| 1 | !![[center:''Franchise/MortalKombat'' '''[[Characters/MortalKombat Main Character Index]]'''\ |
| 2 | Original and Reboot Timeline: [[Characters/MortalKombat1992 MK (1992)]] | [[Characters/MortalKombatII MK2]] | [[Characters/MortalKombat3 MK3]] | [[Characters/MortalKombat4 MK4]] | [[Characters/MortalKombatDeadlyAlliance Deadly Alliance]] | [[Characters/MortalKombatDeception Deception]] | [[Characters/MortalKombatArmageddon Armageddon]] | [[Characters/MortalKombatVsDCUniverse MK vs. DC Universe]] | [[Characters/MortalKombat9 MK9]] | [[Characters/MortalKombatX MKX]] | [[Characters/MortalKombat11 MK11]]\ |
| 3 | The New Era: [[Characters/MortalKombat1 MK1]]\ |
| 4 | [-Spinoffs: [[Characters/MortalKombatMythologiesSubZero Mythologies: Sub-Zero]] | [[Characters/MortalKombatSpecialForces Special Forces]]\ |
| 5 | Non-video game: [[Characters/MortalKombatTheMovie The Movie]] | [[Characters/MortalKombatConquest Conquest]] | [[Characters/MortalKombatDefendersOfTheRealm Defenders of the Realm]] | [[Characters/MortalKombat2021 2021 Movie]]\ |
| 6 | Individual Characters: [[Characters/MortalKombatHanzoHasashi Scorpion I (Hanzo Hasashi)]] | [[Characters/MortalKombatBiHan Sub-Zero I/Noob Saibot (Bi-Han)]] | [[Characters/MortalKombatJohnnyCage Johnny Cage]] | [[Characters/MortalKombatLiuKang Liu Kang]] | [[Characters/MortalKombatRaiden Raiden]] | [=Shang Tsung=] | [[Characters/MortalKombatKuaiLiang Sub-Zero II/Scorpion II (Kuai Liang)]] | [[Characters/MortalKombatKitana Kitana]] | [[Characters/MortalKombatMileena Mileena]] | [[Characters/MortalKombatShao Shao Kahn/General Shao]] | [[Characters/MortalKombatQuanChi Quan Chi]]-]]] |
| 7 | ---- |
| 8 | !! Spoilers for ''Mythologies'' will be unmarked |
| 9 | |
| 10 | ---- |
| 11 | |
| 12 | !Shang Tsung |
| 13 | [[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/shangtsung_mk1_render.png]] |
| 14 | [[caption-width-right:350:''"{{Your soul is mine}}"'']] |
| 15 | [[caption-width-right:350:[[labelnote:Click here to see his older self]]https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/shangtsungold.png]][[/labelnote]] |
| 16 | |
| 17 | -> '''Debut game''': ''Mortal Kombat'' (Ho Sung Pak, Eric Kincaid)[[labelnote:note]]The latter was revealed to be the original actor for Shang Tsung, as seen [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKgu4wGKSkw in this video]]. Kincaid was left uncredited for the role, and Ho Sung Pak was actually TheOtherDarrin for him.[[/labelnote]] |
| 18 | -> '''Other appearances''': ''Mortal Kombat II'' (Phillip Ahn, M.D.), ''Mortal Kombat 3'' (John Turk), ''Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero'' (Richard Divizio), ''Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance'', ''Mortal Kombat: Deception'' (cameo) (Max Crawford), ''Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks'' (Max Crawford), ''Mortal Kombat: Armageddon'' (Max Crawford), ''Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe'' (James Kyson-Lee), ''Mortal Kombat 9'' (Andrew Kishino, Richard Epcar [[labelnote:note]]"Bang Bang!" Fatality only, reused audio from The Joker's "The Killing Joke" Fatality from ''Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe''[[/labelnote]]), ''Mortal Kombat 11'' (DLC) (Creator/CaryHiroyukiTagawa, English; Galo Balcázar, Latin American Spanish), ''Mortal Kombat 1'' (DLC) (Creator/AlanLee, English; Galo Balcázar, Latin American Spanish) |
| 19 | -> '''Non-game appearances''': ''Mortal Kombat: The Movie'' (Creator/CaryHiroyukiTagawa), ''Mortal Kombat: Conquest'' (Bruce Locke), ''Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm'' (Neil Ross), ''Mortal Kombat: Rebirth'' (James Lew), ''Mortal Kombat: Legacy'' (Johnson Phan in the first season, Creator/CaryHiroyukiTagawa in the second), ''Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion's Revenge'' (Creator/ArttButler), ''Film/MortalKombat2021'' (Creator/ChinHan), ''Mortal Kombat Legends: Battle of the Realms'' (Artt Butler), ''Mortal Kombat Legends: Snow Blind'' (Artt Butler) |
| 20 | |
| 21 | ->A powerful and deadly sorcerer and a primary villain in the ''Mortal Kombat'' series, Shang Tsung is a demonic shapeshifter who needs to consume souls in order to sustain his health and life. Throughout his unnatural lifespan, he has achieved an intellectual and mental sophistication far greater than that of any other baddie of the series. |
| 22 | |
| 23 | ->Several centuries before the start of the series, a young and promising Tsung was taken to Outworld and trained by the Emperor in the Black Arts. For a time, Shang Tsung would be the Grand Champion of Mortal Kombat himself, but when he lost his title to the legendary Shaolin warrior, the Great Kung Lao, he had to wait several years for his greatest student, the Shokan prince Goro, to restore once more Outworld's domination of the Mortal Kombat Tournament. This time Tsung, now aged and weakened, secured his domain on the Tournament, by becoming its sole Grandmaster and holding future competitions on his private island, a zone in between Earth and the Outworld. |
| 24 | |
| 25 | ->During the tenth Mortal Kombat tournament, the final victory that would enable Shao Kahn to conquer Earth, Liu Kang, a Shaolin Monk, defeated Goro, breaking the streak. Liu Kang then challenged Shang Tsung in Kombat to restore the honour of the once-sacred tournament; Liu Kang prevailed, and Shang Tsung fled to Outworld. He confronted an enraged Shao Kahn and convinced him that, if they challenged Earthrealm to Mortal Kombat in Outworld, they would have to accept or forfeit. Kahn agreed to this plan, and restored Tsung's youth. Despite this, in the Tournament the sorcerer lost again to Liu Kang, who also defeated Kahn. Shortly after, with the aid of his cult of Shadow Priests, Shang Tsung managed to revive Shao Kahn's former queen, Sindel, on Earth, giving Kahn and his forces a way to invade the Realm. Tsung was granted more power than ever before, but during the invasion that followed he lost to Liu Kang once more. |
| 26 | |
| 27 | ->Sometime after the merge of the two Realms failed, the fellow sorcerer Quan Chi come to Shang Tsung with an offer: if Tsung helped him revive the lost army of the Dragon King by means of his ability to transplant souls, he would open a "Soulnado" to the Heavens, giving him an endless supply of souls. Tsung accepted, and they formed the [[VideoGame/MortalKombatDeadlyAlliance Deadly]] [[TitleDrop Alliance]]. Together, the sorcerers not only managed to assassinate both Liu Kang and Shao Kahn, but eventually, the duo defeated Earthrealm's champions and triumphed over Raiden himself in a final battle. Their victory, however, would not be savored. Shang Tsung's lust for power and Quan Chi's suspicion finally came to light. The two fought, with Quan Chi emerging the victor, and immediately after that, Shang Tsung had to confront a revived Dragon King alongside the two enemies; in the battle that ensued, Tsung was killed by Raiden's self-sacrificial blast. |
| 28 | |
| 29 | ->His soul, still bound to Kahn, reached the not-so-dead Emperor. Kahn provided Tsung with a host body and then allied with him and Goro in taking his kingdom back. Sometime later, during the ''Armageddon'', the sorcerer formed an alliance with Onaga, Shao Kahn, and Quan Chi so that the group may prevent the Forces of Light from obtaining the power that Blaze possessed. |
| 30 | |
| 31 | ->The events of ''VideoGame/MortalKombat9'' happen pretty much the same for Shang Tsung as in the previous games, with an exception: [[spoiler:nearing the end of the events of ''Mortal Kombat 3'', Outworld's general, Motaro, has been slain and Shao Kahn is running out of options. In a last-ditch effort to weaken Earthrealm's forces, he siphons Shang Tsung's life energy into Sindel and sends Sindel and a squad of Lin Kuei cyber-warriors to the Earthrealm base]]. |
| 32 | |
| 33 | ->Despite all of this, however, Shang Tsung triumphantly 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. |
| 34 | |
| 35 | ->Shang Tsung's back 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 once more be purchased via DLC. |
| 36 | |
| 37 | ---- |
| 38 | [[foldercontrol]] |
| 39 | !!Tropes related to Shang Tsung in the Midway and original Netherrealm timelines[[note]]Tropes that appear across all of Shang Tsung's appearances from ''VideoGame/MortalKombat1992'' to ''VideoGame/MortalKombat11''.[[/note]] |
| 40 | [[folder: A-G]] |
| 41 | * AbhorrentAdmirer: As of ''11'', he has a very outspoken and blatant VillainousCrush on Sonya Blade. She is ''extremely'' uninterested. |
| 42 | * AdaptationalNiceGuy: [[spoiler:Granted, stopping Quan Chi from freeing Shinnok in ''WesternAnimation/MortalKombatLegendsScorpionsRevenge'' would normally fall under PragmaticVillainy, given Shinnok's OmnicidalManiac tendencies, but he also chastises Quan Chi for betraying Shao Kahn. Between that and the fact that at no point in that film or its sequel, ''WesternAnimation/MortalKombatLegendsBattleOfTheRealms'', does he even plot to betray Shao Kahn, the films' version of Shang Tsung appears to be loyal to the Kahn.]] |
| 43 | * 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.]] Zig-Zagged in another match intro with the two of them, as he politely requests another chance, but Shao Kahn again says that [[YouMakeMeSick he sickens him]], to which Shang Tsung responds he won't be [[TheDogBitesBack kicked like a dog.]] |
| 44 | ** Inverted in Conquest and Battle of the Realms, where he readily accepts death upon defeat. |
| 45 | * AlchemyIsMagic: In addition to his magical prowess, Shang Tsung is also an accomplished alchemist, and his New Era counterpart utilizes a lot more alchemy in battle, injecting his opponents with poisons. |
| 46 | * AllYourPowersCombined: ''Mortal Kombat 11'' allows him to transform into ''all the colored ninjas'' (except Tremor) in order to use one of their special abilities. |
| 47 | * AmbiguouslyHuman: We don't really know where Tsung came from initially, but his biography in ''Mortal Kombat 9'' confirms he is from Earthrealm. His ''Mortal Kombat: Tournament Edition'' bio states his origin as "Earthrealm/Outworld." |
| 48 | * AmbitionIsEvil: Shang Tsung is heavily motivated to prove his worth to Shao Kahn as well as betraying him and seeking ultimate power ([[spoiler:which he succeeds in doing should he defeat Fire God Liu Kang]]). |
| 49 | * AmplifierArtifact: Somewhat. He wears a runestone around his neck that [[SoulJar houses all of the souls he's absorbed over the ages]] and is able to replenish his strength. |
| 50 | * AnimalMotifs: Has a minor one for serpents, representing his intelligent, but untrustworthy nature. It also highlights his rivalry with Liu Kang (who has a dragon motif). |
| 51 | ** AnimalThemedFightingStyle: Naturally, he uses Snake Kung Fu as his primary style in ''Deadly Alliance'' and ''Armageddon''. The Crane style is his secondary style in ''Deadly Alliance''. |
| 52 | * ArchEnemy: |
| 53 | ** He's this to Liu Kang [[spoiler: and to a lesser degree to Kung Lao in ''Deadly Alliance'']]; the one who corrupted the tournament in the first place, absorbed the soul of the Great Kung Lao, and is one of the most prominent enemies of Earthrealm. This intensifies when he ends up [[spoiler: killing Liu Kang, causing his zombie to become vengeful]]. |
| 54 | ** He also becomes a major nemesis to Kitana, both as the person who created Mileena, and because she is in love with Liu Kang. In ''11'', he even taunts her by revealing he killed Ermac ''just'' to rub having Jerrod's soul in her face. |
| 55 | ** Shang Tsung and Raiden also are sworn enemies, due to Shang Tsung serving as Shao Kahn's emissary and representing the threat of Outworld looming over Earthrealm. The fact that he's also betrayed his native realm doesn't help matters. |
| 56 | * TheAssimilator: Every soul he devours makes him that much stronger, and grants him their knowledge and skills. According to some banter in ''[=MK11=]'', Shang Tsung even gains special abilities related to the souls he takes (which is true, considering how his transformations allow him to use the other characters' movesets with no difference from the original): |
| 57 | -->'''Kabal:''' Stealing my soul won't make you [[SuperSpeed faster]].\ |
| 58 | '''Shang Tsung:''' Actually, that is ''precisely'' how it works.\ |
| 59 | '''Kabal:''' [[OhCrap ...Eh, shit.]] |
| 60 | * AssholeVictim: |
| 61 | ** He is killed by Shao Kahn anticlimactically in the ninth game with the latter [[DeathByIrony stealing his soul, no less]], to have it be transferred to Sindel in an effort to empower her. No one in their presence really cares about his fate and he is not bought up again after his demise. |
| 62 | ** Makes two of both [[spoiler:Shao Kahn and Sindel in the Aftermath DLC by doing to them exactly what they did to him]]. |
| 63 | ** [[spoiler:If the player picks Fire God Liu Kang in Aftermath, Liu Kang defeats Shang Tsung and erases him from history. And Shang Tsung is such a dangerously callous EvilSorcerer, that no-one's going to miss him.]] |
| 64 | * AttackOfThe50FootWhatever: [[spoiler:At the end of his own ending of ''11: Aftermath'', his new Elder God form is absolutely ''gigantic'', dwarfing both Fujin and Raiden by many meters. He's practically the size of a house, and his throne is equally sized as such.]] |
| 65 | * BackFromTheDead: |
| 66 | ** In Ermac's MKX ending, Tsung returns when he devours Ermac's many souls to reconstitute his body. |
| 67 | ** He returns in the New Era after his [[spoiler:CessationOfExistence by the hands of Liu Kang at the end of ''Aftermath'', though this isn't the Shang Tsung we know. But, the one we are more familiar with is actually still alive, by means of both endings of ''Aftermath'' being canon. The battle between Fire God Liu Kang and Time Titan Shang Tsung split the flow of time in multiple directions, resulting in a timeline where Shang Tsung won. Now, dissatisfied with simply ruling over his own universe, he's decided to take over Liu Kang's.]] |
| 68 | * BadassBoast: Delivers one to Raiden in his gameplay trailer for ''11''. |
| 69 | -->'''Shang Tsung:''' I will torment you [[AndIMustScream for eternity.]]\ |
| 70 | '''Raiden:''' [[BringIt Do your worst,]] Shang Tsung!\ |
| 71 | '''Shang Tsung:''' And now, a taste of things to come... |
| 72 | * BadassBookworm: Shang Tsung is one of (if not THE) smartest kombatant, and he's got the Kung Fu skills to match his intellect. |
