Every LIGHT Element User in MK Explained

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  • čas přidán 9. 07. 2024
  • Mortal Kombat characters that use 'Light'-based abilities are interesting, and this element is surprisingly consistent in how it's portrayed, along with its 'Dark' relative. In this video, I demystify and explain what they are, based on my MK power system video, by analyzing its 3 most prominent users: Ashrah, Liu Kang, and Kotal Kahn.
    What have you done, lately?
    Timestamps:
    00:00 Intro
    01:19 Dualist Liu Kang
    07:08 Ashrah
    10:22 (a word on Tanya)
    11:34 Kotal Kahn
    #ashrah #kotalkahn #liukang #mk #powersystem #mortalkombat1 #light
  • Hry

Komentáře • 215

  • @LOWBORN-the-LOATHSOME
    @LOWBORN-the-LOATHSOME Před 4 měsíci +38

    -I KNEW specifying the Light users under but kinda distinct from the Fire users in my comment on the original power system video would pay off!
    -Dualist WAS such a weird variation for Liu Kang to have, right? It had no precedent in any game before MKX. It's like Reptile channeling the Speed Force in Nimble, Scorpion summoning his Low Minion demon in Inferno (so out of character considering this is game where he actually turns good) or Tanya borrowing Hotaru's Naginata. The story could've explained it by something about him exploring his newfound powers of the Dark Side, Anakin-style, in his Revenant form.
    --Reptile is actually a master of the compound of Fire and Water in both the literal and more poetic sense because of the two powers commonly associated with him; Force is a Fire that is fluid like Water and Acid is a "Water" that burns like Fire.
    -Dualist powers suit M1K Ashrah more. She enters a stance to utilize and expel the Dark within her then purges it with the Light she's learned to wield precisely.
    --I rather visually dislike M1K Tanya's fireballs and Sun Disc halo because it's too...Kotal-esque. I get that Delia her patron god is associated with Fire and may very well be a Sun goddess in the New Era, but leave something for that poor Osh-Tekk, geez.
    -Gun to my head, I would choose Goro and I always will!
    -I wonder, does the different powerups from Kotal's Blood God variation count as Dark abilities?

    • @CynicalWarlock
      @CynicalWarlock  Před 4 měsíci +12

      I feel manipulated...... Well done - it's usually the other way around.
      So much good stuff to unpack in this comment.
      Speaking of underexplored, out-of-left-field variations, don't forget *Possessed Kenshi*, where his sword is broken into pieces, and has an ominous red glow about it, and he now summons demon freakin samurai from his blade.. Sounds like a great story, right?
      ..
      NetherRealm didn't think so.
      Same thing with Dualist Liu Kang. Could've been a training arc with Bo' Rai Cho, leading to him leveling up before the final battle.. in.. another story.
      The Reptile comment is pure poetry. Made my day.
      The Ashrah idea is really cool. Make her just a bit OP, but with a big penalty attached to it - like if she doesn't expel the dark energy in time, she gets stunned or takes a bit of damage, and visually devolves into a more demonic-looking form. They tried that kind of mechanic with Bo' Rai Cho's Drunken Master variation, and it's worth iterating, I think.
      I don't blame you for choosing Goro - a horse D is.. well... problematic.
      Good question about Blood God Kotal. Been thinking a lot about what those totems constructs actually are, lately. Earth, Blood, Force and Soul all come to mind, as possible puzzle pieces, but no definitive answer yet.

    • @syki-tp1tn
      @syki-tp1tn Před 4 měsíci +4

      Okay this is what happens when u put two psychos in a room, how I am supposed to read these comments.

    • @CynicalWarlock
      @CynicalWarlock  Před 4 měsíci +4

      @@syki-tp1tn Become one yourself.

    • @samuelsackey2599
      @samuelsackey2599 Před 2 měsíci +2

      Why have I read this whole thing 6 times and still wanna read it again? Netherrealm should employ this man already. Damn.

    • @samurai_ionian
      @samurai_ionian Před 17 dny

      imo, tanya's light power in m1k actually differs from other known light visuals from the franchise
      you compared her fireball and halo because it's visually comparable to kotal when really kotal's light is more visually comparable to that of ashrah's and liu kang's, and the halo is visually unique and has never appeared in any previous games before m1k
      but that aside, I do wish that they explored tanya's power more (and lore😭😭) since she has the heaviest revamp out of everyone.

  • @Grimsly3736
    @Grimsly3736 Před 4 měsíci +66

    Man at this point this whole video series should be canon, I never thought I’d be interested in MKs element system but you make it pretty fun!

    • @CynicalWarlock
      @CynicalWarlock  Před 4 měsíci +10

      I never thought I'd be interested in it either.

    • @Grimsly3736
      @Grimsly3736 Před 4 měsíci +8

      @@CynicalWarlock well you’ve done a great job describing it and thinking it through, as a writing student I find it super impressive from a world building point of view (cause tbh I doubt netherrealm thought it through like you did lol)

    • @CynicalWarlock
      @CynicalWarlock  Před 4 měsíci +10

      @@Grimsly3736 Thanks, I appreciate that.
      The key is a passion for worldbuilding..
      Or bullshitting.
      One or the other.

    • @Alonelydreamerk
      @Alonelydreamerk Před 4 měsíci +1

      Def agree lol I actively avoid lore with mk but this makes more sense then the whole mk verse lol ❤ 😂 thank you

    • @pedromenchik1961
      @pedromenchik1961 Před 4 měsíci +2

      This video series is more interesting than the actual canon storyline for the last 3 MK games, change my mind

  • @robertminnie782
    @robertminnie782 Před 4 měsíci +25

    9:07 MK9 Kratos has a "blinding flash" with the Head of Helios.
    Though, tbf, he was a guest character.
    And he was also using "sunlight" there.

    • @cerealsaregood9587
      @cerealsaregood9587 Před 4 měsíci +4

      Raiden also blinds his opponent for his amplified teleport and attacks from behind in MK1

    • @CynicalWarlock
      @CynicalWarlock  Před 4 měsíci +1

      @@cerealsaregood9587 Not exactly what I had in mind.

    • @CynicalWarlock
      @CynicalWarlock  Před 4 měsíci +4

      Never had access to Kratos, so I forgot about him. Good point.

