Who would’ve thought that Reptile, the ugly lizard ninja man who started off as a simple palette swap, would become one of the most lovable characters in Mortal Kombat 1? As you’re probably aware, Liu Kang made plenty of changes to the timeline in MK1, especially with the characters themselves. Tarkata are now people afflicted with a disease called Tarkat, the former god of thunder Raiden is human, and Syzoth (AKA Reptile) can change between his Zaterran form and a human form.
And let’s just say whoever thought of Reptile’s human design needs a raise, because they knew exactly what they were doing! Not only that, but Syzoth also has his own wardrobe of skins to make him look cooler, if that’s even possible.
#1: Gecko
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“Ashrah, did you know that Geico can save you 15% or more on car insurance?”
Gecko in action:
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Why don't we start this list by looking at some of Reptile’s New Era skins? The first here is Gecko, and it contains a palette of yellow, brown, and gray. There are no specific requirements needed to obtain Gecko as you can get it from the Shrine or purchase it from the store.
You'll probably notice how a couple of these skins are named after actual reptiles, such as with the Gecko skin. For most geckos around the world, they come in shades of brown or gray, so they can blend in with their surroundings. The colors of Reptile’s Gecko skin are a perfect representation of the animal.
#2: Water Dragon
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♯People, we’re not bragging; he’s the Water Dragon♯
Water Dragon in action:
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Moving on to a skin that fits the “green” criteria of Reptile, we have this New Era skin called Water Dragon. To be precise, this skin’s palette includes different shades of the Zaterran’s signature color. To unlock Water Dragon, you have to level up your Character Mastery.
Some people may not know this, but water dragons are real creatures, and there are different kinds of them too! The one that is probably being represented in the skin Water Dragon, however, is the Chinese water dragon. These reptiles are known for their bright green scales, which is similar to the green seen in this New Era skin.
#3: Cold-blooded Emissary
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Syzoth is anything but cold-blooded
Cold-blooded Emissary in action:
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The third New Era skin to be presented on this list is Cold-blooded Emissary. The skin has a palette of red, orange, and yellow. There are no specific requirements needed to obtain Cold-blooded Emissary as you can get it from the Shrine or purchase it from the store.
Now the word “cold-blooded” can be interpreted in at least two ways. One, cold-blooded can refer to the fact that most reptiles around the world are indeed cold-blooded. And two, it could refer to how emotionless and merciless Syzoth could have become after Shang Tsung murdered his family, but he decided to fight for the side of good because of that.
#4: Serpent Sting
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Which hurts worse: the bite of a serpent or the sting of a scorpion?
Serpent Sting in action:
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Serpent Sting, another of Reptile’s New Era skins, may seem similar to Cold-blooded Emissary in terms of colors. But there are a few differences in its palette compared to the last skin, such as adding more gold and crimson into the mix. There are no specific requirements needed to obtain Serpent Sting as you can get it from the Shrine or purchase it from the store.
Serpents in mythology are large snakes and they are often associated with evil. Perhaps the most common example of a serpent being involved in deception is in the story of Adam and Eve, where Satan takes the form of a serpent and tricks Eve into eating a fruit from the Tree of Knowledge. In a way, this event reflects how Syzoth was tricked by Shang Tsung in Mortal Kombat 1.
#5: Saran Snake
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“Snakes…why’d it have to be snakes?”
Saran Snake in action:
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The fifth skin, as well as the last New Era skin we’ll look at, is Saran Snake. Saran Snake has a legendary palette of gold and black. To unlock Saran Snake, you have to level up your Character Mastery.
Guys, I honestly wasn't sure if a saran snake was a real snake, and I did look it up but didn't find anything about it. I know about saran wrap, but a saran snake? Maybe “saran” in Saran snake is referring to how the skin is shiny like saran wrap?
#6: Sideshow Attraction
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Who are you calling a circus freak!?
Sideshow Attraction in action:
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Now we’ll check out the Union of Light skins and the first up is Sideshow Attraction! This skin has a palette of pastel colors such as mint and light blue. To unlock Sideshow Attraction, you have to level up your Character Mastery.
Syzoth is considered a “freak” to his fellow Zaterrans because of his ability to switch to a human form. The title Sideshow Attraction must relate to that, because while Zaterrans themselves may seem weird to other people because of their appearance, Reptile is deemed an outcast among the Zaterrans and most people in general. Even the soft colors used in Sideshow Attraction are odd, especially with Syzoth being the one to wear such colors.
#7: Full Predator
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"Syzoth is one handsome motherf—!”
Full Predator in action:
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The second Union of Light skin here is Full Predator. Full Predator's palette contains colors like red, green, and black. There are no specific requirements needed to obtain Full Predator as you can get it from the Shrine or purchase it from the store.
The colors in Full Predator, as well as the name itself, remind me a lot of the movie character Predator. You know, the alien hunter who starred in movies with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny Glover? Jeez, I can’t believe the first Predator movie came out in 1987…
#8: Sun Do Dragon
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Syzoth, are you auditioning to be a gold Power Ranger?
Sun Do Dragon in action:
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Sun Do Dragon is a legendary Union of Light skin. The skin has a palette that includes gold and silver shades. To unlock Sun Do Dragon, you have to level up your Character Mastery.
Sun Do is the capital city of Outworld and it is the home of Empress Sindel and her daughters. After Mileena is crowned as Empress, she recruits Reptile as an emissary in Outworld. Mess with Sun Do, you mess with Syzoth!
#9: Cold-Blooded
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Moving on to the Silver Power Ranger, I see
Cold-Blooded in action:
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Here we have another Reptile skin with the word “cold-blooded” included in its title (although, that’s the only thing included in the title). The palette of Cold-Blooded includes colors such as silver and gold. To unlock Cold-Blooded, you have to level up your Character Mastery.
You know the old Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Christmas special where the snowman was singing the song “Silver and Gold”? It might be because Christmas is right around the corner, but I couldn’t stop singing that song as I was looking at the Cold-Blooded skin. I know, weird connection, but it’s a classic!
#10: Zaterran Outcast
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“Ashrah told me to wear camouflage, but I don’t see the appeal”
Zaterran Outcast in action:
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We’ll be closing the list with one last Union of Light skin, Zaterran Outcast. The skin has a palette with colors like yellow and brown. To unlock Zaterran Outcast, you have to level up your Character Mastery.
As I explained before, Syzoth is an outcast among the Zaterrans because of his human form. What I find interesting about Zaterran Outcast, however, is the use of camo colors such as the dull yellow. It’s almost like Syzoth is still trying his best to blend in with others despite his powers and strange appearance.
I have to say, Ed Boon did a complete 180 with Reptile’s character, and I think it’s for the best. The guy is now fighting for Earthrealm, he has friends who accept him for who he is, and let’s not forget that he’s dating Ashrah! So, show Syzoth some love, because he deserves it, and get these cool Reptile skins in Mortal Kombat 1. Because you know what they say, “when you look good, you feel good”.
