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~ Shao Kahn taunting a Mortal Kombat fighter before the fight begins.
“
You've suffered too long at this pretender's hands. But I've returned, and I will save you from his madness! Only I can rebuild the empire. All realms will tremble before me! Outworld will again be conquerors, never the conquered!
„
~ Shao Kahn in Mortal Kombat 11.
Shao, also called Shao Kahn, Emporer Shao or The Konqueror, is one of the main antagonists of the Mortal Kombat franchise. He was once the trusted advisor and right-hand to the ancient Dragon King Onaga as well as the protector of Outworld, until he betrayed Onaga and took over as the omnipotent emperor of Outworld, wanting to conquer more and more realms so he can expand his empire.
Since then he has become a formidable foe of many kombatants, including Raiden, as the two have fought for many millennia over the fate of Earthrealm. He is also the father of Mileena, stepfather of Kitana, the husband of Sindel, and the former master of the sorcerer Shang Tsung.
In the 3rd and current timeline, he is known as General Shao and seeks to overthrow Liu Kang despite Sindel's wishes causing civil war in Outworld.
Steve Ritchie: Mortal Kombat II, Mortal Kombat 3 (and its variants), Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks
Frank Welker: Mortal Kombat movie
John Vernon and Michael Des Barres: Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm
Nigel Casey: Mortal Kombat: Armageddon
Patrick Seitz: Mortal Kombat VS DC Universe
Bob Carter: Mortal Kombat (2011)
Ike Amadi: Mortal Kombat 11 and Mortal Kombat 1
Fred Tatasciore: Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion’s Revenge
Portrayals[]
Brian Glynn: motion captures for games Mortal Kombat II, Mortal Kombat 3 (and the latter's variants)
Brian Thompson: Mortal Kombat Annihilation
Jeffrey Meek: Mortal Kombat Konquest
Aleks Paunovic: Mortal Kombat Legacy
Stephan Scalabrino: face model for Mortal Kombat 11
Appearance[]
Shao Kahn's an outworlder in emperor attire that stands over 7 feet tall and wears a skull mask for a helmet. In majority of his appearances Shao Kahn doesn't wear much armor or gear usually preferring to wear just his shoulder pauldrons which are connected by a belt around his torso leaving most of his chest bare. This way of attire can also be perceived as overconfidence, showing off his muscular physique just to bring out intimidation, his build resembles that of a bulky brute. For his waist area he wears short undergarments, a cloth with his emblem on it and wears sandals for shoes.
On rare occasions he's seen without his helmet, but in Shaolin Monks, comics, and Mk11 he's seen without it when injured in battle. Without the helmet his face has a monstrous look having sharp teeth, his head having sharp lumps around it, his eyes are red with slit pupils.
In Mortal kombat 11 his attire's style changes a little bit with more of a Samurai influence in the design. His body looks like he's a dragon. Now his face was finally revealed to have darker upper part of head, demonic red eyes, mouth with sharp teeth.
Personality[]
“
You are nothing!
„
~ One of Shao Kahn's taunts.
“
He always had more ego than skill.
„
~ Shang Tsung about Shao Kahn.
Shao Kahn is a treacherous, violent, ruthless, arrogant, sarcastic, persuasive, egotistical, sadistic, bloodthirsty, and malevolent tyrant, so he has driven to his goals by any means, yet also possesses a strange sense of humor, laughing maniacally all the time or at least when fighting his opponents. He desires only power and will do anything to make sure he has it, showing great paranoia at times whenever he believe someone plans on overruling him. Kahn is also extremely manipulative, malevolent, and cruel, so he desires only to conquer other realms and add them to his own. On the other hand, he does shows compassion and romanticism in some media, such as the live-action series (as he seduces and charms several women in the series, including two of Quan Chi's undead female slaves) and shows a fatherly, caring relationship with Kitana despite the fact that she is covertly working against him in the second film.
“
Don't make me laugh.
„
~ One of Shao Kahn's taunts from Mortal Kombat III.
Jeffrey Meek's role is more interesting when one considers that he played Raiden on the same show, occasionally opposite himself. In episode 21 "Stolen Lies", he deceives a society of people called the Shaakans into believing that he is their god; every aspect of their culture (Farland = Outworld, children pretending to steal souls, a six-armed Shokan warrior and Kahn's henchmen on the scarf, a skull on the head of a Shaakan warrior) reflects this blind worship of the Outworld emperor.
