RISE OF CASTLES - HEROES

After extensive testing, one truth has emerged: analyzing Zhao Yun solely by total damage output ignores 60% of the hero's value. This analysis examines all dimensions of Zhao Yun - damage, utility, survivability, counter-picking, and synergies - to understand where he truly excels.

📋 Complete Skill Anatomy

⚔️ Skill 2: Ever-Victorious Spirit - Strategic Counter Pick

🔹 Type: Status Skill (Passive)

📏 Range: 0 (Self)

🔄 Detailed Mechanics:

With 🛡️ Footmen:

• ✅ +35% counter effect against Footmen and Cavalry

• ✅ -35% counter effect received from Footmen and Cavalry

With 🐎 Cavalry:

• ✅ +35% counter effect against Cavalry and Archers

• ✅ -35% counter effect received from Cavalry and Archers

💎 Real Counter Effect Value:

Rise of Castles' counter system applies damage multipliers:

• 🎯 Counter advantage: ~1.35x damage dealt, ~0.65x damage taken

• 📊 This means: +35% output damage AND -35% input damage simultaneously

🎓 Underestimated Strategic Value:

1. 🔀 Matchup Flexibility: Changing soldier type completely alters matchups

2. 🛡️ Defensive Utility: -35% damage taken is massive survivability boost

3. ⚔️ Offensive Utility: +35% damage dealt increases ALL damage, not just skills

4. ⚡ No Resource Cost: Activates automatically, no cooldown or condition

💥 Skill 5: Dragon Battles in the Wild - AOE Consistency

🔹 Type: Combat Skill

📏 Range: 5 (all enemies)

⏱️ Cooldown: 1 turn after cast

⚙️ Base Mechanics:

• ✅ 100% cast chance (when available)

• 🔄 Repeats 2 times: 300% Skill Damage each = 600% total AOE

• 🎯 Hits ALL 3 enemy squads simultaneously

🎨 Special Effects by Troop Type:

• 🛡️ Footmen Build:

  • ⚡ Execution Damage: +450% Skill Damage on enemy squad with LOWEST troop power

  • 🎯 Tactical value: Guarantees kills on low HP targets

  • 📊 Total potential: 600% AOE + 450% focused = 1,050% damage single cast

• 🐎 Cavalry Build:

  • 🌊 Sustained AOE: After normal attack, 150% Physical Damage to ALL enemies

  • 🎯 Tactical value: Synergy with attack frequency

  • 📊 Total potential: 600% skill + multiple 150% physical procs

🔄 Comeback Mechanic:

• 🚨 Trigger: When HP falls below 50% FOR THE FIRST TIME

• ⚡ Effect: "Sober" state + immediate skill cast

• 💪 Value: Ignores cooldown, potential turn-around in tight battles

🌟 Complete Strategic Value:

1. ✅ Guaranteed AOE Damage: Unlike skills with % chance, this is 100% reliable

2. 🎯 Pressure on All Squads: Forces healing/sustain decisions from enemy

3. 🎮 No Target Selection Needed: Always hits everyone, simplifies decision-making

4. 🔄 Comeback Potential: Safety net when battle goes wrong

5. ⏰ Manageable Cooldown: 1 turn allows usage in 4-5 of 8 total turns

🛡️ Skill 8: Guardian's Bloodline - Progressive Multiplier

🔹 Type: Status Skill

📏 Range: 0 (Self)

📍 Phase 1 - Initial Buffs (Battle Start):

• ⚔️ +60% damage dealt: Immediate boost to ALL damage sources

• 🛡️ -60% damage received: Massive survivability from turn 1

🔍 Analysis of -60% Damage Received:

This is possibly Zhao Yun's most underestimated aspect:

• 💎 Equivalent to +150% Resistance in terms of effective HP

• 🎯 Allows aggressive positioning without excessive risk

• 💚 Synergizes with heals (each heal worth more with less damage taken)

• 🏰 Makes Zhao Yun naturally tanky without sacrificing stats

📍 Phase 2 - Scaling Trigger (Per Ally Kill):

• 🎯 Condition: ANY ally kills ANY enemy

• ✨ Effect 1: Clears ALL debuffs from Zhao Yun

• ⚔️ Effect 2: +30% damage dealt (permanent, stackable)

