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“ | Grandmaster, I am sure you are asking yourself: can I afford to trust a man I have never met? But the true question you must ask is: can I afford not to? | „ |
~ Shang Tsung tempting Sub-Zero to join him - his most famous quote. |
The Shang Tsung of Liu Kang’s timeline is one of the secondary antagonists of the 2023 video game Mortal Kombat 1, the first installment of the "New Era" in the Mortal Kombat franchise.
He is the new version of Shang Tsung who resides within the timeline created by Fire God Liu Kang, having been stripped of his original counterpart's powers in an attempt to humble him. Initially struggling as a con artist in Outworld, the manipulations of his Titan counterpart allowed him to become the same powerful and malevolent sorcerer as his past iterations.
He was voiced by Alan Lee, who also portrayed his Titan counterpart in the same game.
Appearance[]
Shang Tsung appears as a much younger man than his previous counterpart, with his hair initially tied up. He takes on an older appearance with a wig and facial prosthetics to persuade unassuming customers into purchasing his quack wares. After learning the ability to shapeshift from Reptile, he is able to change his appearance between his natural young self and his old persona on the fly. His Titan counterpart wears the same outfit he wore in his ending from Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath; black and red robes with a gold dragon motif draped on it.
Biography[]
Background[]
In an effort to reform Shang Tsung after vanquishing his original counterpart, Fire God Liu Kang altered his destiny to be nothing more than a commoner, never again to become the evil sorcerer he was in previous timelines.
Born in Outworld, Shang Tsung becomes a snake oil salesman making a hardscrabble living conning unassuming Outworlders by posing as a charming, elderly wizard. During one such con, Shang Tsung is confronted by a previous victim, who reveals that to the gathered crowd that his daughter died shortly after he purchased the remedy, which was just Bojang tea; Shang Tsung is subsequently driven away by the angry villagers. That evening he is approached by "Damashi", who offers to elevate him to become a sorcerer that the realms would fear. Though suspicious, the offer was too good to refuse.
Mortal Kombat 1[]
Over the coming months, Shang Tsung's proficiency in sorcery grew. He learned the ability to shapeshift from Reptile, who he kept as a slave in order to study his powers. He engineered a treatment for Mileena's Tarkat affliction, allowing him to infiltrate Sindel's court. During this time, he would meet Quan Chi, a fellow Outworlder who was toiling in the mines until his encounter with Damashi. He also became acquainted with General Shao and Rain, and the four began conspiring to take Outworld's throne for themselves.
After the Mortal Kombat tournament, Liu Kang learns from Geras about Shang Tsung's return. He sends Johnny Cage, Kung Lao and Kenshi Takahashi to capture him, but Shang Tsung and company intercept and imprison them. Reptile was assigned to have them vivisected, but he ultimately helps them escape Outworld. Quan Chi was able to convince Sindel to act against Earthrealm, allowing him and Shang Tsung to infiltrate it and build numerous soul stealers inside the ruins of Ying Fortress, aiming to collect enough souls to animate Emperor Ying's Dragon Army. The Lin Kuei were sent to stop them, but Shang Tsung convinces their grandmaster, Sub-Zero, to defect to his side and betray Earthrealm. Simultaneously, Sindel turns against Shang Tsung after learning about his true nature from Liu Kang.
Liu Kang leads another assault on Shang Tsung at Ying Fortress, this time joined by Geras, Outworld's royals, and defectors of the Lin Kuei. Shang Tsung attempts to introduce Damashi to Liu Kang, but was taken aback when Damashi revealed herself as a Titan variant of himself. Titan Shang Tsung explains that his existence was the result of an alternate scenario in the battle for Kronika's Hourglass in the previous timeline, and had infiltrated Liu Kang's timeline disguised as Kronika to empower Shang Tsung and Quan Chi and have them build the Dragon Army for him. He also states that his endgame is to merge Liu Kang's timeline into his own, forcing the younger Shang Tsung and Quan Chi to join forces with Liu Kang, although neither are comfortable with their alliance.
Shang Tsung deduces that there are even more timelines beside Liu Kang's and Titan Shang Tsung's, proposing to gather allies from those timelines to build an army that can directly oppose Titan Shang Tsung. As Liu Kang returns to the Hourglass to recruit Titan allies to his fight, Shang Tsung assists the others in destroying the Dragon Army before Titan Shang Tsung can mobilize them into the other realms. He, Quan Chi and Raiden destroy the portals to prevent, but were prevented by his Tian self's minions, namely Dark versions of Kenshi and Ermac. The Deadly Alliance vented their rage at being manipulated into battling the Dark doubles, swiftly taking out the minons, and they and Raiden destroyed the portal.
