt and exterminate Sub-Zero, who by this time had received a vision from Raiden and agreed to join a rebellion against a new threat.^[7] In addition to the current Sub-Zero, Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 (1995) and Mortal Kombat Trilogy (1996) include a non-canonical playable character known as «Classic Sub-Zero».^[8] His biography states that although he was believed to have died after the first Mortal Kombat tournament, he returned to assassinate Shang Tsung.^[9] However, his ending states that he is not Sub-Zero; rather he is an unidentified warrior who was missing from the previous tournament.^[10]

In Mortal Kombat 4 (1997), Raiden once again summons Sub-Zero to assist in defending Earthrealm, this time against Shinnok.^[11] In the meantime, Sub-Zero fights Scorpion, who Quan Chi has tricked into believing the Lin Kuei warrior killed his family.^[12]

In Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance (2002), Sub-Zero defeats Sektor in a fight for leadership of the Lin Kuei.^[13] He also meets his apprentice Frost and takes her to fight alongside Earthrealm’s warriors against the titular alliance of Shang Tsung and Quan Chi.^[14]

In Mortal Kombat: Deception (2004), Sub-Zero joins the warrior Shujinko’s group to defeat a new threat in the dragon king Onaga as well as confront Noob Saibot.^[15][16] In both Deadly Alliance and Mortal Kombat: Unchained (2006), Sub-Zero battles Frost for the Lin Kuei’s leadership and emerges victorious.^[17][18]

In Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks (2005), which serves as a retelling of Mortal Kombat II, Sub-Zero first appears as a boss character, but then allies with the protagonists Liu Kang and Kung Lao for a short time during the search for his older brother. He is last seen pursuing Saibot in the Netherrealm.^[19] Sub-Zero can also be unlocked as a playable character upon completing the game.

In Mortal Kombat: Armageddon‘s Konquest mode (2007), Sub-Zero faces the warrior Taven, though both eventually decide to ally to stop the invading Saibot and Smoke. After defeating them, Sub-Zero stays with the unconscious Saibot to find a way to save him.^[20]

Sub-Zero appears as a playable character in the non-canonical crossover title Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe (2009), which concerns a war between the eponymous fictional universes. In Sub-Zero’s ending, he realizes he is no longer the assassin he once was and leaves the Lin Kuei. Inspired by Batman, he becomes a superhero. Unbeknownst to him, the Lin Kuei are hunting him for deserting them.^[21]

Both incarnations of Sub-Zero appear in the 2011 Mortal Kombat reboot game, with the younger assuming the mantle during standard gameplay. The reboot establishes the elder as Bi-Han and the latter as Kuai Liang, while also revealing that Liang used the codename «Tundra» before becoming Sub-Zero.^[22] While Bi-Han is still killed by Scorpion and becomes Saibot,^[23] Liang’s fate changes in the second tournament due to Raiden’s interference in an attempt to avert Armageddon. After he defeats Scorpion, Sub-Zero is captured and turned into a cyborg instead of Smoke and forced to serve the otherworldly dimension Outworld and its tyrannical ruler, Shao Kahn.^[24] However, he is able to regain his mind and joins Raiden’s warriors to stop Shao Kahn.^[25] His reunion with Bi-Han as Saibot comes much earlier than it did in the original timeline when he attempts to prevent Quan Chi’s Soulnado from forming. After defeating his brother, Sub-Zero is relieved by Native American warrior Nightwolf. However, Shao Kahn’s wife, Sindel, electrocutes Sub-Zero before Quan Chi «resurrects» and enslaves him in the Netherrealm as an undead revenant.^[26] Sub-Zero’s background is further clarified during this installment as well, as it is revealed that the two brothers were in fact abducted by the Lin Kuei as infants after the clan murdered their parents.

In Mortal Kombat X, which takes place two years after the previous game, Sub-Zero continues to serve Quan Chi. It is explained in the tie-in comics that Quan Chi used his magic to recreate his original body to free him of his cyborg body. While serving in Quan Chi’s attack on Earthrealm, Sub-Zero and Scorpion are resurrected by Raiden. Over the course of the following twenty-five years, Liang becomes the new grandmaster of the Lin Kuei after defeating Sektor with a computer virus provided by Kung Jin and Bo’ Rai Cho; freeing Cyrax and the other cyberized Lin Kuei warriors. He also discovered Quan Chi’s role in Bi-Han’s downfall and made amends with Scorpion, now Hanzo Hasashi, after revealing Quan Chi and Sektor’s involvement in the Shirai Ryu warrior’s clan and family’s deaths to him. Sub-Zero would later come to the aid of Cassie Cage’s team after they are ambushed by Outworld forces while trying to stop Shinnok. While Sub-Zero appears as a playable character in his human form, his cybernetic form is reused as a hidden variation for the DLC character Triborg.

In Mortal Kombat 11, which takes place a further two years after MKX, the keeper of time Kronika brings a past version of Sektor to the present, who kidnaps Sub-Zero’s Lin Kuei clansmen to forcibly convert them back into Cyber Lin Kuei and bolster Kronika’s forces. In response, Sub-Zero works with Hasashi to infiltrate Sektor’s factory and avenge his fallen clansmen, recruiting a time-displaced Cyrax to help them further. Along the way, they encounter Saibot and Frost, the latter whom had abandoned the Lin Kuei over being denied leadership and turned herself into a cyborg after becoming Sektor’s second-in-command. Together, Sub-Zero and Hasashi defeat their enemies and force them to retreat before Cyrax shuts down the factory.^[27] Due to his Lin Kuei base, among other locations, being compromised by Kronika’s allies, Sub-Zero joins his fellow Earthrealm allies at the Shirai Ryu Fire Gardens to assist in formulating a plan to defeat Kronika.^[28] At Hasashi’s suggestion, he and Sub-Zero head to the Netherrealm to recruit the ferryman Kharon, whom they met while they were revenants.^[29] However, Hasashi sends Sub-Zero back to tell Raiden that Kharon will help them while he saves the ferryman from Kronika’s minion D’Vorah. When a time-displaced Scorpion arrives bearing news of Hasashi’s death by D’Vorah’s hand, Sub-Zero initially assumes he is lying and gets into a brief fight with him before realizing the truth with help from Liu Kang.^[30][31] Sub-Zero later takes part in the final battle at Kronika’s keep alongside the combined Earthrealm/Outworld armies.^[32] In Aftermath expansion storyline, takes place after Scorpion keeps his late-present-self’s promise to join Raiden’s force, Sub-Zero forgives Scorpion when the latter confirms to have not expected Shang Tsung’s presence as well, nor being his ally, and both thought the sorcerer corrupted Fujin, until everything settled down once the Wind God and the sorcerer reveals the truth about the future where they came from, along with their successful preservation of Kronika’s crown from falling into Cetrion’s hand.^[33] In Sub-Zero’s non-canonical ending, after defeating Kronika, he considers Bi-Han and his time as Saibot, as well as learning his brother’s corruption was caused by Sektor earlier, and forges a new timeline where he is able to reform his brother and fight alongside him once again.

Other games[edit]

Sub-Zero has also featured as a guest/cameo character in three non-fighting Midway Games titles: NBA Jam Tournament Edition (1995), The Grid (2000),^[34] and MLB Slugfest: Loaded (2004).

Sub-Zero makes a cameo appearance in Injustice: Gods Among Us (2013) during Scorpion’s intro, in which the latter is about to perform a fatality on the former before being mysteriously pulled into the Injustice universe.

In the indie-game Punch Club, a ninja named Sub-273 serves as the game’s final boss, with his character design based on the first Mortal Kombat film;^[35] the «-273» being a reference to the Celsius representation of 0 kelvin, which is considered absolute zero.

Sub-Zero appears as a playable character alongside Raiden via downloadable content in the game’s sequel, Injustice 2 (2017). Despite making references to Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe, Sub-Zero’s ending suggests he was also mysteriously pulled to the Injustice universe during the near-end events of Mortal Kombat X. In his arcade ending, following his victory over the alien Brainiac, Sub-Zero worked with Batman to find a way back to his universe. In the meantime, the former became a teacher to the latter’s younger allies, while waiting for the gate to his home Mortal Kombat universe prepared. After the tyrannical Superman is accidentally freed from the Phantom Zone when the gate to Mortal Kombat dimension gone awry however, a duty-bound Sub-Zero chooses to stay for as long as he needs to so he can assist the Justice League in re-imprisoning him.^[36]

Character design and gameplay[edit]

Sub-Zero has Ice powers and was first conceived by Mortal Kombat co-creator John Tobias as a mysterious character named simply «Ninja».^[37] According to Richard Divizio, the Lin Kuei idea was his input back at the very beginning of the development, in the project that had been cancelled by Midway Games before being restarted later, and in which «originally John [Tobias] had Japanese ninjas».^[38] Tobias wrote this inspiration came from the controversial book China’s Ninja Connection by Li Hsing, which «posits historical evidence for the existence of the Lin Kuei and their influence on the Japanese ninja.^[39][40] I was aware of there being some controversy about the author’s claims. So when we split the character in two for palette swaps,^[41] I thought it would be fitting that one was of Chinese origin and the other Japanese to kind of embody the argument.»^[42] According to Tobias, the original «Hunter&Hunted concept was going [to be] about a ninja escaping from his clan and hunted by another member. We used that later for SZ in MK3.»^[43] Daniel Pesina recalled Tobias’ idea involved two ninja brothers, one of whom «wants to lead the clan, so he kills the father who is their teacher».^[38] Sub-Zero’s early name had been Tundra,^[44] but it was changed after a member of the design team saw the 1987 film The Running Man in which the first assassin fought by Arnold Schwarzenegger’s character used the name (albeit not hyphenated).

The character has primarily been portrayed or voiced by non-Asian actors.^[45] Midway Games later explained Sub-Zero’s rather occidental appearance for a Chinese assassin by giving him a white mother. According to this new backstory, his father had a wife, two sons, and a daughter while he lived in America to hide his personal role as an assassin for the Lin Kuei.^[46] Sub-Zero was originally portrayed by Daniel Pesina, who also first came up with the Lin Kuei idea. At first, Pesina was using a cheap store-bought ninja costume, purchased by him because of budget reasons, that was a size too small and thus caused problems during the filming session.^[47] Midway Games programmer Josh Tsui portrayed the unmasked younger Sub-Zero in the character’s Mortal Kombat II ending.^[48]

Sub-Zero’s early costumes have been very simple due to technical limitations.^[49] Mortal Kombat co-creator Ed Boon noted that Kuai Liang’s counterpart from DC Comics is Batman as both are «dark, mysterious, brooding characters».^[50] Tobias said that Sub-Zero was unmasked in Mortal Kombat 3 in order to stir up fan speculation about the character’s backstory.^[44] The new Sub-Zero made his official debut on the cover of GamePro April 1995 issue, with Turk’s red outfit tinted blue (as it was for the game), but the photo used was a reversed negative, as his scar was over his left eye.^[51] Since Mortal Kombat 3, Sub-Zero has had a scar running down from his forehead and across his right eye as a mark of death. The scar was originally red, and later changed to blue in Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance as a result of Sub-Zero’s enhanced powers. Mortal Kombat and Deadly Alliance states that Sub-Zero is 6 feet 2 inches tall; in recent games such as Mortal Kombat X and Mortal Kombat 11, his sprite appears to be similar to most characters. In Mortal Kombat: Deception, his scar has faded to the point where it can no longer be seen. He now wore an armored uniform heavily inspired by Dynastic era Chinese battle armor, though it was often criticized by fans as being too reminiscent of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles villain, the Shredder. However, Sub-Zero’s alternate uniform was very reminiscent of Chinese culture, even featuring Sub-Zero without a cowl and a Qing dynasty-era hairstyle. In Mortal Kombat: Armageddon, Sub-Zero reverts to his masked costume from Deadly Alliance, retaining the scar, which is not part of his alternate costume (which is the primary one from Deception). Since Deadly Alliance, Sub-Zero is the only character who has shown considerable signs of aging. Concept art from Deadly Alliance depicted him with a graying, receding hairline, and a more pale and gaunt face, while his scar was now blue and his forearms frozen over. Although Sub-Zero originally had blue eyes, they turned white after he obtained the Dragon Medallion in the game. Sub-Zero’s appearance in Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks was one of the most revised ones from the title. Character lead Mark Lappin did almost ten passes on his design; producer Shaun Himmerick noted that «we went through literally 5-6 heads and styles of head costume on him» and commented that Sub-Zero’s design in Mortal Kombat was difficult to make although most people called it «simple». In the end, the staff was satisfied with his final look in the game as it reminisces them to his classic outfit.^[52] His appearance in Injustice 2 was redesigned by Jim Lee.^[53]

When he first appeared in the first Mortal Kombat, Sub-Zero featured only two special moves: his ice blast and sliding kick. These moves have become Sub-Zero’s trademark since then, being featured in every game that Sub-Zero has appeared in (Mortal Kombat II and subsequent games feature the younger Sub-Zero). Mortal Kombat II added his ground freeze move, and two new Fatalities including the now-famous one where he would freeze and shatter the victim. According to Boon, Sub-Zero’s Freeze was originally omitted from the game in place of the Ice Shower, but was brought back in the next revision following fan feedback at a local arcade.^[44] Sub-Zero’s Predator-inspired^[54] Fatality, the «Spine Rip,» is considered by Boon to be his favorite Fatality from the first game as well as the most controversial.^[55] Some home versions of the first game replaced the «Spine Rip» with another finishing move due to its violent content, for instance the SNES port had a freeze and shatter finishing move due to Nintendo’s «family friendly» policies.^[56][57] Unlike other returning characters whose moves remained intact, the spine rip Fatality was not carried over to Mortal Kombat II and Mortal Kombat 3, (an explanation is because Kuai Liang was heroic compared to his villainous brother Bi-Han)^[58] but was brought back in Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 as one of Classic Sub-Zero’s finishers. However, the move was intentionally censored by Midway; right after he grabbed onto his opponent, the screen went black and only the resulting sound effects were heard. This was due to the development team choosing not to animate the spine rip fatality for each of the updated character sprites in the game. The Nintendo 64 port of Mortal Kombat Trilogy gives all of the younger Sub-Zero’s special techniques and finishing moves to the classic masked version, due to the fact the N64’s cartridge format had memory restrictions that did not allow the use of both masked and unmasked characters. The developers had to remove the «Spine Rip» from Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe as that game was aimed at a younger audience.^[59] Sub-Zero also gained a teleporting move in the game in which he freezes himself and falls back to the ground, appearing behind the foe.^[50]

Sub-Zero is the only character to be playable in every iteration of the primary fighting game series. Mortal Kombat: Tournament Edition, one of the two Game Boy Advance ports of Deadly Alliance, is the franchise’s only fighting game not to feature him as a player character, although the elder Sub-Zero is present in his Noob Saibot identity. The action-adventure spin-off Mortal Kombat: Special Forces is the only game entirely without Sub-Zero.

