Heifeng Guai, The Black Wind Demon: Sniper with a Twist

Overview

Heifeng Guai is a 4-star Epic Dark hero from the Journey family, released in early 2023. He is a Rogue class sniper who brings a mix of direct damage, defense reduction, and the niche utility of resetting status ailments. While he lives in the shadow of his 5-star family members, he offers a unique tactical option for 4-star tournaments and events.

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Hero Art & Visuals

Heifeng Guai is depicted as a bear-like demon (based on the Black Bear Demon from Journey to the West), wielding a black-tasseled spear. The art is solid, capturing his menacing yet somewhat disciplined nature. He looks like a warrior who means business, fitting well with the other "animal spirit" designs in the Journey family.

General Info

Hero Stats

In late 2025, his stats are serviceable but not exciting.

• Attack (669): A bit low for a sniper. He relies on his skill multiplier and debuff to deal damage.
• Defense (624) & Health (1379): These are decent survivability stats for a 4-star, especially with the Rogue dodge talent.
• Power (686): He falls into the mid-tier of 4-star power.

Special Skill: Black Tassel Spear Sting

Analysis: "Black Tassel Spear Sting" is a combo platter.

1. Snipe: 285% damage to target. This is underwhelming. Most 4-star snipers hit for 300-400%+. He trades raw damage for utility.
2. Ailment Reset: "The duration of dispellable status ailments is reset for the target." This is his signature move. If the enemy is poisoned, burning, or mana-blocked, Heifeng Guai resets the timer to full.
3. Defense Down: -35% defense for 3 turns. This is a standard, solid debuff. It helps your team deal more damage, somewhat compensating for his weak initial hit.

By the Numbers

• Mana Speed Analysis: Fast. 8 tiles. This is critical. He needs to fire frequently to keep resetting ailments and applying defense down.
• Damage Calculation:
  • Base Attack ~669.
  • 285% hit = ~1906 raw damage value.
  • Compared to a classic sniper like Tiburtus (Costumed) or newer hard hitters, this is soft. You bring him for the effects, not the kill shot.

Family Bonus, Passives, Aether Power & Unique Abilities

Family Bonus

Analysis: The chance to extend status effect duration works well with his kit. If he extends his own Defense Down to 4 or 5 turns, he becomes much more valuable.

Aether Power

Analysis: Attack Up. Essential for helping his weak snipe deal at least some noticeable damage.

Legacy & Modern Relevance

• Historical Context: Upon release, he was compared unfavorably to Zhabog (S5 4-star), who resets ailments on all enemies. Heifeng Guai only affects one. This limited his appeal significantly.
• Power Creep Analysis: As a single-target ailment resetter with low damage, he has struggled to find a permanent home. The game has moved towards AoE effects.
• Modern Viability Verdict: Niche. He is useful in specific 4-star challenges where you need to keep a boss permanently locked down with Proteus or Merlin, using Heifeng Guai to refresh the duration. Outside of that, there are usually better Dark 4-stars (C.Rigard, C.Tiburtus, Sergei, etc.).

Costume & Costume Bonus

As of this review, Heifeng Guai does not have a costume.

Emblem Path Analysis

Heifeng Guai is a Rogue.

The Survivor (Defense > Health > Attack)

• Path: Defense/Health.
• Pros: Keeps him alive to maintain the debuff loop.
• Cons: His damage becomes negligible.

The Striker (Attack > Defense > Health)

• Path: Attack.
• Pros: Tries to make him a threat.
• Cons: Still won't hit very hard compared to true snipers.

Final Recommendation

Defense/Health. His primary role is utility (Defense Down + Reset). If he dies, the combo breaks.

Strengths

• Fast Defense Down: Always useful in titan teams or raid stacks.
• Ailment Reset: Can extend powerful effects like Mindless Attack or Mana Stop indefinitely on a single target.
• Rogue Class: Dodge chance adds survivability.

Weaknesses

• Weak Hit: 285% is very low for a sniper.
• Single Target Reset: Inferior to Zhabog's AoE reset.
• Competition: Dark has incredible 4-stars (Sergei, Tiburtus, Rigard, Sabina, Proteus). He struggles to compete for a roster spot.

Best Game Modes

• Challenge Events: Resetting DoT or Mana Control on a boss can be a winning strategy.
• Titans: Fast defense down is good if you don't have C.Tiburtus or Cheshire Cat.
• 4-Star Tournaments: Usable in fast/buff booster settings as a debuffer.

Advanced Strategy & Team Compositions

Sample Team Ideas

1. The Lockdown Loop:
   • Proteus - Heifeng Guai - Healer
   • Concept: Proteus stops mana. Before it expires, Heifeng Guai hits the target to reset the duration to full (3 turns). Rinse and repeat.

Counters & Anti-Synergies

• Counters: Monks (Resist the defense down or reset?), Cleansers.
• Anti-Synergy: None really, but he needs someone else to apply the ailments he resets. He is a support hero, not a carry.

Advice for New Players

If he is your first Dark 4-star with Defense Down, level him immediately. Defense Down is the most important debuff in the game. He will serve you well until you get Tiburtus or Sergei.

Advice for Veterans

He is likely food or a deep bench hero. Unless you lack Zhabog and really want to play with ailment resetting mechanics, he doesn't offer much to a developed roster.

Community Corner: Hot Takes & History

• "Budget Zhabog": The most common community sentiment. Why reset one when you can reset all?
• "Weak Hitter": Players were disappointed by the 285% damage. "Is he tickling them?"

Final Thoughts

Heifeng Guai is a hero with a cool mechanic trapped in a mediocre stat block and scope. Being single-target limits his "ailment refresh" potential compared to his peers. However, having a Fast Defense Down hero is never a bad thing for a developing roster.

Verdict: A serviceable 4-star who fills gaps but rarely shines as the star of the show.

• Costume Verdict: N/A

The Black Wind blows... and your poison lasts forever.