| 73 | * BadassLongcoat: In the movie. Proved so badass that it was included as one of his alternate costumes in ''11''. |
| 74 | * BadassLongRobe: Has this when he's in his elderly form and ''Deadly Alliance''. |
| 75 | * BadPowersBadPeople: PlayedWith. One would assume the ability to steal and manipulate souls for their own ends can only be evil, but Shang Tsung has demonstrated many positive uses for his abilities. Shang's soul-based magic can halt aging, heal people, [[SupportPartyMember greatly empower allies,]] ''resurrect the dead,'' and if his ''9'' ending is anything to go by, can be reversed from its inherently malevolent nature into a force of good. It's just Shang Tsung is so evil that any time he uses his abilities these ways, it's only for his own gain. |
| 76 | * TheBadGuyWins: [[spoiler:Should you choose his ending in the final battle Aftermath, Shang Tsung successfully defeats Kronika ''and'' Fire God Liu Kang to become the new Keeper of Time and shape reality to his liking, becoming an all-powerful dictator of the realms.]] |
| 77 | * BeardOfEvil: White in the first game, black in the other ones. |
| 78 | * BigBad: |
| 79 | ** Of the first game and film, being the foreseer of the Mortal Kombat tournament and the most immediate threat to Earthrealm. However, the sequel reveals that Shao Kahn was TheManBehindTheMan. |
| 80 | ** [[spoiler:Comes full circle in Aftermath of ''Mortal Kombat 11'', where he is the Big Bad once more. For bonus points, he's manipulated Shao Kahn into getting DemotedToDragon without him even realizing it.]] |
| 81 | ** Acts this in ''Shaolin Monks'', manipulated Liu Kang and Kung Lao into various locations to fight and kill enemies so he can use the souls of those they kill to grow stronger. Shao Kahn is in the game but only appears at the end, so he is instead a GreaterScopeVillain. |
| 82 | ** [[spoiler: The original Shang Tsung — who won his ending in Aftermath of ''Mortal Kombat 11'' and became a Titan thanks to TheMultiverse being real — returns as the main villain of ''[=MK1=]'', posing as Kronika and Damashi to hide his presence from Liu Kang until he can fully sabotage Liu Kang's New Era to merge his timeline and universe into his own. Funnily, the New Era Shang Tsung ends up being a BigBadWannabe in the eyes of the original [[YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness after he's served his usefulness]], forcing the New Era Shang Tsung to do a begrudging EnemyMine with Liu Kang to survive the original's treachery.]] |
| 83 | * BigBadDuumvirate: With Quan Chi in ''Deadly Alliance'', though Quan Chi is the one who formed this alliance in the first place. [[spoiler: Happens again in ''1'', in two different ways. There are the New Era versions of Shang Tsung and Quan Chi, but they are actually decoys for the ''real'' Deadly Alliance: Time Titan Shang Tsung and Titan Quan Chi.]] |
| 84 | * BigBadEnsemble: |
| 85 | ** He's in one with Kronika in the ''Aftermath'' DLC storyline, while also being a VillainProtagonist. Shang Tsung fully intends to hijack Kronika's power for himself to usher in his own New Era. [[spoiler:Shang Tsung wins out against Kronika and becomes the FinalBoss in Fire God Liu Kang's ending.]] |
| 86 | ** He’s also this with Quan Chi in ''Scorpion's Revenge'', he hosts the Mortal Kombat tournament, while Quan Chi plots to betray Shao Kahn and free Shinnok from his imprisonment. |
| 87 | * BigBadWannabe: After the first game. He has ambitions to overthrow Shao Kahn, but never able to get anywhere with them until he forms the [[VillainTeamup Deadly Alliance]] with Quan Chi. This still leaves him as this trope since their alliance ends with Quan Chi pulling an EvilerThanThou on him, before Onaga pulled an EvilerThanThou on both of them. [[spoiler: Averted in Aftermath, where manages to become the BigBad for the first time since the original game.]] |
| 88 | ** In the non-canon ''Shaolin Monks'', he is this compared to Shao Kahn. The plot of the game was set up by Shang Tsung luring Liu Kang and Kung Lao to fight and kill enemies so Shang Tsung could feed on the souls of those who died and gain the power to overthrow Shao Kahn. The end of the game shows that Shao Kahn was aware of Shang Tsung's plot the entire time and from the looks of things, Shang Tsung didn't have much chance of overthrowing him. |
| 89 | * BrickJoke: One of his many iconic lines in the movie (which comes back for a VictoryPose in ''11'') is "IT HAS BEGUN!". When killing an opponent with a Brutality in ''11'', however, he has a chance to say... |
| 90 | -->''"It has ended."'' |
| 91 | * TheBusCameBack: After his [[DroppedABridgeOnHim sudden death]] in ''9'', he returns as the host for the Krypt in ''11'', and later as a fully playable [[DownloadableContent DLC character]]. He also transitions his absence from the events of 11's story mode into a major role in the ''Aftermath'' story expansion. |
| 92 | * {{Camp}}: He either wears stylish robes or revealing outfits, and he constantly has long and straight hair. His outfit when wearing Kronika's crown has an even bigger NavelDeepNeckline than his other outfits and his hair has small braids in it. Simply put, Shang Tsung is vain. |
| 93 | * CantShiftWhileShifted: In ''VideoGame/MortalKombatII'', Shang Tsung starts as himself at the start of each fight and during it, can transform into multiple characters to use their moves, but has to undo the transformation before he can turn into another character. |
| 94 | * CardCarryingVillain: While all video game versions of Shang Tsung are unapologetically evil, the New Era version takes pride in being evil and hated. |
| 95 | * CastFromLifeSpan: Shang's signature Flaming Skulls are in fact the lifeforce of deceased souls, which he depends upon to sustain himself. [[GameplayAndStorySegregation Casting this during gameplay doesn't actually affect his health no matter how many are spent, even if the move is amplified]]. |
| 96 | * CharacterCatchphrase |
| 97 | ** "YourSoulIsMine". As beffiting of the TropeNamer, he gets good mileage from the phrase. |
| 98 | ** "It has begun!" |
| 99 | ** He gets another in the New Era due to his new life as a SnakeOilSalesman: variations of the phrase "You may ask yourself, can I afford it? But the question you should ask yourself is, can I afford not to?" |
| 100 | * 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. Liu Kang likewise kills him for good after his chosen champion defeats him and Quan Chi, and erase them from existence]]. |
| 101 | * TheChessmaster: While he may not be a brute like his master Shao Kahn, Shang Tsung is far more intelligent and manipulates both the forces of light and darkness alike. |
| 102 | * ChestBurster: One of his fatalities in [=MK11=], where he implants the soul of Kintaro into his opponent. Kintaro proceeds to violently make his exit from inside. |
| 103 | * ChronicBackstabbingDisorder: In fact, he is so untrustworthy that as soon as he was brought back to life via the time merger, Kronika sealed him in a temporal prison so that he couldn't be a potential SpannerInTheWorks. Even ''[[{{Jerkass}} Frost]]'' of all people calls him out on it. |
| 104 | -->'''Frost:''' Kronika's worried about your loyalty.\ |
| 105 | '''Shang Tsung:''' As if [[EnemyMine I would ally with Raiden...]]\ |
| 106 | '''Frost:''' You're capable of anything. |
| 107 | ** An exchange with Geras confirms that Shang Tsung's untrustworthiness is truly a universal constant. |
| 108 | --->'''Geras:''' You scheme against Kronika.\ |
| 109 | '''Shang Tsung:''' Prove your slander, Geras.\ |
| 110 | '''Geras:''' In all previous timelines, you betrayed her. |
| 111 | ** And of course, several lines from ''Aftermath'' trailer allude to this. |
| 112 | --->'''Fujin:''' I must ask, sorcerer: how long before you betray us? |
| 113 | --->'''Shang Tsung:''' [[Film/ANewHope I find your lack of faith amusing]]... |
| 114 | ** This is such a well known trait of his that in ''Aftermath'', the first action that almost every single person he recruits to help against Kronika takes upon joining his team is to state how little they trust him. [[BatmanGambit Fire God Liu Kang weaponizes this knowing full well that Shang Tsung would backstab everyone on his way to get the crown]], lying to him by saying he has to stay with the Hourglass. After defeating Kronika, Liu Kang steps in at the last moment to take the crown from him. Liu Kang knows his arch-enemy far too well. |
| 115 | ** Of course, this is only after Shang Tsung managed to backstab, in rapid succession, [[spoiler: Sheeva, Kitana, Raiden, Fujin, Shao Kahn, and Sindel]]. Even Kronika seemed stunned at the depths of his treachery. |
| 116 | --->'''Kronika:''' You have no one left to betray. |
| 117 | ** This trait reaches its apex in ''Mortal Kombat 1'', which confirms that Shang Tsung is so treacherous, [[spoiler:he'll literally betray ''himself''. Specifically, Titan Shang Tsung (who reached that status from his aforementioned series of betrayals in ''Aftermath'') grooms his counterpart (as well as Quan Chi) in Liu Kang's New Era for his own purposes with promises of power and conquest, then casually discards him once he has the power to conquer the New Era for himself.]] |
| 118 | * CoDragons: With Goro to Shao Kahn as they are his most "loyal" servants. |
| 119 | * CollectorOfForms: Shang Tsung can only take the form of people whose souls he's taken. |
| 120 | * ColorFailure: He can invoke this on his enemies in ''11'' by stealing their souls. Somehow draining a person of their soul and life force will also bleach the colors out of their ''clothing''. |
| 121 | * ColdHam: Thanks to Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa's incredible delivery, Shang Tsung in ''[=MK11=]'' is an amazing ham while almost never raising his voice. |
| 122 | * CourtMage: Part of his job for Shao Kahn. |
| 123 | * CrueltyIsTheOnlyOption: It should be fairly obvious and justified, but anyone that fights Shang and loses [[YourSoulIsMine isn't leaving alive]] regardless of a fatality not being performed. Averted in games in the series with Friendship fatalities. |
| 124 | * CursedWithAwesome: When Shang Tsung committed the atrocity of taking a soul, he was cursed by the Elder Gods not only to kill his enemies but to take their souls as well. Only in this way would he hold off his grim fate: [[RapidAging to age rapidly and die prematurely]]. However, as a side effect of his consuming the souls of others, Tsung was able to access their memories and knowledge, a happenstance which would greatly benefit him in the future. [[spoiler:''11'' reveals that Kronika orchestrated this so she could use the Well of Souls he created as a back-up power source in case she needed it.]] |
| 125 | * ADayInTheLimelight: In ''[[VideoGame/MortalKombatVsDCUniverse MK vs. DCU]]'', he's the focus of the ''MK'' side's Chapter 6. The ''Aftermath'' story expansion for ''11'' also focuses on his return after his absence from story mode, with him as the final chapter. |
| 126 | * DeaderThanDead: [[spoiler:In ''Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath's'' Good Ending, Liu Kang obliterates him. Liu Kang's words imply he didn't just kill him, but [[RetGone erase him from time.]] It turns out this technically didn't take, because their battle split the flow of time in multiple directions, one of which resulted in Shang Tsung being the victor (the Bad Ending of ''Aftermath'') and becoming Time Titan Shang Tsung. This parallel version of the Shang Tsung who Liu Kang knows ends up sharing the same fate as his predecessor, being completely erased from time.]] |
| 127 | * DeadpanSnarker: Of the very dry and {{downplayed|Trope}} kind. Compared to most of the other villains, Shang Tsung is rather humorless. |
| 128 | -->'''Shang Tsung:''' "Kitana Kahn", is it now?\ |
| 129 | '''Kitana:''' [[SarcasmMode Welcome to the new age]], Shang Tsung.\ |
| 130 | '''Shang Tsung:''' ''[[PreAsskickingOneLiner May it be ever so brief.]]'' |
| 131 | * DeathByIrony: On rare occasions, Shang Tsung gets a taste of his own medicine. |
| 132 | ** Nearing the climax of ''Mortal Kombat 9'', Shao Kahn extracts his soul in order to empower Sindel. [[spoiler:He does deliver a payback in ''Aftermath'', gleefully stealing back Shao Kahn's and Sindel's near the endgame]]. |
| 133 | *** [[spoiler: He in turn gets another taste of this in the heroic ending as he falls for Liu Kang's deception, effectively being beaten at his own game.]] |
| 134 | ** While on the topic of ''11'', he can be subjected to this via MirrorMatch, which he himself lampshades in his intro. Doubly so if his double also ends up stealing his soul. |
| 135 | ** Going back to ''9'', the notorious soul stealer gets his soul stolen by Mileena in her ladder ending. |
| 136 | * DeadPersonImpersonation: [[spoiler:In ''1'', he poses as Kronika after killing her by absorbing her soul in the previous game to manipulate the Shang Tsung and Quan Chi of Liu Kang's New Era]]. |
| 137 | * DeathByIrony: In ''[=MK9=]'', the famous soul-stealer finds his ''own'' soul stolen by Shao Kahn to empower Sindel. |
| 138 | * DemonicPossession: In ''MKII'', he enters his opponent's body, which violently shakes until it explodes as Shang appears in the opponent's place. It inspires one of Liu Kang's ''Deception'' Fatalities, and in ''[=MK9=]'' it comes full-circle with it being based on Liu Kang's version instead of his own from ''MKII''. |
| 139 | * DevourTheDragon: In ''Aftermath'' he does this to both Shao Kahn and Sindel as Shao Kahn was DemotedToDragon and Sindel was his unwitting dragon. Shang Tsung defeats them both and kills them by stealing their souls. |
| 140 | * DidYouJustScamCthulhu: [[spoiler: His ''[=MK11=]'' ending has him become the new Master of Time after killing Kronika, and in doing so he gains power and influence among his newfound peers: [[EldritchAbomination the Titans]].]] |
| 141 | * DidntSeeThatComing: [[spoiler: He genuinely failed to anticipate that Liu Kang would lie and effectively let his allies die in order to create an opportunity to take Kronika's Crown back once she was taken care of. Of course, this could backfire spectacularly on Liu Kang if Shang Tsung wins their FinalBattle.]] |
| 142 | * DidntThinkThisThrough: A less canonical example. [[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.]] |