Other media[edit]

The Mortal Kombat 3 version of the younger Sub-Zero made a cameo appearance in the epilogue of Malibu Comics’ 1995 Mortal Kombat: Battlewave miniseries, in which he froze a group of Lin Kuei while proclaiming that the clan was corrupted and no longer worthy of his services. This subplot was never developed as the Mortal Kombat comic book series folded shortly thereafter.

The elder Sub-Zero appears in the Mortal Kombat: Blood & Thunder comic series.

François Petit portrays the elder Sub-Zero in first Mortal Kombat film. In the film, Sub Zero is mind controlled slave to Shang Tsung and faces off against Liu Kang in the Tournament. In the fight, he forms an invincible ice shield. With advice from Kitana, Liu uses water to form a spear that kills Sub Zero. Set in the same continuity as the 95 film, the Elder Sub-Zero, appears in the animated film Mortal Kombat: The Journey Begins voiced by Jim Cummings.

Ryan Watson portrayed the younger Sub-Zero in the 1996 theatrical show Mortal Kombat: Live Tour.

The younger Sub-Zero is one of the leading characters in the animated series Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm, where he is voiced by Luke Perry.^[60] There, Sub-Zero is a member of a good group of warriors assembled by Raiden to defend Earthrealm from invaders who entered through portals from various other dimensions, alongside Jax, Kitana, Liu Kang, Nightwolf, Sonya and Stryker.

The younger Sub-Zero made an appearance in Mortal Kombat: Annihilation, where he was portrayed by Keith Cooke, who had played Reptile in the first movie. After saving both Liu Kang and Kitana from an ambush by Smoke, Sub-Zero has an inconclusive fight with Scorpion, who kidnaps Kitana and escapes. He urges Liu Kang to seek out Nightwolf, as instructed by Raiden, before going after Kitana, then leaves Liu Kang to continue on his quest.^[61]

An ancestor of the younger Sub-Zero is featured in two episodes of the live-action series Mortal Kombat: Conquest, and was played by J. J. Perry. He was a Lin Kuei assassin hired by Shang Tsung to defeat Great Kung Lao and retrieve a magic crystal from his home, which had the ability to transport its keeper to other dimensions.^[62] Sub-Zero’s rivalry with Scorpion was also featured, in which Scorpion murdered Sub-Zero’s sister and Sub-Zero killed Scorpion’s lover in retaliation. The two fought to a draw and Scorpion escaped when Kung Lao and his friends came to Sub-Zero’s aid. Sub-Zero was subsequently berated by the Lin Kuei for his weakness, resulting in him killing the Grandmaster.^[63]

The elder Sub-Zero appears in the seventh episode of the live-action series Mortal Kombat: Legacy portrayed by Kevan Ohtsji, assassinating a shogun whom Hanzo Hasashi was supposed to protect and fought against him at the end of part one. In the next episode it is revealed that Quan Chi impersonated him in order to deceive Scorpion into believing that Sub-Zero murdered his family and clan to enact a false sense of vengeance in him against Bi-Han and gain his allegiance for the upcoming Mortal Kombat tournament. In season two of Legacy, Eric Steinberg portrayed Bi-Han while his brother Kuai Liang was played by Harry Shum.^[64] The relationship between Bi-Han and Hanzo is further explored, as they were childhood friends driven apart by the existing rivalry between their two clans, as well as the jealousy of Kuai Liang. When they become adults, Kuai Liang threatens Hanzo and his family while out for a walk and Hanzo is forced to kill Kuai Liang. Bi-Han, believing Hanzo was protecting his family, decides to end the feud between their two clans out of respect for his friend. He becomes saddened and enraged by the fact that his clan had supposedly killed Hanzo, his family, and his clan. He then discovers that Quan Chi had impersonated him. Having been chosen to fight for Earthrealm in Mortal Kombat, he encounters Hanzo on the battlefield. Bi-Han’s efforts to explain himself to Hanzo are fruitless, as Hanzo is now an undead specter only responding to the name Scorpion, who then kills Bi-Han by ripping out his spine.

He plays a supporting role in several issues of DC Comics’ 2015 Mortal Kombat X: Blood Ties comic miniseries that is set before the events of the game.^[65]

In Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion’s Revenge (2020), the elder Sub-Zero is initially depicted as the ruthless killer of Scorpion’s wife and son. He is killed by Scorpion during the Mortal Kombat tournament on Shang Tsung’s island. At the end of the movie it is revealed that Quan Chi impersonated the original Sub-Zero through sorcery, convinced the Lin Kuei clan to assault the Shirai Ryu, and killed Scorpion’s wife and son in order to manipulate Scorpion into becoming his champion.

The elder Sub-Zero is the main villain of the 2021 Mortal Kombat reboot film, and is played by Joe Taslim. Bi-Han and the Lin Kuei serve Outworld willingly, and he personally attacks and kills Hanzo Hasashi’s family, while he is additionally responsible for the destruction of Jax’s arms. At the end of the film, Sub-Zero is cornered by the specter Scorpion and new hero/descendant Cole Young and burned alive before his body is claimed by Shang Tsung.

Kuai Liang appears in the 2021 animated film Mortal Kombat Legends: Battle of the Realms voiced by Bayardo De Murguia.^[66] He returns in the 2022 sequel Mortal Kombat Legends: Snow Blind and was voiced by Ron Yuan.

Merchandise and promotion[edit]

Merchandise items of the character include action figures,^[67][68] statues,^{[69][70][71][72]} and a joystick released along with Mortal Kombat: Deception for the PlayStation 2.^[73]

Reception[edit]

Deemed as one of the most popular and recognizable characters in the Mortal Kombat franchise, as well as in the fighting-genre as a whole, Sub-Zero is regarded as the franchise’s most iconic character along with Scorpion. He was given the award of the best fighter of 1997 by SuperGamePower (readers vote).^[74] His redesign in Mortal Kombat 3 was disliked by GamePro, which they deemed «suspenders» and compared his scar to a red smear.^[75] However, his appearance in Deadly Alliance received praise by Gaming Age’s Tim Lewinson noting that «Sub-Zero never looked so good.»^[76] GameDaily listed his appearance in Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero as one of his worst moments.^[77] On the other hand, IGN staff liked how Sub-Zero was given his own video game, noting him to be one of the series’ most popular characters, and that «it offers gamers a new look at Sub Zero.»^[78] A GamesRadar article from 2011 discussed his and Scorpion’s evolution across the Mortal Kombat series, citing them as its two most popular characters.^[57] The rivalry between Sub-Zero and Batman in Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe was emphasized by IGN who noted that although both characters were extremely powerful, Sub-Zero’s freezing skills were more entertaining than Batman’s abilities.^[79] Den of Geek listed the first Sub-Zero as the eighth best Mortal Kombat character, praising his role in Mythologies Sub-Zero whereas the second Sub-Zero was listed as the top Mortal Kombat based on many of his actions such as his rivalry with Batman, as well as his role in the series such as his relationship with the Lin Kuei.^[80] Conversely, Hyper’s John Dewhurst opined that what contributed to the failure of Mythologies Sub-Zero is that Sub-Zero’s character alone «isn’t that interesting without Johnny Cage and Kitana to bounce off.»^[81]

In 2010, UGO ranked Sub-Zero ninth on their top list of Mortal Kombat characters, noting his ninja costume as the most iconic from the series.^[82] That same year, GamePlayBook ranked him as the best Mortal Kombat character, praising his freeze attacks and «Head Rip» Fatality,^[83] but the unmasked version of Sub-Zero was ranked as the third worst Mortal Kombat character.^[84] In 2011, ScrewAttack ranked Sub-Zero second in their Top 10 list of Mortal Kombat «kharacters»^[85] while Anthony Severino of Game Revolution tied him with Scorpion at the top of their list of the best «old school» Mortal Kombat fighters, noting both of them as the most popular characters from the franchise.^[86] In 2012, Sub-Zero placed third in UGO’s list of top Mortal Kombat characters.^[87] That same year, IGN’s Brian Altano and Ryan Clements chose him as the most iconic character of Mortal Kombat to represent the series against Jin Kazama of Tekken and Ryu of Street Fighter.^[88]

IGN included Sub-Zero’s first incarnation at 85th place in their list of 100 video game villains.^[89] He made it to the semifinals of GamesRadar’s 2008 «Ultimate Character Battle!» poll, losing to Hulk.^[90] In 2009, GameSpy named him one of the 25 «extremely rough brawlers» in gaming, praising his fighting style.^[91] Complex ranked Sub-Zero as the fifth «most dominant» fighting game character in 2012,^[92] as well as the 24th «most badass» video game character of all time in 2013.^[93] The readers of Dorkly voted him the series’ fourth (the elder Sub-Zero) and second (the younger) greatest character in a 2013 poll.^[94] Together, Scorpion and Sub-Zero were voted the fifth most iconic characters in the two decades of the PlayStation by readers of PlayStation Official Magazine – UK in 2015.^[95] Sub-Zero alone, ahead of Scorpion, placed third in a 2016 readers poll by Hobby Consolas for the most popular character in all fighting games.^[96]

Sub-Zero was featured on numerous lists of the best video game ninja characters, including in these by CrunchGear (at number ten) in 2008,^[97] by Unreality (at number four) in 2009,^[98] and ScrewAttack (at number five) in 2010.^[99] Scorpion and Sub-zero shared the fifth place on the top video game ninja list by PC World in 2009^[100] Virgin Media too featured him on their list of «top ten ninjas»,^[101] while GamesRadar featured him in their 2008 article discussing the top video game assassins, stating that «his bloody ways and ability to freeze opponents solid enabled him to punch his way into the hearts of arcade gamers everywhere.»^[102] In 2012, BBC News mentioned Sub-Zero as a prominent example of «Western ninja-inspired nonsense» in popular culture.^[103]

His ice-projectile technique has been noted by 1UP.com to be one of the best mechanics that changed video games due to how practical it is as it gives players the opportunity of making any move while the opponent is frozen.^[104] Prima Games listed the same move as the 23rd in fighting games due to how it paralyses enemies, allowing the player to attack the enemy.^[105] Additionally, the same site ranked his «Spinal Rip Fatality» 12th due to how Sub-Zero holds the enemy’s head after decapitating him.^[106] According to GameSpot’s Jeff Gerstmann, the unlocking of the hidden character Classic Sub-Zero in Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 was «annoying» to the point that players would not do it.^[8] In 2010, ScrewAttack ranked Sub-Zero’s original Fatality as the best in the series and credited its infamy with the creation of the ESRB video game ratings system.^[107]

See also[edit]

• Ninjas in popular culture

References[edit]

External links[edit]

Media related to Sub-Zero at Wikimedia Commons

Это статья о младшем брате Саб-Зиро, Куай Лиэнге, также известном как Тундра и Кибер Саб-Зиро.

Для прочтения статьи о старшем брате Саб-Зиро, Би-Хане или Нуб Сайботе, пожалуйста, перейдите по этой ссылке.

Для прочтения статьи о Классическом Саб-Зиро из Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 и Mortal Kombat Trilogy, пожалуйста, перейдите по этой ссылке.

Саб-Зиро (англ. Sub-Zero) – персонаж серии игр Mortal Kombat, который впервые появился во второй части игры Mortal Kombat II. Хотя почти аналогичный персонаж с тем же именем уже появлялся в первом Mortal Kombat, Саб-Зиро из MKII является новым персонажем и младшим братом Саб-Зиро из первой части. Согласно оригинальной хронологии, оба брата были выкрадены отцом от их матери, которая не хотела, чтобы её дети становились наёмными убийцами, и вывезены в Китай, где находилась штаб-квартира Лин Куэй. Имя «Саб-Зиро» является своеобразным титулом-именем, которое передаётся от одного члена семьи к другому, как правило, после гибели предыдущего его обладателя. Через некоторое время оно досталось Би-Хану, который был нанят Куан Чи, чтобы достать амулет Шиннока. Спустя два года Би-Хан был нанят Шанг Цунгом, а также кем-то из его врагов, чтобы участвовать на десятом турнире Смертельная Битва, где он исчез. Куай Лиэнг, получив в наследство имя «Саб-Зиро», отправился во Внешний Мир, чтобы завершить миссию своего брата и убить Шанг Цунга. По возвращении в Лин Куэй Саб-Зиро узнал, что руководство клана планирует превратить лучших воинов клана в киборгов. Саб-Зиро и его союзник, Смоук, пытались сбежать из клана, но только Саб-Зиро удалось это сделать. В это же время началось нашествие Шао Кана на Землю. Саб-Зиро присоединился к земным воинам, а также смог избавиться от воинов-киборгов, которых послал Лин Куэй, чтобы уничтожить Саб-Зиро за его бегство. После окончания вторжения Саб-Зиро исчез в неизвестном направлении, но он вернулся, когда началось вторжение Шиннока. После победы над изгнанным старшим богом Саб-Зиро решил реформировать Лин Куэй в силу, которая была бы способна защитить Землю от вторжения извне. Победив Сектора и получив место грандмастера клана, Саб-Зиро взял себе ученицу — молодую девушку-воина по имени Фрост. Оба они отправились во Внешний Мир, чтобы сразиться со Смертельным Альянсом. Но Саб-Зиро не смог дойти до дворца Шанг Цунга — Фрост попыталась отнять у него Медальон Дракона, который символизировал власть над кланом. Она не смогла контролировать его силу и погибла. В поисках места, чтобы её похоронить, Саб-Зиро нашёл старый замок, в котором некогда обитала раса криомантов, умеющих повелевать холодом. Саб-Зиро пришёл к выводу, что он является их потомком и чтобы почтить их память, одел на себя броню воина этой расы. С помощью этой брони ему удалось отбиться от отряда таркатанов и вернуться на Землю. Саб-Зиро помог Тейвену отразить атаку Нуб Сайбота и Смоука на штаб-квартиру Лин Куэй, а позже участвовал в битве при пирамиде Аргуса. В новой хронологии Саб-Зиро отправляется во Внешний Мир вместе со Смоуком, чтобы найти убийцу своего брата, а также избежать превращения в киборгов. Поиски Саб-Зиро заканчиваются успехом — он получает право сразиться со Скорпионом в Колизее Шао Кана, но добить призрака Куай Лиэнг не успевает. Сектор и Сайракс находят его и по соглашению с Шао Каном забирают Саб-Зиро в штаб-квартиру клана для превращения в машину. Позже Куай Лиэнг возвращается в сюжет уже в виде киборга. Он находит место, где содержаться пленные солдаты Земли, которых Куан Чи собирается принести в жертву, чтобы создать огромный вихрь из душ, Солнадо, чтобы забрать души всех людей на Земле. Кибер Саб-Зиро спасает солдат от Горо, Кинтаро и Ермака, а позже, на Кладбище, сражается с собственным братом, Нуб Сайботом. После этого Кибер Саб-Зиро предоставляют Ночному Волку возможность уничтожить Солнадо, и возвращается на базу земных воинов, где погибает в бою с усиленной Синдел. Куан Чи превращает Кибер Саб-Зиро обратно в война-человека и в таком виде Саб-Зиро принимает участие во время вторжения на Землю из Преисподней. Спустя несколько лет Саб-Зиро получается свободу от рабства Куан Чи, благодаря Рейдену и Соне Блейд, которые устроили атаку на крепость некроманта. Чтобы искупить свою вину за злодеяния совершённые им по приказу Куан Чи, Саб-Зиро отправляется выполнить задание Рейдена, но оказывется по контролем Кровавого Кода и его смертельно ранит Скорпион. От гибели Куай Лиэнга спасает Бо’Рай Чо, и позже, Саб-Зиро возвращает себе контроль над кланом Лин Куэй, уничтожив их тайную штаб-квартиру их их лидера, Сектора. Став грандмастером клана, Куай стал верным союзником Земли и помог провести испытание для молодых воинов из отряда Кэсси Кейдж. А позже спас их атаки армии Коталь Кана.

