Nay

T-Rex, you and I have *very* similar opinions of how Shinnok should be, from the floating, effortless humanoid first round/demon in the last, to the Lovecraftian Summonings. I've looked and looked, but I can't find the list of moves I came up with for Shinnok a while back, but I do remember a few:

-a move where he conjures a glowing summoning circle in the air above his opponent which dumps a huge pile of disembodied gore on top of them, like a very gross version of Sub's Ice Meteor in MKvDCU

- he conjures a lesser demon behind his opponent, which grabs them and holds them helpless for a moment

-he releases a massive wave of dark energy that can hit anywhere on screen

-he fires a negative-energy bolt projectile which causes a bit of slow energy drain after the initial damage (think of how frustrating it is to lose to that type of damage after surviving the hit)

Fatalities-

- he thrusts his hand through the back of the loser's skull, grabbing their brain. He floods them with dark energy, and they rapidly age, crumbling away into a shadow wraith in a matter of seconds. Shinnok commands the wraith to go offscreen, joining his swelling army.

- he summons a MAJOR demon that would give Lovecraft chills. The demon proceeds to do what major demons *always* do to humans, with NO SCREEN BLACKOUT. I'm talking flaying, dismemberment, disemboweling, overall mutilation... you know, the works.

So yeah, he needs to be nightmarish, unfair, and way too powerful to allow as a player character.

I've never really cared much for Shinnok because he just felt like a crappy Shang Tsung replacement (minus being competent with his own style) in MK4, and in MKA he didn't really impress me much there either. I like the ideas you have for him though. Storyline wise I really wish we could see some interaction between him and Noob Saibot though. Maybe even a little interaction with Sub-Zero. Or maybe show how Quan Chi freed him. Or his takeover of Edenia. He does have a fair amount of influence and potential in the story. If he does show up as DLC I'd hope to see him come at the same time as Tanya.

Exactly. Shinnok used to be an Elder God, for crying out loud, and he's been playable and on the same tier as everyone else in the two games he's appeared in. He even took over the Netherrealm from Lucifer. He should be above and beyond playable character status, and Shao Kahn, as a boss, should be nothing compared to fighting a being who once took on the gods himself and put up a helluva fight.

As I've stated in other threads, Shinnok's inclusion in the next game - I don't think he should be DLC for this one, it lowers him as a character before he gets his chance to shine - has the potential to be amazing if done properly.

I had an idea for a cheap Shinnok move:

Shinnok summons a skeletal hand from behind his opponent that moves along the field like Kabal's ground saw. The Hand scoops up the opponent, and drags them across the screen to just inside sweep distance. The hand shakes the victim and Shinnok emits a fireball similar to Ashrah's in MK Deception which knocks the opponent across the screen. The move would do about 25-30% damage.

Thank you all for your comments and participation. Very good ideas all round.


It's as how I envision him - a being with unmatched power but foiled by his own arrogance, because he's just too fixated in his own delusions.
His mannerisms and moves reflect his superiority complex as he rarely attacks with his own hands. He is a god and fighting mortals is completely beneath him.


I admit I partly based his appearance (mostly the eyes) on Darth Sidious. Other inspirations were Dr Doom and Dormmamu as they appear in Marvel vs Capcom 3. If I may justify my choices, the robes and frail body are meant to underline a contrast with Shao Kahn but also to point his own fall from grace. He might be a Elder God, but deep down his ego is still a little hurt, so he hides most of his figure.
And I confess decrepit Shang is my favorite Tsung. Let's agree to disagree.


Readin through several comments, I see the point many people are trying to convey. Shinnok is too big a player to relegated as a tacked-on bonus. I have to agree his role deserves a properly awe-inspiring re-appearance.
Still, I wouldn't mind his return as DLC. Forgive my "big baby attitude" but it's just that MK9 is looking superb on every aspect, chiefly the presentation.
However, if NRS can deliver a sequel that follows this "nostalgia-trip with all the right changes" art direction, I can gladly wait.


