General Shao

Wrath Hammer (*MK3*, *UMK3*, *MKT*, *MK:SM*, *MK:D*, *MK:U*, *MK:A*, *MK 2011*, *MK Mobile*, *MK11*, *MK1*)
Staff (*MKII*, *UMK3*, *MKT*, *MK:SM*)
 Double-Sided Bearded Axe (*MK1*)
Sword (*MK: Conquest*)

### Fighting Styles

Tai Tzu (*MK:D*, *MK:U*, *MK:A*, *MKvsDCU*, *MK1*)
Lui He (*MK:D*, *MK:U*, *MKvsDCU*, *MK 2011*, *MK1*)
Pankration (*MK 2011*, *MK11*, *MK1*)

### Games

*Mortal Kombat II* (boss)
*Mortal Kombat 3* (boss)
*Ultimate Mortal Kombat* (boss)
*Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3* (boss)
*Mortal Kombat Trilogy* (boss
 and playable)
*Mortal Kombat Advance* (boss)
*MK: Deadly Alliance* (cameo)
*MK: Deception* (GameCube
exclusive)
*MK: Unchained*
*MK: Shaolin Monks* (boss)
*MK: Armageddon* (sub-boss)
*MK vs DC Universe* (boss
 and playable)
*Mortal Kombat (2011)* (boss)
*Mortal Kombat X* (cameo)
*Mortal Kombat X (Comic Series)*
*Mortal Kombat Mobile*
*Mortal Kombat 11* (DLC)
*Mortal Kombat: Onslaught*
*Mortal Kombat 1*

### Portrayers

Brian Glynn (*MKII*, *MK3*,
*UMK3*, *MKT*, *MKAdvance*)
Steve Ritchie (voice) (*MKII*, *MK3*, *UMK3*, *MKT*, *Shaolin Monks*)
 Frank Welker (voice) (first movie)
 Brian Thompson (second movie)
 John Vernon and
 Michael Des Barres/Ramon Campos (Brazilian version) (DotR)
 Jeffrey Meek (*MK Conquest*)
 Aleks Paunovic (*MKL*)
 Nigel Casey (*MK:A*)
 Patrick Seitz (*MKvsDCU)*
 Bob Carter (*MK 2011*, *MK Mobile*)
 Ike Amadi (*MK Mobile*, *MK11*, *MK1*)
 Stephan Scalabrino (*MK11*) (model)
Fred Tatasciore (*MKL:SR*, *MKL:BOTR*)
 Martyn Ford (*Mortal Kombat 2 (film)*)

**Shao** (Japanese: シャオ), also known as **General Shao** but more commonly known as **Shao Kahn**, is a character in the *Mortal Kombat* fighting game series. A powerful tyrant of the Outworld throne, he is one of the most celebrated villains in not only the fighting game genre, but the video game genre as a whole. He serves as the main antagonist of the franchise.

Shao Kahn made his debut in *Mortal Kombat II* as the final boss and the main antagonist, a role he also served in *Mortal Kombat 3* and in later games. He later returned as the non-playable final boss in *Mortal Kombat (2011)*, serving as the main antagonist of the game's Story Mode. He appears in *Mortal Kombat 11* as a pre-order bonus character and secondary antagonist in the game's Story Mode and the *Aftermath* expansion.

A new version of Shao Kahn returns in *Mortal Kombat 1* as a playable character, serving as the tertiary antagonist in the game's Story Mode.

## About Shao Kahn

**Shao Kahn the Konqueror** is the former Emperor of Outworld, and has served as the main antagonist for most of the series. In many respects, he resembles a large Asian warrior, and is well known for his God-like strength which rivals, if not outright exceeds, that of Raiden and other Godly characters. He is also known for his extreme callousness, brutality, and ferocity in battle, as well as his fondness for personal executions, although he has occasionally spared the lives of his subordinates after proving their worth to him. He has also spared the lives of other victims such as Sindel and Kitana, raising the latter like his own daughter and treating the former like his own wife. However, his true power that has served him well and allowed him to rise above the image of a mere warlord is his high intelligence and profound knowledge of the black arts. Like his subordinate Shang Tsung, he has the power to consume and manipulate souls at a much more efficient rate than Shang Tsung. His knowledge of dark arts have made him a powerful and dangerous kombatant, along with producing some of Outworld's most deadly adversaries, such as Ermac and Skarlet. It is revealed in *Mortal Kombat: Deception* that Shao Kahn was an advisor to Outworld as Raiden was to Earthrealm, which would suggest the possibility of him being a God, as well as being the former protector of Outworld during Onaga's rule. He would later defeat Blaze in the original timeline, ascend to God-hood with Blaze's powers, kills Raiden and wins the original Armageddon as the remaining kombatant in the original timeline.

Perhaps Shao Kahn’s greatest strength lies in his ability to work towards his goals with great tenacity and his ability to organize. However, his greatest weakness is his arrogance and overconfidence. Shao Kahn has often underestimated mankind, and therefore tried to conquer Earthrealm many times, with or without a consort, to no success. He also possesses a blinding lust for conquest that can sometimes overwhelm his better judgment, allowing him to be manipulated by those that are cunning enough to exploit this weakness. This arrogance and naïveté also allowed for his downfall by his allies on many occasions, such as being betrayed by his allies in the original timeline leading up to Armageddon. In the alternate timeline, he was killed by the Elder Gods for his invasion of Earth and violating the rules of Mortal Kombat, allowing for the Netherrealm invasion of Earthrealm being headed by Quan Chi and Shinnok, the former assisting his attempted conquest of Earthrealm as a ploy to invade Earth and Outworld himself with the forces of the Netherrealm with both realms being weakened by Shao Kahn's invasion. His past self is later brought to the present in the alternate timeline, where he is betrayed by Shang Tsung after the sorcerer becomes the Keeper of Time, using Shao Kahn and his forces to storm Kronika's Keep, only for the sorcerer to attack, defeat and absorb Shao Kahn and Sindel's souls after seizing the Hourglass and taking control of it for himself. In the new timeline, he is easily persuaded by Shang Tsung after the sorcerer is unknowingly deceived by his alternate counterpart in seizing the Outworld throne, later becoming imprisoned for his treachery.

Through his tyrannical rule of Outworld, Shao Kahn has made many enemies, but also many allies throughout the series. The sorcerer Shang Tsung is often seen as his subordinate, serving him for over a millennia. Through his knowledge of sorcery and soul magic, he is the creator of the construct Ermac. After believing his adopted daughter Kitana to be inferior, Shang Tsung would create the genetic hybrid Mileena for the Emperor, who viewed her as his "true" daughter over Kitana. He later takes in the Outworld peasant Skarlet, empowers her with Blood Magik and adopting her as his own daughter as he did Mileena. Throughout his tyrannical leadership, Shao Kahn has often allied with other species in Outworld for his conquests, such as the Tarkata and Shokan, however as growing civil wars grew within Outworld following his first death in the alternate timeline, these allegiances would slowly dissolve, most notably during Kotal Kahn’s reign as Emperor of Outworld. After regaining the Outworld throne briefly, these alliances would not last long, with the Shokan refusing to side with the Emperor and the Tarkata finding peace with Kotal Kahn and Kitana to unite the very divided Outworld.

Shao Kahn is the archnemesis to that of the Thunder God Raiden, often being considered his counterpart in their roles in their respective realms. His power and determination have allowed him to exceed Raiden in power on multiple occasions. Due to this rivalry and his desire to conquer Earthrealm, he has also gained enemies from the likes of Liu Kang and Kung Lao, as well as the Special Forces. Additionally, due to his alliance with the Cyber Lin Kuei and Sektor, he has gained animosity from that of Kuai Liang, the second Sub-Zero and Grandmaster of the Lin Kuei in the alternate timeline.

In the new timeline, Shao Kahn is now referred to as **General Shao**, a renowned soldier in the Outworld army. His backstory in this timeline is expanded upon, with him being physically improved from being a weak child at birth into a conquering warrior bent on conquest and war by his unnamed father. His skills and tactical brilliance allowed him to lead Outworld into many victories and conquests, establishing himself as Outworld's top general. Shao's desire for conquest however incites a growing animosity with Sindel, Outworld's Empress, as he does not abide himself to Sindel's rule, but what he sees as better for Outworld itself. After his attempt to usurp the Outworld throne, he is imprisoned but later escapes, amassing an army to take Outworld from Mileena's benevolent rule.

## Appearance

Shao Kahn is one of the few non-ninja characters whose appearance has stayed consistent throughout the years. He is easily recognizable by his intimidating stature; his apparent height varies between appearances, but he is always significantly taller than regular characters. He is almost never seen without his trademark warlord helmet which features a skull-like design with a long crest at the forehead. His attire usually consists of spiked shoulder pads, similarly designed knee pads and gauntlets, and a skull medallion embedded in two straps that intersect across his chest. When his helmet is removed, he appears to be bald with a slightly demonic face featuring red eyes and small spikes protruding from his head.

In *Mortal Kombat 11*, while still maintaining the key aspects of his overall appearance, subtle changes were made to differ him from a common Outworlder that his previous iterations exhibited. Shao Kahn now features a more draconic appearance, referencing his former connections with his master Onaga. This is also referenced in the Arcade, with other characters stating he now wields Onaga's power. A full body picture of Shao Kahn without his armor shows dragon-like scales across his arms and legs, along with dragon-like spikes protruding from the back of his head. He also shares the same irises as Sheeva, due to the Shokan being half-dragons. His left arm is now littered with a cluster of large spikes, and his left hand now having large claws protruding from each finger that not only cover his finger tips, but protrude across each of his fingers entirely.

In *Mortal Kombat 1*, Shao Kahn retains many of his features from *MK11* with the addition of large black horns protruding from his head. His facial structure has also been redesigned to look slightly more human with a smaller nose, the absence of smaller cranial horns and the addition of eyebrows. Due to his new horns, his helmet has been redesigned to resemble a steel face guard though carrying the same skull theme.

## Combat Characteristics

### Powers and Abilities

Shao Kahn is shown to be an immensely powerful being throughout the series. He is able to utilize magic and has superhuman strength, durability, and stamina, as well as longevity. He is also able to charge at the opponent with considerable speed and power. His kombat abilities were demonstrated during the events of *Mortal Kombat 3*, where he defeated Kung Lao with relative ease. Armed with his Wrath Hammer, Shao Kahn can send opponents flying with one swing. During the events of *Armageddon*, he was able to smash through Mileena's magic barrier with his hammer.

Like Shang Tsung, he can absorb the souls of others to increase his own power, often through the usage of Soulnados. His ability to absorb souls is so potent, he can rob the billions of souls of an entire realm with a hand motion, often using portals in conjunction with his soul steal to access the souls of a realm without stepping foot on it. The warrior souls he has taken have also retained their memories such as combat knowledge, making him wiser with every soul he imprisons within him.

Shao Kahn is one of the few wielders of the mysterious green energy besides Johnny Cage, Cassie Cage, Nightwolf and Jade. He is one of the most versatile wielders of green energy, as he can use it to create energy weapon constructs such as spears, generate protective forcefields that reflect projectiles and fire energy beams seemingly from his eyes and shoot laser beams from his hands. He can enhance his strikes with green energy to increase the power behind his attacks, greatly increase his attack speed with it (like how Johnny Cage uses green energy to speed up his attacks in his Little Improve fatality) and sometimes use it to propel himself to great distances.

