Bi-Han (Chinese: 壁寒), once known as Noob Saibot and the Elder Sub-Zero, is a Lin Kuei assassin in the Mortal Kombat fighting game series. As the Wraith Noob Saibot, he has been a recurring antagonist in the series, following others on the side of evil while serving as a major antagonist towards his younger brother and Hanzo Hasashi.
Bi-Han made his debut as one of the few original characters in the first Mortal Kombat game as the original Sub-Zero (Chinese: 絶対零度 Absolute Zero?), a mantle later passed down to his younger brother Kuai Liang after his death. He later reappears as the Elder Sub-Zero in Mortal Kombat (2011).
Bi-Han made his debut as Noob Saibot in Mortal Kombat II as a secret character, a role he takes on in many games after before making his playable debut in Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3. However, the identity of Noob Saibot being Bi-Han was not established until Mortal Kombat: Deception. He reappears as Noob Saibot in Mortal Kombat (2011) and Mortal Kombat 11.
After his death and resurrection as Noob Saibot, he has been a recurring antagonist in the franchise, usually siding with other characters on the side of evil in a bid to benefit himself. He also serves as a major antagonist towards his younger brother and Scorpion in many instances.
Before his death, Bi-Han was the original Sub-Zero, one of the most powerful and devout warriors of the Lin Kuei clan. While essentially neutral, he was a cold-blooded, vicious assassin whose soul had become corrupted from years of violence and remorseless killing.
At the end of the first Mortal Kombat tournament, Bi-Han was murdered by Scorpion in retaliation for his own death at the cryomancer's hands. He then descended to the fifth plane of the Netherrealm where he was resurrected by the sorcerer Quan Chi who had earlier resurrected Scorpion. The evil within his soul was released by stripping him of pride, compassion, and everything else that made him human.
A new version of Bi-Han returns in Mortal Kombat 1 once again under the Sub-Zero mantle while serving as an antagonist in the game's Story Mode as the corrupt Grandmaster of the Lin Kuei and is the eldest brother next to Kuai Liang (Scorpion) and Smoke. He returns once again as Noob Saibot in the Khaos Reigns Story Mode expansion, serving as one of the central characters of the Story Mode.
Theme songs[]
Sub-Zero (Chinese Ninja Warrior) - The Immortals
Mortal Kombat: Shinnok's Uprising[]
Bi-Han was seen in some flashbacks from Kuai Liang as he recalls him working with Quan Chi and how he was assassinated by Scorpion during the first tournament. Although he was revived by Shang Tsung before Liu Kang impaled him with an ice spear!
He was also seen in other flashbacks from Kuai as he recalled him finding the Temple of the Elements with the Gods missing, thus being insecure on protecting an omnipotent amulet. He was also displayed via data chip analyzed by Nightwolf and Smoke working for the former Grandmaster and unknowingly Quan Chi for assassinating Scorpion and retrieving the amulet. Kuai implored to Scorpion it was Quan Chi that killed his family, instead of Bi-Han and labeling his kid brother as a suspect. It was soon demonstrated that Kuai had immense honor and compassion unlike his elder brother.
Return of the Dragon King[]
Noob Saibot was brought up by Sareena after she found Kuai in the Lin Kuei Temple. She was seeking asylum from a recent scrimmage with him, and she pitied he's not the same Bi-Han she knew from several years ago. The anti-hero who spared her and helped fight off Quan Chi. After he was assassinated by Scorpion, after their deaths moments after their resurrections, Bi-Han became Noob Saibot by Quan Chi's necromancy. She was a spy for the Brotherhood of Shadow and noticed him quickly rising thru the ranks. And she led Kuai to the portal she escaped from the Netherrealm. She recalled Noob was reborn within the fifth plane, one surrounded by gears created by him; Kuai was nervous he would've hacked Smoke, although Noob's desire was to stay in Hell and soon conquer it! He ambushed Kuai and Sareena and declared to rule both Hell and Earthrealm with Quan and Shinnok as the unstoppable wraith! He put them at a disadvantage by his brute strength and umbrakinesis, until he was unexpectedly hit by Ashrah and her holy might! This seemed to be the reversal and it was strong enough to ward off Noob's pure evil since she slew enough demons! By the time Sareena shoved Noob into Ashrah's rays, she was able to impale him with Kriss, causing him to decimate!
