The Book of Sub-Zero

[Arkham]

The Book of Sub-Zero​

C3G DC SUPER SECRET EXCLUSIVE 60
MORTAL KOMBAT!​

Comic PDF

Mini PDF

The figure used for this unit is a modified Heroclix figure from the TMNT Heroes in a Half-Shell set. Its model number and name are #007 / Foot Ninja (3 Segment Staff).
Tutorial on How to Paint/Mod this Figure​

______________________________________________________________

Character Bio - 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.

While the younger Sub-Zero was depicted as a young Lin Kuei warrior who was living in the shadow of his older brother, he has since changed and grown into a warrior who has progressed towards the more humane sides of moral issues. This change in characteristics has not only strengthened him as a man, but has also set him apart from his former Lin Kuei counterparts. This included leaving his clan in disgust and breaking the sacred codes of honor, joining the rebellion against Shao Kahn and assisting Raiden and Liu Kang (along with Earthrealm's other chosen warriors). More recently, he defeated the cyborg assassin known as Sektor to gain the leadership of the Lin Kuei and become the Grandmaster, where he has grown even stronger and more powerful. He is a dependable ally of Earthrealm who is willing to assist when needed, especially when Raiden gives the call. He is, without question, one of the greatest and most powerful warriors that Earthrealm has to offer. -MK Wiki
_________________________________________________________________

-Rulings and Clarifications-

• N/A

_________________________________________________________________

-Combinations and Synergies-

Incoming Synergy:

• As a figure with a secret identity, Sub-Zero has these Secret Identity Synergies.
• As a Warrior, Sub-Zero has these Warrior Synergies.

Outgoing Synergy:

• N/A

Immunities, Benefits, and Weaknesses:

• As a figure with a secret identity, Sub-Zero interacts differently with these special powers.
• Figures with the Ice Resistance special power cannot be chosen for Sub-Zero's Ice Blast 7 special power and do not receive wounds from Sub-Zero's Ice Clone Counter special power.

_________________________________________________________________

-Strategy, Tactics and Tips-

• Sub-Zero strategy guide

-Heroscapers Community Contributions-

• Initial Playtest: Arkham
• Second playtest: LOBSTER
• Third playtest: Lazy Orang
• Fourth playtest: Lazy Orang (after ICC change)
• Fifth playtest: Soundwarp
• Sixth playtest: Lazy Orang (After Ice Blast change)
• Seventh playtest: Tornado
• Art: Comic, Figure, Background
• Art by Arkham
• Sub-Zero was created by Ed Boon and John Tobias.

 

[Arkham]

NAME = SUB-ZERO
SECRET IDENTITY = KUAI LIANG

SPECIES = CRYOMANCER
UNIQUENESS = UNIQUE HERO
CLASS = WARRIOR
PERSONALITY = DETERMINED
SIZE/HEIGHT = MEDIUM 5

LIFE = 5

MOVE = 6
RANGE = 1
ATTACK = 4
DEFENSE = 5

POINTS = 230

ICE BLAST 7
Before moving with Sub-Zero, you may choose a figure within 4 clear sight spaces without the Ice Resistance special power, and roll the 20-sided die. You may continue rolling for Ice Blast until you do not roll 7 or higher. Until the end of Sub-Zero's turn, when the chosen figure rolls defense dice it rolls X fewer dice, and when the chosen figure rolls the 20-sided die, subtract X from the roll. X is the number of times Sub-Zero rolled 7 or higher.

SLIDE 3
Instead of moving normally, Sub-Zero may use Slide. Move Sub-Zero up to 3 spaces in a straight line. When using Slide, Sub-Zero may move through all figures and never takes leaving engagement attacks. When attacking a figure Sub-Zero moved through this turn, add one automatic skull to whatever is rolled.

ICE CLONE COUNTER
Before rolling defense dice for Sub-Zero, you may reveal the “X” Order Marker on this card to add one automatic shield to whatever is rolled and, if the attacking figure is adjacent to Sub-Zero and does not have the Ice Resistance special power, count all excess shields as unblockable hits on the attacking figure.



previous version

Spoiler Alert!

NAME = SUB-ZERO
SECRET IDENTITY = KUAI LIANG

SPECIES = CRYOMANCER
UNIQUENESS = UNIQUE HERO
CLASS = ASSASSIN
PERSONALITY = DETERMINED
SIZE/HEIGHT = MEDIUM 5

LIFE = 5

MOVE = 6
RANGE = 1
ATTACK = 4
DEFENSE = 5

POINTS = 230

ICE BLAST 7
Before moving with Sub-Zero, you may choose a figure within 4 clear sight spaces without the Ice Resistance special power, and roll the 20-sided die. If you roll 7 or higher, until the end of Sub-Zero’s turn or the chosen figure receives one or more wounds, the chosen figure may not move, subtracts 2 from its Defense number, and must subtract 4 from any twenty sided die they roll.