Apart from his projectile attacks, Kahn's knowledge of magic seems to include cloning, as this is how he managed to avoid assassination at the hands of the Deadly Alliance. After escaping into the wilderness, he was able to heal and resuscitate a mortally wounded Goro and recruit him back to his cause. Shao Kahn has also created a body of flesh and bone for Shang Tsung using his magic when the evil sorcerer's original body was vaporized by Raiden's suicide attack in the events of *Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance.* He is capable of resurrecting others as well, he demonstrated this ability in the events of *Mortal Kombat Trilogy* where he brings Mileena back to life after she was killed by Kitana.

His powers extend to wielding psychic powers, as he was able to enslave the thousands of souls within the magical being Ermac using his powerful mind control and is capable of using telekinesis to lift and rag doll opponents.

It is revealed in *Mortal Kombat 11* in an interaction between Scorpion and Skarlet that Shao Kahn has knowledge in other fields of magic as well, as he was the one who taught Skarlet how to use Blood Magik.

In *Mortal Kombat 1*, Shao's bio reveals that he had been born a sickly child but due to an extreme program enacted by his father, he was raised to be a skilled warrior, overcoming his physical condition to become Outworld's strongest champion. Instead of a war hammer, he now wields an ornate battle axe to cleave and smash through his opponents and is capable of telekinetically controlling it. Unlike his previous counterparts, Shao seemingly lacks any magical aptitude.

