Marvel Strike Force Hercules Guide - Theria Games

Introduction

Hercules, the demigod son of Zeus, brings unmatched strength and a thirst for adventure to Marvel Strike Force. As one of ancient Greece’s most celebrated heroes, Hercules transitioned into the modern world after completing his Twelve Labors, joining Earth’s mightiest heroes in their fight to protect the universe. In Marvel Strike Force, Hercules is classified as a Hero, Global, and Mystic Protector with the Mighty Avengers and Uncanny Avengers traits. He plays a vital role within the Uncanny Avengers, a team that features Jean Grey, Storm, Beast, and Falcon, while also being a valuable asset to the Mighty Avengers. Check out this Marvel Strike Force Hercules Guide to master his abilities and team synergies.

In the game, Hercules is essential for unlocking Omega Red (Phoenix Force), and his abilities are designed to provide crucial buffs and support to his allies. A key feature of Hercules is his ability to Taunt by stealing it from his target, making him an effective tank. His kit also includes powerful abilities for clearing enemy buffs, copying positive effects, and maintaining control of the battlefield. These traits make him an indispensable character in various game modes, particularly Spotlight Raids, where his abilities shine.

Outside of raids, Hercules serves as the leader of a war team, and his capabilities make him highly effective in Cosmic Crucible, where his defensive and support powers can be used to outlast opponents. Hercules’ versatile kit and commanding presence make him a cornerstone in multiple team compositions, ensuring his place as a powerhouse in Marvel Strike Force.

Character Kit Breakdown

Hercules boasts strong stats across the board, making him a formidable presence in battle. His health is among the highest in the game, ranking in the top 10, with over 8 million health at three diamonds purple, putting him on par with Gladiator. His damage output is also impressive, ranking in the top 10 alongside characters like Ares, Sersi, Lady Deathstrike, and Medusa. Hercules’ armor is another standout feature, placing him in the top 10 alongside Ares and Cable, providing significant durability.

His focus stat is exceptional, ranking number one, which eliminates the need for a Skirmisher on the team. His resistance ranks at number 32, while his speed sits at number 44, with a speed of 126, sharing this stat with characters like Silver Surfer and Icarus.

Hercules is a Hero, Global, Mystic, Protector and carries both the Mighty Avengers and Uncanny Avengers traits. All of Hercules’ abilities are influenced by his Champion of Olympus passive ability.

Around the World

Level: 1

Damage: 70

Olympian Slam

Level: 1

Damage: 100

Labor of Strength

Level: 1

Piercing: 50

Champion of Olympus

Level: 1

Gain Focus: 300

Basic Ability: Around the World
Hercules attacks the primary target for 320% damage. Enemies defeated by this attack cannot be revived, and the attack is undodgeable. The T4 upgrade boosts the damage output, and if you are planning to use Hercules as a Striker, the basic T4 upgrade is highly recommended, as it provides a significant number of assists.

Special Ability: Olympian Slam
This ability has a 5-turn cooldown but can be used right away on turn one. Hercules attacks the primary and adjacent targets for 420% damage, along with a 100% drain, healing himself for the amount of damage dealt. He also applies Defense Down for one turn to all targets, along with Ability Block and Disrupt for one turn to the primary target.

The T4 upgrade for this ability is important, as it adds Ability Block, making it a valuable asset. Hercules also grants Offense Up for two turns to himself and all allies, regardless of their team affiliation. He flips all negative effects into positive ones for himself and all Uncanny Avenger allies. This attack cannot be blocked or dodged.

Ultimate Ability: Labor of Strength
Hercules applies Offense Up for two turns before attacking all enemies for piercing damage and drain. The damage from this attack is significant, and it also reduces the speed bar of the primary target by 20%. This attack is unavoidable, adding further reliability. It would be even more potent if it reduced the speed bar for additional targets.

Passive Ability: Champion of Olympus
Hercules’ passive ability allows him to clear all charges and copy and clear all positive effects (excluding stealth and revive once) from the primary target whenever any character takes a turn.
In Raids, if Hercules has three or more Mystic allies on spawn, he fills the speed bar for himself and all Uncanny Avenger allies by 20%. He also applies Safeguard for two turns to himself and all Uncanny Avenger allies, preventing enemies from filling their speed bar.
In War Offense, he applies Safeguard for two turns to himself and all Mighty Avenger allies, ensuring that enemies cannot fill their speed bar. Additionally, Hercules gains 300% Focus, enhancing his ability to control the battlefield.

