Havok

Havok – Plasma Master of Energy

Champion Breakdown

About Havok

Character Class: Mutant

Brief Overview: Alexander Summers, known as Havok, is the younger brother of Cyclops, with the ability to project plasma energy blasts. Unlike his brother's optic blasts, Havok's plasma waves are concentric and require a containment suit to control. His in-game abilities revolve around high-energy resistance and powerful, unblockable special attacks.

Havok Origin: Originating from Marvel Comics, Havok was introduced as a member of the X-Men, combining his energy-manipulating powers with those of his brother, Cyclops. His inclusion in Marvel Contest of Champions reflects his dynamic abilities and rich comic history.

Lore Background

Havok History: Havok, or Alexander Summers, possesses the mutant ability to absorb ambient cosmic energy and release it as powerful plasma waves. His tumultuous history with the X-Men includes fighting alongside his brother, facing off against formidable foes, and struggling to control his overwhelming power. His signature containment suit in the game symbolizes his constant battle to manage this destructive ability.

Personality Traits: Determined and sometimes reckless, Havok's impulsive nature and inner turmoil often lead him to charge headfirst into battle. This translates into gameplay through his high-risk, high-reward mechanics, emphasizing powerful but volatile attacks.

Havok's Gameplay Mechanics

Basic Abilities: Plasma Charge, Plasma Build Up, Feedback, Prowess

Havok’s attacks are characterized by non-contact, energy-damage moves, making him formidable against abilities that trigger on physical contact. His energy resistance and unblockable specials make him a versatile and dangerous opponent.

  • Light Attacks: Quick, energy-infused jabs that build Plasma Charges and Prowess.
  • Medium Attacks: Non-contact blasts that deal significant energy damage.
  • Heavy Attacks: Slower, powerful strikes that convert Plasma Charges into Prowess and apply Plasma Feedback debuffs for extra energy damage.

Passive Abilities

  • Incinerate Immunity: Havok is immune to all forms of Incinerate.
  • Energy Resistance: Provides +2250 Energy Resistance.
  • Power Generation: Passively generates 2.5% of a Bar of Power each second.
  • Reduced Power Gain: Gains 25% less Power from landing and receiving hits.
  • Critical Hit Defense: Reduces Opponent’s Critical Damage Rating by 50% when struck by Critical Hits.

Active Abilities

  • Plasma Charges: Generated every 5 seconds, increases to 2 charges per 5 seconds when Power Locked.
  • Plasma Build Up: Applied to the opponent when Havok would generate a Plasma Charge beyond the maximum. Detonates causing Energy Damage.
  • Prowess: Increases Special Attack Damage by 10% per stack, convert 2 Plasma Charges per Prowess while charging Heavy Attack.

Special Attacks

  1. Special 1: Blast Waves - Havok gains an Overcharge Passive, generating +1 Plasma Charge per second for 9 seconds.
  2. Special 2: Focused Blast - Deals +1532 Attack as long as the Opponent lacks an active Armor Up Buff.
  3. Special 3: Overwhelming Power - Converts all Plasma Charges into Prowess, each converting grants +1532 Attack.

Signature Ability: Plasma Amplification - Havok has a 55% chance to gain an additional Plasma Charge each time he gains one from any source other than this ability. This ability accelerates Havok’s damage output by speeding up his build-up process, although it can make his power management more volatile.

Strategy and Playstyle

General Strategy: Utilize Havok’s Plasma Charges and Prowess to maximize his damage during critical windows. Prioritize building Plasma Charges using Light and Medium Attacks, and use Heavy Attacks strategically to convert these charges and prevent premature detonations.

Advanced Techniques: Timing is crucial—use Special 1 to stack charges quickly, convert them with Heavy Attacks, and unleash powerful Special 2 or Special 3 attacks when multiple Prowess stacks are active. Avoid opponents with Armor Up abilities that nullify Plasma Build Up's damage.

Mastery Tips

Skill Mastery: Focus on mastering the timing of Havok’s Heavy Attacks and Specials to control Plasma Charges and maximize damage. The learning curve revolves around managing his resource-heavy playstyle efficiently.

Team Composition: Pair Havok with champions that enhance his energy damage output or mitigate his weaknesses. High Damage or Debuff characters can complement his playstyle.

Synergy Bonuses

  1. Runs in the Family with Mister Sinister, Cyclops (Blue Team), Cyclops (New Xavier School):
    • Havok: Gains 2 Plasma Charge(s) after each Special Attack.
    • Mister Sinister: Well-timed blocks against contact attacks inflict Degeneration dealing 30% of attack.
    • Cyclops (Both versions): Armor Break increases duration by 100%.
  2. Old Teammates with Wolverine, Nightcrawler:
    • Havok: 10% chance to gain 1 Plasma Charge with each Energy Damage dealt.
    • Wolverine: Attack increases by 20% when under a Regeneration Buff.
    • Nightcrawler: Starts in Swashbuckling Mode with increased Deep Wound chances.
  3. Uncanny Avengers with Captain America, Wasp:
    • Havok: Well-timed blocks grant +1 Plasma Charge.
    • Captain America: Attack increases by 20% against Debuffed Opponents.
    • Wasp: Gains Passive Fury during Heavy Attack charge, increasing attack by 50%.

Countering Havok

Counter Tactics: When facing Havok, focus on exploiting his reliance on Plasma Charges. Power Drain effects and champions with Armor Up Buffs can significantly mitigate his damage output.

Havok Counters

  1. Vision, Doctor Voodoo, Magik: Utilize Power Drain abilities to eliminate Havok's Plasma Charges and impede his damage potential.
  2. Colossus, Iron Man: Champions with consistent Armor Up Buffs will negate the damage from Havok’s Plasma Build Ups.

Conclusion

Final Thoughts: Havok is a formidable champion with powerful, unblockable Special Attacks and robust energy resistance, making him a versatile addition to any roster. His potential to deal massive damage when controlled properly makes him a valuable asset for both offense and defense.

Encouragement to Experiment: Explore Havok's unique energy-based mechanics and develop your own strategies to maximize his potential. Experiment with different team compositions and synergy bonuses to discover the most effective ways to integrate Havok into your lineup.