Ebony Maw

Ebony Maw – Unraveling the Master of Manipulation

Champion Breakdown

About Ebony Maw

Character Class: Mystic

Brief Overview: Ebony Maw is a key character in the Marvel Universe, most notably recognized as the sinister mastermind and the most trusted lieutenant of Thanos. His formidable powers do not rely on brute strength but rather on his telekinetic abilities and an intriguingly persuasive voice that can bend the wills of even the most formidable adversaries. Ebony Maw's unique gameplay revolves around control and debilitation, manipulating the battlefield in ways no other champion can.

Ebony Maw Origin: Originating from Marvel Comics, Ebony Maw's transition into Marvel Contest of Champions brings a piece of his insidious nature into every fight, where he manipulates and weakens his foes to secure victory.

Lore Background

Ebony Maw History: As part of the notorious Black Order, Ebony Maw's loyalty to Thanos is unwavering, aiding in his dark quests across the universe. His cunning and strategic mind make him a dangerous opponent and a valuable ally.

Personality Traits: Ebony Maw's character is characterized by his cold and calculating nature. In Marvel Contest of Champions, these traits influence his combat style, focused more on manipulating the opponent and the battle's flow rather than engaging in direct physical confrontations.

Ebony Maw's Gameplay Mechanics

Basic Abilities: Degeneration, Nullify, Falter, Power Steal

  • Light Attack, Medium Attack, and Heavy Attack: Ebony Maw's attacks are unique as only his first Light attack and Heavy attack make contact. His style disrupts typical parrying strategies and calls for a different approach to combat.
    • Passive Abilities:
      • Persuasive Voice: Takes time to activate but can shift the tide by causing the opponent to miss their attacks.
      • Missions from Thanos: Completing specific tasks during a fight enhances Ebony Maw's capabilities significantly.

Special Attacks:

  1. Special 1 (Embrace of Pain): This attack focuses on nullifying opponent buffs even without direct contact. It's crucial against opponents who rely on buffs to bolster their strength.
  2. Special 2 (Whispers of Fear): High damage output through Degeneration, ideal for taking down opponents with high sustainability.
  3. Special 3 (Grip of Despair): A powerful control tool that steals the opponent's Power, disrupting their ability to use their special attacks.

Signature Ability: Deteriorating Mind When Ebony Maw's opponents miss their attacks, they are afflicted with a crippling Degeneration debuff, significantly weakening their combat effectiveness. This ability makes him a formidable opponent in longer bouts where he can capitalize on the growing disadvantages imposed on his adversaries.

Strategy and Playstyle

General Strategy: Utilize Ebony Maw's ability to falter opponents and manipulate the fight. Keep him focused, as his powers become significantly more potent when he maintains his concentration throughout the duel.

Advanced Techniques: Master the timing of his Persuasive Voice and combine it with his special attacks to maximize the debuffs inflicted on the opponent, particularly using Special 3 to strip them of their ability to fight back with special attacks.

Mastery Tips

Skill Mastery: Understanding and predicting the flow of combat is crucial to mastering Ebony Maw. His unique playstyle requires a strategic mindset to fully leverage his abilities.

Team Composition: Ebony Maw fits well in teams where his abilities complement those of champions who benefit from opponents having reduced Power or increased debuff susceptibility.

Synergies:

  1. Cull of the Maw with Cull Obsidian: Enhances both characters under specific conditions.
  2. Enemies: With characters like Iron Man (Infinity War) and Doctor Strange, increasing critical rating.
  3. Lieutenants of the Black Order: Benefits team members with improved attack capabilities against armor and resistances.

Countering Ebony Maw

Counter Tactics: Champions that can prevent debuffs or have consistent buff purification capabilities can counter Ebony Maw effectively. High burst damage can also overcome his manipulations before his abilities fully ramp up.

Ebony Maw Counters:

  1. Doctor Voodoo: Can convert buffs into poisons, negating Maw's advantages.
  2. Quake: Utilizes a non-contact fight style, which nullifies many of Ebony Maw's strengths.
  3. Magneto: His ability to control metal can disrupt Ebony Maw's concentration and attacks effectively.

Conclusion

Final Thoughts: Ebony Maw's unique style makes him an interesting and strategic choice in Marvel Contest of Champions. His mastery can lead to control over the battlefield in ways few other champions can replicate.

Encouragement to Experiment: Players are encouraged to use Ebony Maw to experience a different kind of gameplay, focusing on strategy and control rather than brute force, offering a rewarding challenge for those adept at manipulation and tactical planning.