Shang-Chi

Shang-Chi – Master of Kung Fu Extraordinaire

Champion Breakdown

About Shang-Chi

Character Class: Skill

Brief Overview: From a young age, Shang-Chi underwent rigorous martial arts training with his father, Zheng Zu. Known as the Master of Kung Fu, Shang-Chi possesses unparalleled control over his inner energy, Chi. Renowned for his expertise in Wushu fighting styles and his prowess in bare-handed combat, Shang-Chi is a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield. With his strategic Wushu Strikes and critical hit mechanics, he excels in dealing sustained and devastating damage to his foes.

Shang-Chi Origin: Hailing from Marvel Comics, Shang-Chi made his first appearance in "Special Marvel Edition #15" in 1973. Created by Steve Englehart and Jim Starlin, he has grown to become a prominent figure as both a solo hero and a member of various superhero teams.

Lore Background

Shang-Chi History: Raised in isolation by his father, Shang-Chi was trained to become the ultimate weapon. However, upon discovering his father's villainous nature, Shang-Chi chose a path of heroism. He left his father and dedicated himself to fighting against injustice. His journey is one of self-discovery and battling his inner demons while honing his fighting abilities.

Personality Traits: Shang-Chi is disciplined, focused, and honorable. His commitment to martial arts has made him an epitome of patience and precision. These traits manifest in his gameplay through his methodical Wushu Strikes and calculated use of Chi charges.

Shang-Chi's Gameplay Mechanics

Basic Abilities: Slow, Cleanse, Unblockable, Stun, Precision

Shang-Chi utilizes a combination of light, medium, and heavy attacks to perform Wushu Strikes, which grant various utilities and guaranteed critical hits.

  • Light Attacks: Quick jabs that set up combinations.
  • Medium Attacks: Versatile strikes that can set up Wushu Strikes.
  • Heavy Attacks: Grants Precision Buffs and resets all Wushu Strikes.

Basic Abilities:

  • Always Active: Critical hits grant +36.59 Critical Damage Rating for the rest of the fight, capping at 300 hits.
  • Wushu Strikes: Reactive abilities triggered by specific combos for utility:
    • Disarming Strike: Medium, Medium combo removes Unstoppable and inflicts Slow.
    • Cleansing Strike: Medium, Light, Medium purifies Debuffs.
    • Breaking Strike: Medium, Light, Light, Medium makes the last hit Unblockable.
    • Pin-Point Strike: Medium, Light, Light, Light, Medium inflicts Stun.

Special Attacks:

  1. Aerial Kick: Landing this attack or striking into a block performs the last used Wushu Strike.

    • Strategic Advantage: Reinforces the last Wushu Strike used, allowing doubling down on its effects.

  2. Wushu Barrage: Consumes all Chi charges to deliver guaranteed critical hits, significantly increasing attack rating.

    • Strategic Advantage: Build Chi charges to unleash this powerful combo for maximum damage.

  3. Total Focus: Increases critical damage rating for the remainder of the fight and grants Chi charges.

    • Strategic Advantage: Sets up for more powerful critical hits and utility.

Signature Ability: Master of Kung Fu

  • Effect: Critical hits deal a burst of 20% of hit damage as Physical Damage, allowing Shang-Chi to perform Critical Hits through blocks and trigger associated abilities.
  • Impact: Greater consistency and enhanced damage through blocks make this ability pivotal in maximizing Shang-Chi's potential.

Strategy and Playstyle

General Strategy: Efficiently cycle through Wushu Strikes to leverage their utility and build up Chi charges. Utilize special attacks to reapply Wushu Strikes or cash out Chi charges for burst damage.

Advanced Techniques: Master the timing of Wushu Strikes for uninterrupted combos and capitalize on Perfect-Timed Blocks and Dodges to gain additional Chi charges. String together precise combinations to maintain utility and maximize damage output.

Mastery Tips

Skill Mastery: Focus on increasing Shang-Chi's critical damage and proficiency. Master Perfect-Timed blocks and dodges to maintain Chi charges.

Team Composition: Pair Shang-Chi with champions that enhance his critical damage or offer additional utility, complementing his high-damage playstyle.

Synergy Bonuses:

  1. Shadowland: Mister Negative – Perfect-timed dodges inflict Falter, causing attacks to miss.
  2. Master Martial Artists: Iron Fist, Immortal Iron Fist – Start the fight with 4 Chi Charges.
  3. The Way of the Spider: Spider-Man – Critical hits bypass increased armor and resistances.
  4. Eyes of the Dragon: Captain America (Classic), Black Widow, Beast, Ant-Man – Critical hits grant additional critical damage rating.
  5. Heroes for Hire: Luke Cage, She-Hulk – Increase block proficiency and physical resistance.
  6. Enemies: Elektra – Enhance critical rating.

Countering Shang-Chi

Counter Tactics: Exploit nodes and abilities that hinder critical hits or guaranteed critical hits. Look for opportunities when Shang-Chi's Wushu Strikes are on cooldown.

Shang-Chi Counters:

  1. Domino: Utilize her ability to reduce Shang-Chi's critical failure rate, disrupting his damage flow.
  2. Spider-Man (Stark Enhanced): Evade his attacks to prevent Wushu Strike setups.
  3. Killmonger: Punishes critical hit attempts, affecting his overall damage output.

Conclusion

Final Thoughts: Shang-Chi stands out with his unique Wushu Strike mechanics and high critical damage potential. His flexibility in dealing with various scenarios and consistent damage output makes him a valuable asset.

Encouragement to Experiment: Explore different combinations of Wushu Strikes, master the timing of his abilities, and find your own unique strategy to unleash Shang-Chi's full potential in Marvel Contest of Champions.