• ⚠️ Effect 3: +30% damage received (trade-off)

🎓 Analysis of Scaling Mechanism:

❗ What previous analyses got wrong:

• ✅ Doesn't matter WHO gets the kill

• ✅ Zhao doesn't need to be the killer to gain stacks

• ✅ Each kill by ANY ally activates the trigger

• ✅ In 8-turn battles, typically 3-6 total kills occur

💎 Value of Debuff Clear:

• 🛡️ Effective immunity to control chains

• 🎯 Direct counter to Silence/Disarm/Suppress strategies

• ⚡ Allows aggressive play without fear of lock-down

📊 Scaling Math:

Typical scenario (4 ally kills during battle):

• 🔹 Turn 1: +60% damage (base)

• 🔹 Turn 3: First kill → +90% total damage

• 🔹 Turn 5: Second kill → +120% total damage

• 🔹 Turn 6: Third kill → +150% total damage

• 🔹 Turn 7: Fourth kill → +180% total damage

🎯 Result: Zhao ends battles with 3x the damage dealt from start

⚖️ Trade-off of +30% Damage Received:

• With 4 stacks: +120% damage received

• But still has base -60% buff

• Net effect: -60% + 120% = +60% damage taken (approximately neutral)

• The +180% damage dealt compensates massively

🎭 Reassessing Zhao Yun's Role

🛡️ Role 1: Off-Tank with Damage Output

✨ Characteristics:

• 🏰 -60% damage received initial = naturally tanky

• 🛡️ Counter effects add defensive layer

• 💥 AOE damage maintains pressure

• 📈 Progressive scaling creates growing threat

💎 Value in Compositions:

• ✅ Allows main carry to focus on pure damage

• 🎯 Absorbs secondary focus fire

• ⚔️ Contributes significant damage without being main source

• 🔄 Flexibility between front/mid row positioning

📝 Example: Don Quixote + Zhao Yun + Cyrus

• 🐴 Don Quixote: Primary scaling carry (Might steal)

• 🐉 Zhao Yun: Off-tank with AOE damage

• ⚡ Cyrus: Burst finisher

• ✅ Synergy: Zhao tanks pressure while DQ scales, both contribute damage

🎯 Role 2: Counter-Pick Specialist

🔄 Counter-Picking Mechanics:

🆚 Against Triple Footmen (e.g., Harald + Geraint + Gustav):

• 🛡️ Zhao with Footmen: +35% damage vs all, -35% damage taken from all

• 📊 Effective advantage: ~70% damage swing

• ✅ Transforms unfavorable matchup into favorable

🆚 Against Triple Cavalry (e.g., Don Quixote + Percival + Cyrus):

• 🛡️ Zhao with Footmen: +35% vs Cavalry

• 🎯 Direct counter-pick against cavalry meta comps

🆚 Against Archer Comps (e.g., Ramses + Al-Hawra + Henry):

• 🐎 Zhao with Cavalry: +35% vs Archers

• ⚖️ Mitigates Footmen disadvantage vs Archers

🌟 Strategic Value:

• 🎲 Flexibility of last-pick in competitive brackets

• 🔄 Adapts to meta without changing hero roster

• 🎯 Single hero covers multiple matchups

🎨 Role 3: Utility Support with Damage

🔧 Functions Beyond Damage:

1. 💥 AOE Pressure Consistency:

   • ✅ Skill 5 guarantees distributed damage on all targets

   • 🎯 Forces enemy team to heal multiple squads

   • 💧 Drains sustain resources from opponent

2. ✨ Debuff Immunity via Clear:

   • 🛡️ Each kill clears debuffs

   • 🔒 Prevents control lock chains

   • ⏰ Maintains action uptime

3. 🏰 Survivability Buffer:

   • 🛡️ -60% damage taken protects team indirectly

   • 🎯 Absorbs focus without dying quickly

   • ⏱️ Prolongs battles allowing other heroes to scale

4. ⚡ Execution Potential (Footmen):

   • 💀 450% extra damage on low HP target

   • ✅ Guarantees kills on near-dead enemies

   • 🚫 Prevents comebacks via healing

   
   

⚖️ Role 4: Balanced Secondary Carry

💡 Concept:

• ❌ Not main damage dealer

• ❌ Not pure support/tank

• ✅ Secondary threat that scales progressively

🎯 Value in Team Composition:

Modern successful compositions rarely have single carry. Common pattern:

• 🥇 Primary carry (60-70% team damage)

• 🥈 Secondary carry (20-30% team damage)

• 🛡️ Support/tank (10-20% team damage)

🐉 Zhao Yun as Secondary Carry:

• 🔹 Starts contributing 20-25% of damage (with base buffs)

• 📈 Scales to 30-40% in late game (with stacks)

• ✅ Doesn't compete with primary carry for resources/kills

• 🎯 Adds threat layer that enemies must respect

🤝 Synergies Analysis Revised

🏆 Synergy Tier S: Enablers that Let Zhao Shine

🌊 Ragnar (Skin) - Universal Amplifier

⭐ Why It's Tier S:

📜 Skin Skill "Odin's Might" detailed:

1. ⚔️ Offensive Buff: 50% chance for +8% Fatal Blow/Destructive Strike (stack 5x)

2. 🎯 Enemy Debuff: When enemies heal: -5% damage dealt, +5% damage taken (stack 10x)

🔗 Specific Synergy with Zhao:

💎 Aspect 1 - Damage Amplification:

• 📊 Ragnar debuffs: Enemies take up to +50% damage (10 stacks)

• 💥 Zhao Skill 5: 600% AOE becomes ~900% effective damage

• 📈 Zhao scaling: Each Skill 8 stack amplified by debuffs

• ✅ Result: Zhao damage increases 40-60% beyond normal

💎 Aspect 2 - Team-Wide Benefit:

• 🌐 Debuffs apply to ALL damage received by enemies

• ✅ Benefits Ragnar, Zhao AND third hero

• 🔄 Creates multiplicative scaling (debuffs × Zhao stacks × other buffs)

💎 Aspect 3 - Survivability Synergy:

• 🛡️ Enemies deal -50% damage (max debuffs)

• 🏰 Zhao already has -60% damage taken

• 🔒 Combined: Zhao becomes nearly unkillable

• ✅ Result: Zhao survives to late game guaranteed

⚠️ Why Skin is Required:

• ❌ Ragnar base skill doesn't have stackable debuffs

• ✅ Fatal Blow bonus exists but is smaller

• 📉 Synergy drops from Tier S to Tier B without skin

📊 Proven Performance:

• 🏆 Cyrus + Ragnar(Skin) + Zhao: 289k damage

• 📈 ~40% of that damage directly from Zhao

• ⚖️ Rest divided between Cyrus and Ragnar

💚 Geraint - Perfect Sustainer

⭐ Why It's Tier S:

🔹 Skill 2: Resilience

• 💊 85% chance to restore 75% HP when taking damage (first 4 turns)

• 💪 Geraint has DOUBLE effect (150% recovery)

• ✅ Value for Zhao: Keeps team alive while Zhao scales

🔹 Skill 5: Deadly Roar

• 😨 2 enemies enter Timid: 70% fail rate on skills

• ✅ Value for Zhao: Control allows Zhao to operate without pressure

🔹 Skill 8: Undying Will

• 🛡️ Absorbs 25% damage from other 2 heroes (first 2 turns)

• 😤 Below 50% HP: Berserk with Sober, Combo, Splash

• ✅ Value for Zhao: Direct protection + doesn't compete for kills

🔗 Specific Synergy:

1. ✅ Pure Support Role: Geraint doesn't steal kills from anyone

2. 💚 Survivability Engine: Constant healing keeps Zhao alive

3. 🛡️ Damage Absorption: Tanks for Zhao in critical turns

4. 🎯 Control Contribution: Timid state reduces incoming damage

5. 🔄 No Resource Competition: Geraint damage is incidental, not primary goal

📊 Synergy Pattern:

• 🔹 Turns 1-2: Geraint absorbs 25% of Zhao's damage

• 💚 Turns 1-4: Geraint constantly restores HP

• 😤 Turn 5+: Geraint Berserk adds damage, Zhao already scaled

• ✅ Result: Zhao reaches late game full HP and stacked

🏰 Harald III (Skin) - Perfect Tank

⭐ Why It's Tier S:

🔹 Skill 2: Eternal Black Sail

• ⚔️ 70% chance for 225% damage on 2 enemies when hit

• ✅ Value: Passive damage that doesn't compete with Zhao

🔹 Skill 5: Absolute Authority

• 🎯 Taunt 2 enemies (55% chance)

• 💪 Steals 20% damage bonus from them (stack 5x)

• ✅ Value: Protects Zhao from focus fire + weakens enemies

🔹 Skill 8: Rage of the Sea

• ⚡ Turns 3/5/7: 550% damage on enemy with lowest Resistance

• 💀 If below 35% HP: +80% damage and Suppress

• ✅ Value: Setup kills without stealing kills from Zhao

🔗 Specific Synergy:

1. 🎯 Taunt Mechanic: Harald attracts aggro, Zhao operates freely

2. 💪 Damage Steal: Weakened enemies = less threat to Zhao

3. 🎯 Execute Setup: Rage of the Sea lowers HP, Zhao finishes with Skill 5

4. 🏗️ Positioning Flexibility: Harald front, Zhao mid = optimal protection

🔺 Harald + Geraint + Zhao Triangle:

• 🏰 Harald: Absorbs focus fire (taunt)

• 💚 Geraint: Heals what gets through (sustain)

• 🐉 Zhao: Operates in protected environment (scale)

• ✅ Result: Zhao never dies, scales freely, contributes growing damage

🥈 Synergy Tier A: Functional Partners

⚡ Cyrus (Skin) - Burst Enabler

🔄 Synergy Reassessment:

🔹 Skill 2: Super Power (Skin)

• 💥 70% chance for 600% damage on 2 enemies

• 🚫 Prevents healing for 1 turn

• ⚡ 80% skip prep

• ✅ Value: Burst opening, anti-heal setup

🔹 Skill 5: Strategy to Victory

• 🐎 Cavalry squads: +40% skill damage, -40% damage on additional attacks

• ✅ Value: If Zhao uses Cavalry, gains buffs too

✨ Why It Works:

1. ⏰ Different Damage Windows: Cyrus burst early, Zhao scales later

2. 🚫 No Healing = More Kills: Cyrus anti-heal helps Zhao get kill stacks

3. 🐎 Cavalry Synergy: Shared buffs if Zhao = Cavalry

4. 🔄 Complementary Roles: Cyrus finisher, Zhao sustain damage

⚠️ Limitation:

• ❌ If Cyrus gets all kills early, Zhao doesn't scale

• ⏰ Requires timing coordination

• ✅ Better in long battles where both contribute

🏛️ Alexander (Skin) - Dual Tank Setup

🔄 Reassessment:

🔹 Skill 2: The Long March

• ⚡ 325% additional damage on targets that take hit (turns 1 and 3)

🔹 Skill 8: Macedonian Phalanx

• 🩸 All enemies bleed: 260% damage before acting each turn

• 💡 New value identified: Bleeding damage comes BEFORE acting

• 📊 This means: Enemy squads already damaged when Zhao attacks

• ✅ Synergy: Easier for Zhao to execute with Footmen build (450% on low HP)

🔹 Skill 5: Complete Conquest (Skin)

• 🛡️ -60% damage taken

• 💚 +20% healing received

• 🎯 Adaptive positioning:

  • Front: 50% chance to counterattack (120% damage)

  • Mid: -20% Fatal/Destructive Strike chance

  • Back: +8% damage

🔗 Revised Synergy:

1. 🏰 Dual Tank Core: Alexander + Zhao both with -60% damage taken

2. 🩸 Bleeding Setup: Alexander lowers HP, Zhao executes

3. 🔄 Flexible Positioning: Alexander front, Zhao mid or back

4. 💀 Resource Sharing: Bleeding kills can come from either

📊 Functional Pattern:

• 🩸 Alexander bleeds enemies (260%/turn)

• ⚡ Zhao executes low HP targets (450% bonus)

• 🛡️ Both tanky, both contribute kills

• ✅ Result: Distributed threat, hard to focus down

🐴 Don Quixote - Might Vampire Duo

🔄 Complete Reassessment:

✨ Why It Can Work:

🔄 Different Scaling Mechanics:

• 💪 Don Quixote: Steals Might (offensive growth)