SLIDE 3
Instead of moving normally with Sub-Zero, Sub-Zero may use Slide. Move Sub-Zero up to 3 spaces in a straight line. When using Slide, Sub-Zero may move through all figures and never takes leaving engagement attacks. When attacking a figure Sub-Zero moved through this turn, you may count one blank rolled as an extra skull.

ICE CLONE COUNTER
Before rolling defense dice for Sub-Zero, you may reveal the “X” Order Marker on this card to add one automatic shield to whatever is rolled and, if the attacking figure is adjacent to Sub-Zero and does not have the Ice Resistance special power, count all excess shields as unblockable hits on the attacking figure.

 

[Arkham]

Comic:

Spoiler Alert!

Figure:

Spoiler Alert!

Background:

Spoiler Alert!

 

[Arkham]

Tutorial:

Starting figure:

Clip off weapon:

Without weapon:

Paint skin:

Paint blue, add in black for eyebrows and white for eyes:

Finished:

 

[quozl]

Looks good but I thought Sub-Zero had some range.

Also, please put the numbers in the titles of the d20 rolling powers.

 

[Arkham]

Lets start off by discussing what we'd like with the various powers. I realize this one will need some ironing out still.

His Ice Clone Counter is something he throw out in-game as a way to take the hit of a projectile for him, or if his opponent walks into it/touches it, then they become frozen. I threw in the word "counter" to hopefully make that clearer.

I'm fine with discussing other ways to interpret his Ice Blast mechanically. Some other ideas proposed are a -2 defense reduction and disabling of defensive specials(which is something scheduled for Noob I believe so I'd prefer we don't go that route). Another is Tornado's idea to have all his shields count as skulls, essentially swapping defense reduction approach for a more accurate attack(if they can't move, that does make sense).

I like Slide, and I feel it'd be nice to represent as he's had it in every game as well. We can discuss any mechanical changes but I feel as-is it's pretty accurate and gives him a nice option to leave engagements and have a chain of sorts during his turn of making his attack better.

 

[Lazy Orang]

Still in favour of Cryomancer as a species - it's what he's listed as on the wiki for crying out loud!

 

[Arkham]

Re: The Book of Sub-Zero (Breathing)

Im fine with Cryomancer.

 

[Arkham]

Re: The Book of Sub-Zero (Breathing)

Perhaps a simpler/cleaner approach to the ice clone is better here.

ICE CLONE COUNTER
When defending against a normal attack, add one automatic shield to whatever is rolled and, if the attacking figure is adjacent to Sub-Zero and does not have the Ice Resistance special power, all excess shields count as unblockable hits on the attacking figure.

Then for Ice Blast, if we want to go a different route and avoid the -3 subtraction, we can go with something like:

ICE BLAST 8
Before moving with Sub-Zero, you may choose a figure within 4 clear sight spaces without the Ice Resistance special power, and roll the 20-sided die. If you roll 8 or higher, the chosen figure’s special powers are negated for Sub-Zero’s turn.

Then we can give slide a better bonus to his attack since they’ll keep their normal defense value.

 

[Ronin]

Re: The Book of Sub-Zero (Breathing)

Should he not have Ice Resistance himself? Not familiar with MK, but are there other Cryomancers that could potentially be designed, and should they be immune to each other's shenanigans?

 

[Yodaking]

Re: The Book of Sub-Zero (Breathing)

I do like that last version of Ice Blast, it seems like a fun design space to explore. Freezing Spider Man so he can't swing away, freezing Silver Samurai so he can't counter strike, etc. Will make him a pretty good counter draft to some units.

 

[Lazy Orang]

Re: The Book of Sub-Zero (Breathing)

Should he not have Ice Resistance himself? Not familiar with MK, but are there other Cryomancers that could potentially be designed, and should they be immune to each other's shenanigans?

I'm going to guess no - in an Arcade mode it's quite possible to get a Sub-Zero mirror match, and if they were immune to each others' powers that'd be a super boring match with just punching and kicking. I believe he can control ice, but isn't immune to it.

 

[japes]

Re: The Book of Sub-Zero (Breathing)

I do like that last version of Ice Blast, it seems like a fun design space to explore. Freezing Spider Man so he can't swing away, freezing Silver Samurai so he can't counter strike, etc. Will make him a pretty good counter draft to some units.

Weren't you the one that brought up the point about Luke Cage's skin not being weaker when he was frozen? Doesn't this lead to the same issue only worse since you are negating it completely?

Should he not have Ice Resistance himself? Not familiar with MK, but are there other Cryomancers that could potentially be designed, and should they be immune to each other's shenanigans?

I'm going to guess no - in an Arcade mode it's quite possible to get a Sub-Zero mirror match, and if they were immune to each others' powers that'd be a super boring match with just punching and kicking. I believe he can control ice, but isn't immune to it.

I froze the crap out of my son's Sub Zero yesterday so I know at least in MKII and 3 he isn't immune.

 

[Lazy Orang]

Re: The Book of Sub-Zero (Breathing)

I do like that last version of Ice Blast, it seems like a fun design space to explore. Freezing Spider Man so he can't swing away, freezing Silver Samurai so he can't counter strike, etc. Will make him a pretty good counter draft to some units.

