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Introduction
Black Knight is a formidable Protector character in Marvel Strike Force, known for his powerful abilities that make him a game-changer. As a member of the Out of Time team, he teams up with Cosmic Ghost Rider, Starbrand, Captain Carter, and Captain America (WWII). One of Black Knight’s standout features is his ability to counterattack enemies who target him or his allies, significantly increasing his effectiveness in battle. This Marvel Strike Force Black Knight Guide will delve into how his unique abilities make him an invaluable asset to any team.
A key mechanic that sets him apart is the Charged mechanic, which makes him even more formidable. Each time an enemy attacks, Black Knight retaliates with piercing damage based on his maximum health, making him a highly resilient and dangerous character. His combination of abilities, especially his counterattacks, make him a valuable asset in various game modes. Whether you’re focusing on raids, Arena, or other battles, Black Knight’s unique mechanics and role as a protector ensure he is a key part of any roster. This guide will explore Black Knight’s abilities, the best teams to pair him with, and methods to acquire him, ensuring you can fully utilize his potential in Marvel Strike Force.
Black Knight Details
Black Knight, whose real name is Dane Whitman, is a powerful Protector character in Marvel Strike Force, renowned for his high health and armor stats. He is part of the Out of Time team, which enhances his synergy in battle. With traits like Hero, Global, Skill, Protector, and Out of Time, Black Knight stands out for his durability and effectiveness in various game modes. His Speed of 117 ensures he can act quickly on the battlefield, making him even more formidable as a tank.
In terms of ISO-8, he can be used as both a Protector and Striker, depending on your preferred strategy. For players aiming to keep Black Knight alive as long as possible, the Fortifier class is a strong choice since it provides a barrier, helping him endure longer. Alternatively, the Striker class becomes increasingly valuable as you upgrade his Red and Yellow Stars, boosting his offensive capabilities.
Black Knight’s T4 Priority should focus on his Passive and Special abilities to maximize his survivability and counterattack potential. He is available through Special Offers, Events, and the Cosmic Crucible Store, making him accessible through multiple channels in the game. Black Knight’s versatile abilities and robust stats make him an essential character in any roster.
Black Knight’s Abilities
Black Knight is a powerful Protector in Marvel Strike Force, known for his exceptional durability and high health. His abilities are designed to leverage his health and armor stats, allowing him to deal significant damage while remaining difficult to defeat. His counterattack mechanic, which deals piercing damage based on his Max Health, makes him a formidable presence on the battlefield.
Flesh Wound
Level: 1
Piercing: 60
None Shall Pass
Level: 1
Piercing: 50
‘Tis but a Slash
Level: 1
Piercing: 50
Merlin’s Champion
Level: 1
Fill Speed Bar: 30
Flesh Wound (Basic) allows Black Knight to deal piercing damage to the primary target while clearing a random positive effect from them. He also applies +1 Deflect to himself or the most injured non-summoned ally, with an additional Deflect granted if the target is an Out of Time ally. The damage from this attack increases with his Bonus Armor, making it hit particularly hard. In War, Black Knight gains additional armor for each Out of Time ally, further boosting his resilience.
None Shall Pass (Special) is a versatile ability that clears all negative effects from Black Knight and his allies. For each negative effect removed from him, he heals for 5% of his Max Health. He also heals for 20% of his Max Health and attacks the primary target for 300% Piercing damage, applying Ability Block. This ability also grants him Taunt, Safeguard, and +2 Charged (up to a maximum of 3), while providing Speed Up and Immunity to himself, a random adjacent ally, and all Out of Time allies. Any enemies killed by this attack cannot be revived. The attack ignores Defense Up, is unavoidable, and cannot be blocked or counterattacked.
‘Tis but a Slash (Ultimate) deals massive piercing damage to the primary and adjacent targets, adding 30% of Black Knight’s Max Health as extra damage. It applies Defense Up to himself and all allies and Offense Up to all Brawler allies. It also grants Black Knight +1 Charged (up to a maximum of 3) and prevents any enemies killed by the attack from being revived. This attack also gains bonus piercing damage based on his Bonus Armor, and cannot be dodged or counterattacked.
