Marvel Strike Force Hulkbuster Guide - Theria Games

Introduction

Hulkbuster is a formidable character in Marvel Strike Force, offering a strong presence with his high health and armor stats. As a Hero, Global, Tech, Protector, he plays a pivotal role in protecting allies, thanks to his ability to generate powerful barriers. He is closely tied to the Bionic Avengers team, where his synergies and abilities significantly enhance team dynamics, particularly in raid missions. This Marvel Strike Force Hulkbuster Guide highlights his importance as a protector and his contributions to the success of the Bionic Avengers, especially in high-level content.

As an iconic character, Hulkbuster brings notable value, complementing Iron Man and further strengthening the Tech faction. His abilities make him an invaluable asset for both offensive and defensive strategies in the game.

How to Unlock Hulkbuster

To unlock Hulkbuster in Marvel Strike Force, the primary method is through the Monster Verse Machine event, where players need to earn Heavy Armor Orb Fragments. These fragments can be collected by engaging in several activities within the game. One of the main ways to acquire them is by blitzing, as winning blitz matches rewards you with the fragments, which can be used to open orbs containing Hulkbuster shards. Additionally, players can earn Heavy Armor Orb Fragments by claiming rewards from the Daily Login Calendar, completing the Armored Architect Milestone by spending Power Cores, and participating in the Mechanized Might Web Milestone, which requires spending Campaign Energy and Iso-8 Campaign Energy.

These fragments are used to open Heavy Armor Orbs, which contain Hulkbuster shards. Players can also purchase “Bulk Up Orbs” for 675 Power Cores to quickly gather Hulkbuster shards. Other opportunities for obtaining Hulkbuster shards may arise through milestones such as Milestone 24, which rewards the AI Response Matrix for Deathlok, and Milestone 34, offering 30 Hulkbuster shards. There may also be a possibility of unlocking Hulkbuster through a Pocket Dimension or special offers.

It’s important to note that the event may require significant core spending, and extensive blitzing will be necessary to collect the required fragments. The event is likely structured to only allow a three-star unlock of Hulkbuster, based on the number of shards available through these methods.

Hulkbuster’s Abilities and Synergies

Hulkbuster’s abilities in Marvel Strike Force make him an exceptional protector, especially when paired with the Bionic Avengers team. His kit offers a range of skills that enhance both his durability and the team’s performance.

Rocket Fist

Level: 1

Damage: 80

Piston Slam

Level: 1

Damage: 100

Buster Barrage

Level: 1

Damage: 100

Built Like Iron Man

Level: 1

Gain Taunt: 1

His Basic Attack (Rocket Fist) targets a single enemy, dealing damage while providing a chance to gain Defense Up for 2 turns with a 25% Barrier and Deflect for 2 turns with a 50% Barrier. In Raids, this attack strengthens his Barrier by 5% of his Max HP each time it’s used. Additionally, Iron Man assists in this attack.

Hulkbuster’s Special Ability (Piston Slam) has a cooldown of 4 turns and can be used immediately. It targets the primary and adjacent enemies, causing damage and applying Offense Down for 2 turns. Hulkbuster also places Taunt on himself, generates Ability Energy for two random Bionic Avengers allies, and grants a Barrier to the entire team equal to 20% of his Max HP. In Raids, this ability cleanses his debuffs and provides Ability Energy to the entire Bionic Avengers team.

His Ultimate Ability (Buster Barrage) has a 6-turn cooldown and deals moderate AoE damage to all enemies, applying Slow for 2 turns while ignoring enemy Dodge and Evade. It also grants a Barrier equal to 15% of his Max HP to all allies (or 30% for Bionic Avengers). In Raids, Hulkbuster grants 1 Ability Energy to adjacent Bionic Avengers and places Speed Up for 2 turns on all Bionic Avengers.