| 143 | * DifficultButAwesome: In [=MK2=], [=MK3=] and ''Trilogy'', Shang Tsung's ability to temporarily shapeshift into any other playable character gives him unprecedented versatility. Need to use the character that fares best against your opponent? Shang Tsung can have that handled. This comes at the cost of having to learn the shapeshifting inputs for every character (35 different inputs for morphs between all versions of ''Trilogy''), ''and'' also know how those characters work to go anywhere with him. Furthermore, these games give Shang Tsung a fairly limited moveset when not transformed (especially [=MK2=]). Later games restricted (or outright removed) shapeshifting from his moveset and thus behaves more like other regular characters, [[AvertedTrope averting]] this trope. |
| 144 | * DittoFighter: A trademark of the character which [[NewRulesAsThePlotDemands varies from continuity to continuity]]. |
| 145 | ** In the original trilogy, Shang Tsung could transform into any member of the roster with the corresponding command, with bosses mostly being an exception. This allowed him to perform their specials, combos and Fatalities - he'd revert back to normal in ''[=MK2=]'' after doing one except in the case of characters with unique post-Fatality win poses like Kung Lao; this doesn't pop up in ''[=MK3=]''. This actually got hit with a notable processing restriction in the [=PlayStation=] version of ''Trilogy'', wherein giving access to all of his morphs caused the game to pause when he transformed; as such, one option allowed was to let his player choose 3 specific morphs, with all the male, female and cyborg ninjas counted as one choice each. |
| 146 | ** In ''Deadly Alliance'' and ''Armageddon'', engine restrictions and the latter's large roster meant that he could not keep his shapeshifting. |
| 147 | ** ''MK vs. DCU'' saw this return, but only as he transforms into his opponents for his win pose and one of his Fatalities. His Soul Steal move in ''[=MK9=]'' allows him to temporarily fight as his opponent if it lands, gaining a damage boost in the process; unlike the classic games, he cannot perform other Fatalities as he transforms after performing the match-ending blow. As a boss, he could transform on command into two other fighters in addition to the player's[[note]]This is revised in a tag ladder where he (along with Goro, Kintaro and Shao Kahn) are fought 2 on 1, at which point he can only transform into one other fighter in addition to being able to copy either of his opponents[[/note]]. |
| 148 | ** In ''11'', he could transform into any of the male ninjas to perform a move of theirs. His specials are taken from Rain, Smoke, Reptile and Ermac while he transforms into Sub-Zero, Scorpion and Noob Saibot (funny enough, the three sole ninjas in the base roster) for his Fatal Blow. As was the case in ''9'', he can transform into his opponent with his Soul Steal move. While he still can't copy their Fatalities, he does gain access to all their Crushing Blows and Brutalities; much like the previous games, he stays transformed if he successfully wins a match with a Brutality, complete with copying his opponents' win poses. |
| 149 | * 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, he seems even more giddy to torment them than usual. [[TheSociopath Which says a lot]].]] |
| 150 | * DownloadableContent: The second character in ''11'' after [[BigBad Shao Kahn]]. |
| 151 | * TheDragon: To Shao Kahn. While he may have been the BigBad of the first game he’s actually Shao Kahn’s right-hand man and to that end in both ''II'' and ''9'' you always fight Shang Tsung before you go onto the final bosses as the last regular opponent. |
| 152 | * DragonWithAnAgenda: In spite of the above, Shang Tsung has his own ambitions to fulfil and is not above trying to usurp or kill Shao Kahn if it means furthering his goals. He joins forces with Quan Chi, another DragonWithAnAgenda at some point with Quan Chi being the more authoritative figure. Again, Shang makes no pretence of taking out Quan Chi regarding his personal objectives. |
| 153 | * TheDreaded: Everyone across the Nine Realms, up to and including Shao Khan and the Gods themselves, is scared shitless of Shang Tsung and with very good reason given his cunning, power and sheer ruthlessness and cruelty. Anyone with the slightest bit of intelligence is wary of going up against him and regards him as a serious threat, even if he's dead. Even other villains are wary of aligning with him given how he often betrays them the second he no longer needs them. |
| 154 | * DressingAsTheEnemy: |
| 155 | ** Inverted. He disguised himself as Kung Lao in order to get the drop on Liu Kang in ''Deadly Alliance''. |
| 156 | ** In ''Aftermath'', he appears as Raiden to get Fujin to give him Kronika's crown. |
| 157 | * DroppedABridgeOnHim: [[spoiler: His death in ''9'' [[AntiClimax is rather sudden]] and no mention is made of him afterwards.]] |
| 158 | * EnemyMine: In ''Aftermath'', he invokes this to position himself as an ally to Liu Kang, Raiden, and the other heroic characters against Kronika. [[spoiler:Inevitably, he goes on to betray the heroes and side with Shao Kahn and Sindel before backstabbing and killing them as well]]. |
| 159 | * EnergyAbsorption: In later games, he can absorb part of his opponent's soul during a fight to restore his health. |
| 160 | * EvenEvilHasLovedOnes: While his early life remains a complete mystery in the games, he claims to have had lost loved ones at some point in ''Mortal Kombat: Legacy Season 2''. |
| 161 | * EvenEvilHasStandards: |
| 162 | ** Noob Saibot orders him to take his place in the Netherrealm, and Rain once demanded an army of clones from him; to both, Shang Tsung says up front that "I would rather raise Onaga". Considering what Onaga is, that says enough. |
| 163 | ** He hates the Joker just as much as the other kombatants, and finds him to be an unbearable nuisance. But that doesn't stop him from trying to make him a henchman. |
| 164 | ** He chides Kano for being a 'disrespectful cretin'. |
| 165 | * EverythingsBetterWithRainbows: His Friendship in ''MKII'' and ''[=MK11=]''. |
| 166 | * EvilCounterpart: |
| 167 | ** To Raiden, being the BigGood to his BigBad and that the both of them lead the opposing ensembles in ''Mortal Kombat'' while having a special power over an element (Electricity for Raiden, Fire for Shang Tsung). While Raiden is well-respected and admired among the heroes while caring greatly for humanity, Shang Tsung was considered a failure among the RoguesGallery and his own personal motivations lean towards ForTheEvulz. |
| 168 | ** To Liu Kang, who is Shang Tsung's ArchEnemy has PlayingWithFire and VoluntaryShapeshifting powers just like him. However, while Liu Kang is [[IdealHero honorable and heroic]], Shang Tsung is a ManipulativeBastard and villainous {{sadist}} who snakes his way into power while Liu Kang earns it. By the end of ''[[VideoGame/MortalKombat11 MK11]]'''s ''Aftermath'' DLC, [[spoiler: Liu Kang and Shang Tsung have both become the strongest kombatants in TheVerse.]] |
| 169 | ** To Kenshi. Both him and Shang Tsung wield blades, wear red, and have beards. They both also use SoulPower, though Kenshi uses it positively through his CoolSword Sento while Shang Tsung violently sucks the souls out of people to keep his youth. |
| 170 | * EvilGenius: Among the smartest kombatants, and he does not have good intentions. |
| 171 | * EvilIsPetty: [[spoiler:Titan Shang Tsung's whole reason to oppose Liu Kang and his New Era in ''[=MK1=]'' — despite [[TheBadGuyWins ruling]] an entire AlternateUniverse already as is — is specifically because of the gall that Liu Kang had the potential to beat him ''at all'' in another timeline, [[OmnicidalManiac and seeks to wipe out the entire New Era from existence]] because of it.]] |
| 172 | * EvilMentor: To Goro, the Shokan prince. To the point that he ''misses him the most'' in ''11''. Based on pre-match banter with Jax and Jacqui, he seems to be scheming to corrupt the latter into becoming his disciple as well. |
| 173 | -->'''[Towards Jax]:''' I'll teach her what you never could. |
| 174 | -->'''[Towards Jacqui]:''' Such beauty in kombat is rare. |
| 175 | * EvilOldFolks: As his old form, he definitely qualifies given he was the original final boss. |
| 176 | * EvilSmellsBad: Subverted. While not explicitly foul, he has a particular odor that Baraka can exploit to instantly detect him through his shapeshifting. |
| 177 | * EvilSorcerer: He literally ''is'' one. |
| 178 | * EvilSoundsDeep: In the movie and in ''[=MK11=]'', courtesy of Creator/CaryHiroyukiTagawa - who brings his smooth, rich baritone to the role. After almost ''25 years'', this Evil sounds ''[[StillGotIt even deeper.]]'' |
| 179 | * EvilerThanThou: Of all the villains in ''Mortal Kombat'', he pretty much overshadows the likes of Shao Kahn and even Kronika, as well as other antagonists who are stupid enough to ally with him. Even Kronika herself deems Shang Tsung to be dangerous to be kept alive and is appalled by how low he can go betraying anyone to no end just to fulfill his ambition. Story creator John Vogel himself has even stated he is Mortal Kombat's "symbol of evil". [[spoiler:He takes it to new heights in ''Mortal Kombat 1'', where he backstabs and disposes of the New Era version of ''himself'' after he stops being useful to him.]] |
| 180 | ** Even considers himself this to The Joker in ''11'' when the clown prince of crime returns to the MK universe. |
| 181 | -->'''Shang Tsung:''' I can use a henchman like you.\ |
| 182 | '''Joker:''' Henchman?! I'm the headliner!\ |
| 183 | '''Shang Tsung:''' Not in this world, [[YouMakeMeSick you giggling imp.]] |
| 184 | * FallenHero: In ''Conquest'', he was once Earthrealm's champion in the Mortal Kombat tournament until he was tempted to Shao Kahn's side. |
| 185 | * FantasyGunControl: Subverted. In ''9'', he was very interested in modern weaponry and bought rocket launchers and shotguns from Kano. |
| 186 | -->''"Well done. You might tell your fellow Black Dragon that I'm very interested in your merchandise."'' |
| 187 | * FatalFlaw: He simply ''cannot'' stop himself from betraying whoever he's working with. Even if it's in his best interest ''not'' to screw someone over, he does it anyway. And everyone ''knows'' this, making alliances with him tenuous at best. |
| 188 | * FauxAffablyEvil: His politeness is ''never'' genuine when he's in Kombat. |
| 189 | -->'''Jade:''' You cloned Kitana, you despicable fiend!\ |
| 190 | '''Shang Tsung:''' Would you like a sister too, Jade?\ |
| 191 | '''Jade:''' I would like to end your life. |
| 192 | ** However, during his reveal in [=MK11=]'s Krypt, he does sport Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa's trademark polite behavior and charm... ''which still makes him legitimately creepy.'' The following words are not helping, either: |
| 193 | --->'''Shang Tsung:''' Take what you want... ''[[ImpliedDeathThreat within reason]].'' |
| 194 | ** Also, this moment from the Krypt: |
| 195 | --->'''Shang Tsung:''' Behold [[KilledOffForReal the final resting place]] of Kenshi Takahashi. Valiant and brave, he was an excellent warrior. Which made [[YourSoulIsMine feeding on his soul]] most enjoyable... |
| 196 | * FinalBoss: The elderly Shang Tsung is the last opponent a kombatant faces in the premiere game's ladder, and can shapeshift into any of the player characters plus Goro, though he also has a powerful flaming skull attack (complete with screams) when in his true form. |
| 197 | ** He is one of two potential final bosses in ''Deadly Alliance'', the other being the other member of the titular Deadly Alliance Quan Chi. |
| 198 | ** [[spoiler:He eventually becomes the very last opponent to fight against in the ''Aftermath'' expansion of Mortal Kombat 11. That is if you choose to side with Liu Kang.]] |
| 199 | ** [[spoiler: He serves as this for ''1'' as well, now fighting alongside a Titan version of Quan Chi, forming the Deadly Alliance once more.]] |
| 200 | * FingerTenting: His signature scheming pose. |
| 201 | * FlamingSkulls: He uses them as projectiles in some games. |
| 202 | * {{Foil}}: As Liu Kang's nemesis, they naturally mirror each other in a few ways. |
| 203 | ** Tsung himself used to be Mortal Kombat Champion before the Great Kung Lao defeated him, and operates as Shao Kahn's champion compared to Liu Kang who is Raiden's. |
| 204 | ** Shang Tsung is doomed to prolong his life through souls, compared to Liu Kang's agelessness as Mortal Kombat Champion... although [[CursedWithAwesome taking souls doesn't make Shang any weaker]]. |
| 205 | ** Though they don't really ever interact, he's a pretty twisted mirror of Bo Rai Cho. Both are ancient masters who defected from their native realm to help the opposing side (Tsung switching from Earthrealm to Outworld, and Bo Rai Cho vice-versa), and both use their centuries of experience and expertise to train and hone new fighters (Tsung with Goro, Bo Rai Cho with Liu Kang). Both are even always putting on a false face to others, with Shang Tsung being a two-faced schemer and Bo Rai Cho being a TricksterMentor. But while Tsung is an urbane, gentlemanly, and collected evil-doer, Bo Rai Cho is a slovenly, drunk, BigFun trainer of heroes. |
| 206 | * ForTheEvulz: Has a massive torture chamber beneath his island that'd put any serial killer's to shame. Many have been victims to gruesome mutilation and death for his own sadistic desires. Then in Mortal Kombat 1, [[spoiler: where his Titan self that already controls an ENTIRE timeline in which all beings tremble before him, decides he wants the rest of TheMultiverse just because.]] |
| 207 | * ForScience: His stated reason for his horrific experiments. |
| 208 | -->'''Shang Tsung:''' If your arms are cut off, will they grow back?\ |
| 209 | '''Kollector:''' I am not one of your experiments, sorcerer.\ |
| 210 | '''Shang Tsung:''' Come, Kollector. It's for science. |
| 211 | * GeniusBruiser: He's an extraordinarily powerful sorcerer and magic practitioner and a frighteningly skilled strategist and manipulator who can play anyone, even Gods, like a fiddle and when he has to, he can match most other characters in the series in raw strength and combat skills easily. |
| 212 | * GivingSomeoneThePointerFinger: As an homage to the first movie, Shang does this ''[[TheFourthWallWillNotProtectYou to the player]]'' in ''11'', complete with his iconic line. |
| 213 | -->'''Shang Tsung:''' ''{{Your soul is mine}}!'' |
| 214 | * GlowingEyesOfDoom: In some of his incarnations. |