Merlin’s Champion (Passive) ensures that Black Knight remains a powerful force on the battlefield. On spawn, he gains Taunt, Defense Up, Immunity, and 3 Charged (or 5 in War). If his health drops below 50%, he gains a barrier for 30% of his Max Health and clears Taunt. Additionally, when a Protector ally drops below 50% health and Black Knight is above 50%, he gains Taunt to protect them.
Each turn, if Black Knight has no Charged, he gains +100% Speed Bar, allowing him to take his turn and regain Charged. In Arena, while he has Charged, his Speed Bar cannot be reduced. Black Knight’s Max Health and Resistance are also enhanced based on his Out of Time allies, making him even more difficult to defeat. While he has Defense Up, Black Knight gains an extraordinary +1,000% Extra Resistance, making him highly resistant to debuffs.
Black Knight’s abilities heavily revolve around the Charged mechanic. He starts with 3 Charged in most game modes and 5 Charged in War. He gains +1 Charged each turn, and his special and ultimate abilities grant him additional Charged. When an enemy attacks Black Knight or an ally while he has Charged, he retaliates with piercing damage based on 30% of his Max Health, depleting one Charge with each retaliation. The first time Black Knight loses all his Charged in a match, he gains +100% Speed Bar, enabling him to take a turn immediately and regain Charged.
The Charged mechanic, coupled with Black Knight’s Taunt, Defense Up, and Immunity, makes him a highly effective character, especially for defense. His retaliation attacks, which deal significant damage based on his Max Health, punish enemies who target him before using his special, making him an excellent choice for defensive teams. In Arena, Black Knight is particularly useful as a counter to Super Skrull, once a dominant character in the meta, who now struggles against Black Knight’s abilities.
Due to his strength and utility, Black Knight has become a sought-after character in Marvel Strike Force. Players are encouraged to prioritize acquiring and upgrading him to fully harness his potential. His unique mechanics, especially his Charged retaliation attacks, make him a critical addition to any roster.
Black Knight T4 Upgrade Priority
Black Knight is a powerful character in Marvel Strike Force, and upgrading his abilities to T4 can significantly enhance his effectiveness. Since T4 materials are limited, it’s important to prioritize which abilities to upgrade. The order in which you should upgrade Black Knight’s abilities to T4 is as follows:
Passive (Merlin’s Champion): This is Black Knight’s most important T4 upgrade. The Passive ability grants Black Knight extra Charged on spawn and a 100% Speed Bar boost the first time he runs out of Charged. This upgrade increases his ability to use his attacks more frequently, allowing him to retaliate more often and maintain his defensive and offensive presence on the battlefield.
Special (None Shall Pass): This ability clears all negative effects from Black Knight and his allies, heals him, deals significant piercing damage to the primary target, and applies Ability Block. The T4 upgrade adds Safeguard and Immunity for himself, one extra ally, and all Out of Time allies. This makes him even more resilient and valuable in longer battles.
Ultimate (‘Tis but a Slash): Black Knight’s Ultimate allows him to deal significant piercing damage to the primary and adjacent targets, along with additional damage equal to 30% of his Max Health. It also applies Defense Up to himself and all allies, and Offense Up to Brawler allies. The T4 upgrade enhances the damage dealt, making his Ultimate attack even more impactful, which can turn the tide in key moments of the battle.
Basic (Flesh Wound): This ability allows Black Knight to deal piercing damage to the primary target, clear one random positive effect, and apply Deflect to himself or an ally. The T4 upgrade boosts the damage of this attack, but compared to the other abilities, it is less crucial for Black Knight’s overall effectiveness. As such, this should be the last ability to upgrade to T4.
While it’s beneficial to eventually upgrade all of Black Knight’s abilities to T4, prioritize the Passive and Special abilities first. These upgrades significantly enhance his survivability and his ability to execute his retaliatory attacks, making him a much stronger character in all game modes.
Black Knight ISO-8 Class
Choosing the right ISO-8 class for Black Knight in Marvel Strike Force largely depends on how you plan to utilize him on your team. There are two main options to consider: Fortifier and Striker, each offering unique advantages based on his abilities and role in combat.