Саб-Зиро / Куай Лиэнг появлялся почти во всех играх серии после своего дебюта в MKII. Кибер Саб-Зиро появляется, как одна из вариаций нового персонажа Триборга. Он подтверждён и в Mortal Kombat 11.

История персонажа

Оригинальная хронология

Куай Лиэнг был одним из двух братьев, сыновей представителя клана Лин Куэй в США. Вопреки желанию их матери, отец вывез их в Китай, где их стали тренировать, как воинов-убийц. Спустя некоторое время имя «Саб-Зиро» перешло к старшему брату Би-Хану, которого нанял Куан Чи для кражи карты из шаолиньского храма и поиска амулета Шиннока. После завершения своих приключений, Саб-Зиро старший был нанят Шанг Цунгом и неким из его врагов, который хотел смерти колдуна. В ходе десятого турнира Би-Хан был убит Скорпионом в отместку за своё убийство во время кражи карты. Так имя «Саб-Зиро» перешло к младшему брату Куай Лиэнгу.^[1][2]

Новый Саб-Зиро подобрал Лю Кенга и Кунг Лао на пепелище шаолиньского храма, разрушенного таркатанами в отместку за победу Лю на турнире. Втроём они вылетели в Лос Анджелес, где Джонни Кейдж был атакован воинами из Внешнего Мира. Отразив их атаку, Саб-Зиро и остальные земные воины отправились во Внешний Мир, чтобы участвовать в турнире, организованном императором Шао Каном. Вместе с Саб-Зиро во Внешний Мир отправился его друг Смоук. Вдвоём они должны были попытаться завершить миссию Би-Хана и убить Шанг Цунга, однако, им это сделать не удалось. Во время проведения турнира Саб-Зиро столкнулся со Скорпионом, который решил выяснить, кем является новый Саб-Зиро. Во время одного из поединков Саб-Зиро пощадил своего противника, и Скорпион понял, что он отличается от того воина, который убил его несколько лет назад. Тогда Скорпион поклялся не причинять вреда Куай Лиэнгу, в качестве платы за убийство его брата.^[3][4][5][6]

Выбравшись из смертельной западни Шао Кана, Саб-Зиро и Смоук вернулись в Лин Куэй. Пока они были во Внешнем Мире, в их клане произошли крупные изменения — технологический прорыв сделал возможным трансформацию людей в киборгов. Двое членов клана (Сектор и Сайракс) вызвались добровольно принять участие в эксперименте и стать первыми кибер-убийцами Лин Куэй. Саб-Зиро и Смоук были выбраны для трансформации в машины. Они попытались сбежать из штаб-квартиры клана, но только Саб-Зиро удалось это сделать. Смоук был пойман и насильно превращён в киборга. Сбежав из клана, Саб-Зиро опозорил Лин Куэй и за это был приговорён к смерти. Все трое киборгов, Сектор, Сайракс и Смоук, получили задание найти и уничтожить воина-предателя.^{[7][8][9][10][11]}

Помимо бездушных машин, идущих по его следу, бывшему воину Лин Куэй пришлось столкнуться с ещё одной угрозой — вторжением армии Шао Кана. Будучи одним из избранных воинов, душа, которого была под защитой, Саб-Зиро остался одним из немногих землян, переживших вторжение сил императора в Земное Царство. К несчастью для Саб-Зиро его преследователи киборги также пережили атаку Шао Кана: у них просто не было душ, которые мог бы забрать император Внешнего Мира и по этой же самой причине их не могли обнаружить отряды истребителей Шао Кана. В какой-то момент Саб-Зиро столкнулся со Смоуком. Бывший воин Лин Куэй вернул память Смоуку и смог его убедить, что, несмотря на трансформацию в киборга, у него всё ещё есть душа. Вдвоём они сразились с Сектором и Сайраксом. Им удалось одержать победу над киборгами и даже захватить Сайракса. Саб-Зиро перепрограммировал его, чтобы Сайракс убил Шао Кана, но Сайраксу не удалось выполнить свою миссию, и киборг отключился посреди пустыни. Саб-Зиро и Смоук принимали участие в атаке на крепость Шао Кана. Саб-Зиро удалось выжить, а Смоуку не повезло. Во время битвы с армией императора, он был захвачен войсками Шао Кана и брошен в подземелья его дворца в качестве трофея.^[12][13][14]

После победы земных воинов, Земное Царство было отделено от Внешнего Мира. Саб-Зиро на некоторое время ушёл в тень, а его клан частично распался. Но, узнав о вторжении Шиннока в Эдению, Саб-Зиро решил вмешаться и помочь земным воинам остановить изгнанного старшего бога, тем более, что его старший брат когда-то открыл ему важную информацию относительно Шиннока. Чтобы почтить память Би-Хана, Саб-Зиро одел его униформу клана Лин Куэй и отправился в бой. Саб-Зиро столкнулся со Скорпионом, которого Куан Чи убедил, что Куай Лиэнг также имеет отношение к гибели его семьи и клана. Скорпиону удалось выйти победителем из схватки. Он готовился убить Саб-Зиро, несмотря на то, что тот говорил, что не имеет отношения к тому, что произошло с его семьёй. К счастью для Саб-Зиро, именно в этот момент, Куан Чи объявил, что именно он уничтожил клан Скорпиона и попытался отправить призрака в Преисподнюю, но Скорпиону удалось забрать некроманта с собой. С этого момента Саб-Зиро был свободен от проклятья Скорпиона.^[15][16]

Через некоторое время киборг Сектор, программа которого была повреждена в схватке с воинами Шао Кана во время вторжения, решил убить лидера Лин Куэй и захватить контроль над кланом. Ему успешно удалось убить грандмастера, но Саб-Зиро победил Сектора в тяжёлой битве и сорвал планы киборга по захвату Лин Куэй. Сектор бежал в Японию, где создал свой клан кибернетических ниндзя — Текунин. Саб-Зиро же, получив контроль над кланом, решил превратить его из организации наёмных убийц, в организацию, служащую Земному Царству, состоящую из тренированных воинов, которые могли бы помочь землянам в случае нашествия тёмных сил. Также Саб-Зиро получил Медальон Дракона, символизирующий власть над кланом, который многократно увеличил его силы. Наконец, он перенёс штаб-квартиру клана в Арктику в заброшенный храм могущественной провидицы Делии — матери Тейвена и Дэйгона.^[17]

Саб-Зиро устроил турнир в новом Лин Куэй, чтобы набрать сильнейших воинов для клана. Победительницей стала девушка-воин по имени Фрост, которая обладала такими же замораживающими способностями, как и Саб-Зиро. Вопреки традициям Лин Куэй, Саб-Зиро сделал её своей личной ученицей. Он помог ей научиться лучше управлять своими замораживающими силами. Но Фрост не разделяла его взглядов и была заносчивой и высокомерной. После убийства колдунами Лю Кенга, Рейден обратился к воинам Земли, чтобы они помогли остановить угрозу, исходящую от Смертельного Альянса колдунов Шанг Цунга и Куан Чи. Саб-Зиро принял приглашение Рейдена, и отправился вместе с остальными воинами во Внешний Мир, чтобы заслужить уважение нового клана Лин Куэй. Вместе с собой он взял Фрост, надеясь, что опыт реального боя поможет достичь юной воительнице просветления и научит её состраданию и скромности. Но он ошибся. Когда Саб-Зиро и Фрост оказались в отдалении от остальных воинов, Фрост попыталась украсть Медальон Дракона. Она заморозила Саб-Зиро и забрала у него медальон. Но у Фрост не было нужного самоконтроля и дисциплины, чтобы контролировать его силы. В результате она оказалась заморожена. В поисках места для захоронения Фрост, Саб-Зиро нашёл руины храма, вытесанного в скале. Тщательно изучив их, Саб-Зиро пришёл к выводу, что храм принадлежал расе, которая освоила способность манипулировать холодом. Он решил, что он сам и Фрост являются потомками этой расы. Похоронив Фрост, Саб-Зиро одел броню своих предков и отправился к месту встречи с Рейденом и земными воинами.^[18][19]

По пути Саб-Зиро попал в окружении отряда таркатанов в Живом Лесу. Ему удалось отбиться от варваров при помощи своей новой брони, которая словно направляла его в бою и усиливала каждый удар. Вырвавшись из окружения, Саб-Зиро направился дальше, но был атакован новым сторонником Короля Драконов, воином порядка, Хотару. Саб-Зиро удалось победить его, и он посчитал, что Хотару погиб. Позже он нашёл тяжело раненного мечника Кенши — он был атакован Мавадо по приказу Смертельного Альянса, во время слежки за Шанг Цунгом. Саб-Зиро помог Кенши залечить его раны, и вдвоём они отправились к порталу, ведущему в Земное Царство. Кенши чувствовал, что за ними кто-то следит, и предполагал, что это мог быть Хотару, который не смог убить Саб-Зиро в первой схватке. На подходе к порталу, Хотару неожиданно атаковал воинов. Яркой вспышкой ему удалось ослепить Саб-Зиро, но на Кенши, у которого было спиритуально зрение, эта атака не подействовала. Мечнику удалось победить Хотару, и они с Саб-Зиро продолжили своё путешествие. Во Внешнем Мире Саб-Зиро также встретил демоницу Сарину, которой удалось сбежать из Преисподней. Зная о том, что Сарина помогла его брату во время его путешествия по Преисподней, Саб-Зиро предложил Сарине убежище в штаб-квартире Лин Куэй.^{[20][21][22][23][24]}

Саб-Зиро приказал Сарине ждать его в штаб-квартире и дал ей небольшой металлический объект, который должен был показать местонахождение храма. Сам Саб-Зиро отправился в Преисподнюю, преследую Нуб Сайбота и Смоука. Сарина, желая защитить его, отправилась вслед за ним. В Преисподней Саб-Зиро был атакован Нуб Сайботом и Смоуком. Сарина неожиданно атаковала Нуб Сайбота, не позволив ему убить Саб-Зиро. Вдвоём они смогли обратить призрака и его напарника-киборга в бегство. Но после битвы Саб-Зиро потерял сознание. Из-за напряжённой битвы и влияния тёмной энергии Преисподней, Сарина потеряла свой человеческий облик и превратилась в демона. Когда Саб-Зиро пришёл в себя, он был сконфужен и атаковал монстра. Дабы не причинить вреда Саб-Зиро, Сарина бежала в глубины Преисподней, где она была атакована Нуб Сайботом, Смоуком и Куан Чи. Некромант потребовал от Сарины выдать локацию храма Лин Куэй. Сначала Сарина отказывалась это сделать, но потом Куан Чи убедил её в том, что она принадлежит Тьме и никогда не сможет стать существом Света. Сарина отдала металлический объект некроманту и его союзникам.^[25][26]

Когда Саб-Зиро вернулся в штаб-квартиру Лин Куэй, он обнаружил, что многие из его воинов были убиты помешавшейся Фрост. Выбравшись из Внешнего Мира, она решила, что Саб-Зиро бросил её умирать, и отправилась в штаб-квартиру клана, чтобы отомстить своему бывшему учителю. Но, прибыв туда её разум помутился и ей повсюду стал мерещиться Саб-Зиро. Саб-Зиро удалось остановить свою бывшую ученицу, заморозив её и поместив её тело в гробницу павших воинов Лин Куэй, надеясь, что когда-нибудь она сможет быть излечена от безумия. Тогда ей придётся ответить за свои преступления против Лин Куэй.^[27]

Во время квеста Тейвена, он прибывает в штаб-квартиру Лин Куэй, бывший храм Делии, в котором должен находится дар от его матери. Саб-Зиро вызывает Тейвена на бой, но прежде, чем поединок завершается, Саб-Зиро узнаёт в татуировке Тейвена символ, выгравированный на одной из стен храма. Получив броню своей матери, Тейвен помогает Саб-Зиро отбить атаку Нуб Сайбота и Смоука, которые узнали о местонахождении храма, благодаря металлическому объекту, который отдала Сарина. Тейвену удаётся победить Смоука, а затем самого Нуб Сайбота, который собирался убить Саб-Зиро. При помощи Тейвена Саб-Зиро смог захватить обоих воинов. Напоследок, он говорит Тейвену, что полон решимости отчистить душу своего старшего брата от зла. Также он указал ему местоположение штаб-квартиры клана Красного Дракона. Саб-Зиро погиб в битве при пирамиде Аргуса, которая закончилась победой Шао Кана.

Новая хронология

Убийца, из клана Лин Куэй, Куай Лиэнг, повелевает силами льда и холода. В отличие от других членов клана, он и его старший брат, Би-Хан, будучи детьми, были похищены Лин Куэй, которые обучали их техникам убийства в течении всей их жизни. Хотя его кодовым именем являлось «Тундра», он взял себе имя «Саб-Зиро», чтобы почтить память брата после его таинственной смерти. С помощью своего союзника из Лин Куэй, Смоука, Саб-Зиро без устали охотится на убийцу своего брата.

Впервые Саб-Зиро младший появляется в сюжетном режиме во время событий МКII. Он вместе со Смоуком прибывает во Внешний Мир, чтобы собрать информацию о том, кто мог убить его брата на турнире Смертельная Битва. Незадолго до этого он взял себе титул своего брата, чтобы почтить его память. По прибытии в Пустоши Внешнего Мира, Куай Лиэнг и Смоук обсуждают необходимость этого шага. Смоук уверен что, взяв себе имя «Саб-Зиро», Куай Лиэнг привлечёт неприятности на свою голову. Каждый воин отправляется в разные регионы Внешнего Мира, чтобы найти сведения об убийце Би-Хана.

Чуть позже Саб-Зиро сталкивается с кибернитизированным Сайраксом в Палате Душ. Сайракс требует, чтобы Куай Лиэнг проследовал с ним в штаб-квартиру Лин Куэй для прохождения процедуры кибернетизации. Саб-Зиро отказывается и вступает в бой со своим бывшим другом. Ему удаётся победить Сайракса. Чуть погодя он встречает Соню и Джакса, которые очень удивлены видеть Саб-Зиро живым и невредимым, после того как Скорпион убил его на прошлом турнире. Саб-Зиро рассказывает о том, что он является младшим братом убитого воина и спрашивает их о том, что они могут знать о гибели Би-Хана. Соня говорит, что Би-Хан был убит Скорпионом и что ему стоит пройти в Колизей Кана, где он сможет найти ответы на свои вопросы. В этот момент пробуждается Ермак, который восполнял свои силы. Джакс пытается атаковать его, но Ермак отрывает ему руки. Саб-Зиро вступает с Ермаком в бой и побеждает воина-телекинетика. После победы Саб-Зиро рассказывает Соне, как вернуть Джакса на Землю, а сам отправляется в Колизей.