Hulkbuster’s Passive Ability (Built Like Iron Man) permanently increases his health and grants him Taunt when Iron Man drops below 50% HP. It also increases his Speed Bar when Ability Energy is gained. If Hulkbuster or any Bionic Avenger ally gains Ability Energy, his Speed Bar is filled by 5%. If his HP drops below 50% while under Taunt, the Taunt is cleared, and all enemies are debuffed with Offense Down for 2 turns. In Raids, Hulkbuster spawns with a Barrier equal to 30% of his Max HP, as do all Bionic Avenger allies.

Hulkbuster’s synergies are key to his effectiveness. His Iron Man synergy ensures that he automatically gains Taunt when Iron Man’s health drops below 50%, and Iron Man assists with his basic attack. The Bionic Avengers synergy is crucial, as Hulkbuster is the central figure that allows the team to function properly, especially in Doom Raids. He provides health and barriers to Bionic Avengers allies, helping them withstand high-damage attacks. Additionally, Viv Vision’s passive ability can affect Hulkbuster’s Taunt, depending on his placement in the roster, which can trigger important changes in the battle.

Iso-8 Class Recommendations

When choosing the best Iso-8 class for Hulkbuster in Marvel Strike Force, the most popular option is Striker. About 92.8% of players opt for Striker, as it synergizes well with Hulkbuster’s basic attack, providing extra attacks that can enhance his overall damage output. His strong base damage can be further amplified through Iso-8, and when paired with other Bionic Avengers like Vision, Iron Man, and Deathlok—who serve as Raiders—Hulkbuster can capitalize on the Vulnerable debuffs inflicted by his teammates. The Striker class not only boosts his damage but also adds more barrier and buffs, making him even more effective in battle.

Alternatively, the Fortifier class can be a good choice for players looking to enhance Hulkbuster’s barrier abilities. As a Protector who generates barriers, Hulkbuster benefits from the Fortifier Iso-8 class, which increases the strength of his barriers. This makes him even more durable, especially when his barrier is boosted through his abilities.

Lastly, the Skirmisher class can be considered if the goal is to focus on clearing enemy buffs. Hulkbuster’s synergy with Iron Man means he can work well as a Skirmisher, assisting in buff clearing, which can be crucial in certain battles.

Ultimately, the choice of Iso-8 class should depend on the overall composition of the Bionic Avengers team. A team with a mix of Raiders and Strikers complements Hulkbuster well when using the Striker class, enhancing his role as both a protector and a damage dealer.

T4 Ability Priorities

When upgrading Hulkbuster’s abilities in Marvel Strike Force, prioritizing T4 upgrades is crucial to maximize his effectiveness in protecting the team and enhancing his synergies with the Bionic Avengers. The recommended T4 priority is as follows:

The Passive Ability should be the first T4 upgrade. It increases Hulkbuster’s HP by 25% and Bionic Avengers’ HP by 15%, making this a mandatory upgrade for an efficient Bionic Avengers team. This boost in HP significantly strengthens Hulkbuster’s Barrier, which is vital for surviving high-damage encounters, such as those in Doom 3 Tech Nodes. In raids, this upgrade also provides an additional 20% Barrier and helps the entire team gain extra health and HP. Upon spawning in raids, Hulkbuster generates a 30% Barrier for himself and the team.

The Ultimate Ability is the second T4 upgrade to prioritize. This upgrade increases the damage by 60%, while also granting an extra 15% Barrier for the entire team. In raids, it further benefits the team by generating Ability Energy for adjacent Bionic Avengers and applying Speed Up for 2 turns. Additionally, it deals devastating damage to all enemies and applies Slow to all targets, making it a powerful tool in both offense and defense.

The Special Ability should be the third T4 upgrade. This upgrade improves Hulkbuster’s Barrier by 10% of his Max HP, doubling the previous amount. It also adds 80 damage to the primary and secondary targets, and grants an additional 10% Barrier after the attack. This ability helps boost Hulkbuster’s survivability and strengthens his role as a protector by further fortifying both himself and his allies.