The Fortifier class is a solid choice for players who want to emphasize Black Knight’s durability. With this class, he gains a Barrier, which helps him survive longer in battles. Black Knight’s Passive ability, which makes him retaliate against anyone who harms his allies, aligns well with the Fortifier class. Additionally, a maxed-out Fortifier grants Black Knight Drain when he has a Barrier, allowing him to heal himself during extended fights. This makes the Fortifier class an ideal option if you want Black Knight to stay on the battlefield for as long as possible.
On the other hand, the Striker class boosts Black Knight’s damage output, which is already impressive due to his high health and armor stats. The Striker class enhances the damage of his Piercing attacks and provides a follow-up attack that applies Deflect to the most injured Out of Time ally. This makes his team more resilient, particularly in War. A maxed-out Striker class will increase the damage based on his Max Health and heal him for 50% of the damage dealt, making it a great option for players who want Black Knight to be both a tank and a powerful damage dealer.
Early in the game, particularly if you haven’t yet upgraded Black Knight’s Red stars, the Fortifier class may be the better option, as it allows him to stay alive longer. However, once Black Knight has a few Red stars, you should consider switching to the Striker class to maximize his damage output. Red stars increase his Max Health, which in turn increases the damage of his retaliation attack, making him an even more formidable foe when paired with the Striker class.
Ultimately, the best ISO-8 class for Black Knight depends on your roster and strategy. If you want a tanky Protector who can absorb damage and outlast enemies, the Fortifier class is ideal. If you’re looking for a Protector who can deal significant damage while also providing some defensive support, the Striker class is the better choice. Black Knight’s potential increases with his Red stars, and the Striker class complements this scaling, enhancing his overall effectiveness.
Best Black Knight Teams
Black Knight is a highly versatile character in Marvel Strike Force, capable of being used in a variety of teams across multiple game modes. While his best synergy is with the Out of Time team, he can also be effective in Arena, Raids, Blitz, and other modes.
Out of Time Team: Black Knight’s optimal team composition is the Out of Time team, consisting of Black Knight, Cosmic Ghost Rider, Starbrand, Captain Carter, and Captain America (WWII). This team is especially potent in War Defense, as Black Knight benefits from additional stats, health, and bonuses in this mode. The synergies among team members make this lineup difficult to defeat.
For example, Cosmic Ghost Rider’s Passive ability gives all Out of Time allies a Barrier whenever an enemy uses an Ultimate ability, while also increasing the Speed Bar of enemies and lowering their Focus and damage output when they act before an ally. This strategy makes it more likely that enemies will target Black Knight first, triggering his Charged retaliation mechanic. Combined with his Taunt, Defense Up, and Immunity, Black Knight becomes an even more formidable defender, especially when backed by Cosmic Ghost Rider’s defensive capabilities.
Arena Teams: Outside of War, Black Knight is a meta-changing character in Arena, particularly due to his ability to counter Super Skrull. He has made many players rethink their Arena defense strategies, as he can easily defeat Super Skrull. Black Knight fits well with several powerful teams in Arena, including Doctor Doom, Apocalypse, and Mister Fantastic. Additionally, he can strengthen other established teams such as:
Secret Defenders: Featuring Mister Fantastic, Invisible Woman, the Thing, and Human Torch, this team becomes even more challenging to defeat with Black Knight’s addition.
Skill Military: This team, consisting of Killmonger, Taskmaster, Yondu, Corvus Glaive, and Proxima Midnight, works well with Black Knight due to his ability to protect allies and retaliate against enemies.
Shadowlands: Comprising Daredevil, Elektra, Hand Sentry, and Jessica Jones, Black Knight enhances this team’s defense with his Taunt, Defense Up, and Counterattacks, making the team harder to overcome.
Other Teams: In addition to Arena and War, Black Knight can be a useful asset in other game modes. In Raids, he pairs well with the Spider-Society or Invaders teams, offering both durability and strong counterattack potential. For Blitz, he can be incorporated into most teams, as long as you maintain a power balance for effective shuffling against enemy teams.
