Marvel Strike Force Shangchi Guide

Introduction

Shang-Chi, the Master of Martial Arts, has officially joined the roster of playable characters in Marvel Strike Force as the final member of the Heroes for Hire team. His release coincides with the premiere of the Shang-Chi Marvel movie, making this the perfect time to explore his in-game potential. Known for his speed, resilience, and impressive damage output, Shang-Chi excels against teams that rely on buffs. His unique abilities allow him to dismantle enemies with precision and efficiency, making him a formidable damage dealer.

Players can recruit Shang-Chi through a special event store, offering a new method of acquisition that adds an exciting dynamic to his release. As part of the Heroes for Hire team, Shang-Chi enhances the overall synergy of this squad, making him a valuable addition to many players’ rosters. This Marvel Strike Force Shangchi Guide will delve into his abilities, team synergies, and strategies to help you unlock his full potential on the battlefield.

Background

Shang-Chi’s Origins: Shang-Chi is the son of the infamous immortal crime lord Fu Manchu. His mother, an American woman, was selected by his father for her “perfect genetics.” Raised in a hidden fortress, Shang-Chi was trained from a young age in various forms of martial arts and philosophical disciplines, becoming a deadly assassin. However, upon learning of his father’s evil plans and true nature, Shang-Chi defected and chose to use his formidable skills for a more noble cause, ultimately becoming a hero.

Fighting Skills: Revered as one of the greatest hand-to-hand combatants in the world, Shang-Chi’s physical prowess is unmatched. His strength, agility, and conditioning make him an exceptional gymnast, but it is his mastery of martial arts that sets him apart, elevating him to superhuman levels of combat ability. Shang-Chi is also highly skilled in weaponry, adding versatility to his fighting style.

Alliance with Heroes for Hire: Shang-Chi is a key member of the Heroes for Hire team, joining them after the events of the Civil War. His closest allies within the group are Colleen Wing and Misty Knight. In Marvel Strike Force, Shang-Chi’s addition to the roster completes the Heroes for Hire team, enhancing their overall synergy. As a member of this team, Shang-Chi significantly boosts their offensive and defensive capabilities, making him a valuable asset in both attacking and countering enemy teams.

In-Game Abilities

Traits: Shang-Chi’s in-game traits include Hero, City, Skill, Brawler, and Heroes for Hire. These traits define his synergies with other characters and determine the campaigns in which he can participate.

Pressure Point Strike

Level: 1

Damage: 100

Deadly Hands

Level: 1

Damage: 80

Way of Fury

Level: 1

Damage: 90

Master Martial Artist

Level: 1

Crit Chance: 5

Basic Ability – Pressure Point Strike: Shang-Chi attacks the primary target for 300% damage and applies Slow. If the primary target has any positive effects, Shang-Chi gains +50% Crit Chance against them. This bonus Crit Chance can be further enhanced with T4 upgrades.

Special Ability – Deadly Hands: Shang-Chi attacks the primary and adjacent targets for 380% damage. He also clears all negative effects from himself and all Heroes for Hire allies, as well as one negative effect from all other allies. Shang-Chi gains +2 Counter (up to a maximum of 5) and fills his Speed Bar by 50%. On War Defense, this attack targets the most injured, non-summoned enemy and adjacent targets, ignores Taunt and Stealth, and fills the Speed Bar by 75%.

Ultimate Ability – Way of Fury: Shang-Chi attacks all enemies for 450% damage, plus an additional 75% damage per positive effect on the primary target. He also reduces the Speed Bar of all enemies by 10% and applies Speed Up to all Heroes for Hire allies for 2 turns. This attack cannot be counterattacked, blocked, or dodged. On War Defense, the Speed Bar reduction increases to 20%, and the bonus damage increases to 100% per positive effect on the primary target.

Passive Ability – Master Martial Artist: Whenever Shang-Chi or any ally crits, he gains +1 Deflect (up to a maximum of 5). If Shang-Chi has Deflect, he gains +35% Crit Chance and +20% Block Amount. On War Defense, if any Heroes for Hire ally has Deflect, that character gains +35% Crit Chance and +20% Block Amount. This is particularly useful for Colleen Wing, who always assists on defense.