| 215 | * AGodAmI: [[spoiler:After killing Kronika, Shang Tsung wastes no time in waxing how powerful he has become and bathes in his newfound powers. Even when challenged by the literal PhysicalGod that is Liu Kang, he's still gloating like it's going out of style. You can even have him ascend to Elder God status, his godhood upgrading from delusion to reality]]. |
| 216 | * GodhoodSeeker: [[spoiler:This is his primary motive for wanting Kronika's Hourglass and Crown, and achieves it should you choose his ending.]] |
| 217 | * GoldAndWhiteAreDivine: [[spoiler:Absorbing the souls of Raiden and Fujin to an extent allowed Shang Tsung to de-age himself to his physical prime whilst also being dressed in a white and gold costume to signal is newfound power]]. [[LightIsNotGood But then again]], this is [[ManipulativeBastard Shang Tsung]] we're talking about. [[spoiler: However, there’s a good version of him wearing similar attire in the finale of [=MK1=].]] |
| 218 | * GrievousHarmWithABody: One of his new moves in ''11'' involves summoning a mutilated corpse to fall on his opponent. Enhancing the move causes the corpse to [[PopGoesTheHuman explode]]. |
| 219 | [[/folder]] |
| 220 | |
| 221 | [[folder: H-O]] |
| 222 | * HalfTheManHeUsedToBe: One of his fatalities from ''2'', in which he morphs into Kintaro and punches the upper half of the opponent's body clear across the stage. |
| 223 | * HatedByAll: Shang Tsung has the dubious honor of being the single most disliked and distrusted character in the entire ''11'' roster, and perhaps the entire ''series.''[[note]]This excludes ComicBook/TheJoker, a GuestFighter who somehow gets it ''even worse''[[/note]] Even when compared to Frost and Kano, the former being given certain pity and the latter having his clan, Shang Tsung has absolutely no friends aside from his deceased champion, Goro, and is viewed with scorn and wariness by just about every character. He probably prefers it. |
| 224 | * HazyFeelTurn: |
| 225 | ** The most likely interpretation of his Ladder ending in ''9'', in which [[spoiler:Bo' Rai Cho trains him to help defeat a power-mad and newly-deified Liu Kang]]. |
| 226 | ** [[spoiler: This also seems the be the case for his return in ''Aftermath'', as he potentially stands to gain from aiding Fire God Liu Kang in retrieving Kronika's crown. Ultimately subverted, as his alliance with the heroes is entirely one of convenience, he's plotting against them the entire time, and by the end of ''Aftermath'', he's the story's solid BigBad.]] |
| 227 | * TheHeavy: |
| 228 | ** For the first three games as he was under orders from Shao Kahn at the time. |
| 229 | ** Also for Shaolin Monks as he drives the plot still under Shao Kahn’s orders. |
| 230 | * HeroKiller: [[spoiler:While Shang Tsung was never harmless, ''Aftermath'' shows just how dangerous he can truly be, with his machinations and kombat skill allowing him to defeat Nightwolf, Fujin, Raiden, and potentially even Fire God Liu Kang. The Krypt also reveals that, at some point, he killed Kenshi as well.]] |
| 231 | * 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.]] |
| 232 | * 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. |
| 233 | * HiddenAgendaVillain: Shang Tsung arrives to Fire God Liu Kang and Raiden's presence to allow for an alliance to retrieve Kronika's Crown so that the timeline could be merged proper. [[spoiler:In reality, he seeks to acquire the crown and Kronika's Hourglass so that [[AGodAmI he could become a god-like]] MultiversalConquerer. Something that Liu Kang saw coming from the very beginning]]. |
| 234 | * HijackingCthulhu: Outsmarts the goddess of time and devours her soul in 'Aftermath'. |
| 235 | * IControlMyMinionsThrough: Loyalty. [[spoiler: According to him, the monks on his island were so devoted to him: news about his death were such traumatizing that they chose mass suicide over living in a world without him. When Nightwolf scoffs at this, Tsung even ''chides'' him on his lack of compassion.]] |
| 236 | * IHaveYourWife: |
| 237 | ** He forced Sonya to participate in the first tournament by taking her unit hostage (in the new timeline, this was altered to be just Jax). |
| 238 | ** Ironically, he forced Jax and the other Earthrealm heroes to fight in the second tournament by capturing Sonya. |
| 239 | ** He will occasionally use the souls he's captured as leverage to comply with their loved ones to do his bidding. In ''11'', he specifically tries to force Jade's service by revealing he's taken (or plans to take) her parents' souls. |
| 240 | * ImpaledWithExtremePrejudice: |
| 241 | ** In ''[=MK3=]'', Tsung can summon a bed of nails onto which he slams his dazed opponent as a finisher. |
| 242 | ** [[HoistByHisOwnPetard He meets his demise this way in the movie.]] |
| 243 | * {{Immortality}}: Strongly implied. Several endings in Mortal Kombat X anticipate his return, and an interaction between him and Raiden has him asking the god if he's surprised to see him. Raiden is only surprised that it took long. |
| 244 | * IncomingHam: "It has...'''''BEGUN!'''''" |
| 245 | * InkSuitActor: His appearance in ''Mortal Kombat 11'' is literally that of Creator/CaryHiroyukiTagawa - his reprising actor from the first live-action movie and the second season of ''Legacy''. |
| 246 | * InterchangeableAsianCultures: Shang Tsung is supposed to be Chinese, but [[Creator/CaryHiroyukiTagawa his most famous actor]] is Japanese. |
| 247 | * {{Irony}}: |
| 248 | ** In his arcade ending in ''Mortal Kombat 9'', Bo' Rai Cho sought Shang Tsung who was about to commit suicide after being overwhelmed by Shao Kahn's soul. Bo' Rai Cho then trains him to defeat Liu Kang, who became mad with power, effectively saving the world. |
| 249 | ** 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 [[WhatTheHellHero 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]]. |
| 250 | * ItsAllAboutMe: Above all else, Shang Tsung's defining trait is his absolute lack of empathy toward ''everyone'', caring only for himself and his own gain in power and treating everyone as either pawns, or free souls to acquire. [[spoiler:Even upon discovering that many of his followers had committed suicide after hearing of his death, he was only amused by their devotion toward him and not at all bothered by the massive number of fatalities,]] further cementing the fact that Shang Tsung is fueled only by greed and eternal worship. |
| 251 | * IWasQuiteTheLooker: |
| 252 | ** Compare [[http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20110912181333/mk/images/b/bf/Shang_tsung_render_1000px.png his elder form]] to when [[http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lxz8z0zPlv1r5gqil.jpg his youth is restored.]] |
| 253 | ** His appearance in ''Mortal Kombat 11'' for most of his costumes, as one of his match intros has him morph from his elderly self into a far younger form roughly around Liu Kang's age. As a bonus, he's modeled after his appearance from [[Film/MortalKombatTheMovie the movie]]. |
| 254 | * KarmicDeath: While it doesn't always stick, the times where Shang Tsung dies are almost always symbolically fitting. |
| 255 | ** Shao Kahn transferring his soul/power to Sindel in ''Mortal Kombat 9'' as his usefulness has run out is a simple HoistByHisOwnPetard example. |
| 256 | ** For as much as he loves to boast about his victims being BarredFromTheAfterlife and unable to return to life due to his soul-stealing in his pre-fight dialogue, [[spoiler:being erased from existence by Fire God Liu Kang at the end of ''Aftermath'' is a very fitting fate]]. |
| 257 | ** [[spoiler: It happens again in ''1'', with Time Titan Shang Tsung meeting the exact same fate as his predecessor did in ''Aftermath'': total erasure from the space-time continuum by Liu Kang.]] |
| 258 | ** In ''WesternAnimation/MortalKombatLegendsBattleOfTheRealms'', he kills [[spoiler:Stryker]] using his ''[=MK9=]'' fatality: possessing him and then forcing him to rip his own head off. [[spoiler: Shang Tsung later meets a gruesome OffWithHisHead end himself at the hands of Kano in ''WesternAnimation/MortalKombatLegendsSnowBlind''.]] |
| 259 | * KillAndReplace: Most of his Brutalities in ''11'' let him assume the form of his last victim. |
| 260 | * KickTheDog: As if blinding the poor guy wasn't enough, Shang Tsung devoured Kenshi's soul at some point as seen in ''11''. |
| 261 | * KilledOffForReal: Zig-zagged. [[spoiler:After twelve games, the original Shang Tsung finally bites it for good at the end of ''1'', with Liu Kang disintegrating his Titan self and collapsing his timeline, leaving both versions of the character DeaderThanDead. His New Era counterpart's still going strong.]] |
| 262 | * KillTheGod: [[spoiler:Shang Tsung kills Kronika in order the usurp the throne. He even gets to kill and absorb the soul of Fire God Liu Kang in the bad ending.]] |
| 263 | * KungFuWizard: While a sorcerer, he does plenty of fighting with his bare hands as well. Emphasized in ''11'' where a good chunk of his moves involve using either magic scrolls or magical lava. |
| 264 | * LackOfEmpathy: He really could not care less about anyone but himself, viewing everyone he interacts with as either a dupe, a future victim to be tortured for his pleasure or as not even existing at all and he will happily betray or murder anyone or wipe out entire universes without a second thought. |
| 265 | * LargeHam: Especially in the first movie. |
| 266 | --> (''to [[MultiArmedAndDangerous Goro]], after he gets [[GroinAttack punched in the goolies]] by [[FakeUltimateHero Johnny Cage]]'') ''"You '''IMBECILE'''! Follow him! {{FINISH HIM}}!"'' |
| 267 | ** There's also his behavior in ''[=MK9=]'''s story mode, especially after [[spoiler:he has his youth restored]]. |
| 268 | ** [[spoiler: The moment he puts on Kronika's crown in the final chapter of ''Aftermath'', he effectively steals the soul of every single scene thereafter.]] |
| 269 | * LastPlanStanding: [[spoiler:He achieves victory and defeats Kronika in ''Aftermath'' by ''weaponizing'' the different factions of Outworld and their goals. Each group he aligns himself with knows that he's going to inevitably betray them, but his obvious backstabbing and the power he offers as a temporary ally [[DevilInPlainSight actually makes them underestimate how brazen and cunning he can be]]. By the time they've realized what his true plan was, it's too late -- by switching sides and sabotaging each of them in turn, he reduced the threat each could pose to him personally, meaning that he's come out on top while they're mired in civil war.]] [[spoiler:He's only outwitted in the end by Liu Kang himself, who deliberately allowed it all to happen so that he could then defeat the sorceror and reverse the damage Shang Tsung wrought.]] |
| 270 | * LifeDrain: His soul-based moves in ''11'' give a small bit of health back to him each use. |
| 271 | * LifeDrinker: Shang Tsung adds to his lifetime by consuming the souls of his victims, and he's lived for ''millennia'', so that's a lot of lives drunk. PowerCopying is a bonus. |
| 272 | ** ''11'' provides a very graphic demonstration of his soul stealing. Not only does Shang Tsung extract the soul out of his opponents, but they also visibly shrivel and become rotten, desiccated corpses after he's done with them, as if he's channeling his inner [[Film/TheMummy1999 Imhotep]]. And most of the time, his victims are fully conscious and aware of their rapid demise, too. |
| 273 | * MagmaMan: One of his attacks in ''11'' is to create a small pool of hellfire underneath his opponent. |
| 274 | * ManipulativeBastard: One of his specialties. He once tricked Kenshi into leading him right to the souls of his warrior ancestors by posing as a harmless old man, posed as friends of Earth warriors in order to attack them from behind, lied about the terms of at least one tournament in order to further his agenda, and is generally an all-round untrustworthy bastard. |
| 275 | * MirrorMatch: Whether through shapeshifting powers or flesh pit cloning, he is usually considered to be ''the only reason'' for this whenever the characters meet their exact duplicates. As of ''11'', ''Shang himself'' gets this exchange: |
| 276 | -->'''Shang Tsung 1:''' [[MythologyGag Shang Lao]], I presume? [[note]]Shang Lao was what Shang Tsung was originally going to be named; presumably in-universe due to Kronika's manipulations there was a previous version of Tsung who had this identity [[/note]] |
| 277 | -->'''Shang Tsung 2:''' You presume correctly, brother. |
| 278 | -->'''Shang Tsung 1:''' When you die, you will be forgotten. |
| 279 | * MonochromaticEyes: [[ProphetEyes White]] in the original (and ''9''), green in ''3''. |
| 280 | * MonsterClown: One of his ''VideoGame/MortalKombat9'' Fatalities has him turn into one and execute his opponent with a gun, which doubles as a TakeThat to ''[[VideoGame/MortalKombatVsDCUniverse MK vs. DCU]]''[='s=] censorship of ComicBook/TheJoker's fatality. |
| 281 | * MoreDakka: When he was the final boss in the first game, he could unleash up to 6 fireballs that each hit as hard as a roundhouse kick. In ''VideoGame/MortalKombatII'' when he was made a playable character, the damage was reduced and the number of fireballs got toned down to 4 and then 3 in later updates. In VideoGame/MortalKombat3, he was given a multiple fireball move from the ground that could combo with his regular fireballs for plenty of hits. And all this took place when every other character could only shoot one projectile at a time. |
| 282 | * MoreThanMindControl: [[spoiler: ''Aftermath'' is a '''huge''' showcase of how this formerly mortal man lasted ''millennia''. He was able to convince his enemies - many of whom include demigods - to work with him. Now, the circumstances are so dire that this alliance is needed; but every other character attacks Nightwolf and Fujin thinking that both are under some kind of MindControl. They aren't: Shang Tsung is that good at persuading.]] |
| 283 | * MugglesDoItBetter: |
| 284 | ** Despite being an EvilSorcerer, Shang Tsung is shown to be quite fascinated by modern Earthrealm technology (particularly in the field of weaponry). |
| 285 | ** In ''9'', Shang Tsung hires the Black Dragon clan to provide Outworld's supernatural armies [[FantasyGunControl with conventional military equipment]], and one scene even shows him and Kano casually testing [=RPGs=] in the Living Forest. |
| 286 | ** In ''11'', Shang Tsung goes as far as to muse that "Perhaps technology ''is'' superior to magic" upon encountering Franchise/TheTerminator. |
