Mortal Kombat 1 Sub-Zero Guide – MK1 Move List and Best Combos

Looking for an in-depth guide to Sub-Zero in Mortal Kombat 1? As one of the most recognizable characters from NetherReam’s three-decade journey, the ice powers of Sub-Zero are as strong as ever. His latest incarnation is just as powerful, with plenty of tricks up his icy sleeves.

If you still haven’t decided which character to main, here’s our Mortal Kombat 1 roster tier list. And if you’re wondering where the 23rd character is, this is how to unlock Havik in Mortal Kombat 1.

Mortal Kombat 1 Sub-Zero Guide

This guide will help you make the most of Sub-Zero’s diverse kit. With the potential to freeze foes and extend combos, Sub-Zero is a worthy opponent. He’s got great defensive utility too thanks to his Ice Klone move. The right Kameo fighters can also aid in this. Here’s how to unlock all Kameo fighters in Mortal Kombat 1. This cyromancer manipulates frost to boost his attacks as a member of the Lin Kuei ninja clan. He works with Liu Kang this time. If you want to test out some god powers, here’s our Mortal Kombat 1 Liu Kang guide.

Before you check out all of Sub-Zero’s moves, here’s a handy chart that will let you understand this irrespective of which platform you’re on:

Notation	Attack	PlayStation	Xbox	Nintendo Switch
1	Front Punch	Square	X	Y
2	Back Punch	Triangle	Y	X
3	Front Kick	Cross	A	B
4	Back Kick	Circle	B	A

Sub-Zero Move List

The latest iteration of the MK franchise refines its foundation but doesn’t tinker too much with what previous games got right. Moves in Mortal Kombat 1 can be classified into the following:

• Basic Attacks
• Aerial Attacks
• Throws
• Special Moves
• Fatal Blow
• Fatalities
• Brutalities

Sub-Zero Basic Attacks

You’ll be using basic attacks to start, extend, and end combos so keep track of them. Here are all of Sub-Zero’s basic attacks in Mortal Kombat 1:

• Clammy Palm: Front Punch
• Lin Kuei Storm: Front Punch, Back Punch
• Arctic Hammer: Front Punch, Back Punch, Back Punch
• Advancing Frost: Forward + Front Punch
• Frozen Over: Forward + Front Punch, Back Punch
• Freezing Point: Forward + Front Punch,  Back Punch, Front Kick
• Cold Front: Down + Front Punch
• Quick Chill: Back Punch
• Blistering Blizzard: Back Punch, Front Punch
• Whiteout: Back Punch, Front Punch, Back Punch
• Spinal Tap: Away + Back Punch
• Brain Freeze: Down + Back Punch
• Heavy Toe: Front Kick
• Slip Slide: Front Kick, Back Kick
• Shin Shatter: Away + Front Kick
• Permafrost: Away + Front Kick, Back Kick
• Low Step: Down + Front Kick
• Harmful Heel: Back Kick
• Hail Damage: Back Kick, Back Kick
• Chilled Sweep: Away + Back Kick
• Swing Kick: Down + Back Kick

Sub-Zero Aerial Attacks

With Mortal Kombat 1’s renewed focus on aerial combat, keep track of how you can beat the odds above the ground. Here are Sub-Zero’s aerial attacks in MK1:

• Icy Knuckles: Up + Right + Front Punch
• Slick Strike: Up + Right + Front Punch, Front Punch
• Polar Plunge: Up + Right + Front Punch, Front Punch, Back Punch
• Menacing Mace: Up + Right + Front Punch, Back Punch
• Air Lin Kuei: Up + Right + Front Punch, Front Kick
• Frosted Frenzy: Up + Right + Front Punch, Front Kick, Back Kick
• Ice Maker: Up + Right + Back Punch
• Frostbite: Up + Right + Back Punch, Front Punch
• Freezer Burn: Up + Right + Back Punch, Back Punch
• Arctic Blast: Up + Right + Back Punch, Back Punch, Back Punch
• Balance Boost: Up + Right + Front Kick or Up + Right + Back Kick

Sub-Zero Throws

Here are Sub-Zero’s throws in Mortal Kombat 1:

• Shove: Forward + Throw or Forward + Front Punch + Front Kick
• Negative Zero: Throw or Front Punch + Front Kick

Sub-Zero Breakers and Taunts

These moves will infuriate your foes for entirely different reasons. A Kombo Breaker lets you escape combos but it costs three charges of your Super Meter. And Taunts let you aggravate your enemies, prompting them to make an error. Here are Sub-Zero’s Breakers and Taunts:

• Kombo Breaker: Forward + Block
• Taunt: Down, Down, Down, Down

Sub-Zero Special Moves

These moves can be tricky to pull off but Sub-Zero’s ice powers make them worth it. They can be used both offensively and defensively to gain an advantage in combat. Mortal Kombat 1 Sub-Zero features both old and new powers. Here are Sub-Zero’s special moves in Mortal Kombat 1:

• Ice Ball: Down, Forward, Front Punch
• Enhanced Ice Ball: Down, Forward, Front Punch + Block
• Ice Klone: Down, Away, Front Punch
• Enhanced Ice Klone: Down, Away, Front Punch + Block
• (Air) Ice Klone: Down, Away, Front Punch
• (Air) Enhanced Ice Klone: Down, Away, Front Punch + Block
• Ice Klone Charge: Away, Forward, Back Punch
• Enhanced Ice Klone Charge: Away, Front Punch, Back Punch + Block
• Ice Slide: Away, Forward, Front Kick
• Enhanced Ice Slide: Away, Forward, Front Kick + Block
• (Air) Diving Glacier: Down, Away, Back Kick
• (Air) Enhanced Diving Glacier: Down, Away, Back Kick + Block
• Deadly Vapors: Down, Forward, Back Kick
• Enhanced Deadly Vapors: Down, Right, Back Kick + Block

Sub-Zero Fatal Blow

These button combinations are the same for all MK1 characters. Here’s Sub-Zero’s Fatal Blow:

• Chill Out: Flip Stance + Block

Sub-Zero Fatalities

Each MK1 character has two fatalities so far. Here’s how to unlock fatalities in Mortal Kombat 1. These finishers are the gory spectacles that celebrate this franchise’s penchant for violence. Here are Sub-Zero’s fatalities in MK1:

• Hairline Fracture: Forward, Down, Down, Back Punch
• Second Fatality: Forward, Back, Down, Back Kick

Sub-Zero Brutalities

Here’s how to unlock and do a brutality in Mortal Kombat 1. Initially, players will only be able to do a single type of brutality. As you progress in the game, you will pick up new brutalities for characters. Here are Sub-Zero’s brutalities in Mortal Kombat 1:

• The Klassic: Down + Back Punch

Best combos for Sub-Zero in Mortal Kombat 1

Here are the best combos we’ve spotted for our ice warrior Sub-Zero in Mortal Kombat 1:

• Frozen Over is a solid pick to start or extend combos. This can be paired with normal attacks or other special moves.
• If you want to play defensive, Ice Klone is a good way to dodge out of harm’s way by placing an ice statue in your place. You can also use the enhanced version of this move to generate three ice statues instead of one.
• Ice Slide is a fan-favorite and it’s great at starting or extending combos too. It also starts up fairly quickly.

That covers how to play Sub-Zero in Mortal Kombat 1. If you’re want to learn how to get defensive against foes, here’s how to block in Mortal Kombat 1. And if you’re looking to beat the game’s invasion mode, here’s how to beat Test Your Might in Mortal Kombat 1.