On spawn, if Shang-Chi has 3 or more Heroes for Hire allies, and his health is full and not Charged, he gains 2 Charged. If there are 4 or more Heroes for Hire allies, he applies +1 Charged to Misty Knight and Colleen Wing as well. At the end of any turn, if Shang-Chi is Charged and below 50% health, he loses 1 Charged, clears all negative effects, heals for 100% of his max health, gains Offense Up for 2 turns, 2 Deflect, and Deathproof. If Shang-Chi is Charged, he will Revive on Death and gain +10% Damage, +10% Damage Reduction, and +175% Resistance per Charged.

Iso-8 Recommendations

Primary Iso-8 Class: The most popular and highly recommended Iso-8 class for Shang-Chi is Raider, favored by the majority of players (92.4%). This choice is optimal because Shang-Chi’s abilities heavily rely on critical hits, and the Raider class enhances both his Critical Hit Chance and Critical Hit Damage, significantly boosting his overall effectiveness in combat.

Alternative Iso-8 Classes: While Raider is the top choice, Skirmisher or Striker can also be viable alternatives depending on your play style and team composition. If you opt for a class other than Raider, it’s important to ensure that your team includes enough allies who can apply Vulnerability, allowing Shang-Chi to capitalize on the additional damage from these classes.

Focus Stats: When selecting Iso-8 for Shang-Chi, the primary stats to focus on should be:

Damage: Enhancing Shang-Chi’s damage output will help him take down enemies more efficiently.

Health: Increasing his health boosts his survivability, ensuring he remains on the battlefield longer.

Focus: This improves his ability to apply negative effects, such as Slow, which can be key to controlling the flow of battle.

Avoid: It is recommended to avoid using the Healer or Skirmisher classes for Shang-Chi. While Skirmisher can work in some scenarios, it is not as synergistic with his kit as Raider or Striker.

Iso-8 Class and Team Synergy: Shang-Chi’s Iso-8 class choice can also be influenced by the other classes in his Heroes for Hire team. For instance, if Colleen Wing is equipped with the Raider class, Shang-Chi may benefit from being a Skirmisher or Striker to balance the team’s overall effectiveness.

Additional Notes: Some players may choose to elevate Shang-Chi to blue Iso-8 level 2 for additional benefits. Given that different game situations may require different approaches, it’s advisable to experiment with various Iso-8 classes to find the best fit for your strategy.

Team Synergies

Heroes for Hire: Shang-Chi is designed to complement the Heroes for Hire team, significantly enhancing their offensive and defensive capabilities. His arrival completes the team, making them a fully functional and competitive squad. Shang-Chi’s abilities, particularly his passive and ultimate, boost the team’s critical hit chance and overall damage output. His basic attack also gains extra crit chance against targets with positive effects, making him especially effective against teams that rely on buffs.

Shang-Chi provides valuable speed manipulation with his ultimate, which applies Speed Up to Heroes for Hire allies, and his special ability, which fills their speed bars. This is especially impactful in War Defense, where gaining speed advantages is crucial. Additionally, his ultimate reduces the speed bar of enemies, further enhancing the team’s turn advantage. His special ability also clears negative effects from himself and Heroes for Hire allies, making the team more resilient to debuffs.

On War Defense, many of Shang-Chi’s abilities are amplified, making him a critical addition to defensive teams. His Deflect Synergy grants him and his allies deflect, increasing their Crit Chance and Block Amount, which boosts the team’s survivability and effectiveness. Colleen Wing, who frequently assists on defense, benefits greatly from this synergy, as she gains the deflect buff with each assist. Additionally, Shang-Chi’s passive ability generates Charged status, providing boosts to Misty Knight and Colleen Wing, further enhancing their roles in battle.

Specific Character Synergies:

Iron Fist: Shang-Chi’s abilities make Iron Fist’s ultimate attack undodgeable, and he boosts Iron Fist’s damage due to the Heroes for Hire synergy.

Luke Cage: Shang-Chi triggers Luke Cage’s Taunt mechanic when a Heroes for Hire ally drops below 60% health. Luke Cage also provides valuable energy to the team.

Colleen Wing: Colleen Wing works exceptionally well with Shang-Chi, as her frequent assists on defense trigger his passive, granting her increased Crit Chance and Block Amount. Her role as a Raider further enhances team synergies, making her an essential member of the Heroes for Hire squad.