The Deadly Alliance were swiftly ambushed by Dark Rain and Dark Smoke but rescued by Raiden (being somewhat annoyed at his cheek). After taking down their opponents, they also battled Dark Shao. Shang Tsung and Quan Chi realized that Shao's life force was feeding the portal, and along with a more reluctant Raiden attempted to kill him, but was interrupted by Dark Scorpion and Dark Sub Zero. After defeating the two ninjas, they ironically saved Raiden from Shao and battled him and his Reiko. Shang Tsung first turned his attention to Reiko, viciously stabbing him in the neck with his claws, before gleefully reveled in absorbing Shao's soul, sealing the portal. He taunted Raiden with the fact that the two villains had aided them.
Liu Kang recruits Titans from across time, including multiple heroic variants of Shang Tsung, before leading them into Titan Shang Tsung's timeline to oppose him and his own army of Revenants and multiversal variants. Clashing at the Pyramid of Argus, Titan Shang Tsung is soundly defeated by Liu Kang, who erases him from existence. This also leads to his timeline being destroyed, and Liu Kang successfully returns every surviving warrior to their original timelines.
Shang Tsung is captured shortly after the battle, but is broken out of imprisonment by Sub-Zero. He attempted to return back to his home canton by sea, only to wash ashore at a deserted island containing a well of souls. He becomes determined to master this power, setting the stage for him to re-emerge as the soul-collecting sorcerer he was never supposed to become.
Aftermath[]
At some point, as revealed in Kenshi's ending Shang Tsung attempted to take Sento and it's souls in Tokyo from the swordsman in Earthrealm but was fought off by Kenshi and his ally Jackson Briggs. After the events of Khaos Reigns, where Bi-Han was transformed into Noob Saibot, Shang Tsung attempted to draw him out by kidnapping his second in command, Sektor, but she escaped.
Powers and Abilities[]
Powers[]
Divine Empowerment/Outworlder Physiology: In Liu Kang's new timeline, he stripped Shang Tsung of his sorcery and made him a regular Outworlder so he would never threaten the realms again. But Liu Kang's plan failed when a stranger who calls herself, "Damashi", found Shang Tsung all miserable and offered to elevate him to the powerful sorcerer he was always meant to be. Now Shang Tsung is once again the great sorcerer.
- Longevity: Because Shang Tsung is an Outworlder, he has a longer lifespan than Earthrealmers.
- Magic: Shang Tsung's benefactor had granted him secrets of sorcery and magic.
- Soul Absorption: Shang Tsung does have his classic soul draining powers, as he demonstrated on Dark Shao, although at this time he needed Quan Chi's aid. Afterwards, Shang Tsung likely will go onto master it after discovering the Well of Souls.
- Fire Manipulation: Shang Tsung can manipulate fire to be used as projectiles and come out as the shape of skulls.
- Teleportation: Shang Tsung also has been granted the ability to teleport.
- Shapeshifting: Shang Tsung discovered the ability to shapeshift from studying the mutant Zaterran Syzoth.
- Superhuman Strength: Shang Tsung has supernatural strength to harm powerful beings like dark variants of Shao, Reiko, and other beings with impressive levels of strength.
- Superhuman Durability: Shang Tsung also possesses supernatural durability. He can withstand attacks than can kill a normal human.
- Superhuman Speed: Shang Tsung possesses supernatural speed.
- Superhuman Reflexes: Shang Tsung possesses supernatural reflexes.
- Superhuman Agility: Shang Tsung possesses supernatural agility.
Abilities[]
- Master Martial Artist: Shang Tsung has proven to be an extremely proficient martial artist and can also use his shapeshifting ability to gain the fighting styles of any warrior. After meeting Damashi, we can guess that it's possible that she taught him martial arts and skills in hand-to-hand combat. Shang Tsung's martial arts mastery had allowed him to defeat variants of Kenshi, Ermac, Rain, Smoke, Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Reiko, and Shao. His fighting style is a combination of martial arts styles such as Mimicry, Snake Kung Fu, White Crane Boxing, and Praying Mantis Fist.
