Hero Up! SHSO Character Tier List

[Quirky]

Introduction Hey! This thread is here to illustrate a character's maximum worth/effectiveness based on SHSO game mechanics. These reviews will weigh heavily on Team-play (3-4 player missions) and characters when they are at Max level. Since this thread is a bit of a solo endeavour and I play this game rather casually/ don't own every single character, it might take me awhile for it to start looking as robust as I want it to. Characters that already appear on the list before I write a review are there because I haven't had the time to elaborate on that character yet. I won't be doing them in any particular order either so feel free to suggest a character! Finally, don't hesitate to help criticize/discuss any of the reviews to make this list as accurate as possible! Thanks~

Factors for Tier Placement Since I don't want the Tier classifications to seem like they're based on some arbitrary list of factors I wanted to help clarify by rationalizing my decisions here. There are roughly 4 main things that I consider when placing a character within a Tier: AoE DPS: This is basically how well a Hero can deal with 10-20 or more enemies on screen at once and makes up the bulk of gameplay throughout Missions until arriving at Bosses. This takes into account of Attack Combo, Powers and HU. Single-Target DPS: Essentially how well a Hero can perform against Bosses based on damage dealt. This takes into account of Attack Combo, Powers and HU. Survivability: As most people know, the final Score boils down to one thing between Silver/Gold and Adamantium, your team's Survival Bonus. Thus a character that can assure such a Bonus is much more likely to be placed in a higher Tier despite of other factors being low. However, I have to stress that having high range does not automatically mean great survivability since it'll also likely be followed by low overall DPS giving your teammates more "time" to die. Support Function: Some Heroes can help teammates with team-buffs, so although they may not DPS very well themselves they might be able to increase the team's overall effectiveness. (Damage, Speed, Health Buff etc.) As for other Support functions like the significance of Stun/Knockback/Mind Control/Dance Effect are usually under low consideration because they are purely situational for rare occasions (Emma Frost's Mind-Control for Onslaught/Dr.Doom, Jean Grey's Dance Effect for Mystique) or simply aren't necessary (For every mass Stun/Knockback Power/HU there's probably a Power/HU that can simply DPS and kill those enemies already).

Glossary There might be some "lingo" used in these reviews that the average person may not understand, here's a helpful guide to some of those terms :] AoE: Area of Effect, when an attack effects a specified area. Aspd: Attack Speed, the rate at which your character or an enemy attacks. Buff (or Self Buff): The ability to increase the stats of a team and/or a character. Dmg: Damage DPS: Damage per second, the rate at which damage can be dealt. DPST: Damage per star, the amount of damage that can be dealt on a single target per "star" from the Hero-Up gauge. Framerate: The amount of frames needed for a character to perform an action FC: Framerate cancel, many characters have the ability to cancel an action that takes framerates by simply moving a little, this is useful for mobility. FS: Full-screen, usually used in conjunction with AoE to define an attack that gives the impression that it hits everything on screen. Hitbox: An invisible "box" usually attached to an animated skeleton that serves as collision detection. Essentially the AoE of your regular melee attacks. Hitstun: The brief "stun" effect caused by the regular hits in an Attack Combo, can also be caused by certain Enemies on Heroes causing FC. HP: Hit Points, the "health" of a character or enemy. HU: Hero-Up, every character's 5 star "Power" Knockback: When a target either falls over or is launched in the air, immobilzed. Passive Ability: An ability that does not require activation, for example Deadpool and Wolverine's Healing Factor. SB: Star Build-up, the rate at which a character charges their "Hero-Up" gauge SGD: Shotgun-Damage, many ranged characters in SHSO deal more damage to a target when they are physically closer due to spread-shot trajectory of projectile attacks. Slow: A status effect that can be inflicted on enemies, slowing their movement. However, it does not slow their aspd and does not appear to work on conventional Bosses. Stun: When a target is "stunned" and immobilzed. Stunlock: When an enemy or character is repeatedly immobilized by Stun/Knockback/etc. making them vulnerable for an extended period of time. (Super Skrull repeatedly using his Flame-fist, Magneto with his various knockdown moves, etc.)