• 📈 Zhao Yun: Gains damage per kill (event-based growth)

• ✅ Don't compete directly: DQ scales always, Zhao scales per kills

🔹 Skill 2: Windmill Phantom Stab (Skin)

• ⚔️ 350% damage + 160% Might steal (stack 5x)

• 🎯 Target: Farthest enemy

• ✅ Value: DQ focuses back-line, Zhao can focus mid/front

🔹 Skill 5: Parry

• 💥 530% damage on 2-3 enemies

• 🚫 Ban healing for 2 turns

• ✅ Value: Anti-heal helps Zhao get kills

🔗 Synergy Potential:

1. 🎯 Target Division: DQ attacks farthest, Zhao AOE or focused

2. 🚫 Anti-Heal Synergy: DQ bans heal, facilitates Zhao kills

3. 📈 Dual Scaling: Both get stronger over time

4. 🐎 Cavalry Pair: If both Cavalry, counter synergy vs Archers/Cavalry

⚠️ Limitation:

• ⏰ Both need to survive to scale

• 🛡️ Requires strong third hero (support/tank)

• ✅ Best with Theodora or Ragnar as third

🥉 Synergy Tier B: Situational

⚔️ Achilles - Dual Carry Conditional

✨ When It Works:

🔹 Skill 2: Demigod

• 🛡️ -60% damage taken, +30% damage each turn

• ⚠️ Loses status turns 5-6

• ✅ Synergy: Both tanky early, Zhao continues late

🔹 Skill 8: Sacred Realm

• 🛡️ Immunity to Fatal Blow/Destructive Strike for ALL

• 💚 When ally falls <50% HP: +500% HP restore

• ✅ Value: Safety net for Zhao, allows aggressive play

📊 Functional Pattern:

• 🔹 Turns 1-4: Achilles dominates (Demigod status)

• ⚠️ Turns 5-6: Achilles vulnerable, Zhao assumes

• 📈 Turns 7-8: Zhao strong, Achilles recovered

• ✅ Result: Continuous pressure in different phases

⚠️ Limitation:

• 🛡️ Requires third hero that is NOT carry

• ✅ Better with La Hire or Geraint as support

• ⏰ Needs good timing/positioning

🚫 Synergy Tier C-D: Problematic

❌ Gustav - Anti-Synergy Explained

⚠️ Why It Doesn't Work:

🔹 Gustav Skill 2: Aligned Force

• 🎯 80% enemies attack Gustav

• 📉 Each hit: attacker loses -10% damage (stack 5x)

• 🚫 After 4 hits: attacker deals 0% damage until turn end

🔹 Gustav Skill 8: Destiny (Skin)

• 🛡️ -40% damage taken

• 💚 Restores 200% HP/turn

• 🚫 When ally falls <70%/40%: 2 enemies cannot deal damage

🚨 The Problem:

1. 📉 Low Damage Environment: Enemies deal -50% damage after stacks

2. 🚫 Excessive Control: Disabled enemies don't generate events for Zhao

3. ⏰ Long Battles: Gustav prolongs fights but without damage intensity

4. ❌ No Kill Opportunities: Enemies survive too long, few chances for Zhao to get kill stacks

📊 Tested Results:

• ❌ Gustav + Zhao + Ragnar(Skin): 40-80k total damage

• ❌ Gustav + Zhao + Alberich: More losses than wins

⚠️ Conclusion: Gustav creates environment antithetical to what Zhao needs

🏆 Composition Tier List Revised

🥇 Tier S - Optimal Multi-Role Performance

⭐ Cyrus(Skin) + Ragnar(Skin) + Zhao Yun

🎭 Roles:

• ⚡ Cyrus: Burst opener / Finisher

• 🌊 Ragnar: Debuff engine / Secondary damage

• 🐉 Zhao: Scaling carry / AOE pressure

📊 Performance: 289k damage (94 skills)

✨ Why It Works:

• 🔄 Ragnar amplifies damage of BOTH Cyrus and Zhao

• 🚫 Cyrus anti-heal facilitates kills for Zhao stacks

• 💥 Zhao AOE maintains constant pressure

• 🎯 All three contribute significant damage

⏰ Role Distribution:

