Marvel Strike Force Sunfire Guide - Theria Games

Introduction

Sunfire, the explosive mutant with the power to manipulate solar radiation, has officially joined Marvel Strike Force as the fifth and final member of the Unlimited X-Men team. Known for his intense energy projection abilities, Sunfire adds a significant boost to the team’s offensive power. In this Marvel Strike Force Sunfire Guide, players can learn how his abilities, centered around the Offense Up buff, can elevate the performance of the Unlimited X-Men team, making them much more formidable in combat. Sunfire’s unique skillset allows him to deal massive damage, while also empowering his teammates to do the same, reinforcing his role as a key asset within the group.

As a damage-dealing blaster, his skillset revolves around the Offense Up buff, which increases his own damage output and amplifies the performance of other teammates. This makes him an essential piece in maximizing the team’s potential in battle, especially when facing more formidable opponents. While the Unlimited X-Men team has previously been viewed as underperforming by many players, Sunfire’s arrival presents a game-changing opportunity.

Scopely has confirmed that assembling the full Unlimited X-Men roster will be necessary to unlock Apocalypse, one of the most powerful characters in Marvel Strike Force. This news gives players a compelling reason to focus on building and upgrading the Unlimited X-Men team, as Sunfire now plays a pivotal role in reaching the ultimate goal of unlocking Apocalypse.

His addition not only strengthens the team but also elevates the importance of investing in this group of mutants, making them a more viable and rewarding option for players eager to unlock one of the game’s most coveted characters. With Sunfire’s arrival, the Unlimited X-Men are no longer just a niche collection of characters, but a key step in the pursuit of one of the game’s most sought-after heroes.

Sunfire’s Kit

Sunfire’s kit revolves around Offense Up, a buff that significantly increases his damage output, making him a powerhouse in Cosmic Crucible, where he gains Offense Up on spawn. He can also gain Offense Up with each turn and spread this buff to his allies, enhancing the overall offensive strength of the team.

Sunburn

Level: 1

Piercing: 60

Solar Flare

Level: 1

Fill Speed Bar: 30

Rain of Fire

Level: 1

Piercing: 60

Fierce Loyalty

Level: 1

Offense Up Turns: 2

His Basic Attack – Sunburn deals piercing damage to the primary target and applies one bleed for each Offense Up on Sunfire, up to a maximum of three bleeds. This makes him particularly effective at applying multiple debuffs while dealing substantial damage.

His Special Ability – Solar Flare clears Disrupted from Sunfire, fills his Speed Bar by 100%, and grants him Offense Up (up to five stacks) as well as two Counter (max three stacks). Additionally, it applies Offense Up and Counter to all allies and grants Sunfire 5 ability energy, making it a potent support ability while boosting his own offensive capabilities.

Sunfire’s Ultimate Ability – Rain of Fire is an area-of-effect (AOE) attack that deals piercing damage to all enemies and applies Defense Down for two turns. This attack cannot be avoided, and Sunfire gains 75% additional damage for each Offense Up on him, meaning the more Offense Up he has, the harder this attack hits. Players should aim to use Solar Flare on turn two and follow it with Rain of Fire twice in a row for maximum damage.

His Passive Ability – Fierce Loyalty ensures that at the end of Sunfire’s turn, he gains Offense Up (max five stacks). On spawn, he gains Offense Up for two turns and Resistance, and applies Resistance to all Unlimited X-Men allies. While Sunfire has Counter, he gains additional damage. Additionally, if he has Speed Up, he gains increased Speed, further enhancing his performance in combat. It’s important to note that at the end of Sunfire’s turn, all Offense Up stacks on him are cleared. However, the extra damage from Offense Up on Rain of Fire applies before the Offense Up is removed, ensuring that Sunfire’s ultimate ability benefits from the full potential of his Offense Up buff.

How to Unlock Sunfire

As the newest member of the Unlimited X-Men, Sunfire was initially available only through a limited-time event. Players are now waiting for his addition to other areas of the game, such as campaigns or orbs. The initial event, “Solar Sizzler,” ran for eight days, starting on June 30th, 2022. It was a challenging event with a high point requirement to complete all milestones, and most players were unable to obtain a four-star Sunfire during this event. However, it was still very possible for most players to unlock Sunfire and reach three stars.

To earn Sunfire shards and other rewards, players needed to complete various tasks to earn points. Raid Battles awarded points for each raid node completed, with the number of points varying based on the raid difficulty. Players were encouraged to complete as many nodes as possible each day to maximize their points. Alliance War Battles also awarded points for each battle played, regardless of whether the battle was won or lost.