Review Template Each Character review will have a summary where certain aspects are ranked out of 4. Then a more in-depth discussion written to rationalize their Tier placement! Below is a quick look at what it will look like: Tier: Attack Combo: Power1: Power2: Power3: Hero-Up: How to Play: Conclusion:

[Quirky]

Always subject to change, list is in alphabetical order. S Captain America Future Foundation Spider-Man Hulk (Nerfed, requires new review) Phoenix Punisher Wolverine A American Dream (Nerfed, requires new review) Angel (Nerfed, requires new review) Avengers Captain America Avengers Iron Man Black Cat (Altered, requires new review) Black Widow Blade Bucky Cap Captain America, Super Soldier Classic Thor Classic Wolverine Cyclops Daredevil Elektra Firestar Ghostrider Giant Man Iron Man (Nerfed, requires new review) Iron Man MK1 Nova Pure Elektra Red Hulk Red She-Hulk Spider-Girl Street Clothes Wolverine The Thing Tuxedo Thing Ultimate Spider-man Ultimate Thor Valkyrie Wasp B Classic Daredevil Deadpool Invisible Woman Falcon Gambit Gladiator Hulk Hulkbuster Iron Man Human Torch Jean Grey Luke Cage Mohawk Storm Mr. Fantastic Ms. Marvel Reptil Rogue Sentry Shadowcat She-Hulk Spider-Man Spider-Woman Stealth Iron Man Storm Thor C Black Suit Spider-Man Captain Marvel Dark Surfer Dr. Strange Iron Patriot Mr. Fantastic Nick Fury Nightcrawler Psylocke Scarlet Spider War Machine D Beast Black Panter Colossus Emma Frost (Buffed, requires new review) Hawkeye Ice Man Silver Surfer

[Magenta]

Ooh, detailed reviews. I bought Wolverine on your recommendation and I do quite like him. But I should point out that I don't think he has FS AoE. Invisible Woman has FS AoE on Invisi-bat, because it really does hit everything on screen and even some things offscreen. Wolverine has great range, but it's not full screen.

I like your tier lists. I would swap IW and Cyclops, and drop Iron Man down a bit, but overall I agree with the placements.

What is DPS? Also, why is this a separate thread from the Character Discussion thread? I think your Wolverine review would be a nice complement to the review there.

[Quirky]

Ooh, detailed reviews. I bought Wolverine on your recommendation and I do quite like him. But I should point out that I don't think he has FS AoE. Invisible Woman has FS AoE on Invisi-bat, because it really does hit everything on screen and even some things offscreen. Wolverine has great range, but it's not full screen.

I like your tier lists. I would swap IW and Cyclops, and drop Iron Man down a bit, but overall I agree with the placements.

What is DPS? Also, why is this a separate thread from the Character Discussion thread? I think your Wolverine review would be a nice complement to the review there.

Thanks for catching that! Actually, I chose to define FS AoE as "pretty much full screen" in the glossary to help give an idea to how much range it has. I know it's not as wide as IW's Invis Bat, Thor's Hero-Up, etc.

I plan to review Cyclops next to justify his spot up on A, as for Invis Woman, well, I can review her asap too before discussing her placement with you :]

I made this new thread per recommendation from someone in the Character Discussion thread. I think they prefer to keep things more casual there anyway and this way I can keep it all organized.

[Quirky]

Tier: A
Attack Combo: *
Power1: ****
Power2: ****
Power3: **
Hero-Up: ***

Attack Combo: *
6+6+6+10+25+33 = 86 dmg
Not only is the damage low but his aspd is relatively slow as well. There's also not much of an advantage to having linear AoE for his last 2 hits. Slow aspd also means you have to stay immobile longer for decent SB.

Power1: ****
Optic Blast Barrage
6+6+6+40 = 58 dmg, AoE, Knockback
The core of Cyclop's AoE DPS. 2 Stars to deal 40 dmg mass AoE in any direction! (Bumped up to 50 dmg with his Power2); this is a healthy, conservative alternative to his Hero-Up when faced with a large group of enemies.

Power2: ****
X-Inspiration
50 dmg, AoE, Team-Buff
Possibly the best team-buff skill in-game! Increase your entire team's Attack for only 1 Star, making Cyclops a priceless asset to any 3-4 man mission. Not only that but it deals close-range 50 dmg AoE! A great DPS alternative against mobs of weaker enemies. (Unfortunately, it also has long framerates making it unsafe & inefficient as his main-DPS Power)

Power3: **
Mega Optic Blast
52 dmg, linear AoE, Knockback
Not as effective as his Power1 for AoE DPS, rarely are targets put in a perfect line for you. However, it works adequately as ranged single-target DPS on Bosses since it requires very few frames compared to his Power1, giving you more mobility.

Hero-Up: ***
77 dmg, FS AoE, Stun
Cyclops has a pretty good Hero-Up, making him versatile as both a Support and DPS. However, in most cases you won't need to use it and are much better off using Power1 and letting your team finish the job.

How to Play:
Always keep your team buffed with Power2, by doing so you're increasing your team's DPS dramatically for very little cost. However watch out when buffing teammates, this skill has a long framerate animation that can't be cancelled leaving you open for what could be a fatal amount of time against bosses.

When encountering large groups of enemies avoid using your Hero-Up, instead, use your Power1 which deals more than adequate damage in most occasions. (Just make sure you're facing the best direction to hit as many targets as possible). If not, just use it again! In the end it's 4 stars instead of 5 for just as much DPS.

More on Power2, it's actually very good damage for 1 star (50 dmg AoE). So don't hesitate to jump into a mob of weaker enemies when you use it to buff your team, when you're done simply jump back out for Range/safety. If you're confident in not dying, (Like a Phoenix on your team who can heal) you may want to DPS with this Power often since it's more economical than his Power1.

During Boss fights you should always stay quite ranged as Cyclops since you'll be wanting to keep your team buffed with Power2 and the framerates make it rather dangerous to be close. Fortunately, his Power3 will also let you deal decent dmg from such a distance with his HU gauge.

Conclusion:
Cyclops is one of the best "Support" character in SHSO, his Power2 is invaluable to any 3-4 player mission; dramatically increasing DPS for only 1 star. Not only that, but his Power1 provides great DPS for only 2 stars and his Power3 is adequate ranged, single-target DPS in Boss fights. If his Attack Combo was better I'd throw him up another Tier.

[The Scarlet Witch]

Great Thread Quirky! It's about time we had a list dedicated to this. I know i'm always checking the wiki to calculate damage for characters.

[Quirky]

Tier: B
Attack Combo: ***
Power1: ****
Power2: ***
Power3: *
Hero-Up: *

Attack Combo: ***
7+9+11+11+23+45=106
7+9+11+11+11+11+11+23+45=139 dmg (SGD)
Sue's 3rd attack in her attack combo where she releases multiple little "bubbles" benefits from SGD, usually adding another 22 dmg or 33 dmg on the target. In some cases it's better to FC after that hit and restart her combo since the last 2 attacks (23, 45) come out very slowly with the 23 having a small hitbox to boot (Although, that 45 may be worth it at times as well!)

Power1: ****
Invisiburst
26 dmg, AoE
Makes the bulk of Invisible Woman's DPS! 1 Star, takes very little framerates, deals 26 AoE and turns you invisible making it a viable defensive move in emergency situations. 5 of these attacks make the equivalent DPS of an average Hero-Up (5x26 = 130 dmg per target)

Power2: ***
Invisibat
17 dmg, FS AoE, Knockback
The alternative to Power1, although it deals less damage it has better crowd control by dealing knockback to FS. Stunning is a lot more useful when soloing, in Team missions I recommend using Power 1 twice for DPS rather than bringing the bat out. Of course, there will always be situations where the knockback may be more important (several ranged enemies shooting at your team from a distance, for example)

Power3: *
Up, Up and Away
38 dmg, Knockback
There's only one real reason to use her Power3, and that's to deal ranged damage on an enemy (Usually a Boss) that's too dangerous to get close to. Outside of this avoid wasting 3 stars!

