Everyone and their mama knows about the two most iconic ninjas in video game history, Scorpion and Sub-Zero. But as you probably figured out from the title of this article, we’ll be focusing on the vengeful Netherrealm specter now turned into a fire-wielding Lin Kuei ninja, Scorpion.

While Hanzo Hasashi no longer plays the role of Scorpion in Mortal Kombat 1, Kuai Liang is still a fine replacement for the former Shirai Ryu. But there’s one constant for Scorpion no matter what game he’s in: the awesome outfits!

#1: First Shirai Ryu

Um, is this Scorpion or Goku?

First Shirai Ryu in action:

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For Scorpion’s New Era skin, the first palette we’ll look at is First Shirai Ryu. The palette contains colors such as dark blue and orange. There are no specific requirements needed to obtain First Shirai Ryu as you can get it from the Shrine or purchase it from the store.

What I find really unique about First Shirai are the colors used, because of how much they remind me of a particular anime character. The moment I saw this palette, my thoughts went straight to Goku from Dragon Ball and how blue and orange are his signature colors. Maybe First Shirai Ryu is supposed to be a reference to how Goku was technically the first Super Saiyan (the first Super Saiyan we see in the series, I mean).

#2: Inner Fire

Hey, white fire is pretty hot though!

Inner Fire in action:

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Another New Era skin we’ll check out is Inner Fire! This palette includes colors like white and yellow. To unlock Inner Fire, you have to level up your Character Mastery.

The base color being white is an interesting choice for this skin. After all, white fire is incredibly hot, second only to blue fire. Or the white could represent Scorpion’s purity since he is no longer a Netherrealm specter like he was in the previous timeline.

#3: Honorbound

Honor his wish to burn you alive, will ya?

Honorbound in action:

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Honorbound is the third New Era skin we’ll take a look at on this list. In this skin, it has a palette of brown, black, and orange. To unlock Honorbound, you have to level up your Character Mastery.

Brown is a color that can be associated with honor, because it often symbolizes reliability. Scorpion is someone who stands by the principles of the Lin Kuei and even went against his brother Sub-Zero when he began to go against those principles. Scorpion’s loyalty to his father, even if the man is deceased, and Earthrealm is absolute, and Honorbound shows that.

#4: Eruptive Rage

Scorpion’s been hanging out with Kratos for too long

Eruptive Rage in action:

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Okay, this New Era skin just erupts with color! Eruptive Rage has a palette containing red, yellow, and black. There are no requirements needed to obtain Eruptive Rage as you can get it from the Shrine or purchase it from the store. 

I think this skin is the perfect representation of Scorpion’s rage with its bold and shiny colors. The explosion of hues and shades honestly caught me off guard. It really looks like Scorpion is on fire too, even though he’s not (at least not right now).

#5: Fiery Basilisk

Ooooooooo, pretty colors

Fiery Basilisk in action:

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The last of the New Era skins on this list is Fiery Basilisk. This palette includes a gradient of colors such as reed, yellow, and orange. There are no requirements needed to obtain Fiery Basilisk as you can get it from the Shrine or purchase it from the store. 

Not only does the warm colors used in Fiery Basilisk make it a unique skin, but the title of the skin itself is something that needs to be talked about. A Basilisk is a giant, legendary serpent that brings death to those who look into its eyes. I mean, we all know what happens when Scorpion takes off his mask to reveal his flaming skull, right?

#6: End of Watch

Make no mistake, Scorpion’s not playing checkers today

End of Watch in action:

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Now we’ll be moving on to the Union of Light skins starting with End of Watch. This palette contains red, black, white, and gold. To unlock End of Watch, you have to level up your Character Mastery.

Funny thing about the name of this Scorpion skin that I just found out myself. End of watch actually refers to the date and time a police officer is killed while on duty. So, the fact that Scorpion has a skin named End of Watch has me VERY worried for anyone who dares to come after him.

#7: Righteous Inferno

Scorpion wishes to become one with the bumblebee

Righteous Inferno in action:

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Righteous Inferno is the second Union of Light skin on the list. Its palette features two distinct colors: yellow and black. There are no specific requirements needed to obtain Righteous Inferno as you can get it from the Shrine or purchase it from the store.

The combination of yellow and black is often considered to be a warning of danger or a need to be cautious. In Scorpion’s case, HE is the danger! If you’re on the side of evil and threaten Earthrealm in any way, this Shirai Ryu is coming for you.

#8: Nerves of Steel

Steel…you know, that’s a cool superhero name

Nerves of Steel in action:

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Scorpion sure has nerves of steel - figuratively and literally. Nerves of Steel is an Order of Darkness skin with a palette of…well steel gray, and gold. You can unlock Nerves of Steel by playing through Invasion Mode.

In Mortal Kombat 1, Scorpion is much more calm and collected, especially when compared to his brother Sub-Zero. Nerves of Steel is just a physical representation of this. Man, if only the Scorpion of this timeline could meet previous versions of himself.

#9: Harumi's Partner

Awww, Harumi’s knight in shining armor

Harumi's Partner in action:

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Harumi’s Partner is an Order of Darkness skin, and the name is without a doubt referring to Kuai Liang’s marriage to Harumi. The skin has a palette of gold, white and blue. You can unlock Harumi’s Partner by playing through Invasion Mode.

Harumi has been Scorpion’s true love in every timeline, and now she has found her way back to him in Mortal Kombat 1. Gold represents wealth and prosperity, and in a way, Scorpion got that when he married Harumi and created the Shirai Ryu. I’m really just glad Harumi is alive in this timeline!

#10: Might and Magic

Uh-oh, Rain’s not gonna like that you’re stealing his purple

Might and Magic in action:

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And the last of the Scorpion skins on this list, another Order of Darkness skin to be specific, is Might and Magic. This skin’s palette contains colors such as purple and gold. You can unlock Might and Magic by playing through Invasion Mode.

The dominant color in Might and Magic, purple, is known as a color that embodies mystery and power. It can also represent royalty and ambition, which is fitting considering that Scorpion is the Grandmaster of the Shirai Ryu and he must be an ambitious person to be able to lead an entire clan. No wonder Rain uses the color purple in his attire!

 

Go to the shop, stop by the shrine, and play some Invasion Mode to get these cool skins in Mortal Kombat 1! Not only that, but you could get some awesome gear to go along with them too. There are still a good bit of Scorpion skins that weren’t mentioned on this list, so maybe you should check them out as well. Who knows, you might find a favorite skin that wasn’t on the list!

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