Scorpion Vs Sub-Zero: Who Is The Strongest Mortal Kombat Fighter?

Back in the 90s, I was utterly captivated by this iconic video game franchise known as “Mortal Kombat.” From its initial arcade release by Midway Games in 1992, it took the gaming world by storm, riding the wave of popularity following the success of Capcom’s “Street Fighter 2” the year before. Although its fighting mechanics might not have been as sophisticated as its Japanese counterpart, it more than made up for it with a brutal dose of gore and an unmistakable ’90s swagger.

What truly set “Mortal Kombat” apart was its groundbreaking digitized sprites, which breathed life into the characters, making them appear more realistic than any other game at that time. The resulting bloody battles were both gruesome and mesmerizing, leaving an indelible mark on gamers everywhere. And let’s not forget the dance hit inspired by the franchise or the various TV shows, including a Saturday morning cartoon, that brought its characters to life off-screen.

Regrettably, even though the graphics were impressive for its time, there were still hardware constraints on the arcade machine. Consequently, to introduce a new fighter, the team had to alter the color scheme of one ninja character to create two instead. Specifically, one was painted blue and given the name Sub-Zero, while another was yellow and named Scorpion (with a third, hidden character being green). Although they resembled each other, they each had their own unique backstory and special powers, becoming iconic figures in “Mortal Kombat” games. However, which one is stronger: Sub-Zero or Scorpion? Let’s explore that below, shall we? Fight!

Bi-Han vs. Hanzo Hasashi

In the character selection screen, Scorpion and Sub-Zero are the names displayed for selecting fighters, but these aren’t their true identities; instead, they’re their stylish ninja aliases. It’s worth mentioning that multiple individuals have assumed these pseudonyms, with one person even adopting both, but we’ll delve into that detail later. Nevertheless, Bi-Han and Hanzo Hasashi are the original and widely recognized versions of these two legendary characters as Sub-Zero and Scorpion respectively.

In the Mortal Kombat storyline that started with the original game in 1992 and continued until Mortal Kombat: Armageddon in 2006, we’ll focus on the main timeline. Here, Bi-Han is a frost-wielding assassin belonging to the Lin Kuei Chinese clan, known for his blue ninja attire (which isn’t ideal for stealth). During one of his missions, he encounters Hanzo Hasashi, also a ninja assassin from the Shirai Ryu Japanese clan, who doesn’t have powers yet and wears a yellow ninja outfit that seems just as unsuitable for stealth.

In this battle, Bi-Han (Sub-Zero) had extraordinary ice abilities, while Hanzo was simply a highly skilled human. Given this, Sub-Zero overpowered and defeated Scorpion rather effortlessly. Although it’s clear that Sub-Zero emerged victorious in this round, the fairness of the fight is questionable due to his supernatural powers. Nevertheless, Sub-Zero dominated this initial encounter quite decisively.

The first Mortal Kombat tournament

The Mortal Kombat tournament takes place only once every generation. This contest determines the fate of realms, as any realm that poses a threat to invade another must be represented by its strongest fighters. These combatants engage in deadly battles to either protect their own realm or conquer another by winning ten consecutive matches within the Mortal Kombat tournament. In the first Mortal Kombat video game, Earthrealm finds itself under attack from the malevolent Outworld ruled by Emperor Shao Kahn. Shang Tsung, a powerful sorcerer serving under Kahn, oversees the tournament on his behalf. The relationship between Sub-Zero and Scorpion in this context is somewhat complex and often inconsistent, with additional complications arising from the various timeline manipulations.

In certain narratives, Sub-Zero is depicted as fighting for Outworld due to the Lin Kuei clan being persuaded by Tsung to join their side during the tournament. On the other hand, some stories portray Bi-Han as a native of Earthrealm. As for Scorpion, his loyalty shifts depending on the storyline; in one version he’s shown as battling for the Netherrealm because he becomes an undead entity after being killed by Bi-Han, while in others Hanzo is depicted as fighting for Outworld.