### Signature Moves

* **Light Spear:** Shao Kahn crouches down to his knees and throws a long light spear at his opponent. In *MK11*, the attack is called **Merciless Spear**, and now has a physical appearance rather than being made of light and energy, however it is still summoned as such. The attack has an increased hitbox unlike most projectiles, allowing it to hit ducking opponents, however there is a chance for it to miss this way and can even miss on standing opponents if they are too close. If Shao Kahn is hit right as he spears the opponent, there is a chance the opponent will be affected by hitstun, allowing Shao Kahn to attack the opponent as if they were stunned by the attack. (*MKII*, *MK 2011*, *MK11*)
	+ In *MK 2011*, the attack has armor on startup.
* **Charging Spikes:** Shao Kahn shoulder rams his opponent with a shadow trail following behind him. In *MKII*, *MK3*, and *UMK3*, **Charging Spikes** had white trailing shadows and in *Trilogy* was replaced to green, however in N64 version, the shadows were blue. In *MK11*, the attack is called **Shoulder Charger** which knocks the opponent away from Shao Kahn if it successful hits.(*MKII*, *MK3*, *UMK3*, *MKT*, *MK:D*, *MK:U*, *MK:SM*, *MK:A*, *MKvsDCU*, *MK 2011, MK11*)
	+ In *MK 2011*, the attack has armor on startup.
	+ In *MK11*, Shao Kahn can amplify the attack to deliver an additional strike for increased damage. When amplified, the attack can deliver two separate attacks depending on a button input and can be amplified as many times as possible. Additionally, Shao Kahn can delay when amplifying the attack, however the attack cannot be amplified if it is blocked by the opponent and can only be delayed if it successfully lands.
		- Shao Kahn uppercuts the opponent into the air for increased damage and a juggle effect.
		- Shao Kahn delivers an overhead fist slam covered in green energy, knocking his opponent to the ground. This version deals more damage than the juggle effect and has Shao Kahn recover much faster than the opponent. This attack has armor breaking properties, ignoring the armor granted by specific abilities and **Fatal Blows**. When breaking the armor of a Break Away, the attack will deal very little extra damage, however the opponent will bounce off the ground for a juggle rather than being knocked down. This juggle effect does more damage than the uppercut version.
* **Wrath Hammer Attack:** Shao Kahn summons his Wrath Hammer and smashes his opponent over the head with it, setting them up for a free hit. In *Deception* and on, the Wrath Hammer became a weapon style and thus was no longer needed as an individual special move. In *MK11*, the attack is called **Hammer Lunge** and has Shao Kahn leap into the air when bringing his hammer down. Additionally, the attack can be used at different ranges, called **Close/Far Hammer Lunge**, respectively. The far version of **Hammer Lunge** can reach the opponent full-screen distance. Additionally in *MK11*, successfully landing the attack bounces the opponent off the ground for a juggle. Shao Kahn is completely vulnerable as he leaps with his hammer, leaving him open to attack in some instances. When leaping, Shao Kahn is also capable of dodging incoming projectiles when timed correctly. (*MK3*, *UMK3*, *MKT*, *MKvsDCU*, *MK 2011, MK11*)
	+ In *MK 2011*, the attack has armor on startup.
	+ In *MK11*, amplifying the attack has Shao Kahn impale the opponent in the stomach with his spear immediately after slamming them then tossing them in the air and away for increased damage. Shao Kahn is much more safe if this version is blocked by the opponent. Additionally, the attack creates considerable pushback. The amplified version of this attack is capable of being Flawless Blocked, leaving Shao Kahn vulnerable to Flawless Block Attacks.
* **Explosive Ball:** Shao Kahn fires a green star like fireball, seemingly from his mouth or eyes. In *Deception* and *Armageddon* this is called **Explosive Blast**. (*MK3*, *UMK3*, *MKT*, *MK:D*, *MK:U*, *MK:SM*, *MK:A*, *MKvsDCU*)
* **Uplifting Knee:** Shao Kahn performs a rising knee attack with a streak following behind him. Between two games, **Uplifting Knee** had white shadows, but in Trilogy they were replaced by green. In the N64 version however, they were blue. (*MK3*, *UMK3*, *MKT*, *MK:D*, *MK:U*, *MK:SM*, *MK:A*, *MK 2011*)
* **Hammer Dance:** Shao Kahn swings his hammer at an alarming rate, causing his foe to fly. He makes nine dancing strikes and one final strike. (*MK:SM*)
* **Ridicule:** Shao Kahn taunts, mocks, and ridicules his opponents with insults, mockery, or just plain laughter. It is a trademark of Shao Kahn's and is what makes him one of the more memorable bosses in fighting game history. In *Deception*, performing a Ridicule could heal Shao Kahn, though only a tiny sliver of health would be recovered and could only be performed three times a match before it was automatically disabled. Same goes for *Armageddon*; however, in it there is no limit to the amount of times this is used. It heals him once for a rate above 10%, and decreases the more it is used. (*MKII*, *MK3*, *UMK3*, *MKT*, *MK:D*, *MK:U*, *MK:SM*, *MK:A*, *MK 2011, MK11 - Equip Ability*)
	+ In *MK11*, the attack has two versions with different effects. Additionally, both effects can be active at the same time;
		- **Ridicule:** Shao Kahn points at and taunts his opponent.
			* Successfully performing this version causes the opponent to catch fire with a green flame for a short time, reducing all the damage they deal by 50% for the duration. Only the first strike or initial strikes of the opponent's **Fatal Blow** will be reduced. If Shao Kahn is attacked before the opponent catches fire, the debuff will not take effect. Connecting or being struck by a **Krushing Blow** or **Fatal Blow** ends this effect prematurely.
		- **Humiliate:** Shao Kahn laughs at his opponent.
			* Successfully performing this version causes the opponent to catch fire with a green flame for a short time, only this time, Shao Kahn's damage dealt is increased by 25%. Only the first strike of the Shao Kahn's **Fatal Blow** gains the damage bonus. If Shao Kahn is attacked before the opponent catches fire, the buff will not take effect. Connecting or being struck by a **Krushing Blow** or **Fatal Blow** ends this effect prematurely.
* **Grab and Punch:** Shao Kahn lifts his opponent up by the throat with one hand and then smashes his fist into their face, sending them sailing back. In *Deception* and *Armageddon*, this is simply his throw, and if performed next to a Death Trap, could automatically knock opponents into them. (*MKT*, *MK:D*, *MK:U*, *MK:A*, *MKvsDCU*)
* **Emperor's Shield:** Shao Kahn creates an energy shield to either reverse attacks or to shatter the opponent. (*MK:D*, *MK:U*, *MK:A*, *MKvsDCU*)
* **Mystic Choke:** Shao Kahn engulfs his foe in a force field and slams them twice in the chest. (*MK:A*)
* **Hammer Throw:** Shao Kahn throws his hammer at the opponent, stunning them and setting them up for a free hit. This attack can only be blocked with Nightwolf's **Absorb**, Kratos' **Golden Fleece**, and Kenshi's **Blade Absorb,** and can be evaded with Freddy Krueger's **Nightmare Stance** and Jade's **Shadow Flash**. Shao Kahn has armor on start-up. In *MK11*, the attack is called **Wrath Hammer**, does not have armor and no longer stuns, but can hit ducking opponents and knocks them away from Shao Kahn. Despite having a slow startup, the attack activates and travels much faster than in *MK 2011*. (*MK 2011*, *MK11 - Equip Ability*)
	+ In *MK11*, after landing a **Wrath Hammer**, successfully landing a second **Wrath Hammer** turns it into a **Krushing Blow**, causing the hammer to shatter the opponent's ribcage on impact, knocking them further back and dealing over three times the attack's original damage. This can also count if the opponent is struck by **Wrath Hammer** during a combo, so long as the second hit successfully connects after. This **Krushing Blow** can also trigger on airborne opponents.
		- This **Krushing Blow** damage can be increased slightly if **Dark Priest** or **Humiliate** are active, or greatly if both effects are active at once.
* **Hammer Swing:** Shao Kahn uppercuts the opponent with his hammer, launching the opponent into the air for a juggle. Shao Kahn has armor on startup. In *MK11*, this is a basic attack called **Dragon Toe**, which has Shao Kahn lunge forward and uppercut the opponent with a single-handed hammer swing. Also in *MK11*, the hammer swing still juggles the opponent, but no longer has armor. Additionally, Shao Kahn can connect this attack consecutively, however connecting the attack too many times eventually knocks the opponent to the ground. (*MK 2011, MK11*)
* **Hammer Cut:** Shao Kahn sweeps the opponent with his hammer. Shao Kahn has armor on startup. In *MK11*, this is a basic attack called **Hammer Slammer**, which is Shao Kahn's sweep attack, in which he steps forward and sweeps the opponent with a low hammer swing. This attack does not have armor in *MK11* and is significantly faster than **Hammer Cut** from *MK 2011*. (*MK 2011, MK11*)
* **Upward Shoulder:** Shao Kahn performs an upward shoulder charge, launching the opponent in the air for a juggle. While charging, Shao Kahn leaves a green shadow trail when performing the attack, similar to his **Charging Spikes**. Shao Kahn performs this during his **Fatal Blow** in *MK11* but never in the actual game. Shao Kahn has armor on startup. (*MK 2011*)
* **Scum Grab:** Shao Kahn quickly grabs the opponent out of the air by the throat and throws them on the ground in the opposite direction. This attack has armor breaking properties, ignoring the armor granted by specific abilities and **Fatal Blows**. When breaking the armor of a Break Away, the damage dealt is slightly increased. (*MK11*)
	+ Amplifying the attack has Shao Kahn slam his hammer on the downed opponent after throwing them to the ground for increased damage.
* **Up Wrath Hammer:** Shao Kahn uppercuts his opponent into the air with his hammer, where his hammer is teleported above them, slamming down on them and knocking them to the ground shortly after. Shao Kahn does not have to connect the first strike of the attack to have his hammer land on the opponent, however the hammer will not always land on the opponent if this is done. The attack can be used at two different ranges, normal or close range, called **Close** **Up Wrath Hammer**, respectively. Shao Kahn is vulnerable when the hammer is teleported before landing on the opponent, however this window is extremely small. This attack is considered a projectile once the Wrath Hammer teleports above the opponent. This attack is capable of being Flawless Blocked, leaving Shao Kahn vulnerable to Flawless Block Attacks. This ability conflicts with **Seeking Wrath Hammer** when equipped, disabling the option to select **Seeking Wrath Hammer**. (*MK11 - Equip Ability*)
* **Seeking Wrath Hammer:** Shao Kahn throws his hammer backwards, where it loops around the fightline offscreen and strikes the opponent from behind. Unlike **Wrath Hammer**, this attack does not have an increased hitbox and can miss ducking opponents. Shao Kahn can continue combos in some instances if this hits an airborne opponent, however this window is extremely small. This ability conflicts with **Up Wrath Hammer** when equipped, disabling the option to select **Up Wrath Hammer**. (*MK11 - Equip Ability*)
* **Dark Priest:** Shao Kahn summons a Shadow Priest who enchants his Wrath Hammer, causing it to glow green for some time. While active, all attacks involving Shao Kahn's Wrath Hammer deal 10% increased damage. The final strike of Shao Kahn's **Fatal Blow** is not affected by this damage bonus. In the Towers of Time and Arcade, **Dark Priest** also changes the properties of Shao Kahn's attacks, changing his hammer attacks from dealing **Physical** damage to **Chaos** damage. If Shao Kahn is attacked before his hammer turns green, the buff will not take effect. In some instances, even if Shao Kahn blocks the attack, the effect will still not take effect. Connecting or being struck by a **Krushing Blow** or **Fatal Blow** ends this effect prematurely. (*MK11 - Equip Ability*)
* **Ground Shatter:** Shao Kahn slams the head of his hammer on the ground, damaging the opponent's shins and feet, causing them to stumble. This can also re-stand the opponent in some instances when it successfully connects during a juggle or on an airborne opponent. Shao Kahn is vulnerable just before he slams the hammer's head in some instances, however this window is extremely small. When this attack is blocked by the opponent, it creates pushback. If Shao Kahn is hit right as he slams his hammer, there is a chance the opponent will be affected by hitstun, allowing Shao Kahn to attack the opponent as if they were stunned by the attack. (*MK11 - Equip Ability*)
	+ Amplifying the attack has Shao Kahn deliver a second, overhead slam, knocking the opponent down for increased damage. Despite Shao Kahn performing this action, the amplified version is not actually an Overhead attack. Shao Kahn is much more safe if this version is blocked by the opponent. Additionally, the attack creates considerable pushback. This version of the attack is capable of being Flawless Blocked, leaving Shao Kahn vulnerable to Flawless Block Attacks. Alternatively, when timed correctly, the opponent can jump over the second hammer swing, leaving Shao Kahn vulnerable.
* **(Air) Wrath Hammer:** Shao Kahn throws his hammer at the opponent from the air at a downward diagonal angle. This ability is separate from his **Wrath Hammer** ability and does not require **Wrath Hammer** to be selected to use. This attack does not count towards the **Krushing Blow** requirement of **Wrath Hammer**. (*MK11 - Equip Ability*)
* **Annihilation:** Shao Kahn swings his hammer overhead, forcing his opponent to the ground. He then slams the head of the hammer on the ground, forcing the opponent to stand back up where he slams the hammer over their head, knocking them down for a second time. (*MK11 - Equip Ability*)
	+ Amplifying the attack no longer has Shao Kahn deliver the second hammer slam, but instead has him impale the opponent in the stomach with his spear after slamming the hammer on the ground, after which he spawns his hammer, spins, and knocks his opponent away full-screen distance for increased damage.
	+ If **Dark Priest** is active, performing the regular version of the attack turns the attack into a **Krushing Blow**, having the second hammer slam shatter the top of the opponent's skull, dealing increased damage and bouncing the opponent into the air for a juggle.
		- This **Krushing Blow** damage can be increased slightly if **Humiliate** is active.
* **Skewered:** Shao Kahn stabs upward with his spear, snatching airborne opponents out of the air and slams them on the ground with his spear in front of him. This attack has armor breaking properties, ignoring the armor granted by specific abilities and **Fatal Blows**. When breaking the armor of a Break Away, the attack deals increased damage, however this increase is extremely small. This ability replaces **Scum Grab** when equipped. (*MK11 - Equip Ability*)
	+ Amplifying the attack has Shao Kahn slam the opponent in the opposite direction, but bounces them for a juggle. The attack can only be amplified once for the juggle effect. This version of the attack deals slightly less damage at the expense of the juggle effect.
* **Spear Charge:** Shao Kahn charges at his opponent with his spear drawn, stabbing them in the stomach and knocking them away. This ability replaces **Shoulder Charger** when equipped. (*MK11 - Equip Ability*)
	+ Amplifying the attack has Shao Kahn release the spear after stabbing the opponent, causing them to fall to their back. He rolls forward, grabbing the spear, still impaled into the opponent, picks them up and bounces them off the ground for a juggle and dealing increased damage in the process. The amplified version of **Spear Charge** does slightly more damage than the juggle amplified **Shoulder Charger** and has a considerably increased juggle effect. Additionally, unlike **Shoulder Charger**, **Spear Charge** can be amplified regardless if the opponent blocks the attack or not, however this offers nothing as a result and can only be amplified once during a combo.
* **Dark Energy:** Shao swings his axe in front of him, enchanting it, causing all axe attacks to deal 20% increased damage for the duration. This effect does not affect his **Fatal Blow** start-up or when striking the opponent with his axe during his **Fatal Blow**. Connecting or being struck by a **Fatal Blow** ends this effect prematurely. (*MK1*)
	+ Enhancing the attack doubles the duration of the effect.
* **Power Strike:** Shao swings his axe overhead, knocking the opponent to the ground and planting his axe into the ground, changing him to **No Axe Stance**. If this attack is used with juggle effects from basic attacks, combos, specials, or Kameo Attacks, the attack will now launch the opponent into the air for a juggle. Shao is vulnerable when swinging his axe, though the window is small. This attack is capable of being Up Blocked by the opponent, leaving Shao completely vulnerable after the attack is blocked by the opponent. (*MK1*)
	+ Enhancing the attack deals increased damage while retaining the original properties. Shao and his opponent become neutral when blocked by the opponent. Like the original, this attack is capable of being Up Blocked by the opponent, leaving Shao completely vulnerable after the attack is blocked by the opponent.
* **Devastator:** Shao leaps in the air with a knee strike and impales his opponent with his axe, knocking them to the ground. This attack can miss ducking opponents. This attack is capable of striking airborne opponents, whether this being from a combo or the opponent jumping at Shao. (*MK1*)
	+ Enhancing the attack grants armor but no additional damage. Additionally, Shao can follow-up the attack with **Power Strike**, which launches the opponent into the air for a juggle, in turn dealing increased damage. When used as a **Wakeup Reversal**, the attack deals increased damage, however it can not be followed up with **Power Strike**.
* **Death Quake:** Shao slams his axe with so much force it sends a shockwave straight to the opponent's shins, knocking them off their feet. This attack is considered a projectile. (*MK1*)
	+ Enhancing the attack launches the opponent into the air for a juggle at the expense of dealing no additional damage.
* **Axe Recall:** Shao simply returns his axe to his hands, changing him back to **Axe Stance**. (*MK1*)
* **Klassic Kahn:** While in **No Axe Stance**, Shao performs a jumping knee strike to the opponent's face, launching them into the air for a juggle. This replaces **Devastator** while in **No Axe Stance**. As with **Devastator**, this attack can miss ducking opponents. (*MK1*)
	+ Enhancing the attack grants armor and deals increased damage. Although the juggle effect is still present, performing this version of the attack during a **Wakeup Reversal** no longer launches the opponent into the air for a juggle, but instead knocks them away from Shao.
* **Treechopper:** While next to his axe, Shao picks it up and delivers a quick and powerful swing, knocking the opponent away full-screen distance. This attack can only be performed while in **No Axe Stance** while next to his grounded axe. Shao is very safe when this attack is blocked by the opponent and creates pushback. (*MK1*)
	+ Enhancing the attack grants armor and deals increased damage.
* **Axe Quake:** While near his axe, Shao levitates it briefly before slamming it on the ground, causing a shockwave across the entire arena, knocking the opponent off their feet. If the axe is close to the opponent when performing this attack, they will be struck by the axe as it comes down to the ground, in addition to the shockwave, dealing increased damage. (*MK1*)
	+ Enhancing the attack launches the opponent into the air for a juggle at the expense of dealing no additional damage.
* **Reverse Treechopper:** While near his axe, Shao grabs the opponent and slams them on top of this grounded axe before stomping on them, impaling them deeper into the weapon before picking the axe up with the opponent still impaled and slams them into the ground, returing him to **Axe Stance**. Shao is given the option to slam the opponent into the ground in the opposite direction, called **Reverse X2 Treechopper**, respectively. This attack is a High Throw and can miss ducking opponents. This attack deals increased damage if the opponent is Up Blocking. (*MK1*)
	+ Enhancing the attack grants armor and deals increased damage, while retaining the original properties.