The Basic Ability should be the last T4 upgrade. While it increases damage by 70, it is not as critical in the early stages. As a Striker, Hulkbuster’s additional attacks from his Iso-8 class will provide more value, making this upgrade less essential at the start. However, as the character gains more assist and counter chances, the damage can rise significantly, up to 230 damage, making it a more valuable upgrade down the road.

This T4 priority maximizes Hulkbuster’s potential as a durable protector and crucial member of the Bionic Avengers team.

Team Placement

The correct positioning of Hulkbuster and the Bionic Avengers team in Marvel Strike Force is essential for maximizing their effectiveness. For optimal team placement, Hulkbuster and Iron Man should be positioned on the ends of the roster. This is because they do not have adjacent ability energy generation, so placing them at the ends allows the three middle characters to generate ability energy for two adjacent allies each, maximizing energy distribution.

Deathlok should be placed in the center, as this ensures he will go first and provide adjacent energy to the two characters next to him. His central position allows him to share energy efficiently with both allies, enhancing the team’s overall ability usage.

Viv Vision, as the team’s support character, should be placed further from the tank than Deathlok. This placement ensures she can provide her support effectively without disrupting the energy flow of the team.

Vision should be placed next to Hulkbuster for better synergy, as Vision has a dodge chance that can benefit from being near the tank. Additionally, Vision should also be placed next to Deathlok to receive energy from him. For better survivability, it is recommended that Viv Vision is positioned next to Vision, ensuring that her presence supports both Vision and the team as a whole.

When organizing the team, the team order operates from right to left on the roster selection screen, so it’s important to place Hulkbuster on the far right to ensure that his passive ability activates first.

One recommended team placement is Hulkbuster, Vision, Deathlok, Iron Man, and Viv Vision. An alternative positioning could be Viv Vision, Iron Man, Deathlok, Vision, and Hulkbuster, depending on your strategy and focus.

Usage in Raids

Hulkbuster is considered a key character for success in raids in Marvel Strike Force, particularly for the Tech Raid nodes in Doom Raids. As a crucial member of the Bionic Avengers, Hulkbuster is the backbone of the team, and without him, the team cannot be effectively used in these high-level raids. His abilities are designed to transform the entire team’s performance, making him a pivotal part of any raid strategy.

Hulkbuster’s value in raids lies in his ability to generate Barriers for the team, providing much-needed protection, and generating Ability Energy, which is essential for keeping the team’s abilities active during prolonged battles. His role as a Protector stands out, as no other character in the game offers as much protection as Hulkbuster, making him incredibly valuable in raid situations. His frequent use of Taunt ensures that enemies target him, keeping his more fragile allies safe.

Key aspects of Hulkbuster’s kit for Raids include his Passive, which on spawn provides Hulkbuster and all other Bionic Avengers with a Barrier equal to 30% of his Max HP. This gives the team immediate protection, which is critical for surviving the toughest raid nodes. His Special ability becomes especially devastating in raids, as it not only cleanses debuffs on Hulkbuster but also grants Ability Energy to the entire Bionic Avengers team, ensuring that they can continue using their powerful abilities. Hulkbuster’s Ultimate in raids grants 1 Ability Energy to adjacent Bionic Avengers allies and applies Speed Up for 2 turns to all Bionic Avengers, helping the team maintain momentum and keep attacking.

Overall, a team built around Hulkbuster can easily clear raid nodes, especially in Doom 3, where the Barrier on spawn and defense boosts are essential to surviving the intense damage. Hulkbuster’s role as a linchpin of the team cannot be overstated—his ability to protect, generate energy, and provide barriers is integral to the success of the Bionic Avengers in raids.