    • @cerealsaregood9587
      @cerealsaregood9587 Před 4 měsíci +2

      @@CynicalWarlock I get your point. It’s electricity, not lightning. But a blinding move anyways.

    • @memethekidd3133
      @memethekidd3133 Před 4 měsíci

      @@CynicalWarlockJohnny cage can blind you with a camera in MK11

  • @projesusantisatan3583
    @projesusantisatan3583 Před 4 měsíci +10

    This is very very engaging. And I must say as somebody who does writing himself. The element of light has very much incurred my interest as of lately. I wish there was more like uses in the series. I feel like they could do more with it as well either through a gameplay standpoint, or through a story standpoint.

    • @CynicalWarlock
      @CynicalWarlock  Před 4 měsíci +2

      Definitely. Again, blinding attacks seem like a no-brainer. Also, it would be nice to have more Light-themed characters, to balance out the truckload of sorcerers, shadow powers, and blood magic that the series has.

  • @Ashrah_Vell
    @Ashrah_Vell Před 4 měsíci +12

    Biggest Ashrah fan here. In my headcanon, the "light" Ashrah uses isn't heavenly but a variation of demonic fire (because I agree that light is a form of fire) she always had inside her but unlocked once she found the hope of escape/freedom with Datusha.
    And I wholeheartedly agree that they could've done much, much better with her gameplay in MK1. Her light/shadow skills should've been far more integrated into her gameplay. The "hell" variation is interesting in theory, but in practice, it's not worth it. It limits her gameplay by a loooot since she can't combo out of anything without a Kameo like Sonya or Khameleon, and literally her entire gameplay revolves around one single move, the sword uppercut. She should've had a meter of sorts, like Johnny Cage's hype meter, for example, but that made her lose control and become more demonic as the meter filled. The recycled banshee scream is one of the most ridiculous gameplay choices in MK history. She could've had a lightning dash, but with different properties and without the goddamn scream. And I agree that a blinding attack would've been perfect.

    • @CynicalWarlock
      @CynicalWarlock  Před 4 měsíci +3

      I dreamt up something similar with another commenter - something akin to Bo' Rai Cho's Drunken Master variation, from MKX, where she's a liiiitle bit OP, but she builds up all this demonic energy that she needs to purge from her body that she needs to expel in time, otherwise she's stunned for a split second, or takes a bit of damage, or something like that. And her form turns more demonic every time, which would be a cool visual thing. The Cage-style meter is another cool way of doing it.
      Had some lines recorded about the banshee scream, but had to cut them to get the video out in time. It's extremely lazy, and one of many reused assets in this game.
      Gotta start a petition for that blinding flash attack.

    • @Ashrah_Vell
      @Ashrah_Vell Před 4 měsíci +2

      @@CynicalWarlockYeees, I love this mechanic of needing to "expurge" her demonic influence! Some kind of meter was definitely a must for Ashrah. And that banshee scream angers me so much. If they wanted a "light dash," that's fine, but the banshee is such a lazy way to give us the barest hint of her demonic form.
      But do you know what the real problem is? They don't understand Ashrah. Pardon the word, but the writer is an idiot who saw Ashrah, shrugged, and turned her into a hollow Wonder Woman copycat. Her dual nature, the most important thing about her and one of the coolest, was totally ignored. People don't understand that Ashrah isn't supposed to be a heroic figure or an angel (another reference that I detest). She's *both* light and darkness, and her gameplay should've reflected that too.

    • @CynicalWarlock
      @CynicalWarlock  Před 4 měsíci +2

      @@Ashrah_Vell Completely agree. Because of her looks, it's easy to forget that Ashrah's a demon tryna get into the angel's club, so everything about her should reflect that.
      And you can play around with that in so many ways, like her tryna do good in clumsy ways, and kinda failing or backfiring, half the time. After all, a demon's understanding of good and evil is pretty skewed.

    • @Ashrah_Vell
      @Ashrah_Vell Před 4 měsíci +1

      @@CynicalWarlockExactly! It's why I love the original Datusha and the original Ashrah more than any other version. As much as I adore this character, I recognise that no version of her has explored even 20% of her full potential. Midway Ashrah, however, actually fought her way out of the Netherrealm and had this very interesting relationship with her sword, believing she was killing demons and vampires to purify herself when, in truth, she was just fulfilling the twisted desires of a bloodthirsty sword that desires to wipe out an entire race of vampires. When Ashrah was revealed for MK1, I had so much hope that Dominic would double down on this and go beyond: because as you said, Ashrah herself has a dual nature, so while Datusha's plot is cool, we can't put all the blame for Ashrah's "evil actions" on the sword. And there's this other point you made: what is "right" and "wrong" for a demon? It baffles me how Ashrah lived thousands of years in the Netherrealm, without any knowledge of other realms, but immediately adapted to life in Earthrealm. Her entire journey and character in MK1 are so weak and ill-thought-of.
      Anyway, sorry for the big wall of text, but I really love this character and it's so frustrating to see people getting her wrong over and over 😭

    • @CynicalWarlock
      @CynicalWarlock  Před 4 měsíci +2

      @@Ashrah_Vell Dude, I love seeing such passion for a character. And the unfortunate truth is that most MK characters fit this bill, whereby only about 20% of their potential has been explored.
      And you're right, that original plotline about her kris is effective, because it shows how tempting it is to 'delegate morality', and it's something we tend to do in our own lives, fairly often.

  • @JoaoPaulo-mh1kz
    @JoaoPaulo-mh1kz Před 4 měsíci +7

    Another excellent video man! Kotal (and Erron Black) are my favorite characters from the NeatherRealm Era. I wanted to share something.
    Kotal is described in MKX in its variations and skins as: God of the Sun, God of War and God of Blood. And because he is the God of many things, I simplified it and started calling him the God of Sacrifice. This aligns perfectly with these three things (Blood, Sun and War). As you mentioned in the video, the power of the Sun GIVES but also has the ability to TAKE AWAY. And to offer a sacrifice it is necessary to shed YOUR blood or SOMEONE'S blood. And finally, War, the situation where you TAKE and GIVE, where you sacrifice YOURSELF and OTHERS. I can see a DUALITY here. Duality, as Ashrah and Dualist Li Kang have.
    I could be crazy, but that makes sense for me. (Sorry for my english)

    • @mazkeraid4039
      @mazkeraid4039 Před 4 měsíci +2

      And that is why Ko’atal should have been fleshed out a lot more, overhauling Outworld into something Aztec-esque environment before he became an anti-villain.

