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Hero Overview

This fight will be your last!
~ Sub-Zero's battle Cry in Mortal Kombat (2011).


Kuai Liang, better known as Sub-Zero, is one of the main protagonists of the Mortal Kombat franchise. He is the current Grandmaster of the Lin Kuei and the friendly rival of Hanzo Hashashi, also known as Scorpion.

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.

Portrayals[]

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.

History[]

First timeline[]

Backstory[]

Kuai Liang and his older brother were the sons of a Lin Kuei agent and an American woman, and would be taken by their father to be raised as Lin Kuei. They were descended from Cryomancers, and thus were able to use the abilities of control over ice. Among the Lin Kuei, Sub-Zero befriended fellow assassin Smoke. Shortly before the first tournament, Bi Han shared his adventure in Mythologies to his younger brother.

Mortal Kombat II[]

After his brother was killed during the first tournament while attempting to assassinate Shang Tsung, his brother took on the Sub-Zero mantle, and along with Smoke took up his fallen brother's goal. He met Liu Kang and Kung Lao at the ruined Shaolin temple, and joined the monks in confronting the Outworld invaders at Johnny Cage's set. After Raiden agreed to have a tournament in Outworld, he agreed to compete on Earthrealm's side. Sub-Zero would aid the others against Shao Kahn's champions, and unlike his more ruthless brother, actually spared opponents. At one point, he attacked Shang Tsung, but was stopped by his bodyguard Reptile. Much to his surprise, he was saved by none other than Scorpion, whom had taken a vow of protecting him as penance for killing Bi-Han.

Mortal Kombat 3/Trilogy[]

Sub-Zero and Smoke returned to the Lin Kuei, and were horrified to find that the Grandmaster had undergone a plan to turn the Lin Kuei into cyborgs. He managed to escape the Lin Kuei, being scarred in the process, but Smoke was captured and converted. While on the run, Shao Kahn launched an invasion of Earthrealm, with his soul being spared due to being one of Raiden's chosen warriors. Sub-Zero joined the fight against Shao's forces, including the Cyber Lin Kuei, and found himself confronting the Cyberised Smoke. He managed to remind Smoke of his humanity, and his old friend rejoined him. Together they fought off Sektor and Cyrax, and Sub-Zero managed to reprogram Cyrax to hunt down the Emperor. He may have also first encountered the shadowy warrior Noob Saibot at this time. In the end, the invasion was defeated, but Smoke and Cyrax were lost, and Sub-Zero vowed that he would defend Earthrealm if needed.

Mortal Kombat 4[]

At some point, Sub-Zero wished to make amends with the elemental Gods whom his brother had fought within the Temple of the Elements, but found the Temple was empty, and saw a falling star, and followed it. There, he reunited with his fellow Earthrealm Defenders, and found that Shinnok had begun his invasion of the Realms. Sub-Zero and the others vowed to put an end to his Army of Darkness. During the battle in Edenia, Sub-Zero battled Cyrax and Sektor, who attempted to complete their mission. Sub-Zero found that Scorpion had turned against him, having been convinced that it was him who killed his family. In a confrontation, Scorpion defeated him, but Sub-Zero pleaded his innocence, and Quan Chi was discovered to be the true culprit, and Scorpion dragged the demon to the Netherrealm.

Rebuilding the Lin Kuei[]

In the years that followed, Sub-Zero elected to free the Lin Kuei from the Cyber Initiative, and found that Sektor had taken command of the clan. Sub-Zero battled his old enemy in a duel for leadership, which he won, and he subsequently gained the Dragon Medallion that enhanced his Cryomancy to new levels. With Sektor having fled, Sub-Zero began to rebuild the Lin Kuei, holding a tournament for new recruits. He tutored his new students in both fighting ability and making the clan a force for good. He would take on the victor as an apprentice in the form of Frost, a woman also had Cyromancy, with him hoping to tone down her arrogance. At some point, he also encountered the rogue demon Sareena, and gave her sanctuary among the Lin Kuei.

Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance[]

Sub-Zero would discover from Raiden the rise of the Deadly Alliance of Shang Tsung and Quan Chi. He agreed to aid his fellow warriors, in part to prove that the Li Kuei had changed their ways, and to gain his recruits respect. Sub-Zero would take Frost with him and together with his allies, headed to Outworld. During the adventure, Frost turned on him and stole the Dragon Medallion to take over the Lin Kuei. However, she would be unable to control it's power, and she was seemingly killed by being consumed by her Cryomancy. Pitying his treacherous student, feeling that he had failed her, Sub-Zero sought somewhere to bury her. In his ending, Sub-Zero was able to defeat the Deadly Alliance, and returned with Frost to his Temple. Raiden would later thank him for his assistance, knowing that Earthrealm's defence was in good hands.

Mortal Kombat: Deception[]

In the canon version of events, Sub-Zero was unaware that Frost's betrayal meant that he was one of the few Earthrealm warriors not killed by the Deadly Alliance. In Outworld he discovered ancient ruins which were the remnants of a holy structure belonging to a lost race of Crymoncers, with Sub-Zero inferring that he and Frost were descendants of the extinct race. After burying her there, he donned his ancestor's armour, headed to rejoin the fight. However, he was beset by an army of Tarkatans, and he was nearly overwhelmed, but Sub-Zero was magically guided by his armour and was able to take out many of the beasts. A dying Tarkatan referred to the "Dragon King", altering him to a new threat to the Realms. Sub-Zero would find and help heal Kenshi Takahashi, and Kenshi told him of the threat of Onaga. Sub-Zero and Kenshi tavelled across Outworld at night, but were ambushed by Hotaru, an order obsessed warrior who had joined the Dragon King. While Sub-Zero was nearly blinded by Hotaru's flash of light, Kenshi managed to save him. Together, they joined with the remaining warriors and Shujinko, and aided them in defeating Onaga.

However, Sub-Zero would face a far more personal threat in the form of Noob Saibot and his long lost friend Smoke, who was under the spectre's control. Confronting them in the Netherrealm, he discovered that Noob was the reborn version of his long dead brother, and was captured by Smoke. As revealed in Armageddon, he was saved by Sareena, but due to the Netherrealm's influence she reverted to her demonic form, and Sub-Zero mistakenly fought her. Returning to the Lin Kuei, he found that Frost had also returned, having killed many in a delusional fit. He faced her, and had to freeze her within the Temple, until a cure could be found. He also had to prepare for an inevitable confrontation with his corrupted brother.

Mortal Kombat: Armageddon[]

Some time later, Sub-Zero found that the Temple had been infiltrated by a man, whom had awoken Frost. He confronted the trespasser, Taven, and after battling each other, Sub-Zero noticed that his tattoo resembled the ancient dragon image in the Temple. Taven revealed he had come to the temple as part of a quest, and found a suit of armour left by his mother long ago. Hpwever, the Lin Keui would be invaded by Noob Saibot and Smoke, who began converting his students into Shadow Assassins, and Sub-Zero implored the half god to aid him against them. After Taven aided him against them, Sub-Zero elatorated on the history between himself and Noob, hoping that he could find a way of restoring his long lost brother. In return for his help, he told Taven that the Red Dragon clan were the ones who were hunting him, and gave him the location of their stronghold. Sub-Zero was able to restore Smoke's humanity, allowing the two old friends to be truly reunited, but Noob Sabot seems to have rejected the process.

Sub-Zero, Smoke and Sareena joined the Forces of Light during the battle of Armageddon to prevent the Forces of Darkness gaining the power of Blaze. Sub-Zero found himself battling his old rival Scorpion, as well as Hotaru. While climbing on the pyramid, Sub-Zero, along with Stryker, Tanya, Kobra, Dairou and Kano, was blasted by Shang Tsung. In his ending, Sub-Zero became a god of Ice after defeating Blaze, but because he had inadvertently done so without the Elder Gods permission, he would be hunted by their champions. As revealed in Mortal Kombat 9's prologue, Sub-Zero was forced to finally kill the unfettered Scorpion, stabbing him with his Kori Blade, and would be killed by being stabbed by Baraka.

