Sub-Zero's Ice Powers
The Lin Kuei cryomancer's freeze, ice blast and ice clone.
Sub-Zero's ice powers belong to the two Lin Kuei warriors who carry the name, the brothers Bi-Han and Kuai Liang, who can both control ice in many forms. Sub-Zero is the only character name to appear in every main Mortal Kombat game, and his freeze is one of the series' best-known moves.
Lore & Background
In the first Mortal Kombat Sub-Zero had just two special moves, an ice blast and a sliding kick. Mortal Kombat II added a ground freeze and a Fatality in which he freezes and shatters the victim; a freeze-and-shatter finisher had first replaced the Spine Rip in the SNES port of the first game. Ed Boon said the Freeze was once dropped for an Ice Shower and brought back after fans asked for it at a local arcade. Sub-Zero also gained a teleport in which he freezes himself, drops to the ground and reappears behind the foe.
Reader's Guide
1UP.com counted his ice projectile among the mechanics that changed video games, since a frozen opponent is open to any attack. IGN, reviewing Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe, found his freezing more fun than Batman's abilities.
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