Kan-Ra

Overview

Gameplay

Kan-Ra
Information
Name	Kan-Ra
Age	2534+
Height	5'11" / 180 cm
Weight	106 lbs / 48 kg
Race	Cursed human
Affiliation	Gargos (manipulated by the demon lord) The Alliance (allegedly)
Alignment	Evil (supposedly formerly) Neutral (ostensibly)
Allies	Eyedol (for about three seconds) Spinal (ancient co-conspirator)
Enemies	Babylonian King Aganos Night Guard Ultratech Glacius Thunder Spinal Kim Wu Tusk (Shin) Hisako Eagle Eyedol Gargos
Fighting Style	Trap zoning, ranged grappling
Weapons	Sorcery
Stages	Forbidden Archive (KI 2013)
Appears in	Killer Instinct (2013)
Voiced By	Edward Bosco (2013)

“	You'll make a fine specimen!	„
— Kan-Ra's intro quote

Kan-Ra is a cursed sorcerer from ancient Babylon and a new playable character introduced in the Season Two of Killer Instinct (2013). Condemned by the Babylonian King he once betrayed to walk the Earth as a decaying corpse, Kan-Ra seeks to undo his curse through whatever means he can find - and is more than willing to inflict a few of his own along the way. He is the nemesis of Aganos, the war-golem sent by his former sovereign to hunt him down and destroy him. In Shadow Lords, Kan-Ra also runs the Emporium, a place where the player can purchase, sell, or craft artifacts to help the KI characters in their quest to defeat Gargos.

Biography

Appearance

Kan-Ra has an emaciated, corpse-like appearance due to the powerful curse that was placed on him thousands of years ago. He is covered in tattered, linen bandages akin to those of a mummy, and is wearing ornaments, items, and jewelry which are a mesh of Babylonian, Assyrian, Achaemenid, and Egyptian craftsmanship, reflecting his ancient origins in Mesopotamia. Kan-Ra's skin has wasted away to a dark, gray-ish brown coloration and his teeth have largely decayed. A thin layer of gray hair still remains visible along his jawline and the back of his head. He keeps a large knife along with various arcane items under a sash on his side. His eyes glow bright white, making it seem as though he has neither pupils or irises.

Kan-Ra's retro costume appears fully covered with bandages from head to toe, more closely resembling a mummy than before. His face is much more decayed, including his lips, which shows off his decayed teeth. He also only has a single red eye, the other being a blank black socket.

Personality

"Death is only the beginning."

As megalomaniacal as he is ancient, Kan-Ra's a cursed individual who lost all of his humanity ages ago in endless pursuits of greater power. He's ever willing to act in underhanded ways if it means he can gain the upper hand, such as when he sought to assassinate his own king while attempting to frame his co-conspirator for the murder, and he never hesitates to manipulate others to his advantage. In spite of his genius however, Kan-Ra’s narcissistic ego and greed for gain trouble his otherwise keen judgment, which often leads him to make some myopic decisions.

For example, he's the one responsible for bringing Gargos back to Earth after he opened up a dimensional portal while searching for god-like powers. He is also the one who reanimated Eyedol in a desperate attempt to try even the playing field with Gargos, though the mighty demon lord swiftly broke free of his control. Kan-Ra now appears to be trying to make amends for these somewhat serious mistakes by working together with the Alliance, supplying other characters with access to the potent magic artifacts in his emporium in Egypt during the events of Shadow Lords. Whether this recent shift in Kan-Ra's behavior is sincere or is motivated by hidden and far less noble intentions, however, remains an open question.

Abilities

“	Only one being has ever faced death and emerged victorious. Kan-Ra's sorcery has no equal, but his true weapon is fear.	„
— Kan-Ra's story mode description

Kan-Ra is a mighty but crazed archmage who hails from the ancient empires of Mesopotamia. He is proficient in dangerous and forbidden magics, the knowledge of which he has steadily been accumulating over the countless centuries of his cursed existence. Kan-Ra can assault his adversaries by invoking powers of telekinesis, manipulating desert sands and sirocco winds from afar, and controlling powerful bursts of shadow energies. Most importantly, his dark sorcery enables him to proclaim curses, afflicting his victims with various maledictions that slow their movement and sap their life energies.

