History Characters / MortalKombatShangTsung

* TheCorrupter: Like the serpent he is, Shang Tsung has a talent for tempting people to embrace their worst instincts, doing so with [[spoiler:[[TheWarlord General Shao]], [[WellIntentionedExtremist Rain]], and [[{{Jerkass}} Bi-Han]]]].

* TheCorrupter: Like the serpent he is, Shang Tsung has a talent for tempting people to embrace their worst instincts, doing so with [[spoiler:[[TheWarlord General Shao]], [[AmbitionIsEvil Rain]], and [[{{Jerkass}} Bi-Han]]]].

** To Liu Kang, who is Shang Tsung's ArchEnemy has PlayingWithFire and VoluntaryShapeshifting powers just like him. However, while Liu Kang is honorable and heroic, Shang Tsung is an embittered and self-centered {{jerkass}} who snakes his way into power while Liu Kang earns it. By the end of ''[[VideoGame/MortalKombat11 MK11]]'''s ''Aftermath'' DLC Liu Kang and Shang Tsung have both become the strongest kombatants in TheVerse thanks being brought BackFromTheDead.

->Despite all of this, however, Shang Tsung returns in ''VideoGame/MortalKombat11'' as a [=DLC=] character. Creator/CaryHiroyukiTagawa - his original actor from the first ''Mortal Kombat'' live-action movie and the second season of ''Mortal Kombat Legacy'' web series - reprises his role as the shapeshifting sorcerer. He plays a pivotal role in the ''Aftermath'' expansion of the Story Mode.

->Shang Tsung returns again in ''VideoGame/MortalKombat1'' with an altered backstory for the New Era. Despite playing an important role in the story, he's only available to play as for those who pre-ordered the game, or can be purchased as DLC.

->Despite all of this, however, Shang Tsung returns in ''VideoGame/MortalKombat11'' as a [=DLC=] character. Creator/CaryHiroyukiTagawa - his original actor from the first ''Mortal Kombat'' live-action movie and the second season of ''Mortal Kombat Legacy'' web series - reprises his role as the shapeshifting sorcerer. Also, he is one of the characters playing the pivotal role in the ''Aftermath'' expansion of the Story Mode.

* TheDogBitesBack: A downplayed example since Tsung would certainly have betrayed them anyway, [[spoiler: Tsung takes time out of his attack on Kronika to betray and murder both Shao Kahn and Sindel. Given that the former spent the last several eons treating him like garbage and used his soul as a power source in a previous game for the latter, Shang Tsung seems even more giddy to torment them than usual. [[TheSociopath Which says a lot]].]]

* TheDogBitesBack: A downplayed example since Tsung would certainly have betrayed them anyway, [[spoiler: Tsung takes time out of his attack on Kronika to betray and murder both Shao Kahn and Sindel. Given that the former spent the last several eons treating him like garbage and used his soul as a power source in a previous game for the latter, Tsung seems even more giddy to torment them than usual. Which says a lot.]]

* DidntThinkThisThrough: [[spoiler:In Omni-Man's Tower ending, the Viltrumite’s appearance in ''1'' is Titan Shang Tsung’s doing in order to obtain backup from other realities. Blinded by his own ambition, once his konquest’s complete, Omni-Man kills him without hesitation.]]

* AintTooProudToBeg: A very tame and downplayed example. He smugly asks Shao Kahn for another chance in an ''11'' match intro, to which the Kahn responds to by [[YouMakeMeSick saying he sickens him.]]

* CessationOfExistence: [[spoiler: This is his fate if Liu Kang wins their final battle in ''Aftermath'', as his defeat has him dissolve into sand and removed from the timeline for good.]]

* DidntThinkThisThrough: [[spoiler:According to Omni-Man's Tower ending, the GuestFighter's appearance in ''1'' is Titan Shang's doing, to obtain backup from other realities. However, as soon as Shang's konquest is complete, Omni-Man turns around and kills him next without hesitation.]]

* VillainousFriendship: Shang Tsung and Quan Chi are partners in crime, having been brought together by their mutual benefactor, and the two sorcerers get along quite well, though whether they would have ultimately turned on one another, [[VideoGame/MortalKombatDeception as the previous Deadly Alliance did]], is never tested.

* CoDragons: With Goro to Shao Kahn as they are Shao Kahn’s most loyal servants.

* JerkAss: In most intro dialogues Shang Tsung is a CardCarryingJerkass rather then a FauxAffablyEvil ManipulativeBastard. Probably because there is no point in trying to manipulate someone as they are about to fight.

* TheCorrupter: Like the serpent he is, Shang Tsung has a talent for tempting people to embrace their worst instincts, doing so with [[spoiler:General Shao, Rain, and Bi-Han]].

* VillainousUnderdog: This version of Shang Tsung is far less powerful [[Creator/CaryHiroyukiTagawa than]] [[PhysicalGod this version]] of [[ArchEnemy Liu Kang]], but his cunning and a little bit of outside help manage to stack the deck in his favor.

* VillainousUnderdog: This version of Shang Tsung is far less powerful than [[PhysicalGod this version]] of [[ArchEnemy Liu Kang]], but his cunning and a little bit of outside help manage to stack the deck in his favor.

* AdaptationalAttractiveness: As opposed to his more outwardly sinister-looking counterparts from the previous timelines, even in old age, Shang Tsung comes quite as a looker.

* LongHairedPrettyBoy: [[Creator/CaryHiroyukiTagawa Unlike his still very handsome yet more wicked-looking past self]], Shang Tsung is a youthful and handsome man who sports long, well-kept hair, giving him an appearance that matches his ego.

* HeroicSacrifice: [[spoiler: A good guy counterpart of Titan Shang Tsung alongside a good Titan Quan Chi aid Liu Kang's heroes to the top of the pyramid in the finale, sadly perishing in the process.]]
* HeteroSexualLifePartners: He and Quan Chi appear to genuinely enjoy their Deadly Alliance in Mortal Kombat 1, so much so that even their multiversal counterparts are frequently seen working together. TheMultiverse is a big place, and the fact that these two always find a way to each other is something special.

** The only time Shang Tsung ever allies himself with Liu Kang despite hating each other is if they have a common goal. ''[=MK1=]'' has [[spoiler:a player-chosen Shang Tsung and a good guy version of Shang Tsung actually joining forces with Fire God Liu Kang ''willingly'' to defeat his EvilerThanThou Titan counterpart, and Liu Kang treats the player-chosen Shang Tsung as if they're old friends despite both of them treating their alliance as an EnemyMime and TeethClenchedTeamwork at best]].

* KickTheDog: As if blinding the poor guy wasn't enough, Shang Tsung is implied to have devoured Kenshi's soul at some point as seen in ''11''.

* MagmaMan: One of his attacks in ''11'' is to create a small pool of lava underneath his opponent.

* NonActionBigBad: [[SubvertedTrope Subverted]]. While he's a very capable fighter, he's more reliant on his souls and manipulation when dealing with others. In the movie, he even consciously avoids fighting Liu Kang until the last possible moment. Compared to his battle with Reptile, Liu Kang quickly shows that he is Shang Tsung's superior in combat.

* {{Sadist}}: Genuinely enjoys tormenting his enemies both physically and psychologically. His vile experiments and torture chambers would make even Ed Gein soil himself.

* {{Sadist}}: While pragmatic, Shang Tsung is still a cold-blooded bastard who enjoys the suffering of others, even taking a moment to [[spoiler:emotionally torment Syzoth while leaving him to die]].

* YourSoulIsMine: Downplayed. While this Shang Tsung can still steal souls, he no longer needs to in order to live. In fact, his moveset in ''[=MK1=]'' doesn't involve soul stealing at all, instead using plain shapeshifting and alchemy. Being the TropeNamer, he references the iconic line in his chapter of the Story Mode after defeating Dark Shao and Reiko:
-->'''Shang Tsung:''' His soul is ours.

* BadassLongRobe: Has this only when he's in his elderly form.