Прибыв в Колизей, Саб-Зиро требует у Шао Кана дать ему возможность сразиться со Скорпионом. Однако Шанг Цунг заставляет его сначала сразиться с Рептилией. Саб-Зиро побеждает ящера, и Куан Чи решает позволить молодому воину сразиться с призраком. Он призывает Скорпиона из Преисподней и после краткой перепалки воины вступают в битву. Саб-Зиро одерживает победу над призраком, но не успевает его добить, так как появляются киборги Лин Куэй под предводительством Сайракса и Сектора. Киборги окружают Саб-Зиро, а Сектор и Сайракс объявляют о том, что они хотят стать союзниками Шао Кана в обмен на Саб-Зиро. Император Внешнего Мира принимает их условия и киборги забирают Саб-Зиро для автоматизации.

Куай Лиэнг появляется во время вторжения на Землю в новой форме киборга. Он атакует Кабала, но тому удаётся его победить. По просьбе Смоука Кибер Саб-Зиро приносят к Джаксу, который отключает протоколы, порабощавшие разум Куай Лиэнга. После этого бывший криомант снова обретает свободу воли и действий. Сожалея о злодеяниях, которые он совершил на службе у Шао Кана, Кибер Саб-Зиро присоединяется к земным воинам. Он отправляется шпионить за силами Внешнего Мира, используя тот факт, что никто не знает о том, что он был освобождён от контроля Лин Куэй. После короткого разговора Сектор приказывает Кибер Саб-Зиро отправиться на миссию вместе с ним. Он информирует Кибер Саб-Зиро о том, что он просканировал его нервную сеть и знает о том, что Куай Лиэнг был перепрограммирован. Сектор приказывает Кибер Саб-Зиро открыть панель доступа, но Куай Лиэнг вместо этого атакует Сектора и побеждает его.

После поединка Кибер Саб-Зиро считывает информацию из банков памяти Сектора и узнаёт местоположение Кано, Кинтаро и Горо. Он находит всех троих в Колокольне, где они охраняют пленных солдат, которых Куан Чи собирается принести в жертву. После неудавшейся попытки узнать у них информацию Кибер Саб-Зиро замораживает злодеев и освобождает солдат, которые пытаются сбежать. В это время Горо и Кинтаро освобождаются ото льда и атакуют Кибер Саб-Зиро. Киборгу удаётся победить обоих шоканов. Между тем, освобождённым солдатам не удаётся далеко уйти — их атакует Ермак, который забрасывает их обратно, на верхний этаж Колокольни. Кибер Саб-Зиро предупреждает солдат, чтобы они держались подальше от Ермака, и вступает в битву с могущественным телекинетиком. В этом поединке киборг также выходит победителем. Кибер Саб-Зиро спрашивает у солдат, куда именно их должны были отправить. Они рассказывают о том, что их планировали отправить на Кладбище. Кибер Саб-Зиро отправляется туда. Солдаты желают ему удачи, хотя один из них замечает, что вряд ли «удача» нужна киборгу.

На Кладбище Кибер Саб-Зиро находит Куан Чи и Нуб Сайбота. Куан Чи пытается создать огромный вихрь из душ — Солнадо. Как только Нуб Сайбот, которого Кано предупредил о предательстве киборга, замечает Кибер Саб-Зиро, он отправляется сражаться с ним. Нуб Сайбот замечает, что он носил цвета «Саб-Зиро» до того, как они достались Куай Лиэнгу. Криомант-киборг понимает, что Нуб Сайбот — это его старший брат Би-Хан. Нуб Сайбот говорит, что он был восстановлен Куан Чи и стал совершеннее, чем раньше. Но Кибер Саб-Зиро считает, что они стали лишь испорченными копиями самих себя и он не будет сожалеть о победе над своим братом. Нуб Сайбот на это заявляет, что хотя у них одна кровь, но братьями они более не являются. Теневой воин и киборг вступают в бой с друг другом, из которого победителем выходит Кибер Саб-Зиро. После победы он соглашается с Нуб Сайботом в том, что они больше не братья. Чуть позже Ночной Волк прибывает на Кладбище и просит Кибер Саб-Зиро вернуться к Рейдену.

Пока Рейден и Лю Кенг разговаривали со Старшими Богами, надеясь уговорить их остановить вторжение Шао Кана, в штаб-квартире земных воинов, в Храме, Кибер Саб-Зиро обнаруживает присутствие киборгов Лин Куэй, которые немедленно атакуют героев. Земным воинам удаётся отбить эту атаку, но несколько секунд спустя появляется Синдел, усиленная душой Шанг Цунга. Воины атакуют её, но Синдел безжалостно перебивает почти их всех, кроме Джонни Кейджа, Сони и Ночного Волка, который жертвует собой, чтобы уничтожить её. Кибер Саб-Зиро также оказался в числе погибших. Некоторое время спустя, когда Рейден отправляется в Преисподнюю, чтобы заручиться помощью Куан Чи против Шао Кана, он обнаруживает, что некромант заполучил души большинства воинов, убитых в ходе конфликта, и полностью контролирует их. Куан Чи приказывает Кибер Саб-Зиро и нескольким другим воинам уничтожить Рейдена, но богу грома удаётся отбиться от них.

Несколько позже, Куан Чи, который недоверяет технологиям, трансформирует Куай Лиэнга обратно в человека, буквально разрывая его на части и собирая обратно, восстанавливая его плоть. Саб-Зиро принимает участие в атаке за Земное Царство, на стороне сил Шиннока и Куан Чи. Он, вместе со Скорпионом, атакует вертолёт Отряда Особого Назначения, на котором находятся в том числе Джонни Кейдж, Соня Блейд и Кенши. После падения вертолёта Джонни побеждает обоих Скорпиона и Саб-Зиро. После поражения Шиннока и его заточения, ревенанты Куан Чи, и в том числе, Саб-Зиро отступают обратно в Преисподнюю.

Несколько лет спустя, Джонни и Соня проникают в Крепость Куан Чи, где их атакуют сам некромант и его ревенанты: Джакс, Скорпион и Саб-Зиро. Джонни побеждает Саб-Зиро и Джакса, но последний всё-таки умудряется смертельно ранить актёра. Пока Джонни умирает, из большого бассейна в центре зала, начинает появлятся его форма ревенанта. Прибывший Рейден замедляет процесс создания ревенанта, и даёт достаточное время Соне, чтобы победить Куан Чи в бою. Рейдену удаётся обратить заклинание и уничтожить ревенанта-Кейджа, спася жизнь настоящему Джонни. Эффект от уничтожения ревенанта, заодно отчистил от заклятья Куан Чи Скорпиона, Джакса и Саб-Зиро.

После освобождения от контроля Куан Чи, Куай Лиэнг просыпается в Небесном Храме, где его встречает Рейден. Куай хочет искупить свою вину за те дела, которые он творил по приказу некроманта и Рейден отправляет его достать один из кинжалов-камидогу. В храме, где хранится кинжал, Саб-Зиро наталкивается на группу воинов Красного Дракона, которых он легко побеждает. Однако, просто забрать кинжал у него не получается. Куай попадает в ловушку Кано, который царапает ему лицо кинжалом, накладывая на Саб-Зиро проклятье камидогу. Саб-Зиро удаётся вырваться, заморозить и вырвать имплант Кано, после чего он сбегает.

За Саб-Зиро гонятся киборги из Лин Куэй. Чтобы отбиться от них, Куай использует кинжал, который многократно усиливает его способности и позволяет заморозить целый город. Там его находят Скорпион и Такеда, посланные Рейденом, чтобы забрать кинжал. Саб-Зиро вызывает Ханзо на бой около храма. Скорпион протыкает Саб-Зиро своими гарпунами, но криомант замораживает их и разбивает. Скорпион появляется за спиной Саб-Зиро, но тот создаёт ледяной панцирь из шипов у себя на спине и протыкает Ханзо, после чего отбрасывает его в сторону. Такеде удаётся незаметно отобрать кинжал у Саб-Зиро, но ледяной воин всё ещё находится под контролем Хавика и использует оставшуюся магию, чтобы создать огромный ледяной взрыв, который замораживает Скорпиона и Такеду.

Куай Лиэнг приходит в себя, не понимая, где он и что произошло, а Скорпион вырывается из ледяного плена и атакует его. Лишившись сил кинжала-камидогу, Саб-Зиро проигрывает бой, но Такеда уговаривает Ханзо не добивать его. Такеда и Ханзо забирают кинжал с собой в Небесный Храм, оставляя раненного Саб-Зиро. Умирающий Саб-Зиро вспоминает о своей жизни: битве со Скорпионом во время турнира во Внешнем Мире, превращении в киборга, гибели от рук Синдел, трансформации в ревенанта-слугу Куан Чи и освобождении от его власти. Бо’Рай Чо находит Куай Лиэнга и залечивает его раны. Куай считает, что он всегда будет куклой в руках колдунов и богов, и хочет сделать хара-кири, но Бо’Рай Чо останавливает его и предлагает выпить.

В Бали, Кунг Джин приносит Бо’Рай Чо конверт. Бо’Рай Чо передаёт Кунг Джину деньги и говорит, что он мог бы рекомендовать молодого воина для обучения в Шаолине, но Кунг Джин отказывается. Бо’Рай Чо относит конверт Саб-Зиро. Внутри оказывается флешка, которая, согласно словам Куай Лиэнга, может покончить с киборгами Лин Куэй.

Саб-Зиро проникает в подземную штаб-квартиру кибер Лин Куэй, оставляя Бо’Рай Чо охранять выход из бункера. Саб-Зиро пробивает себе путь сквозь армию киборгов и обнаруживает фабрику по созданию клонов, а после оказывается захвачен киборгами. Они приводят его к Сайраксу и Сектору. Сайракс говорит, что вирус, который закачал Саб-Зиро в их систему, почти загрузился, но он не знает какой эффект будет иметь вирус. Как только вирус полностью загружается, Саб-Зиро раскидывает киборгов и его атакует Сектор. Вирус отключает протоколы порабощающие киборгов Лин Куэй, но кажется, что Сайракс всё равно атакует Куай Лиэнга, но, внезапно, он оборачивается против Сектора.

Саб-Зиро сражается против Сектора, а Сайракс сдерживает натиск киборгов созданных из клонов, на которых не действует отключение порабощающего протокола. Саб-Зиро мечом изо льда отрубает руки Сектору и отрывает ему голову. Сайракс взрывает себя, чтобы Саб-Зиро мог начать создание нового Лин Куэй с нуля. выходит из взорванного бункера окруженный полем из холода и на короткое время замораживает Бо’Рай Чо, чтобы спасти его от огня.

Несколько недель спустя Саб-Зиро медитирует около статуи своего предка в штабе-квартире Лин Куэй. Он обнаруживает чужое присутствие около себя и атакует чужака. Им оказывается Фрост, которая говорит, что её и остальных, к нему прислал Рейден. Саб-Зиро видит перед собой целую толпу различных воинов, которые хотят стать членами нового Лин Куэй.

Куай Лиэнг, взявший на себя роль грандмастера Лин Куэй, пригласил Ханзо Хасаши в штаб-квартиру клана, чтобы принести извинения. Ханзо думает, что это ловушка, чтобы полностью истребить последних из Ширай Рю, поскольку долгое время он считал, что Лин Куэй ответственен за гибель его клана. Куай Лиэнг объясняет, что честь Лин Куэй была запятнана ещё до Кибер Инициативы. Внеапно, появляется Фрост и атакует Ханзо, что заставляет его поверить, что Куай действительно хочет его убить. Ханзо готовится убить Куай Лиэнга, а Фрост готовиться к новой атаке, но Саб-Зиро перехватывает её и замораживает. Чтобы доказать правдивость своих слов и свою искренность, он показывает Ханзо голову Сектора и воспоминания, которые сохранились в его памяти. Из них становится ясно, что именно Куан Чи, которому Скорпион служил долгое время, был ответственен за гибедь его семьи и клана. После этого вражда Ханзо Хасаши и Куай Лиэнга была, наконец, завершена.

Несколько лет спустя, в храм Лин Куэй прибывает группа молодых воинов из Отряда Особого Назначения, под командованием Кэсси Кейдж. Джонни поручил им удостовериться в том, что Саб-Зиро всё ещё является союзником земных воинов. Кунг Джин поспешно требует от Саб-Зиро помощи Отряду, Кэсси пытается успокоить его, но Джин идёт против её команд, и как результат, между молодыми воинами и кланом Лин Куэй происходит битва. Молодые воины по очереди пытаются победить Саб-Зиро, но все терпят поражение. Позже, выясняется, что их «задание» на самом деле было испытанием, которое вместе организовали Джонни Кейдж и Саб-Зиро, чтобы проверить, как молодые воины смогут работать в группе.

Позже, Саб-Зиро и Лин Куэй приходят на выручку молодым воинам, когда они оказываются в западне расставленной армией Коталь Кана в Мёртвом Лесу. Им удаётся обратить Коталя и его союзников в бегство и дать время молодым воинам дойти до Небесного Храма.

Боевые способности

Являясь потомком расы криомантов из Внешнего Мира, Саб-Зиро обладает врождённой способностью контролировать лёд в разных его проявлениях. Саб-Зиро умеет замораживать противника, бросив в него ледяной шар, также он может просто приморозить ноги противника к земле или создать под его ногами лёд, чтобы враг терял равновесие. Кроме того Саб-Зиро умеет мгновенно создавать ледяные статуи, которые замораживают врага, если тот к ним прикоснётся. После возвращения к форме человека, и получения лидерства над Лин Куэй, Саб-Зиро улучшил свои способности к созданию ледяных оружий и научился создавать различные орудия изо льда, такие как кинжалы, мечи, молоты. Также он научился использовать криомантию для защиты, создавая ледяной панцирь вокруг себя и ледяные стены, отгараживающие его от атак.