T4 Prioritization
The recommended T4 upgrade order for Hercules is Passive first, followed by Special, and then Ultimate. The basic T4 is considered a luxury but is highly beneficial if you are using Hercules as a Striker, as it leads to more assists. The Special T4 upgrade is valuable due to the Ability Block effect, while the Ultimate T4 upgrade strengthens the damage output. However, the Passive T4 upgrade is the most essential, as it enhances the entire team’s performance.

Team Synergies
Hercules synergizes excellently with both the Uncanny Avengers and Mighty Avengers teams. He provides key support to his allies, including Safeguard, speed bar increase, and Focus. His ability to steal buffs from enemies can disrupt the opposing team’s strategies. Furthermore, his high focus stat makes him a perfect fit for these teams without the need for a Skirmisher.

Unique Gear
Hercules’ unique gear item is Crimson Promethium, which is also used by Doctor Strange. This gear plays a crucial role in upgrading Hercules’ abilities and enhancing his effectiveness in battle.

Iso-8 Recommendations

Hercules is a powerful protector, and due to his ability to steal Taunt from enemies, he often takes on damage to protect his team. To maximize his tanking potential and increase his durability, equipping him with the Fortifier ISO-8 class is an excellent choice. This will grant him additional Barrier, clear Vulnerables from himself, and allow him to stay in the fight longer, making him even more resilient.

Another strong option for Hercules is the Raider ISO-8 class, particularly because of his high damage stat and the fact that both his Ultimate and Special abilities can hit multiple enemies. Raider enhances his damage output, allowing him to capitalize on his ability to deal substantial damage to all enemies.

If you’re focused on maximizing Hercules’ assist potential and his basic attack’s ability to permanently remove enemies from the field, the Striker ISO-8 class could be a worthwhile option. His basic attack can lead to a permanent kill on enemies, which may be particularly valuable in player versus player scenarios. If you choose the Striker class, upgrading his basic T4 is crucial, as it significantly increases the number of assists Hercules can provide.

Ultimately, the best ISO-8 class for Hercules will depend on the composition of your Uncanny Avengers team and your specific goals, whether you’re aiming for enhanced tanking, increased damage output, or more assists in battle.

Team Composition and Placement

Hercules is a versatile character who can be effectively used on both the Uncanny Avengers and Mighty Avengers teams, depending on the situation.

Uncanny Avengers
The Uncanny Avengers team is specifically designed for the Spotlight II Raid and is a blend of characters from the Immortal X-Men and Mighty Avengers factions. This team includes Hercules, Beast, Jean Grey, Storm, and Falcon. These characters synergize well together, with Hercules providing a strong tank role while the others contribute damage, utility, and support.

Mighty Avengers
Hercules also works well with the Mighty Avengers, where other members like Scarlet Witch, Vision, and Invisible Woman complement him with a mix of damage and defensive capabilities.

Team Placement
As a Protector who can steal Taunt from his enemies, Hercules should be positioned in the corner of the team to absorb the majority of the damage. Placing Beast next to him is a good strategy since Beast has high Health and can provide additional mitigation. Jean Grey should be placed in the middle to utilize her support abilities effectively. If Jean Grey is still low on stars, she can be placed in the corner, and Storm or Falcon can take the center spot. Storm and Falcon will be positioned on the opposite side of the field to balance the team and allow for strategic use of their abilities.

Turn Order
For optimal performance, the recommended turn order for the Uncanny Avengers team is Storm, Jean Grey, Hercules, Falcon, and then Beast. This order helps prioritize Storm’s early utility and sets up Hercules to absorb damage efficiently, followed by Falcon and Beast, who can take advantage of the damage and support opportunities.

Game Mode Strategy

Hercules is a versatile character who greatly enhances team performance across several game modes, including Alliance Raids, Alliance War, Cosmic Crucible, and Escape From Kyln.

In Alliance Raids (Spotlight Raids), Hercules is crucial for completing the Spotlight II Raid. His presence in the Uncanny Avengers team makes it especially effective for clearing all raid nodes. The sequence begins with Storm, who uses her Special Ability first to slow down enemies, stun a primary target, remove Charged effects from opponents, and copy them for herself. She also removes all positive effects from enemies and applies Trauma.

