Bi-Han is a jerk. Let's just get that out of the way immediately. If you grew up playing the Midway era or the NetherRealm reboot trilogy, you probably remember Sub-Zero as the stoic, honorable protector of Earthrealm. That was Kuai Liang. But Sub-Zero in Mortal Kombat 1 isn't that guy. This is the older brother, the original Sub-Zero, and he’s trade-marking a level of arrogance that makes the previous versions look like Boy Scouts.
NetherRealm Studios decided to flip the script for the 2023 reboot. Liu Kang, now the Fire God, basically hit the reset button on the entire universe. He wanted a peaceful timeline. He gave the Lin Kuei a new purpose: they aren't assassins anymore. They're the guardians of Earthrealm. But Bi-Han? He’s not feeling the "security guard" vibe. He wants more. He wants an empire.
The Problem With Being a Good Guy
For years, the Sub-Zero mantle was tied to redemption. Kuai Liang spent decades trying to atone for the Lin Kuei’s sins. It was a great arc, sure, but it got a bit predictable. By making Bi-Han the primary Sub-Zero in Mortal Kombat 1, director Ed Boon and the writing team at NetherRealm tapped into a much darker, more volatile energy.
Bi-Han feels stifled. He hates taking orders from a Fire God who treats his clan like a neighborhood watch.
Honestly, it’s refreshing.
The tension between Bi-Han and his brother—who is now Scorpion in this timeline—is the emotional backbone of the story. It’s not just about ice vs. fire anymore. It’s about tradition versus ambition. Bi-Han believes that the Lin Kuei should lead Earthrealm, not serve it. He looks at Liu Kang’s restrictions as a cage. When Shang Tsung starts whispering in his ear about "real power," Bi-Han doesn't just listen. He sprints toward the opportunity.
How Sub-Zero Actually Plays in the New Meta
If you’re picking up the controller, you’ll notice something pretty quickly: Sub-Zero feels heavy. Not "slow," exactly, but deliberate.
In the early days of the Mortal Kombat 1 beta and the initial launch, the community was a bit split. Some pros, like SonicFox, were experimenting with his overhead/low mix-ups, while others felt his damage scaling was a bit too harsh. If you land a massive 15-hit combo starting with an ice clone, you might notice the damage numbers aren't as high as, say, Raiden or Baraka.
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That’s the trade-off.
- The Ice Clone is your best friend and your worst enemy. It’s the core of his kit. If you time it right, you can freeze an opponent mid-dash and open them up for a full punish.
- The Deadly Slide is back. It's a classic for a reason. It hits low, it goes under most high projectiles, and if you burn a bar of meter, you get extra hits and better positioning.
- Air Combat is the big change. Since Mortal Kombat 1 introduced aerial combos, Sub-Zero can now take the fight to the sky. Freezing someone in mid-air and then slamming them back down to the stage is incredibly satisfying.
But let's talk about the Kameo system. This is where Sub-Zero in Mortal Kombat 1 really shines. If you pair him with Sareena, you get those double-projectile blades that extend your combos long enough to grab a coffee. If you go with Sonya, you get classic juggle potential. The "best" pairing usually depends on your playstyle, but most high-level players are sticking with Kameos that provide safe pressure on block.
The "Scorpion" Elephant in the Room
We have to talk about the brothers. In every other timeline, Hanzo Hasashi was Scorpion. In this one? It’s Kuai Liang.
This change fundamentally alters the Sub-Zero dynamic. In the past, Sub-Zero and Scorpion were rivals because of a blood feud orchestrated by Quan Chi. Now, the rivalry is internal. It’s a family tragedy. When Bi-Han finally betrays the group, it’s not just a plot twist; it’s a heartbreak. You see Kuai Liang struggling to reach his brother, trying to remind him of their father’s legacy.
Bi-Han’s response is basically: "Father was weak. I’m not."
It’s cold. Literally.
Why the Fans are Arguing About His Power Level
Go onto any Discord or Reddit thread about the current state of the game, and you’ll see people complaining about Sub-Zero's damage. "Why does a 40% combo require three bars of meter and a Kameo, while Johnny Cage can do it for free?"
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It's a fair point.
