Mortal Kombat 1: Sub-Zero Guide: Moves, Combos, & More Tips

This article is part of a directory: Mortal Kombat 1: Complete Guide

As part of the universal reset of Mortal Kombat 1, many of the series' most iconic characters received major revamps – mostly in terms of their backstories and personalities. Sub Zero is one character whose personal story wasn't affected too much, and even mirrors his arc in other games. However, the stories that intertwine with Bi-Han are considerably different.

As Sub Zero, Bi-Han controls powers over ice and is one of the best controlling characters in Mortal Kombat 1 thanks to his ability to freeze enemies up close and afar. Pair that with some powerful kombos, and a propensity for causing other players to tilt, and Sub Zero becomes one of the most fun characters in MK1. This guide goes over the basic abilities and moves for Sub Zero in MK1, as well as some good kombos to practice, and the finishers available to this classic icy ninja.

Sub Zero Overview: Bi-Han & Scorpion Are Brothers, Now

Mortal Kombat 1 Sub Zero Guide Special Moves Combos Fatalities Kuai Liang Bi Han Brothers

Bi-Han has taken the mantle of Sub Zero in previous timelines, so his appearance in Mortal Kombat 1 isn't too out of the ordinary. However, his family situation is considerably different: for one, Sub Zero, Scorpion, and Smoke are all brothers now. For another, Scorpion is the name given to Kuai Liang, who was also Sub Zero in previous timelines.

Sub Zero has almost always had a bit of an evil streak. Scorpion might be an explosive, hellfire-shrouded ninja, but Sub Zero is far from chill – in Mortal Kombat 1, he seeks to prove the power of the Lin Kuei and restore them to glory, under any means necessary. As brutal as Sub Zero can be in the story, this classic Mortal Kombat character is even more brutal in the hands of a skilled player.

Sub Zero Special Moves & Basic Attacks

Mortal Kombat 1 Sub Zero Guide Special Moves Combos Fatalities Story Tower Ending

This guide uses a standard universal input translation for moves. Players won't find familiar console buttons listed below – instead, a system created by the fighting game community over time converts each console's controls to a simple formula. This allows all players to understand the inputs necessary for these moves and combos.

For more information on how this system works, refer to this guide on how to understand the Mortal Kombat 1 universal input code.

Sub Zero Special Moves

Name	Inputs	Description
Ice Ball	D, F, 1	Shoot ice ball forward, freezes opponent on hit for a few seconds
Ice Klone	D, B, 1	Sub Zero backflips, leaving an icy copy that freezes enemy on contact
Ice Klone Charge	B, F, 2	Send Ice Klone forward to deal a heavy punch from a distance
Ice Slide	B, F, 3	Quickly send Sub Zero forward with an icy spear, impaling and throwing the enemy with Low hits
Deadly Vapors	D, F, 4	Summons ice beneath the opponent's current location
(air) Diving Glacier	D, B, 4	Rapidly kick down diagonally from the current position in the air

Useful Core Sub Zero Moves

Name	Inputs	Description
Spinal Tap	B2	Launcher, starts with a High hit
Slip Slide	3, 4	Hit then slide beneath opponent, knocking them down. B3, 4 is a similar combo.
Cold Front	D1	Quick interrupting punch, useful for Sub Zero's relatively slow moves

Sub Zero Kombos in MK1

Mortal Kombat 1 Sub Zero Guide Special Moves Combos Fatalities Freeze Grab

Best Ground Sub Zero Combos

Kombo Name	Inputs	Description
Arctic Hammer	1, 2, 2	Hit enemy three times, finishing with a punch down High-Med-Over
Freezing Point	F1, 2, 3	Attack with icy blasting punches and kicks Med-Med-Low
Whiteout	2, 1, 2	Two punches, followed by an icy slam High-Med-Over

Best Air Sub Zero Combos

Kombo Name	Inputs	Description
Polar Plunge	Jump1, 1, 2	Deal three quick punches to foe in the air
Frosted Frenzy	Jump1, 3, 4	Punch twice, then slam enemy down with icy hammer
Arctic Blast	Jump2, 2, 2	Punch twice, then slam enemy down diagonally with icy blast

Sub Zero MK1 Fatalities & Brutalities

Mortal Kombat 1 Sub Zero Guide Special Moves Combos Fatalities Closeup Eyes Open

Sub Zero Brutalities in MK1

Brutality Name	Inputs	Description
The Klassic	Uppercut (D2)	Behead an opponent with an uppercut
Absolute Zero	Ice Slide (B, F, 3)	Repeatedly stab opponent with spear, beheading them with final blow
Snowball	Ice Ball x2 (D, F, 1)	Freeze an enemy before shattering them with a snowball
Ability to Freeze	Deadly Vapors (D, F, 4)	Summons icy shards beneath opponent, grinding them into paste

Perform the listed input as the last hit in the final round, and hold down the input, to perform a Brutality.

Sub Zero Fatalities in MK1

Fatality Name	Inputs	Required Distance	Description
Hairline Fracture	F, D, D, 2	Any range	Slice opponent in half with an icy blade, kick their disconnected body around, then impale their forehead on the sword
Brain Freeze	F, B, D, 4	Close	Summon an ice wall behind enemy, then slam their head into it until it sticks to the ice, peeling off without any skin

Mortal Kombat 1 is available for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch.