Marvel Strike Force Blade Guide - Theria Games

Introduction

The arrival of Blade, the Daywalker, in Marvel Strike Force marks a significant milestone for players who have eagerly awaited his debut since the game’s launch. As a legendary half-vampire, Blade brings a distinctive combination of combat skill, resilience, and dark abilities to the game, enriching the roster with his unique mystique. This Marvel Strike Force Blade Guide will delve into his abilities, synergies, and best team compositions, helping players maximize his potential and understand how to use him most effectively in the game.

Blade is an iconic character in the Marvel universe, and his introduction into Marvel Strike Force brings not only his powerful presence but also new strategies for players to explore. He is the first member of the Nightstalkers team to be introduced, offering a fresh layer of strategy, particularly within the context of Mystic raids and other critical battle modes. This addition adds more depth to the game’s diverse roster of heroes and villains, giving players new opportunities to form dynamic and synergistic teams. Blade’s abilities are a potent blend of offense, healing, and utility, making him a versatile and powerful asset to any roster.

His offensive capabilities are on full display with attacks that can deal significant damage, especially against enemies with Mystic traits, while his enhanced healing abilities allow him to recover health during battle, ensuring his survival in prolonged skirmishes. This healing factor sets him apart from many other characters, making him a formidable foe who can endure even the toughest fights. Additionally, Blade’s unique skill set enables him to remove buffs from enemies, which is especially useful against teams that rely on buffs to boost their effectiveness.

His synergies with other Nightstalkers team members further amplify his impact, as they complement his abilities and enhance each other’s strengths in battle. The synergy between Blade and his teammates, such as Morbius and Moon Knight, allows them to work in unison, maximizing their potential and ensuring that the Nightstalkers team excels in multiple aspects of the game. Understanding Blade’s abilities, his optimal upgrades, and how he interacts with various synergies is crucial for maximizing his effectiveness in Marvel Strike Force.

As a player, strategically placing Blade in teams that capitalize on his strengths will ensure that he excels in Mystic raids, War, Raids, and Arena, and helps to secure victories across a wide range of game modes. Blade’s role in the Nightstalkers team cannot be understated, and his arrival will undoubtedly change the way many players approach their team compositions and strategies.

Blade’s Abilities

Blade’s arrival in Marvel Strike Force brings a formidable kit that centers around piercing damage, turn meter manipulation, and self-sufficiency. He excels at dismantling enemies while sustaining himself through drain, making him a powerful asset to any team. Here’s a breakdown of his abilities:

Silver Slash

Level: 1

Piercing Damage: 70

Glaive Volley

Level: 1

Piercing Damage: 90

Dampener’s Fury

Level: 1

Piercing Damage: 150

Daywalker

Level: 1

Piercing: 10

Basic: Silver Slash – Blade’s basic attack targets a primary enemy, dealing piercing damage and reducing their turn meter by 10%. This attack has the added advantage of ignoring defense up, being unavoidable, and cannot be blocked, making Blade highly effective against defensive teams. Upgrading this ability with T4 adds a repeat effect, effectively doubling both the piercing damage and turn meter rewind. The awakened version boosts crit damage by 20%, though this upgrade is generally considered less impactful unless Blade is used as a Raider.

Special: Glaive Volley – Blade targets the primary enemy and adjacent enemies, dealing piercing damage and manipulating their speed bar. It removes speed up from the primary target and applies slow, while adjacent enemies only have their speed up removed. The T4 upgrade increases the piercing damage and applies slow to all secondary targets. Blade’s awakened special turns this ability into a self-cleanse tool, removing all negative effects from himself and one negative effect from all allies. This cleansing effect benefits not only the Nightstalkers team but any team Blade is part of, making him valuable in a variety of team compositions.

Ultimate: Dampener’s Fury – Blade’s ultimate ability delivers a powerful attack to the primary target and adjacent enemies, inflicting significant piercing damage while reducing their speed by 25%. The primary target is hit twice, leading to a 50% speed bar reduction. This ability also clears immunity and applies disrupt for two turns to all affected targets. T4 upgrades enhance the damage and allow Blade to steal 20% health from the primary target, redistributing it to himself while bypassing heal block. The awakened version elevates this ultimate by applying blind to the primary and secondary targets for two turns, significantly increasing its crowd control potential.

Passive: Daywalker – Blade’s passive ability grants several powerful effects. First, it prevents characters killed by Blade from being revived, shutting down resurrection mechanics. He also deals an additional 20% piercing damage to any vampire enemies, making him particularly effective against this type. Blade also gains 30% drain, which is shared with all Nightstalker allies.

At the end of any turn, Blade has a 50% chance to flip slow and offense down on two random Nightstalker allies or himself, turning these debuffs into speed up and offense up. T4 upgrades activate this passive on any unsuccessful attack by Blade, clearing defense up and applying defense down to each attack target. The awakened passive enhances Blade’s ability to assist by allowing him to assist on the next ally’s turn following any critical hit by Blade or an ally, boosting crit chance for both himself and all allies.

This combination of offensive power, utility, and self-sustain makes Blade a unique and versatile character, especially when played with the Nightstalkers team. Players can maximize his effectiveness by focusing on his piercing damage, turn meter manipulation, and his ability to clear negative effects, making him a force to be reckoned with in Marvel Strike Force.

T4 Upgrades and Awakened Abilities

In Marvel Strike Force, T4 upgrades and Awakened Abilities unlock significant enhancements to a character’s kit, allowing players to maximize the potential of their heroes. For Blade, these upgrades are crucial to fully realizing his power and effectiveness, especially in high-level gameplay. Prioritizing T4 upgrades and Awakened Abilities for Blade is essential to optimize his impact in various game modes, as they unlock new mechanics and amplify his core abilities.

Blade’s T4 upgrades provide substantial improvements to his abilities, with certain upgrades being more beneficial than others. The T4 upgrade for Blade’s passive is highly valuable. It enables Blade to clear defense up and apply defense down to all targets after any unsuccessful attack. This consistent application of defense down significantly boosts Blade’s damage output and that of his allies, making this upgrade a high priority. Blade’s ultimate T4 upgrade is also highly recommended.

It increases the piercing damage and grants Blade a 20% health steal from the primary target, which bypasses heal block. This makes it particularly effective against tanky enemies and increases his survivability by replenishing his health during battle. The T4 upgrade for Blade’s special increases piercing damage and applies slow to all secondary targets.

While not as essential as the passive or ultimate upgrades, this one still adds value by enhancing Blade’s ability to control the enemy’s speed and deal more damage, making it a worthwhile investment. The T4 upgrade for Blade’s basic allows it to repeat once, dealing additional piercing damage and rewinding turn meter. While this upgrade can boost Blade’s overall output, it is generally considered the lowest priority, as Blade’s basic attack does not serve as his primary damage source. The 20% crit damage from the awakened ability for this upgrade is also underwhelming unless Blade is being used as a Raider.

Unlocking Blade’s Awakened Abilities is another critical step to maximizing his potential. These abilities require Awakened materials and bring additional powerful effects to Blade’s kit. Blade’s awakened ultimate is considered one of his best upgrades. It applies blind for two turns to all primary and secondary targets, significantly enhancing his crowd control and making his ultimate much more impactful in battle. This upgrade is available for purchase using candies in the in-game Candy Store, making it accessible to free-to-play players.

The awakened passive grants Blade an assist on the following ally turn after any critical hit by him or an ally. This effectively provides Blade with an extra attack, which can trigger additional turn meter rewinds from his basic attack. It also boosts the overall damage output of his team, making it a highly effective upgrade. The awakened special is a valuable utility upgrade that allows Blade to clear all negative effects from himself and remove one negative effect from all allies.

This provides Blade with both self-sustain and team support, improving his utility in longer battles and aiding in keeping his team intact. The awakened ability for Blade’s basic attack, which adds 20% extra crit damage, is generally considered the least impactful. While it can contribute to Blade’s overall damage, this upgrade does not significantly affect his overall effectiveness compared to his other abilities.

Players aiming to maximize Blade’s effectiveness should prioritize his ultimate and passive Awakened Abilities first, as they provide the most substantial improvements to his overall performance. The special is also an important upgrade, while the basic is generally the least critical unless players have abundant resources to spare. By focusing on these upgrades, Blade can become a devastating force in both Mystic raids and other game modes, increasing his value as a key member of any team.

ISO-8 Class and Recommendations

Choosing the right ISO-8 class for Blade is essential for optimizing his effectiveness on the battlefield. His kit offers flexibility, allowing players to adapt his role to different situations, but the Striker class stands out as the most recommended choice due to its synergy with his abilities.

As a Striker, Blade gains the ability to rewind the enemy’s turn meter with his basic attack, which rewinds by 10%. This effect becomes more impactful when paired with the T4 upgrade for his basic, allowing the attack to repeat, resulting in a 20% turn meter reduction. This disruption is further amplified by his ultimate ability, which reduces the target’s speed bar by 50%, making Blade a significant force for controlling the enemy’s turns. Additionally, the Striker class enhances Blade’s damage output, maximizing his already high base damage stats, further elevating his overall effectiveness.

While the Raider class can be considered in specific situations, it is generally seen as a less optimal choice for Blade. Raider boosts crit chance and crit damage, which can be beneficial for increasing Blade’s burst damage potential, especially when paired with characters that provide Vulnerable to further enhance his damage. However, Blade’s kit already offers substantial damage through piercing effects, and the utility of Striker, with its turn meter manipulation and increased damage output, generally outweighs the additional crit damage from Raider.

The ideal ISO-8 class for Blade can depend on the team composition and game mode in which he’s being used. While Striker is typically the preferred class for Blade, there are scenarios where other ISO-8 classes may be appropriate. For example, Oath, another member of the Nightstalkers team, can be effectively used as a Skirmisher. This highlights the importance of understanding the dynamics of each team and adjusting ISO-8 classes based on specific needs. Blade is versatile and excels as a plug-and-play character in various team compositions, such as alongside the Sinister Six, further emphasizing the need to tailor his ISO-8 class to the specific team he is supporting.

Team Synergies and Game Modes

Blade’s unique kit and powerful abilities make him a valuable asset in various team compositions and game modes. His versatility allows him to excel both within his intended Nightstalkers team and as a plug-and-play character alongside other synergistic allies.

As the first member of the Nightstalkers team to be released, Blade helps establish a formidable Mystic force in Marvel Strike Force. The team, consisting of Blade, Agatha Harkness, Moon Knight, Oath, and Man-Thing, is designed to dominate raids, providing a powerful solution for challenging Mystic nodes. The Nightstalkers share strong synergy through their drain mechanic, boosted by Blade’s passive, and their ability to consistently apply debuffs like Bleed and Vulnerable.

Oath’s ability to apply Expose further amplifies the team’s damage output, making them particularly effective at dismantling enemies quickly. Positioning is crucial for maximizing the Nightstalkers’ potential, especially with Blade and Agatha Harkness in the corner positions to ensure their drain abilities benefit the entire team. Moon Knight, Oath, and Man-Thing can be positioned in the center, depending on the player’s preferences and strategic needs. Although the full Nightstalkers team is still being released, their combination of sustainability through drain, high damage output, and control capabilities promises to make them a dominant force in raids.

Beyond his designated team, Blade is a versatile character that can significantly enhance other powerful squads across various game modes. His synergy with the Sinister Six team is especially noteworthy. Blade’s ability to apply Defense Down through his passive complements the Sinister Six’s offensive capabilities, setting up an effective combination for damage. His ability to clear negative effects from himself and his allies, combined with his turn meter manipulation and high damage output, makes him a valuable plug-and-play character who can seamlessly integrate into many team compositions. Players looking to enhance their Mystic teams will find Blade’s utility and adaptability beneficial across multiple game modes.

Blade is expected to perform well in several key game modes. In Raids, particularly the Mystic raid nodes, the Nightstalkers team, with Blade at the helm, is poised to excel due to their self-sufficiency, damage potential, and control capabilities. In Alliance Wars, Blade’s turn meter manipulation and ability to apply Defense Down make him a powerful asset, disrupting enemy teams and improving the overall effectiveness of his squad.

His awakened special, which clears negative effects, further bolsters his survivability and utility in this game mode. Blade’s kit is also well-suited for Cosmic Crucible, where his speed, damage, and control abilities, particularly the blind effect from his ultimate, make him an effective counter against various enemy teams. Though not specifically highlighted, Blade’s versatility and high damage output suggest he could also perform well in Blitz, especially when paired with other synergistic allies.

Blade’s arrival in Marvel Strike Force represents a significant shift in the game’s meta. His powerful abilities, team synergies, and strong performance across multiple game modes make him a must-have character for players aiming to excel in both raid content and PvP modes.

Should You Use Cores on Blade?

Blade’s arrival in Marvel Strike Force has generated considerable excitement, but deciding whether to use cores on him requires careful consideration. While Blade boasts an impressive kit and significant potential, several factors influence the value of investing cores, especially for free-to-play players, who must evaluate the timing and availability of his full potential.

One of the strongest arguments for using cores on Blade is his dominance in Mystic raids. As a key member of the Nightstalkers team, Blade plays a crucial role in helping players tackle Mystic raid nodes. The Nightstalkers are expected to be a top-tier raid team, and having Blade early on can give players a substantial advantage in terms of raid progression, rewards, and overall efficiency.

His ability to disrupt enemies, apply Defense Down, and manipulate turn meters makes him a powerful asset. Another key benefit is future-proofing; as a new team, the Nightstalkers are likely to remain relevant in raids for the long term, unlike older teams that may become less effective. Investing in Blade early on ensures a long-lasting advantage in raid content.

Additionally, unlocking Blade grants access to his Chapter 2 campaign nodes, which reward players with candy that can be used to purchase valuable items from the Candy Store, including Awakened Ultimate Ability materials and gear, further enhancing his potential. Blade also offers strong plug-and-play potential; his abilities to clear negative effects, apply Defense Down, and rewind turn meters make him valuable in other teams, such as the Sinister Six, adding to his versatility in multiple game modes. Furthermore, Blade boasts high base stats, including the second-highest base damage in the game, and his kit is filled with powerful abilities, such as piercing damage, turn meter manipulation, and control effects, making him a formidable offensive and disruptive force.

On the other hand, there are arguments against investing cores in Blade right away. One concern is Blade’s Awakened Ability dependence. A significant portion of his power lies in his Awakened Abilities, especially his passive and special abilities. Without these upgrades, his potential may not be fully realized, and his effectiveness in the Nightstalkers team could be diminished.

Additionally, while his Awakened Ultimate is available in the Candy Store, the methods for acquiring other Awakened Abilities remain unclear. Relying solely on cores for these upgrades could leave players with an incomplete character for an extended period. Some players may also choose to wait for a free-to-play unlock event, as there is speculation that Blade might become available through such an event, similar to other characters in the past. Waiting for this event could allow players to conserve their cores for more urgent investments.

Another consideration is Oath, another member of the Nightstalkers team, who may be more crucial to the team’s success in raids. Oath’s ability to generate energy and provide buffs and debuffs is expected to be highly impactful. It may be more strategic to wait for Oath’s release and assess her kit before committing to Blade. Lastly, players who already have Mephisto and Odin and are successfully completing Mystic raid nodes might not find immediate value in acquiring Blade, as these characters already provide strong solutions for Mystic raid challenges.

The decision to use cores on Blade ultimately depends on your priorities and current roster strength. For players struggling with Mystic raids or lacking Mephisto and Odin, Blade offers a compelling solution for raid dominance. His long-term value, Candy Store benefits, and plug-and-play potential make him a solid investment.

However, it might be worth waiting a week or two to see if the rumored free-to-play event materializes and to evaluate the methods for acquiring his other Awakened Abilities. For players already comfortable with their Mystic raid performance or those prioritizing other upcoming characters, conserving cores could be a more strategic choice, especially as Oath’s impact on the Nightstalkers team becomes clearer. In the end, the decision comes down to balancing the immediate benefits of a powerful character against the risks of his incomplete kit and the possibility of a future free-to-play unlock.