Weren't you the one that brought up the point about Luke Cage's skin not being weaker when he was frozen? Doesn't this lead to the same issue only worse since you are negating it completely?

Given the effect liquid nitrogen has on things, I personally have no issue with this. My concern then is that, against a number of other iconic MK fighter matchups, it'd have no effect at all - I'd rather see the defensive power negation paired with a smaller defence subtraction.

 

[Arkham]

Re: The Book of Sub-Zero (Breathing)

I don't think he has Ice Resistance himself, as he's able to be frozen just as any other as are other Cryomancers in the game.

That's a good point japes on Luke Cage's skin. Probably best to not go that route.

 

[Margloth]

Re: The Book of Sub-Zero (Breathing)

What if you took the “charging up the power bar” approach and did something like this:

ICE BLAST
Once per round, you may use Ice Blast. If you do, for the remainder of the turn, add X to Sub-Zero’s range and subtract X from the defending figure’s Defense number, where X = the highest revealed Order Marker on this card.

Unless of course the Power Bar is not iconic for Mortal Kombat. I’ve only ever played Mortal Kombat X mobile lol.

 

[Arkham]

Re: The Book of Sub-Zero (Breathing)

It's a neat idea, but I wouldn't want freeze to be limited to once per round. I like the meter approach, but it's only just become a thing in the last 2 games, though it's likely going to be standard for each game going forward as well.

I wouldn't limit it to once per round as you can still use the move as much as you'd like. Using an enhanced version, using a bar of meter, will make the special better though. So perhaps just make it on an X reveal to increase its effectiveness? Maybe do a standard effect, then the X reveal makes it better? That could be neat.

 

[Soundwarp SG-1]

Re: The Book of Sub-Zero (Breathing)

I’d really prefer not going the negation route personally, as that’s what I had planned for Noob as a ‘spooky’ version of same concept to go with his spooky version of Ice Ball.

A thought, what about doing a version where the effected figure subtracts 2 from their defense the next time they’re attacked this player turn? That way he could freeze someone for a hand ninja or whatever to punch out if he doesn’t feel like doing it himself.

Edit: I like the idea of an X enhanced version, as that would get back into having some lite interplay with Scorpion (the rivalry power on Scorps is essentially meaningless with this current version of Subs)

 

[Arkham]

Re: The Book of Sub-Zero (Breathing)

Yeah I forgot about the ghost ball on Noob, I wouldn't want to tread the same ground.

I'm thinking an X to enhance type idea would be cool. I'll think up exactly what I want that to look like.

 

[Tornado]

Re: The Book of Sub-Zero (Breathing)

You could place your X OM on their card to show them frozen. That would keep them frozen for the rest of the round, though you would probably want some sort of mechanic to allow them to break out so it does not automatically shut down the figure for the entire round.

I think the simplest route would be to let the X OM add to your d20 roll.

 

[quozl]

Re: The Book of Sub-Zero (Breathing)

You could place your X OM on their card to show them frozen. That would keep them frozen for the rest of the round, though you would probably want some sort of mechanic to allow them to break out so it does not automatically shut down the figure for the entire round.

That could be interesting.

Place your X order Marker on the chosen figure's card. While your X order marker is on their card, that figure cannot move and rolls 2 less defense dice when attacked. After the figure is attacked or the round ends, take back your X order marker.

 

[Arkham]

Re: The Book of Sub-Zero (Breathing)

Having the X add to the roll would still leave the -2 subtraction feeling a bit meh. There's other figures that get that sort of thing for free. Requiring a d20 roll and bringing in the X to make it more likely to succeed, just feels a bit uninteresting for what the results are getting you.

I like the idea of placing your X on their card though. That could be neat, however, it would mean it becomes a once per round power which Sub's freeze shouldn't be IMO. But I suppose how you have it leaves it up to the player whether he wants to get it back that turn or not. hmmmm

 

[Tornado]

Re: The Book of Sub-Zero (Breathing)

Now that is interesting, if you can choose to unfreeze and get the X back.

 

[Arkham]

Re: The Book of Sub-Zero (Breathing)

Yeah I don't know. Feels sort of like the "X" being placed on a card and such makes it a bit more complicated than necessary. We went from a flat -3 to defense, to needing to place an "X" on their card to -2 from their defense and stop them from moving, lasting 'til they are attacked or the round ends. I'm not sure.

 

[japes]

Re: The Book of Sub-Zero (Breathing)

Just spit-balling so don't bite my head off if I'm way off...

We could make it a Ranged Special attack where instead of wounds you place an Ice Marker on their card and they can't move or make an attack on another figure and suffer -2 Defense. The figure unfreezes if it takes a wound from an attack or frozen figure can unfreeze on their turn by either them or an adjacent friendly figure giving up an attack...or the end of the round. (sort of like the figure has to break out of the ice or have a figure break them out of the ice.)

Or some variation where maybe even make it a Before Moving power so he can freeze them and then move up to hit them himself or freeze them and attack someone else and let a bonding hero hit them...