Next, Jean Grey extends the negative effects from Storm’s abilities (Slow, Trauma, Stun) and adds new ones. In raids, when Hercules has three or more Mystic allies, the team’s speed bar is filled by 20%. Additionally, Hercules applies Safeguard for two turns to himself and all Uncanny Avenger allies, providing sustain, mitigation, and damage. Enemies are also unable to fill their own speed bar during this phase.

For Alliance War Offense, Hercules’ Mighty Avengers trait shines. He applies Safeguard for two turns to himself and all Mighty Avenger allies and ensures that enemy characters cannot fill their speed bar. If you are focusing on Mighty Avengers, but don’t have key characters like Scarlet Witch, Vision, or Invisible Woman fully upgraded, it may be best to wait. This is particularly true for mid-game players who may be struggling with resources. If you’re looking to build a more defensive team, consider the Liberty team for war defense.

In Cosmic Crucible, Hercules can be used effectively, although specific synergies depend on the team composition. His role as a tank and support character provides stability, and he can contribute to the overall strategy of the team.

In Escape From Kyln, Hercules can also be a valuable asset. This mode differs from the Avengers Tower Mode by having 3-character squads in each cell. The Kyln event has Trait Requirements for different Cell Blocks, and players can only use three traits (Avengers, X-Men, and A-Force) while needing specific Iso-8 levels for characters. This mode showcases teams such as the Uncanny Avengers and Mighty Avengers.

Hercules, along with Jean Grey, can still function well without needing the full five-person team. The Forged In Fire event also provides an opportunity to unlock the new Epic character, Omega Red (Phoenix Force), after completing the 20 Cells. Players who finish all 20 Cells will unlock a 4 Yellow Star Omega Red (Phoenix Force).

Hercules’ role in these game modes emphasizes his flexibility as a Protector and support character, making him a key asset across multiple game modes.

How to Obtain Hercules

Hercules is a key character in Marvel Strike Force, and there are several ways to obtain him in the game.

Hercules was released at the end of 2024 alongside Jean Grey, marking a new approach to character releases with a mix of new and reworked characters. He is essential for the Spotlight II Raids, and both Hercules and Jean Grey are required to participate in these raids.

To obtain Hercules, players can use Power Cores to open Olympus Champion Orbs. Each Olympus Champion Orb costs 675 power cores and guarantees a minimum of six shards per orb. The total amount of Power Cores needed to unlock Hercules varies, with some players reporting an average of 7,000 to 8,000 cores.

Special offers and bundles occasionally include Hercules shards, providing a more direct way to accumulate shards compared to relying solely on orb openings. These offers may include character shards and fragments.

Participating in monthly events, such as the World War Olympus event in February 2025, is another way to earn Hercules shards. These events typically have milestones and activities that reward players with shards and other resources. The World War Olympus event, for example, involves earning Medals of Honor, Zeus Thunderbolts, Captain America shields, and Falcon wing suits, all of which contribute to unlocking Hercules. Weekly events like “Invasion of the Gods” may also offer opportunities to earn Olympian raid orbs from campaign nodes, as well as reward points for using Uncanny Avengers in raids. Additionally, spending campaign energy while using Uncanny Avengers in raids can yield bonus points.

Hercules may also be included in future Strike Passes or Battle Passes, offering additional shards. Events like the free-to-play “Mental Mastery” event for Jean Grey suggest similar events for Hercules in the future.

In the Kyln event, it’s possible to clear the entire Kyln without using Jean Grey and Hercules, relying instead on reworked Uncanny/Mighty Avenger characters and other X-Men characters, though these will need to be built up to a high level.

Completing web milestones, which often require using specific characters or teams, is another way to earn rewards and character shards. Players can also claim daily freebies from the web store, accumulating resources and points toward character unlocks.

Finally, participating in Alliance events, such as Spotlight Raids, and contributing to Alliance milestones can reward players with additional resources and character shards. When opening red stars for Hercules, be cautious, as some orbs will have red stars for him while others won’t. It’s important to check the orb before opening to avoid confusion.

Matchups and Counters

Hercules is a powerful character in Marvel Strike Force, and his strengths, weaknesses, synergies, and counters can significantly impact his effectiveness in different game modes.