Generally speaking, except for the latest game titled “Mortal Kombat 1,” released in 2023, Hanzo (also known as the undead Scorpion) typically defeats Bi-Han in the tournament, seeking revenge for his own death. This battle tends to be more balanced since both combatants possess supernatural abilities. In this case, Scorpion usually emerges victorious in round two.

Kuai Liang and alternate timelines

In simpler terms, Kuai Liang shares a unique bond with both Scorpion and Sub-Zero, particularly following the launch of the latest semi-remake called “Mortal Kombat 1”. Originally, in the Mortal Kombat timeline (and even the alternate timeline that started from the first semi-remake, which is often referred to as “Mortal Kombat 9” by fans), Liang is the younger brother of Bi-Han. After Scorpion assassinates Han during the initial Mortal Kombat tournament, Bi-Han assumes the role of Sub-Zero.

Following our confrontations, I, Hanzo, found myself bound by a complex bond with Liang’s Sub-Zero. In a bid to make amends for the tragic loss of his brother, I became Liang’s protector. This shift was not only due to Liang’s noble character, but also because while we were both products of the Lin Kuei clan’s ruthless training, Liang displayed a remarkable compassion towards his adversaries. In one alternate timeline, my Shirai Ryu and Liang’s Lin Kuei clans eventually forged peace.

At the close of 2019’s “Mortal Kombat 11,” the universe meets its destruction again. Liu Kang, the primary character in the “Mortal Kombat” series, transforms into a Time Titan and initiates a new storyline for “Mortal Kombat 1.” In this revised narrative, Liang assumes the identity of Scorpion, while his brother continues to be known as Bi-Han, the Sub-Zero of that universe. What’s more, Hanzo is now a young trainee under Liang’s guidance.

Sub-Zero’s ice powers

In the world of Mortal Kombat, whether it’s the original Bi-Han or his brother Kuai Liang under the blue ninja mask, both Sub-Zeros share a common repertoire of abilities that revolve around ice manipulation, a power they call cryomancy. One of the fundamental powers Sub-Zero wields is the ability to freeze his opponents solid. In combat sequences within the games, once an opponent is attacked while frozen, the ice shatters, allowing them another chance to attack. However, in Mortal Kombat lore outside the games, particularly the 1995 film, being frozen equates to a certain and immediate demise. Sub-Zero is also recognized for freezing his surroundings to gain an edge, such as blasting ice on the ground to make his enemies slip or using that same icy surface to quickly glide across the arena and strike his foes along the way.

In subsequent games, Sub-Zero expands the range of his icy abilities. One of his most intriguing talents is the creation of ice duplicates of himself. If an adversary interacts with one of these replicas, they become immobilized. Additionally, he learns to fire ice projectiles that can fall upon opponents like a snowstorm from above. Most spectacularly, Sub-Zero demonstrates his mastery over cryomancy by fabricating improvised ice weapons on the fly. He essentially molds any sharp or blunt instrument he desires out of ice to brutally cut or crush his foes, much like a frozen T-1000. Indeed, he is not someone to be trifled with.

Sub-Zero’s weaknesses

Due to Sub-Zero’s power over ice and cold, he struggles when faced with extreme heat. This isn’t a frequent occurrence, but it does happen, particularly in additional Mortal Kombat materials. For example, in the 1997 movie “Mortal Kombat: Annihilation”, we see Sub-Zero, portrayed as Kuai Liang (Keith Cooke), grow tired and weak when battling Scorpion, who also reappeared in this sequel despite dying in the original film. A reasonable explanation for his return isn’t provided.

