Introduction

The War Scourge is a highly anticipated limited-time event in Marvel Strike Force, offering players the exclusive opportunity to earn shards for the powerful character Red Hulk. This event is particularly important for those aiming to unlock and upgrade Red Hulk, who is an essential member of the Horsemen team—a powerful and influential faction that dominates many game modes, including raids, war, and blitz. For players looking to succeed in this event, a comprehensive Marvel Strike Force War Scourge Guide can provide valuable insights and strategies to help navigate the challenges and maximize rewards.

The Horsemen team is considered one of the best in the game, and Red Hulk’s addition to this team significantly boosts its potential, making the War Scourge an event worth preparing for. Typically occurring every few months, the War Scourge provides a critical window for players to gather shards, level up Red Hulk, and strengthen their Horsemen team in preparation for future challenges.

The event itself is structured around ten progressively more difficult nodes, each with specific character trait requirements to participate. These nodes test not only a player’s roster but also their strategic planning skills, as each one demands a carefully crafted team composition to overcome its challenges. Success in the War Scourge event hinges on the ability to balance efficient resource management with the tactical deployment of characters, making it essential to understand the intricacies of each node’s requirements. Players must carefully consider which characters are best suited for each node based on their traits, abilities, and synergies, as well as account for how to maximize their team’s performance under the event’s unique mechanics.

Additionally, the War Scourge introduces multiple difficulty levels that increase the complexity of the event and provide greater rewards. Higher difficulty levels offer more generous payouts in terms of Red Hulk shards, but they come with their own set of challenges. These challenges include stricter restrictions on team composition, forcing players to adjust their approach to meet the evolving demands of the event. Another key factor to consider are the scourges—gameplay modifiers that add a layer of complexity to the battle.

These scourges can drastically alter how players need to approach each node by applying debuffs or altering gameplay mechanics in unexpected ways. Successfully navigating these modifiers requires flexibility and keen strategy, as players must adapt their teams and tactics to account for the additional challenges posed by each scourge. By understanding how to effectively manage team builds, adjust to difficulty levels, and counter scourges, players can maximize their chances of success. Conquering the War Scourge event and unlocking Red Hulk not only rewards players with a powerful new character but also strengthens their Horsemen team, which can then be used to dominate in other aspects of Marvel Strike Force.

Understanding Scourges

In Marvel Strike Force’s War Scourge event, scourges are gameplay modifiers that introduce challenges and complexities, significantly impacting the difficulty of each node. Understanding how scourges work and selecting them strategically is crucial for maximizing points and advancing through higher difficulty levels. Scourges essentially “debuff” your team or “buff” enemy teams, making battles more demanding and forcing players to adjust their strategies. As you increase the difficulty level, more scourge slots become available, allowing for a highly customizable (and challenging) experience tailored to your team’s strengths and weaknesses.

Here’s a breakdown of scourge categories and strategies:

Scourges to Always Activate: Certain scourges offer significant point bonuses with minimal impact on gameplay, making them ideal choices at all difficulty levels.

Stay Down: This scourge removes Revive Once from a character on each player turn, effectively countering characters with revival abilities. It provides a substantial 30-point bonus without significantly hindering your team.

Low-Impact Scourges: Several other scourges offer moderate point bonuses with relatively minor gameplay consequences, such as Power Syphon I, Not So Fast, and Too Clever. These scourges are worth considering, especially if your teams are well-built and have strong synergies.

Scourges to Consider Based on Your Roster and Strategy: Some scourges require more careful consideration, as their effects can significantly alter the battle dynamics.

Unkillable: This scourge grants enemies Deathproof when they drop below 50% health. While it can make battles longer, it also gives you more time to strategize and potentially use effects like Bleed to manage enemy health.

Power Fatigue I and II: These scourges increase the ability energy cost for ultimate and special abilities, respectively. They can be manageable if your team relies more on basic attacks or has efficient energy generation, but they require careful planning to avoid disrupting your strategies.