In Rivals Mode, he also had a device known as the Siphon, which he used to drain his opponents of their essence after defeating them, which he later used to open a portal to the Astral Plane--unknowingly allowing the forces of Gargos to enter the Earth.

Killer Instinct (2013)

Kan-Ra's debut in Killer Instinct (2013)

Story

Cursed to rot after a failed assassination attempt on his sovereign over 2000 years ago, Kan-Ra endured for centuries by constantly balancing the curses he places on himself with the boons provided by dark magic and artifacts. His solitary goal: to gain knowledge that will grant him absolute power over all of mankind. After getting imprisoned by Maya’s order hundreds of years earlier, an Ultratech attack on Maya’s city accidentally frees Kan-Ra — releasing him back onto an unsuspecting world that’s full of new mysteries and ripe for his... dissection.

He has been hunted by the war-golem Aganos for hundreds of years, a construct tasked with his destruction. The two have clashed on several occasions, but neither have had any truly decisive victories over the other.

Extended Story

Death is no Obstacle:

Main article: Death is no Obstacle

Moveset

Information in italics denotes information not provided in the in-game command list.

• Combo Trait - Ranged Linkers: Kan-Ra can follow up certain ranged moves with his Spike Linker, bringing him closer and allowing him to continue his combos.
• Instinct Mode - Curse of Drought: Kan-Ra's body begins leaking sand. This allows him to use Sand Jump, Sand Dash, Sacrifice and launch Tornado projectiles from Whirl without a Sand Trap. Kan-Ra can also Sand Dash cancel or Sand Jump cancel his normals on hit or on block.
• Sand Traps: The majority of Kan-Ra's moves work in synergy with his Sand Traps. Sand Traps are conjured when using a handful of certain command attacks or special moves, and remain in place until utilized.

Command Attacks

• Sand Punt - (HK) - Kan-Ra strikes with a slow, heavy kick that stirs up a Sand Trap directly in front of him.
• Sand Geyser - (Down + HK) - Kan-Ra raises a geyser of sand that acts as an anti-air and spawns a Sand Trap.
• Dune - (HK while airborne) - Kan-Ra plummets toward the ground, causing a tidal wave of sand to erupt on both sides of himself. The size of the waves increases based on the height. Leaves behind a Sand Trap.
• Sacrifice - (LP+MP+HK, requires Sand Trap) - Kan-Ra explodes into sand, harming himself and his opponent before reforming his body from his Sand Trap. Reversal attack. Hard knockdown.
• Anti-Air Sting - (Down-forward + LK) - Kan-Ra summons a scorpion tail from the Sand Trap. On hit, leaves the Curse of Weight on the opponent for a short duration, slowing their movement and attacks. Launches opponents on the ground.
• Sting - (Down-forward + MK) - Kan-Ra summons a scorpion tail out of the Sand Trap. On hit, leaves the Curse of Weight on the opponent for a short duration.
• Antlion - (Down-forward + HK) - Kan-Ra summons a violent antlion from his Sand Trap. This can recapture airborne opponents.
• Sand Jump - (Down, then jump in any direction while on Sand Trap) - Kan-Ra summons a hand to boost him into the air for a super jump.
• Sand Dash - (Dash while on a Sand Trap) - Kan-Ra summons a hand to boost him into the air for a very aggressive low jump.
• Alternate Attacks - (Back or down-back + MP or HP) - An alternate set of attacks meant for a closer range.

Special Moves

• Spike - (QCF+K) - A spike of sand rises from beneath the opponent, dealing damage and leaving behind a Sand Trap. Each strength tosses the opponent in a different direction. LK tosses the opponent violently towards Kan-Ra, MK tosses them slightly towards Kan-Ra, and HK tosses them away from Kan-Ra.
• Swarm - (QCB+K, can be performed in the air) - Kan-Ra exhales a swarm of filthy insects that hover in place. Opponents can punch or kick these out of the way. One Swarm of each strength can be active at a time. Strength determines startup time and duration.
• Whirl - (QCF+P) - Kan-Ra moves forward while spinning rapidly and will recapture opponents. Spinning over a Sand Trap will launch a tornado projectile and destroy the trap. Strength determines the distance traveled. The tornado projectile tosses opponents skyward and knocks them down.
• Clutch - (QCB+P) - A long-range grab that causes a ground bounce. Each button extends Kan'Ra's bandages at a different angle. Hold a direction to change the slam location.