Misty Knight: Shang-Chi’s passive boosts Misty Knight, further solidifying their synergy within the Heroes for Hire team.

Maria Hill: Shang-Chi’s Deflect buff also benefits Maria Hill, improving her healing capabilities, particularly in modes like Real-Time Arena.

Strategic Team Use:

War Defense: Shang-Chi is highly effective on War Defense, where his abilities are amplified, and the Heroes for Hire team can provide a robust defensive presence.

Real-Time Arena (RTA): Shang-Chi can be a formidable threat in RTA, especially when paired with a strong Skill team. Teams that rely on numerous positive effects are particularly vulnerable to his attacks.

Blitz: The Heroes for Hire team, including Shang-Chi, may struggle in Blitz, as many of their buffs and abilities are optimized for War Defense, where conditions differ.

Gamma Raid: Shang-Chi is useful in the Gamma Raid, especially alongside the other Heroes for Hire members, leveraging their synergy to tackle raid challenges.

Counter to Buff-Heavy Teams: Shang-Chi excels against teams that heavily rely on buffs, such as SHIELD, Black Order, and Infinity Watch, making him a potent counter to these squads.

Doom Raid: Shang-Chi is a valuable asset in Doom Raid, particularly in Doom 1, where his abilities complement those of the Skill team.

T4 Ability Priority

When deciding which of Shang-Chi’s abilities to prioritize for T4 upgrades, it’s important to focus on boosting his damage output, speed manipulation, and synergy with the Heroes for Hire team. Here’s a recommended priority list for upgrading Shang-Chi’s abilities:

Ultimate Ability – Way of Fury: This should be your first priority. The T4 upgrade increases the damage dealt to all enemies and boosts the speed bar reduction for all enemies by an additional 5%. The enhanced damage and speed bar reduction make this ability even more effective, especially against teams reliant on buffs. Since this attack cannot be counterattacked, blocked, or dodged, the upgrade significantly amplifies its impact, making it a key tool for both offense and disruption.

Special Ability – Deadly Hands: This should be your second priority. The T4 upgrade increases the damage, fills the Speed Bar by 50%, and clears all negative effects from Shang-Chi and all Heroes for Hire allies. On War Defense, the speed bar fill is increased to 75%, which is especially valuable in this mode. This upgrade allows Shang-Chi to take immediate turns, crucial for Raids and Dark Dimension, while also making him more effective in War by cleansing debuffs and gaining counter. It is essential for boosting his effectiveness and keeping him and his allies in optimal condition.

Basic Ability – Pressure Point Strike: This is a lower priority than the Ultimate or Special. The T4 upgrade adds an additional 25% Crit Chance and increases damage. While this upgrade isn’t essential to Shang-Chi’s overall effectiveness, it can improve his damage output when facing enemies with positive effects. If Shang-Chi has high red stars, this upgrade becomes more valuable, but it’s not as critical as the upgrades to his Ultimate and Special abilities.

Passive Ability – Master Martial Artist: This is the lowest priority for T4 upgrades. The T4 upgrade boosts the Crit Chance by 20% and Block Amount by 10% for all Heroes for Hire members with Deflect. While this improves the damage output and survivability of the Heroes for Hire team, it’s not as crucial for Shang-Chi himself. This upgrade is more beneficial if you focus heavily on War Defense, as it’s applicable only in that mode.

Summary:

Prioritize the Ultimate to enhance damage and speed bar reduction.

Focus next on the Special to improve speed bar fill and cleansing capabilities.

The Basic is lower priority, but can be useful if you have high red stars on Shang-Chi.

The Passive is a luxury upgrade, particularly useful in War Defense.

By following these T4 upgrade priorities, you’ll maximize Shang-Chi’s potential and enhance the overall strength of the Heroes for Hire team.

How to Obtain Shang-Chi

To obtain Shang-Chi in Marvel Strike Force, players need to participate in a special milestone event that features a unique event store. This event revolves around earning Fire Essence, a special in-game currency that can be spent on various rewards, including Shang-Chi shards.

Earning Fire Essence:
Fire Essence can be earned by completing various activities in the game, such as:

Playing campaign nodes (excluding event campaigns).