    • @CynicalWarlock
      @CynicalWarlock  Před 4 měsíci

      Great point. Actually, Huitzilopochtli - the deity that Kotal is based on - is, in fact, known as the god of sacrifice, among others, so you're actually on point. And I love that you mention it, cause this give and take philosophy behind the character is one of my favorite things about him. The blood magic is the best example - it's a high-risk, high-reward attitude and playstyle. It also goes well with his role in the story of MKX (or what was supposed to be his role, rather) - he's one of the few rulers who understands that you have to give first, before you can take, same as his blood offerings. Sacrifice some lifeforce for enhanced damage.
      I also like that he uses things like fire and blood magic, but in unconventional ways, that almost make them seem like something els. Always felt like this character doesn't even know how strong he is.
      (your English is fine)

    • @JoaoPaulo-mh1kz
      @JoaoPaulo-mh1kz Před 4 měsíci

      @@CynicalWarlock Yes, Kotal need more love! (Thanks!)

  • @grownmannn2
    @grownmannn2 Před 4 měsíci +3

    oooh separating negative and positive engergies.... so if he broght them back crashing together he could lightning bend like azula from avatar

  • @gabrielemolteni5177
    @gabrielemolteni5177 Před 4 měsíci +3

    guys I had a realization now this power system HAS PERFECT SYMMETRY
    you see a reason why at first i disliked this idea that ligt is just better fire is because in this way there would be only two three element based kompound elements making the whole power system feel a bit incomplete however with this take you can solve ANOTHER very important symmetrical problem:
    advanced forms of base elements
    you see water gets ice(sub zero)
    air gets sound(sindel)
    earth gets steel( i know there are almost no characters that are metal benders but it's the best thing it came to my mind)
    all of these elements get an improved variation of their original form with different properties from the original without being in combination with another element
    now fire with this take has it's own advanced form light a different more advanced way of using fire that has different properties only through mastery over just one element

    • @CynicalWarlock
      @CynicalWarlock  Před 4 měsíci +2

      Hats off to you. That's a brilliant idea.
      It's frightfully consistent too. Sound is portrayed as extremely powerful, yet only Sindel - a powerful Edenian queen - uses it, which means it's a very tough thing to master. It also solves a Sub-Zero problem that always irked me, cause Sub specializes in ice, while Rain can control water more generally, yet Sub still seems way more proficient with this element, overall, so making ice a kind of water 2.0 skill makes sense.
      Earth can get metal, in general, as well as crystals and stuff, which makes Tremor seem even more powerful, cause he has absolute mastery over Earth's most advanced forms, and he also somehow found the spare time to master Earth + Fire, aka Lava. We could actually make all advanced constructs part of this advanced Earth style - stuff that's composed of more than just rocks and dirt, like Kotal Kahn's totems, for instance.
      And the Light thing fits like a glove, since Fire burns, but Light can both burn and heal.
      Great stuff, G.

    • @giomander40k
      @giomander40k Před 3 měsíci

      ​@@CynicalWarlock by the way do you remember me this comment was made by me with another account

    • @CynicalWarlock
      @CynicalWarlock  Před 3 měsíci

      @@giomander40k I remember your picture, and the 40k reference. And this thread, of course.

  • @YaGirlGumption
    @YaGirlGumption Před 4 měsíci +12

    tysm for continuing this awesome series!

    • @CynicalWarlock
      @CynicalWarlock  Před 4 měsíci +4

      Might as well go all in and make my own reality.

    • @YaGirlGumption
      @YaGirlGumption Před 4 měsíci

      @@CynicalWarlock at least someone's putting thought into this series lol

  • @TheNimbleEnigma
    @TheNimbleEnigma Před 4 měsíci +2

    I like Liu Kang the most out of these light users, though oddly enough never played much of the Dualist variation back in the day, but found the concept intriguing and different nonetheless, and have come to appreciate it, as the "stance" playstyle has increasingly become a favorite of mine - Ashrah and particularly Kenshi in MK1 being very notable (Ashrah's abilities somewhat acting as a "spiritual successor" to Dualist if you will). I like the theoretical reasoning you gave behind it, especially regarding the dark element and it's relation to Force (one of my favorites of the elements - Reptile being among my top 5 characters). The connection to Reptile's abilities hadn't even dawned on me - another reason why I love these character and elemental studies.

    • @CynicalWarlock
      @CynicalWarlock  Před 4 měsíci +1

      Wow, turns out quite a few Reptile fans watch this stuff.. Which is good, cause his video's probably gonna be ridiculously long.
      MK12 Ashrah is definitely a spiritual successor to Dualist Kang, although again, I feel like they could've done way more with her playstyle. Still a step in the right direction with her.
      I'm the same way with Dualist Liu Kang - seemed pretty out there and daunting to learn, at the time, but now that I've seen so many masters put that variation to incredible use, I wanna go back and try it.

  • @Knight1029
    @Knight1029 Před 4 měsíci +2

    I personally would like light and some other elements be there own separate element because it would be easier for me to understand and it is something I just prefer more. But it makes sense with your system. It being combination of other elements and philosophies is a lot more fitting for Mortal Kombat.
    Beside that another great video in this series.

    • @CynicalWarlock
      @CynicalWarlock  Před 4 měsíci +2

      Well it's not a combination, technically. But just as technically, I suppose it is a bit distinct from fire. Even though light implies heat, in most cases, light is a form of radiation, while fire is plasma. So yeah, interpretations..
      Someone commented that Light can be a higher mastery of Fire, just like metalbending is a higher form of earthbending, which is a cool way to look at it, cause fire burns, but light can both burn and heal (in MK, at least).

    • @Knight1029
      @Knight1029 Před 4 měsíci +1

      @@CynicalWarlock I think that is an interesting interpretation. Think another layer to the system is differentiating a noice and a master by the form they use. Light being a master of fire as the sun is basically the biggest and strongest fire. I think that is cool.
      Regardless I think the system you came up with still hold up.