Hero-Up: *
6+3+3 dmg, Knockback
One of those awful Hero-Up's that cause lifting-knockback on touch. Not only does it have terrible DPS, but you're FCing your teammates Attack Combos on those same enemies. 5 Stars to hinder your team's DPS including your own? Bad idea. If you need crowd control that badly just use her Power2

How to Play:
Alternate between her Power1 and Power2; DPS and Stun. Do so depending on your team's performance, if it seems like everyone's hunky dory? Just DPS away with Power1. If it looks like someone needs help? Power2 and deal some knockback. Also, avoid playing her ranged since she does benefit a bit from SGD. However there are bosses that may require you to back off, then just combo from afar and use Power3

Conclusion:
Sue Storm makes for an all rounded character landing her place in the middle (Tier B) She's good in most situations but doesn't excel profoundly in any either. Average Attack Combo, DPS, Knockback... It's unfortunate that she doesn't have a more effective way to DPS with her Hero-Up gauge other than her Power1. However, I assume there are a lot of advantages to soloing with her ability to turn invisible.

[RLAAMJR.]

Wow Storm is top tier.

Storm forever!

[PSINGRAPHD]

Wow Quirky, this is quite an ambitious undertaking you've started, I commend you sir. You're right, this IS a completely different approach that you've presented us with. Personally, I like it a lot and think there is more than enough room for both yours & Virgo's/Avenger Lady's. It's very... analytical & informative, to say the least. It makes me look at the characters with an expanded thought process & give them each a second look, which is not an easy thing to do with me, lol.

However, the one thing your reviews also seem to do is sorta remove the character from the "character", if you know what I mean. I think(and could be wrong on this), that V/AL take the same approach I mostly do, wherein the... "affinity" you have for a hero when using them, for everything, plays a BIG part in how you assess them overall. This takes into account everything about the character, all their "charms" if you will, not just their effectiveness in mostly team-based missions. As an example, I believe some of their overviews contain info on the heroes' emotes & other animations. Theirs seems to be more about the fun & enjoyment you get from playing any given character as a whole, where yours is strictly mission performance based. Some bias emerging on their/our part is inevitable, as your now including abstract concepts that tend to give way to personal taste & opinion... unlike yours, which just contain cold, hard facts that are pretty much indisputable. So while the two threads could be considered... siblings I guess, for lack of a better word, they are NOTHING alike!(Then mine could be like the distant cousin or something, lol. Or the proverbial red-headed stepchild, 'cause that's the way it seems sometimes. BTW, I'll be sure & add your new thread to my thread's links.)

So kudos & congrats on your new thread, Quirky. It sure is a lofty endeavor, and I for one, appreciate it very much. I greatly look forward to all future installments. You get a thumbs up & BIG thanX from this majorly obsessed SHSO fan!

[Magenta]

I plan to review Cyclops next to justify his spot up on A, as for Invis Woman, well, I can review her asap too before discussing her placement with you :]

I agree with your specific comments on the powers of Cyclops and IW. I think I weigh things differently, though. I think the basic attack combo is the most important, since that's the move that you use the most. Cyclop's 1-star combo drops him behind IW's three star combo even though he has better power attacks and buffs.

In my mind, if the hero has a good combo, then he/she only needs one good power attack (or heroup) to make them great. That's why I love Storm so much: great combo and great power3. Her other powers are terrible, but I never use them, so I don't care. But there's no way to avoid using the basic combo, so any heroes with bad combos drop in my book (Cyclops, Iceman, Classic Thor, Emma, etc.).

Also, IW's bat causes knockdown (not knockback), which is a big difference. And it truly hits everything: troublebots that are flying in from the top of the screen, distant enemies when you are moving vertically, enemies on other levels (like in the MODOK mission or Asgard missions). It's really, really nice. The damage isn't high, but knocking down all enemies is a great team support move.

I especially agree on IW's hero-up. I think people get confused that the shield boosts defense or armor, but it doesn't. The only effect is to knockdown very close enemies and break up your teammates combos. It won't protect against range enemies or bosses at all and it lasts for such a short period that it's practically useless.

[JeanGreyForever]

I agree with your specific comments on the powers of Cyclops and IW. I think I weigh things differently, though. I think the basic attack combo is the most important, since that's the move that you use the most. Cyclop's 1-star combo drops him behind IW's three star combo even though he has better power attacks and buffs.

In my mind, if the hero has a good combo, then he/she only needs one good power attack (or heroup) to make them great. That's why I love Storm so much: great combo and great power3. Her other powers are terrible, but I never use them, so I don't care. But there's no way to avoid using the basic combo, so any heroes with bad combos drop in my book (Cyclops, Iceman, Classic Thor, Emma, etc.).