| 287 | --->'''Shang Tsung:''' You feel no pity or remorse?\ |
| 288 | '''Terminator:''' I cannot feel human emotion.\ |
| 289 | '''Shang Tsung:''' [[AdmiringTheAbomination Perfect...]] |
| 290 | * MultiversalConqueror: [[spoiler:Alongside wanting to become a god who rivals the Titans in might, Shang Tsung's end goal is also to have a firm grip in invading and taking over the many realms of the Mortal Kombat Universe, as can be attested to the ''[[DownerEnding bad ending]]'' of ''Aftermath''.]] |
| 291 | * NakedOnRevival: [[spoiler:In Ermac's ending in ''X'', Shang Tsung is completely nude as he drains Ermac of all his souls. The cameras [[ShouldersUpNudity don't show anything below his waist, naturally]].]] |
| 292 | * {{Narcissist}}: Shang Tsung is a ''monumentally'' self-absorbed, vain, and selfish person, willing to destroy anyone and anything to benefit himself and the glorious destiny he thinks he deserves. He's an InsufferableGenius who delights in manipulating those around him, and his appetite for power is utterly limitless. Not to mention the fact he's a sadistic freak that genuinely enjoys the suffering of other beings. [[spoiler:Even in ''Mortal Kombat 1'', where he's a Titan with an entire timeline at his feet, he can't stand the idea of there being other timelines he doesn't rule, which drives him to try and destroy [[ArchEnemy Liu Kang's]] New Era and embark on a multiversal campaign of conquest.]] |
| 293 | * NeckSnap: In ''Deadly Alliance'', he delivers one to [[spoiler:Liu Kang]], killing him. |
| 294 | * NightmareFace: Showcased at the beginning of the original movie during Liu Kang's dream sequence, and ''Aftermath''. [[spoiler: In the Netherrealm, when Revenant Nightwolf loses the fight against his living counterpart, Shang Tsung is quick enough to begin consuming the undead warrior's soul... ''sporting nightmarish rotting face on top of that''. Thankfully, Tsung gets rejuvenated back to his old self.]] |
| 295 | * NightmareFetishist: Every lair of his is littered with human skulls, mutilated corpses, painful deathtraps and general {{gorn}}. Plus, his experiments seem to serve no true purpose other than to tend to his sadistic desires. |
| 296 | * NoCampaignForTheWicked: He has no playable sections in the story mode for ''Mortal Kombat 9''. Then [[InvertedTrope inverted]] hard when Shang Tsung has a chapter all to his own in the ''Aftermath'' campaign of ''Mortal Kombat 11''. |
| 297 | * NonActionBigBad: Heavily [[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. |
| 298 | ** He functions as one in ''Scorpion's Revenge''. He never participates in any tournament fights. |
| 299 | * ObviousJudas: An InUniverse example in ''Aftermath''. Most characters don't wonder ''if'' Shang Tsung is going to betray them, but ''when''. Bonus points go to Fujin's ladder ending, where Shang Tsung is seated in Judas' chair in the LastSupperSteal depicted. |
| 300 | * OffWithHisHead: In ''9'', he possesses his opponent then uses their own hand to rip off their head as his Fatality. |
| 301 | * OhCrap: |
| 302 | ** In the intro to ''Armageddon'', he gets to face the revived zombie of [[spoiler: Liu Kang]], who promptly snaps his neck back into place after Tsung personally performed a NeckSnap on him. Tsung ''flinches'' at this, all too aware of the irony and danger he was in at that point. |
| 303 | ** [[spoiler:The looks on his face when he's about to be {{Ret Gone}}d by Fire God Liu Kang in the good ending of ''Aftermath'' can only be described as a mix of ThisCannotBe and absolute horror.]] |
| 304 | * OldMaster: ''[[OlderThanTheyLook Way]]'' old. |
| 305 | * OnlySaneMan: In the ''vs. [=DC=] Universe'' crossover, he has apparently the strongest self-control of all characters from both worlds, as he never gives up to the Rage [[spoiler:until Dark Khan reveals himself and makes Rage take everybody.]] But even after ''that'', he managed to bring himself back to normal, while Raiden was still under Dark Kahn's influence. It's also worth noting that he agrees with a Rage-stricken Raiden that while Shang Tsung himself might have taken the time to betray him right there and then, EvilVersusOblivion means that he genuinely wants to defeat Dark Kahn. |
| 306 | [[/folder]] |
| 307 | |
| 308 | [[folder: P-Y]] |
| 309 | * PayEvilUntoEvil: [[spoiler: In ''Aftermath'', he betrays and painfully [[YourSoulIsMine drains the life]] from the arrogant Shao Kahn and Sindel for centuries of their disrespect right after Kronika's revenants are dealt with. While Shang Tsung isn't any better, it's not like those [[AssholeVictim two didn't deserve it]].]] |
| 310 | * PetTheDog: |
| 311 | ** Zig-Zagged in ''Aftermath''. When Shang Tsung travels to his abandoned island, he discovers that his minions have hung themselves, unable to cope with his previous [[VideoGame/MortalKombat9 death]]. Tsung is genuinely touched by this devotion. However, he's largely touched by their fanaticism to him and not necessarily the minions themselves. |
| 312 | ** Speaking of his island. For once, Shang Tsung is shown to be all but wholly generous, as he allows the Descendant of Apep to loot his hoard in the Krypt to the player's desire. Even if he may throw in a snide remark or two when the player gets killed by a trap or critter, he'd still gladly resurrect them at the nearest checkpoint no worse for wear, no matter how many times they die. Keep in mind, the Descendant is, for all intents and purposes, an insignificant stranger whom he holds no obligation towards, who came to basically steal his valuables, and yet he'd happily give them a treatment worthy of Goro. |
| 313 | ** [[spoiler: He may be using his position in Empress Sindel's court to sow discord between Earthrealm and Outworld, but his serum for Mileena's Tarkat ''does'' work, albeit for a limited time.]] |
| 314 | * PlayingWithFire: Summons skulls on fire as projectiles. |
| 315 | * PowerCopying: Whenever Shang Tsung steals somebody's soul, he can learn their techniques and incorporate their powers into his own repertoire. Starting with ''9'', if he performs a Soul Steal during gameplay, Shang Tsung will briefly morph into his victim and gain a damage buff, whereas doing so in ''11'' will let him use their Krushing and Fatal Blows, as well as their unlocked Brutalities if the match ends while he's still transformed. |
| 316 | * PowerFloats: He's floating off the floor of Goro's Lair in the fight against him in the original game, making him impervious to sweeping attacks until he shapeshifts. He also uses this in ''Mortal Kombat 9'', but not in battle. |
| 317 | * PsychicLink: His ''Armageddon'' bio makes a reference to Shang binding his soul to Shao Kahn, which might explain why his victories would count for Outworld despite being from Earthrealm. ''[=MK11=]'' confirm this when it's revealed that he willingly bound his soul to Shao Kahn's in exchange for power. |
| 318 | * ThePunishment: This is what the Elder Gods call his soul-sucking ability. Admittedly, it's required to keep him sustained, but he can do much more with it than that - and he's definitely ''[[{{Unishment}} not]]'' objecting. |
| 319 | * RealLifeWritesThePlot: His shapeshifting were originally added because their wasn’t enough memory left to give him a complete moveset. |
| 320 | * ReallySevenHundredYearsOld: Really ''ten thousand'' years old, to be exact, if his pre-match banter with Erron Black in ''11'' is to be believed. [[spoiler:And he is capable of slowing down the aging process of anyone, as stated by Black's Arcade ending in ''MKX''.]] |
| 321 | * RedAndBlackAndEvilAllOver: He wears a black kimono shirt under a crimson robe in ''9''. |
| 322 | * ReminiscingAboutYourVictims: Does this when the player discovers Kenshi's corpse in ''11's'' krypt mode. Happily talks about how much pleasure he got from consuming the blind swordsmen's soul. |
| 323 | * {{Sadist}}: Genuinely enjoys tormenting his enemies both physically and psychologically. His vile experiments and torture chambers would make even [[UsefulNotes/EdGein Ed Gein]] soil himself. |
| 324 | * ScaledUp: He could turn into a cobra to finish his opponents as an Animality in ''[=MK3=]''. |
| 325 | * SealedEvilInACan: Even though the time quake in ''11'' brings him back, he's put into a temporal prison offscreen by Kronika to prevent his inevitable betrayal. [[spoiler: Her death at the hands of Fire God Liu Kang is what releases him and sets off the events of ''Aftermath''.]] |
| 326 | * SeriousBusiness: |
| 327 | ** Implied in ''[=MK11=]''. Even though Shang Tsung personally welcomes the nameless traveler who came to the Krypt (with an obvious intention to rob the place), he gives said traveler a subtle warning (see FauxAffablyEvil above). Considering the fact that the Krypt is located on ''Shang Tsung's private island''... |
| 328 | ** Becoming [[VideoGame/MortalKombat9 a source of power]] for Sindel ''yet again'' is not a good course of action for Shang Tsung. [[ProperlyParanoid And he doesn't need a reminder.]] |
| 329 | -->'''Shang Tsung:''' I've heard rumors. |
| 330 | -->'''Sindel:''' Tales of me "acquiring" your power? |
| 331 | -->'''Shang Tsung:''' Obviously, such stories concern me. |
| 332 | |
| 333 | -->'''Shao Kahn:''' Come, Sindel awaits. |
| 334 | -->'''Shang Tsung:''' Why, so you can transfer her my power? |
| 335 | -->'''Shao Kahn:''' Where would you get that idea? |
| 336 | * ShadowDictator: |
| 337 | ** Shang Tsung fashions himself as one of these. It's implied that he prefers to [[TheChessmaster subtly influence all sides of conflict]] from the shadows while his pawns and enemies destroy each other on his behalf. [[spoiler:''Especially if said pawns are Titans themselves''.]] |
| 338 | -->'''Shang Tsung:''' I have use for you, D'Vorah.\ |
| 339 | '''D'Vorah:''' You lead no faction, Shang Tsung.\ |
| 340 | '''Shang Tsung:''' Why lead one when I can influence all? |
| 341 | ** His intro with Jade also applies: |
| 342 | ---> '''Shang Tsung:''' An invisible hand must guide Outworld.\ |
| 343 | '''Jade:''' ''Your'' hand, Shang Tsung?\ |
| 344 | '''Shang Tsung:''' Such it has always been, princess. |
| 345 | * ShapeshifterGuiltTrip: In the movie. |
| 346 | * ShapeshifterModeLock: [[spoiler:Intro dialogue to most of the mirror matches in ''MKX'' imply that he came back like this.]] |
| 347 | * ShapeShifterSwanSong: His demise in the first game. |
| 348 | * ShipperOnDeck: According to [[VideoGame/MortalKombatX Kano's mirror match intro]], Shang Tsung is this to Kano and ''Mileena'', if making multiple Kanos can translate to anything. |
| 349 | * ASinisterClue: Given his weapon style in later games, Shang would appear to be a lefty. |
| 350 | * SicklyGreenGlow: Green is his signature color owing to his soul-based powers. |
| 351 | * SmugSnake: He just couldn't bare a minute without evil smirk. |
| 352 | * TheSociopath: Shang Tsung appears very polite and approachable towards allies and foes alike, [[FauxAffablyEvil an artificial mindset which is never inherently sincere]]. He is also very fixated on his goals and his desires, not giving a damn about anyone and is more than welcome to be mocking and sadistic when it comes to killing people and absorbing souls out of those. His parasitical characteristics come to a head when he attacks Kronika's Keep, [[spoiler:betraying everyone he comes across without a shred of remorse - and his trait of boasting and caring only for himself becomes more pronounced after killing Kronika and developing a [[AGodAmI God-Complex]]]]. |
| 353 | * SoftSpokenSadist: Compared to the bombast and boisterousness many of the portrayals in ''[=MK11=]'' deliver, Shang Tsung is notably this, almost never raising his tone and delivering threats in Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa's trademark smooth baritone. His portrayal in ''[=MK1=]'' follows suit, giving him a chilling edge. |
| 354 | * SorcerousOverlord: Is this in the first game and the first third of ''[=MK9=]'', since he personally hijacked the Mortal Kombat tournament and disgraced it. |
| 355 | * SoulJar: ''11'' gives him a literal one, in the form of his phylactery, from which he frequently draws his power (and more souls!). The player can unlock more Soul Jar options for him by playing. Subverted in that his phylacteries only contain the souls of those he killed and not his own. |
| 356 | * StalkerWithACrush: ''11'' adapts his movie version's creepy crush on Sonya Blade, and hints that he might be similarly interested in Cassie as well. |
| 357 | -->'''Cassie Cage:''' Another "friend" of my parents...\ |
| 358 | '''Shang Tsung:''' I have always been ''so'' fond of your mother.\ |
| 359 | '''Cassie Cage:''' Do you ''practice'' being creepy? |
| 360 | * StanceSystem: |
| 361 | ** In ''Deadly Alliance'', he has Snake and Crane as unarmed styles and Straight Sword as weapon style. |
| 362 | ** In ''Deception'', he swaps Crane with Mantis. |
| 363 | ** In ''Armageddon'', he has Snake as unarmed style, while keeping the weapon stance. |
| 364 | * TheStarscream: The degree varies with the adaptation, but he's always just a little too ambitious to be a good NumberTwo. With the exception of ''9'', his ending in every game amounts to him overthrowing his current boss and taking over, and the only reason he fails there is because he's killed before he gets the chance. |
| 365 | * StoryBreakerPower: Having worn the Crown of Kronika, absorbed the souls of Raiden, Fujin, Shao Kahn, and Sindel, Shang Tsung is one of the (if not THE) most powerful beings in Mortal Kombat, rivaled only by Fire God Liu Kang (and possibly surpassed by the One Being). |
| 366 | * SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute: Most noticeable in ''11'': Shang Tsung can morph into ''Reptile'', ''Ermac'', ''Smoke'' and ''Rain'' to use their special moves during the fight - and into ''Sub-Zero'', ''Scorpion'' and ''Noob Saibot'' for his Fatal Blow. This trait practically makes him a substitute for Chameleon, with his third competitive variation having a unique ability which grants him all of the ninja abilities at the cost of being able to mix and match them with his other options. |
| 367 | * TallDarkAndHandsome: In his younger form. |
| 368 | * TeleFrag: One of his fatalities in ''[=MK11=]'' involves opening a summoning portal inside his opponent, from which ''Kintaro'' will burst out from. His ''Spatial Override'' Brutality works in a similar fashion, only with Tsung himself doing the telefragging instead of a minion. |