I really like this idea and it would make for a amazing final boss battle. And this could mean our compromise of a playable Shinnok and a unplayable Boss Shinnok.
Round 1 starts against poor little nerfed playable Shinnok. It's basically a freebie to goad you into thinking he'll be a piece of cake. You win the round with some, but not much, effort.
A cutscene plays, and Shinnok says something like - "You have awoken the wrath of a god. This folly ends now!" And dear God, Round 2 starts! The music gets louder and more epic and Boss Shinnok kicks in and all Hell breaks loose! As you suggested, his aura grows significantly, and the Dark Miasma Hands boost his normals.
I think this is where the Amulet could come into play, as Shinnok resorts to it to buff up his powers.


Well, I "kept" his Tricky Portal for those quick strikes. How about his regular dash being a teleport of sorts? Not entirely safe but it could pass through projectiles while Shinnok is invisible. Would take skill to use, so it isn't abusable. Like Demitri from Darkstalkers here.



Sounds terrifying.
It reminds me of one of the final scenes in Watchmen (the graphic novel, not the movie).


Somewhat ironic that I completely see your point and it's actually the reason why I'm not too fond of the concept. It makes me think there's some huge demon in the Netherrealm whose job is to poke his hands whenever Shinnok tells him to. And the poor guy can't even see what he's touching. Can you imagine the sort of sick pranks Shinnok must have played on him?


I like this one, though I'd have Shinnok thrust a dark miasma hand instead of his own. He doesn't want to get his robes dirty with filthy mortal brain matter.

I think this might be a good time to throw in his original Mythologies design,drawn by Tobias himself:




That's a great idea. Slayer from Guilty Gear also has a similar dash-teleport instead of running like all the other characters.


lol,I never thought of it that way. Point taken.

Save shinnok for the next game after mk9 because shinnok is to controversial to the mk series.

Netherrealm's Big Cheese makes his big honkin' appearance.



Looking very sinister and monochrome-y. I certainly approve.

He looks GLORIOUS!



Bring us MK4 baby!

Just spoiled the entirety of Story Mode (couldn't resist).
Leaving here the very last cutscene that ends with everyone's favorite Fallen Elder God just popping up to say "All according to plan".
Seems NRS are finally ready to give Shinnok the respect he deserves.

Shinnok's MK9 appearance.




Looking forward to see what this duo will come up with in the sequel.

Ready for him in MK10! Or hopefully DLC.

I was never a fan of overpowered god-like characters, Shinnock is no different.

I don't like his design.
I hated his moveset.
His fatalities (with the huge skeleton hands) would be perfect for Quan Chi instead.

Really they need to revamp him 100% but then I probably will not like him more, I just don't like overpowered gods.

I do like his voice. Is that one of the Prophets from Halo?

I'm glad he is getting a second chance to show how he should have been. I noticed though that hes says that earthrealm will be theres. Which implies he is willing to share it with quan chi. so, ther might or might not be a betrayal by quan in the next mk. who knows. imagine all the plot twists in the next mk

I imagine that Shinnok also has two trump cards over Quan Chi now. Shao Kahn and Shang Tsung.

I hope Quan Chi doesnt do that again.
it was such an insult...

Well Quan Chi was absolutely essential for the success of Shinnok's plan and he played all the cards perfectly. As they stand in the context of this plan, Quan Chi is almost a partner to Shinnok and not just a subordinate.
IMHO Shinnok would be a fool to not properly reward Quan Chi.

Hopefully Shinnok won't try to betray Quan Chi and end up betrayed since apparently Quan Chi has his amulet and likes to show it

I think they should create an expansion pack sort of thing than a full blown game. Breate the Mk4 chapters of them and release next year or something. It could be maybe an hour or so of new cut scenes complete with new costumes for characters and new fatalities. W/e DLC characters they release before hand can be involved in the upcoming story and help try to revive the fallen earth warriors. Then have thew games sequal focus solely on the deadly alliance trilogy after shinnoks possible fall and then have the third game of the reboot trilogy be a completely new threat.

Before the Star Wars prequels raped the characters of the original trilogy, many people thought that Emperor Palpatine was so powerful in the Force that he did not need to lift a finger to fight you. In fact, many believed it would be impossible to physically harm him even with a lightsabre because of his sheer dark power.

This is how I believe Shinnok SHOULD be.

In order to take him seriously as a threat, he must be unstoppable.