  • @jeremiahwilson8104
    @jeremiahwilson8104 Před 4 měsíci +5

    Cetrion also uses some form of light in her fatal blow

    • @CynicalWarlock
      @CynicalWarlock  Před 4 měsíci +2

      I thought of her, but that can easily be construed as a fire beam, and didn't really know what to say beyond that, so I didn't include her.
      But a worthy mention.

    • @jeremiahwilson8104
      @jeremiahwilson8104 Před 4 měsíci +2

      @CynicalWarlock Gotcha she is a bit weird because on paper, she is extremely competent, but for the sake of the plot, she gets steamrolled. If I'm not mistaken one of her intros she is floating with light flowing from her. The fact that she also can somewhat create life may mean she is using some combination of elements as well.
      I really enjoyed your video as I do with them all.

    • @user-xz3us9yy3m
      @user-xz3us9yy3m Před 4 měsíci +1

      ​​@@jeremiahwilson8104if I remember correctly cetrion is using all the main elements isn't she? So by his theory she would have access to soul, and since she is a god she could use that to crate life no?

    • @jeremiahwilson8104
      @jeremiahwilson8104 Před 4 měsíci

      @@user-xz3us9yy3m I would think so unless the way she does so is limited.

    • @maddenboseroy4074
      @maddenboseroy4074 Před 4 měsíci +1

      @@CynicalWarlock Well, Cetrion CAN use all four base elements.

  • @MegaAmir46
    @MegaAmir46 Před 2 měsíci

    Imo this is why MKX was amazing. As a Dualist and Stunt Double main it felt as time went on the characters were getting stronger and some variations left space for good headcanon. Dualist(Liu Kang resurrected balances his human and dark revenant abilities explaining the Yin/Yang) Stunt Double(Johnnys shadow powers evolved to him being able to make constructs like Noob)

    • @CynicalWarlock
      @CynicalWarlock  Před 2 měsíci +1

      Exactly that. It's both the coolest and the most horrible thing about MKX. Cool, cause it implies so much good worldbuilding and storytelling, horrible because it's never fulfilled. Such a missed opportunity.

  • @fatalwaffle1715
    @fatalwaffle1715 Před 4 měsíci +2

    Awesome Light ☀☀ Video Bro!

  • @ihevmilkdhou
    @ihevmilkdhou Před 4 měsíci +4

    Next explain *teleportation*
    Especially Kung lao, the only full view we see Kung lao's portal is in MK Onslaugth cutscene where he summoned it mid air

    • @CynicalWarlock
      @CynicalWarlock  Před 4 měsíci +2

      That's a tall order (lookin at you, Sektor).
      Kung Lao's tele is generally based on his hat, which is likely enchanted and acts like a portal.

    • @ihevmilkdhou
      @ihevmilkdhou Před 4 měsíci +1

      @@CynicalWarlock i rewatch the cutscene and... he's not wearing his hat
      He's unarmed(more like unheaded) by Shao Kahn mid fight

    • @CynicalWarlock
      @CynicalWarlock  Před 4 měsíci +1

      @@ihevmilkdhou Tough, then.

    • @ihevmilkdhou
      @ihevmilkdhou Před 4 měsíci +1

      @@CynicalWarlock 🤔

  • @stijnvanrobaeys7011
    @stijnvanrobaeys7011 Před 4 měsíci

    Damn, I just watched this vid 4x times in a row! You just keep on entertaining me mr. Warlock

    • @CynicalWarlock
      @CynicalWarlock  Před 4 měsíci +2

      Cheers!🍺🍺🍺🍺 (one for each viewing)

  • @CrazyGamingYT56
    @CrazyGamingYT56 Před 4 měsíci

    Love your content keep up the great work

  • @wowitsportal5225
    @wowitsportal5225 Před 2 měsíci

    A thing on tanya is that in the 3d games she had invisibility and the teleport and staff/hands look to be some sort of light projection, Her teleport in mkx on the other hand looks more like smokes where she turns into sand. And if you want to stretch she can boomerang her kobu jutsu so like air i guess

    • @CynicalWarlock
      @CynicalWarlock  Před 2 měsíci

      Totally forgot about her Deception teleport. Definitely prefer the MKX version, which is almost not a teleport, just turning into fire and moving through things. The invisibility works for her, since she's a deceptive person, but it makes this power too ubiquitous.

  • @thefishernextdoor7222
    @thefishernextdoor7222 Před 4 měsíci +11

    Both you and Sonic Haxd uploaded??? Chrimuhs

  • @JustinJohnson-vc1gr
    @JustinJohnson-vc1gr Před 4 měsíci +2

    I'd love if you made videos on Scorpions Hellfire abilities and what sets it apart from regular fire, as well as a video on Cryomancy

    • @maddenboseroy4074
      @maddenboseroy4074 Před 4 měsíci

      I think he did do a video on cryomancy - it was about both Sub-Zeroes and Frost.

    • @CynicalWarlock
      @CynicalWarlock  Před 4 měsíci +2

      I'll definitely be covering ol' Skull-face, at some point. I see hellfire itself as the hottest form of fire, but that's just my headcanon.
      The Cryomancy video is linked below:
      czcams.com/video/h7gkkvjfilo/video.html

  • @jvmeel7454
    @jvmeel7454 Před 4 měsíci +2

    This guy's on a roll with these consistently good videos (i do hear voices please send help)

  • @PK-MegaLolCaT
    @PK-MegaLolCaT Před 4 měsíci

    im tempted to ask you to made a video on the guess fighters XD

    • @CynicalWarlock
      @CynicalWarlock  Před 4 měsíci

      Which I can totally do, but I'd have to find some kind of angle for it, cause I'm not that familiar with Jason or Freddie.

  • @mfrebel7831
    @mfrebel7831 Před 4 měsíci +3

    Love this videos

    • @CynicalWarlock
      @CynicalWarlock  Před 4 měsíci +4

      Magnificent.

    • @mfrebel7831
      @mfrebel7831 Před 4 měsíci +1

      @@CynicalWarlock Seriously man, you made something that just elevates the franchise. Good stuff

    • @CynicalWarlock
      @CynicalWarlock  Před 4 měsíci +2

      @@mfrebel7831 Then I'll elevate it some more.
      Thanks, I really appreciate it.

