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“
I uphold the Lin Kuei principles I thought you shared.
„
~ Sub-Zero to his brother, Mortal Kombat 11.
Kuai Liang, also known as Sub-Zero is one of the main characters of the Mortal Kombat: Titan trilogy, both a reboot and spin-off of the Mortal Kombat franchise.
He is a warrior with cryomancy powers, who would seek to reform the Lin Kuei eventually becoming it's Grandmaster. He was also the younger brother of the late Bi-Han, who would become his arch-nemesis, Noob Saibot and the friendly rival of Hanzo Hasashi, previously known as Scorpion.
Jim Lee voiced Sub-Zero in Mortal Kombat (2011), who previously voiced the character in MK Vs DC Universe. In Mortal Kombat X to 11, Sub-Zero was voiced by prolific voice actor Steve Blum.
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.
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, which is caused by Kano instead of original timeline's Lin Kuei.
History[]
Backstory[]
Kuai Liang shares a similar history to his original counterpart, being raised in the Lin Kuei alongside his brother Bi-Han, having been kidnapped as children. Both Kuai Liang and Bi Han have the ability of controlling ice, due to having Cryomancer ancestry, and Kuai would go under the codename Tundra, while his brother would become Sub-Zero. Tundra was close to Smoke, and sought to uphold the honourable principles of the Lin Kuei.
Mortal Kombat 9[]
The two split and Sub-Zero then heads off to investigate something, when he is confronted by Cyrax, finally automated and turned to a cyborg, much to Sub-Zero's horror. Cyrax tells him he has to come with him so he can become a cyborg, but Sub-Zero tells him that he will never comply. They fight and Sub-Zero wins.
Sub-Zero allows Cyrax to escape, intending to finish his task. He is then met by Sonya and Jax who were following Cyrax. Upon seeing him, they are confused and say that he is dead. Sub-Zero explains to them he is Bi-Han's younger brother and inquires what they know about his death. Sonya tells him he was killed by Scorpion and to check the coliseum. They are then confronted by Ermac, who causes Jax's arms to explode. After his victory, Sub-Zero tells Sonya he must go the coliseum, and directs her to a nearby portal back to Earthrealm.
Sub-Zero goes to the coliseum and demands that Shao Kahn let him fight Scorpion. Shang Tsung, however, makes him fight Reptile. Sub-Zero defeats him, and eventually, Quan Chi summons Scorpion. Sub-Zero defeats Scorpion, but before he can kill him, Lin Kuei cyborgs, led by Cyrax and Sektor, capture him. Cyrax and Sektor swear alliegence to Shao Kahn in exchange for Sub-Zero. Shao Kahn agrees and Sub-Zero is taken back to the Lin Kuei Temple to be automated.
Liang's fate changes in the second tournament due to Raiden's interference in an attempt to avert Armageddon. 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. However, he is able to regain his mind and joins Raiden's warriors to stop Shao Kahn. 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, Shao Kahn's wife, Sindel, electrocutes Sub-Zero before Quan Chi "resurrects" and enslaves him in the Netherrealm as an undead revenant.
Injustice: Gods Among Us[]
In Injustice: Gods Among Us, he appears at Scorpion's intro getting finished, but Hanzo prepared to figure against a rival.
Mortal Kombat X comics[]
Kuai Liang appears as a minor character in the comics
Mortal Kombat X[]
In Mortal Kombat X, which takes place two years after the previous game, 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. He also discovers Quan Chi's role in Bi-Han's downfall and made amends with Scorpion, after revealing Quan Chi and Sektor's involvement in the Shirai Ryu warrior's clan and family's deaths to him. Sub-Zero later aids 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.
Injustice 2[]
Sub-Zero appears así DLC playable character in Injustice 2.
Mortal Kombat 11[]
In Mortal Kombat 11, 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. Sub-Zero works with Hasashi to infiltrate Sektor's factory and avenge his fallen clansmen. Cyrax sacrifices himself to destroy the area. 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. At Hasashi's suggestion, he and Sub-Zero head to the Netherrealm to recruit the ferryman Kharon, whom they met while they were revenants.[49] 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. Sub-Zero later takes part in the final battle at Kronika's keep alongside the combined Earthrealm/Outworld armies.
Aftermath[]
In Aftermath expansion storyline, 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.
Personality[]
Unlike his brother, in MK9, he was loyal to the Lin Kuei, later he becomes rageful and vengeful his brother's killer Scorpion, later he was kidnapped by Sektor and Cyrax and gets brainwashed by them, when Kabal defeats him and he is at the church, he rembered that he was brainwashed by the Cyber Lin Kuei, after that he defeats Sektor, Kano, Goro, Kintaro, Ermac and Noob.