In Battlewave, Shao Kahn would arrange a different plan to open the portals. He kidnaps Sonya and, by means of hypnosis and brainwashing, convinces her to marry him. The marriage would weaken the barriers between realms enough to allow Kahn to seize Earth easily (and make Sonya the queen of both realms and his wife). During the wedding ceremony held, however, the wedding would be crashed and he would be stopped by the Earthrealm warriors' interruption, ending with Sonya becoming free from Kahn's influence. In the comic, he claims to not be the romantic type, but he also states that Sonya is very beautiful as his bride. However, he soon comes to realize that both Outworld and Earth would be in turmoil as a result of the wedding.
In Shao Kahn's personal Mortal Kombat: Armageddon ending, he successfully merges all of the Realms to Outworld, but he is soon driven to madness, because there are no longer any realms left to conquer.
In the rebooted timeline, players get to learn more about Shao Kahn's true personality. Throughout his appearances, he shows how little he cares about anyone but himself; only showing concern for those he considers useful. This includes Sindel who he never shows any actual affection despite their interactions making it seem that he did care for her deep down. This is shown with his horrible treatment of his henchmen as he only shows regard towards them whenever they prove useful.
Shao Kahn in some cases can also be seen as cowardly. He poisoned the Dragon king Onaga because he was so fearful to fight him, and Kahn eventually took over his role of as ruler. Another instance is when Shao Kahn snapped Kung Lao's neck, not even fighting the Shaolin fairly face to face. Kahn's deceitful nature is shown when for many years throughout Kitana's life he's lied to her about her true father's death and her past involving her mother and to enforce that he creates Mileena which was part of his plan.
Powers and Abilities[]
Powers[]
Immortal Physiology: Immortals are beings of a ranking below the level of Gods and Titans but share similar traits with them. These include longevity, undying capabilities and, in a sense, God-like strength and power. Shao Kahn is an immortal from both the original and alternate timelines.
Immense Strength: Shao Kahn possesses an incredible amount of strength making him one of the most powerful villains in all of Mortal Kombat. He is strong enough to take on powerful beings such as gods but not strong enough to take on Onaga. With his wrath hammer he can send opponents flying with one powerful swing.
Immense Speed: Shao Kahn possesses incredible speed. He can shoulder charge his opponents so fast that they would end being too slow to react. He can also use his speed to take on the likes of Raiden and Kabal.
Immense Agility
Immense Stamina: Shao Kahn also has nigh-limitless stamina when in combat. He can take on a whole army without showing any signs of exhaustion.
Immense Durability: Shao Kahn's durability is similar to gods. Receiving powerful hits from other warriors barely has any effect on him and can't suffer physical injury easily.
Immense Endurance
Immense Invulnerability: Shao was considered to be immensely invulnerable, but still lost to beings like Liu Kang. In order for Raiden to deal with his invulnerability, he needed to become one with the Elder Gods in order to destroy him. He managed to resist that power for a time before the final battle.
Regeneration: Shao also possesses an incredible healing factor. He can heal from attacks that could cause physical injuries very quickly than regular Outworlders.
Immortality: Shao Kahn has conquered realms for millennia and cannot age.
Magic: Shao Kahn possesses powerful magic. Like Shang Tsung, he can absorb the souls of others to increase his own power, often through the usage of Soulnados. His ability to absorb souls is so potent, he can rob the billions of souls of an entire realm with a hand motion, often using portals in conjunction with his soul steal to access the souls of a realm without stepping foot on it. The warrior souls he has taken have also retained their memories such as combat knowledge, making him wiser with every soul he imprisons within him. Shao Kahn is one of the few wielders of the mysterious green energy besides Johnny Cage, Cassie Cage, Nightwolf and Jade. He is one of the most versatile wielders of green energy, as he can use it to create energy weapon constructs such as spears, generate protective forcefields that reflect projectiles and fire energy beams seemingly from his eyes and shoot laser beams from his hands. He can enhance his strikes with green energy to increase the power behind his attacks, greatly increase his attack speed with it (like how Johnny Cage uses green energy to speed up his attacks in his Little Improve fatality) and sometimes use it to propel himself to great distances. Apart from his projectile attacks, Kahn's knowledge of magic seems to include cloning, as this is how he managed to avoid assassination at the hands of the Deadly Alliance. After escaping into the wilderness, he was able to heal and resuscitate a mortally wounded Goro and recruit him back to his cause. Shao Kahn has also created a body of flesh and bone for Shang Tsung using his magic when the evil sorcerer's original body was vaporized by Raiden's suicide attack in the events of Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance. He is capable of resurrecting others as well; he demonstrated this ability in the events of Mortal Kombat Trilogy where he brings Mileena back to life after she was killed by Kitana. His powers extend to wielding psychic powers, as he was able to enslave the thousands of souls within the magical being Ermac using his powerful mind control and is capable of using telekinesis to lift and rag doll opponents.