Спецприёмы

Саб-Зиро (человек)

• Ледяной шар: Саб-Зиро кидает в противника ледяную сферу, которая, при попадании, замораживает врага. В первых трёх частях серии, если Саб-Зиро кидал заморозку в уже замороженного оппонента, то тот размораживался, а сам Саб-Зиро оказывался заморожённым. В Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks заморозка также наносит небольшой урон даже тем противникам, которых нельзя заморозить. (MKII, MK3, UMK3, MKT, MK4, MKG, MKDA, MKD, MKU, MKSM, MKA, MKvsDC, MK (2011), MKX, МК11)
• Подкат: Саб-Зиро делает подкат, сбивая с ног противника. В MKSM после подката, Саб-Зиро может исполнить бросок или кинуть в противника снаряд. (MKII, MK3, UMK3, MKT, MK4, MKG, MKSM, MKvsDC, MK (2011), MKX, МК11)
• Ледяная лужа/Ледяной покров: Саб-Зиро покрывает небольшой участок земли льдом. Если противник наступит на него, то на некоторое время потеряет равновесие и будет уязвим для атаки. В MKSM этот приём можно проапгрейдить и увеличить его радиус действия. При помощи другого апгрейда можно сделать так, чтобы после этого приёма куски льда подбрасывали противника в воздух. В MK (2011) и МК11’при выполнении этого приёма Саб-Зиро примораживает ноги противника к земле. Улучшенная версия позволяет покрыть большую площадь. (MKII, MKSM, MK (2011), МК11)
• Ледяной клон: Саб-Зиро создаёт ледяную статую. Если противник прикоснётся к ней, то он окажется заморожен. В МКХ этот приём доступен только в вариации Грандмастер. (MK3, UMK3, MKT, MK4, MKG, MKD, MKU, MKA, MK (2011), MKX)
• Бросок клона: Саб-Зиро кидает ледяного клона в противника. (MKX)
• Ледяной душ: Саб-Зиро выпускает из рук лёд вертикально вверх. Через секунду он падает на голову противника, замораживая его. В МКА лёд после этого приёма проходит над противником, замораживая его в воздухе. (MK3, UMK3, MKT, MKA)
• Ледяной шейкер: Саб-Зиро излучает волну холодного воздуха вокруг себя. Если противник окажется рядом с ним, то он будет заморожен. (MKDA)
• Холодное плечо: Саб-Зиро скользит к своему противнику, нанося ему мощный удар плечом. (MKDA, MKD, MKU, MKA,МК11)
• Ледяная колонна: Саб-Зиро создаёт под противником поток ледяного воздуха, замораживающий врага. (MKA)
• Телепортация: тело Саб-Зиро покрывается льдом, после чего он падает на землю, исчезает и тут же появляется за спиной противника.(MKvsDC)
• Ледяная защита: Саб-Зиро покрывает себя льдом. Если противник в этот момент попробует нанести по нему удар, то он будет заморожен, а Саб-Зиро появится у него за спиной и нанесёт по нему удар ледяным мечом.(MKvsDC)
• Ледяной самородок: Саб-Зиро создаёт куб льда над головой своего врага, который падает вниз. Этот приём нельзя заблокировать. (MKvsDC)
• Ледяной взрыв: Саб-Зиро создаёт ледяной взрыв, который отталкивает противника. Также этот взрыв может уничтожить ледяного клона. (MKX)
• Ледяной молот: Саб-Зиро создаёт ледяной молот и наносит им удар сверху вниз. Этот приём также можно использовать и во время прыжка. Доступно только в вариации Криомант. (MKX)
• Замороженная аура: Саб-Зиро покрывает себя льдом, делаясь неуязвимым для урона, во время блокирования ударов. Доступно только в вариации Несокрушимый. (MKX)
• Ледяной барьер: Саб-Зиро создаёт около себя стену изо льда, которая остнавливает снаряды и замораживает противников, которые к ней прикоснуться. Доступно только в вариации Несокрушимый. (MKX)
• Ползучий лёд:Саб-Зиро вызывает из земли ледяные шипы которые протыкают противника.(МК11)

• Вздымающийся лёд: Саб-Зиро прыгает вверх ,а шипы его защищают.(МК11)
• Ледяная Буря:Саб-Зиро создает ледяную конструкцию, которая толкает врага.(МК11)
• Полярный шквал:Саб-Зиро запускает во врага шквал ледяных осколков.(МК11)
• Полярный топор: Саб-Зиро в воздухе кидает топор.(МК11)
• Арктическая ловушка: Саб-Зиро ставит на арене шар изо льда. При прикосновении противник замораживается.(МК11)

Усиленные спецприёмы

• Ледяной выстрел: усиленная версия приёма Ледяной шар. Саб-Зиро выпускает из рук более мощную и быструю версию замораживающего снаряда. (МК (2011), МКХ)
• Ледяной подкат: после проведения этой версии приёма Подкат, Саб-Зиро разворачивается и атакует врага ледяным выстрелом в спину. (МК (2011), МКХ)
• Ледяная статуя: эта версия приёма Ледяной клон остаётся на месте дольше. В МКХ этот приём доступен только в вариации Грандмастер. (МК (2011), МКХ)
• Заморозка земли: в этой версии приёма Ледяная лужа, Саб-Зиро, вместо создания ледяной лужи на которой противник будет скользить, примораживает ноги противника к земле, заставляя того оставаться на месте. (МК (2011))
• Ледяная бомба: усиленная версия приёма Ледяной взрыв, запускает противника в воздух. (MKX)
• Сокрушающий молот: усиленная версия приёма Ледяной молот, запускает противника в воздух. Доступно только в вариации Криомант. (MKX)
• Ледяная аура: усиленная версия приёма Замороженная аура, снижает весь урон получаемый Саб-Зиро. Доступно только в вариации Несокрушимый. (MKX)
• Барьер льда: усиленная версия приёма Ледяной барьер, длится дольше. Доступно только в вариации Несокрушимый. (MKX)
• Глубокая заморозка:Саб-Зиро кидает два ледяных шара подряд. (МК11)

Боунбрейкер

Саб-Зиро бьёт противника по лицу и ломает ему ногу, выворачивая её на 180 градусов. (МК4, MKG)

X-Ray

Глубокая заморозка: Саб-Зиро таранит врага плечом, хватает его за печень, замораживает её и давит рукой. После этого он бьёт врага головой в лицо. (МК (2011))
Глубокая заморозка: Саб-Зиро бьёт противника в пах, запускает руку внутрь врага, вытаскивает его внутренности и замораживает их, после чего, втыкает образовавшуюся сосульку в глаз оппоненту. (MKX)

Кибер Саб-Зиро

• Ледяной шар: Кибер Саб-Зиро выпускает из груди сгусток энергии, который замораживает противника. (МК (2011))
• Ледяная бомба: Кибер Саб-Зиро выбрасывает из груди бомбу, которая при взрыве либо отталкивает врага, либо замораживает его. На этот приём есть три комбинации, которые позволяют бросить бомбу на дальнее, среднее или близкое расстояние от Кибер Саб-Зиро. (МК (2011))
• Подкат: Кибер Саб-Зиро делает подкат в ноги противника, оставляя за собой ледяной след. (МК (2011))
• Телепортация: Кибер Саб-Зиро взрывается на множество частей и через секунду собирается обратно в другой точке арены. (МК (2011))
• Ледяное парри: Кибер Саб-Зиро полностью покрывает себя льдом. Если противник в этот момент прикоснётся к нему, то он будет мгновенно заморожен, и Кибер Саб-Зиро нанесёт по нему удар ледяным мечом. (МК (2011))
• Ныряющий удар: во время прыжка Кибер Саб-Зиро, ныряет на противника с ударом ноги. Есть две комбинации для исполнения этого приёма — для дальней атаки и ближней. (МК (2011))

Усиленные спецприёмы

• Ледяной луч: усиленная версия приёма Ледяной шар. Кибер Саб-Зиро выпускает из груди луч энергии, который замораживает врага. Во время этого приёма, противник не может перепрыгнуть заморозку и дольше остаётся замороженным. (МК (2011))
• Криобомба: усиленная версия приёма Ледяная бомба. Кибер Саб-Зиро выпускает сразу три бомбы в противника. Также взрыв бомбы нельзя заблокировать. (МК (2011))
• Кибер-Подкат: усиленная версия приёма Подкат. После того, как подкат сбивает противника с ног, приём не заканчивается. Кибер Саб-Зиро проезжает дальше, под летящим противником, разворачивается и наносит по нему мощный удар ногой с разворота. (МК (2011))
• Взрывопортация: усиленная версия приёма Телепортация. Взрыв при телепортации наносит врагу повреждения. (МК (2011))
• Замороженное парри: усиленная версия приёма Ледяное парри. В отличии от обычной версии, после того как противник заморозиться, Кибер Саб-Зиро не атакует его автоматически. (МК (2011))
• Силовой удар: усиленная версия приёма Ныряющий удар. Во время исполнения этого приёма, Кибер Саб-Зиро наносит три удара вместо одного. (МК (2011))

X-Ray

Охлаждение: Кибер Саб-Зиро прыгает на противника с ударом ноги и оказывается у него за спиной. Затем он создаёт ледяной шар и бьёт им противника по затылку, повреждая тому кости черепа. После этого Кибер Саб-Зиро создаёт огромный ледяной меч, протыкает им врага насквозь и бросает противника на землю. (МК (2011))

Добивания

Саб-Зиро (человек)

Fatality

• Вырывание головы: Саб-Зиро вырывает противнику позвоночный столб, вместе с головой. Это добивание было взято у Саб-Зиро из первой части игры. В МКА оно является одним из добиваний доступных в системе Kreate-a-Fatality. (MK4, MKG, MKSM, MK (2011), МКХ)
• Глубокая заморозка: Саб-Зиро замораживает противника, затем апперкотом разбивает его тело на куски. (MKII, MK4, MKG, MKSM)
• Ледяная граната: Саб-Зиро создаёт в руке небольшой ледяной шарик и кидает его во врага. Шарик входит в грудь оппонента и через несколько секунд взрывает его изнутри. (MKII)
• Ледяное дыхание: Саб-Зиро ледяным дыханием замораживает своего противника, который падает на землю и разбивается на куски. (MK3, UMK3, МКТ)
• Заморозить и сломать: Саб-Зиро хватает противника и держит его над головой, замораживая его. Затем Саб-Зиро руками разламывает замороженное тело противника надвое. В MKvsDC Саб-Зиро кидает замороженного противника на землю, от чего тот разбивается на куски. (MK3, UMK3, МКТ, MKvsDC)
• Вырывание скелета: Саб-Зиро вырывает из тела противника весь скелет. (MKDA)
• Заморозить и бросить: Саб-Зиро замораживает противника, отрывает ему голову, откатывается назад и кидает её в тело противника, разнося и то и другое на кусочки. (MKD)
• Подморозь: Саб-Зиро замораживает ноги своему противнику и разбивает их. Затем он наступает врагу на туловище, из-за чего его голова взрывается. (MKD)
• Замораживающий удар: Саб-Зиро замораживает противника и наносит по-нему мощный удар ногой, от которого враг разбивается. (MKvsDC)
• Удачного ледяного дня: Саб-Зиро замораживает ноги противника, затем отрывает верхнюю часть его туловища. (МК (2011))
• Разбиение позвоночником: Саб-Зиро вырывает у противника голову с позвоночником. Затем он замораживает тело врага и разбивает его вырванным позвоночником. (МК (2011))
• Простуда: Саб-Зиро ударом замораживает грудь противника и затем разбивает её, обнажая позвоночный столб. Саб-Зиро ломает его, поднимает врага над головой и разрывает его пополам. (MKX)
• Кровать из шипов: Саб-Зиро создаёт шипы на земле и бьёт противника, так что он падает на них. Саб-Зиро прыгает сверху на врага и наступает сверху ещё раз, так что шипы вонзаются в тело врага ещё больше. (MKX)
• Ледоруб:Саб-Зиро замораживает противника так, что он оказывается в кубе льда, а голова остается снаружи. Саб-Зиро создает ледяной топор у себя в руках и отрубает голову противника. После он поднимает голову противника, замораживает ее у себя в руке и разбивает другой рукой.(МК11)
• Застывший во вреиени:Саб-Зиро создает ледянуй копию с копьем и делает подкат к противнику. Противник подлетает и падает на копье клона вверх ногами. Саб-Зиро пробивает тело противника рукой и вырывает позвоночник . Затем он замахивается и ударяет по колу головой противника так , что копье пробивает голову и выходит в районе глаза. (МК11)

Brutality

• Снежок: Саб-Зиро замораживает врага и кидает в него ледяной шар, который взрывает тело противника. По сути, это ремейк классического добивания Саб-Зиро из МКII. (MKX)
• Замороженный обед: Саб-Зиро разбивает апперкотом голову замороженному противнику. (MKX)
• Подбери свой мозг: Саб-Зиро трижды бьёт противника ледяным кинжалом в грудь, после чего создаёт ещё один кинжал и закалывает им врага в голову. Доступно только в вариации Криомант. (MKX)
• В кубике льда: Саб-Зиро покрывает себя ледяным панцирем и проводит усиленный подкат, уничтожая всё тело противника, кроме его головы, которая оказывается заморожена в кубик льда. Доступно только в вариации Несокрушимый. (MKX)
• Вылитая копия: Саб-Зиро разбивает ледяной клон и его куски пронзают тело противника, которое после этого покрывается льдом. Это Бруталити можно сделать бросив клона в противника. Доступно только в вариации Грандмастер. (MKX)
• Ледяная скульптура: Саб-Зиро выполняет на противнике бросок, замораживая врага и разбивает ударом руки грудь оппонента, так что его позвоночник вываливается из тела, и голова противника падает на землю и разбивается. (MKXL)

Animality

Саб-Зиро превращается в белого медведя и растерзывает противника. (MK3, UMK3, МКТ)

Brutality

Саб-Зиро покрывает себя льдом, подкатывается к противнику, и начинает избивать его пока тот не распадётся на части. (MKSM)

Multality

Саб-Зиро подпрыгивает и бьёт ногой по земле, замораживая и раскалывая всех противников. (MKSM)

Friendship

• Саб-Зиро достаёт игрушечного Саб-Зиро, и появляется текст: «Покупайте куклу Саб-Зиро!!» (MKII)
• Саб-Зиро превращает себя в снеговика. (MK3, UMK3, МКТ)

Hara-Kiri

Саб-Зиро замораживает себя в куб льда, падает на землю и раскалывается на части. (MKD)

Babality

После превращения в ребёнка Саб-Зиро писает на пол и замораживает лужицу, после чего поскальзывается на ней, падает и начинает плакать. (МК (2011))

Кибер Саб-Зиро

Fatality

• Холодное слияние: Кибер Саб-Зиро прыгает на противника и замораживает себя, вместе с верхней частью тела врага. Через секунду он взрывается, и от противника остаются только ноги. (МК (2011))
• Заморозка мозгов: Кибер Саб-Зиро выстреливает из груди два ледяных сюрикена в глаза противнику. Затем он выстреливает ещё один сюрикен в голову врагу, который пробивает череп и застревает в мозгу оппонента. Через мгновение, сюрикен в мозгу начинает вращаться, перемалывая мозг врага в кашу. Противник падает на землю в состоянии трупного окоченения. (МК (2011))

Babality

После превращения в ребёнка, Кибер Саб-Зиро играет с ледяной бомбой. Он случайно роняет её на землю, бомба взрывается, и Кибер Саб-Зиро оказывается замороженным в кубик льда. (МК (2011))

Появление в других медиа

Телевидение

Саб-Зиро появился в сериале Смертельная битва: Защитники Земли. В первом эпизоде «Битва снова начинается» он вынужден доказать своим союзникам, что он достоин их доверия, так как его статус перебежчика из Лин Куэй бросает тень сомнения на его цели. Во втором эпизоде, «Жало Скорпиона», Саб-Зиро вступает в битву со Скорпионом и проигрывает ему. Последним важным эпизодом для Саб-Зиро в сериале, был пятый эпизод: «Старые друзья не умирают». В нём Саб-Зиро был атакован своим другом Смоуком, который был насильно превращён в киборга и запрограммирован, чтобы уничтожить Саб-Зиро. Саб-Зиро удаётся освободить его душу и позже сразиться с Грандмастером Лин Куэй. Саб-Зиро в этом сериале озвучил Люк Перри.