### X-Rays/Fatal Blows

* **X-Ray - It's Official:** Shao Kahn hammers his opponent to the ground and grabs their arm. He then stomps on their head (breaking the whole skull), lifts the opponent up by the arm, and delivers a skull-shattering headbutt. (*MK 2011*)
* **Fatal Blow - You Suck:** Shao Kahn impales the opponent with his spear and slices them twice across the chest before launching them upwards with a vertical slash. He then performs an **Upward Shoulder** before grabbing the opponent's leg and throwing them down to the ground and nailing them to the ground with his spear. Finally, he spawns his Wrath Hammer and slams it down hard on the opponent's head. (*MK11*)
* **Fatal Blow - War God:** General Shao sends his axe in the air as it crashes down and hits the opponent, stunning them. He then rushes towards the opponent, uppercutting them high into the air with his axe, kneeing them in the face and slamming his axe into their chest, shattering their ribcage, knocking them to the ground before landing on top of them. (*MK1*)

### Other Moves

* **Throw (Forward)**: Shao Kahn grabs the opponent and slams his fist down on their head, forcing them to their knees. He then taunts the opponent, summons his hammer and performs a golf swing to the opponent's face that knocks them away. Shao Kahn has armor on start-up. (*MK 2011*)
* **Throw (Backward):** Shao Kahn grabs the opponent and slams his fist down on their head, forcing them to their knees. He then taunts the opponent, summons his hammer and takes a step behind the stunned opponent and delivers a hammer swing to the back of their head, knocking them away. Shao Kahn has armor on start-up. (*MK 2011*)
* **Throw (Forward):** Shao Kahn jabs the opponent in the stomach and over the head with his hammer, bringing them down on all fours, then launches them across the arena with a golf swing. (*MK11*)
	+ If this is used as a **Reversal Punish** or **Getup Punish**, the attack turns into a **Krushing Blow**, where when Shao Kahn delivers the golf swing, it shatters the entire front of the opponent's skull, dealing nearly double the original damage, and sending the opponent high in the air for a juggle.
		- This **Krushing Blow** damage can be increased slightly if **Dark Priest** or **Humiliate** are active, or greatly if both effects are active at once.
* **Throw (Backward):** Shao Kahn hits the opponent in the stomach with his hammer, then spins around the opponent, hitting the opponent in the back of the head with his hammer. (*MK11*)
* **DIE:** Shao Kahn strikes the opponent with the butt of his hammer's handle, backhands the opponent then stabs them in the stomach with his spear, where he stabs them three more times in the chest with his spear before kicking them away. The final stab of this combo is capable of being Flawless Blocked by the opponent, leaving Shao Kahn vulnerable to Flawless Block Attacks. (*MK11*)
	+ If Shao Kahn has successfully landed three or more **Merciless Spears**, the combo turns into a **Krushing Blow** on the combo's next successful usage, where the final stab is dug significantly deeper, causing blood to splatter and dealing double the combo's original damage.
		- This **Krushing Blow** damage can be increased slightly if **Humiliate** is active.
* **You Will Never Win:** Shao Kahn kicks the opponent in the knee, before stomping on their foot, opening them up for additional attacks if successful. This combo has a follow-up attack. The stomp of this combo is capable of being Flawless Blocked by the opponent, leaving Shao Kahn vulnerable to Flawless Block Attacks. Additionally, Shao Kahn cannot continue this combo with its follow-up attack if the second hit is Flawless Blocked, however he can still use special attacks. (*MK11*)
	+ **Last Breath:** Shao Kahn grabs the opponent and hoists them above his head, slamming the side of their body over his head before dropping them head-first onto the ground in the opposite direction. This final grab acts as a High Throw and is unblockable, however it can miss ducking opponents. This final grab is capable of striking an opponent during a **Getup Roll**, similar to a standard **Throw**.
		- If the opponent is under the effects of **Ridicule** or **Humiliate** or both, the combo turns into a **Krushing Blow**, where when Shao Kahn slams the opponent over his head, he shatters the opponent's spine and back ribcage. The damage dealt varies on which effect is present upon connecting the combo, with **Ridicule** dealing almost double the original damage, and **Humiliate** dealing over double the original damage due to the damage bonus of **Humiliate**. This **Krushing Blow** can still trigger if only the final grab connects, as long as the opponent is affected by **Ridicule** or **Humiliate**.
* **Might Makes Right (Backward Throw):** Shao slams side of his axe into the opponent's face twice before snagging them onto the blade and tossing them away in the opposite direction. (*MK1*)
* **Might Makes Right (No Axe Stance):** While in **No Axe Stance**, Shao punches the opponent in the face twice before effortlessly gorilla press slamming them into the ground in the opposite direction. (*MK1*)
* **Axe Stance:** While his axe is in his hands, Shao gains access to his normal attacks, combos and special attacks. (*MK1*)
* **No Axe Stance:** While his axe is planted in the ground, Shao gains access to new basic attacks, combos and special attacks. Additionally, his basic attacks and combos have differing effects on a juggle opponent, granting him new combo opportunities. (*MK1*)
* **You're Weak:** Shao slams his axe over the opponent's head before impaling them in the stomach and slamming them on the ground in the opposite direction. This combo is only available in **Axe Stance**. (*MK1*)
* **Divide and Konquer:** Shao stomps on the opponent's foot, impales them into the ground with his axe before slamming it down on the knocked down opponent. This combo is only available in **Axe Stance**. (*MK1*)

### Fatalities

* **Head Crusher:** Shao Kahn hammers his opponent into the ground leaving only their lost consciousness. (*MK3*) (GameBoy version only)
	+ Shao Kahn hammers his opponent into the ground leaving only their head sticking out. He then laughs before hammering his opponent into a bloody explosion. (*MKT*) (*N64 version only*)
* **Home Run:** Shao Kahn uppercuts his opponent into the air, and smashes them to pieces with his hammer as they fall. In *MK 2011*, he grabs the opponent by the neck and flips them in the air before delivering the killing blow. (*MK:D*, *MK:U*, *MK 2011*)
* **Fore:** Shao Kahn hammers his opponent into the ground and then, when they are buried up to their torso, smashes their head off with a golf swing. (*MK:D*, *MK:U*)
* **Emperor's Bash:** Shao Kahn boasts out to the crowd then pounds his opponent with his hammer several times, eventually breaking their neck. (*MK:SM*)
* **Double Down:** Shao Kahn jabs his hands into the middle of his foe's torso and slowly rips their body in half down the middle. (*MK 2011*)
* **Back Blown Out:** Shao Kahn hits the opponent in the stomach with his hammer, then smashes them over the back of their head, bringing them down on all fours. Finally Shao Kahn delivers a golf swing with his hammer, crushing the opponent's head inward with it flying through and out of the back with their entrails of their downed body with the spine attached due to the force of the blow delivered. (*MK11*)
* **Kahn-Sequences:** Shao Kahn slams his hammer over the opponent's head, crushing their neck inward and forcing the opponent to their knees. He then replaces his hammer with his spear, stabbing the opponent in the stomach and lifting them up into the air. Shao Kahn slams their body on the ground, cutting the opponent vertically in half with his spear, with their head falling through their severed body into a pile of their organs underneath their upright but collapsing body. (*MK11*)
* **Spin Cycle:** Shao launches the opponent in the air with his battle axe, then jumps and grabs the opponent by the arm and rapidly spins them around, which causes their skin to tear off, leaving only their skeleton. Shao then throws the skeleton down to the ground which breaks to pieces. (*MK1*)
* **Axe-ident:** Shao slams his battle axe into the ground and creates a shockwave that launches the opponent upwards. He then leaps into the air, grabs the opponent by the legs, slams their back against the axe blade, impaling them on it, and drags them down, splitting them in two. (*MK1*)

### Brutalities

#### *Mortal Kombat 11*

* **The Klassic:** Shao Kahn performs his uppercut, decapitating the opponent with an upward hammer swing with their spine still attached.
* **Obliterated:** Shao Kahn performs a **Hammer Lunge** with so much force that the opponent explodes into a mess of gore.
* **Spiraling Out:** Shao Kahn performs an amplified **Annihilation**, where when he delivers the spinning hammer strike after impaling the opponent, their upper body is cut horizontally in half and launched into the air spinning around before falling to the ground. The opponent's legs stay upright for a brief moment before falling to the side.
* **Charging Through:** Shao Kahn performs a **Shoulder Charger**, charging through the opponent, bisecting them in half vertically from the head down.
* **Going Ham.....mer:** Shao Kahn performs his **Throw (Backward)**, only this time, he mercilessly beats the opponent to death with his Wrath Hammer, striking them five consecutive times with the final blow destroying the opponent's body and causing one of their legs and their head to pop off with their spine still attached.
* **Kahn Croquet:** Shao Kahn performs his **Throw (Forward)** with the final swing decapitating the opponent and sending their head flying upward.
* **Head Kabob:** Shao Kahn performs his **DIE** combo, only this time instead of kicking the opponent away, he impales them two more times before stabbing and picking them up with his spear and planting it in the ground, ripping the opponent's head off upon planting while the body remains on the spear. Their head is impaled at the end of the spear as Shao Kahn performs his Brutality Victory Pose.
* **Spoils Of War:** Shao Kahn performs a **Skewered**, only this time instead of slamming the opponent on the ground, he summons a Shadow Priest that grabs and rips the opponent's head off as Shao Kahn lifts them. After their decapitation, he plants the spear in the ground, with the opponent's corpse dangling from the bladed end and the Priest disappears with the opponent's head.
* **Nothing Left:** Shao Kahn performs the overhead amplified version of **Shoulder Charger**, slamming his fist down on the opponent with enough force that their upper body is destroyed on impact with their head and arms popping off.
* **Kickin' Reiko Style:** Shao Kahn performs a **Kahn Kick**, destroying the opponent's upper body in the process. The opponent's arms and head float in the air while spinning rapidly for a moment before falling to the ground in a similar fashion to Reiko's **Thrust Kick** Fatality.
* **Knock Their Block Off:** Shao Kahn performs a **Rage Strike**, decapitating the opponent with their spine still attached as it flies towards the screen.

#### *Mortal Kombat 1*

* **The Klassic:** Shao performs his uppercut, decapitating the opponent with a rising swing of his axe.
* **Is That Your Best?:** Shao performs his **Backwards Throw**, tossing the opponent into the air and quickly decapitating them with his axe. As their head flies off and falls, he cuts it in half with a quick swing.
* **Feel My Power:** While in **No Axe Stance**, Shao performs his **Backwards Throw**, repeatedly punching the opponent in the face until the flash is removed and only their skull remains in the front of their face.
* **Don't Make Me Laugh:** Shao performs his **You're Weak** combo, impaling the opponent in the head with his axe. He lifts the opponent into the air, forcing the axe downwards, cutting the opponent in half from the head to the waist before planting the axe in their split body as it folds open.
* **It's Official...You Suck!:** Shao performs a **Death Quake** that obliterates the opponent's shins.
* **Alternate The Klassic Brutality:** While in **No Axe Stance**, Shao performs his uppercut, decapitating the opponent with a double fisted uppercut. (*Secret*)

### Other Finishers

* **Hara-Kiri - Hammer Throw:** Shao Kahn launches his hammer into the air, and it comes back down and crushes his head. (*MK:D*, *MK:U*)
* **Babality:** Shao Kahn exclaims "NO!" as though he were about to die normally, but quickly notices the situation. Facing the winner, he decrees "You suck!" in a high-pitched voice, and then turns to the screen and laughs with both hands on his hips. (*MK 2011*)
* **Friendship - Winner Winner Outworld Dinner:** Shao Kahn raises his hammer, then hits a Strength Test with so much force the bell at the top breaks. Shao Kahn then laughs in triumph. (*MK11*)
* **Culling The Weak:** Shao Kahn performs his **Emperor's Bash** Special 2, only this time, he crushes the opponent's head with his hammer instead. The opponent's body disappears shortly after, with Shao Kahn either taunting them if the match continues or laughing at them if he has won the match. (*MK Mobile* - *Konqueror Card*)

## Movie Appearances

### Mortal Kombat

Shao Kahn appears in both *Mortal Kombat* movies. In the first movie, Kahn's appearance is only as a special effect at the end of the film (though he is referred to throughout the movie only as "the Emperor"). His voice is provided by an uncredited Frank Welker (who also did vocals for Goro in the movie).

### Mortal Kombat: Annihilation

In the second movie, *Mortal Kombat: Annihilation*, Kahn is played by Brian Thompson and is the main antagonist; he is ultimately defeated and killed by Liu Kang in the final battle.