Overall, Black Knight’s high health, robust armor stats, and versatile abilities make him a valuable character across a wide range of teams and game modes. While the Out of Time team provides his best synergy, he can enhance many other setups, particularly in Arena and War, making him an essential addition to any roster.
Black Knight in Different Game Modes
Black Knight is a powerful and versatile character in Marvel Strike Force, excelling in several different game modes. He is widely recognized as a meta-changing character, particularly in Arena and Alliance War, but he also plays a significant role in Raids, Blitz, and potentially in the Dark Dimension.
In Arena, Black Knight stands out as a top-tier character, primarily due to his ability to counter Super Skrull. Before Black Knight’s introduction, Super Skrull dominated Arena, but Black Knight’s retaliation mechanics and his ability to clear Super Skrull’s buffs make him an effective counter. His high health, armor, and powerful abilities make him a valuable asset in both offensive and defensive setups. Teams like Secret Defenders, Skill Military, and Shadowlands benefit from his presence, as his ability to retaliate and protect allies makes him a key defensive figure in Arena.
In Alliance War, Black Knight shines as a War Defense specialist, particularly when paired with his Out of Time teammates. This team, which includes Cosmic Ghost Rider, Starbrand, Captain Carter, and Captain America (WWII), is a formidable force in War Defense. Black Knight gains additional health, armor, and resistance, which increases his durability significantly. The synergy with Cosmic Ghost Rider’s Barrier and his ability to retaliate with Taunt and Safeguard ensures that Black Knight remains a persistent threat during enemy turns. His resilience, paired with the synergies in the Out of Time team, makes him a cornerstone of any War Defense setup.
In Blitz, Black Knight can still be effective, although he isn’t as essential as in Arena or War. He can be included in Blitz teams, especially when paired with characters like Starbrand. Organizing multiple Blitz teams with around 10% power separation can help optimize his effectiveness in this mode, giving players more consistent wins. While he may not be a top priority in Blitz, his durability and ability to protect allies still make him a useful addition.
Black Knight is also a viable option for other game modes, including Raids and potentially the Dark Dimension. In Raids, he can be paired with teams like the Spider-Society or the Invaders. While not as prominently featured, he contributes with his strong defensive capabilities. In the Cosmic Crucible game mode, Black Knight’s shards are available in the Cosmic Crucible store, and players can earn Elite Crucible credits to purchase them.
Overall, Black Knight is a versatile and powerful character who thrives in several different game modes, with particular strengths in Arena and Alliance War. His ability to protect his team and deal substantial damage with his retaliation mechanic makes him a valuable addition to any roster, capable of shifting the tide in both offense and defense across a variety of game modes.
How to Acquire Black Knight
Black Knight is a Dark Promotion character, making him more difficult to acquire compared to other characters in Marvel Strike Force. Players will need to dedicate in-game resources, time, and sometimes real money to unlock his character shards.
Currently, Black Knight can be acquired through a few methods. He can be purchased in the Cosmic Crucible Store using Elite Crucible Credits, which are earned by participating in Cosmic Crucible battles. This method does not require real money or additional in-game resources, making it the most reliable and consistent way to acquire Black Knight shards. Additionally, Black Knight shards can also be obtained from Premium Orbs. While this is not a guaranteed method, players who frequently open Premium Orbs may accumulate enough shards over time to unlock Black Knight.
Black Knight has been available through several limited-time events in the past. His release event, the Red Letter Day Event, started on February 26, 2024, and featured various activities to earn Cold-Blooded Orb Fragments, which could be used to open Cold-Blooded Orbs. These orbs had a chance to drop up to 10 Black Knight shards per orb, and the event also included a milestone that rewarded players with 40 shards.
Starting on February 16, 2024, Black Knight shards were available in the Knight of the Round Orb, which could be purchased for 675 Power Cores. This orb had the potential to drop up to 180 Black Knight shards. From the same date, players could also purchase Black Knight shards with real money through special offers available for a limited time. In addition, Black Knight shards have been featured in the Strike Pass, a paid monthly subscription that rewards players with various in-game resources, including character shards.