Blinded by Power: This scourge inflicts Blind on a character after they use their ultimate ability. While it can disrupt your strategy, it can also be used to your advantage if you time it carefully, ensuring your team isn’t heavily reliant on ultimate abilities during critical moments.Scourges to Generally Avoid: Certain scourges impose severe disadvantages that can cripple your teams, especially at higher difficulty levels.

Energy Absorption: This scourge removes all negative effects from an enemy and heals them for 10% per effect removed. It severely limits your ability to control the battle, as it turns enemy buffs into an advantage. It’s best avoided unless you have exceptionally strong teams capable of handling the healing and negating the effects.

Max Health Scourges: Scourges that increase enemy health (Experimental Serum I, III, and IV) significantly increase the time required to complete each node, making these battles longer and more difficult. These are generally not recommended unless your team can consistently overpower the enemies despite the increased health.

Rope a Dope: This scourge grants enemies a suite of defensive buffs (Defense Up, Deflect, Deathproof, and Safeguard) when they end their turn with Vulnerability. This can make it extremely difficult to inflict damage and control the battle, especially if your team relies on ISO-8 classes like Raider or Skirmisher, which are often used to trigger vulnerabilities and exploit them.

When selecting scourges, it’s essential to balance the point bonuses with the potential impact on your team’s performance. Experiment with different combinations to find a sweet spot that maximizes your points without making the nodes unwinnable. Remember that you can reset a run at any time, allowing you to experiment freely and adjust your scourges as needed. This flexibility ensures that you can fine-tune your strategy to maximize rewards while adapting to the ever-increasing challenge of higher difficulty levels.

Team Recommendations for Each Node

In the Marvel Strike Force War Scourge event, selecting the right team for each node is crucial for success. Below are some team recommendations for each node, designed to help you maximize your performance and make the most of the available resources.

For Nodes 1 and 2 (Bio), the Gamma team is the dominant force, especially after unlocking and upgrading Red Hulk. Their strength in these nodes is unmatched, with the team capable of one-shotting enemies when built correctly. Even at lower star levels, Red Hulk significantly enhances their performance. For players who haven’t fully built their Gamma team, the Rebirth team is a strong alternative and an excellent starting point in 2023.

Symbiotes are also a cost-effective choice, performing exceptionally well in Nodes 1 and 2, sometimes even outperforming Web Warriors in effectiveness. Web Warriors are viable but can struggle in Node 1 without careful play. However, Web Warriors are valuable in other game modes like raids and City Dark Dimension, making them a worthwhile long-term investment.

In Nodes 3 and 4 (Avengers), Young Avengers and Bionic Avengers are the best choices for these nodes, with Young Avengers being particularly strong due to their synergy and ability to counter Infinity Watch teams. While Wave 1 Avengers can be used, they are not the best option for heavy investment solely for these nodes. However, characters like Thor, Hulk, and Captain America remain valuable in other nodes and game modes, so using them strategically while preserving their health and cooldowns is a practical approach.

For Nodes 5 and 10 (Hero Asgardian/Ravagers/Wave 1 Avengers), Hero Asgardians excel in these nodes due to their synergy, high damage output, and sustainability. Thor is particularly valuable, benefiting from both Asgardian and Wave 1 Avenger synergies, maximizing his effectiveness. Ravagers are a viable choice but rely heavily on Alliance Wars offense buffs, which limits their usefulness outside of that context. Investing in Ravagers or minions is not generally recommended unless you have an already strong Ravager team. Wave 1 Avengers, when optimized, can also perform well on these nodes, especially with the inclusion of Black Widow for her speed and control.

For Nodes 6 and 7 (Villains), a Darkhold team with Omega Red and potentially Dr. Doom is considered the most powerful option. These characters have excellent synergy, strong control, and high damage output, making them very effective for these nodes. If a full Darkhold team isn’t available, a combination of Agatha Harkness, Dr. Strange, and Hella is a strong alternative for these nodes. Other viable villain teams include Superior Six and Cabal, or incorporating Mythics like Super Skrull and Apocalypse. Experiment with different combinations based on your roster to find the most effective strategy.

