Polar Axe is an aerial projectile that is best used while jumping back to stop opponents from advancing. Frigid Storm is a slow mid projectile that is best used from 3/4th to fullscreen. Sub-Zero acquires many new zoning tools to keep opponents out by equipping the Frigid Storm ( ) and/or (Air) Polar Axe ( ) abilities.

After freezing a grounded opponent with Ice Ball, Sub-Zero’s throw cannot be teched via Throw Escape since it will count as part of the combo. Another way Sub-Zero can achieve unbreakable damage is to use his Back Throw Krushing Blow while the opponent is frozen. If using a Fatal Blow, this can yield massive unbreakable damage which can be a great way to close out the round. This is done by using a jump attack followed by his +, , or and linking it into a Special Move. Unbreakable DamageĪfter freezing a grounded opponent, Sub-Zero has the option to prevent them from using a Breakaway to escape his combos. While this gives up guaranteed damage, it can be useful if the opponent has a lifelead and Sub-Zero needs to mount a comeback. After restanding, Sub-Zero will be able to apply his mix-up between +, and +, or go for a throw. This gives enough hit advantage for Sub-Zero to guarantee almost any attack afterwards. This is done by using a jump attack followed by Sub-Zero’s which will leave him at +22 on hit. RestandĪfter freezing the opponent with Sub-Zero’s Ice Ball, rather than continuing the combo Sub-Zero can opt to keep the opponent standing. Contrarily if the opponent tends to break Sub-Zero’s throws, then they’ll be vulnerable to being hit by Sub-Zero’s overhead and low. If the opponent is focused on reacting to Sub-Zero’s overhead, they’ll have trouble teching Sub-Zero’s throws. It can be extremely difficult for opponents to defend against Sub-Zero’s throws while also trying to react to his mix-ups. This can be mixed up with Sub-Zero’s Back Throw, which will send the opponent away but will trigger a Krushing Blow if the opponent failed Throw Escape during the previous throw. Afterwards, the opponent will be close enough for Sub-Zero to attack with is overhead or low, or go for a throw again. When throwing with Sub-Zero, it’s usually best to use his Toward Throw as it will leave the opponent nearby on knockdown. Once the opponent begins to block low, this will allow Sub-Zero to freely close the distance and start his offense. Opponents must always be ready to block low due to the threat of the Slide, especially with its Krushing Blow intact. Slide can be thrown at times as a surprise attack to stop opponents from moving about. Additionally, Amplified Slide will trigger a Krushing Blow on the 3rd Amplified Slide to hit, so it’s usually advised to Amplify it whenever possible. Amplifying Slide will deal additional damage and switch positions with the opponent, which can be useful if near the corner. Sub-Zero’s Slide ( ) is an advancing low attack that travels quickly across the screen. Opponents attempting to use a Delayed Getup to avoid Sub-Zero’s overhead and whiff punish it will be at risk of being hit by the 2nd hit of Sub-Zero’s +, and triggering its Krushing Blow.

The best situation to use this move is after knocking the opponent down. While this doesn’t yield much damage and is unsafe on block, it will trigger a Krushing Blow when used as a Kounter or Punish. If Sub-Zero’s +, , is blocked, it will leave him at -5 on block, so poking afterwards will beat out any attack that is slower than 11 frames.įrom Sub-Zero’s overhead, it can be completed by using Final Draw ( +, ). Sub-Zero’s +, will leave him at -6 on block, which means poking afterwards will stop any attack that is slower than 12 frames. For instance, after a blocked +, or +, Sub-Zero will be at -4 so using a poke will beat out any move that is slower than 10 frames.

A great strategy is to use Sub-Zero’s poke after attacks that leave him at a small disadvantage to prevent opponents from mounting an offense. Sub-Zero has one of the fastest pokes in the game, with his + having a start-up of 6 frames. To counter opponents attempting to fuzzy guard, slightly delay Sub-Zero’s + so that it hits at the same time as his +. This means that opponents with strong defense will be able to fuzzy guard this mix-up by blocking low and then high. It’s important to note that due to low having a start-up of 13 frames and the overhead having a start-up of 19 frames, the low will hit much earlier than the overhead.

Mk 11 sub zero