In *Annihilation*, as an attempt to shock the viewer, Raiden announced that Shao Kahn was his brother and Shinnok their father. He bore the same tattoo on his right shoulder as a sign of their family that Raiden wore. This has never been made official in *MK* canon, and most fans have dismissed this as another example of how far removed from the games *Annihilation* was.

In 2008, eleven years after *Annihilation*, Shao Kahn's relationship with Raiden was mentioned in *Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe*, with Raiden's profile stating that the two are brothers. Given the game's non-canonical status, it has caused many to again disregard this information.

### Mortal Kombat: Legacy

Aleks Paunovic portrays Shao Kahn in *Mortal Kombat: Legacy*.

His motives and history are mostly kept intact from the games though he so far lacks his distinct war helmet and Wrath Hammer, and his relationship with Sindel is slightly changed.

First seen in episode four in flashbacks, Shao Kahn's realm of Outworld won ten Mortal Kombat tournaments, allowing him to merge Edenia with his realm and conquer it. He participated in the slaughtering of the Edenians, observing his brutal Tarkatan hordes kill every man and woman they came across. When Shao Kahn's forces claimed the capital and the castle, he personally prevented Sindel and her child Kitana from escaping, and revealed to her that the man she thought was her husband Jerrod, was in truth nothing but a decoy after his general Baraka slew him before her very eyes and contemptuously told her king had already fled.

Having claimed Edenia for himself, Shao Kahn took Sindel as his wife and Kitana as his own daughter. Shao Kahn grew to have genuine feelings for Sindel, even love her, but she only showed contempt and disgust at his advances. Fearing Kitana would grow to hate him from Sindel's influences, Shao Kahn tasked the sorcerer Shang Tsung to create a clone of Kitana but with Tarkatan blood, a true daughter of his own, and named her Mileena. This proved to be too much for Sindel, and she took her own life, leaving Kahn to raise the girls himself.

Shao Kahn raised the two, and after realizing their exceptional skills for combat, began training them as his personal assassins. He also manipulated their maturing emotions in their adolescence, particularly Mileena's by showing more affection for Kitana, to ensure that they remained loyal only to him. As the two grew older, he eventually assigned them the task of hunting down the remainder of Jerrod's impersonators before finally ordering them to kill the former king himself, though he warned them of grave consequences should they fail.

Though they succeeded, with Mileena having personally struck Jerrod down herself, Shao Kahn was unaware Kitana had learned of her true origins. When he next brought Kitana and Mileena before him, Shao Kahn began to discuss his new plans for merging Earthrealm to theirs, and though not stated on screen, his desire for them to enter the Mortal Kombat tournament.

Though mentioned by Mileena and Kitana in season two, Shao Kahn does not physically appear, as Shang Tsung commands his chosen fighters while in Earthrealm.

## TV Appearances

Shao Kahn appears in *Mortal Kombat: Conquest*, played by Jeff Meek. Despite having lost much of his physical stature from the games and movies, he has a much more threatening disposition, though he rarely interacts with the heroes of the series (due to his inability to travel to Earth). However, he does have a romantic side (as he seduces and charms several women in the series, including two of Quan Chi's undead female slaves) and shows a fatherly, caring relationship with Kitana despite the fact that she is covertly working against him. Jeff Meek's role is more interesting when one considers that he played Raiden on the same show, occasionally opposite himself. In episode 21 *Stolen Lies*, he deceives a society of people called the Shaakans into believing that he is their god; every aspect of their culture (Farland = Outworld, children pretending to steal souls, a six-armed Shokan warrior and Kahn's henchmen on the scarf, a skull on the head of a Shaakan warrior) reflects this blind worship of the Outworld emperor.

Shao Kahn also appeared in several episodes of the animated series *Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm* as the main villain. He still seeks to conquer Earthrealm and have it as another addition to his collection of enslaved realms that he had merged with Outworld.

## Comic Book Appearances

Shao Kahn makes his first appearance during the *Battlewave* series of Malibu Comics, though he already was present during the first, Blood & Thunder. Shao Kahn remained mostly faithful to his game counterpart, being the Emperor of Outworld and attempting to take Earthrealm for himself. During the two series, he never appears wielding his trademark helmet, instead always shown with his visible face and design taken from the official Mortal Kombat II comic written by John Tobias. However, in *Kitana & Mileena*, a comic about Kitana's past, Shao Kahn does appear wearing his helmet.

Shao Kahn appeared during *Blood & Thunder* while communicating with Shang Tsung by means of a big purple orb. He became disgusted by Shang Tsung's hold of the tournament, so he used his powers to bring all the kombatants into Shang Tsung's palace, triggering the big fight shown in the *Tournament Edition* final issue.

In *Battlewave*, Shao Kahn would arrange a different plan to open the portals. He kidnaps Sonya and, by means of hypnosis and brainwashing, convinces her to marry him. The marriage would weaken the barriers between realms enough to allow Shao Kahn to seize Earth easily (and make Sonya the queen of both realms and his wife). During the wedding ceremony held, however, the wedding would be crashed and he would be stopped by the Earthrealm warriors' interruption, ending with Sonya becoming free from Kahn's influence. In the comic, he claims to not be the romantic type, but he also states that Sonya is very beautiful as his bride. However, he soon comes to realize that both Outworld and Earth would be in turmoil as a result of the wedding, *questioning his own plan* and effectively calling off the ceremony.

Shao Kahn then would devise a tournament of sorts: a race to reach a medallion high into a frozen cliff. Two teams were arranged, with the ultimate victor being Sub-Zero for Earthrealm.

## Quotes

### Gameplay Taunts

* *"Bow to me!"* (In *MK11*, he says this after knocking the opponent down or after his **Last Breath** combo)
* *"Feel the wrath of Shao Kahn!"*
* *"Feel the power of Shao Kahn!"*
* *"Don't make me laugh."* (Also in *MK Mobile* through *Feats of Strength*, in *MK11* after winning a round)
* *"You will never win!"*
* *"You will die, mortal!"*
* *"Prepare to die!"*
* *"You are pathetic!"*
* *"Is that your best?"*
* *"That was pathetic!"*
* *"You weak, pathetic fool!"*
* *"You are nothing!"*
* *"You suck!" (*Also in *MK Mobile* through gameplay and *Feats of Strength)*
* *"It's official! You suck!"* (In *MK11*, he says this after performing a Brutality)
* *"You're still trying to win?"* (In *MK11*, he says this after winning a round)
* *"Ha ha ha ha ha ha!"*
* *"I rule this world!"* (*MKII* and *MK Mobile* from his *Konqueror Card* Passive)
* *"No, no! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"* (*MKII* death)
* *"Outworld will rule!"* (*MK11*)
* *"Worthless and weak!"* (*MK11*)
* *"Come to me!"* (*MK11*)
* *"Your life ends."* (*MK11*)
* *"All too easy!"* (*MK11*)
* *"To lead!"* (*MK11*)
* *"Priests!* (*MK11*)
* *"You are finished."* (*MK11* Brutality quote)

### Mortal Kombat (film)

* *"You weak pathetic fools, I've come for your souls!"*

### Mortal Kombat: Annihilation

* *"The Earth was created in six days; so too shall it be destroyed; and on the seventh day, mankind will rest... in peace!"*
* *"Rayden, is of no concern to us."*
* *"I AM TO BE FEARED for if you fail me now, I will feed your rotting corpse to the worms!"*

### Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks

* *"You insult me, flea. I am Shao Kahn. I will be your death!* *Follow if you want to defeat Shang Tsung. Follow me if you want to die at my hands!"* (to Liu Kang and Kung Lao, after blasting Raiden)
* *"Silence! Your presence here is unwanted! Uninvited!* *But like all who come to this realm, you serve me, whether you are aware of it or not."* (to Liu Kang and Kung Lao)
* *"Ah, your master. You know his voice so well, yet know him almost not at all. Your master is here. He wants to see you. He has another lesson for you!"*
* *"Don't fail me again, Shang Tsung!"*
* *"Your soul will soon suffer."*
* *"As I said, all within this realm serve my will, even those that seek to betray me."*
* *"Shang Tsung impersonated your master Raiden, and led you on a quest for power. The more you killed, the more powerful he became. He meant to use this power against me to become supreme ruler of Outworld.* *Now... what am I to do with you?"*
* *"My people have spoken! And a king must, if only once every millennium or so, listen to the will of his people."* (as he brings Kintaro out to fight)
* *"Finish him, Kintaro!"*
* *"You disappoint me!"*
* *"How pathetic!"*
* *"Crush him!"*
* *"Rip him apart!"*
* *"There is something in you... that makes me feel like a conqueror again!"*
* *"You can earn their freedom! If you defeat me, they will be freed!"* (referring to Kitana, Johnny Cage, and Raiden)
* *"Earthrealm will be mine! It will fall as easily as Kung Lao!"* (after he catches Kung Lao by the neck and casually tosses him aside)

### Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe

* *"Hold your tongue, sorcerer."*
* *"Raiden..."*
* *"Quan Chi! Traitor!"*
* *"What have you done?!"*
* *"I am Shao Kahn! And you will bow to me!"*
* *"What?"*

### Mortal Kombat (2011)

* *"Where are the Elder Gods, Raiden?"* (in the intro)
* *"Their pathetic Mortal Kombat shackles me no longer."*
* *"They masquerade as dragons, but are mere toothless worms."*
* *"My venom spreads. It is the end of all things. Armageddon."*
* *"It is done."*
* *"Your time has passed."*
* *"Ages wasted in foolish resistance."*
* *"Now is the dawn of my rule."*
* *"Yes. Pray to the worms, Raiden."*
* *"As your world ends."* (preparing to kill the Future Raiden)
* *"You failed me! Five hundred years I have waited! Now I must wait five hundred more!"* (to Shang Tsung)
* *"Curse the Elder Gods and their tournaments. I should have taken Earthrealm by force! But I am bound by their rules, rules that can never be broken."*
* *"Kill him."* (Ordering Shang Tsung's execution)
* *"Kitana! Continue."* (Ordering Kitana to stop and then telling Tsung to continue his proposition.)
* *"The tournament will begin!"*
* *"And you shall."* (in response to the younger Sub Zero's demand to fight Scorpion)
* *"And what do I gain from granting this bold request?"* (to Sektor and Cyrax)
* *"Very well. He is yours."* (allowing Sektor and Cyrax to take Sub-Zero)
* *"Kitana! ...How is it that Earthrealm ninjas brazenly appear before me when my daughter, Princess of Outworld, was sent to intercept them?!"*
* *"Well done, sorcerer."* (to Shang Tsung)
* *"**I** am your **emperor**! Your father was a weakling Edenian king. I annihilated him while merging his realm with Outworld and took his queen as my wife. If only I had not allowed Sindel to convince me of your worth... But now I have a true daughter!"* (revealing the truth to Kitana)
* *"Return to the Flesh Pits. Bring me my daughter. Mileena."* (to Shang Tsung)
* *"Raiden! Put forth a worthy champion... if you can."*
* *"You will face Shang Tsung. And Quan Chi."* (to Kung Lao)
* *"Witless boy. Do you know who I am?"* (to Liu Kang)
* *"I am Shao Kahn! Konqueror of Worlds! You will taste no victory."* (to Liu Kang)
* *"And you breathe because I restrain mine."* (to Shang Tsung about his sorcery)
* *"I am not so easily killed. Quan Chi accelerated my recovery."* (unexpectedly appearing before his lieutenants)
* *"Not. One. Word. Because of you, Outworld can no longer merge with Earthrealm!"* (to Shang Tsung)
* *"Do you mock me? Sindel's Ward prevents me from setting foot in Earthrealm."* (to Quan Chi)
* "*Of course. But even after millennia, her motives are a mystery"* (About Sindel, to Quan Chi)
* *"I am weary of sorcerers, Quan Chi. Prove your worth. Bring her to me."*
* *"Yes. Shang Tsung?"*
* *"The empress requires something of you."* (just before sacrificing Shang Tsung to empower Sindel)
* *"Ah, Raiden. You have come to your senses."* (when Raiden bows to him)
* *"All these ages you have fought me. You denied me my rightful claim. Not this time."* (to Raiden)
* *"The Elder Gods fear me, now."*
* *"I have won."*
* *"Now, Raiden. Your world ends."*
* *"An anemic effort from ineffectual deities. Today, I become THE Elder God!"* (when the Elder Gods attack him through Raiden)