For Nodes 8 and 9 (Skill), the Secret Avengers team, supplemented with strong Skill characters like Shang-Chi and Kestrel, is considered the optimal choice. The team offers a balanced mix of damage, healing, and control, which is crucial for success. If your villain roster is strong, you can consider using characters who qualify for both Villain and Skill nodes to maximize efficiency. Another valuable strategy is to use weaker characters to bait out enemy ultimates and specials before deploying your main team to finish the node. This “sucking the node” tactic can help conserve the health of your stronger characters while neutralizing enemy abilities.

These team recommendations should be adjusted based on your roster strength and available resources. Experiment with different team compositions and scourges to find the most effective strategy for your specific situation. Adapting your approach will allow you to succeed in the War Scourge event and unlock valuable rewards, including Red Hulk.

Detailed Node Walkthrough

Here’s a detailed walkthrough of each node in the War Scourge event, combining team recommendations with insights into enemy compositions and strategic considerations:

Node 1 (Bio)

Enemy Composition:
Wave 1: Phyla-Vell, Jessica Jones, Nico Minoru, Sunfire, Spider-Woman
Wave 2: Bishop, Gambit, Echo, Miss Marvel, Squirrel Girl

Recommended Teams:
The Gamma team is highly effective, especially if you unleash Red Hulk’s ultimate early to inflict Gamma Radiation and weaken enemies. Even without maxed stars, Red Hulk significantly boosts the team’s strength. The Symbiotes are also a strong choice; with Scream’s disrupt and Anti-Venom’s buffs, they can control the flow of battle. Web Warriors can be effective if you focus on eliminating high-threat targets like Nico Minoru and Spider-Woman early.

Key Considerations: Node 1 can be tricky due to the burst damage from characters like Nico Minoru and Spider-Woman. Prioritize taking these threats out quickly while maintaining your team’s health. Conserve cooldowns as you near the end of the wave, and use basic attacks to preserve ability energy for Node 2.

Node 2 (Bio)

Enemy Composition:
Wave 1: Shang-Chi, Mordo, Ghost Rider, Black Bolt, Sharon Carter
Wave 2: Kestrel, Black Bolt, Maria Hill

Recommended Teams:
For Gamma, if you saved Red Hulk’s ultimate from Node 1, use it right at the start of Node 2 for a strong advantage. Brawn’s special is also useful for spreading Deathproof, offense up, regen, and speed up to your team. Symbiotes are solid, with Anti-Venom’s special providing immunity and protecting against Mordo’s Heal Block. Web Warriors should prioritize Ghost Rider, who can deal significant damage with Retribution.

Node 3 (Avengers)

Enemy Composition:
Wave 1: Invisible Woman, Mister Fantastic, Human Torch, The Thing, Namor
Wave 2: Sersi, Ikaris, Kingo, Sprite, Phastos

Recommended Teams:
The Young Avengers team is ideal for this node due to their synergy and speed, enabling them to disrupt the Fantastic Four and counter the Eternals’ burst damage. Bionic Avengers also work well, providing sustainability and damage output against both waves.

Key Considerations: Focus on controlling the battlefield with stuns, ability blocks, and debuffs. Be wary of Human Torch’s AoE attacks and the Eternals’ potential for burst damage.

Node 4 (Avengers)

Enemy Composition:
Wave 1: Abomination, Brawn, She-Hulk, Morbius, Shocker
Wave 2: Hulk, Hulk, Doc Ock

Recommended Teams:
Young Avengers should prioritize eliminating high-threat targets like Brawn and Abomination early. Squirrel Girl’s healing is critical for mitigating debuffs from the Gamma characters. Bionic Avengers with Iron Man’s AoE attacks and Vision’s control abilities can handle both waves effectively.

Key Considerations: Quickly take down the Gamma characters to avoid being overwhelmed when the two Hulks arrive in Wave 2. Miles Morales’ special can apply defense down on Brawn, which helps with survivability.

