Sub-Zero

**Kuai Liang** (奎良 or 快涼), also known as **Sub-Zero** (絶対零度, "Absolute zero")[1], formerly known as **Tundra** and the cyborg **LK-52O**, is a Lin Kuei assassin in the *Mortal Kombat* fighting game series. He is the younger brother of Bi-Han, who was the original Sub-Zero.

## About Sub-Zero

There are in fact two incarnations of Sub-Zero, and they are siblings; older brother Bi-Han and younger brother Kuai Liang. Both are blue garbed warriors who at different times have used the codename "Sub-Zero", and both have served the Lin Kuei. Both descended from Cryomancers, an Outworld race possessing the ability to generate and control the powers of ice. However, they were born in Earthrealm and only the younger Sub-Zero would discover his heritage. Kuai Liang bears a scar on his right eye which he received between the events of *MK3*. However, as seen in *Deception*, the scar has faded away. This may have been caused by the Dragon Medallion's power.

In their biography, both Sub-Zero brothers were sons of a Cryomancer father and a human mother. It is known that the father of both brothers was a secret operative for the Lin Kuei in the United States. He married an American woman and together they had two sons. Against the will of their mother, the father took the sons with him to move back to China, and as such both brothers were trained as Lin Kuei assassins. This was later retconned as both brothers being kidnapped by the Lin Kuei when they were still children (this was revealed in Sub-Zero's trailer in *Mortal Kombat 2011*).

Bi-Han appeared as Sub-Zero in the first *Mortal Kombat*, while Kuai Liang went by the codename "Tundra". After Bi-Han was murdered by Scorpion during the tournament, Kuai Liang swore revenge on him. He mastered the art of Ice and Cold, and took his brother's former code name: Sub-Zero. Driven by anger, Kuai Liang entered The Mortal Kombat Tournament with one goal: To destroy his brother's killer, and anyone else that gets in the way.

Kuai Liang replaced him as Sub Zero for the rest of the games - Bi-Han later was resurrected by Quan Chi and became the undead Netherrealm wraith Noob Saibot. The younger Sub-Zero clearly shares many traits with his older brother, and was perhaps too similar to his brother upon his introduction. Like the elder, the younger Sub-Zero gives the impression of being a stern, distant and cold man who goes about his business silently, without attracting unwanted attention. However, as time progressed, Sub-Zero evolved - from what fans labeled a "carbon copy" of his brother - into a man of great integrity and self-discipline. The disparities between the brothers, who were once neutral and almost indistinct from each other, have now grown so large that one could speak of the evil twin syndrome.

## Appearance

Sub-Zero dresses in the familiar blue-garbed ninja-like uniform. Originally, Sub-Zero was depicted with Asian facial features as revealed in the ending when unmasked, due to a Chinese-American heritage.

Interestingly, Sub-Zero is one of the few characters in the series to show signs of natural aging (faster than anyone due to the Dragon Medallion). Around *Deadly Alliance*, he is depicted with slight wrinkles and graying hair, which has begun to bald around the time of *Deception*. His scar also changes blue, and eventually fades from his face entirely.

## Bios

* **Mortal Kombat** - *"An assassin of the Lin Kuei clan, Kuai Liang commands the power of ice and cold. Unlike other members of his clan, he and his older brother, Bi-Han, were abducted as children by the Lin Kuei and trained in the techniques of assassination throughout their lives. Though his codename is Tundra, he has now assumed the mantle of Sub-Zero to honor his brother after Bi-Han's mysterious death. With the help of his fellow Lin Kuei Smoke, Sub-Zero tirelessly hunts the one who killed his brother."*

## Kombat Characteristics

### Powers and Abilities

Having descended from a race of Outworld inhabitants known as Cryomancers, Sub-Zero has the innate ability to control ice in many forms. Throughout the span of the series, Sub-Zero's powers have continued to evolve. Aside from flash-freezing opponents, Sub-Zero also has the ability to instantly conjure up an ice statue of himself to act as both a scapegoat and a 'landmine' of sorts as any who touch it instantly flash freeze. Since having taken possession of the Dragon Medallion, the scope of Sub-Zero's powers and abilities has increased significantly. As a member of the Lin Kuei, Sub-Zero has attained a great degree of skill in many forms of hand-to-hand combat. The Dragon Medallion and his ancestral armor increased and amplified his martial arts and ice-related abilities, as shown in his *Deception* Arcade ending. Throughout the *Mortal Kombat* series, Sub-Zero's abilities have grown more powerful; he can even transform his body into a liquefied state, solid state or transform his body into solid ice at will. Raiden has commented that Sub-Zero is more powerful than his brother.