### Mortal Kombat Mobile (Feats of Strength)

* *"Death becomes you!"*
* *"Kneel before Shao Kahn!"*
* *"Ha ha ha!"*

### Mortal Kombat 11

#### Story Mode

**Part 1: *Mortal Kombat 11***

* *"General Kotal?"* (To Kotal Kahn, surprised he is alive)
* *"Kahn? Pathetic fool. You pretend to my throne!"* (To Kotal Kahn, when he realized that Kotal is the current Emperor)
* *"What game are you playing, Raiden? What magic powers this delusion?"* (To past Raiden, thinking everything is just a delusion)
* *"I am no refugee! I am Kahn of Outworld. Vacate my throne. Or I'll soak these sands with your blood!"* (To Kotal Kahn, prior to a duel in favor of the throne of the ruler of Outworld)
* *"I will have my throne!"*
* *"Empires must expand or die!"*
* *"You evade my questions, D'Vorah."*
* *"I routed your people. Burned this hive. Yet you aided me."*
* *"Kotal "Kahn". How is it I'm dead and he sits on my throne?"* (Questions Kollector about his death and Kotal's rise to Outworld's throne)
* *"You killed Mileena?! If this is true, you will die!"* (Enraged towards D'Vorah after learning Mileena's death at the hands of D'Vorah while the pair prepares to fight, only to be interrupted by Kronika)
* *"The legends are true?"*
* *"So you broke time?"*
* *"How will fighting your battles benefit me?"*
* *"You can wipe Raiden from history?"*
* *"They shall."* (Pledging his allegiance to Kronika with his Outworld army)
* *"Soon. It will be mine once Kotal is killed."* (To Kronika regarding his army and when they will assist)
* *"What is it about Jade's blood that intrigues you, Skarlet?"*
* *"You've suffered too long at this pretender's hands. But I've returned, and I will save you from his madness!"*
* *"Only I can rebuild the empire. All realms will tremble before me! Outworld will again be conquerors, never the conquered!"*
* *"Where's this boldness been hiding, Kitana? Had you shown it before, I'd have no need for Mileena."* (To Kitana)
* *"Surrender, on the brink of victory? You're as feeble-minded as Jerrod."*
* *"I wanted Jerrod's wife, not his heir. I kept you only to appease your mother."*
* *"Do not expect mercy this time."*

**Part 2: *Aftermath***

* *"Wife, I have missed you."*
* *"If Quan Chi were here, I'd hoist him by the ankles, and split him through for all the time he stole from us..."*
* *"We'll have all the time we need."*
* *"Kronika?! Where was she when Kitana stole my throne? We'll make her choke on her empty promises."*
* *"Observe, wife, as I dissemble this construct."* (If the player chooses him)
* *"Fear that gold-plated relic? HA!"*
* *"I'll pulp you and send you back to her in jars!"*
* *"Do you enjoy this?"* (After defeating Geras)
* *"It will be mine to watch you punish him."* (After the player chooses Sindel)
* *"A thousand years, and you haven't lost a step."*
* *"What a fine trophy for my arena!"*
* *"Enough prattle, fools! You will bow and serve the Empire."*
* *"Deal with the jester. I'll school this unruly child."* (If the player chooses him)
* *"Ha! Shinnok schemed before he was worthless in battle."*
* *"That you beat him only proves that truth."*
* *"Now you understand true power."* (After defeating Cassie Cage)
* *"Why waste tears on weaklings?"*
* *"How many of his bones shall I break for you, wife?"* (Ask Sindel after the player chooses him)
* *"Twice you fought in the tournament, and twice you failed."*
* *"Why Raiden thought you a contender baffles me."*
* *"Was that your best?"* (After defeating Johnny Cage)
* *"By all means."* (After the player chooses Sindel)
* *"Seize the vessel and dump its cargo! We need speed to overtake Kharon's fleet!"* (Commands the Shokans)
* *"No doubt the little princess is hiding."*
* *"I have found Kitana. Come!"*
* *"He and I have unfinished business."* (If the player chooses him)
* *"It's a pity the time merger disrupted the tournament. I was about to snap your neck."*
* *"I fear nothing, monk."*
* *"You're a disgrace to your line."* (After defeating Kung Lao)
* *"Kung Lao... Snapping your neck would be too easy for you."*
* *"Tell me, did your masters teach you to swim?"*
* *"Naïve girl, your mother is not bewitched. She never has been."* (To Kitana about her mother)
* *"Let the women be, Chosen One. You owe me kombat."* (To Liu Kang)
* *"Yours is to grovel before me, boy!"*
* *"After we kill Kronika, that will be everyone's destiny."*
* *"It is genius, you pathetic fool!"* (After defeating Liu Kang)
* *"Kitana was a false Kahn, a traitor to Outworld! She conspired with Raiden to lead you astray!"*
* *"But we will grant clemency now, and riches in the New Era... to all who renounce Kitana and fight under our command."*
* *"Let's finish them."*
* *"All the better."*
* *"Beyond that door: ultimate power."*
* *"How easily you are felled, Kronika. Once your power's mine, I will rule eternity!"*
* *"You're drunk on the Crown's power, Shang Tsung. In stupor, you forget your place."*

### Mortal Kombat 1

* *"Is it me? Or is Earthrealm's champion scrawnier than usual?"*
* *"Have you still not told most Earthrealmers that Outworld exists?"*
* *"I suppose so. Your people's frail minds couldn't handle the truth."*
* *"We will destroy your champion, Liu Kang. He will taste no victory."*
* *"Your Majesty, I have chosen Reiko, my second in command."*
* *"As a boy, Reiko was orphaned during the Kafallah War. Though captured, his spirit remained unbroken. He scratched, clawed, and survived."*
* *"After the war, I took him in. Molded him into the perfect soldier. Few others are as well versed in the ways of war."*
* *"(Laughs) Our peoples could not be more different, champion."* (Interrupting Raiden's speech at the banquet)
* *"You heard me. Earthrealmers are devoid of all-"* (Interrupted by Sindel)
* *"My apologies, Your Majesty. Perhaps I've enjoyed too much of this excellent wine. With your permission-"*
* *"May I speak freely, Your Majesty?"*
* *"We must act on the sorceror's prophecy. He warns that Liu Kang will conquer Outworld."*
* *"He herds us into compromises, shackles our independence. If we could meet our enemies in battle, we'd-"*
* *"Better that than be Liu Kang's lapdog."*
* *"He did, Your Majesty."* (Referencing Shao's father)
* *"It is but a mere fraction of them. A full recitation would take days."* (Referencing his accomplishments)
* *"Liu Kang's trained you well. But not well enough to win."* (After Raiden defeated him in a round)
* *"Thank you, Goro. I've no stomach for Earthrealm lies."*
* *"We should detain the Earthrealmers and the Tarkatan we found outside. At least until the Empress is ready to respond to this incursion."*
* *"But she must realize that this incident proves Earthrealm's bad faith. We must strike them now to protect ourselves."*
* *"Yes. Quan Chi, when do you anticipate they will strike?"*
* *"Then I am right. We must act now, Princess."*
* *"What truly happened here, sorcerer?"*
* *"You? Why?"*
* *"If she resists, she will be replaced. Outworld needs a steadfast leader."* (About Sindel)
* *"If my realm requires it of me."* (When Shang Tsung asks if he would be a worthy leader)
* *"Kill the Earthrealmers. They cannot report back to Liu Kang."*
* *"You have their descriptions."*
* *"State secrets. Not for your ears."*
* *"Douse the fires. Find who set them!"*
* *"Syzoth."*
* *"Unimportant. But it means the Earthrealmers are here."* (When Li Mei asks if Shao knows Syzoth)
* *"Reiko!"*
* *"Found you."*
* *"Worry only about the Earthrealmers."* (When Goro asks about the retreating Quan Chi)
* *"It's unlike Shang Tsung to leave loose ends."*
* *"(Laughs) You'll do nothing of the kind. Dead men tell no tales."* (When Reptile threatens to reveal his scheming)
* *"You've more grit than I expected. It will make your defeat that much more satisfying."* (After Reptile defeated him in a round)
* *"Any final words? Now's the time."* (After Reptile lost to him in a round)
* *"Are you going to blather, or make yourself useful?"* (Interrupting Shang Tsung's praise of Scorpion)
* *"This Earthrealmer must be neutralized."*
* *"Not against Outworld, but against your misguided rule. Your deference to him leaves us all vassals."*
* *"Don't. Move."* (Revealing the Amulet of Shinnok)
* *"Enough prattle! You'll both bend a knee to Outworld's new emperor."*
* *"Ha ha ha ha ha! Do you think I'd do battle trained with my weapons? I am more than prepared!"*
* *"Hyah!"* (grunts as he attacks the Umgadi)
* *"Hruh!"* (grunts as he attacks the Umgadi)
* *"Hwaah!!"* (grunts as he attacks the Umgadi)
* *"Your reign is over, Sindel."*
* *"These are your reign's final moments. Savor them."* (After Sindel lost to him in a round)

**Dark Shao**

* *"It is time."*
* *"Our venom will spread. It will be the end of all things. Armageddon."*
* *"Hiiyaaa!"* (yells as he attacks Shang Tsung, Raiden, and Quan Chi)
* *"I've never been better."* (To Reiko)
* *"Fools. Your spell worked before only because you surprised me."* (To Shang Tsung)
* *"It won't happen again."*
* *"Is everyone in this timeline so feeble?"* (After Shang Tsung lost to him in a round)

**Light Shao**

* *"Ready to die?"*
* *"I will relish killing you."*
* *"Prepare to be crushed, fool."*
* *"It's time you met your Maker."*
* *"This fight will be quick."*
* *"Nicely done, Kitana."*
* *"Did you expect less from me? Now to finish them."*
* *"What prompted this?"*

### Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion's Revenge

* *"You have failed me!"*
* *"Silence!"*
* *"Gather all forces. It's time to end this game, once and for all."*