Предок Саб-Зиро, появился в сериале Смертельная битва: Завоевание. Как и его потомок из нашего времени, он являлся наёмным убийцей из клана Лин Куэй. Его нанял Шанг Цунг, чтобы убить Кунг Лао и достать магический кристалл, который позволял его обладателю перемещаться между мирами. Саб-Зиро не удалось выполнить это задание. Лин Куэй позже были вынуждены объединить свои усилия со Скорпионом, следуя приказам Шао Кана, который надеялся, что соединённые усилия двух воинов приведут к гибели Кунг Лао. Альянс между воинами быстро распался, когда люди близкие и к Скорпиону и Саб-Зиро погибли. Саб-Зиро также убил грандмастера, который не хотел позволить Саб-Зиро увидеться с его семьёй. Все эти события не только настроили Скорпиона и Саб-Зиро друг против друга, но из-за них Саб-Зиро пришлось бежать из Лин Куэй. Он отказался от предложения Кунг Лао присоединиться к его борьбе с Внешним Миром. Роль Саб-Зиро исполнил Джей Джей Перри.

Фильмы

Саб-Зиро младший появился на короткое время во втором фильме Смертельная битва: Истребление. После спасения Лю Кенга и Китаны от Смоука, Саб-Зиро дерётся со Скорпионом. Битва заканчивается ничьей, так как Скорпион телепортируется, хватает Китану и вместе с ней уходит во Внешний Мир. Роль Саб-Зиро исполнил Кейт Кук, который играл Рептилию в первом фильме.

Саб-Зиро и его старший брат упомянуты в короткометражном ролике Смертельная битва: Перерождение.

Веб-сериал

Куай Лиэнг появляется во втором сезоне сериала Смертельная битва: Наследие. У него небольшая роль в одном из эпизодов серии. Он захватывает сына Ханзо Хасаши, Скорпиона, в заложники, и идёт на бой с самим Ханзо, чтобы доказать, что он воин не хуже своего старшего брата, Би-Хана. Но бой Куай Лиэнг проигрывает и Ханзо его убивает. Роль Куай Лиэнга исполнили Гарри Шум-младший.

Комиксы

Саб-Зиро младший появляется в официальных комиксах от Midway, которые можно было заказать по телефону, указанному в деморежиме в автоматах MKII. В своём первом появлении Саб-Зиро прилетает на руины шаолиньского храма на самолёте, одетым в обычный деловой костюме и без маски. Позже, во время битвы на студии в Лос Анджелесе, он переодевается в стандартную униформу Лин Куэй.

Саб-Зиро появляется в конце серии комиксов Malibu «Battlewave» в облике из МК3. Он замораживает воинов Лин Куэй, и говорит, что его клан испортился и больше недостоин услуг Саб-Зиро. Если у Malibu и были какие-то планы по продолжению истории этого персонажа, то они не сбылись, так как серия была закончена.

Саб-Зиро появляется в серии комиксов Mortal Kombat X, которые служат приквелом к сюжету игры.

Интересные факты

• Согласно изначальному сюжету, Скорпион должен был стать защитником молодого Саб-Зиро в качестве искупления за убитого им старшего брата. Это упоминается в концовках Скорпиона в MKII и в UMK3. В Конквесте MKDA был сделан реткон, в котором говорилось, что Скорпион поклялся только не причинять вреда Саб-Зиро, но не защищать его.
• В МК3 Саб-Зиро появился без маски для того, чтобы придать ему больше индивидуальности и отделить его от образа Саб-Зиро из первого МК. Даже после концовки в MKII, в которой прямо говорилось, что Саб-Зиро в этой игре — это новый персонаж, а не воин из первой части, не все фанаты поверили в это. Некоторые продолжили считать, что в серии есть только один Саб-Зиро. Поэтому понадобилось радикальное изменение облика персонажа, чтобы, наконец, покончить с путаницей между двумя братьями.
• В MKDA Саб-Зиро выглядит намного старше, чем в предыдущей части серии. По сути, он один из немногих персонажей, которые внешне постарели за время серии. Возможно, изменение его внешности связано с увеличением его сил Медальоном Дракона. С этим же, возможно, связано и исчезновение его знаменитого шрама на лице.
• В концовке в МКII Саб-Зиро выглядит, как азиат, в то время как во всех других играх и медиа он изображался исключительно как белый мужчина. Его странная для китайского убийцы внешность была объяснена в прологе к Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero, где рассказывалось о том, что Би-Хан и Куай Лиэнг были рождены от брака китайского агента Лин Куэй и американки.
• Костюм Саб-Зиро, который использовался для съёмок МК3 был красного цвета.
• Начиная с МК3, у Саб-Зиро появился вертикальный шрам, который проходил через его правый глаз. В ранних версиях МК4 шрам забыли добавить на модель Саб-Зиро, из-за чего появились слухи о том, что Саб-Зиро в МК4 может являться старшим братом. В MKDA шрам Саб-Зиро стал синего цвета, а не красного, возможно, из-за увеличения сил Саб-Зиро Медальоном Дракона. В MKD шрам вобще исчез. Как именно Саб-Зиро получил шрам, нигде не объяснялось. В MKSM была сделана попытка объяснить происхождение шрама неудачной попыткой Кунг Лао сделать Фаталити на Саб-Зиро, но очень мало что из этой игры считается каноном, по отношению к оригинальной хронологии. В новой хронологии криоманту шрам нанёс Кано, воспользовавшись для этого кинжалом Камидогу, который Саб-Зиро должен был добыть по просьбе Рейдена.
• Цвет глаз Саб-Зиро менялся в разных играх серии. В MKDA во втором костюме и в обоих костюмах в MKD у Саб-Зиро белые глаза.
• В версии MKT для Nintendo 64 Саб-Зиро без маски в игре не было. Возможно, его исключили из-за нехватки памяти на картридже. Его приёмы, добивания и биография были отданы Классическому Саб-Зиро в маске, который также сохранил все собственные приёмы в этой игре. Как не странно спрайты Саб-Зиро без маски можно увидеть во время гибели Шао Кана — он вылетает из тела босса во время его гибели. Также на скриншотах ранней версии МКТ можно увидеть, что Саб-Зиро без маски присутствовал на экране выбора. На том же скрине видно, что на экране выбора нет Джонни Кейджа, так что, возможно, что Саб-Зиро младшего поменяли на Джонни Кейджа в финальной версии.
• В MKSM если оба игрока выберут Саб-Зиро в версус режиме, то второй игрок будет похож на Нуб Сайбота (старшего Саб-Зиро). Правда сходство это будет лишь внешним, так как все приёмы и добивания у него останутся, как у обычного Саб-Зиро.
• Саб-Зиро, в том или ином виде, единственный персонаж, который появлялся почти во всех играх серии. Единственной игрой, в которой не было не одного из братьев Саб-Зиро, является Mortal Kombat: Special Forces, главным героем которой являлся Джакс.
• Перевод китайского написания имени Куай Лиэнг примерно означает «хороший чужестранец». В традиционном для китайского языка виде оно должно читаться как «Лиэнг Куи». «Лиэнг» — традиционное китайское имя. «Куи» означает «чужестранец из другого королевства» и проиходит из Монголии или Манчжу. Был ли такое имя умышленной идеей со стороны разработчиков или это просто удачное совпадение — неизвестно.
• У Саб-Зиро, Скорпиона и Рептилии одинаковые Френдшипы в MKII.
• Образ Саб-Зиро стал основой для созданий персонажа в профессиональном реслинге по имени Ледник. Роль этого персонажа в течении нескольких лет исполнял чемпион по карате Рей Ллойд.
• Оружие Саб-Зиро называется «Меч Кори». «Кори» с японского переводится как «лёд».
• Саб-Зиро был одним из персонажей, изображение которого появилось на обложке премиум-издания MKD для PlayStation 2.
• В своей концовке в MKvsDC Саб-Зиро становится земной версией Бэтмена.^[28]
• Китайские иероглифы на основном костюме Саб-Зиро в MKDA означают «ледяного дракона» (буквально: «это принадлежит ледяному дракону»). Стоит отметить, что это довольно нетипичное и несколько детское выражение. В его альтернативном костюме в этой игре надпись на его костюме переводится, как «Лёд ледяного дракона» из-за добавления ещё одного иероглифа означающего слово «лёд» к предложению.
• Чтобы открыть Кибер Саб-Зиро, необходимо пройти 13 главу сюжетного режима в МК (2011).
• Кибер Саб-Зиро является единственным персонажем в игре, у которого в аркадной концовке нет озвучки.
• Диктор никогда не произносит в игре имя «Кибер Саб-Зиро». Он всегда объявляет его только, как «Саб-Зиро».
• Сюрикены, которые Кибер Саб-Зиро использует во время добивания «Заморозка мозгов», имеют нанесённый на них символ клана Лин Куэй.
• У Кибер Саб-Зиро в игре уникальная кровь — светло-синего цвета. У двух других киборгов, в качестве крови, масло чёрно-синего цвета.
• Приём «Ледяное Парри», который использует Кибер Саб-Зиро, ранее использовался Саб-Зиро в кроссовере MKvsDC. Во время одной из ранних демонстраций МК (2011) этот приём был у Саб-Зиро человека.
• За открытие Кибер Саб-Зиро, игрок получит достижение «Холодный синтез». Кибер Саб-Зиро является одним из двух персонажей, за открытие которых игрок получает достижения. Вторым является Куан Чи.
• Кибер Саб-Зиро — единственный персонаж в МК (2011), X-Ray которого нужно активировать в воздухе.
• Согласно показаниям внутренних датчиков Кибер Саб-Зиро (которые можно увидеть в сцене его реактивации), его внутренняя температура составляет -52 по Фаренгейту (-46 по Цельсию). Также в этой же сцене можно прочитать, что мозговая активность Куай Лиэнга была снижена, пока он находился под контролем Лин Куэй.
• В сцене, когда Кибер Саб-Зиро пытается установить личность Кабала, в его базе данных можно увидеть изображения Фрост, Бо’Рай Чо, Кенши и Рейко.
• Кибер Саб-Зиро получил ретрокостюм, в котором он выглядит, как киборг из МК3.
• Шао Кан и Саб-Зиро появляются в качестве камео в интро Скорпиона в Injustice: Gods Among Us.
• Кибер Саб-Зиро является четвёртой, секретной вариацией Триборга в Mortal Kombat X. Выбирается, если выбрать Триборга без вариации.
• Саб-Зиро появляется на обложке дополненной версии MKX, под названием Mortal Kombat XL.
• Саб-Зиро появляется в Injustice 2, как гостевой персонаж.
• Саб-Зиро часто упоминает Нуба Сайбота и Скорпиона в интро-диалогах в Injustice 2. При использовании разных шейдеров в игре, Саб-Зиро может выглядеть, как другие ниндзя из MK. Возможно, это является отсылкой к первым MK, в которых секретные бойцы были перекрашенными копиями играбельных персонажей.

Видео

Галерея

Примечания

Вселенная Mortal Kombat
Основные игры серии
Mortal Kombat | Mortal Kombat II | Mortal Kombat 3 | Mortal Kombat 4 | Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance | Mortal Kombat: Deception | Mortal Kombat: Armageddon | Mortal Kombat (2011) | Mortal Kombat X | Mortal Kombat 11
Дополнения и порты
Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 | Mortal Kombat Trilogy | Mortal Kombat Gold | Mortal Kombat Advance | Mortal Kombat: Tournament Edition | Mortal Kombat: Unchained | Ultimate Mortal Kombat | Mortal Kombat Arcade Kollection | Mortal Kombat (PS Vita)
Спин-оффы и кроссоверы
Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero | Mortal Kombat: Special Forces | Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks | Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe | Mortal Kombat Mobile | Mortal Kombat: Onslaught
Основные персонажи серии
Ашра | Барака | Блейз | Бо’Рай Чо | Горо | Герас | Дайру | Дарриус | Джакс | Джарек | Джейд | Джонни Кейдж | Джэки Бриггс | Ди’Вора | Драмин | Дэйгон | Ермак | Кабал | Кай | Камелеона | Кано | Кенши | Кинтаро | Кира | Китана | Классический Саб-Зиро | Кобра | Коллектор | Коталь Кан | Кроника | Куан Чи | Кунг Джин | Кунг Лао | Кэсси Кейдж | Ли Мей | Лю Кенг | Мавадо | Милина | Мокап | Молох | Мотаро | Мясо | Нитара | Ночной Волк | Нуб Сайбот | Онага | Рейден | Рейко | Рейн | Рептилия | Саб-Зиро | Сайракс | Сарина | Сектор | Синдел | Скарлет | Скорпион | Смоук | Соня Блейд | Страйкер | Суджинко | Такеда | Таня | Тейвен | Тремор | Триборг | Ферра и Торр | Фрост | Фуджин | Хавик | Хамелеон | Хотару | Хсу Хао | Цетрион | Шанг Цунг | Шао Кан | Шива | Шиннок | Эррон Блэк
Кланы и организации
Агентство по исследованию Внешнего Мира | Братство Теней | Красный Дракон | Лин Куэй | Общество Белого Лотоса | Отряд особого назначения | Текунин | Чёрный Дракон | Ширай Рю
Фракции
Смертельный Альянс | Нуб-Смоук | Старшие Боги
Информация
Второстепенные персонажи серии | Миры | Расы | Оружия | Боевые стили | Арены | Глоссарий
Кино и телевидение
Смертельная битва | Смертельная битва: Истребление | Смертельная битва: Завоевание | Смертельная битва: Перерождение | Смертельная битва: Защитники Земли | Смертельная битва: Путешествие начинается | Смертельная битва: Наследие | Легенды Смертельной битвы: Месть Скорпиона | Мортал Комбат (2021) | Легенды Смертельной битвы: Битва королевств | Легенды Смертельной битвы: Снежная слепота
Прочее
Mortal Kombat: Live Tour | Комиксы | Музыка | Mortal Kombat Kard Game | Производство | Галерея | Несостоявшиеся идеи

Kuai Liang (奎良)^[2], better known as Sub-Zero (絶対零度, «Absolute Zero»)^[3], Grandmaster (of the Lin Kuei), and formerly known as Tundra and briefly as the cyborg LK-52O, is the Grandmaster of the Lin Kuei assassin clan in the Mortal Kombat fighting game series.

Kuai Liang made his playable debut in Mortal Kombat II as the younger brother of Bi-Han, who was the original Sub-Zero in the first Mortal Kombat 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. 

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 Scorpion. 