Soul Absorption
Portal Creation
Weapon Creation
Energy Blasts
Power Boost
Clone Creation
Body Creation
Healing
Necromancy
Power Bestowal
Abilities[]
Master Martial Artist: Shao Kahn maybe a powerhouse with his strength, speed, and durability, but he also has a millennium of experience in martial arts and combat. He has defeated many warriors no matter which realm they are from and has conquered several of them. His combat abilities were demonstrated during the events of Mortal Kombat 3, where he defeated Kung Lao with relative ease. He has been a difficult opponent for several of characters.
Tai Tzu
Lui He
Pankration
Acrobatics: Shao Kahn does have great acrobatics. He is able kickup himself off the ground and can leap very large distances.
Weapon Mastery: Shao Kahn mostly uses his weapons in combat. He uses his iconic war hammer along with magical creations of weapons like spears. Also he energy blasts. With his hammer, he can throw it at opponents without missing and can summon it back in his hand whenever he wants.
Marksmanship
Advanced Intelligence: Being the tyrannical ruler of Outworld, he is very intelligent in creating strategies. It is also revealed that in Mortal Kombat 11, in an interaction between Scorpion and Skarlet that Shao Kahn has knowledge in other fields of magic as well, as he was the one who taught Skarlet how to use Blood Magik.
Master Tactician
Leadership
Occultism
Deception: Shao Kahn also has some skills in deception. When Shao Kahn and Sindel defeated Liu Kang and Kitana, they were able to succeed in turning the Outworld army away from Kitana by lying to them.
Intimidation: Shao Kahn is a master of intimidation. He can come of ways to keep all the species of Outworld loyal to him, even if it meant threating them with their lives.
Indomitable Will: Shao Kahn's willpower is so immense that he takes whatever he wants from anyone. Even if he failed to win the tournament against Earthrealm, he would not quit until he succeeds in conquering and then merging it into Outworld.
“
Is that your best?
„
~ One of Shao Kahn's taunts.
“
Feel the wrath of Shao Kahn!
„
~ Another one of Shao Kahn's taunts.
Another testament to his abilities is that his god-like strength can match (or outright exceed) someone like Raiden's caliber. This fact ultimately holds true in the Mortal Kombat (2011) intro, where he defeats and kills Raiden in the previous timeline. Upon merging Earthrealm with Outworld, Kahn's already powerful might increase to the point where he could put up a good fight against Raiden when fused with the Elder God's powers; even taking a lighting blast with no visible discomfort.
Despite this, Raiden still managed to kill him after a lengthy battle. He has also bested and crushed some of the best fighters in the Mortal Kombat universe such as Geras, Kung Lao, Kotal Kahn, and Liu Kang showing just how Godlike and all powerful Shao Kahn is, though his only set backs is his arrogance.
~ Shao Kahn in disbelief at a character's Friendship in MK II.
“
Friendship. Friendship, again?!
„
~ Shao Kahn in disbelief at a character's Friendship in MK III.
“
You insult me, flea. I am Shao Kahn. I will be your death!
„
~ Shao Kahn to Liu Kang and Kung Lao, after blasting Raiden.
“
Follow if you want to defeat Shang Tsung. Follow me if you want to die at my hands!
„
~ To Liu Kang and Kung Lao.
“
But like all who come to this realm, you serve me, whether you are aware of it or not.
„
“
Your soul will soon suffer.
„
“
As I said, all within this realm serve my will, even those that seek to betray me.
„
“
My people have spoken! And a king must, if only once every millennium or so, listen to the will of his people.
„
~ Kahn as he brings Kintaro out to fight.
“
There is something in you... that makes me feel like a conqueror again!
„
“
You can earn their freedom! If you defeat me, they will be freed!"
„
~ Referring to Kitana, Johnny Cage, and Raiden
“
Earthrealm will be mine! It will fall as easily as Kung Lao!
„
~ After catching Kung Lao by the neck and casually tossing him aside
“
Blaze was no match for the Konqueror. His strength increased tenfold, the Forces of Light could not fend him off his final invasion as he merged each realm with Outworld. But his ultimate triumph was soon to be his downfall. With nothing left to conquer, Shao Kahn was driven into madness.
„
~ Shao Kahn's ending in Armageddon.
“
It is done. Your time has passed. Ages wasted in foolish resistance. Now is the dawn of my rule. [Raiden begins casting a spell] Yes. Pray to the worms, Raiden... as your world ends.
„
~ Shao Kahn to Raiden, shortly before killing him in the original timeline.
“
The Elder Gods fear me now. Their pathetic Mortal Kombat shackles me no longer. They mascarade as dragons, but are mere toothless worms. I know you can feel it... It is the end of all things.