Also, IW's bat causes knockdown (not knockback), which is a big difference. And it truly hits everything: troublebots that are flying in from the top of the screen, distant enemies when you are moving vertically, enemies on other levels (like in the MODOK mission or Asgard missions). It's really, really nice. The damage isn't high, but knocking down all enemies is a great team support move.

I especially agree on IW's hero-up. I think people get confused that the shield boosts defense or armor, but it doesn't. The only effect is to knockdown very close enemies and break up your teammates combos. It won't protect against range enemies or bosses at all and it lasts for such a short period that it's practically useless.

I feel the same way about combos. They are the most important in the missions and everything else really just depends on it. If you have bad combos the character becomes almost unbearable to play as. The characters you mentioned (Cyke, Iceman, Emma, etc.) have that issue which is why I tend to not use them as much. But Classic Thor? I can't believe you dislike his combos...they're one of the best imo.

[PSINGRAPHD]

I agree with Magenta & JGF on the combo vs. power attack issue, their regular attack chain is & should be the most important consideration. I also agree with just JGF in the case of Classic Thor's combo. And Iceman, come on, is he really THAT bad?! I don't think so, not the best, but I enjoy using him.

I'm one of those people who thought IW's hero-up was a good thing... YIKES! My bad.

[Magenta]

I feel the same way about combos. They are the most important in the missions and everything else really just depends on it. If you have bad combos the character becomes almost unbearable to play as.

I agree with this 100%. And there are so many heroes that I don't want to waste my time playing heroes with bad combos.

The characters you mentioned (Cyke, Iceman, Emma, etc.) have that issue which is why I tend to not use them as much. But Classic Thor? I can't believe you dislike his combos...they're one of the best imo.

Really? I remember Classic Thor's combos as slow, short range, and with a tiny AoE. Maybe they've updated him and I haven't noticed? I haven't played him since I maxed him when he first came out. I'm going to test him out the next time I play.

And Iceman, come on, is he really THAT bad?! I don't think so, not the best, but I enjoy using him.

I love the character, but in this game, he's one of the worst range heroes: slow, tiny AoE, and low damage. He has good range, but that's it. He's fun in the game zones, though. Whenever I want a little fun, I take him or Phoenix to the rocket and marvel at their flight animations.

[Quirky]

Hey guys! Glad to see some life in here :]

@Magenta
The main reason why I don't think Invisbat is that "great" is because its primary function to begin with, isn't that important. When in a 3-4 player mission keeping the mobs of enemies stunned usually isn't that vital to begin with (assuming your team knows how to play well); the only times I play where my life is threatened is by Sentinels and Bosses, both of which aren't effected by stun/knockback

Another reason is, the knockback from Invisbat actually spreads clustered mobs of villains if used 2-3 times. It's much better to have a teammate use a more DPS-oriented Power/Hero-Up on that mob. (Rather than Invisbat's measly 17 dmg)

Also, this is how I defined knockback in the Glossary, which in essence is knockdown.

Knockback: When a target either falls over or is launched in the air, immobilized.

As for the whole... "good combo" for playability bit. I don't think so, the fact that Cyclop's premiere Powers only take 1 or 2 star means he doesn't have to have good SB to do what he does meaning a weak Attack Combo is no problem for him.

If you're going to prioritize regular Attack Combos like that then it's no different from the reviews that prioritized Hero-Ups.

On another note, I LOVE playing Cyclops. Nothing remotely as unbearable as Emma, Iceman, and War Machine.

Almost forgot, if no one has any suggestions for Reviews I plan to do Sentry and Emma Frost next.

[Magenta]

As for the whole... "good combo" for playability bit. I don't think so, the fact that Cyclop's premiere Powers only take 1 or 2 star means he doesn't have to have good SB to do what he does meaning a weak Attack Combo is no problem for him.

If you're going to prioritize regular Attack Combos like that then it's no different from the reviews that prioritized Hero-Ups.

The difference is you HAVE to use the attack combos. Bad hero-ups can be avoided completely, but you still have to use the combos. That's why they get priority and are the most important component to playability.