About Sub-Zero

There are two incarnations of Sub-Zero, both of whom are siblings: 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.

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 Cyber Sub-Zero

Cyber Sub-Zero replace 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.

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, he wore the traditional uniform his brother wore, but again wears an updated version of his MK3 outfit in Deadly Alliance featuring Chinese characters. 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. In Deception, Sub-Zero dons an ancient armor once worn by his Cryomancer ancestors. 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 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:SM, MKvsDCU, 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 as 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)

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 agree. 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 (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

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 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. Where there is threat of invasion, he usually knows something about it.»
• «I’m not my brother.» (to Raiden)
• «For the same reason you helped my brother… to protect Earthrealm.» (to Raiden)
• «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)
• «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)
• «More intruders!»

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

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 quarry—until 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)

• «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!«

• «Not yet.» (To Scorpion)
• «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)
• «My soul was corrupted. Now it´s cleansed.» (To Sektor)
• «Artificial enhancements are no substitute for the human soul.»
• «Thank you, Sektor.» (After interrogating him)
• «All those teeth and claws, yet still over matched.» (After defeating Goro and Kintaro)
• «Come no further, fiend of Outworld!» (To Ermac)
• «You are not so fearsome.» (After defeating Ermac)
• «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?»
• «Then I will not regret your defeat.»
• «You are right. We are not brothers.» (After defeating Noob Saibot)
• «The Lin Kuei. They surround us!»

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.
  • He is familiar with previous kombatants such as Batman, Catwoman, Darkseid, the Flash, and the Joker, and will go as far as mentioning Dark Kahn in some 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, in addition to meaning «Quick Coolness», may possibly be a pun on the term 凉快 (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

• In MKX, Cyber Sub-Zero appears as a fourth variation for Triborg.

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.

References

Navigation

Mortal Kombat series — Main characters This box: view • talk • edit

Ashrah | Baraka | Blaze | Bo’ Rai Cho | Cassie Cage | Cetrion | Chameleon | Cyrax | D’Vorah | Daegon | Dairou | Darrius | Drahmin | Ermac | Erron Black | Ferra/Torr | Frost | Fujin | Geras | Goro | 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 | Noob Saibot | Onaga | Quan Chi | Raiden | Rain | Reiko | Reptile | Sareena | Scorpion | Sektor | Shang Tsung | Shao Kahn | Sheeva | Shinnok | Shujinko | Sindel | Skarlet | Smoke | Sonya Blade | Stryker | Sub-Zero | Takeda | Tanya | Taven | Tremor | Triborg Mortal Kombat series — Guest characters This box: view • talk • edit Alien | Freddy Krueger | Jason Voorhees | The Joker | Kratos | Leatherface | Predator | RoboCop | Rambo | Spawn | The Terminator Mortal Kombat series — DC Characters (MKvsDCU) This box: view • talk • edit Batman | Captain Marvel | Catwoman | Dark Kahn | Darkseid | Deathstroke | The Flash | Green Lantern | The Joker | Lex Luthor | Superman | Wonder Woman

Kuai Liang (奎良)^[2], better known as Sub-Zero (絶対零度, «Absolute Zero»)^[3], Grandmaster (of the Lin Kuei), and formerly known as Tundra and briefly as the cyborg LK-52O, is the Grandmaster of the Lin Kuei assassin clan in the Mortal Kombat fighting game series.

Kuai Liang made his playable debut in Mortal Kombat II as the younger brother of Bi-Han, who was the original Sub-Zero in the first Mortal Kombat 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. 

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 Scorpion. 

About Sub-Zero

There are two incarnations of Sub-Zero, both of whom are siblings: 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.

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 Cyber Sub-Zero

Cyber Sub-Zero replace 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.

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, he wore the traditional uniform his brother wore, but again wears an updated version of his MK3 outfit in Deadly Alliance featuring Chinese characters. 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. In Deception, Sub-Zero dons an ancient armor once worn by his Cryomancer ancestors. 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 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:SM, MKvsDCU, 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 as 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)

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 agree. 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 (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

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 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. Where there is threat of invasion, he usually knows something about it.»
• «I’m not my brother.» (to Raiden)
• «For the same reason you helped my brother… to protect Earthrealm.» (to Raiden)
• «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)
• «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)
• «More intruders!»

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

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 quarry—until 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)

• «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!«

• «Not yet.» (To Scorpion)
• «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)
• «My soul was corrupted. Now it´s cleansed.» (To Sektor)
• «Artificial enhancements are no substitute for the human soul.»
• «Thank you, Sektor.» (After interrogating him)
• «All those teeth and claws, yet still over matched.» (After defeating Goro and Kintaro)
• «Come no further, fiend of Outworld!» (To Ermac)
• «You are not so fearsome.» (After defeating Ermac)
• «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?»
• «Then I will not regret your defeat.»
• «You are right. We are not brothers.» (After defeating Noob Saibot)
• «The Lin Kuei. They surround us!»

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.
  • He is familiar with previous kombatants such as Batman, Catwoman, Darkseid, the Flash, and the Joker, and will go as far as mentioning Dark Kahn in some 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, in addition to meaning «Quick Coolness», may possibly be a pun on the term 凉快 (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

• In MKX, Cyber Sub-Zero appears as a fourth variation for Triborg.

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.

References

Navigation

Mortal Kombat series — Main characters This box: view • talk • edit

Ashrah | Baraka | Blaze | Bo’ Rai Cho | Cassie Cage | Cetrion | Chameleon | Cyrax | D’Vorah | Daegon | Dairou | Darrius | Drahmin | Ermac | Erron Black | Ferra/Torr | Frost | Fujin | Geras | Goro | 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 | Noob Saibot | Onaga | Quan Chi | Raiden | Rain | Reiko | Reptile | Sareena | Scorpion | Sektor | Shang Tsung | Shao Kahn | Sheeva | Shinnok | Shujinko | Sindel | Skarlet | Smoke | Sonya Blade | Stryker | Sub-Zero | Takeda | Tanya | Taven | Tremor | Triborg Mortal Kombat series — Guest characters This box: view • talk • edit Alien | Freddy Krueger | Jason Voorhees | The Joker | Kratos | Leatherface | Predator | RoboCop | Rambo | Spawn | The Terminator Mortal Kombat series — DC Characters (MKvsDCU) This box: view • talk • edit Batman | Captain Marvel | Catwoman | Dark Kahn | Darkseid | Deathstroke | The Flash | Green Lantern | The Joker | Lex Luthor | Superman | Wonder Woman

Саб-Зиро — имя двух братьев серии игр Mortal Kombat. Эта статья рассказывает о младшем брате (настоящее имя — Куай Лян). Для информации о старшем Саб-Зиро см. Noob Saibot.

Саб-Зиро (Sub-Zero)
Место рождения	Земля, Китай[1]
Появления	Mortal Kombat (1992) Mortal Kombat II Mortal Kombat 3 Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 Ultimate Mortal Kombat Mortal Kombat Trilogy Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero Mortal Kombat 4 Mortal Kombat Gold Mortal Kombat Advance Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance Mortal Kombat: Deception Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks Mortal Kombat: Unchained Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe Mortal Kombat (2011)
Раса	Человек (потомок Криомансеров) / Киборг (только в MK2011)
Боевые стили	Сётокан (MK:DA, MK:D, MK:A) Кунг-фу Стиль Дракона (MK:DA, MK:D)
Оружие	Меч Кори (MK:DA, MK:D, MK:A) Ледяной скипетр (MK4, MKG)
Мировоззрение	Нейтральное/Зло (старший брат) / Добро (младший брат)
Актёры	Даниэль Песина (MKII) Джон Тёрк (MK3, UMK3, MKT) Франсуа Пети (первый фильм) Кейт Кук (второй фильм) Джей Джей Перри (телесериал) Люк Перри (мультсериал) Райан Уотсон (Live Tour)

Саб-Зи́ро (англ. Sub-Zero — ниже нуля) — один из персонажей серии игр Mortal Kombat.

Описание

Существуют два Саб-Зиро — Би-Хань и Куай Лян, старший и младший. Они оба воины в синих костюмах, которые обладают способностью генерировать и контролировать силу льда, иными словами они в совершенстве владеют криогенезом, хотя оба они были рождены на Земле простыми людьми.

У младшего есть заметный шрам на правой стороне лица. В Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks показано, что шрам он получил в результате пореза шляпой Кунг Лао. Начиная с Mortal Kombat: Deception, его шрам пропадает.

Старший Саб-Зиро появился в первой Mortal Kombat и Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero, младший брат заменил его в остальных частях игры. Впоследствии старший брат стал представителем Внешнего Мира под именем Нуб Сайбот.

Младший Саб-Зиро сильно отличается от старшего брата. Разрыв между братьями, которые были когда-то нейтральными и почти идентичными друг другу, в настоящее время настолько велик, что можно говорить о синдроме злого и доброго близнецов.

Куай Лян изображался как молодой воин Лин Куэй, который жил в тени своего старшего брата, однако с тех пор многое изменилось, стал виден его прогресс в сторону гуманизма. Это изменение в характеристиках не только укрепило его как человека, но и поставило его отдельно от своего бывшего клана Лин Куэй. Впервые Саб-Зиро появился в Mortal Kombat II (вместе со своим другом Смоуком), чтобы справиться с задачей, которую не выполнил его старший брат на предыдущем турнире — убить Шан Цзуна. По ходу турнира Саб-Зиро узнаёт о гибели своего брата от рук Скорпиона. Призрак узнал о появлении Саб-Зиро на втором турнире и Куан Чи убедил его в том, что это тот самый Саб-Зиро, который лишил его жизни. Однако Скорпион увидел, что во время турнира Саб-Зиро пощадил одного из своих врагов и не стал убивать. Это не тот Саб-Зиро. Однако он и Скорпион сразились, но бой не выявил победителя, так как Скорпион исчезает, поняв что именно Куан Чи был повинен в убийстве его семьи.

После того как воины Земного Царства успешно возвратились в свой мир, Саб-Зиро и Смоук вернулись в Лин Куэй. Там они узнали, что грандмастер решил превратить своих воинов в кибернетических ниндзя, первыми из которых стали Сектор и Сайракс. Саб-Зиро и Смоук отказались и решили бежать. Саб-Зиро успешно сбежал, в то время как его друга Смоука поймали и превратили в киборга. В гневе ледяной воин срывает свою маску и показывает этим, что отрекается от Лин Куэй. Грандмастер клана приказал Сектору, Сайраксу и Смоуку найти и уничтожить предателя Саб-Зиро. В это время император Шао Кан вторгся в Земной Мир и начал порабощать души людей. Бог грома Рейден смог защитить души избранных воинов, в числе которых был и Саб-Зиро. Саб-Зиро присоединился к восстанию против Шао Кана и оказал помощь Рейдену и Лю Кану (наряду с другими избранными воинами Земли). По ходу битвы Саб-Зиро встретился со своим другом Смоуком и смог убедить его, что в нём остались человеческие чувства и воспоминания. Они объединились и победили Сектора и Сайракса. Саб-Зиро перепрограммировал Сайракса и поставил ему новую задачу — ликвидировать самого императора Шао Кана. Однако его победил не Сайракс, а непобедимый чемпион Смертельной битвы Лю Кан. С его победы император более не угрожал Земному Царству.

Однако падший старший бог, Шиннок, правитель Нереальности, вернулся после многовекового заключения, захватил только освободившийся мир Эдению и объявил войну Старшим Богам. И конечно он пожелал заполучить в свои руки Земное Царство. Рейден вновь собрал лучших воинов Земли, в числе которых, конечно же был и Саб-Зиро, и объявил им о новой опасности. Ледяной воин надел форму своего старшего брата в дань уважения к нему. Помнил он и о советах, которые передал ему брат сразу после его путешествия в Нереальность. Эти советы могли быть путём победы над Шинноком. Однако чего не знал Саб-Зиро, так это то, что колдун Куан Чи (повинный в убийстве клана и семьи Скорпиона) заключил со Скорпионом уговор — он сражается на стороне Куан Чи и Шиннока в обмен на вечную жизнь, и, что ещё более важное, он вновь убедил призрака в том, что клан и семью Скорпиона убил Саб-Зиро, но не старший Саб-Зиро, а младший. Скорпион пришёл в ярость. Саб-Зиро и Скорпион встретились в пещере Горо чтобы сразиться снова. Во-время битвы появился Куан Чи, который рассказал Скорпиону правду о том, что именно он убил его семью и клан. Также он поведал, что Скорпион был нужен ему лишь для того, чтобы он вышел на Саб-Зиро, чтобы ликвидировать последнего. Куан Чи уже хотел убить Саб-Зиро, но Скорпион уже атаковав, утащил его с собой через портал, тем самым, сохранив ледяному воину жизнь. Лю Кан вновь отстоял свой титул чемпиона Смертельной Битвы, на сей раз одолев самого Шиннока.

После того как Саб-Зиро победил Сектора на третьем турнире, программа красного киборга испортилась. Он умертвил своего Грандмастера Лин Куэй и пожелал сам стать таковым. Однако ему бросил вызов Саб-Зиро. Ледяной воин победил и стал новым Грандмастером клана Лин Куэй. Также он получил медальон дракона — символ лидерства клана. Этот медальон многократно усиливал его замораживающие способности. После этого он перенёс местонахождение своего клана в Арктику и решил, что отныне Лин Куэй будет кланом чести и добра. Он решил провести небольшой турнир с целью привлечения новых членов к своему клану. Победительницей оказалась девушка Фрост, которая имела те же замораживающие способности, что и Саб-Зиро. Вопреки былым традициям клана Грандмастер сделал Фрост своей правой рукой. Однако он не знал истинной цели, по которой она присоединилась к нему.

Вскоре после этих событий появилась новая угроза в лице двух врагов — колдунов Куан Чи и Шан Цзунга. Они объединись и задумали оживить непобедимую армию Короля Драконов Онаги, бывшего императора Внешнего Мира. Чтобы сделать это, они убили Шао Кана (как оказалось, это был лишь его клон) и Лю Кана. Рейден вновь объединил всех воинов Земного Царства для борьбы с новой угрозой. Во время сражений Фрост и Саб-Зиро отделились от других воинов. Фрост предала Саб-Зиро и украла его медальон. Однако она не справилась с магической силой и была само-заморожена. Саб-Зиро взял её на руки и положил в храм разрушенного здания. И тут он обнаружил следы своих предков — криомансеров, расы людей, обладающих замораживающими способностями.

А тем временем Кунг Лао, Джонни Кейдж, Джакс, Соня Блейд и Китана пали мёртвыми в бою с Таркатанскими отрядами двух колдунов. В конце концов, остался только Рейден. Он дал бой двум колдунам и проиграл. Тут же Куан Чи и Шан Цзунг стали биться меж собой и первый победил. Однако сразу же явился Онага, Король Драконов, который пришёл за амулетом Куан Чи. Очнувшиеся Рейден и Шан Цзунг стали помогать Куан Чи и втроём направили свои магические силы на Онагу. Однако это не причинило ему повреждений. Рейден выпустил свою божественную сущность и раздался мощнейший взрыв, уничтоживший всё вокруг… кроме Онаги. Он взял амулет, воскресил свою армию, а также и падших защитников Земли, и теперь они стали его слугами…

Саб-Зиро, потерявшийся во Внешнем Мире, нашёл раненного Кенси, который проиграл бой Мавадо. Он спас его и они продолжили свой путь вдвоём. По пути на них нарвался Хотару, лидер армии Онаги. Саб-Зиро победил его, но Кенси чувствовал, что он всё ещё преследовал их. Онага поручил Хотару убить ледяного воина. Пути Кенши и Саб-Зиро разошлись и Саб остался один. В тёмном лесу на него набросились Таркатанцы. Саб думал, что прежде чем умереть, он захватит вместе с собой львиную долю Таркатанцев. Однако он почувствовал, что с ним разговаривает его форма, это был голос предков. Саб-Зиро разделался с ними. После этого он, Скорпион и другие оставшиеся в живых воины света с помощью Судзинко одолели Онагу.

После этого Саб-Зиро вернулся в храм Лин Куэй. Спустя какое-то время в храм пожаловал Тавен. В это же время храм подвергся нападению одержимыми воинами Лин Куэй во главе с Нуб Саиботом и Смоуком. Однако Тавен помогает Саб-Зиро победить. В благодарность Саб-Зиро указал Тавену дорогу к клану Красного Дракона. После победы над Блэйзом Саб-Зиро получает силу бога. Но Старшие Боги не называли его богом, а потому Саб-Зиро попал к ним в немилость.

Он является надежным союзником Земли, который готов оказать помощь, когда это необходимо, особенно если Рейден просит об этом.

Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe

Окончание в MK vs DCU — Сражаясь на стороне Сил Света после столкновения вселенных, Саб-Зиро понял, что он уже больше не убийца, каким был, но и не один из самопровозглашённых защитников Земли. Саб-Зиро ушёл из клана Лин Куэй, которому это очень не понравилось…

Mortal Kombat (2011)

Окончание в MK2011 — Будучи преданым своим кланом Лин Куэй, Куай Лян объединился со Скорпионом. Вместе их союз стал непобедимой угрозой силам зла.^[2]

Спецприёмы и добивания

Приёмы

В отличие от образа Саб-Зиро, его боевые приёмы не слишком менялись в течение всей серии игр. Начиная с первой части, их набор был всегда одинаков.

• Подкат

Некое подобие подсечки на расстоянии. Здоровья практически не отнимает, но зато валит противника с ног, давая некоторое время на перегруппировку.

• Ледяной выстрел

Также присутствует во всех сериях игр. Обездвиживает противника на определённое время. Спасает блок, а также можно просто пригнуться. Если Саб-Зиро выстрелит по замороженному противнику ещё раз, то обратится в ледяную статую сам (в Mortal Kombat (2011) если Саб-Зиро выстрелит по замороженному противнику ещё раз то нанесет незначительный урон). Если противник тоже выберет Саб-Зиро, то, при одновременных выстрелах навстречу друг другу, замерзают оба противника.

• Ледяная лужа

Приём появился в MKII. Саб-Зиро стреляет льдом в пол, превращая в лёд некоторый участок арены. Если противник попадёт на него, то теряет контроль над передвижением.

• Ледяной душ

Приём аналогичен ледяному выстрелу, только летит по вертикали, а не по горизонтали. Спастись приседанием от него нельзя.

• Ледяная ловушка

Приём аналогичен ледяному душу, но выстрел происходит через пол (Саб-Зиро выстреливает вверх и столб льда поднимает противника, замораживая его. От данного приёма помогает только рывок (двойное нажатие кнопки влево — вправо) или отпрыгивание.

• Ледяной двойник

Саб-Зиро делает прыжок назад, оставляя вместо себя ледяного двойника, при соприкосновении с которым противник обездвиживается.

• Ледяная аура

Приём похож на ледяного двойника. Саб-Зиро встаёт в стойку, а вокруг него начинают кружиться частицы холода. Любой контакт противника (удар или удар с воздуха), замораживают его. Помогает только дистанционная атака (гарпун Скорпиона, лазер Кано и т.д.).

• X-Ray

Саб-Зиро замораживет печень противника и сжимает её (отчего она буквально рассыпается), потом ударяет своим лбом по голове противника,тем самым ломает ему челюсть и часть черепа.

Фаталити

• MKII и МК4 — многократное замораживание с последующим разбиванием на куски. В MK:D Саб-Зиро промораживает врага, откалывает ему голову и разбивает ей обезглавленный труп на осколки.
• MK3 — замораживание, а затем разрывание пополам, и ледяное дыхание.
• MK и MK4 — Саб-Зиро выдирал у противника голову вместе с позвоночником.
• MK:DA — Саб-Зиро вырывал весь скелет (это добивание было заимствовано у Кано)
• MK:D — Саб-Зиро замораживает ноги, разбивает их, и потом резко наступает на грудь врагу, после чего голова отлетает. Всё это сопровождается мольбами врага о пощаде.
• MK vs DCU — Саб-Зиро замораживает соперника, в первом случае поднимает его вверх и разбивает об пол, во втором разбивает его ногой
• MK2011 — Have An Ice Day (Холодного тебе дня) — Саб-Зиро замораживает противнику ноги по пояс и отрывает верхнюю часть тела. Название фаталити является отсылкой к фразе «Have a nice day» (хорошего тебе дня).
• MK2011 — Spinal Smash (Удар хребтом) — Саб-Зиро через живот вырывает хребет и череп врага, замораживает его и разбивает вдребезги хребтом, используя последний как кистень .
• Mortal Kombat Karnage (флеш игра) — Саб-Зиро поднимает руки вверх . После чего на противника падает большая глыба льда , которая разбивает его .

Кибер Саб-Зиро

В Mortal Kombat 9 в числе персонажей появился также Саб-Зиро в образе киборга LK-520. В виде киборга Куай Лян не утратил своих способностей криоманта. Он по-прежнему может замораживать противника ледяной энергией, выпуская её не из рук, а из пушки у него в груди. Также Кибер Саб-Зиро может полностью покрыть себя льдом. Если противник прикоснётся к нему, он мгновенно замёрзнет. Есть у Кибер Саб-Зиро и способности схожие с другим киборгом — Сайраксом. Он может выпускать из груди бомбы, которые замораживают противника, а также умеет телепортироваться, разделяясь на несколько частей, а потом собираясь обратно в другом месте арены. Как и в своей человеческой форме, Куай Лян может создавать оружие изо льда — огромные мечи и ледяные глыбы. Он уже не выглядит как Сектор и Сайракс, и имеет свои индивидуальности во внешности.

В игре события дружбы Смоука и Саб-Зиро развернулись по-другому. Рейден успевает прийти на помощь Смоуку, которого схватили воины Лин Куэй. Таким образом, Смоука спасают и он остается человеком, однако Лин Куэй добирается до Саб-Зиро и забирают его. Позже, он уже предстает в виде киборга, выполняющего приказы клана. Был схвачен и перепрограммирован защитниками Земли. Был убит Синдел, как и большинство земных воинов. Окончание в MK2011 — Кибер Саб-Зиро поглощает душу Шао Кана, становясь, фактически, Кибер Шао Каном.^[3]

Примечания

Ссылки

• Официальные сайты игр:
  • Официальный сайт Mortal Kombat: Deception (англ.)
  • Официальный сайт Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe (англ.)
• Вики-проекты Mortal Kombat
  • Mortal Kombat Wiki (англ.)
  • Wikipedia (англ.)
• Ссылки на статьи
  • Статья о вселенной MK (из журнала «Мир фантастики») (рус.)
  • Саб-Зиро (Sub-Zero) на MK Universe

Mortal Kombat
Основные игры	Mortal Kombat · Mortal Kombat II · Mortal Kombat 3 · Mortal Kombat 4 · Deadly Alliance · Deception · Armageddon · Mortal Kombat (2011)
Аддоны и порты	Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 · Trilogy · Gold · Advance · Tournament Edition · Unchained · Arcade Kollection
Аркадные игры	Mythologies: Sub-Zero · Special Forces · Shaolin Monks · MK vs. DCU
Кино и телевидение	Смертельная битва · Истребление · Завоевание · Перерождение · Защитники Земли · Путешествие начинается · Наследие
Персонажи	Горо · Джакс · Джейд · Джонни Кейдж · Кабал · Кай · Кано · Кинтаро · Китана · Куан Чи · Кун Лао · Лю Кан · Милина · Мокап · Мотаро · Ночной Волк · Нуб Сайбот · Райдэн · Рейн · Рептилия · Саб-Зиро · Сайракс · Сектор · Синдел · Скорпион · Смоук · Соня Блейд · Страйкер · Хамелеон · Шан Цзун · Шао Кан · Эрмак
Создатели	Эд Бун · Джон Тобиас
Прочее	Fatality · NetherRealm Studios
Категории: Персонажи Mortal Kombat Ниндзя из Mortal Kombat Вымышленые наёмники Персонажи-криокинетики Персонажи-киборги Wikimedia Foundation. 2010. Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую Stza SSN/Номер подсистемы Полезное Смотреть что такое «Саб-Зиро» в других словарях: Саб-Зиро (Mortal Kombat) — Саб Зиро  имя двух братьев серии игр Mortal Kombat. Эта статья рассказывает о младшем из них. Для информации о старшем см. Noob Saibot. Sub Zero (Саб Зиро) Место рождения Земля Появления Mortal Kombat II Mortal Kombat 3 Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3… …   Википедия Sub-Zero (Mortal Kombat) — Саб Зиро  имя двух братьев серии игр Mortal Kombat. Эта статья рассказывает о младшем из них. Для информации о старшем см. Noob Saibot. Sub Zero (Саб Зиро) Место рождения Земля Появления Mortal Kombat II Mortal Kombat 3 Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3… …   Википедия Sub-Zero — Саб Зиро  имя двух братьев серии игр Mortal Kombat. Эта статья рассказывает о младшем из них. Для информации о старшем см. Noob Saibot. Sub Zero (Саб Зиро) Место рождения Земля Появления Mortal Kombat II Mortal Kombat 3 Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3… …   Википедия Noob Saibot — (Нуб Сайбот) Место рождения Земля (перерождён в Аду (Нереальности)) Появления Как Саб Зиро MK Mythologies: Sub Zero Mortal Kombat MK: Shaolin Monks Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 Mortal Kombat Trilogy Mortal Kombat Advance как Нуб Сайбот …   Википедия Скорпион (Mortal Kombat) — У этого термина существуют и другие значения, см. Скорпион (значения). Скорпион (Scorpion) Место рождения Земля, Япония (перерождён в Преисподней) …   Википедия Смертельная битва: Защитники Земли — У этого термина существуют и другие значения, см. Смертельная битва. Смертельная Битва: Защитники Империи Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm …   Википедия Mortal Kombat (серия) — Mortal Kombat Жанр Файтинг Разработчики Midway Из …   Википедия Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks — Разработчик Midway LA Издатель Midway Games Дата выпуска 16 сентября 2005 (США) (Европа) Жанр Платформер, Экшн Возрастной рейтинг …   Википедия Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero — Разработчик Midway Games (PlayStation) Avalanche Software (Nintendo 64) Издатель Midway Games (США) GT Interactive (Европа) Часть серии …   Википедия Список персонажей Mortal Kombat — …   Википедия 18+ © Академик, 2000-2023 Обратная связь: Техподдержка, Реклама на сайте 👣 Путешествия Экспорт словарей на сайты, сделанные на PHP, Joomla, Drupal, WordPress, MODx. Пометить текст и поделиться Искать во всех словарях Искать в переводах Искать в Интернете Поделиться ссылкой на выделенное

Саб-Зиро — вымышленный персонаж серии игр Mortal Kombat. Куай Лиэнг был одним из двух братьев, сыновей представителя клана Лин Куэй в США. Вопреки желанию их матери, отец вывез их в Китай, где их стали тренировать, как воинов-убийц. Спустя некоторое время имя «Саб-Зиро» перешло к старшему брату Би-Хану, которого нанял Куан Чи для кражи карты из шаолиньского храма и поиска амулета Шиннока. После завершения своих приключений, Саб-Зиро старший был нанят Шанг Цунгом и неким из его врагов, который хотел смерти колдуна. В ходе десятого турнира Би-Хан был убит Скорпионом в отместку за своё убийство во время кражи карты. Так имя «Саб-Зиро» перешло к младшему брату Куай Лиэнгу. Спустя годы Куай станет великим грандмастером Лин Куэй и одним из самых сильных защитников Земного Царства за всю историю. 

Силы и способности[править]

— Физические параметры незначительно превосходят пик человека;

 — Мастер боевых искусств: Куай Лиэнг был одним из лучших воинов в клане Лин Куэй и побеждал Сайракса, Сектора, Скорпиона. Владеет стилем Дракона и боевым искусством Шотокан. С самого детства его обучали техникам убийства;

 — Криокинез: являясь потомком расы криомантов из Внешнего Мира, Саб-Зирообладает врождённой способностью контролировать лёд в разных его проявлениях:

 1. Помимо обычного покрытия льдом противника, Саб-Зиро может вызвать из-под земли столб льда диаметром около метра. Поток льда подбрасывает противника и замораживает его;

 2. Обладает способностью замораживать пол под противником, сбивая того тем самым с ног. Кроме того, он может просто приморозить ноги противника к земле;

 3. Куай Лиэнг способен, создавая под собой лёд, быстро приблизиться к противнику и сделать ему подкат или быстро отступить с линии атаки;

 4. Также он умеет мгновенно создавать ледяные статуи, которые покрывают льдом врага, если тот к ним прикоснётся;

 5. Способен мгновенно создавать себе холодное оружие изо льда и ледяной щит;

 — Многолетний опыт научил Саб-Зиро некоторым тактическим хитростям;

 — Огромный боевой опыт: сражался с киборгами, демонами, не один раз встречался в бою со своим братом Нубом и Скорпионом. Один из сильнейших защитников Земного Царства. 

Снаряжение[править]

— Броня предков. Броня расы криомантов, усиливающая носителя по физическим параметрам, также может направлять удары носителя, тем самым увеличивая ещё и их точность, именно с её помощью Саб Зиро смог побить крупный отряд таркатан, хотя считал, что не сможет выйти победителем из этого боя;

— Медальон Дракона. Этот Медальон значительно усиливает способности криоманта у Саб-Зиро: благодаря нему Куай Лиэнг может замораживать даже воздух, что и позволяло создавать из него ледяное оружие, однако необходимо обладать достаточной силой и дисциплиной, чтобы контролировать Медальон, иначе использующий его потеряет контроль над своей силой, как это произошло с Фрост;

— Меч Кори;

— Ледяной скипетр;

— Ледяной молот.

Источник[править]

http://ru.mortalkombat.wikia.com/wiki/%D0%A1%D0%B0%D0%B1-%D0%97%D0%B8%D1%80%D0%BE

https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%A1%D0%B0%D0%B1-%D0%97%D0%B8%D1%80%D0%BE