In a remarkable display of coordinated combat, the battle unfolds high above molten rock, with Liang gradually losing strength as the struggle continues, ultimately falling to Scorpion’s might. Similar scenarios can be found in the Saturday morning cartoon series, “Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm.” The disadvantage that Sub-Zero faces against Scorpion stems from the latter’s pyrokinetic abilities, which are either a result of Scorpion being a vengeful spirit resurrected from hell like Hanzo Hasashi, or simply an inherent trait in the Scorpion character from the “Mortal Kombat 1” universe, where he is known as Kuai Liang’s Scorpion. Regardless of the origin, Scorpion’s fire powers provide him a significant upper hand against Sub-Zero, which may have been instrumental in his victory over Bi-Han during the initial “Mortal Kombat” tournament.

Scorpion’s supernatural powers

Previously stated, the storyline of “Mortal Kombat” has undergone a semi-refresh on multiple occasions. The first reboot occurred in 2011 with “Mortal Kombat 9,” followed by another in 2023 with “Mortal Kombat 1.” These events have led to the existence of two distinct Scorpions across different storylines. In the original storyline, our beloved ninja clad in yellow is Hanzo Hasashi, a regular human born without superpowers. He acquired his powers after being killed by Bi-Han, sent to the Netherrealm, and subsequently resurrected as a vengeful undead entity. In contrast, the Scorpion role in the “MK1” timeline is taken up by an alternate-universe Kuai Liang, who was born with his powers unlike Hanzo.

Between the two characters Scorpion, there are striking similarities in their power sets, yet distinct differences are also evident. For instance, Liang from “MK1” not being a hellspawn limits his abilities to his spear and fire-based attacks like fireballs. He lacks the additional powers that Hanzo, the Revenant, possesses, such as traveling to the Netherrealm for regeneration and power enhancement, which is exclusive to Hanzo. Moreover, this ability allows Hanzo to send opponents to the Netherrealm, as demonstrated in the 1995 movie with Johnny Cage. Lastly, as a Revenant, Hanzo’s Scorpion has an uncanny resilience; even if defeated, he can return, more enraged than before, showcasing his immortality to some extent.

Scorpion’s weaknesses

Unlike Sub-Zero, neither Hanzo Hasashi nor Kuai Liang’s version of Scorpion possess any inherent vulnerabilities that hinder their abilities significantly. However, this doesn’t mean they can’t be defeated or overpowered; quite the contrary! For instance, in the storyline of “Mortal Kombat 11,” the evil yellow bug woman D’Vorah manages to kill Hanzo Hasashi. Similarly, in the crossover game “Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe” from 2008, Batman successfully knocks out Scorpion, who remains unconscious for a prolonged period in the Batmobile during that game’s narrative. This demonstrates that even powerful characters like Scorpion can be defeated under certain circumstances.

In contrast to Sub-Zero, Scorpion doesn’t suffer a decline in power when faced with extreme heat. Unlike Sub-Zero, who has a specific vulnerability, Scorpion lacks any significant weakness that could diminish his abilities. This makes Scorpion generally more powerful compared to Sub-Zero.

Martial arts prowess

Determining which of Sub-Zero and Scorpion is the superior martial artist proves to be more complicated than it appears at first glance. For starters, they share a common background as highly trained assassins. Secondly, their in-story clashes and victories over one another result in a fairly balanced record (each killing the other, then being revived). Even when considering Kuai Liang, who fights as Sub-Zero in “Mortal Kombat 9” and defeats Hanzo, but is later defeated by him in “Mortal Kombat X,” it’s important to note that neither character actually kills the other. In the timeline of “Mortal Kombat 1,” Liang, as Scorpion, triumphs over Bi-Han, but at that time, Hanzo is still a child.

It’s tricky to decide which martial artist is better between Sub-Zero and Scorpion because they have similar backgrounds as assassins, their fights result in an equal number of victories and defeats, and their encounters don’t usually lead to death. In the storyline of “Mortal Kombat 1,” Liang (Scorpion) beats Bi-Han (Sub-Zero), but Hanzo is young at that time.

