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This Sub-Zero is a stoic and enigmatic warrior, but an honorable one. He took up the mantle after his brother's death and fought against the Forces of Darkness, not least corrupted Lin Kuei such as Sektor, Frost and his brother, Noob Saibot. In the New Era, he has pyrokinetic abilities, and instead taken on the title of Scorpion.
Sub-Zero was physically portrayed by Daniel Pesina in Mortal Kombat II, and John Turk in Mortal Kombat 3/Trilogy. In the live action movie MK: Annihilation he was played by Keith Cooke, and in the Defenders of the Realm cartoon was voiced by the late Luke Perry. He was voiced by co-creator John Tobias in Mortal Kombat 4/Gold, and by Rom Barkhordar in Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks and Armageddon.
Jim Lee voiced Sub-Zero in MK vs DC Universe and Mortal Kombat (2011). In Mortal Kombat X to 11, Sub-Zero was voiced by prolific voice actor Steve Blum. In Mortal Kombat 1, he is voiced by Daisuke Tsuji, who also voiced Jin Sakai from Ghost of Tsushima.
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 a 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. 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. 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.
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 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.
Personality[]
Sub-Zero is extraordinarily resistant to fear which together with his ice powers have given him the artist name Sub-Zero. He had the guts to quit his ninja clan, which marked him for death, and has even gone public about his criminal past (no Dark Secret).
Apparently he is driven only by his own motivations with no fear of any outside interference. Being a ninja he is cautious, quiet, and sure not to draw too much attention on himself. While showing the world that he's one of the good guys he, at the same time, takes care not to make himself an easy target for his clan enemies. For other individuals he appears to be a person of great bravery and self-knowledge. His stronger moral principles led to him and his corrupted brother to disown the other.
Being a former ninja he still does what he then did best; he kills his opponents having no qualms about it. That being said, he does not kill without reason. Also being hunted constantly has put his senses into a state of constant alertness but being cool about it he wouldn't appear paranoid about it.
Powers and Abilities[]
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.
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. 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. Sub-Zero can even freeze the moisture in the air into any form, including an icy mist, indicating that he can freeze molecules.
In his ending in Deception, his Cryomancer armor was shown to speak to him and guide him in battle. As 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.
As Scorpion, Kuai Liang seems to have similar powers to Hanzo Hasashi, being able to summon fire, teleport and uses a rope spear as a main weapon.
Powers[]
Superhuman Strength: Kuai Liang is extremely strong that he is able to rip out someone's spine with their head still attached which is impossible for a human being to do. As Sub-Zero he was able to shatter a frozen building with just one punch and even lift up an opponent after freezing them and as Cyber Sub-Zero, he has defeated both Goro and Kintaro. As Scorpion he had defeated General Shao.
Superhuman Speed: During his time in the Lin Kuei, he has been receiving excellent training in order to become one of the fastest ninjas in the Mortal Kombat series.
Superhuman Agility
Superhuman Reflexes
Superhuman Stamina: Kuai Liang's stamina is extremely high that he has barley shown much exhaustion when fighting a large number of opponents. In MK11, he had kept on fighting in the final battle against the Netherealm army on Kronika's Isle and in MK1, he had fought for a while against General Shao, Shang Tsung, Bi-Han, and Shao's army. He didn't show any exhaustion after fending off them for a while.
Superhuman Durability: Kuai Liang received powerful blows from Jacqui's gauntlets and didn't receive any physical injury.
Superhuman Endurance
Superhuman Senses: He can sense Kung Jin running to attack him after recovering from Jacqui's punches. In MK11, he could sense Hanzo creeping up on him.
Chi Manipulation: He is one of the few combatants who can manipulate chi, the life energy of a martial artist. By channeling his chi, Kuai Liang 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.
As Sub-Zero:
Cryokinesis: Being descended from a race of Outworld inhabitants known as Cryomancers, Kuai Liang has the magical 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.
Teleportation: 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.
Weapon Creation: 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.
Weather Control:
As Cyber Sub-Zero:
Cybernetic Enhancement: 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.