• Early (1-3): Cyrus dominates

• Mid (4-6): Zhao assumes with stacks

• Late (7-8): All three at peak

🏰 Harald III(Skin) + Geraint + Zhao Yun

🎭 Roles:

• 🛡️ Harald: Primary tank / Taunt

• 💚 Geraint: Sustain engine / Control

• 🐉 Zhao: Primary/Secondary carry

📊 Performance: 150-200k damage estimated

✨ Why It Works:

• 🏰 Harald + Geraint = nearly invincible front

• 🎯 Zhao operates in 100% protected environment

• ✅ Geraint doesn't compete for kills

• 🎯 Harald setup but doesn't steal kills

🎯 Matchup Coverage:

• ✅ Strong vs aggressive comps (survivability)

• ✅ Good vs balanced comps (sustain)

• ⚠️ Struggles vs extreme tank walls

• 
  

🥈 Tier A - Strong Balanced Comps

🌟 Don Quixote(Skin) + Theodora(Skin) + Zhao (Cavalry)

🎭 Roles:

• 🐴 Don Quixote: Primary scaling carry

• 💎 Theodora: Tank/Support hybrid

• 🐉 Zhao: Off-tank / Secondary damage

✨ Why It Works:

• 🛡️ Theodora absorbs damage for BOTH DQ and Zhao

• 📈 DQ scales independently of Zhao

• 🐎 Zhao cavalry counters vs archers/cavalry

• 💚 Theodora heal/sustain allows prolonged scaling

⚠️ Limitation:

• 💰 High investment (2 legendary skins)

• 🐎 Requires Zhao use Cavalry for optimal synergy

🏛️ Alexander(Skin) + Zhao Yun + La Hire

🎭 Roles:

• 🏰 Alexander: Primary tank / Bleeding setup

• 🐉 Zhao: Secondary tank / Executioner

• ⚔️ La Hire: Control / Early game dominance

✨ Why It Works:

• 🎯 La Hire control early game

• 🩸 Alexander bleeding setup kills

• 🛡️ Zhao footmen executes low HP (450% bonus)

• 🏰 Dual tank core = high survivability

📊 Pattern:

• Early: La Hire dominates

• Mid: Alexander bleeding + Zhao execution

• Late: Zhao scaled, all contribute

🌊 Harald III(Skin) + Ragnar(Skin) + Zhao Yun

🎭 Roles:

• 🛡️ Harald: Tank / Taunt

• 🌊 Ragnar: Debuff / Secondary carry

• 🐉 Zhao: Primary carry with amplification

✨ Why It Works:

• 📈 Ragnar debuffs amplify Zhao

• 🛡️ Harald protects both

• 🔺 Perfect synergy triangle

⚠️ Limitation:

• 💰 Requires 2 skins (moderate-high investment)

🥉 Tier B - Functional Specific Use

🔄 Don Quixote + Zhao Yun + Cyrus(Skin)

🔄 Revised Analysis:

🎭 Possible Roles:

1. DQ Primary: Zhao off-tank, Cyrus finisher

2. Zhao Primary: DQ off-tank, Cyrus finisher

3. Balanced: All contribute ~33%

✨ When It Works:

• 🐎 Cavalry build on both DQ and Zhao

• ⏰ Cyrus gets anti-heal on correct timings

• 🎯 Enemies don't focus single target

⚠️ Limitation:

• 🛡️ Less tank than comps with Harald/Gustav

• 🎯 Requires specific matchups

• ❌ Can fail vs extreme burst

⚔️ Alexander(Skin) + Zhao Yun + Achilles

🔄 Revised Analysis:

✨ When It Works:

• ⚡ Achilles dominates early (Demigod)

• 📈 Zhao assumes mid-late (Achilles vulnerable turns 5-6)

• 🏛️ Alexander consistent throughout

🔗 Synergy:

• 🛡️ Sacred Realm protects Zhao

• 🏰 Dual -60% damage taken (Alexander + Zhao)

• ⏰ Phase-based dominance

⚠️ Limitation:

• ❌ No dedicated support

• ⚠️ Vulnerable turns 5-6 (Achilles weak)

• 🎯 Requires perfect positioning

• 
  

⚠️ Tier C - Limited Viability

🛡️ Alexander + Zhao + Geraint (no skins)