After that he and the earthrealm heroes (in Chapter 15), defeated all the Cyber Ninjas, later Sindel came in the church and gets killed by her (along the others), when Raiden came to the Netherrealm for Quan Chi's "help", Sub-Zero is an undead villain.
In MKX, he is still Shinnok's servant, alongside Scorpion to attack the special forces, he reappers in Quan Chi's Fortress to attack Raiden, Sonya and Johnny, later he resurects as a hero.
After that he told the truth to Hanzo about his family and clan murderer, Quan Chi, and later he became his friendly rival.
Powers and Abilities[]
Powers[]
Superhuman Strength:
Superhuman Durability:
Superhuman Speed:
Superhuman Agility:
Superhuman Reflexes:
Superhuman Stamina:
Cryokinesis/Ice Magic: Being the descendant of the cryomancers, Sub-Zero possesses power over ice and the ability to control it in many forms. He can flash-freeze people and create an ice statue of himself to act as a scapegoat that can flash-freeze opponents. Sub-Zero can even freeze the moisture in the air into any form, including an icy mist, indicating that he can freeze molecules.
Cryokinetic Constructs: He is able to create many different kinds of ice constructs for offense and defense purposes. Such ice constructs include swords, daggers, hammers, axes, spears, shields, walls, spikes, statues and more.
Former Powers[]
Cyborg Physiology: Cyber Sub-Zero, his skills were greatly enhanced and is apparently the strongest of the Lin Kuei cyborgs, able to fight off both Goro and Kintaro, two of the strongest Shokan, at once. Cyber Sub-Zero retained his cryomancy powers and could form a large sword made of ice, drop ice bombs from his chest, and cover himself in a sheet of ice, causing anyone who hit him to freeze. He had a teleport move where he separated in a flash of light and reformed behind his opponent.
Abilities[]
Master Combatant/Master Martial Artist: He also has great martial arts skills thanks to his training with the Lin Kuei and these skills are increased by the Dragon Medallion and his ancestral armor.
Equipment[]
Dragon Medallion: With the Dragon Medallion, Sub-Zero can form a large sword made of ice called the Kori Blade, which he uses for his alternate weapon fighting style.
Quotes[]
“
This fight will be your last!
„
“
My brother participated in this folly. I do so only to face his killer!
„
~ Sub-Zero, demanding to Shao Kahn that he will face Scorpion.
“
Cybernetic enhancements are no match for the human soul.
„
~ Cyber Sub-Zero after defeating Sektor.
“
You are not so fearsome!
„
~ Cyber Sub-Zero to Ermac also his Battle Cry.
“
Noob Saibot: You. You are not worthy of the name Sub-Zero. Sub-Zero: Who are you to judge? Noob Saibot: I wore those colors before you. Sub-Zero: Bi-Han?! Noob Saibot: Yes, Kuai Liang. It is I. Quan Chi restored me. Sub-Zero: Restored? You and I both. We are just flawed copies of our former selves. Noob Saibot: I have no flaws. Quan Chi has perfected me.
„
~ Sub-Zero to his fallen brother, Bi-Han now Noob Saibot.
“
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.
„
~ Sub-Zero to Scorpion regarding their past.
“
You need weapons to talk?
„
~ Sub-Zero to Cassie Cage
“
Shao Kahn is gone. You are free.
„
~ Sub-Zero to Ermac
“
Only if I must.
„
~ Sub-Zero telling Ferra and Torr he will fight them if he has to
“
Defend yourself!
„
~ Sub-Zero to Goro
“
Must everything be a joke?
„
~ Sub-Zero to Johnny Cage
“
You are not worthy.
„
~ Sub-Zero when Kano wants to join the Lin Kuei
“
A more noble way to live.
„
~ Sub-Zero after Kotal Kahn wonders why he is helping Earthrealm
“
The former champion.
„
~ Sub-Zero to Liu Kang
“
Only to be your slave.
„
~ Sub-Zero after Quan Chi says he restored him
“
There are. Frost chief among them.
„
~ Sub-Zero after Sonya Blade wonders if their are any female Liu Kang
“
If you wish.
„
~ Sub-Zero after Sonya Blade wants to find out if Special Forces or the Lin Kuei are better
“
A serious error in judgment.
„
~ Sub-Zero when Cassie Cage thinks she doesn't need allies to fight Sub-Zero
“
Not corrupted. Freed!
„
~ Sub-Zero after Ermac notices Kuai Liang's soul changed after siding with Earthrealm
“
I will show you mercy.
„
~ Sub-Zero to Ferra & Torr
“
We do not have to be enemies. Only if I must.