## Movelist

### Signature Moves

* **Ice Blast:** Sub-Zero sends a blast of ice directly towards the opponent to temporarily freeze them in place for a free hit. He could also freeze opponents in midair, if timed correctly. In the earlier *Mortal Kombat* games, if Sub-Zero were to freeze the opponent twice, the second ice ball would defrost the opponent and freeze Sub-Zero, setting him up for a free hit. Like Scorpion's Spear, it has had different depictions.
* **Slide:** Sub-Zero slides across the floor, knocking the opponent off their feet. It is assumed Sub-Zero slides by freezing the soles of his feet. This move was later given to Frost. In *Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks,* Sub-Zero can perform an uppercut or throw a snowball-like projectile after executing the Slide.
* **Ground Ice:** Sub-Zero freezes the floor and whoever steps on the circle of ice will temporarily slip all over the place, setting the opponent up for a free hit. Since it aims for the opponent's feet, it cannot be blocked. This move was also later adapted for Frost. In *Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks*, the Ground Ice maneuver can be upgraded to allow Sub-Zero to freeze the ground around him in a radius affecting multiple enemies or even create chunks of ice to pop opponents into the air.
* **Ice Shower:** Sub-Zero shoots ice straight overhead which falls back down atop his opponent. He can shoot it close, mid way, or far away to freeze the opponent. In *Armageddon*, it is known as **Ice Pillar** and instead of falling on the opponent, the ice comes up underneath them like a frozen geyser, freezing and suspending them in the air.
* **Icy Skateboard:** Sub-Zero freezes his opponent and skateboards with the frozen opponent's body.

### Secret Technique

* **Rib Breaker:** Sub-Zero grabs his opponent, delivers two elbows to the ribs then flips his opponent to the ground. In *Armageddon*, he freezes his opponent then delivers a massive forward punch to the ribs.

### Other Moves

* **Throw Forward:** Sub-Zero freezes his opponent solid, then punches them with an ice-covered fist, knocking them to the ground.
* **Throw Backward:** Sub-Zero creates an icicle and stabs the opponent with it, then twists it, breaking it.
* **Suplex Throw:** Sub-Zero grabs his foe, proceeds to roll backwards, brings up a leg as in a monkey flip and launches the foe halfway across the area. He then does a kip-up.

### Finishing Moves

#### Fatalities

* **Spine Rip:** Sub-Zero grabs the opponent's neck, and tears out their spine and skull. This Fatality was taken directly from his older brother. This was later used as a finisher in *Armageddon*.
* **Ice Shatter:** Sub-Zero deep-freezes his opponent, then uppercuts their upper body, shattering it. In *MK:SM*, Sub-Zero knocks off the opponent's upper body rather than shattering it.

## Sequences

### Battle Intro

An icy humanoid figure is formed and then bursts into pieces, revealing Sub-Zero. Sub-Zero says, "Yow will feel the chill of despair!"

### Victory Pose

Sub-Zero says, "You are not so fearsome after all." and creates a sword out of ice and then thrusts it to the ground and looks at the sky.