| 369 | * TookALevelInKindness: A very minor example in the Krypt section of [=MK11=]. He's surprisingly polite to the player, basically inviting them to help themselves to whatever treasure they find as long as they don't get greedy. He even mourns [[spoiler:Goro]] in his own way. |
| 370 | * TournamentArc: |
| 371 | ** He ''really likes'' these, to the point that, in ''[=MKvDCU=]'', when he encounters Captain Marvel in the Netherrealm, he has his allies face off against Marvel one at a time, announcing results between rounds as if it were Arcade Mode ("Captain Marvel wins!"). |
| 372 | ** In ''11'', Shang even brags to Nightwolf that he was able to finish Nightwolf's ancestor with FlawlessVictory. |
| 373 | * TreacherousAdvisor: He serves as this to Shao Kahn, acting as his NumberTwo while having his own designs. This culminates in him betraying Shao Kahn to form the Deadly Alliance with Quan Chi in the original timeline. |
| 374 | * TheUnfought: In ''Scorpion's Revenge''. |
| 375 | * UnlimitedWardrobe: There's no better example in this franchise. Shang Tsung's "main" appearance has changed considerably from game to game, except in ''Armageddon'', which reutilized his ''Deadly Alliance'' model. |
| 376 | * UnwittingPawn: [[spoiler:To Liu Kang in ''Aftermath''; after seemingly triumphing over all contenders, even Kronika, Shang Tsung is confronted with Fire God Liu Kang, who reveals that he allowed Shang Tsung's victories in order to restore Kronika's crown and allow him to both fully master the Hourglass and defeat Shang Tsung once and for all. Shang Tsung is genuinely impressed by his foe's stroke of cunning.]] |
| 377 | * VillainDecay: While all the villains suffered from this in the new timeline, Shang Tsung got it the worst. Most of his roles were given to Quan Chi, reducing Shang Tsung to another henchman, one who loses every single fight he takes part in. He can't even win a fight with Kung Lao with Quan Chi's help. [[spoiler: [[InvertedTrope This ends when he returns in ''Aftermath'' and once again becomes]] the BigBad.]] |
| 378 | * VillainousBreakdown: [[spoiler:When Liu Kang begins erasing him from history, the formerly-smug and ever confident EvilSorcerer spends his final moments desperately trying to crawl away from Liu Kang, with a look of positive fear in his eyes.]] |
| 379 | * VillainousCrush: His pre-fight banter with several characters demonstrates that Shang Tsung has an incredibly strong perverse interest in Sonya Blade. [[AbhorrentAdmirer Which she is NOT enthused about.]] |
| 380 | * VillainKiller: [[spoiler:Shang Tsung's actions in ''Aftermath'' do not spare his fellow villains, as he kills the Revenant Nightwolf and Kung Lao, Shao Kahn, Sindel, and even Kronika.]] |
| 381 | * VillainProtagonist: Is effectively the main character of ''Aftermath'', being the one who drives almost the entire plot and the focus of most characters' attention. Despite allying himself with the heroes and helping them save the world from Kronika, it's openly stated that zero characters trust him, and will kill him at the slightest sign of betrayal. |
| 382 | * VillainRespect: [[spoiler: When Fire God Liu Kang arrived in Shang Tsung's moment of victory, he immediately deduced that he must have let him win due to his superior usage of the soul crown to Kronika's. He let him basically doom his friends to death or worse, and Shang is visibly impressed throughout, calling it "deliciously cold-blooded".]] |
| 383 | -->'''Shang Tsung:''' I see now. [[spoiler:The Hourglass showed that only I could wield the Crown against Kronika, successfully.]] You ''let'' me win! |
| 384 | * VillainWorld: |
| 385 | ** His ladder ending in ''11'' sees him make one out of the entire universe after claiming Kronika's powers [[spoiler:and manipulating the other Titans.]] |
| 386 | ** [[spoiler:In the evil ending of ''Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath'', Shang Tsung uses the hourglass to set himself up as a MultiversalConquerer and [[GodIsEvil sole apparent elder god of the cosmos]], with corrupted versions of Raiden and Fujin as his CoDragons.]] |
| 387 | * VoluntaryShapeShifting: His signature move is the ability to turn into other characters. |
| 388 | * WalkingShirtlessScene: After his rejuvenation. |
| 389 | * WhatTheHellHero: For the atrocity of stealing a soul, Shang Tsung was condemned to... ''do it over and over again'', with the punishment of aging and dying prematurely if he relents. Just to twist the knife, Shang ''doesn't give a crap'' about the souls he takes - ''and'' it actually makes him more and more powerful! It's like condemning a murderer to life as a SerialKiller, while the murderer [[ForTheEvulz enjoys killing]] and giving him no incentive (or ability) to repent of his crimes. The 11th game does provide an explanation, however: [[spoiler:Kronika engineered the situation in the event she ever needed the power provided by absorbing souls for her works]]. |
| 390 | * WickedCultured: While he's a sadistic psychopath, he is also clearly a very sophisticated man. |
| 391 | * YellowPeril: In the original game, though it's balanced by the fact that the main protagonist is also Chinese. He thankfully has more characterization in later games. |
| 392 | * YouDontLookLikeYou: Shang Tsung's had one hell of a makeover between ''9'' and ''11''. His character design was decidedly AmbiguouslyBrown, with a gaunt face and prominent cheekbones the last time we saw him in-game in ''9'' and Ermac's ladder ending in ''X'', while his ''11'' appearance is literally just Creator/CaryHiroyukiTagawa in a robe, young or old. "RaceLift" doesn't quite describe how drastically his character design has changed. |
| 393 | * YouHaveFailedMe: Some of Tsung's dialogue with Shao Kahn lampshades the fact that Kahn turned against Shang Tsung the ''instant'' he failed, despite over a millennium of capable service. |
| 394 | -->'''Shao Kahn:''' You've failed me too often, sorcerer...\ |
| 395 | '''Shang Tsung:''' Over a millennium, I've failed you ''twice.''\ |
| 396 | '''Shao Kahn:''' THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE! |
| 397 | * YoungerThanTheyLook: He was biologically nineteen years old in ''MKII''. [[http://mortalkombat.fandom.com/wiki/File:Shang_Tsungend2.gif He doesn't exactly look like it.]] |
| 398 | * YourSoulIsMine: The TropeNamer. As expected of him, Shang Tsung has the power to suck out and devour the souls of his enemies to extend his own lifespan [[TheAssimilator and grant him the skills of his opponents]]. In ''11'''s gameplay, by sucking a portion of his opponent's soul, this would grant him a temporary change to his opponent's playstyle and abilities. As it stands, he can even absorb the souls of those who explicitly lack one, such as the Terminator or Noob Saibot. |
| 399 | ** In ''9'', [[spoiler: this ironically happens ''to him''. After Motaro's death, Shao Kahn chooses to use Shang Tsung to [[SuperEmpowering empower]] Sindel, fueling the massacre of the heroes]]. |
| 400 | ** One of his victory poses in ''11'' has him recreate the iconic shot from the movie after stealing his opponent's soul, complete with quoting the trope verbatim. |
| 401 | ** [[spoiler:Taken to extreme in ''Aftermath''. Quite a lot of characters get their souls siphoned out of them by Shang Tsung... not even ''Shao Kahn'' or '''''Kronika''''' are safe!]] |
| 402 | [[/folder]] |
| 403 | ---- |
| 404 | !!Tropes related to Shang Tsung in The New Era |
| 405 | [[folder:Tropes related to Shang Tsung in The New Era]] |
| 406 | Tropes that appear across all of Shang Tsung's appearances from ''VideoGame/MortalKombat1'' onwards. |
| 407 | ---- |
| 408 | * AbledInTheAdaptation: The original Shang Tsung sustained his life on the souls of others, a curse from the Elder Gods to punish him for stealing a soul in the first place. This version has no such curse, and as a presumed Edenian, he has no need to steal souls to keep himself alive for thousands of years (not that that stops him from doing so anyway). |
| 409 | * AdaptationalAttractiveness: As opposed to his more [[Creator/CaryHiroyukiTagawa outwardly sinister-looking]] counterparts from the previous timelines, even in old age, Shang Tsung comes quite as a looker. |
| 410 | * AdaptationalSexuality: [[DownplayedTrope Downplayed.]] In prior timelines, Shang Tsung showed a slight VillainousCrush towards the Earthrealm warrior known as Sonya Blade. In the New Era, Liu Kang successfully crafted his nemesis into the most zesty man in the entire Omniverse. He doesn't really display any explicit romantic feelings towards anyone though. |
| 411 | * AdaptationalSpeciesChange: In the New Era, Shang Tsung's realm of birth is changed from Earthrealm to Outworld (presumably as an Edenian). |
| 412 | * AdaptationalSympathy: Downplayed. He's still a cruel and insufferably smug backstabber, but he was born in squalor and has spent his entire life trying to claw out a living for himself through any means possible, so it makes sense why he'd immediately start reveling the moment he got an ounce of actual power. The original Shang Tsung never had any explanation for his villainy outside of him just being naturally power-hungry. Presumably, Liu Kang gave him this life to either humble him or punish him, maybe both. Either way, [[InSpiteOfANail it didn't work.]] |
| 413 | * AdaptationalWimp: [[ZigZaggedTrope Zig-Zagged]] and [[JustifiedTrope justified]] as Fire God Liu Kang designed his life to be unfortunate and meaningless. He starts out as a struggling SnakeOilSalesman with none of his former Kung Fu prowess or dark sorcery but becomes cunning and capable again after meeting the mysterious woman. [[spoiler:His tower ending starts to subvert this, as he discovers the Well of Souls and begins working on mastering its power]]. |
| 414 | * AlchemyIsMagic: Due to the fact that he hasn't been given his magical powers at an earlier age, Shang Tsung relies a lot on his alchemical knowledge, both in his studies and in kombat. |
| 415 | * AgentPeacock: Shang Tsung is vain, well-groomed, and somewhat flamboyant in his mannerisms, but he's perfectly willing and capable of doing his own dirty work and proves to be a capable kombatant. |
| 416 | * AlwaysSomeoneBetter: Shang Tsung is, to all appearances, the setting's gold standard for deviousness and manipulative skill. [[spoiler:Which makes it quite a shock for him when his Titan self proves to be even ''less'' trustworthy.]] |
| 417 | * ArchEnemy: While Shang Tsung is [[HatedByAll despised by virtually everyone who knows him]], a few characters have a more personal enmity with the sorcerer: |
| 418 | ** To Liu Kang, of course. Having been denied the life of power and glory that he believes to be his birthright, Shang Tsung resents and despises Liu Kang with a passion, and the feeling is mutual; although he had some hope that Shang Tsung would reform in the New Era, the moment that he learns otherwise, Liu Kang tries to move against him, and going forward, there's little but contempt between the two of them. |
| 419 | ** Syzoth may also consider him this, though the sorcerer himself is quite indifferent. His hatred for Shang Tsung is bone deep, as the sorcerer forced him to take part in his twisted experiments under threat of Syzoth's family being murdered, [[spoiler:a threat he had already carried out, and which he revealed to Syzoth to twist the knife as Shang Tsung left the Zaterran for dead]]. While Syzoth is normally a NiceGuy, his intros with Shang Tsung have his voice ''dripping'' with venomous hatred. |
| 420 | --->'''Reptile:''' Every day you still breathe is one too many!\ |
| 421 | '''Shang Tsung:''' [[BaddieFlattery I like this side of you, Syzoth. Very grim.]] |
| 422 | ** Baraka deeply despises Shang Tsung for the sorcerer's abuse of and experiments on him and other Tarkatans, being particularly sickened by the monstrous Tarkatan hybrids Shang Tsung created in the Flesh Pits. Even being associated with Shang Tsung is enough to sour Baraka on the likes of Rain, Nitara, Havik, and Reiko, and every intro where Shang Tsung's name comes up has Baraka express the desire to either brutally kill the sorcerer or deliberately infect him with [[FateWorseThanDeath Tarkat]]. |
| 423 | * BaitAndSwitch: [[spoiler:When the Earthrealm infiltrators sneak into Shang Tsung's surface lab, they overhear him promoting the potency of the serum he was about to use on Princess Mileena, echoing his sales pitch in the prologue. However, unlike then, the serum legitimately works as a minor miracle to temporarily abate the effects of Tarkat.]] |
| 424 | * BerserkButton: An intro with Peacemaker reveals that being call a pipsqueak is one to him. This may have something to do with his impoverished background. |
| 425 | * BrilliantButLazy: In his bio, he's said to have a brilliant mind, also an aversion to manual labor and an inability to enjoy the honest work, so he chooses to peddle quack cures to earn some koin. |
| 426 | * BigBadWannabe: [[spoiler:Funnily enough, he ends up this to this Titan self]]. |
| 427 | * CardCarryingJerkass: In most intro dialogues, he is this to his opponents rather then a FauxAffablyEvil ManipulativeBastard. |
| 428 | * CardCarryingVillain: He ''really'' couldn't care less about the ethics of his actions so long as they benefit him. He'll even gloat about his crimes in a smug, mocking manner. |
| 429 | --> '''Ashrah:''' Are you not ''aware'' that you ''repulse people?!'' |
| 430 | --> '''Shang Tsung:''' I ''am'', Ashrah. I just don't ''care.'' |
| 431 | * CoDragons: [[TheHeavy While he is the more prominent of the two]], Shang Tsung works with his fellow sorcerer Quan Chi, serving the agenda of their benefactor to conquer the realms by her side. |
| 432 | * ConsummateLiar: In Liu Kang's own words, Shang Tsung is a master of deception. He's a skilled and almost compulsive liar, to the point that, in an intro with Johnny Cage, he doubts that it's even possible to count all of the lies he's told. |
| 433 | * TheCorrupter: Like the serpent he is, Shang Tsung has a talent for tempting people to embrace their worst instincts, doing so with [[spoiler:[[GeneralRipper General Shao]], [[WellIntentionedExtremist Rain]], and [[{{Jerkass}} Bi-Han]]]]. |