Participating in Blitz battles.

Completing select daily objectives.

Spending energy (which earns Fire Essence at a 1:1 ratio).

Spending Fire Essence:
Fire Essence is spent in a limited-time event store, which refreshes regularly. The store offers a range of rewards, including:

Shang-Chi shards, essential for unlocking the character.

Various items such as gear, elite six credits, and tier two ISO materials.

Occasionally, the store may include exclusive items like character skins.

Milestones:
The event features milestones spread across 14 days. By spending Fire Essence, you can earn rewards such as:

Shang-Chi shards to unlock the character.

Elite six credits.

Tier two ISO materials.

Milestone progress also includes the opportunity to unlock a three-star red star Shang-Chi.

Medallions:
During the event, you can collect 10 different medallions through various means:

Medallions are available in the login calendar.

Earned through the “Wise Warrior” milestone.

Some medallions may be available via in-game offers.

Opening these medallions rewards you with various items, and collecting seven medallions unlocks the special Shang-Chi costume inspired by the movie.

Offers:
In-game offers may provide additional opportunities to collect medallions and other rewards. Some medallions may only be available through these offers, and you can make purchases using Amazon Coins for discounts.

Costume:
As part of the event, a special Shang-Chi movie-inspired costume is available. To unlock it, you need to collect seven medallions.

Since the event store and milestones are time-limited, it’s crucial to participate actively to maximize your rewards, including unlocking Shang-Chi. Keep an eye on future events, as some of these items may return, though this isn’t guaranteed.

Gameplay Tips and StrategiesGeneral Usage:

Shang-Chi is a versatile and powerful damage dealer in Marvel Strike Force, excelling in controlling the flow of combat and punishing buff-heavy teams. His abilities allow him to manipulate speed, remove debuffs, and deal significant damage, making him effective in various game modes. Shang-Chi’s ultimate ability, which is undodgeable, unblockable, and uncounterable, deals more damage based on the number of buffs on the primary target, making him particularly effective against teams with numerous buffs.

His basic attack gains extra Crit Chance against enemies with positive effects, further enhancing his ability to counter buff-reliant teams. His special ability clears negative effects and grants counter, making him useful both on offense and defense. On War Defense, his special targets the most injured non-summoned enemy, ignoring taunt and stealth, allowing him to eliminate key threats even behind tanky characters. Shang-Chi also benefits from having deflect, which increases his Crit Chance and Block Amount, boosting his durability.

When positioning Shang-Chi on a team, pairing him with Luke Cage as the tank is crucial, as his taunt will protect the lower-health members of the team, allowing Shang-Chi to execute his abilities effectively. Shang-Chi synergizes best with the Heroes for Hire team, as his abilities complement theirs—he makes Iron Fist’s ultimate undodgeable, activates Luke Cage’s taunt, and boosts the team’s Crit Chance. The Heroes for Hire team also benefits from additional sustain through deflect and revive mechanics, ensuring they can last longer in battle.

In Real-Time Arena (RTA), Shang-Chi is a powerful counter to teams that rely on positive effects, like Doc Ock, as he can take advantage of buffs to deal extra damage and manipulate speed. His ability to remove debuffs and control speed makes him a strong pick in the RTA meta. In War Defense, Shang-Chi is a valuable addition to any Heroes for Hire team. His special attack fills the speed bar of his allies while targeting key damage dealers, and his abilities are amplified in War, giving the team a significant advantage. The Heroes for Hire team excels in War due to their speed manipulation and cleansing abilities, making them a formidable defensive force.

However, the Heroes for Hire team struggles in Blitz mode. Without the War Defense bonuses, they lack the speed bar fill on spawn, making it harder to set up their buffs in time and compete against faster teams. Despite this, they remain a strong choice for Gamma Raids, where their debuff-clearing and speed control abilities prove valuable in the Heroes for Hire lane.

By understanding Shang-Chi’s abilities and synergies, players can maximize his potential across different game modes. His effectiveness increases when used with the Heroes for Hire team, particularly in War Defense and RTA, while his performance in Blitz can be less impressive due to the lack of War Defense bonuses.