Node 5 (Hero Asgardian/Ravagers/Wave 1 Avengers)

Enemy Composition:
Wave 1: Omega Red, Negasonic Teenage Warhead, Colossus, Psylocke, Cable
Wave 2: Madelyne Pryor, Mister Sinister, Doctor Strange, Phantom X (x2)

Recommended Teams:
Hero Asgardians shine here, with Thor being the standout for his massive damage output. Heimdall can assist by granting Thor extra charges, even at lower levels. Wave 1 Avengers are also viable if properly optimized, especially with Black Widow included.

Key Considerations: Eliminate Omega Red quickly to avoid him disrupting your team. Be prepared to reset if Thor is stunned or heavily debuffed, as his damage is essential. Madelyne Pryor’s ultimate can be devastating, so focus on taking her down swiftly.

Node 6 (Villains)

Enemy Composition:
Wave 1: Captain America (Sam), Squirrel Girl, Miss Marvel, Quake, Sharon Carter
Wave 2: Mighty Thor, Black Bolt, Valkyrie, Nico Minoru, Squirrel Girl

Recommended Teams:
A Darkhold team with Omega Red and potentially Dr. Doom is powerful, combining control and damage. Aim to control Squirrel Girl early with stuns or ability blocks to prevent her from cleansing debuffs. Agatha Harkness, Dr. Strange, and Hella are a strong alternative, offering a balance of control and damage.

Key Considerations: Eliminate Valkyrie early in Wave 2 to prevent her from buffing the Hero Asgardians. Save Doctor Doom’s ultimate ability for Node 7 if possible.

Node 7 (Villains)

Enemy Composition:
Wave 1: Sersi, Scientist Supreme, Iron Man, Rescue, Vision
Wave 2: Ikaris, Lady Deathstrike, Yellowjacket

Recommended Teams:
Again, Darkhold with Omega Red (and Dr. Doom if available) is highly effective. If you saved Doctor Doom’s ultimate from Node 6, use it at the start of Node 7 for a strong advantage. Agatha Harkness, Dr. Strange, and Hella offer control abilities that can manage both waves.

Key Considerations: Focus on controlling the battlefield, especially against Scientist Supreme and Iron Man, who can buff the enemy team and escalate the threat.

Node 8 (Skill)

Enemy Composition:
Wave 1: Cloak, Madelyne Pryor, Mr. Sinister, Emma Frost, Hela
Wave 2: Stryfe, Ebony Maw, Black Bolt

Recommended Teams:
The Secret Avengers team, with Shang-Chi and Kestrel, offers a great mix of damage, healing, and control. Spider-Society is another viable option, especially with their raid value.

Key Considerations: Prioritize stunning Cloak early to prevent him from dodging attacks and unleashing his ultimate. If using Secret Avengers, focus on eliminating Hela early to prevent her from reviving allies.

Node 9 (Skill)

Enemy Composition:
Wave 1: Dazzler, Crystal, Black Bolt, Echo, Daredevil, Colleen Wing, Fantomex, Bishop
Wave 2: Pyro (x2), Magneto

Recommended Teams:
Secret Avengers, supplemented with Shang-Chi and Kestrel, can be effective here. Spider-Society also works well, utilizing Ghost Spider’s debuffs and Spider-Man (Miles)’s damage output.

Key Considerations: Eliminate Bishop and Dazzler early to minimize enemy control and damage. Saving Shang-Chi’s ultimate ability for this node can be advantageous. This node can be tough, so be prepared to reset if needed.

Node 10 (Hero Asgardian/Ravagers/Wave 1 Avengers)

Enemy Composition:
Wave 1: Viv Vision, Hulkbuster, Iron Man, War Machine, Rescue, Ironheart
Wave 2: Deathlok, Vision, Bishop, Jubilee
Wave 3: Hulkbuster

Recommended Teams:
Hero Asgardians remain a strong choice, with Thor continuing to be a key player. Black Order is another powerful option if built. Bifrost, with Sif’s ability to control Hulkbuster, is a strong contender.

Key Considerations: The multiple Hulkbusters can be challenging. Focus on eliminating high-threat targets early and maintain control with stuns, ability blocks, and debuffs. If Bishop taunts, it can work to your advantage if you have characters with the right ISO-8 setup.