  • @garouthedemon7401
    @garouthedemon7401 Před 4 měsíci

    I was just wondering about this too

  • @rezaashary7180
    @rezaashary7180 Před 4 měsíci +2

    Hope you can do with darkness user too

    • @CynicalWarlock
      @CynicalWarlock  Před 4 měsíci +2

      If there are enough of them to cover, sure.

  • @Krakenburgvortex79
    @Krakenburgvortex79 Před 29 dny

    Light being a possible combination of Fire and Air could make sense if you treat Shadow and Dark as the same, since Shadow is a mixture of Water and Earth. The idea you brought up would also make a ton of sense, but that comment you made about how Kotal could be using Air to focus sunlight on him did make me think.
    The one flaw I can think of for that is, light doesn't require any kind of gas to exist, it's energy, not a state of matter. If it is specifically *solar* energy though, a case could be made for Kotal being an Air user due to stars containing gases. Unsure about the other two though!

    • @CynicalWarlock
      @CynicalWarlock  Před 29 dny +1

      The Air thing was more in relation to the ozone layer comment. Since the ozone layer is a gas and part of the atmosphere, Kotal could be thinning it in a particular spot, allowing more sun/UV radiation to get through. So it's not directly related to the Sun's 'gas', because yeah, even though stars are called gas giants, it's ionized gas, which is considered a different state of matter, aka plasma.

    • @Krakenburgvortex79
      @Krakenburgvortex79 Před 28 dny

      @@CynicalWarlock Aaaah, got it. It's been a while since I've seriously dabbled in anything physics related, so I'm a bit rusty. Still, good stuff!

  • @wdcain1
    @wdcain1 Před 4 měsíci

    This was really intelligent. I really never considered light power wasn't holy but rather concentrated fire. Thinking back, Blaze in Armageddon may be the only instance of holy/divine power in MK. Regardless of who beat him, a miracle would happen. Minds would swap, species changed, the dead was risen, or powers would be doubled or extinguished. I guess this is why Blaze was considered such a huge deal by the Elder Gods: Divine magic can do ANYTHING.

    • @CynicalWarlock
      @CynicalWarlock  Před 4 měsíci +1

      Well technically, light is radiation, in the real world, while fire is plasma, but in almost all cases, they accompany each other, so it makes sense that a Fire user could master both, since they're so closely related.
      And yeah, Blaze is somethin else. We'll just log that under 'magic' and move on.

  • @gabrielemolteni5177
    @gabrielemolteni5177 Před 4 měsíci +3

    i still prefer the idea that light comes from fire water and earth but it was pretty cool seeing the characters who wields this elements
    also technically fire isn't perfect plasma and is actually much more similar to hot gas this is because most fire obtainable on earth it's too impure to become pure plasma
    also i think having four different three element kompound would make this power system a lot more symmetrical instead of just two
    btw still waiting for an analisis on li mei abilities and what the fuck they are

    • @CynicalWarlock
      @CynicalWarlock  Před 4 měsíci

      Light is too intangible to involve Earth, but feel free to remind me of your rationale.
      You're right about fire vs plasma, it's not exactly the same, but further splitting the element seems like it just overcomplicates things.
      I'm still thinking about other viable combinations, so the final power system might end up being more symmetrical.
      Li Mei is Jubilee, from the X-Men, in disguise.

  • @obsesion
    @obsesion Před 4 měsíci +1

    Wow you implemented Andrew Huberman's information? That's really cool dude. I actually only listen to him specifically for his sunlight specific information. His knowledge is pretty good in the related areas associated with it. Like how being exposed to sunlight increases your pain tolerance and how it promotes certain acute and prolonged rises in hormones and neurotransmitters. I think that's what motivated to get even more sunlight than I already do. The pain tolerance stuff works separate from D3 too. Indirect sunlight exposure still grants increased pain tolerance as long as you're getting most of it from the outside and not through a window as that decreases its effectiveness. I've seen this first hand with how I weight lift.
    Great video as always. I thought the Kotal Kahn bit was the most interesting. His people might have a mutation to absorb bright light much more efficiently and safely than other skin types. I was wondering that instead of burning through the ozone layer, he's able to create a space to where some of the molecules in the air intensify the light that surrounds it. It would make sense if he could heat those particles up like a Fire user or something.

    • @CynicalWarlock
      @CynicalWarlock  Před 4 měsíci +2

      Yeah, we're mostly on the same page with the explanation for Kotal's sun beam. Honestly, this character was one of NRS' most inspired ideas; so much to dig into here. I think you could've even included his blue-ish appearance into the worldbuilding - instead of making it war paint, would've been cool if that was his race's natural color, implying not only that they get more power from the sun, but that they also *need* more sunlight than other people. Both a blessing and a curse. Cause we associate blue with the cold, water, and with pale skin and dead bodies that haven't seen the sun for a while.. Or something like that.
      And regarding Huberman, I, too, have experienced some of the stuff he talks about first hand: whenever the planets align and I'm able to get up early and get some sunlight, and do it consistently, it's like my circadian rhythm goes from 'hibernating bear' to 'overachieving rooster', and I naturally seem to wake up earlier and earlier and require a little less sleep.
      The fact that you actually see a difference in your weight training is really cool.

  • @Redactedlad
    @Redactedlad Před 4 měsíci

    Another great video, we could expect another?

  • @parrisxsummers
    @parrisxsummers Před 4 měsíci +2

    Incandescent and luminescent are different forms of light! So Liu kang is incandescent and ashra is luminescent

    • @CynicalWarlock
      @CynicalWarlock  Před 4 měsíci +1

      Heat vs no heat. Cool distinction.
      Literally.

  • @maddenboseroy4074
    @maddenboseroy4074 Před 4 měsíci +2

    So Liu Kang's fire is light light (I want to say chi?) as compared to dark light being force, while Hanzo Hasashi's fire is from the Netherrealm? What about Kuai Liang Scorpion?

    • @CynicalWarlock
      @CynicalWarlock  Před 4 měsíci

      You tell me. I didn't even finish M1K's story mode.