Red Star and Orb Opening Strategies

When it comes to acquiring Shang-Chi through red star orbs and character orbs, it’s important to have a clear strategy to maximize your resources. While Shang-Chi is a strong character, it’s recommended that you prioritize red stars only if you plan to use him heavily, especially for War Defense. If he’s not immediately crucial for your roster, it may be best to save your red star orbs for other characters.

However, if you’re aiming to invest in him, especially to increase his effectiveness in War Defense, consider budgeting your orbs carefully to avoid overspending. During events or special releases, take advantage of increased drop rates for Shang-Chi, such as when his drop rate is boosted by 15% during his release event. Duplicates from red star orbs provide credits that can be used towards elite orbs, which guarantee a higher red star pull, such as a 4-star or better. If you’re not having much luck with regular orbs, you may want to spend elite red star orbs to increase your chances.

When it comes to character orbs, Shang-Chi is primarily obtained through a special milestone event that offers an event store. By completing various in-game activities, you can earn Fire Essence, which can then be spent in the store to acquire Shang-Chi shards. During the event, you can also earn medallions, which provide additional rewards, including more shards for Shang-Chi. While free orbs are typically available during the event, don’t rely solely on these orbs to acquire enough shards; instead, focus on completing daily objectives, Blitz, and spending energy to progress through milestones. The average pull rate for character orbs is typically less than 9 shards per orb, so it’s important to stay patient and not expect quick results.

For optimal results, set goals for your Shang-Chi red star level and character shards, and then plan your orb openings accordingly. If you’re focused on maximizing his synergies within the Heroes for Hire team, it may be worthwhile to prioritize investing in his red stars, especially since he plays a key role in boosting their overall performance.

However, if you’re focusing more on other game modes or characters, consider conserving your resources. Patience is key in Marvel Strike Force, as luck plays a significant role in orb pulls. Don’t be discouraged by poor pulls, and remember that it’s all part of the game’s random nature. By following these strategies and prioritizing your resources based on your goals, you can effectively unlock and upgrade Shang-Chi in the game.

Conclusion

Shang-Chi is a powerful and versatile character in Marvel Strike Force, with a kit designed to synergize seamlessly with the Heroes for Hire team and punish enemies that rely on buffs. His blend of damage, speed manipulation, and utility makes him a valuable addition to any roster. To maximize his effectiveness, focus on key areas such as team synergies, ability upgrades, and Iso-8 class selection.

Shang-Chi shines when paired with the Heroes for Hire team, where his abilities provide significant boosts to both offense and defense. His synergy with Colleen Wing is particularly strong, as her frequent assists trigger his passive ability, granting her extra crit chance and block amount. He also works well with Iron Fist, whose ultimate becomes undodgeable and more powerful, and Luke Cage, who gains taunt when a Heroes for Hire member drops below 60% health. Additionally, his deflects trigger Maria Hill’s healing, making him a strong choice in a variety of team compositions.

When upgrading Shang-Chi’s abilities, prioritize his Ultimate ability, Way of Fury, which provides the most significant boost to his damage output and speed manipulation. His Special ability, Deadly Hands, should be the next focus, as it offers a speed bar fill and cleanses negative effects. The Basic and Passive abilities can be upgraded later, but they aren’t as critical to his overall performance.

For Iso-8, the Raider class is highly recommended, as it maximizes Shang-Chi’s critical hit damage. Avoid using the Healer or Skirmisher classes, as they don’t synergize with his kit.

In gameplay, focus on targeting enemies with multiple buffs, taking advantage of Shang-Chi’s ability to manipulate speed and cleanse negative effects. His deflects enhance both his survivability and damage, making him a formidable presence on the battlefield. Shang-Chi excels in War Defense, where his abilities receive significant boosts, and he can also be highly effective in Real-Time Arena (RTA) against buff-heavy teams. He performs well in Doom Raids and Gamma Raids, but the Heroes for Hire team may struggle in Blitz, as many of their abilities rely on War Defense mechanics.

Finally, manage your resources wisely, particularly T4 materials, Iso-8, and gear. It’s generally not recommended to purchase Red Stars, which can be acquired through orbs.

In conclusion, Shang-Chi is a strong and dynamic addition to Marvel Strike Force, especially when invested in the right abilities and used within a well-synergized team. By following the strategies outlined, you’ll be able to harness his full potential and achieve victory in a variety of game modes.