About Sauron

Character Class: Mutant

Brief Overview: Karl Lykos was a promising hypnotherapist whose life took a dramatic turn after being bitten by a mutated pteranodon. The bite gave him the ability to absorb life force and transform into the formidable Sauron. Armed with regeneration, degeneration, and powerful prowesses, Sauron hunts his prey from the skies with deadly precision.

Sauron Origin: Sauron hails from Marvel Comics, where his intriguing transformation into a humanoid pteranodon garners significant attention. His inclusion in Marvel Contest of Champions (MCoC) brings a unique blend of abilities centered around life force manipulation and aerodynamics.

Lore Background

Sauron History: Initially employed as a therapist by Charles Xavier to counsel the X-Men, Karl Lykos discovered his vampiric need to drain life force was powered by a mutant’s energy. When he absorbed the energy of Havok, it transformed him into Sauron. Now, he roams the skies, balancing his new predator instincts with a twisted sense of therapy for his adversaries.

Personality Traits: Sauron is driven by a combination of survival instinct and a dark sense of purpose, transforming into a fearsome creature whenever he absorbs a mutant's life force. His predatory nature influences his aggressive and relentless fighting style in the game.

Sauron's Gameplay Mechanics

Basic Abilities: Prowess, Unblockable, Degeneration, Regeneration

Sauron's gameplay centers around accumulating Prowess to strengthen his special attacks. His heavy attacks and dash attacks can trigger powerful effects like fury and bleed. He excels at punishing Champions that meddle with his abilities, thereby ramping his prowess faster.

Light, Medium, and Heavy Attacks:

• Light Attacks: 35% chance to deal 50% of the damage as burst Physical Damage, which can also trigger through Block.
• Medium Attacks: Function to build Prowess passives, crucial for Sauron’s overall effectiveness.
• Heavy Attacks: Consumes 3 Prowess to gain a Fury Passive, significantly increasing attack rating for a short duration.

Passive and Active Basic Abilities:

• Always Active:
  • Immune to Power Steal, Poison, and Regeneration Rate manipulation.
  • Takes -95% less damage from Bleed and gains +25% Critical Resistance while Bleeding.
  • 30% chance to gain a Regen Passive when struck, healing 10% of the damage per Prowess Passive.
• Prowess (Max: 10):
  • Gain a 10% Prowess Passive when an ability fails to trigger.
  • At 7 Prowess Passives, dash attacks, heavy, and special attacks become Unblockable for 4 seconds.
  • At 10 Prowess Passives, dash attacks inflict a Bleed Passive, dealing significant damage over time.

Special Attacks:

1. Special 1: Life Force Beam - Heals for 25% of the damage dealt for 10 seconds after each burst hit.
2. Special 2: Seething Claws - Increases all personal burst Physical Damage by 100% for 10 seconds.
3. Special 3: Hypnotic Trance - Inflicts a Degeneration Passive, dealing damage based on expired personal Passive effects on Sauron or the Opponent.

Signature Ability: Doctor’s Gift

• Activates upon the opponent attempting a Bleed or Incinerate effect while Sauron has a Degeneration Passive active.
• Reflects the effect back as a Passive, dealing substantial damage over 2 seconds.
• Increases personal Prowess Passive Potency by 10%.

Strategy and Playstyle

General Strategy: Focus on rapidly building Prowess to unlock Sauron’s full potential. Utilize his regenerative abilities to sustain health during fights and activate unblockable specials to keep opponents on their toes.

Advanced Techniques: Timing is key with Sauron. Manage Prowess build-up to strategically align with his special attacks. Utilize Special 1 for healing and Special 2 for increased damage potential, making the most of his regenerations and burst damage respectively.

Mastery Tips

Skill Mastery: To maximize Sauron's potential, master timing your attacks right when he's about to hit peak Prowess. This timing will enable you to execute powerful combinations that deal significant damage while sustaining yourself through regeneration.

Team Composition: Sauron pairs well with champions who can manipulate ability accuracy or provide additional avenues for regeneration or quick Prowess gain. Ensure that your team provides the flexibility to capitalize on these strengths.

Synergy Bonuses:

1. Wings and Fear: Air-Walker, Vulture, Annihilus - Enhances Bleed damage on dash attack, boosts armor breaks, and improves incinerate and stifle effects.
2. A Little Bit Feral: Beast, Sasquatch - Increases attack rating, critical damage, critical resistance, and combat power rate when health is low.
3. Leeching Thy Friend: Havok - Adds layer improvements like armor up and Prowess passives upon gaining or consuming a power bar.
4. No More Patients: Mister Sinister, Doctor Strange - Triggers Regeneration passives when opponents heal and inflicts Heal Block.
5. Fire & Dragons: Kitty Pryde, Dragon Man - Boosts incinerate debuff durations, and special attack effects for increased damage.

Countering Sauron

Counter Tactics: Utilize Heal Block and Prowess removal to weaken Sauron. While his Regeneration is formidable, it can be countered with effective power control to mitigate his abilities and special attacks.

Sauron Counters:

1. Archangel: Reduces regeneration with Neurotoxins.
2. Spider-Man (Stark Enhanced): Efficient power control and evade mechanisms.
3. Doctor Voodoo: Effective heal blocking and power control.

Conclusion

Final Thoughts: Sauron offers a compelling mix of offensive and regenerative capabilities making him a versatile addition to any player’s roster. His ability to manipulate Prowess, combined with unrelenting aggression, positions him as a formidable opponent.

Encouragement to Experiment: Dive into Sauron’s unique abilities and discover the optimal strategies and team compositions that suit your playstyle. Experiment with his synergies and masteries to unlock his true potential in Marvel Contest of Champions.

Ready the skies for The Mighty Sauron!