Additional Tips and Strategies

General Strategies

When selecting Scourges, it’s essential to carefully choose those that align with your team compositions and playstyle. Some Scourges can significantly increase the difficulty if your team lacks the tools to counter them. For example, Scourges that grant enemies extra health may be manageable with high-damage output teams, but can be crippling if your team relies on sustained damage over time. Therefore, prioritize Scourges that offer substantial point boosts without drastically altering gameplay.

Maximizing team synergy is crucial for success. Characters that work well together amplify each other’s strengths, leading to greater efficiency and survivability. Effective resource management is also important—plan your resource allocation strategically, prioritizing upgrades for characters who are valuable across multiple Scourges and other game modes. Consider the long-term benefits of these investments to ensure sustained progress. Lastly, take advantage of the unlimited attempts and the extended duration of the event to experiment with different team combinations and Scourge selections. This allows you to refine your strategies and find what works best for your roster.

Specific Tips

In Node 1 (Bio), early threat elimination is key. Prioritize taking down high-threat targets like Nico Minoru and Spider-Woman in the first wave to minimize early damage. As you approach the end of the wave, utilize basic attacks to conserve cooldowns and preserve ability energy for Node 2. In Node 2 (Bio), if you have a strong Gamma team, saving Red Hulk’s ultimate ability from Node 1 and using it at the start of Node 2 can provide a significant advantage, helping you to secure an early upper hand.

For Node 5 and Node 10, Thor is a dominant force. Ensure he has sufficient support, such as Heimdall’s passive to grant extra charges, to maximize his impact. Additionally, utilizing a “burn team” composed of lower-level characters to trigger enemy attacks and cooldowns before sending in your main team can be an effective tactic to gain an advantage early in these nodes.

In Skill Nodes (Node 8 and Node 9), Secret Avengers, combined with Shang-Chi and Kestrel, provide a balanced mix of damage, control, and healing. This synergy is particularly effective in handling the challenges of these nodes.

In general combat, controlling the battlefield with stuns, ability blocks, and debuffs is key. Preventing enemy actions is often more effective than simply trying to out-damage them. Be mindful of enemy cooldowns, especially for abilities that can inflict significant damage or disrupt your team’s strategy. If a battle is going poorly or a key character is taken down early, don’t hesitate to reset and try a different approach.

The War Scourge event is a marathon, not a sprint. Take your time, experiment, and adapt to the challenges presented by each node. With careful planning and strategic execution, you can unlock Red Hulk and maximize your rewards!

Conclusion

The War Scourge event in Marvel Strike Force presents a challenging yet rewarding opportunity to test your strategic thinking, team composition, and resource management. Understanding the nuances of each node, prioritizing key targets, and mastering control mechanics are essential to succeeding in this event.

Thor is a powerhouse in the Hero Asgardian nodes (5 and 10), so ensure he has the necessary support to maximize his impact. Additionally, using lower-level “burn teams” can be effective for draining enemy ultimates before deploying your main squad, allowing for a smoother transition into the later stages of the node. Gamma teams, especially with Red Hulk, excel in the Bio nodes (1 and 2). Red Hulk’s ultimate, along with Brawn’s support, can deal substantial damage while maintaining control, making it easier to manage the waves.

In the Skill nodes (8 and 9), Secret Avengers, combined with Shang-Chi and Kestrel, form a formidable team. This combination provides a well-rounded mix of damage, control, and sustain, which is essential for handling the challenges these nodes present. Throughout the event, control mechanics play a critical role. Prioritize using stuns, ability blocks, and debuffs to disrupt enemy actions and gain the upper hand in each battle.

Scourge selection should not be underestimated. Choose Scourges that offer significant point boosts without excessively hindering your gameplay. The right Scourge can help you maximize your points while keeping the difficulty manageable for your team.

The War Scourge event is a test of endurance and adaptability. Take advantage of the unlimited attempts and the extended event duration to experiment with different strategies and fine-tune your approach. By mastering these key concepts and applying them throughout the event, you can unlock Red Hulk, climb the leaderboards, and enjoy the rewards of your strategic efforts.