### Mortal Kombat Legends: Battle of the Realms

* "*Ahhh, at last, as it should be. You and I... to the death.*"
* ”*Any last words*?”
* "*Yes. Come to me. Come to die!*"
* ”*That’s nothing compared to what I’m about to do.*”

## Trivia

### General

* Shao Kahn started out unmasked and with large gnashing teeth similar to Baraka, since everyone from Outworld was originally to be of Baraka's race. The idea of all inhabitants of Outworld being Tarkatans was later dropped.
* His height changes considerably between depictions. In the 2D games, he was scaled to be even taller than the Shokan Goro and Kintaro, with a height estimated to be 7'6'', yet he was depicted as only half a head taller than the regular characters in *Mortal Kombat: Deception* and *Mortal Kombat: Armageddon*. In *Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks*, he appeared to stand around seven-and-a-half feet, with Liu Kang and Kung Lao only coming up to his chest, but he was not quite as tall as either Shokan character. He appears to be around the same height in *Mortal Kombat (2011)* as he was in the 2D game, about a head taller than the playable characters, however he is same height as Goro and Kintaro.
	+ This is also depicted in *Mortal Kombat 11* where he is the tallest character on the roster, however he is roughly the same height as Raiden, Geras, Kotal Kahn, The Terminator, Spawn, Sheeva, and RoboCop.
* Shao Kahn was never seen unmasked in a game until *Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks*, where once he loses half his health, a scene plays in which he pulls out a hammer and throws it at the player, which the player throws back at him and smashes the mask to pieces. His face is based on the *MKII* comic depiction.
	+ This would later be changed in *MK11* where he is given sharp teeth and a large nose, which also marks the first time Shao Kahn can be seen helmetless in a mainline canonical game.
* Shao Kahn's voice is an ever present sound in the *Mortal Kombat* games. Even when he isn't present, he can be heard in the form of an announcer with phrases such as "Outstanding", "Well Done", "Incredible", "Superb" and "Excellent". He also orders you to finish your opponent at the end of a match (supporting his character type). His voice can be heard in *Unreal Championship 2: The Liandri Conflict*, which featured *Mortal Kombat* themes. Starting in *Mortal Kombat II*, he narrates the match. He would often laugh when a kombatant was low on health. He was the announcer for all games from *MKII* until *MK4*, where Quan Chi was the announcer. Kahn resumed being an announcer afterward, even when you fight and kill him as an opponent.
* Though Shao Kahn was initially shown to be well over 10,000 years old, *Mortal Kombat: Armageddon* places him as being even older. Shao Kahn was shown to be highly infamous before Taven and Daegon were sealed, which happened before Shinnok's fall from grace. In Shinnok's ending in *Mortal Kombat 4*, he states that Raiden had imprisoned him for "millions of years", which aligns with his fall and the battle for Earth being the cause for the cretacous extinction event that killed the dinosaurs and led to the Saurians fleeing Earthrealm. This would seem to be an example of time passing differently between realms–as it has been noted at times to do–as it would otherwise humorously mean that Shao Kahn had been unsuccessfully attempting to conquer Edenia for at least 65 million years, since Taven stated that Shao Kahn had made an unsuccessful attempt at the realm before Taven was sealed. The period of Shinnok's fall has also been alternately referenced as only thousands of years ago at times, and this may be also simply be an example of an inconsistency in the timeline.
* In many official depictions of Shao Kahn made by Midway, he is shown wearing a cape, which he takes off before starting a fight. *Mortal Kombat: Deception* was the first game in which he wore the cape in-game. He later wears smaller capes with some of his outfits in *Mortal Kombat 11*, which also have an emblem of his Helmet on it.
* Shao Kahn's name was accidentally hyphenated in the closing credits of *Mortal Kombat: Annihilation* ("Shao-Kahn").
* Though Kahn has no official Animality in the games, in *Mortal Kombat: Annihilation*, Kahn is given the Animality of a Five-Headed Hydra.
* Shao Kahn's "mask" or "**Skull Mask**" is actually a Kabuto, a Japanese Samurai helmet with a Menpō, a face mask commonly worn with the Kabuto.
	+ In *MK11* through the Kustomization, Shao Kahn can wear different variations of his iconic mask, from *MKII* to *MK 2011* to brand new variations for *MK11*.
* Despite being the "announcer" for most games, Shao Kahn will have a different voice actor in-game then when commentating.
	+ In *MK11*, two voices of Shao Kahn are selectable as announcers for gameplay, the default and Shao Kahn himself (See Below).
* In a Top 10 list hosted by Screwattack.com, Shao Kahn was placed at #4 of the best *Mortal Kombat* Characters in the *Mortal Kombat* *Series*.
* Shao Kahn has been the final boss in more *Mortal Kombat* games than any other character, serving as the final boss in *MKII*, *MK3*/*UMK3*/*MKT*, *MK:SM*, and *MK 2011*.
* In the Parody fighting game *Divekick*, in Kung Pao's story, she is the daughter of Theodore Khan, an evil dictator. Theodore Khan is likely a parody of Shao Kahn.
* A 1993 UK-published strategy guide for *Mortal Kombat II* described Kahn as being *"dressed like a '70s disco queen."*

### *Mortal Kombat II*

* Shao Kahn not only makes his debut in *Mortal Kombat II*, but also replaces Shang Tsung as the final boss, a role he takes over for a majority of his appearances in the franchise.
* Shao Kahn was digitally re-sized to a taller height to make him tower over the playable characters. Ironically, the actor who played him, bodybuilder Brian Glynn, was not nearly as imposing in comparison; a photograph published in *GamePro* magazine of Glynn and Ed Boon standing side-by-side, which was snapped during production of the game, showed that Boon was taller.
* Although Shao Kahn holds a staff in *Mortal Kombat II*, he is never been seen using it.
	+ It also makes an appearance in *Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks*, however like before, he never uses it during gameplay.
		- It makes a reappearance in *MK11* as a Kollector trade item known as Blood Scepter in the Krypt, but once again he never uses one during gameplay nor can the one from the Krypt be used at all.

### *Mortal Kombat 3*/*Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3*/*Mortal Kombat Trilogy*

* This game marks the first game in which he uses his Wrath Hammer and becomes his signature weapon for the rest of his appearances in the series.
* Shao Kahn is the only character who bleeds from Robot Smoke's teleport.

### *Mortal Kombat: Deception*

* In *Mortal Kombat: Deception*, in Konquest Mode, his costume is based on his *MKII* appearance.

### *Mortal Kombat: Armageddon*

* Shao Kahn is the one of the only remaining survivors in the original timeline after winning *Armageddon*.

### *Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe*

* Shao Kahn serves as a primary antagonist for the game along side his DC counterpart Darkseid.
* Shao Kahn and Darkseid would accidently merge in the game's Story Mode, creating the game's sole original character and final boss known as Dark Kahn.

### *Mortal Kombat (2011)*

* When he is performing his **Ridicule**, some of the classic taunts throughout the game returned, such as "It's official, you suck!", "Don't make me laugh!", and "Prepare to Die!".
	+ This is also the same in *MK11*, however he is given new taunts while some of his klassic taunts will be spoken after he wins a round or when he performs a Brutality.
* In a trailer for the game, Shao Kahn uses his **Double Down** Fatality on Raiden.
* In his victory pose, a slave girl is shown crawling to and hugging his thigh as he proudly stands. This could imply that he has female slaves of his own.
	+ Both their poses are reminiscent of pulp Conan the Barbarian artwork. In particular, a certain piece by Frank Frazetta.
	+ This can be further shown in *MK11*, where he, in an interaction with Cassie Cage, states that Cage would be his new concubine. Kahn goes even further by saying that he likes females with "fire."
* Shao Kahn's **Hammer Throw** can be avoided by any female character by simply crouching while the male characters cannot do this. This is due to the hitbox being smaller for female characters in comparison to the male characters.
* In the start of *MK 2011's* story mode, Shao Kahn appears in his *MK vs DCU* costume, but is not present in the game. As his *MK vs DCU* outfit is similar to what he wore during the last leg of the 1st timeline, it was possibly a deliberate decision on the development team's part.

### *Injustice: Gods Among Us*

* Shao Kahn makes a cameo appearance during Scorpion's intro in *Injustice: Gods Among Us*.

### *Mortal Kombat X*

* In *Mortal Kombat X*, Ermac may say one of Shao Kahn's taunts, saying "*Feel the Wrath of Shao Kahn!*" during an interaction.
* Shao Kahn's Hammer and armor can both be seen in Quan Chi's Fortress in *Mortal Kombat X*.
	+ His Hammer can also be used as an interactable and a Stage Brutality.
		- When performing the Brutality and using the hammer in general, a green aura will surround the area the hammer slams down on, much like when Shao Kahn used it.
	+ Using a mod to inspect Shao Kahn's armor in Quan Chi's Fortress shows the armor is damaged, particularly his helmet, in the same fashion as it is was shown in the ending of *Mortal Kombat (2011)*.
* Shao Kahn does not appear in *Mortal Kombat X* but only in cameos in character endings, a statue in the Story Mode and the Emperor's Courtyard Stage, and a crumbling statue in the opening credits. He is mentioned by many characters in interactions and by a few in the Story Mode.
	+ Shao Kahn does not make a physical appearance in the game.
		- Shao Kahn also cameos in player card backgrounds and icons.

### *Injustice 2*

* In the DC fighting game *Injustice 2*, although he is not mentioned by Sub-Zero or Raiden who are featured as playable guest characters, Shao Kahn's name appears on multiple pieces of Raiden's gear.
	+ Sub-Zero and Raiden will mention Dark Kahn during interactions and clashes, however.
* The way Brainiac sits in his ship and watches the fight in his arena in the DC fighting game *Injustice 2* is very similar to how Shao Kahn sits in his thrones in *MK 2011*, the stages being Shao Kahn's Throne Room and Kahn's Arena, respectively.

### *Mortal Kombat Mobile*

* Shao Kahn is the only Diamond character given by completing the Relic Hunt, unlike the other Diamond cards who are Elite Pack exclusives.
	+ Additionally, once Shao Kahn has reached his maximum fusion tier, it is impossible to receive his card again as the Relic Hunt becomes disabled once he reaches Tier X.
		- Another notable Diamond character card that follow this is Klassic Reptile, who is found in the Quest Mode. Klassic Reptile, however can occasionally appear in Klassic Card Packs.
* Shao Kahn was the first character card to receive more than more than one exclusive Equipment Card.
	+ Shao Kahn's Wrath Hammer was originally a card used by all characters, but with his release, it received an exclusive effect for Shao Kahn.
* Shao Kahn is the only character that can acquire 4 bars of Super Meter. This can only be achieved if both his Helmet and Wrath Hammer are equipped to his card.
	+ The fourth bar is not an extra ability, rather just extra Super Meter. It has no symbol for an attack and nothing will happen when the player clicks on it.
		- In addition, it requires the same amount of hits needed to fill the first bar of Super Meter.
* Shao Kahn was the first character with the ability to actually kill his opponent, this being achievable through his **Culling The Weak** Passive.
	+ In later updates following Update 2.0, several Diamond character cards would gain the ability to kill their opponent by using a Brutality if specific Equipment Card Sets where added to their cards, killing the opponent after a special Combo-Ender.
		- Skarlet's *MK11* card could possibly fall into this category, as she technically makes the opponent explode using a **Blood Ball** when she defeats them.
* Although his character is ported over from *MK 2011*, he gains a modified **X-Ray**, where he points and taunts the opponent, before leaping on them and shattering their spine with his Wrath Hammer. The rest of the **X-Ray** is unchange.
* Shao Kahn originally was the only Diamond character card with a Stun for his Special 1.
* In a technical sense, Shao Kahn is one of the few characters to tag-in with a special attack.
	+ While these characters uses attacking special attacks, Shao Kahn points at the opponent and taunts them when tagging in.
* Shao Kahn is one of the few characters with a completely unblockable special attack.