Enhanced Strength
Enhanced Speed
Flight
Enhanced Durability
Enhanced Endurance
As Scorpion:
Pyrokinesis: As Scorpion of the New Era, no longer a Cryomancer, Kuai Liang is now a Pyromancer manipulating magic-based fire.
Abilites[]
Master Martial Artist: Kuai Liang has proven to be one of the best martial artists in Mortal Kombat. He has beaten the likes of Cyrax, Ermac, Reptile, Hanzo Hasashi, the Kombat Kids, Frost, Noob, and Sektor as Sub-Zero. In MKvsDC, he bested Raiden and DC Characters like Deathstroke and Batman. As Scorpion, he bested General Shao, Shang Tsung, Rain, Quan Chi, Havik, Darrius, and his older brother, Bi-Han (Sub-Zaro).
Shotokan Karate (as Sub-Zero)
Dragon Kung Fu (as Sub-Zero)
Ninjutsu (as Scorpion)
Hapkido (as Scorpion)
Pi Gua (as Scorpion)
Master Acrobat: As a ninja, Kuai Liang's acrobatic skills are immense. He can leap large differences and can do flips when doing that.
Weaponry
Quotes[]
“
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...
„
~ Sub-Zero to Scorpion, Mortal Kombat 4.
“
The Dragon Medallion having amplified the godlike power granted him by this victory over Blaze, Sub-Zero was no longer a mere warrior, but an ice god. He was, however, a false god. He became a deity without the consent of the Elder Gods, who sent their champions to hunt him down and destroy him.
„
~ Sub-Zero's Mortal Kombat Armageddon ending
“
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.
“
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 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.
“
I will emerge victorious!
„
~ Scorpion in Mortal Kombat 1
“
We may not share blood, but we are brothers.
„
~ Scorpion to Smoke, Mortal Kombat 1.
Trivia[]
In an Malcolm in the Middle episode, Resse mentioned that no one believed he beat the secret level of Mortal Kombat and Hal responded by saying, "No one beats Sub-Zero".
Sub-Zero was inspired by Glacier, a professional wrestling character in World Championship Wrestling.
The name of his weapon, the Kori Blade, comes from the Japanese word for ice.
Sub-Zero has appeared in every Mortal Kombat fighting game to date in one incarnation or another, the same as his brother.
His brother's name was originally going to be Tundra, which was given to him until his brother's death.
Sub-Zero is the only character in Mortal Kombat's original timeline to show signs of natural aging unlike in the new timeline.
His primary costume in Deception resembled Shredder from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
In Mortal Kombat Shaolin Monks VS. Mode, when a player picks Sub-Zero's second costume, he resembles Noob Saibot, the undead corrupted form of his older brother and previous bearer of the Sub-Zero moniker Bi-Han.
In the Mortal Kombat Conquest TV series, Sub-Zero had a sister named Lisa but this is the only universe where he had a sibling aside from Noob Saibot, though Noob's bio in Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero mentions he and Kuai Liang have an unnamed sister.
In the intro to Mortal Kombat Armageddon, Sub-Zero is seen clashing blades with Scorpion then being blasted off the pyramid along with several other character by Shang Tsung's fireball attack.
Sub-Zero was voted number 2 on Screwattack's list of Top 10 Mortal Kombat Kharacters, just losing the top spot to Scorpion.
Before Midway went bankrupt back in 2010, Sub-Zero appeared as a guest character for NBA Jam: Tournament Edition in addition to The Grid (Midway's last arcade game).
Kuai Liang has been theorized to be the Scorpion of the New Era, as seen in Mortal Kombat 1. This is due to Scorpion being a Lin Kuei member and the twin brother of Bi-Han, his calmer and more respectful personality, and his friendship with Smoke, all of which are traits of Kuai Liang rather than Hanzo Hashashi. It has been confirmed by Dominic Cianciolo.
He wasn't the first character to be given the name Sub-Zero. In the 1987 film The Runnigman, starring ArnoldSchwarzenegger, there is an ice hockey player who goes by the name Sub-Zero, played by the late actor Professor Toru Tanaka.
Heroes