| 434 | * CutLexLuthorACheck: One thing that separates him from his previous timeline counterpart is that, perhaps due to his origins as a conman in this timeline, he is ''aware'' of the more practical and monetary-centered uses his knowledge and powers bring him, and while he is averse to honest work, he is ''not'' above pursuing the more unethical sides of such avenues if he considers them worth the effort. In one of the Pre-Match dialogues, Mileena accuses him of withholding a cure for Tarkat for his schemes, which Shang Tsung ''laughs off'', and reveals he not only doesn't have one, he ''wouldn't'' be merely withholding it for a scheme; by saying that if he really ''did'' have a cure, he would ''already'' be a rich man from ''ruthlessly profiting off all those afflicted''. |
| 435 | * ADayInTheLimelight: He is the focus character in Chapter 13: "Deadly Alliance". Doubles as a VillainEpisode. |
| 436 | * DeadpanSnarker: He has a dry and smug sense of humor [[CardCarryingVillain about knowing what a bastard he is]], but it's considerably less dry than it was in [[SoftSpokenSadist ''11'']]. |
| 437 | -->'''Kenshi:''' Your mind's diseased, Shang Tsung.\ |
| 438 | '''Shang Tsung:''' Like many great artists, I'm so misunderstood. |
| 439 | * DiscardAndDraw: This version wasn't a great sorcerer who stole souls until recently before the events of the game, so he hasn't had the centuries of experience to hone his skill with these powers. Instead his traits as an alchemist and MadScientist are given more emphasis; he earned Sindel's favor by devising a way to suppress Mileena's tarkat, both of his Fatalities have him make use of a deadly potion to kill his opponent, and while the Dragon Crown he creates is fueled by souls, he distills them into a misty liquid that he pours through the crown to empower it. |
| 440 | * EnemyMine: [[spoiler:After being deceived by his Titan counterpart, he temporarily joins forces with Liu Kang and the rest of the heroes.]] |
| 441 | * EnlightenedSelfInterest: While Shang Tsung's entire career is based around being an utter bastard, he also likes being alive and [[PragmaticVillainy has no interest in evil that he can't profit or benefit from]]. [[spoiler:Titan Shang Tsung's plan to [[OmnicidalManiac destroy the timeline]] is a bridge too far for his New Era counterpart, and he immediately sides with Liu Kang to save the universe— or, more accurately, his own skin.]] |
| 442 | * EntitledBastard: Shang Tsung resents Liu Kang for his lot in life, considering himself deserving of both power and a far greater destiny than the mediocre existence he once endured. That Shang Tsung has committed atrocities with that power once he had it, and is willing to do even ''worse'' for the sake of his great destiny naturally means nothing to the sorcerer. |
| 443 | * EstablishingCharacterMoment: Shang Tsung is reintroduced as a SnakeOilSalesman, bilking honest people out of their hard-earned pay with promises he knows he can't fulfill, showing that, even without his dark powers or high standing, Shang Tsung is still a greedy, heartless liar who only cares about himself. |
| 444 | * EvenEvilHasStandards: Subverted at every turn; whenever Shang Tsung seems to demonstrate a moral standard, his actual motive is, at best, [[PragmaticVillainy pragmatism]]. |
| 445 | ** For all his treacherous shenanigans and horrifying experimentation, [[spoiler: he nevertheless draws the line at ''[[EvilVersusOblivion destroying his own timeline]]''. Especially if it's by being an UnwittingPawn of his alternate self, though he's mainly motivated by his own survival and to take revenge for being used.]] |
| 446 | ** In spite of his [[CardCarryingVillain card-carrying villainy]], he shows nothing but distaste at Havik's pursuit of anarchy and his attack on Seido, dismissing it as senseless destruction; given his priorities, Shang Tsung only considers destruction worth something if he can get something out of it, and there's no profit in chaos or mindless violence. |
| 447 | ---> '''Havik:''' You don't ''approve'' of what I did to Seido's capital?!\ |
| 448 | '''Shang Tsung:''' ''(Sneering expression)'' I have ''no taste'' for ''senseless destruction.'' |
| 449 | ** Smug backstabbing schemer that he is, Shang Tsung [[spoiler:seemed legitimately loyal to "Damashi" for having uplifted him and is genuinely betrayed by the realization that he was nothing more than a pawn to his alternate timeline self... though he also seems furious that he didn't get what he was promised.]] |
| 450 | ---> '''Shang Tsung:''' [[spoiler: You promised us realms! Now you leave us to slaughter?!]] |
| 451 | ** PlayedForLaughs as well in response to Johnny Cage's {{Troll}} tendencies prove [[NoJustNoReaction too much]] even for ''him'' to bounce off of. |
| 452 | ---> '''Johnny Cage:''' You're who'd know! Is ensorcelled, like, even a word? |
| 453 | ---> '''Shang Tsung:''' I won't dignify that question with an answer! |
| 454 | * EvilCannotComprehendGood: |
| 455 | ** If it wasn't obvious he'd fall under this, several of his pre-match intros prove it. A key example is his inability to understand why Reiko wouldn't betray General Shao and is willing to die for him. |
| 456 | --->'''Shang Tsung:''' To sacrifice one's life for another is lunacy.\ |
| 457 | '''Reiko:''' It's no surprise ''[[TheSociopath you]]'' don't understand honour. |
| 458 | ** Liu Kang gave Shang Tsung a second chance to do something good with his life, an act of incredible charity given [[ArchEnemy his long and bitter history]] with the previous timeline's Shang Tsung; all Shang Tsung can see is an attempt to punish him for actions that he technically never committed, his greed, sense of entitlement, and possibly his benefactor's influence preventing him from seeing any altruism in Liu Kang's actions. |
| 459 | ** While Shang Tsung's manipulative charms are effective on the ambitious and corruptible, he believes that ''everyone'' can be tempted, and hits a wall when it comes to the genuinely loyal, like Reiko and Geras, or the genuinely humble, like Raiden. |
| 460 | * EvilCounterpart: Is effectively this to Raiden. The story even begins by following him then switching to Raiden. Both started as peasant boys born in a small town nestled in the wilderness, who's lives were marked by struggle and toil until they found their calling: Raiden, as an honest and hardworking FarmBoy, and Shang Tsung as a dishonest SnakeOilSalesman who robs others of their hard-earned pay. But their lives changed forever when a God[[spoiler:, who is actually a Titan,]] introduces themselves to them, and [[TouchedByVorlons uplifts them by granting access to supernatural power]]. Only, where Raiden uses his powers for the good of others, Shang Tsung is interested ''solely'' in his own ambitions. In Pre-Match dialogue, Shang Tsung even [[LampshadeHanging Lampshades]] [[NotSoDifferentRemark their similarity]], while Raiden [[ShutUpHannibal questions how then Shang Tsung ended up]] ''[[NotSoSimilar evil]]'' [[NotSoSimilar if they're so similar.]] |
| 461 | -->'''Shang Tsung:''' We're both small-town boys at heart.\ |
| 462 | '''Raiden:''' Then why is ''yours'' so ''infected'' with ''evil?'' |
| 463 | * EvilChancellor: Works his way up to this position, having Sindel's ear and feeding her lies for his own gain. |
| 464 | * EvilGenius: He's more scientist than sorcerer in this timeline, but Shang Tsung's intellect remains his most valuable asset. [[spoiler:It's his logical conclusion that if his Titan counterpart's timeline exists, then others must as well, which leads to Liu Kang's ultimately successful army at the Battle of Armageddon]]. |
| 465 | * EvilMentor: Several of Rain's intros reveal that Shang Tsung taught him a great deal about sorcery, on top of encouraging Rain's [[AmbitionIsEvil worse qualities]] for his own advantage. |
| 466 | * EvilSorcerer: Wouldn't be Shang Tsung if he wasn't this, though he had to be taught the dark arts to grow beyond his quack peddling days. |
| 467 | * FauxAffablyEvil: Witty and charming though he may be, Shang Tsung's courtesies are hollow; he's as callous and cruel a backstabber as he was in previous timelines, and his facade of civility is easy to see through. [[spoiler:When he pays Scorpion a clearly facetious compliment during the EnemyMine situation, Scorpion sourly tells him to drop the empty flattery.]] |
| 468 | * ForScience: While his primary motivation is self-enrichment, Shang Tsung at least claims that his twisted experiments are meant to, as he tells Syzoth, "lift the veil of ignorance". |
| 469 | * FreudianExcuseIsNoExcuse: Absolutely nobody accepts the notion that Shang Tsung's impoverished background justifies his inhumane experiments and lust for power, and it's abundantly clear that he [[{{Sadist}} actively enjoys hurting people for no reason]]. Furthermore, certain fight intros with Liu Kang or Geras imply that he had the opportunity to live a more honest and fulfilled life, and that his beggared existence of trying to con others was his own fault. |
| 470 | -->'''Shang Tsung:''' The squalor that I endured as a child--\ |
| 471 | '''Geras:''' Do not lie. I know the truth. |
| 472 | * FromNobodyToNightmare: Liu Kang intentionally gave Shang Tsung an unremarkable life to make sure he wouldn't become a threat in the New Era. Despite that precaution, and with interference from [[spoiler:his Titan counterpart]], Shang Tsung became a dangerous and powerful sorcerer regardless. |
| 473 | * {{Greed}}: Having come from nothing, Shang Tsung is motivated by his desire to obtain ''everything'' from money to power to knowledge to the realms themselves. Nothing can ever satitiate his avarice. |
| 474 | * HatedByAll: Everyone minus [[VillainousFriendship Quan Chi]] hates his guts when they clash with him. Including ''himself''. Liu Kang even considers him a lost cause and just gives up on him. |
| 475 | -->'''Liu Kang:''' You have fallen short of every hope I had for you.\ |
| 476 | '''Shang Tsung:''' Music to my ears, Liu Kang. |
| 477 | * TheHeavy: While [[spoiler:Titan Shang Tsung]] is the game's BigBad, it's Shang Tsung who serves as the story's most prominent antagonist, spearheading the villains' plot and receiving more focus than his partner and fellow sorcerer Quan Chi. |
| 478 | * HiddenDepths: [[spoiler:In his arcade ending, as Shang Tsung thinks he's about to die, he mentions hoping that the Netherealm wouldn't claim his soul, implying that, despite how shameless he usually is in his villainy, Shang Tsung is aware that his actions are morally wrong and he fears damnation.]] |
| 479 | * HowTheMightyHaveFallen: Got the short end of the stick in Liu Kang's New Era. Where his previous self was once a mighty soul-stealing sorcerer who ruled over his own island and [[VideoGame/MortalKombat11 whose schemes eventually saw him eclipse every other threat to the point that he nearly overthrew Liu Kang and seized control over time itself]], this incarnation is nothing more than an [[SnakeOilSalesman ordinary con man]], forced to scrape by day to day by selling fake cure-alls to Outworld peasants and left completely helpless when a mob of his bereaved customers beat him into the ground and rob him. At least until [[spoiler:"Damashi"]] manages to find him anyway. |
| 480 | -->'''[[spoiler:"Damashi"]]:''' You are uniquely resilient. Who else could eke out a living travelling Outworld's hinterlands, selling quack cures and fake magic?\ |
| 481 | '''Shang Tsung:''' (''bitterly'') A living? It is barely survival. |
| 482 | * IHaveYourWife: Having seen Syzoth's shapeshifting in a circus years prior, Shang Tsung took the Zaterran's wife and son hostage to compel Syzoth to both serve him and allow Shang Tsung to learn shapeshifting for himself. Despite hating the sorcerer, Syzoth continued serving him under threat of his family's deaths, [[spoiler:unaware that Shang Tsung [[ILied carried out the threat]] months prior.]] |
| 483 | * InSpiteOfANail: |
| 484 | ** Even without his magical powers, he's still a sociopathic liar and manipulator, this time becoming a SnakeOilSalesman selling fake cures to commonfolk in Outworld. |
| 485 | ** [[spoiler:Even without the backing of Outworld's ruler, Shang Tsung finds himself on an abandoned island with unfettered access to the Well of Souls.]] |
| 486 | * {{Irony}}: |
| 487 | ** Despite being a con man by trade, whether as a SnakeOilSalesman or as a conspirator against the throne, [[spoiler:Shang Tsung apparently never considered that Damashi might not be entirely on the level; he's gobsmacked to learn that not only is "Damashi" his own AlternateSelf, but that said counterpart played him and Quan Chi for fools and always intended on leaving them to die with the rest of Liu Kang's timeline. In short, the consummate con man never thought that ''he'd'' be the one getting conned.]] |
| 488 | ** [[spoiler:Shang Tsung, the setting's most prolific backstabber, ends up being betrayed by the one person he was genuinely loyal to. What's more, said person turns out to be an alternate version of ''himself''.]] |
| 489 | * ItsAllAboutMe: As ever, Shang Tsung's only allegiance and priority is himself, and he's willing to do truly despicable things for his own gain. |
| 490 | -->'''Johnny Cage:''' You ever thought of using that big brain for good?\ |
| 491 | '''Shang Tsung:''' I ''do'', Mr. Cage. My ''own'' good. |
| 492 | * KickTheDog: [[spoiler:While leaving Syzoth to die alongside the heroes, Shang Tsung mocks his desperate plea for his family's safety by revealing that he had long since killed them.]] |
| 493 | * LackOfEmpathy: Shang Tsung cares for no one but himself. Even in his days as a SnakeOilSalesman, when an aggrieved customer says that his daughter died despite taking Shang Tsung's "cure-all", Shang Tsung's first response is to chuckle and deny that such a thing is even possible. Once he's been elevated by his benefactor, Shang Tsung is even worse, performing inhuman experiments on living people and proving willing to destroy ''millions'' of lives for his own personal gain. |
| 494 | -->'''Scorpion:''' Do you realize your Soul Stealers destroyed lives?\ |
| 495 | '''Shang Tsung:''' The better question is whether I ''care''. |
| 496 | * LaserGuidedKarma: |
| 497 | ** The opening scene has Shang Tsung, then a huckster and SnakeOilSalesman, be confronted by an aggrieved customer whose daughter died despite Shang Tsung's "cure-all". His lies being exposed leads to an angry crowd beating up Shang Tsung, smashing his wares, and robbing him. |