- Weapon Mastery: Shang Tsung wears retractable Tekko-Kagi claws tipped with a venomous substance, likely of his own design.
- Master Acrobat: Shang Tsung has skills in acrobatics like being able to flip.
- Genius Level Intellect: Shang Tsung's intellect is very high that he is smart enough to outsmart anyone and do anything. As a scientist, he has knowledge on creating a serum to cure Mileena's disease and can create hybrids by studying Outworld species. Shang can also study anyone and discover their weaknesses.
- Deception: Even before becoming a sorcerer, Shang Tsung was a master of deceit, persuading many to part with their money for quack cures. Shang Tsung was also able to easily infiltrate the Royal court.
- Manipulation: Shang Tsung is able to manipulate anyone he has ever met with his wit and charm.
- Intimidation: Shang Tsung is quite intimidating when anyone realizes his true nature.
- Indomitable Will: After being outed for his fake medicine, Shang Tsung was left depressed and ready to give up his life. Until Damashi introduced herself, she tells him that before he was created that he was conspired against and the life he was supposed to have has been stolen from him. This triggered his fall to evil when he was offered to become the most powerful sorcerer, which he quickly accepts. He realizes his true potential after perfecting his ways of using sorcery and swore that he will not be denied on what he deserves. After learning that Liu Kang was the Keeper of Time who crafted the realms and forged the destinies of all beings in the timeline, he was shocked. Now aware that Liu Kang was responsible for his meaningless life, his hate for him runs way too deep. After he escaped prison and founded his island along with the Well of Souls, Shang Tsung swore to have revenge on Liu Kang by learning to master that magic and will never rest until he makes him pay.
Relationships[]
Allies[]
- "Damashi" (formerly)
- Quan Chi
- General Shao
- Rain (formerly)
- Reptile (formerly)
- Havik
- Darrius
- Reiko
- Nitara
- Goro
- Ermac (formerly)
- Sub-Zero
Enemies[]
- Fire God Liu Kang
- Baraka
- Raiden
- Kung Lao
- Johnny Cage
- Kenshi Takahashi
- Reptile
- Ashrah
- Scorpion
- Sub-Zero (formerly)
- Smoke
- Sindel
- Kitana
- Mileena
- Li Mei
- Tanya
- Jerrod
- Titan Shang Tsung (former ally)
- Dark Kenshi
- Ermac/Dark Ermac
- Dark Scorpion
- Dark Sub-Zero
- Dark Rain
- Dark Smoke
- Dark Shao
- Dark Reiko
- Jax Briggs
- Sektor
Quotes[]
“ | Now magic this potent is expensive. And I am sure you're asking yourselves: can I afford it? But the true question you must ask is: can I afford to be without it? | „ |
~ Shang Tsung selling a quack remedy back in his con artist days. |
“ | Cheer up, Syzoth. I'm reuniting you with your family. | „ |
~ Shang Tsung taunts Reptile with the truth before attempting to kill him. |
“ | It appears our interests align... for now. | „ |
~ Shang Tsung begrudgingly teaming up with Liu Kang against his Titan counterpart. |
“ | After escaping Lei Chen prison, I was hounded by the Imperial Police. I needed a place to hide and to recuperate, while I plotted the best way forward. I knew the remote canton of my youth would be perfect. To escape capture, I travelled by sea. Little did I know that a gargantuan storm was brewing. My tiny craft was smashed apart. I closed my eyes, waiting to drown, hoping that the Netherrealm wouldn't claim my soul. But when I reopened them, I found myself not in Hell, but on a deserted island. From its ruins I could tell that great sorcerers had once lived there. In the caves beneath the ruins, I found what I can only describe as a Well of Souls. Once I learn how to wield its power, I will become invincible. | „ |
~ Shang Tsung's tower ending. |
Gallery[]
Videos[]
Trivia[]
- Unlike his classic self, this Shang Tsung is not an Earthrealmer, instead directly originating from Outworld itself.
- Shang Tsung acts as a mirror to Raiden, both being "small town boys", until an encounter with a god grants them their supernatural abilities. The main difference is that Raiden was a humble farmer while Shang Tsung was a conman who scammed people out of their money.
- In a mirror match for both Kung Lao and Reptile, the other Kung Lao/Reptile is revealed to be Shang Tsung taking on their form.