  • @kobebrewster2549
    @kobebrewster2549 Před 2 měsíci

    Nice vid I agree they should do a light character who blinds their opponent.
    Agree with your comments in the tanya section concerning the timeline changes its a lose lose situation. MK didnt need to do timelines. Reboot take it back to square 1 add more story elements and keep it pushing.
    Also I could be wrong but is Taven a light user or fire

    • @CynicalWarlock
      @CynicalWarlock  Před 2 měsíci +1

      Fire, if I recall correctly. Think it's specifically pointed out that him and his bro have fire abilities, inherited from their fire sorceress mom.

  • @dumbcat7331
    @dumbcat7331 Před 4 měsíci +1

    I think you should have mentioned Hotaru. He doesn't really uses light in gameplay, but he used light to temporarily blind Sub-Zero and beat him, and then got slapped by Kenshi because... Well, he's already blind lol

    • @CynicalWarlock
      @CynicalWarlock  Před 4 měsíci +1

      Must've missed that.

    • @dumbcat7331
      @dumbcat7331 Před 4 měsíci

      @@CynicalWarlock This happens in MK: Deception. Great video btw

  • @justanotheryoutuber3532
    @justanotheryoutuber3532 Před 4 měsíci +1

    Fire to create the light and then water in order to bend and focus the light like a magnifying lens

    • @CynicalWarlock
      @CynicalWarlock  Před 4 měsíci +2

      How to create fire from ice..
      That was a line in an Anthony Hopkins movie.

  • @grnme8861
    @grnme8861 Před 4 měsíci +4

    If stryker were to learn a element what would most fit him?

    • @CynicalWarlock
      @CynicalWarlock  Před 4 měsíci +6

      The element of common sense.
      On a more serious note, that *is* an interesting question; he could be an Earth user, as I see him as fairly dependable, pragmatic and.. well.. down to earth.

    • @grnme8861
      @grnme8861 Před 4 měsíci

      ​@@CynicalWarlock I personally think Earth and fire is a perfect fit because i see them as some of the most human elements let me explain.
      Earth and fire have been the oldest tools/elements humans discevered and used whit simple things like flint rocks used to make fire, armor and weapons shaped by the fire of the forge. Then more complex stuff like trees and oil from the earth burned for energy and gun powder thats used in guns and explosives fire and earth again and again its a gradual evolution of humanitys mastery of these two elements that work so perfectly together.
      Human civilzation was built by these two things and Styker being youre avaredge human familiar whit these two things all ready it would be a perfect match.

  • @Kyuuzosan
    @Kyuuzosan Před 4 měsíci

    I'm with acowsik at 3:37 😁. Great timing to talk about ugly ass mugs too , as yours was blocking part of the message (yes, I was in full screen mode; why would you watch good YT vids any other way?)
    Now, to see what the rest of the vid is about...

  • @Scrubermensch
    @Scrubermensch Před 2 měsíci

    13:18 nice Amadeus reference

  • @OpenPayment
    @OpenPayment Před 4 měsíci

    Does anyone know the nane of the soundtrack used in this video? It sounds so good

    • @CynicalWarlock
      @CynicalWarlock  Před 4 měsíci

      It's the main menu music of Mortal Kombat 4.
      And yes, it's really good.

  • @The_Purple_Lad
    @The_Purple_Lad Před 4 měsíci

    Give me a bucket of sand,sunlight, and a lighting rod, and I'll have light mastery and time manipulation
    (make sure to put me in space to )

  • @Weezynya
    @Weezynya Před 4 měsíci

    9:07 In mk1 invasion mode right now mini in end of firetemple mesa boss Kenshu has blind skill.

  • @jamir4president319
    @jamir4president319 Před 4 měsíci +2

    What are you thoughts on people with animal like powers? Like kotal Kahn for example

    • @CynicalWarlock
      @CynicalWarlock  Před 4 měsíci +1

      Not the biggest fan of that. Every other ability fits perfectly for him and makes sense, but the cat thing, despite being very cool, is pretty random. Same with Animalities, in general - they're a lotta fun, but kinda ridiculous and tough to explain. Although, to be fair, anything's possible with Soul and Illusion. Nightwolf's a good example - he could basically take the form of a spirit wolf or bear, through Soul manipulation. You can apply that to the whole cast, I suppose.
      I'd love to see a natural shapeshifter, gameplay-wise, though. Someone like Reptile, for instance. Have him morph from man to lizard, like in MK1, but have them be separate stances with different properties, that you switch on the fly, to make swaggy combos.

    • @DaMillerBoi
      @DaMillerBoi Před 2 měsíci

      The black cat is a black Jaguar ,which is an Aztec thing they known for worshiping gods that has an animal spirit ,it's beyond just Aztec but native Americans practiced it just different mythologies and ,kotal powers is just straight magic,kotal uses a form of magic that allow these things,he actually based on 2 Aztec gods put into one body him shape shifting is basically the same thing as reptile,shang,oniro ,they basically gave him the power night wolf was supposed to have when he was supposed to turn into a werewolf mid game

  • @DaMillerBoi
    @DaMillerBoi Před 2 měsíci

    Lou kang confirmed he had no control of how things turn out he just tried correcting things as it went

  • @hanitschi
    @hanitschi Před 4 měsíci

    this is wild headcannon

  • @stone9ine
    @stone9ine Před 2 měsíci

    Seeing that kotal 💪

  • @thealien2437
    @thealien2437 Před 4 měsíci

    What's the music you use in the background at the begininng?

    • @CynicalWarlock
      @CynicalWarlock  Před 4 měsíci

      MK4 main menu music.
      You'll find it on CZcams.

  • @SatinPolar
    @SatinPolar Před 4 měsíci

    A little hot take about changes in characters after Liu Kang reboot. I found it, and i ve seen many other, that seen them as Mosly resonable, like spending few minuts thinking on this.

    • @CynicalWarlock
      @CynicalWarlock  Před 4 měsíci

      What's the hot take, exactly?

    • @SatinPolar
      @SatinPolar Před 4 měsíci

      @@CynicalWarlock I wannted to use other word, but i dont F know how to use word tengient... tendient? tengent...