„
~ Sub-Zero to Goro
“
At times I regret our alliance.
„
~ Sub-Zero to Johnny Cage
“
We once fought together. Yes a pity.
„
~ Sub-Zero to Kitana
“
You're a formidable warrior. But you lack conversation.
„
~ Sub-Zero to Kitana
“
I have warned against false bravado.
„
~ Sub-Zero to Kung Jin
“
Yes, I believe I am.
„
~ Sub-Zero when Kung Jin wonders if he is ready to throw down
“
Your overconfidence will.
„
~ Sub-Zero after Kung Lao thinks the Lin Kuei master can not stop him
“
You have my respect, Shaolin.
„
~ Sub-Zero to Liu Kang
“
Challenge accepted.
„
~ Sub-Zero after Liu Kang believes he will beat Sub-Zero again
“
Enough, Mileena.
„
~ Sub-Zero to Mileena
“
Desist, unstable one.
„
~ Sub-Zero to Mileena
“
Do not seek to beguile me.
„
~ Sub-Zero to Quan Chi
“
You reject my aid. Earthrealm needs better protection.
„
~ Sub-Zero to Raiden
“
You attack me Thunder God?
„
~ Sub-Zero to Raiden
“
You would risk your race's extinction? You evoke pity, not fear.
„
~ Sub-Zero to Reptile
“
You enslaved me!
„
~ Sub-Zero to Shinnok
“
Yes, a pity.
„
~ When Sub-Zero has to Sonya
“
Impress me.
„
~ Sub-Zero to Takeda
“
You stood together against formidable odds. Lesser warriors would not have fair so well.
„
~ Sub-Zero after saving Cassie, Jacqui, Kung Jin, and Takeda.
“
There is no future in which you are fit to lead the Lin Kuei.
„
~ Sub-Zero to Frost, Mortal Kombat 11.
“
We share blood. We are not brothers.
„
~ Sub-Zero using Noob Saibot's own words against him after defeating him in Mortal Kombat 11.
“
I've taken your head once, Sektor. I will do it again.
„
~ Sub Zero to Sektor before engaging battle in Mortal Kombat 11.
“
Once I gained the Hourglass, my first thought was to re-write history and redeem the Lin Kuei's honor. But then I thought of Bi-Han, his life consumed by evil. Before I could redeem my clan, I had to redeem my brother. With the Hourglass, I wound back in time to our childhood. I studied every second of Bi-Han's life to understand why... Why he embraced Sektor's corruption. Why he reveled in the vile power given to him by Quan Chi. Armed with that knowledge, I re-sculpted the Sands of Time. I changed Bi-Han's life and unfroze his heart. Now we are comrades, not rivals. Together as joint Grandmasters, we lead the Lin Kuei in defense of Earthrealm.
„
~ Sub-Zero's MK11 ending.
Gallery[]
Images[]
Sub-Zero in Mortal Kombat (2011)
Sub-Zero after arriving in Outworld with Smoke
Cyber Sub-Zero
Cyber Sub-Zero facing Noob Saibot
Sub-Zero learning the truth from Raiden
Scorpion and Sub-Zero fighting side by side
Cyber Sub-Zero in his ending
Sub-Zero in Injustice: Gods Among Us
Sub-Zero and the Lin Kuei training and using Dragons in Mortal Kombat X.
Sub-Zero is one of Cassie Cage's online friends.
Sub-Zero in Mortal Kombat 11.
Sub Zero in Injustice 2
Videos[]
Mortal Kombat Sub-Zero Ending Video
SUB ZERO FULL ENDING - Mortal Kombat X (CHARACTER ENDING) Klassic Tower Arcade Ladder Secret Ending
Mortal Kombat 11 - SUB ZERO ENDING
Trivia[]
This was the first version of Sub-Zero to be given a real name.
Cyber Sub-Zero was the result of Raiden seeing a glimpse of the future where Smoke became a cyborg as was part of the original timeline. Because he saved Smoke, Sub-Zero was captured to become a cyborg instead.
There is no actual dialogue in Cyber Sub-Zero's ending, only images with no narration.
Cyber Sub-Zero has the lightest build of all the Lin Kuei cyborgs and also has a unique tint of blue for his blood. This may be some form of anti-coolant or antifreeze so his cyborg components can work with his freezing powers.
The announcer does not say the "Cyber" part of Cyber Sub-Zero's name similar to how Smoke in Cyber form is still refer to as Smoke.
In a dialogue between Sub-Zero and Noob Saibot in MK11, their grandfather is revealed to be the first Sub-Zero.
According to a dialogue between him and Sindel, the ancestors of Sub-Zero came from a part of Edenia named Arctika which is an obvious pun over real life place Arctic.