To maximize your chances of acquiring Black Knight, it’s important to save Elite Crucible Credits for purchasing his shards, as he is farmable in the Cosmic Crucible Store. Even if you don’t win your battles in Cosmic Crucible, you will still earn Elite Crucible Credits that can be spent on Black Knight shards. If you want to unlock Black Knight quickly, you may need to be prepared to spend real money on offers that provide his character shards. However, acquiring Black Knight can take time, especially if you’re a free-to-play player, so consistency and patience will eventually lead to unlocking him.
Keep in mind that the methods for acquiring Black Knight and the availability of his shards may change over time as the game evolves with new events and offers.
Countering Black Knight
Black Knight is a powerful character in Marvel Strike Force, and his high health, armor, and powerful retaliation attacks make him a formidable opponent in both Arena and other game modes. However, there are several strategies and characters that can counter Black Knight effectively.
Old Man Logan is considered one of the best counters to Black Knight. His Special ability, Berserker Fury, ignores Defense Up and cannot be blocked or counterattacked, making it a highly effective way to deal damage to Black Knight. Additionally, his Passive ability, World Weary, reduces the target damage of enemies affected by Bleed and prevents the enemy with the highest damage from gaining charges before he takes a turn, which can help shut down Black Knight’s Charged mechanic.
A team of Sinister Six, including Vulture, Mysterio, Doc Ock, Green Goblin, and another character, can also be an effective counter to Black Knight. Teams that focus on high burst damage, such as those featuring Phoenix, Dormammu, or Adam Warlock, can overwhelm Black Knight quickly before he has a chance to retaliate. Characters with Ability Block or Stun, such as Doctor Doom, Emma Frost, and Invisible Woman, can prevent Black Knight from using his abilities, including his powerful retaliation attacks.
To counter Black Knight, one effective strategy is to target him first. Taking him down quickly will prevent him from using his retaliation attacks and supporting his team. Focusing on debuffing Black Knight with abilities like Heal Block, Ability Block, and Disrupt can also reduce his effectiveness in battle. Another key tactic is to avoid triggering his retaliation attacks by being mindful of his Charged mechanic and not attacking him when he has charges if possible. Lastly, using characters with high Resistance can mitigate the damage from his retaliation attacks, as Black Knight’s abilities ignore Defense Up but not Resistance.
While there is no one-size-fits-all strategy to counter Black Knight, these general tactics and character choices should provide a solid foundation for developing a strategy to deal with him.
Conclusion
Black Knight has significantly impacted the Marvel Strike Force meta, particularly in Arena and Alliance War Defense. His high health, armor, and powerful retaliation abilities make him a challenging opponent to face. Initially available through limited-time events such as the Red Letter Day event, Black Knight is now farmable through the Cosmic Crucible Store, making him more accessible to a broader player base.
Black Knight’s abilities, particularly his retaliation mechanic, make him a formidable force, especially on defense. His high survivability and the ability to counter characters like Super Skrull have led to shifts in the Arena meta, where he has become a key player. As a member of the Out of Time team, Black Knight thrives in Alliance War, benefiting from synergies with characters like Cosmic Ghost Rider. Cosmic Ghost Rider’s Passive ability, which provides a Barrier to Out of Time allies when an enemy uses an Ultimate ability, enhances Black Knight’s survivability and damage output, making him even more challenging to counter.
While Black Knight is powerful, he is not invincible. Characters like Old Man Logan, whose abilities can bypass defenses and reduce enemy damage, can be significant threats to him. Additionally, teams focused on high burst damage or with characters capable of applying Ability Block or Stun can disrupt Black Knight’s abilities and strategy.
To acquire Black Knight, players must strategically participate in Cosmic Crucible and invest Elite Crucible Credits to farm his character shards. Players who focus on unlocking and developing Black Knight will gain a valuable asset for a variety of game modes, making him a worthwhile investment.
Black Knight’s addition has created a dynamic shift in Marvel Strike Force, requiring players to adapt their team-building strategies and develop specific counter tactics to overcome his strengths. As the game continues to evolve, Black Knight’s influence will likely persist, prompting ongoing adjustments in strategy to stay competitive.