Additionally, players were awarded points for each Darkhold character used in war battles, with higher gear tier Darkhold characters earning additional points. Players could also spend Power Cores to purchase extra points, although the exchange rate was not particularly favorable, requiring a substantial expenditure of Power Cores for a significant impact on their score.

In addition to the main “Solar Sizzler” milestones, two other concurrent events contributed to the overall event progress. The Heat Storm Milestone, a four-day Cosmic Crucible milestone, rewarded players for winning battles and using Unlimited X-Men characters. The Blazing Sun Milestone, a two-day Blitz milestone, granted extra points for using Wakandan characters. Completing these two milestones was essential for reaching the higher “Solar Sizzler” milestones and earning the Cloak of Valor, which fed into the month-long July event.

Now that the “Solar Sizzler” event is over, players who missed out on Sunfire must wait for Scopely to add him to other areas of the game. He is expected to eventually become farmable, although the exact timeline for this addition remains uncertain.

T4 and Iso-8 Recommendations

Investing in Sunfire’s T4 abilities and choosing the right Iso-8 class will significantly impact his performance in Marvel Strike Force. To maximize his potential, here’s the recommended approach:

When deciding where to allocate your precious T4 materials for Sunfire, there’s a clear order of priority. First, Solar Flare should be your top choice. This T4 upgrade transforms his special ability to apply Offense Up and Counter to all allies instead of just three random allies, which is a critical improvement. Since Sunfire’s entire kit revolves around Offense Up, and he can use this ability twice in a row, this is a must-have upgrade for players looking to get the most out of Sunfire.

Second, Fierce Loyalty is valuable because it boosts the Resistance of Sunfire and all Unlimited X-Men allies to 30%. This upgrade enhances the durability of the team, particularly in Cosmic Crucible and against nodes where enemy debuffs are a major threat. Third, Rain of Fire is an essential upgrade, as it increases the damage dealt by the ultimate ability for each stack of Offense Up on Sunfire. At maximum stacks, this provides a significant damage boost, and the T4 upgrade also adds 50% extra piercing damage, making the ability even more deadly.

Finally, Sunburn increases the piercing damage of Sunfire’s basic attack and adds 50% piercing damage to all targets when attacking an enemy with Vulnerable. While this T4 is not as impactful as the others, it can still be useful for players focusing on Sunfire in Cosmic Crucible.

When it comes to Iso-8 class, Raider is considered the best option for Sunfire. His multiple AOE attacks apply Vulnerable, which synergizes well with the Raider class, giving him extra damage. Additionally, the Raider class provides increased Crit Chance and Crit Damage, further enhancing Sunfire’s offensive potential. Striker is an alternative option if his assist attacks from the Iso-8 set prove to be particularly powerful. However, since the effectiveness of those assist attacks is still to be fully determined, Raider remains the safer choice for now. Keep in mind that the ideal Iso-8 class for any character can vary depending on the team composition, so as more testing is done with Sunfire and the Unlimited X-Men, recommendations may evolve.

Iso-8 Class

Raider is widely regarded as the best Iso-8 class for Sunfire in Marvel Strike Force, with 64.1% of players opting for this build. Sunfire is a potent damage dealer, equipped with two AoE attacks: his ultimate ability, Rain of Fire, and his special ability, Solar Flare. These abilities have a high chance of applying Vulnerable to enemies, and the Raider Iso-8 class is specifically designed for characters who can consistently apply Vulnerable.

This synergy between Sunfire’s kit and the Raider class is what makes it the optimal choice for maximizing his damage output. Raider provides a significant boost to Sunfire’s damage by increasing the damage he deals to enemies affected by Vulnerable, making his AoE abilities even more powerful and devastating in combat.

While Striker is a potential alternative Iso-8 class for Sunfire, it is generally considered less optimal compared to Raider. Sunfire’s basic attack, Sunburn, applies Bleed, and the Striker class tends to excel when focusing on bonus damage from assist attacks. Striker could provide additional value if Sunfire’s assist attack turns out to be exceptionally strong, but this remains uncertain. More testing is needed to fully evaluate how effective Sunfire’s assist attack is when paired with the Striker Iso-8 set.

If it proves to be a substantial damage source, Striker could become a viable option for Sunfire. However, considering Sunfire’s ability to apply Vulnerable reliably and his focus on AoE damage, Raider remains the more reliable and powerful choice for increasing his overall damage potential. Until further testing reveals the full impact of the assist attack, players are advised to stick with Raider to get the most out of Sunfire’s explosive offensive abilities.