📊 Why Tier C:

• ✅ Functional but outclassed

• 💰 Acceptable F2P option

• 📈 Better to add Harald or use skins

🚫 Tier D - Avoid

❌ Gustav(Skin) + Zhao + Ragnar(Skin)

🚨 Tested and Failed:

• ❌ Gustav anti-synergy overcomes Ragnar synergy

• 📉 40-80k damage (very low)

• 🚫 Avoid completely

❌ Gustav(Skin) + Zhao + Alberich

🚨 Official Suggestion that Fails:

• ❌ Tested: more losses than wins

• ⚠️ Same problems as previous comp

• 🚫 Not recommended

🎯 Matchup Analysis Revised

🆚 Don Quixote + Oliver + Cyrus

📋 Complete Analysis:

⚠️ Meta Comp Threats:

• 💥 Oliver: High burst (725% damage skill)

• 🐴 Don Quixote: Scaling threat (Might steal)

• ⚡ Cyrus: Finisher (600% burst)

✅ Zhao Comp Response (Harald + Geraint + Zhao):

⏰ Phase 1 (Turns 1-3):

• 🛡️ Harald taunt absorbs Oliver burst

• 💚 Geraint heal keeps Harald alive

• 🏰 Zhao -60% damage taken = survives focus

• ✅ Advantage: Survivability > burst

⏰ Phase 2 (Turns 4-6):

• 📈 Zhao with 1-2 Skill 8 stacks

• 💥 AOE pressure on all three enemies

• 💚 Geraint sustain continues

• ✅ Advantage: Zhao scaling vs meta comp linear

⏰ Phase 3 (Turns 7-8):

• 🔥 Zhao 3-4 stacks = major threat

• ❌ Meta comp no healing recovery

• 🛡️ Harald still tanking

• ✅ Advantage: Zhao late game > meta

🎯 Win Condition:

• Survive initial burst

• Scale through mid game

• Dominate late game

📊 Estimated Result: 55/45 for Zhao comp (slight edge)

🆚 Alexander + Achilles + La Hire

⚠️ Meta Comp Strengths:

• ⚔️ La Hire early control (First to Attack turn 1)

• 🛡️ Achilles Demigod phase (turns 1-4)

• 🩸 Alexander consistent bleeding

✅ Zhao Comp Counter (Harald + Geraint + Zhao):

🎯 Counter-Strategy:

• 🛡️ Zhao FOOTMEN build (+35% vs Footmen)

• 🏰 Harald tanks La Hire control

• ⏰ Survive Achilles Demigod phase

• 📈 Scale when Achilles weakens (turns 5-6)

📊 Phase Analysis:

Early (1-4): Meta comp advantage (Achilles + La Hire) Mid (5-6): Zhao comp advantage (Achilles vulnerable) Late (7-8): Zhao comp advantage (stacks accumulated)

⚡ Critical Factor: Counter effect advantage

• ✅ Zhao +35% vs all three Footmen

• 🛡️ -35% damage taken from all three

• 📊 Effective ~70% swing

📊 Estimated Result: 50/50 (skill/RNG dependent)

🆚 Ramses + Al-Hawra + Henry II

⚠️ Meta Comp Threats:

• 🎯 Al-Hawra: Extreme control (weaken + All-Ability Boost)

• 💥 Ramses: Fatal Blow engine (up to 60%)

• 🏹 Henry: Spam damage (3-5 repetitions)

✅ Zhao Comp Response:

⚠️ CRITICAL: Troop Type Selection

• 🐎 Zhao CAVALRY (+35% vs Archers)

• ⚖️ Counter effect mitigates archer advantage

🎯 Strategy:

• ⏰ Survive Al-Hawra control (Zhao debuff clear per kills)

• 🛡️ Tank Ramses Fatal Blows (Zhao -60% damage)

• 💚 Outlast Henry spam (Geraint heal)

⚠️ Problem:

• 🏹 Three archers = massive type advantage

• ⚖️ Even with +35% counter, still disadvantaged

• 🚫 Al-Hawra disable can prevent Zhao scaling

📊 Estimated Result: 35/65 (meta comp favored)

🔧 Mitigation:

• 🏛️ Alexander(Skin) + Zhao + third instead of Harald

• 🔄 Alexander adaptive positioning

• 🐎 Zhao cavalry counter

• ⚠️ Still difficult matchup

🔄 Flexibility Analysis: Zhao Yun's True Power

🎭 Strategic Adaptability

🔄 Dual Troop Type = Dual Identity:

🛡️ Zhao Footmen:

• 🏰 Tank/Bruiser role

• ✅ +35% vs Footmen/Cavalry

• ⚡ Execute potential (450% bonus)

• 🎯 Best vs physical comps

🐎 Zhao Cavalry:

• 🛡️ Off-tank/Damage role

• ✅ +35% vs Cavalry/Archers

• 💥 Sustained AOE (150% physical procs)

• 🎯 Best vs ranged/mobile comps

📊 Role Flexibility Matrix

🥇 As Primary Carry:

• 📋 Requires: Support/tank partners (Harald, Geraint)

• ✅ Strengths: Scales hard, AOE pressure

• ⚠️ Weaknesses: Slow start, needs survival

🥈 As Secondary Carry:

• 📋 Requires: Another carry that doesn't compete for kills

• ✅ Strengths: Adds threat layer, survives focus

• ⚠️ Weaknesses: Lower ceiling than primary role

🛡️ As Off-Tank:

• 📋 Requires: Primary carry + support

• ✅ Strengths: -60% damage taken, counter effects

• ⚠️ Weaknesses: Less damage than pure tank

🎯 As Counter-Pick:

• 📋 Requires: Knowledge of enemy comp

• ✅ Strengths: +35% advantage massive in certain matchups

• ⚠️ Weaknesses: Requires correct prediction

🎓 Conclusion: The Underestimated Hero

💎 What Zhao Yun Really Is

❌ Not:

• Pure damage carry needing 289k to have value

• Replacement for Caesar/Oliver in all situations

• Universal answer to all problems

✅ Is:

• Multi-role flex pick with unique strengths

• Scaling threat adding progressive pressure

• Defensive utility with offensive output

• Counter-pick specialist with matchup flexibility

📊 Real Value by Role

🥇 Primary Carry: Rating A

• 🔥 Peak: 289k damage proven

• 📋 Requires: Specific comp (Ragnar skin essential)

• ✅ Viability: High in correct compositions

🥈 Secondary Carry: Rating A+

• 💥 Contributes: 100-150k damage consistently

• ✅ Doesn't compete: With primary carry for resources

• 🎯 Adds: Progressive threat enemies must respect

🛡️ Off-Tank Utility: Rating A

• 🏰 Survivability: -60% damage taken + counter effects

• 🎯 Control: Debuff clear per kills

• 💥 Pressure: AOE damage keeps enemies honest

🎯 Counter-Pick: Rating S

• 🔄 Flexibility: Footmen OR Cavalry

• ✅ Advantage: +35% damage swing in correct matchups

• 🎨 Adaptability: Single hero covers multiple counters

🎯 Final Recommendation

🥇 Priority 1 (Must Have):

• Players with Ragnar(Skin)

• F2P players seeking flexible carry

• Competitive players needing counter-pick options

🥈 Priority 2 (Highly Recommended):

• Players with Harald/Geraint invested

• Who use Footmen/Cavalry comps regularly

• Brackets where meta allows scaling

🥉 Priority 3 (Consider):

• Players with other carry priorities

• Who prefer burst over scaling

• Burst-heavy meta where Zhao struggles

⭐ Final Adjusted Rating

📊 Overall Rating: A (Tier 1)

• 🔄 Versatility: S (dual troop, multi-role)

• 🔥 Power Ceiling: A (289k peak, 100-150k typical)

• ⚖️ Consistency: B+ (matchup dependent)

• 💰 Accessibility: S (100% F2P)

📊 Honest Comparison:

• 🆚 Caesar: Zhao more flexible, Caesar more consistent

• 🆚 Oliver: Zhao more utility, Oliver more burst

• 🆚 Percival: Zhao more damage ceiling, Percival more control

🎯 Bottom Line: Zhao Yun isn't the "best F2P hero" in absolute terms.

He's the "most versatile F2P hero" offering value in multiple dimensions. Analyzing only by total damage ignores 60% of what makes him valuable.