Second timeline[]

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.

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.

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.

New Era[]

Main article: Scorpion (3rd Timeline)

Mortal Kombat: Onslaught[]

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 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.

External Links[]

Navigations[]

            Heroes

First Timeline
Bi-Han | Ermac | Jade | Jax Briggs | Johnny Cage | Kabal | Kenshi Takahashi | Kitana | Kung Lao | Liu Kang | Raiden | Scorpion | Shujinko | Smoke | Sonya Blade | Sub-Zero | Taven | Stryker
Second Timeline
Cassie Cage | Jacqui Briggs | Jade | Jax Briggs | Kabal | Kenshi Takahashi | Kitana | Kotal Kahn | Kung Jin | Kung Lao | Liu Kang | Raiden | Johnny Cage | Scorpion | Smoke | Sonya Blade | Stryker | Sub-Zero | Takeda Takahashi
Third Timeline
Ashrah | Ermac | Johnny Cage | Kenshi Takahashi | Kitana | Kung Lao | Li Mei | Liu Kang | Mileena | Raiden | Scorpion | Smoke | Sub-Zero | Baraka | Geras | Reptile | Hanzo Hasashi

Main Heroes
Jade | Jax Briggs | Johnny Cage | Kitana | Kuai Liang | Kung Lao | Liu Kang | Raiden | Scorpion | Sonya Blade | Taven

Secondary Heroes
Bo' Rai Cho | Cyrax (New Era, Union of Light) | Fujin | Kenshi Takahashi | Kurtis Stryker | Nightwolf | Sindel | Smoke |

Other Heroes
Ashrah | Blaze | Dairou | Ermac | Erron Black | Ferra & Torr | Hotaru | Janet Cage | Kabal | Kai | Khameleon | Li Mei | Meat | Mokap | Nitara | Reptile | Sareena | Sheeva | Light Shao | Light Sub-Zero (Kuai Liang) | Tanya (Union of Light, Empress Tanya) | Rain (Union of Light, Emperor Rain)

Non-Playable Heroes
Argus | Art Lean | King Jerrod | Great Kung Lao | Siro | Taja | Liu Chan | Light Shang Tsung | Light Quan Chi | Light Reptile | Scorpion II

Good Races
Edenians | Elder Gods

Good Organizations
Edenian Resistance | Lin Kuei | Shirai Ryu | Special Forces | White Lotus Society | Forces of Light

Non-MK/Guest Star Heroes
Batman | Captain Marvel | Catwoman | Conan the Barbarian | Flash | Green Lantern | John Rambo | Kratos | Omni-Man | Peacemaker | RoboCop | Spawn | Superman | Terminator | Wonder Woman

Movies
Mortal Kombat: The Journey Begins: Johnny Cage | Liu Kang | Raiden | Scorpion | Sub-Zero | Sonya Blade
Mortal Kombat (1995): Johnny Cage | Liu Kang | Raiden | Sonya Blade | Sub-Zero | Jax Briggs | Kitana
Mortal Kombat: Annihilation: Johnny Cage | Liu Kang | Sub-Zero | Raiden | Sonya Blade | Jax Briggs | Kitana | Nightwolf | Sindel |Sonya Blade | Jax Briggs
Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion's Revenge: Scorpion | Liu Kang | Raiden | Johnny Cage | Sonya Blade | Kitana | Jax Briggs | Reptile | Nitara
Mortal Kombat (2021): Cole Young | Scorpion | Liu Kang | Raiden | Jax Briggs | Sonya Blade | Kung Lao | Johnny Cage
Mortal Kombat Legends: Battle of the Realms: Scorpion | Sub-Zero | Liu Kang | Kung Lao | Raiden | Johnny Cage | Sonya Blade | Kitana | Jax Briggs | Kurtis Stryker | Smoke | Jade | Li Mei
Mortal Kombat Legends: Snow Blind: Kenshi Takahashi | Sub-Zero | Scorpion
Mortal Kombat Legends: Cage Match: Johnny Cage | Ashrah | Chuck Golden

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