NetherRealm has been tweaking the balance since the game dropped. In the 2024 and 2025 patches, we saw slight adjustments to his frame data. The goal wasn't to make him a one-hit-kill machine, but to reward his "zoning and trapping" playstyle. He’s a defensive specialist. You play Sub-Zero to frustrate your opponent. You want them to be afraid to press a button because of that Ice Clone.
If you’re looking for raw, unga-bunga damage, you’re playing the wrong cryomancer. You play Bi-Han because you want to control the pace of the match. You want to dictate where the opponent can stand and when they’re allowed to breathe.
Key Moves to Master
- Ice Ball (Down, Forward, 1): It’s slower than it used to be. Do not throw this out randomly in neutral or you will get punished. Use it strictly as a combo ender or after a confirmed hit.
- Ice Clone (Down, Back, 1): Use this to cancel momentum. If someone is jumping at you constantly, put a clone in their face.
- Diving Glacier: Great for closing distance, but incredibly risky if blocked. Use sparingly.
The Visual Evolution of the Lin Kuei
Visually, this is the best Bi-Han has ever looked. The armor is intricate. You can see the Chinese influences in the Lin Kuei attire, moving away from the generic "ninja" look of the 90s. The way the ice forms on his hands—it doesn't just look like blue plastic anymore. It looks like jagged, crystalline shards that would actually hurt.
The voice acting by Kaiji Tang brings a specific kind of "aristocratic villain" energy. He sounds like someone who has never been told "no" in his entire life. When he wins a round and says, "The Lin Kuei are masters of all," he actually believes it. It’s a far cry from the gravelly, monstrous voice he had as Noob Saibot in MK11.
What New Players Usually Get Wrong
Stop trying to play him like a rushdown character.
Seriously.
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I see so many people picking Sub-Zero in Mortal Kombat 1 and trying to stay glued to the opponent’s face. While he has some decent short-range buttons, his real strength is the mid-range. You want to be just outside of their poke range. You want to bait them into a mistake.
Also, stop ignoring your Kameo’s defensive utility. Sub-Zero’s own Kameo (the assist version of himself) provides an "Ice Armor" buff. This is massive. It makes you immune to projectiles for a short duration. If you're fighting a zoner like Reiko or a spammy Kitana, that armor is the only reason you’ll be able to close the gap without losing half your health bar.
The Future: Will We See Noob Saibot?
The lore suggests that Bi-Han’s path is leading somewhere dark. Traditionally, Bi-Han dies and becomes Noob Saibot, the shadow assassin. In this timeline, he’s already acting like a villain, but he’s still very much alive and in control of the Lin Kuei.
Will he eventually fall? Will Kuai Liang be forced to kill him?
The Khaos Reigns expansion and the ongoing seasonal content suggest that the multiverse is messy. We’ve seen different versions of these characters popping up in Invasions mode. But for the main "New Era" story, Bi-Han is currently the Grandmaster of a rogue Lin Kuei. He’s allied with Titan Shang Tsung’s interests, and he’s effectively burned his bridges with the Shaolin and the Special Forces (or what’s left of them).
Practical Steps for Mastering Sub-Zero
If you want to actually win matches with him, you need to hit the lab. Start by practicing the "Ice Clone" setups in the corner. That is where Sub-Zero becomes a nightmare. If you can trap an opponent in the corner with a clone, their options for escape drop to almost zero.
Next, learn your overhead and low starters. Sub-Zero’s "Back-2" is a massive overhead swing. His "Forward-4" is a low. Most players at lower ranks can't block both consistently. You need to train your hands to switch between them effortlessly.
Don't worry about the "low damage" complaints you see online. A win is a win, even if it takes you three more hits than a Scorpion player. Control the ice, control the match.
Strategic Takeaways for Players
- Focus on the Neutral: Use your long-reaching pokes and the Ice Clone to keep opponents at a distance where they feel uncomfortable.
- Kameo Synergy: Don't just pick a Kameo because they're "top tier." Pick one that covers Sub-Zero's weaknesses, like a lack of fast overheads or low-resource combo extensions.
- Manage Your Meter: Sub-Zero needs his Enhanced (EX) moves more than most. Using meter for the Enhanced Ice Ball or the Enhanced Slide is often the difference between a 20% and a 35% combo.
- Respect the Frame Data: Many of Sub-Zero's flashy moves are "unsafe on block." If you whiff a slide or get a clone blocked, prepare to take a lot of damage. Play it safe until you see an opening.