Conclusion

Blade’s introduction to Marvel Strike Force marks a pivotal moment, particularly for players seeking to conquer the challenging Mystic raid nodes. His powerful kit, headlined by immense piercing damage and turn meter manipulation, makes him a formidable force in various game modes. However, the decision to invest cores in his unlock requires careful consideration.

Blade’s potential is undeniable. His high base damage, drain sustain, and ability to apply Defense Down make him a valuable asset for both the Nightstalkers and other teams, including Sinister Six. His ability to disrupt enemy teams with turn meter manipulation, coupled with his solid offensive abilities, positions him as a key character in a variety of game modes. However, unlocking his full potential hinges on his Awakened Abilities, particularly his passive and ultimate. These abilities significantly enhance his effectiveness, making them essential for maximizing his impact on the battlefield.

While his Awakened Ultimate materials are available through the Candy Store, the methods for acquiring his other Awakened Abilities remain unclear, which could pose challenges for free-to-play players aiming to fully utilize him. Additionally, there is the possibility of a free-to-play unlock event, which may allow players to acquire Blade without using cores. This speculation makes waiting a viable strategy for some, as it could conserve valuable resources for other investments.

Another important consideration is Oath’s role in the Nightstalkers team. Early indications suggest that Oath may play a critical role in the team’s raid success, potentially even overshadowing Blade in terms of importance. As such, it may be wise to assess Oath’s full kit and release method before committing cores to Blade.

Ultimately, the decision hinges on individual priorities. Players who are struggling with Mystic raids or seeking immediate raid dominance may find Blade a worthwhile core investment, but patience could be the better choice for those who want to see how Blade’s Awakened Abilities develop or if a free-to-play event materializes. Players who are content with their current raid performance or prioritizing other characters can afford to wait, observing Oath’s release and Blade’s potential availability through alternative means.

Blade’s arrival presents a tempting opportunity, but a measured approach, informed by the evolving landscape of the game, is recommended. The potential rewards are significant, but understanding the risks and alternative options will ultimately lead to the most informed and beneficial decision.

Additional Tips

To make the most informed decision about using cores on Blade and to navigate his release effectively, there are several key tips to keep in mind.

First, it’s essential to stay up to date with in-game news and announcements. Scopely regularly communicates upcoming events, character releases, and special offers through their official channels. By keeping an eye on any updates related to Blade, such as potential free-to-play unlock opportunities or events for his Awakened Ability materials, you can make timely decisions about whether to invest cores in him.

Engaging with the Marvel Strike Force community can also provide valuable insights. Online forums, Reddit communities (such as r/MarvelStrikeForce), and Discord servers dedicated to the game often discuss the latest strategies, team compositions, and character performance. These discussions can help you understand how Blade fits into various team synergies and provide helpful tips on optimizing his use in different game modes.

It’s also helpful to reference community resources, including content creators who produce detailed breakdowns of new characters and team strategies. These resources can offer a deeper understanding of Blade’s strengths, weaknesses, and potential team synergies, aiding in making an informed decision regarding your core investment.

When deciding on core spending, prioritize according to your individual goals in the game. If raid dominance, particularly in Mystic raids, is a priority and you lack effective solutions, Blade may be a valuable investment. However, if your focus lies more on other game modes like Arena or Alliance War, and you have a strong roster in those areas, conserving cores for characters more aligned with those goals may be a better approach.

Gearing and ISO-8 selection are also crucial in maximizing Blade’s effectiveness. While Blade’s kit is powerful, his performance in battle will depend on proper gear and the right ISO-8 class. Prioritize upgrading his damage and health stats, and consider whether to use him as a Striker or Raider based on your team composition and desired playstyle.

Lastly, experiment with different team compositions. Although Blade is a key member of the Nightstalkers, he is also highly versatile and can be effective in various team setups. By testing different combinations of allies, both within and outside the Nightstalkers, you can unlock Blade’s full potential and discover synergies that complement his abilities.

Patience and a strategic approach are key to making the most of Blade’s release. While the excitement of a new character is natural, taking the time to gather information, evaluate your priorities, and consider all available options will lead to the most rewarding and effective gameplay experience.