    • @CynicalWarlock
      @CynicalWarlock  Před 4 měsíci

      @@SatinPolar It's ok, appreciate the comment, regardless.
      You can just write in your native tongue, btw. Google knows a lotta languages.

    • @SatinPolar
      @SatinPolar Před 4 měsíci

      @@CynicalWarlock I couldn't find it translater. And sorry byddy, but for me it's 3 am, and you insulting aspects of the game that i liked. Keep going cynical, doing good job

    • @CynicalWarlock
      @CynicalWarlock  Před 4 měsíci

      @@SatinPolar Sleep tight.

  • @artgoon8747
    @artgoon8747 Před 4 měsíci

    Great video I wish they made liu kang use more of light and dark variations that would make for a interesting move set and character in my opinion. Dark God liu kang

    • @CynicalWarlock
      @CynicalWarlock  Před 4 měsíci

      Yeah, he could learn to use the dark stuff while in his revenant form, then find balance when he's resurrected, and come out wiser and more powerful for it.

  • @Джекет
    @Джекет Před 4 měsíci

    I got a question for you. If you could have power over one element from the MK universe which would you choose ?

    • @CynicalWarlock
      @CynicalWarlock  Před 4 měsíci +1

      Element I'd choose.. probably Lightning.
      Element I'd likely get would be Force, though. Or Earth. Plenty of associations with those 2.
      And I suppose the element which I most often display, in these videos, is technically Illusion, since I'm a disembodied voice making up my own lore.
      How bout you?

    • @Джекет
      @Джекет Před 4 měsíci

      Well i think id go with something with more utility to it then straight forward power,shadow would be perfect for teleporting and making clones for coop games since i have no friends,soul would be great to live longer by achieving inner pieces ir succing up ppl i dont like (With an added bonus of learing all their skills).
      But the element i think id end up with is... gun.

    • @CynicalWarlock
      @CynicalWarlock  Před 4 měsíci +1

      @@Джекет Stryker approves.

  • @Yrhshade
    @Yrhshade Před 4 měsíci +2

    you know what the people want

  • @aaronmulenga8937
    @aaronmulenga8937 Před 4 měsíci

    Tanya has always been a fire user don't know why they changed that but they did

    • @CynicalWarlock
      @CynicalWarlock  Před 4 měsíci

      Can apply that phrase to a million other things in MK.

  • @rezaashary7180
    @rezaashary7180 Před 4 měsíci

    I always thought with liu kang the dualist variants from mortal kombat x is what if liu kang is restored from revenant to human again but his power been tainted from neatherrealm magic of quan chi that make a dark red light that maybe come from his revenant form like his pure light power is from human self

    • @CynicalWarlock
      @CynicalWarlock  Před 4 měsíci

      Yes! Exactly that.
      I swear, MKX is full of awesome plotlines that never happened: Dualist Liu Kang, Possessed Kenshi etc.
      I even like the idea of him learning dark stuff while in his revenant form, then being resurrected and redeemed, and him retaining both his light/fire abilities, as well as the dark side, coming out of this ordeal wiser and more powerful, and retaining all this stuff in future games.

  • @vc1396
    @vc1396 Před 2 měsíci

    8:50 i think Kratos had a blinding attack in mk9, if recall correctly

    • @CynicalWarlock
      @CynicalWarlock  Před 2 měsíci

      That's the one. Knew there was *someone* who had it. Kept squeezing my braincells to try and figure it out.

    • @vc1396
      @vc1396 Před 2 měsíci

      I can't blame you. Quite random for him to be the only one

  • @Darkcur
    @Darkcur Před 4 měsíci

    Slowly but surely, we will get a video about the most heretical elemental manipulation, Gun.

  • @Angelwheel
    @Angelwheel Před 3 měsíci

    I would be a light user like Asharh in Mk

    • @CynicalWarlock
      @CynicalWarlock  Před 3 měsíci +2

      Cool. In my mind, Light abilities are very rare.

    • @Angelwheel
      @Angelwheel Před 3 měsíci

      @@CynicalWarlock I agree completely

  • @hahan5953
    @hahan5953 Před 4 měsíci

    You gotta explain the sector matrix telaport ability. It don't fit under any of your classification. Please brudda

  • @andrewkazanczev3484
    @andrewkazanczev3484 Před 4 měsíci

    Is there a lore reason behind overwhelming strength of Bo Rai Cho fart gas? Is he based?

    • @CynicalWarlock
      @CynicalWarlock  Před 4 měsíci

      He is based. Must be that Outworld curry. It is known.

  • @paytonturner1421
    @paytonturner1421 Před 4 měsíci

    I prefer Tanya to use energy over fire in our power set. Because energy will give Tanya uniqueness in the series and too many people in Mortal Kombat use fire too much.

    • @CynicalWarlock
      @CynicalWarlock  Před 4 měsíci +2

      That's true, Fire is, by far, the most ubiquitous.
      However, there is an impetuous ruthlessness to her that lends itself well to Fire. Also, she's the yellow kunoichi so.. I guess you'd expect Scorpion's counterpoint to also use Fire.
      To be fair though, she is a deceiver, through and through, so something like Illusion would work wonders for her.

    • @paytonturner1421
      @paytonturner1421 Před 4 měsíci

      @@CynicalWarlock I'm focusing on making characters unique in terms of ability, and the role that they play in a story's narrative when it comes to Mortal Kombat.

    • @CynicalWarlock
      @CynicalWarlock  Před 4 měsíci

      @@paytonturner1421 Definitely the right approach.

  • @InfiniteThinking-qw1on
    @InfiniteThinking-qw1on Před 3 měsíci

    I don't know, I think Tanya's powers look cool in MK1. Those golden particles look good with her Egyptian aesthetic. Plus it's a way to differentiate her pyromancy instead of it looking like normal fire.
    What I don't like are those weird ghost hands. That's Shinnok and Kenshi's thing, Tanya didn't need that.

    • @CynicalWarlock
      @CynicalWarlock  Před 3 měsíci +1

      Oh, don't get me wrong, I like her powers and effects. I just don't see why we couldn't create an original character and give her all this, instead of hijacking an existing one.

  • @totomen666
    @totomen666 Před 3 měsíci

    Bro you are brilliant, i wonder the same thing why they trying so hard to ruin old characters instead of making new ones, i can blame only that Ed Boon suddenly went woke and trying hard for his ESG lords - and it's after he made brutal fighting tournament a his life achievement, and after using male gaze for selling first 1-9 games we suddenly not okay with bikini armor but still okay with sexy men doing BRUTALITY on not-sexy women's body.

    • @CynicalWarlock
      @CynicalWarlock  Před 3 měsíci

      Yeah, I often poke fun at the hypocrisy of caring about women showing skin in a game where people gouge each other's eyes out.
      It's just maximizing profit - keep reviving and tapping into people's nostalgia, play the woke card in a vain attempt to attract different kinds of people, and bother with the hard stuff (innovation and creativity) as little as possible.

  • @user-cc3ef7qh1x
    @user-cc3ef7qh1x Před měsícem

    You just made one video and have to keep up

  • @syki-tp1tn
    @syki-tp1tn Před 4 měsíci

    U are extremely good at selling shit. Was wondering if you were going to point out tanya's buddha hands turns out u did.
    I mean everything light is associated with heat be it bulbs, flashlights, the sun, fire..WAIT
    Light + heat =fire🤓🧠
    Basic shit(although i just realized it)
    It makes sense when u actually think about it then u start to deviate , talk too much and start saying shit that sound convincing and might make some... Convinced.

    • @syki-tp1tn
      @syki-tp1tn Před 4 měsíci

      Now I know Why u spent so dang long making this video.

    • @syki-tp1tn
      @syki-tp1tn Před 4 měsíci

      Thanks for the video. All in All

    • @CynicalWarlock
      @CynicalWarlock  Před 4 měsíci +1

      Well light is radiation, and when it hits an object, it makes it warmer, so it usually implies heat. Now of course, we can get into luminescence vs incandescence and all that, but I'm not willing to get stuck in the weeds. Or impressively smart.
      Also, if I'm so good at selling shit, why am I not a millionaire?
      And actually, this is technically a filler video, to give myself more time to work on more ambitious stuff.
      Glad you enjoyed it.

    • @syki-tp1tn
      @syki-tp1tn Před 4 měsíci

      ​@@CynicalWarlockokay.
      Good point about the millionaire thing. Amazing how THIS is a filler video and doesn't seem rushed or anything like that.

  • @Harlequin619
    @Harlequin619 Před 4 měsíci

    I gotta say, my one major critique of your idea. I think you actually overcomplicate this magic system by not accepting magic for what it is. The mad science materialist view just takes the idea of "magic of the gaps" and then puts in "SCIENCE! of the gaps" to make it seem more palatable to the modern mind. It's kind of silly, honestly.

    • @CynicalWarlock
      @CynicalWarlock  Před 4 měsíci +2

      Guessing you don't like midi-chlorians much..

  • @augus979
    @augus979 Před 4 měsíci

    tf is blinding flash

  • @Nick-up5wv
    @Nick-up5wv Před 4 měsíci

    Kotal sucked in MK11.

    • @CynicalWarlock
      @CynicalWarlock  Před 4 měsíci +2

      But dat wheelchair, though..

    • @Nick-up5wv
      @Nick-up5wv Před 4 měsíci

      @@CynicalWarlock 🤣
      Most POWERFUL element so far. You ought to do a video that explains its power level and demonstrates why it's better than ALL of the elements you've covered up until now. I look forward to THAT video.
      🤣🤣🤣🤣

    • @CynicalWarlock
      @CynicalWarlock  Před 4 měsíci +2

      @@Nick-up5wv Save that one for April Fools.

    • @Nick-up5wv
      @Nick-up5wv Před 4 měsíci

      @@CynicalWarlock 😉

  • @sexaratif
    @sexaratif Před 4 měsíci +5

    you forget hotaru

    • @CynicalWarlock
      @CynicalWarlock  Před 4 měsíci +5

      Lava.

    • @alsuvarnadvipadanargentum1743
      @alsuvarnadvipadanargentum1743 Před 4 měsíci

      @@CynicalWarlock
      So you’re going going to talk about Geokinesis in a future video if there are enough of them among MK Kharakters?

    • @sexaratif
      @sexaratif Před 4 měsíci

      @@CynicalWarlock What? He projecting light first, and manipulating him in atomic.level for creating Lava, even Hotaru translates "Firefly"
      And
      Firefly projecting light
      In hotaru ending
      He destroyed Sub zero eyes with light
      I think
      Kotal have sun's light
      Ashrah have Light magic, not a light him self, cause her light is not working in base plane, like, flashing enemy eyes 👀. point to blindfold,
      Kotal just calling Sun
      Not using light
      He calling sun (some situations is sun amulet)
      Like moon knight calling moon(power from moon)
      A hotaru - is NATURAL user of "Light" he using real basic physics light laws, he projecting light, he blinding people, he doing light so Bright , like Lamp light, burning your fingers, otherwise Melting
      In all video games or even Franchises
      Theres so Few really light users by hand, by natural
      I love hotaru cause he's Mk's doctor fate
      He blinded by order
      He using natural light
      He not calling light
      He is the light lol

    • @CynicalWarlock
      @CynicalWarlock  Před 4 měsíci

      @@alsuvarnadvipadanargentum1743 Tremor, Cetrion, ground stompers, possibly Kotal's totems - there are just barely enough of them to discuss.👌

    • @sexaratif
      @sexaratif Před 4 měsíci

      And he's fucking samurai, its so fucking cool compelling character
      He creating in his Hand "Light"
      Original
      Natural
      The Light him self
      And
      Blinding you
      And hits you with Light
      And you pushed away
      And if that light gonna be so fucking brighter than default
      So then
      Light pushing you away and
      And burning on you
      + In process you cant react normally
      Its so fucking hard cause light flying into your head for burn your body for melting you
      In process blinding you
      And that conceptually can called Lava
      But its not actually lava
      That in tremor's hand and like that
      Working in other laws
      Lava is metaphora
      100%
      Like Kabals attack with gas called "Blast" cause that hits you
      But its not actually blast
      Its only gas
      Hotaru creating light.
      He not calling sun
      He not calling krisses magic powers
      He not calling something that yellow glow and brights
      He using real light
      Hotaru using Light
      Fucking original and real version