Final Kombat[]
He found himself in Earthrealm, in Arctika to be precise, and for the past few months he'd been searching for his younger brother. He came across Taven inside of Delia's abandoned temple; not knowing who he was, he fought him and lost. He did, however, notice his dragon tattoo on his face matching one of the engravings on the wall. Since it was a chute he couldn't unlock, he noticed Taven was the key unveiling a suit of armor his mom left behind! He and the Lin Kuei explained he'd been hunted down by the Red Dragons, and their base was in Charred Mountain. He then went to the Lin Kuei base, and he was impressed Kuai relocated to the tundra!
Along with the trio of ninjas, they made it back to the Lin Kuei base, and met with a stupefied Grandmaster. Frost, however, was excited to meet him finally, as was Smoke. Bi-Han was impressed with the Lin Kuei changing so much, even no longer relying on cyber technology aside from Smoke switching roles. He actually offered to assist them in Armageddon; better than being in another bounty-hunting mission and as long as Scorpion won't interfere. Kuai and Bi-Han made a firm handhold.
It was like a trick as he made a hasty effort to steal a portal generator to hunt down Hanzo! Bi-Han attacked him and Kenshi en route to the Shirai Ryu base as the duo wanted to hold Takeda before Armageddon. Hanzo was startled it was Kuai violating his pact, but instead he was his coldhearted brother! Hanzo refused to fight, but Bi didn't back down; Kenshi took over and settled the fight instead. His psychokinesis surpassed most of his moves, even on the slippery ice and thawing out his freezes with the distant Sento blade. He seemed more slicker than his brawn and he was outraged Kenshi knew his schemes being he's a telepath and knows his way around technology as a SF agent, contrast to his expertise in the Lin Kuei. Kenshi just tore him up Bi's responsible for the endless feuds as he was a fool buying into Quan's deception as he killed Hanzo before the first tournament and nearly let Shinnok escape. Kenshi called out he had the same fate as Hanzo churning to a wraith and addressed him as Noob Saibot! Bi protested Kenshi's rebuttal, and the blindman retorted he has no time to redeem himself before all of existence should be erased! Hanzo and Kenshi left a stunned assassin behind.
Ashrah and Sareena observed his sorry state and the cryomancer mocked the former for poisoning him with her holy might. Ashrah pouted he did this so they'd both be emancipated from Hell and to reunite with his brother, in which she saw him steal the gismo to hunt down Hanzo. She coaxed him that all realms were at stake, but Sareena was more subtle which took Bi-Han by surprise. She convinced him that his brother and the Lin Kuei's seasoned warriors are waiting for him at the Edenian Palace prepared for Armageddon.
He then rode the Netherwing until it landed near the southern crater. He assisted his younger brother against Oniro as he was attempting to steal Kuai's Dragon Medalion; with their combined efforts, Oniro was immobilized. He punched him several times declaring if anyone should lead the Lin Kuei, it'd be Kuai! The brothers then raced to their next opponent. Having dealt with lethal opponents, the brothers were worn out, even severely dehydrated by Blaze's eruption in conjunction with Fire God Liu Kang's fire cocoon. He was revived by Cetrion's rainfall and Sareena assured the Lin Kuei he put aside his discrepancies for Hanzo. He offered to train himself with Sareena as his moral supporter at Delia's temple. He still functioned as an ally to the Special Forces when they faced off against Kotal.
Trivia[]
- According to MK1's website source code, Sub-Zero's purpose is power. He's the new Grandmaster of the Lin Kuei, with Scorpion and Smoke succeeding him, but it's more than likely for him to be a turncoat.
Gallery[]
_-_Deadly_Alliance_Skin.webp "Sub-Zero (MK1) - Deadly Alliance Skin.webp (8 KB)")
.webp "Sub-Zero MK1 Render (KAM).webp (32 KB)")
_body.webp "Sub-Zero MK1 Render (KAM) body.webp (115 KB)")