Team Synergy

Sunfire was specifically designed to be a key member of the Unlimited X-Men team, which includes not only Sunfire, but also Gambit, Dazzler, Phantom X, and Rogue. The synergy between these characters plays a crucial role in the team’s overall strength, with Sunfire’s abilities enhancing the team’s offensive and defensive capabilities. Sunfire’s ability to apply Offense Up to all allies is particularly valuable, as it boosts the damage output of the entire team, making them significantly more dangerous in battle.

On top of that, Sunfire also provides Resistance to all Unlimited X-Men allies, which further increases the team’s durability and reduces the impact of enemy debuffs. This combination of offense and defense makes Sunfire a versatile and powerful character within the team. Dazzler, another important member of the Unlimited X-Men, also plays a crucial support role by clearing two negative effects from herself and flipping them into positive effects. She further bolsters the team by applying Regeneration to herself and all Unlimited X-Men allies in Cosmic Crucible, making them harder to defeat in this game mode.

The Unlimited X-Men team truly shines in Cosmic Crucible, where they benefit from unique synergies that amplify their effectiveness. Sunfire gains Offense Up right at the start of the match, immediately enhancing his damage and benefiting the entire team. Meanwhile, Dazzler’s special ability provides Regeneration to the team, helping them stay alive longer. Rogue, another powerhouse of the group, offers additional protection by applying Safeguard to all Unlimited X-Men allies in Cosmic Crucible. This ability prevents the team from having their buffs or debuffs flipped by enemies, further strengthening their resilience and making it difficult for opponents to disrupt their strategy.

While the Unlimited X-Men team is particularly effective in Cosmic Crucible, there is some speculation among players about the team’s utility outside of this mode. Gambit and Rogue, considered two of the strongest members, are expected to find more widespread use on other teams in different game modes.

Gambit’s ability to boost the team’s Crit Chance and Crit Damage is invaluable, and this is why many players choose the Raider Iso-8 class for all Unlimited X-Men members to further maximize their offensive potential. The anticipated addition of Rogue is another exciting development, as she brings crucial healing capabilities to the team, along with a drain mechanic that grows stronger with each Unlimited X-Men ally present, making her a formidable support character.

It’s important to remember that Scopely frequently makes adjustments to character kits and game modes, meaning the viability and synergy of the Unlimited X-Men team could change over time. As the game evolves, players will need to stay updated with the latest balance changes and follow content creators who are actively testing the team’s performance in different scenarios. With ongoing updates and the continuous refinement of character abilities, the true potential of the Unlimited X-Men team will become clearer, and their role in Marvel Strike Force may expand beyond Cosmic Crucible into other game modes.

Conclusion

Sunfire’s arrival in Marvel Strike Force completes the Unlimited X-Men team, a squad that has received mixed reactions from the player community. While Sunfire’s kit is designed around a potent Offense Up mechanic, making him a formidable damage dealer, especially in Cosmic Crucible, the overall strength of the Unlimited X-Men team continues to be debated. Scopely’s confirmation that the full Unlimited X-Men team is required to unlock Apocalypse has made Sunfire an essential character for players aiming to acquire this powerful character, regardless of the team’s performance in other game modes.

The initial unlock event for Sunfire, “Solar Sizzler,” was challenging for players, with a complex set of requirements and a high point threshold for top milestones. Many players, particularly those who are free-to-play, were unable to unlock Sunfire at four stars due to the event’s structure, which included concurrent milestones in Cosmic Crucible and Blitz. This added significant time and effort to the event, making it difficult for some to fully unlock Sunfire.

To maximize Sunfire’s potential, it is recommended to prioritize the T4 upgrade for his special ability, “Solar Flare,” followed by his passive ability, “Fierce Loyalty.” These upgrades enhance his ability to buff both himself and his Unlimited X-Men allies, improving the team’s durability and offensive power. The Raider Iso-8 class is also highly recommended for Sunfire, as it takes advantage of his AoE attacks to apply Vulnerable, significantly boosting his damage output.

The true potential of the Unlimited X-Men team, with Sunfire as a key member, is still unfolding. Their synergy is most evident in Cosmic Crucible, where Sunfire’s Offense Up and the team’s defensive buffs excel. However, the team’s viability in other game modes remains uncertain. Gambit and Rogue, with their strong abilities, may be more effective when used on other teams. As the meta evolves and Scopely continues to refine character kits and game modes, the full potential and role of the Unlimited X-Men team in Marvel Strike Force will become clearer.

For now, players who have invested in Sunfire are eager to experiment with his explosive abilities and explore the team’s synergy. The addition of Rogue, in particular, is highly anticipated as she will provide crucial healing and further enhance the team’s drain mechanic. Only time and further testing will determine whether the Unlimited X-Men, powered by Sunfire’s fiery might, will live up to their name and become a dominant force in Marvel Strike Force.