Shadow Moves

• Shadow Spike - (QCF+KK) - Kan-Ra summons a series of sand spikes that cover nearly the entire screen and collapse into a Sand Trap.
• Shadow Swarm - (QCB+KK, can be performed in the air) - Kan-Ra breathes a swarm of insects that track the opponent but cannot change elevation. The ground version pukes the Swarm onto the floor.
• Shadow Whirl - (QCF+PP) - Kan-Ra spins violently in place, striking the opponent up to ten times. Recaptures. Hold a direction to adjust position slightly while spinning.
• Shadow Clutch - (QCB+PP) - A quick long-range grab that bashes the opponent against the ground five times. Switches sides with the opponent.

Combo Openers

• Dune - (HK while airborne)
• Swarm - (QCB+K) - Kan-Ra exhales a deadly breath that opens a combo if it hits directly.
• Whirl - (QCF+P)
• Antlion - (Down-forward + HK) - Kan-Ra summons a violent antlion from his Sand Trap. This can recapture airborne opponents. Brings Kan-Ra to his opponent's location, allowing him to continue a combo when used as an opener.
• Wrap Normals - (MP, HP or Down + MP) - These ranged normals have a special property, allowing them to cancel into the Spike Linker to start combos from a distance.

Combo Linkers

• Spike - (QCF+LK/MK or hold LK/MK) - A spike of sand rises from the ground with Kan-Ra appearing out of the sand right behind it. Ranged Linker that moves Kan-Ra in.
• Swarm - (QCB+LK/MK or hold LK/MK) - Kan-Ra exhales a deadly breath. Damage Linker.
• Whirl - (QCF+LP/MP or hold LP/MP) - Kan-Ra moves forward while spinning rapidly. Carry Linker.
• Shadow Swarm - (QCB+KK) - Kan-Ra exhales a deadly breath.
• Shadow Whirl - (QCF+PP) - Kan-Ra spins violently in place, striking the opponent up to ten times.

Combo Enders

• Spike - (QCF+HK) - Launcher Ender. A spike of sand rises from the ground, dealing damage to the opponent and leaving a Sand Trap behind.
• Swarm - (QCB+HK) - Special Ender. Kan-Ra exhales, releasing a cost-free air Shadow Swarm.
• Whirl - (QCF+HP) - Wall Splat Ender. Kan-Ra moves forward while spinning rapidly.
• Clutch - (QCB+HP) - Damage Ender. A long-range grab.
• Shadow Clutch - (QCB+PP) - Clutch Ender. Kan-Ra slams the opponent back and forth several times.

Finishers

• Ultra Combo - (QCF+KKK) - Kan-Ra springs an elaborate trap, pummeling the opponent with a series of sand-based attacks and ferocious insects.
• Stage Ultra - (QCF+PPP) - Only available on certain stages. Requires specific positioning in the arena.
• Ultimate Combo: TBA

Stage

Kan-Ra's Forbidden Archive stage in KI 2013

Main article: The Forbidden Archive

Ultra Combo (32 hits): Kan-Ra's arcane spell book begins to levitate, and activates a spell which opens up a portal to the Astral Plane. The portal subsequently sucks various artifacts into it.

Stage ULTRA - BANISHED: During an Ultra Combo, the victor sends the defeated opponent in the air, causing five artifacts to hit them before they are sucked into the portal; afterward, the portal will disappear and the archive book will close.

Music Theme: During the slow music due to characters not moving, the samples from the Killer Instinct's main title theme will begin to play.

Gallery

• KI2013

Killer Instinct (2013)

Kan-Ra's full render in Killer Instinct (2013)

At the character select screen in KI 2013

Concept artwork of Kan-Ra

The emblem of the ancient Babylonian sorcerer

Wait 'til you see the skeletons in this guy's closet

Lurking in his Forbidden Archive stage

Kan-Ra entering the Astral Plane (which can't possibly go wrong)

Kan-Ra's Stage Ultra in the Forbidden Archive

A soul is a terrible thing to waste

"You never could beat me, Aganos!"

Someone really dun goofed this time

"This just keeps getting better and better!"