Potential Issues & Bugs

There are a few potential issues and bugs related to Hulkbuster in Marvel Strike Force that players should be aware of. One of the most notable concerns involves an interaction between Hulkbuster and Viv Vision’s passives. Hulkbuster’s passive applies Offense Down to all enemies when his health drops below 50%, while Viv Vision’s passive clears Disrupt and applies Stealth to a Bionic Avenger when they drop below 50% health.

The order in which these passives activate can affect the outcome of the battle. If Viv Vision’s passive activates first, it removes Taunt from Hulkbuster, preventing his passive from applying Offense Down to enemies. To avoid this issue, it’s recommended to position Hulkbuster on the far right of the roster selection screen to ensure his passive activates first.

Additionally, there is a Bishop Taunt Bug that may interfere with gameplay, and some players have reported issues with team placement bugs that can impact the efficiency of Bionic Avengers. General bugs and crashes also occasionally affect the game, causing disruptions in gameplay.

While Hulkbuster is a powerful character in Marvel Strike Force, he still faces some challenges. For instance, Hulkbuster vs. Hulk remains a point of discussion, as Hulk is often viewed as less effective in the game, even though the Hulkbuster character is designed to be a counter to him in the comics and movies. There are also concerns around orb opening mechanics, with some players expressing frustration over poor results when opening orbs for Hulkbuster shards. Finally, the availability of Red Star for Hulkbuster is uncertain, with some players wondering if he will remain absent from the Red Star Store for an extended period.

Is Hulkbuster an Anti-Hulk Character?

While the name “Hulkbuster” suggests a character designed specifically to counter the Hulk, this is not reflected in his abilities in Marvel Strike Force. Hulkbuster’s kit does not feature any specific anti-Hulk abilities, and some players have expressed disappointment over the lack of such a mechanic, especially considering the character’s comic book origins. However, it’s worth noting that Hulk is often considered one of the weaker characters in the game, with many other characters capable of defeating him without the need for a dedicated counter. The concept of an anti-Hulk ability may not be as crucial given that Hulk is already seen as a less impactful character in the game.

From a comics perspective, designing Hulkbuster as an effective counter to the Hulk would also not be entirely accurate. In the comics, the Hulkbuster suit is often depicted as failing against the Hulk, illustrating Tony Stark’s arrogance and the overwhelming power of the Hulk. Even in the comics and movies, the Hulk often defeats the Hulkbuster, making the idea of Hulkbuster being a direct counter to the Hulk somewhat contradictory.

In Marvel Strike Force, Hulkbuster serves as a powerful Protector with high Health and Armor, designed to reduce enemy damage and provide a substantial Barrier for his team. His synergy with Iron Man is particularly strong, as Hulkbuster’s presence on the team offers additional protection for Iron Man. While the Hulkbuster suit may have originally been conceived as a way to take down the Hulk, in Marvel Strike Force, it’s more about Hulkbuster’s ability to provide team-wide protection and support, rather than being a dedicated counter to the Hulk.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Hulkbuster plays a pivotal role in Marvel Strike Force, especially as a key member of the Bionic Avengers team. He is essential for the team’s success, particularly in the Tech Raid nodes in Doom Raids, where his abilities shine. Hulkbuster’s value stems from his ability to generate barriers, provide ability energy, and taunt enemies, making him a valuable protector for the team.

His synergy with Iron Man further boosts the team’s survivability, and he significantly enhances health and armor for Bionic Avengers. The most common Iso-8 class for Hulkbuster is Striker, which complements his offensive capabilities. When prioritizing T4 upgrades, his Passive ability should be the first to focus on, as it strengthens his role as a protector.

However, there are some important considerations. The positioning of Hulkbuster and Viv Vision on the roster can affect the activation of their passive abilities, and there may be a potential Bishop Taunt bug that could cause issues. Despite his name, Hulkbuster isn’t specifically designed to counter the Hulk but instead serves as a powerful support character within the Bionic Avengers team. His abilities and synergies make him a valuable asset in raids and overall team composition.