Nevertheless, their unique skills should not be overlooked; ultimately, these powers outweigh their martial arts expertise. Keeping this in mind, it can be challenging to pinpoint the impact of each fighter’s special abilities on their respective victories. Previously discussed, Bi-Han’s initial victory over Hanzo (Scorpion) was primarily due to Han possessing ice powers. At that time, Hanzo was just an ordinary ninja. Therefore, the contest was inherently unbalanced. Even though Hanzo defeated Han in the first Mortal Kombat tournament, it is worth noting that Sub-Zero has a vulnerability to heat, which benefits Scorpion.

In the 2021 remake of “Mortal Kombat”, the opening fight scene between Bi-Han and Hanzo is remarkably balanced, as Bi-Han barely employs his ice abilities but manages to emerge victorious. However, due to its numerous unexplained plot points, this movie can be considered subpar, so we’ll approach it with a bit of skepticism.

Scorpion and Sub-Zero Animalities comparison

Instead of discussing the entertaining differences between our two vibrant ninja combatants’ Fatalities, it’s essential to note that these deadly moves are inherently linked to their unique skills. For example, Sub-Zero typically performs Fatalities centered around freezing enemies (except for his renowned Fatality from the ’92 arcade game), while Scorpion uses flames, the Netherrealm, or his signature spear in his Fatalities. However, we’ve previously explored their special abilities in detail.

In “Mortal Kombat 3”, a new Finisher move was introduced – Animalities, building upon the Friendships and Babalities from “Mortal Kombat 2”. To put it simply, when the victorious player enters the correct combination after “Finish Him” is announced, the winning character morphs into an animal that then dispatches the defeated opponent. Initially, only unmasked Sub-Zero was playable in the original Mortal Kombat 3, but luckily, Scorpion was added to the game later in the “Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3” arcade release, which came out a few months afterwards.

In both versions, Sub-Zero metamorphoses into a large polar bear, whereas Scorpion takes on an unexpected form – not a penguin, but a scorpion itself. Originally, it seemed fitting for Scorpion to transform into a scorpion, but that form was already taken by Sheeva in the older “MK3.” So, Scorpion had been left with… something else. In that contest, Sub-Zero emerged victorious. However, in 2023’s “Mortal Kombat 1,” Animalities were reintroduced, and Scorpion finally got to transform into a giant scorpion, while Sub-Zero transformed into a woolly mammoth. This time, it looks like the giant scorpion has an edge, but we’ll see how it plays out!

Scorpion Wins!

Analyzing both Sub-Zero and Scorpion from a logical and scientific perspective considering various factors such as their roles in the storyline, their powers, weaknesses, and even symbolic spirit animals, it appears that Scorpion emerges victorious in this hypothetical fight. The evidence is overwhelming when you consider all the relevant data.

To summarize, initially Bi-Han (Sub-Zero) killed Hanzo Hasashi (Scorpion), which set Scorpion’s original backstory. However, it’s important to note that the one with ice powers (Sub-Zero) defeated the one without powers (the original Hanzo). This discrepancy doesn’t significantly impact our discussion. In their tournament fight in Mortal Kombat, where Hanzo had powers, Sub-Zero was decisively beaten by him. Similarly, when Kuai Liang became Scorpion in the latest timeline, he emerged victorious against Sub-Zero.

Additionally, it’s worth noting that Sub-Zero is vulnerable to extreme heat, similar to Kryptonite’s effect on Superman. In contrast, Scorpion doesn’t have any inherent weaknesses and his power originates from fire. This implies that the strength Scorpion derives from heat is essentially Sub-Zero’s weakness, significantly reducing the effectiveness of Sub-Zero’s powers in a fight. To add to this, Scorpion wields an impressive spear and his iconic line, “Get over here!”, adds to his badass persona. Considering these factors, it can be argued that Scorpion has the upper hand. Therefore, our conclusion: Scorpion takes the victory!

2025-02-05 15:32