| 498 | ** After an entire game of Shang Tsung shamelessly deceiving and manipulating all around him for his own selfish gain, when he finally stands ready to conquer the realms by his benefactor's side, [[spoiler:said benefactor (who had lied to him about his identity from the moment they met) betrays ''him'', revealing that Shang Tsung had only ever been a pawn to be used and discarded, just as the sorcerer himself had used his collaborators. Adding insult to injury, the benefactor in question was revealed to be a more powerful version of Shang Tsung himself, giving him a very literal taste of his own medicine.]] |
| 499 | * LazyBum: Before acquiring his powers, Shang Tsung became a con artist because he was too lazy and two-faced to have an honest job. |
| 500 | * LighterAndSofter: An extremely [[SubvertedTrope subverted]] and [[ZigZaggedTrope zig-zagged]] example. While still an ominous presence, his previous portrayal in ''11'' was notably more unsettling, mysterious, and demonic in nature. In the New Era he's seen as being more mortal, beautiful (see below), and much sassier than ever before. That's not to say he isn't still a horrifying psychopath, as his MadScientist status may be seen as even more twisted due to a more "realistic" biochemist skillset. |
| 501 | * LongHairedPrettyBoy: [[Creator/CaryHiroyukiTagawa Unlike his still very handsome yet more wicked-looking past self]], Shang Tsung is a youthful and gorgeous man who sports long, well-kept hair, giving him an appearance that matches his ego. |
| 502 | * MadScientist: His experiments seen in his laboratory are down right ''horrific''. When Queen Sindel sees what he's done it is finally enough to prove to her that this man is a [[TheSociopath diabolical fiend.]] |
| 503 | * ManipulativeBastard: Relishes in knowing that he can so easily corrupt the morally weak into doing his bidding, most notably [[spoiler:[[{{Jerkass}} Bi-Han]]]]. |
| 504 | * MoralMyopia: He has no problems going back on his word whenever it suits him, [[spoiler:but he takes great umbrage to his Titan counterpart doing the same to him.]] |
| 505 | * NiceJobFixingItVillain: The very moment [[spoiler:Titan!Shang Tsung's realm-konquering]] plans began to be derailed can be located in New Era!Shang Tsung's EvilGloating to Syzoth about how Tsung killed Syzoth's family, the reasoning being Tsung's dislike of leaving [[HeKnowsTooMuch "loose ends"]]. Prior to this speech, Syzoth was New Era!Tsung's muscle, working for him in exchange for Syzoth's family's lives not being threatened. Said speech triggers Syzoth's HeelFaceTurn, giving the Earthrealmers and Baraka the extra help they need to escape from his lab, and them stumbling in the Living Forest also leads to them finding Ashrah (thus even more extra help, and eventually Earthrealm gaining a new player in the process), discovering [[spoiler:Quan Chi's soulnado devices]], and Kenshi finally unlocking the power of Sento. Syzoth's abilities also play a key part on the gang's escape from Outworld once they discover where the portal is located, and discovering in the process [[spoiler:that General Shao and Reiko are in league with the evildoers. While a small war between Earthrealm and Outworld exploded, the amount of evidence gathered during the trip was fundamental in convincing Li Mei to assist Lord Liu Kang, [[EarnYourHappyEnding Li Mei finally having the opportunity to make amends with the royal family]], and Sindel stopping said war... as well as Liu Kang revealing his past to her and her daughters, prompting both sides to join for a common cause and getting Titan!Shang Tsung out of the bag. New Era!Shang Tsung and Quan Chi discovering that they were being used as pawns trigger ''their'' own HeelFaceTurn, and their help proves fundamental in the destruction of the portals, preventing a huge army to be deployed on this dimension. All of this ends with [[TheWarSequence the Battle of Armageddon]], where Titan!Shang Tsung and Titan!Quan Chi finally bite the dust for good]]. And absolutely ''none'' of this would have happened without that single speech. |
| 506 | * NotEvilJustMisunderstood: In several of his intros, Shang Tsung claims that he isn't evil, that people who think so don't understand him, and that his vile schemes are just attempts to get the privilege he was denied by Liu Kang. Exactly no one buys it, especially since Shang Tsung takes outright ''pride'' in how much other kombatants despise him. At best, such claims come from his belief that he is entitled to power, and at worst, they're bald-faced lies. |
| 507 | * NotMeThisTime: While normally willing to troll the hell out of people to get under their skin, Shang Tsung is quick to deny his involvement when accused of creating Tarkat, and is even quicker to point out if he had an actual cure, [[PragmaticVillainy he would be making a profit off it rather than hide it for malicious reasons]]. And he's actually telling the truth; Tarkat was around during his SnakeOilSalesman days (in fact, he would claim that his quack elixir could cure it, proving that his claims of monetizing a cure for the ailment are also true). |
| 508 | * NotSoStoic: Tsung's usual smug, unflappable demeanor completely breaks when Peacemaker calls him a "pipsqueak" in one dialogue intro, either because he's baffled that a grown man would call him that or he's genuinely bothered by it as an insult. |
| 509 | * NotSoWellIntentionedExtremist: According to one of Rain's intros, Shang Tsung had told him about his horrific experimentation on the Tarkatans had been done for the purpose of finding a cure for Tarkat. Even if his true motives were undoubtedly to further manipulate Empress Sindel by curing Mileena (as well as developing his hybrids), developing a serum to alleviate its symptoms was in and of itself a minor medical miracle that no one else could replicate, but even then, as he himself admits, Shang Tsung's only interest is in his own selfish gain; if he actually found a cure for Tarkat, he'd happily exploit those suffering from the disease to make himself rich. |
| 510 | * PetTheDog: While Shang Tsung is typically one of the least trustworthy characters in the series, he does make a genuine effort to treat Mileena's Tarkat infection. While the serum he develops for her is not a total cure, it does work to suppress her symptoms and help keep the infection mostly under control. Of course, this being Shang Tsung, he has no altruistic reason for wanting to help, but does it purely for his own ulterior motives to earn Sindel's trust and gain access to the Royal Family's considerably larger resources to use for his (and Damashi's) more sinister plot. |
| 511 | * PragmaticVillainy: Shang Tsung's main interest in life is his own enrichment, and while he is sadistic and cruel, he only acts to get something for himself, which is why he has no taste for Havik's senseless violence, and he admits that if he had a cure for Tarkat, he'd shamelessly enrich himself by selling it. |
| 512 | * RagsToRiches: Started out his life as a huckster selling fake cures, but thanks to outside intervention has risen to become a trusted adviser to the royal court. |
| 513 | * RedemptionRejection: While understandably wary of his old nemesis, even in a new timeline, Liu Kang hoped that the New Era's Shang Tsung might become a better person. After obtaining at least some of the sorcerous knowledge and power that Liu Kang tried to deny him, Shang Tsung leapt headlong into villainy and takes pride in the idea that he fell short of Liu Kang's hopes. |
| 514 | * {{Sadist}}: While more pragmatic in this incarnation, 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]]. |
| 515 | * SlasherSmile: When his benefactor offers to lay the realms at his feet, Shang Tsung slowly starts smiling until he's baring his teeth in a nightmarish grin. |
| 516 | * SmugSmiler: A condescending smirk is his default expression, even during kombat. It's easier to count the times he doesn't one on his face. |
| 517 | * SmugSnake: As usual, Shang Tsung's every word ooze condescension and arrogance, being so certain his plans are infallible. And to his credit, his genuine cleverness and charisma allow him to easily manipulate allies and enemies alike, [[spoiler:making his own manipulation by his Titan self all the more infuriating to him.]] |
| 518 | * SnakeOilSalesman: The opening act shows that Shang Tsung peddles potions that he claims can cure any ailment, even Tarkat, while wearing a wig and fake beard to make himself look like a wise old man to help sales. He ends up being accosted by an angry customer, whose sick daughter died in spite of Shang Tsung's elixir (which is apparently nothing but simple tea), which leads to an angry mob turning on Shang Tsung, beating him up and smashing his wares. |
| 519 | * TheSociopath: As ever, Shang Tsung is a vain, selfish, cold-blooded viper whose grandiose self-image and callous disregard for others spells trouble for everyone around him. Even before he was powerful enough to pose a threat to the realms, he had no qualms at all about selling fake medicines to the sick and desperate, showing no remorse when his quack cures failed. Once his benefactor has elevated him, he's even worse, experimenting on Tarkatans, [[spoiler:murdering Syzoth's family after using them to compel his service]], and plotting domination of the realms, all while manipulating anyone and everyone who actually listens to him. |
| 520 | * StanceSystem: Shang can alternate between his young and elderly forms, with each of them having unique properties and different special moves (e.g., young Shang Tsung launches his fire skulls forward, while old Shang Tsung makes them erupt from the ground). |
| 521 | * StalkerWithATestTube: In a pre-kombat dialogue with Tanya, he bragged about how he used a blood sample of hers for no doubt nefarious purposes (Tanya suspected he used it to create hybrids of her). |
| 522 | * StartOfDarkness: [[spoiler: The new Shang Tsung probably wouldn't have had a chance to return to his evil ways had "Kronika" not revealed that Liu Kang delliberately created him to be a desperate man forced to sell fake medicine in order to scrape by as part of his godly design. Though as revealed in the story, "Kronika" is actually the ''original'' Shang Tsung from the bad ending of ''Aftermath'', who ended up showcasing through manipulating his new counterpart that the qualities which make him who he is were already there, merely suppressed by Liu Kang altering his destiny.]] |
| 523 | * UngratefulBastard: [[spoiler:When Raiden saves him and Quan Chi from Dark Smoke and Dark Rain, Shang Tsung just gripes that the young monk is insufferable.]] |
| 524 | * UnwittingPawn: [[spoiler:Shang Tsung thought that he and Quan Chi were preparing to conquer the realms by Damashi's side, finally achieving the power and prestige that Liu Kang had denied them when he crafted the New Era. As it turns out, "Damashi" was actually Titan Shang Tsung, who used his counterpart to accumulate an army that ''he'' could use to conquer Liu Kang's timeline alone while abandoning the Deadly Alliance to die with everyone else. Suffice to say, Shang Tsung was ''pissed'' by the betrayal, enough so that he willingly threw in with Liu Kang and the other heroes to defeat his Titan counterpart.]] |
| 525 | * VillainHasAPoint: |
| 526 | ** When Rain expresses disgust with Shang Tsung's experiments, the sorcerer accurately points out that, no matter how depraved his actions were, the results helped treat Mileena's Tarkat. |
| 527 | ** In an intro with Kenshi, Shang Tsung claims that if the swordsman had heeded him [[spoiler:and not interfered with Mileena's treatment]], he'd still have his sight. Kenshi notably doesn't argue the point. |
| 528 | ** Subverted; Shang Tsung's grievance with Liu Kang, that the fire god deliberately put him in a life of squalor and ignominy, would be legitimate if it weren't for the fact that Shang Tsung's every deed seems dedicated to proving that Liu Kang was right to keep him as far from power as possible. |
| 529 | * VillainousFriendship: Shang Tsung and Quan Chi are partners in crime, having been brought together by their mutual benefactor. The two sorcerers get along quite well. Whether they would have ultimately turned on one another [[VideoGame/MortalKombatDeception as the previous Deadly Alliance did]], is never tested. |
| 530 | * VillainousValor: Shang Tsung is many, many unpleasant things, but a coward isn't one of them. While he isn't foolish enough to pick fights he can't win, when necessary, he's more than prepared, and even occasionally ''eager'' to fight, and he's perfectly willing to set himself against a demigod of Liu Kang's caliber to get what he wants. He is also the only villain from the new timeline that joins Liu Kang in his final battle at the Pyramid at Argus. The ''[[HatedByAll many]]'' threats against his life in pre-fight intros only amuse Shang Tsung, who always has a quip or [[BringIt a defiant response]] ready. |
| 531 | -->'''Sindel:''' You heartless, spineless, worm!\ |
| 532 | '''Shang Tsung:''' ''[chuckles]'' [[CardCarryingVillain Heartless, yes.]] Spineless, ''no''. |
| 533 | * 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. |
| 534 | * VoluntaryShapeshifting: Once again has the ability to shapeshift into other characters; in-story dialogue reveals that he gained that power by studying Syzoth's own shapeshifting. As is the case with his previous Netherrealm era incarnations, he can only transform into a copy of his opponent, with his EX morph granting him a damage increase on top of that. To add salt into the wound, he also gains the ability to use his opponents' Fatalities and Brutalities against them. |
| 535 | * WolverineClaws: For this timeline, he wields a pair of bladed claws that also serve as syringes in kombat. |
| 536 | * WorthyOpponent: In a pre-kombat dialogue with Kitana, he claims to have at least ''respected'' Sindel, a claim Kitana discounts as one of his myriad of lies. |
| 537 | * WouldHurtAChild: [[spoiler:He admits to killing Syzoth's family, including his son, though whether he did it personally or simply ordered it is unknown.]] |
| 538 | * YouHaveFailedMe: When Syzoth fails to prevent the heroes from escaping, Shang Tsung leaves him to die with Baraka and the Earthrealmers as he floods the room with toxic gas. [[spoiler:He also reveals that he killed Syzoth's family long ago just to twist the knife.]] |
| 539 | * 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 with Quan Chi: |
| 540 | -->'''Shang Tsung:''' His soul is ours. |
| 541 | [[/folder]] |
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FollowingContext Characters / MortalKombatShangTsung
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