One of Hercules’s major strengths is his synergy with the Uncanny Avengers and Mighty Avengers teams. He excels as a plug-and-play character, particularly useful for dealing with Protectors and enemies that rely on positive effects, Charges, and Revives. Hercules has the ability to clear all Charged effects, copy and clear positive effects (excluding Stealth), and clear Revive Once, which makes him highly effective against teams that focus on buffs and revives.

His anti-speed bar mechanic is another key asset, preventing enemies from filling their speed bar, which is especially useful against characters like Super Scroll who rely on speed manipulation. Hercules’s passive also clears positive effects from enemies, which can neutralize threats like Super Scroll. When paired with the Mighty Avengers, Hercules can overpower teams like Annihilators and Spider Society, while his basic attack hits hard and prevents revived enemies from coming back.

However, Hercules’s team does have some weaknesses. Teams with Safeguard can pose a significant challenge, as many of the top teams currently rely on this mechanic, making it harder for Hercules to clear positive effects. The Mighty Avengers team in particular struggles against Absolute A-Force, and can be challenged by teams like Astro and Out of Time. Counterattack teams can also be problematic, as many of the Mighty Avengers’ attacks can be countered. Additionally, hybrid teams, such as those with Odin, Aries, and Alpha Flight, can provide challenges. There is also a risk of the team running out of steam in prolonged battles.

In terms of synergies, Hercules pairs well with Storm and Jean Grey on the Uncanny Avengers team. Storm’s special ability applies Trauma and removes positive effects, while Jean Grey extends these negative effects. Hercules allows the team to copy and clear positive effects from opponents, and his passive grants +300% Focus to ensure these actions are successful. Beast adds healing and enhances team sustain, further bolstering the Uncanny Avengers.

Hercules’s effectiveness extends to specific game modes as well. In the Spotlight II raids, the Uncanny Avengers team with Hercules is a strong force, and he plays an essential role in these raids. In Alliance War offense, the Mighty Avengers team with Hercules is highly effective. Furthermore, Hercules is crucial for unlocking the Omega Red Phoenix Force variant. Pairing Hercules with Apocalypse or Ares can help prevent enemies from spawning with Safeguard, which can make a significant difference in battle.

When strategizing with Hercules, it’s important to consider team composition and synergies, particularly in different game modes. Prioritize upgrading his passive, special, and ultimate abilities to maximize his effectiveness. Equip Hercules with the appropriate ISO-8 class based on the team’s needs and the specific game mode. Always be mindful of enemy compositions and adjust your strategy accordingly—if facing a team with Safeguard, for example, Hercules’s ability to clear positive effects will be less impactful. Lastly, take full advantage of his ability to control the battlefield by applying ability block and offense up when the opportunity arises.

Conclusion

Hercules is a versatile character in Marvel Strike Force, excelling across multiple game modes and proving to be a valuable plug-and-play addition to many teams. He synergizes particularly well with the Uncanny Avengers and Mighty Avengers, where his abilities complement the team’s overall strategy. His role in the Uncanny Avengers is crucial, especially for completing the Spotlight II Raid, while in Mighty Avengers, he serves as a key figure in war offense.

Hercules’s abilities make him a formidable asset in battle. He can clear buffs, control the battlefield, and prevent revives, which is particularly useful against teams that rely heavily on positive effects, Charges, and Revives. His basic attack is powerful and ensures that revived enemies stay down, while his special applies ability block, and his ultimate grants offense up to his team before attacking all enemies. To maximize his effectiveness, players should prioritize upgrading Hercules’s passive, special, and ultimate abilities.

When considering ISO-8, players should equip Hercules with the appropriate class based on the team’s needs and the specific game mode. He is obtained through a combination of events, power cores, and special offers, and can also be unlocked through free in-game activities, making him accessible to a wide range of players.

While Hercules is a strong addition to any team, players should be mindful of enemy compositions. His effectiveness is reduced against teams with Safeguard, so adjusting strategy is key. He is especially useful in dealing with Protectors or characters that rely on buffs, Charges, and Revives. Furthermore, Hercules is essential for unlocking Omega Red, making him an important character to focus on for players aiming to unlock this Epic character.

Overall, Hercules is a strong and versatile character who enhances team performance across multiple game modes. Players should focus on building Hercules to strengthen their teams in raids, war, and other MSF content, ensuring they are ready for whatever challenges arise.