## Trivia

* During Sub-Zero's *Mortal Kombat (2011)* arcade ending, a warrior in shadow can be seen performing the infamous Spine Rip fatality on another warrior. This is likely depicting Scorpion's death by the original Sub-Zero, Bi-Han, in the Shaolin Temple.
* In *Defenders of the Realm*, Sub-Zero is shown to grow weak and debilitated in hot environments. It is unknown if this applies to other depictions.
* The Pinyin translation of Sub-Zero's Chinese name (奎良), going by the first name-last name standard (the second character represents the person's first name), can be translated as "Liáng Kuí". While "Liáng" is a fairly common first name in mainland China (direct translation = "Good"), "Kuí" as a last name/surname establishes the person as a "foreigner from another kingdom" to China (as the name originated from either Mongolia or from the Manchu). Whether this character's naming convention was chosen to represent Sub-Zero's status as an Outworlder that was born in the Earthrealm or, alternatively, is merely a happy coincidence to the character is unknown.
* The alternative Chinese characters for his name are "快涼", literally meaning "Fast and cool". In addition, "涼快" (*Liang Kuai*) means "cool".
* In an episode of *Malcolm in the Middle*, Reese mentions the fact that nobody believes that he beat the last level of *Mortal Kombat*, to which Hal responds "Because that's just ridiculous; no one beats Sub-Zero."
* Sub-Zero inspired the professional wrestling character known as Glacier in World Championship Wrestling. Ray Lloyd, a regional Karate champion, played the role for several years.
* His weapon is called the "*Kōri*-Blade". *Kōri* (or *hyō*) is Japanese for "ice" (Chinese *bīng*), *hyōten* (*bīngdiǎn*) is "freezing point", and *hyōtenka* (*bīngdiǎnxià*) is "below freezing" - or, "sub-zero".
* Despite not being a playable character in *MK:TE*, he is still involved in Sareena's ending.
* Ed Boon stated that Sub-Zero was originally going to be called "Tundra", which canonically was Sub-Zero's original codename before changing it to Sub-Zero, honoring his fallen brother.
* The game *Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks* has a small Easter egg when two players select Sub-Zero in versus mode; his player 2 outfit is recolored black and resembles Noob Saibot.
* In the television show *Mortal Kombat: Conquest,* it is mentioned that Sub-Zero had a sister, Lisa (who was murdered by Peron), but this seems to be the only universe where it shows he had a sibling other than Noob Saibot. Of course, the series takes place hundreds of years before the events of the movie, so the Sub-Zero in Conquest could be the ancestor of the character in the games.
* In his *MK vs DCU*ending, he becomes Earthrealm's version of Batman, even altering his attire based on Batman's, also, his leaving of the Lin Kuei to pursue this goal is similar to some plot elements of *Batman Begins*.
* In *MKII*, it is possible to defeat an enemy using only uppercuts, which in-turn, would allow the final blow to be a freeze move. If done quickly, a player could freeze the opponent as a final blow and perform either the **Deep Freeze Uppercut** or the **Ice Grenade** to finish their opponent which would then be followed by the thaw and collapse of the character just finished. The result would be to finish an opponent with a Fatality while still leaving their body on screen.
* The Chinese characters on Sub-Zero's *MK:DA* primary costume "冰龍的", mean "Ice Dragon's" (as in "this belongs to Ice Dragon"). 冰= "Ice" // 龍= "Dragon" // 的= "'s". His alternative costume of the same game has the same Chinese Characters with addition to another "Ice" (冰龍的冰). As a result, it now means "Ice Dragon's Ice".
* During the making of *Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance*, Sub-Zero was originally given Tae Kwon Do as his primary fighting style, but this was given to Sonya instead.
* Sub-Zero is similar to Taven in the regard that they both have a brother (Noob Saibot/Daegon) that became corrupted (Noob's descent into darkness/Daegon's influence from Shinnok) and both have tried to kill them (Noob in *Deception*/Daegon in *Armageddon*).
* In his *MK 2011* ending, Sub-Zero's partnership with Scorpion is very similar to the one formed by Shang Tsung and Quan Chi; they are even referred to as a "Deadly Alliance".
	+ Unlike Shang Tsung and Quan Chi's alliance however, this alliance did not end with Sub-Zero and Scorpion fighting each other, instead they remained partners.
* A parody character called Absolute Zero appears in the game *Adventure Quest Worlds*.
* Sub-Zero, counting his Klassic Fatality and cyber form, is the only character in *Mortal Kombat (2011)* that has 5 Fatalities. Also, counting his cyber form, he is the only character who is playable in two complete chapters. Also, he is the only character to fight the same opponent twice, this one being Ermac, who is fought once in each of his chapters.
* Machinima held a V.S. video featuring Scorpion and Sub-Zero where fans could vote on who would win. Sub-Zero received 5,728 votes, but Scorpion won with 6,262 votes.
* In addition to his *MK1* Klassic Costume, Sub-Zero later received an additional outfit with the Freddy Krueger compatability pack, labled as the *MK3* Klassic Costume. Although the head resembles his *MK3* appearance, the outfit is in fact the ninja outfit worn by Ninja Sub-Zero from *UMK3*.
* When using Sub-Zero's alternate costume in *Mortal Kombat (2011)*, most of his sound files are changed to Noob Saibot's; this can be clearly heard when he dies from a Fatality or performs the **Ice ball** special move. This can be interpreted as being the first time in many years since the Elder Sub-Zero was last playable in canon.
	+ Furthermore, when wearing his Klassic Costume (Bi-Han's original costume), Sub-Zero's voice clips remain those of Kuai Liang.
* In a Top 10 list hosted by *Screwattack.com*, Sub-Zero was placed at #2 of the Mortal Kombat Characters in the *Mortal Kombat Series*.
	+ In another Top 10 list hosted by *Screwattack.com*, Sub-Zero was placed at #5 of the ninja characters in the videogames.
	+ In another Top 10 list hosted by *Screwattack.com*, Sub-Zero's **Spine Rip** Fatality was placed at #1 of the top *Mortal Kombat* Fatalities.
* According to John Vogel, the Sub-Zero who taught the freezing abilities to Shujinko in his youth, was not Bi-Han or Kuai Liang but an ancestor of them (he could either be their father or grandfather).
* Originally in *MK 2011*, Sub-Zero's human form possessed the Icy Counter from *MK vs DCU*. He was later given the Ice Clone instead, while the Icy Counter was given to his cyber form.
* In *MKX*, Sub-Zero is the only character whose X-Ray attack does not break or damage any bones.
* Sub-Zero makes a cameo appearance during Scorpion's intro in *Injustice: Gods Among Us*. He returns as a DLC character in the sequel, *Injustice 2*, with Steve Blum reprising the role.
	+ Sub-Zero is also mentioned in a clash sequence with Scorpion and Batman.
	+ Like Scorpion before him, *Injustice 2*'s Sub-Zero was given a redesign by legendary DC Comic's artist, Jim Lee.
* The League of Legends character Shen has two alternate skins that reference both Scorpion and Sub-Zero.
* Kuai Liang's older brother Bi-Han had a weapon called the Troll Hammer in *MK Armageddon*, Kuai Liang has similar weapon in *Mortal Kombat X*, made out of ice.
* Fans of the Saudi Arabian soccer team known as Al-Hilal have payed tribute to Sub-Zero & the Mortal Kombat series before their club's matches first by showing Sub-Zero's face and then showing the words: "Finish 'em."
* Kuai Liang's Frozen Dinner Brutality is shared with Triborg as Cyber Sub-Zero.
* In *MKX*, Sub-Zero, along with Raiden and Replite, has the weakest X-ray attack, dealing only 31% damage.