### *Mortal Kombat 11*

* Shao Kahn returned in *Mortal Kombat 11*, becoming the second character in *Mortal Kombat* history after Goro to be a pre-order bonus character.
	+ Shao Kahn appears in the Story Mode, making him one of five characters to appear in a game's Story Mode before becoming playable as a DLC character. The other three are Skarlet, Tanya, Bo' Rai Cho and Sheeva.
		- However, Shao Kahn was announced as a pre-order bonus before his appearance in the Story Mode was revealed.
	+ This also makes Shao Kahn the first pre-order bonus character to actually have a role in the Story Mode of the game he is a pre-order bonus character in, as Goro had nothing to do with and was not present whatsoever in the *MKX* Story Mode.
		- Shao Kahn later gains a role in the *Aftermath* Story Mode expansion.
			* Goro was, however, the sub-boss in the game's Arcade Tower and regardless if the player purchased him or not, they would still fight him.
* Shao Kahn is one of the few characters in *MK11* with a different voice actor from his last appearance, which was in *MK 2011*.
	+ For his appearance in *MK Mobile*, his only audio is some of his reused taunts from *MK 2011*. Additionally, he only has three lines used for his Feats of Strength, which are performed by his current voice actor. (See Above.)
* Shao Kahn is one of two original final bosses in the series that appear as playable characters in *MK11*. The other is Shang Tsung.
	+ Coincidentally, both are DLC characters for the game. However, Shao Kahn is a pre-order bonus character while Shang Tsung was released in the game post-launch with the Kombat Pack.
		- They later share a trait in being playable and serving as major antagonists in the *Aftermath* Story Mode expansion.
* Shao Kahn is one of the few characters whose Arcade outfit is identical to his Story Mode appearance.
* Shao Kahn is one of two Kahns who are playable in *MK11*, the other is Kotal Kahn, the former Emperor of Outworld in the Current Timeline.
* Shao Kahn and Kotal Kahn are the only characters with more than 1000 health.
* Shao Kahn reacts with rage upon learning of Mileena's death. Additionally, he becomes angry when his opponent mocks her during interactions. This is more than likely due to her strong loyalty to Shao Kahn as both an Emperor and father and that Shao Kahn himself cared more about Mileena than he did Kitana as his "daughter".
	+ This is also supported by Shao Kahn hating the idea of Kitana as Kahnum of Outworld and deeming Mileena as an "improvement over the original", as stated by Baraka.
	+ With Sindel's release, during interactions, she too even states that Mileena was as much a daughter to her as Kitana.
* Upon delivering a Brutality, Shao Kahn will deliver one of his klassic taunts, such as, "It's official: You suck!".
	+ Additionally, after performing certain combos and winning a round, Shao Kahn may deliver one of his many classic taunts at random.
* Many of Shao Kahn's klassic taunts are reused as names for his combos.
* Shao Kahn cannot be played without his mask on. However, when a **Fatal Blow**, **Krushing Blow**, or Fatality is performed on him, his helmet is removed.
* Some of Shao Kahn's intros and outros feature him entering and exiting the fight through a giant green portal similar to the ones he used in *MK 2011*.
* Shawn Kittelsen confirmed on Twitter that Shao Kahn was not killed in *MK11'*s Story Mode, but was simply blinded by Kitana.
	+ This was later confirmed in the *Aftermath* Story Mode expansion.
* Shao Kahn is one of six announcers for *Mortal Kombat 11* and one of five unlockable announcers. The other four are Kronika, Raiden, Johnny Cage and RoboCop.
* After winning a round, Shao Kahn might turn away from his opponent with his hand raised shouting "*Are you not entertained?!*". This is a reference to the Ridley Scott film *Gladiator* where Russell Crowe's character, Maximus Decimus Meridius, shouts the phrase at the crowd after killing many opponents in the arena.
* Many of Shao Kahn's klassic outfits return through the Kustomization. This includes his appearances from *MKII* all the way to *MK 2011*, although subtle changes are made to these outfits.
	+ With this trait, he is one of the few characters in the game that did not receive a klassic outfit through DLC.
* Shao Kahn is one of the few characters whose uppercut is from the use of a weapon and not a literal uppercut, resulting in him being one of the few characters that does not literally uppercut the opponent's head off when performing the **The Klassic** Brutality.
* Interactions between Skarlet and Sindel reveal that Skarlet wishes to not only become Shao Kahn's second in command, but also his Queen.
* An interaction with The Terminator shows that Shao Kahn is interested in the machine's success in driving humanity towards extinction in the machine's own timeline.
* Interactions with Skarlet and Scorpion reveal it was Shao Kahn himself who taught Skarlet the deadly arts of Blood Magik.
	+ Additional interactions with Skarlet reveal she wishes to learn Soul Magik, to which Shao Kahn believes is too much for her to handle.
		- Interactions between Shang Tsung and Skarlet as well as between Noob Saibot and Skarlet reveal that Blood Magik is weaker than Soul Magik.
* With the release of *Aftermath*, Shao Kahn is one of the few characters with a Throw in a combo rather than a special attack.

### *Mortal Kombat 1*

* This is the first game in which Shao Kahn's Wrath Hammer is absent since its debut, being replaced by a double-sided battle axe. A counterpart of his, named **Dark Shao**, who allies himself with the alternate version of Shang Tsung wields his original Wrath Hammer.
	+ Despite his movelist having attacks where he impales the opponent with his axe, Dark Shao will still perform these attacks with his Wrath Hammer.

## Errors

* In *MK Mobile*, when Shao Kahn uses his **Emperor's Bash** Special 2 attack, his hands are incorrectly placed on his hammer during the mini-game.
* In *MK11*, during Shao Kahn's **Bone Krusher** Intro, when he points at the opponent, if a Kosmetic Outfit is selected where his left arm is covered in spikes and his fingers are clawed, his fingers will clip through his thumb when he points at the opponent during interactions.
* In *MK11*, his hands completely change positions from the start of his **Back Blown Out** Fatality, as his hands are positioned near the head of the hammer as he pulls up on the swing, then appear at the end of the handle when the camera zooms in on the same position when it starts.
	+ Additionally, as the Fatality starts, the handle for his hammer phases through his hand at the end of the handle.
* In *MK11*, in the Kustomization and when selecting Shao Kahn before a match, various errors are present depending on Shao Kahn's armor, his hammer, intros and outros, all having different results;
	+ Helmet Errors:
		- During the fighter selection process, if his helmet has extensions by the jaw, these extensions will completely clip through Shao Kahn's armor in the collar area and through his shoulder pads.
		- During the fighter selection process, his helmet can also clip through his shoulder pads. Additionally, the back of his helmet can do this as well.
		- During the fighter selection process, the back of his helmet completely clips through the handle of his hammer when it is placed on his shoulder.
	+ Hammer Errors:
		- During the fighter selection process, if Shao Kahn is selected with armor that either is missing a shoulder pad or completely lacking shoulder pads, his hammer will briefly float above his shoulder.
		- When inspecting his **Call to Arms** Intro along with his **Skull and Bones** and **Quitting Time** Outros, if Shao Kahn is selected with armor that either is missing a shoulder pad or completely lacking shoulder pads, his hammer will briefly float above his shoulder.
		- If Shao Kahn is equipped with a hammer with the head smaller than his default hammer, the hands of his servant carrying the hammer by the hammer's head will be misplaced during his **Heavyweight** Intro.
		- During the fighter selection process, Shao Kahn's hammer always clips through the shoulder pad of the shoulder he places his hammer on.
* In *MK11*, during the fighter selection process, when Shao Kahn clutches his fist at the opponent, his bicep completely clips through his armor's shoulder pad.
* In *MK11*, after performing his **Going Ham.....mer** Brutality, if one looks at the opponent's corpse, one can see that the wound where their leg comes off is completely see-through.
* In *MK11*, the updated version of **Wrath Hammer's** **Krushing Blow** requirement is incorrect, as it lists the attack as "Hammer Throw".
* In *MK11*, when Shao Kahn performs the **Krushing Blow** version of his **Last Breath** combo, the opponent will incorrectly swap sides when the **Krushing Blow** is triggered if Shao Kahn performs it with his back not facing the camera.
	+ Additionally, there is a chance that Shao Kahn's hands will be incorrectly placed when the effect triggers, where he is holding onto and holding up nothing.
* In *MK11*, during his **DIE Krushing Blow**, Shao Kahn's spear completely clips through his hand as he stabs the opponent in the chest.
	+ Additionally, when Shao Kahn performs the **Krushing Blow**, he is stabbing the opponent with only one hand on the spear, but as soon as the cinematic ends, he is stabbing the opponent in the stomach with his spear with two hands on the spear.
* In *MK11*, if Shao Kahn wins the match by starting up his **DIE** combo, the second hit of the combo misses, separating the combo in its entirety despite being the correct distance to perform the combo.
	+ This in turn can prevent Shao Kahn from either performing a Fatality at the end of the match nor can Shao Kahn perform his **Head Kabob** Brutality due to the separation of the combo and it not following the Brutality's requirements.
* In *MK11*, if Shao Kahn successfully performs his **Charging Through** Brutality from **Shoulder Charger's** maximum range, the opponent will appear to become cut in half from the head down without Shao Kahn making contact with them or charging through them.
* In *MK11*, there is a note for Shao Kahn's **You Will Never Win** combo, stating the combo can not be canceled into special attacks when Flawless Blocked, however the combo can in fact be canceled into specials if Flawless Blocked.
* In *MK11*, Shao Kahn can perform his **Obliterated** Brutality on opponents that are not blocking. This occurs during a Last Breath, in which the opponent's Defensive Meter no longer defends the chip damage, however in this case, the Brutality should not trigger given the requirement, since the opponent is forced to stop blocking.
* In *MK11*, if Shao Kahn performs his **Kickin' Reiko Style** Brutality on Raiden, the Brutality result is significantly incorrect, where when Shao Kahn kicks Raiden, Raiden's upper body is not destroyed and his legs become duplicated with his still intact torso, although skinned rather than being normal. Why this occurs only on Raiden and what causes this error is unknown.
* In *MK11*, if Shao Kahn has **Wrath Hammer** or **(Air) Wrath Hammer** equipped, playing him in the Klassic Towers or Towers of Time will cause an incorrect note for both attacks, stating "*Coverts Hammer attacks to deal CHAOS damage while active*", this actually being the description for the **Dark Priest** attack in these modes.