„
~ Shao Kahn while fighting Raiden, repeating the same words he used in the final battle of Armageddon.
“
It's a shame Dark Raiden is gone.
„
~ Shao Kahn admitting that he liked Dark Raiden more than normal Raiden
“
If Quan Chi or Shang Tsung return I'll kill them.
„
~ Shao Kahn to Raiden after mentioning that one of the sorcerers could return
“
The Elder Gods are gone Raiden.
„
~ Shao Kahn telling Raiden how the Elder Gods will not return
“
All these ages you have fought me. You denied me my rightful claim. Not this time.
„
~ Shao Kahn to Raiden.
“
An anemic effort from ineffectual deities. Today, I become THE Elder God!
„
~ Shao Kahn to Raiden after the Elder Gods intervene.
“
I am no refugee! I am Kahn of Outworld! Vacate my throne, or I'll soak these sands with your blood!
„
~ Shao Kahn to Kotal Kahn.
“
Shao Kahn: I will have my throne! Kotal Kahn: Outworld rejected your pointless wars. Shao Kahn: Empires must expand or die!
„
~ Shao Kahn and Kotal about to fighting.
“
Surrender, on the brink of victory? You're as feeble-minded as Jerrod. Do not expect mercy this time.
„
~ Shao Kahn's last words before his defeat to Kitana.
“
I wanted Jerrod's wife, not his heir. I kept you only to appease your mother. Do not expect mercy this time.
„
~ Shao Kahn to Kitana.
“
Wife, I have missed you. If Quan Chi were here, I'd hoist him by the ankles, and split him through for all the time he stole from us...
„
~ Shao Kahn to his wife, Sindel.
“
Shinnok schemed because he was worthless in battle. That you beat him only proves that truth.
„
~ Shao Kahn to Cassie Cage.
“
It's a pity the time merger disrupted the tournament. I was about to snap your neck.
„
~ Shao Kahn to Kung Lao.
“
It is genius, you pathetic fool!
„
~ Shao Kahn after ruthlessly beating Liu Kang.
“
How easily you are felled, Kronika. Once your power's mine, I will rule eternity!
I conquered history like I conquered realms–merging billions of potential timelines into a Singularity. The universe has been remade in my image and all is as it should be. The weak serve the strong. The strong compete for power, wealth, and my favor in Mortal Kombat. For centuries, the tournament's champion has gone undefeated. That champion...IS ME! Hail the Conqueror! Hail Shao Kahn! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
„
~ Shao Kahn's ending.
Taunts[]
“
That was pathetic!
„
“
It's official! You suck!
„
“
Feel the wrath of Shao Kahn!
„
“
Worthless and weak!
„
“
You're still trying to win?
„
“
Feel the power of Shao Kahn!
„
“
I rule this world!
„
“
You weak, pathetic fool!
„
“
You will never win.
„
“
Is that your best?
„
“
Outworld will rule!
„
“
Don't make me laugh.
„
Trivia[]
In the movie Mortal Kombat: Annihilation, he was depicted as Raiden's brother.
He always appeared with a cape in official depictions by Midway, which he took off for fights and it was not until Mortal Kombat: Deception that he wore it in combat.
Shao Kahn was originally going to be unmasked with large, fang-like teeth since everyone in Outworld was originally going to be of Baraka's race, the Tarkata. However, in Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks, he appeared for the first time unmasked after he threw his hammer at the player, but it was thrown back into his face, smashing his helmet. His appearance was like that of the Mortal Kombat II comic.
Brian Glynn, the stunt actor that portrayed Shao Kahn in the original games, was humorously shorter than the majority of the cast but his figure was noted to be perfect for the character. As a result, his size had to be digitally altered where Shao Kahn appeared to be taller than the majority of the characters.
In more recent games, Shao Kahn has been scaled down in terms of both size and build.
In a strategy guide in 1993 published for MKII in the UK, he was stated to dress like a 70's disco queen.
In the internet video, he appeared in Annoying Orange Vs. Mortal Kombat as a minor character who was murdered by Shang Tsung, who then became champion.
Shawn Kittelsen, one of the writers of MK11, confirmed on Twitter that Shao Kahn was not killed in MK11's Story Mode, but was simply blinded by Kitana. This turned out to be true as Shao later appears in the Aftermath expansion as one of the playable fighters/main characters before getting killed for real after Shang Tsung absorbs his and Sindel's souls after defeating them both in kombat.
Shao Kahn made two appearances on ScrewAttack’s DEATH BATTLE he fought M. Bison in an season 2 episode and won then he returned in a season 8 episode to fight against Akuma and won again.