Stills of Kan-Ra from the Shadow Lords cinematics

Kan-Ra's Story Mode Loading Screen 1

Kan-Ra's Story Mode Loading Screen 2

Kan-Ra's Story Mode Loading Screen 3

Kan-Ra's Story Mode Loading Screen 4

Kan-Ra's Story Mode Loading Screen 5

Kan-Ra's Story Mode Loading Screen 6

Kan-Ra's Story Mode Loading Screen 7

Kan-Ra's Story Mode Loading Screen 8

Kan-Ra's "classic" outfits

Kan-Ra "Shadow" skin

Kan-Ra's Mimic skin

Kan-Ra's Mimic skin in his retro costume

As part of the "Gold Pack" with Spinal and Hisako

Quotes

“	Ah! You will no longer need this!	„
— Kan-Ra's victory quote

“	Why do you continue? Centuries have passed, worn you down, and yet still... you pursue me. Was it that fool of a king? Was it his dying wish? I crossed oceans to elude you — and still you found me. But here, in this new time, I have access to power beyond your feeble imagination. So come, find me, and let us end this once and for all!	„
— Kan-Ra to Aganos in his trailer

“	Here you are... my PRIZE! You were the only one to challenge him, and now here you lie — divided. How do you feel about... second chances? Now, rise and serve ME! RISE... and... SERVE! No...! YOU MUST OBEY!	„
— Kan-Ra desperately trying to control Eyedol

“	I pride myself on knowing what others do not. Knowledge is power.	„
— Kan-Ra in the opening issue of the 2017 "Dynamite" KI comics

“	There is evil at work here and I, Kan-Ra, know evil.	„
— Kan-Ra's introduction in the 2017 "Dynamite" KI comics

"I pride myself on knowing what others do not."

“	Things are getting... treacherous... out there.	„
— Upon entering Kan-Ra's Emporium during Shadow Lords

“	Save the world? I seek only to prolong my own existence, child.	„
— Kan-Ra speaking to Kim Wu in the 4th issue of the 2017 KI comics

“	Fear not, child, Kan-Ra always pays his debts in full. And I am NOT a mummy!	„
— #notamummy

“	Aganos, you imbecile! Listen to me!	„
— Kan-Ra attempts to parley with Aganos in the 2017 comics

Trivia

• Kan-Ra's appearance, abilities and background story are heavily inspired by Imhotep from The Mummy. Likewise, Kan-Ra's name is a reference to Mumm-Ra, the main antagonist of the 1980s Thundercats cartoons.
  • While Imhotep from The Mummy was mummified alive for betraying the Pharaoh and violating sacred ground in Hamunaptra, Kan-Ra has been condemned by his king with a curse of rotting flesh. 
  • Kan-Ra can be customized to resemble Lo Pan from the 1986 cult classic film Big Trouble in Little China. This look was rather fittingly used for his cameo appearance in Kim Wu's trailer.

"Magic... The darkest magic. My soul swims in it."

• Kan-Ra's background as a scheming vizier (political adviser), who eventually betrays his sovereign in a bid to take the throne for himself, is very similar to the villain Jafar from Disney's Aladdin, or to the Vizier from the Prince of Persia video game series.
• With a height of 5'11", Kan-Ra stands among the mid-sized characters of KI 2013. However, to the standard of the ancient societies he was born into, Kan-Ra would have been a very tall man compared to the average person. Together with his uncanny intellect and alleged "handsomeness" in life, this likely contributed to the prestige and authority he went on to garner within Babylon.
  • According to creative director Adam Isgreen, the words Kan-Ra speaks when using his curses and sand-based attacks are uttered in the ancient Sumerian language.
• His voice actor for Killer Instinct (2013), Edward Bosco, also voices the main antagonist, Gargos.
• Kan-Ra is referred to as "Gauze" in the storage files of the PC version of Killer Instinct (2013).

External Links

• Kan-Ra's character page at the official Killer Instinct Website
• Kan-Ra's gameplay profile at Infil's The Complete Killer Instinct Guide

Media

• Kan-Ra's trailer - Kan-Ra's official reveal for Killer Instinct (2013)
• SketchGFX NS (Kan-Ra) vs UA Bass (Jago) - Video compilation of pro gamer matchups with Kan-Ra