I don’t think this sorcerer needs much of an introduction seeing as he is one half of the most famous duo of all time: the Deadly Alliance! That’s right folks, Christmas came early when Quan Chi was revealed as a playable character in Mortal Kombat 1’s first Kombat Pack. 

Since his debut in Mortal Kombat 4, Quan Chi has been a major antagonist fighting against the Forces of Light and that has not changed in Mortal Kombat 1. Not only that, but this Netherrealm sorcerer certainly has the villain wardrobe down!

#1: Shady Soothsayer

Shady? You forgot evil, cruel, manipulative, etc.

Shady Soothsayer in action:

Start at 0:35

For all you newcomers to the Mortal Kombat franchise, let me give you some advice: Do not, and I mean DO NOT, trust Quan Chi (or Shang Tsung, but we’re not talking about him right now). But as untrustworthy as this sorcerer is, Shady Soothsayer is a cool skin and the palette for this skin is black and blue. Shady Soothsayer is the default skin for Quan Chi in Mortal Kombat 1.

While Shang Tsung was the mastermind behind the terrible events that occurred in MK1’s story, Quan Chi did play a crucial role. For example, Quan Chi was the one who informed Sindel of a prophecy claiming that Liu Kang and Earthrealm’s champions would try to conquer Outworld. He planted seeds of doubt within Outworld’s royal family and this led to Sindel losing faith in Liu Kang later on in the story as well as General Shao joining Quan Chi.

#2: Scare Tactics

Shoot, if Quan Chi looked at me like that, I’d be scared!

Scare Tactics in action:

Start at 0:49

Um, is anyone else both curious and terrified about what those tentacles Quan Chi summons in battle are attached to? While you think about the eldritch beast that lies in the darkness, let me show you Scare Tactics, a common New Era skin with a palette of red and black. To unlock Scare Tactics, you have to level up your Character Mastery.

In the previous timeline, Quan Chi was a demon born in the Netherrealm, a place that is basically the equivalent of Hell in real life. However, this was changed in the current timeline with Quan Chi being a native of Outworld instead with him residing in the Netherrealm later on after learning dark magic from Damashi (Oh sorry, I meant Titan Shang Tsung).

#3: Sneaky Oracle

Quan Chi, I see a butt whooping in your future

Sneaky Oracle in action:

Start at 0:51

If I didn’t know the type of person Quan Chi was, I’d probably be too scared of him to not believe his so-called prophecies! But anyways, Sneaky Oracle is a common New Era skin and the skin’s palette contains white and black. To unlock Sneaky Oracle, you have to level up your Character Mastery.

As I mentioned before, Quan Chi came to Outworld acting as an oracle, a person who can see into the future, and gave Empress Sindel a false prophecy about Liu Kang. Actually, that reminds me of how Quan Chi was able to convince Shao Kahn that the Elder Gods would not act if he merged the realms in Mortal Kombat 9. Jeez, this guy truly is sneaky!

#4: Prince of Darkness

Um, Satan would like a word with you, dude

Prince of Darkness in action: 

Start at 0:53

So, if Liu Kang made Shinnok into a powerless being in the new era, does that mean Quan Chi is ruling over the Netherrealm? Ruler or not, Prince of Darkness is still an awesome name for a skin and this common New Era skin’s palette has black and purple. To unlock Prince of Darkness, you have to level up your Character Mastery.

What I found interesting about the Netherrealm’s past is that Satan does exist in the Mortal Kombat universe and he was the former ruler of the Netherrealm before Shinnok. With Quan Chi’s help, Shinnok was able to overthrow Satan, but his fate remains unclear. In the new timeline, I wonder who the current ruler of the Netherrealm is.

#5: Master of Intrigue

“Master of Baldness” is more like it

Master of Intrigue in action:

Start at 0:55

Quan Chi is indeed a master at plotting against anyone and everyone. But Master of Intrigue in this case is referring to the sorcerer himself, but rather the skin shown above with its palette of orange and black. To unlock Master of Intrigue, you have to level up your Character Mastery.

But seriously, when is this man not plotting!? The way Quan Chi can manipulate people and set events in motion is honestly incredible. Now if only he would use that brilliant mind for good instead of evil…

#6: Devious Stratagem

This man truly is downright devious!

Devious Stratagem in action:

Start at 0:58

“Playing dirty” is a strategy Quan Chi excels at no matter what timeline he’s in. Devious Stratagem is a common New Era skin for Quan Chi that has black and white in its palette. To unlock Devious Stratagem, you have to level up your Character Mastery. 

There’s not enough time in the day to list the terrible things Quan Chi has done, and that’s not including what he’s done in the current timeline! It’s probably not the worst of the sorcerer’s crimes, but I think the way Quan Chi manipulated Hanzo in the previous timeline was awful. I can only hope that the Hanzo of the new era will not fall under Quan Chi’s control again.

I admit, this list is pretty short, but hopefully Quan Chi will get some new skins in the near future! But even if he doesn’t, I still think his New Era skin is alright with its different palettes. Besides, Quan Chi’s gears are cool on their own, so they can add a lot to his appearance as well. Now if you’ll excuse me, I paid good money to have Quan Chi tell me about my future and I’m not about to let it go to waste!

You may also be interested in:

• Best Mortal Kombat Villains (and Their Arch Enemies)
• Top 10 Mortal Kombat 1 Best Beginner Characters
• Top 10 Mortal Kombat 1 Best Fatalities