Onyx: The Ninja Turtle's Arch-Nemesis Who forgot to Go to the Gym

Overview

Onyx burst onto the scene in late 2020 as part of the original Ninja Tower wave, introducing the chaotic "Charge" mana speed to Empires & Puzzles. A 5-star Dark (Purple) Ranger, he was designed to be a flexible Swiss Army knife of destruction—sniping at 1x charge or wiping teams at 3x.

Back in the day, he was a monster. Today? He's a tactical specialist. While his damage has fallen behind the curve, his utility—specifically the rare combination of Dispel and Buff Immunity—keeps him relevant for players who like to control the board rather than just brute force it.

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Hero Art & Visuals

Onyx rocks the classic "suburban ninja" aesthetic. Clad in purple tactical gear with a cowl that screams "I brood on gargoyles," his defining feature is the set of Wolverine-style claws on his gauntlets. It’s a sharp, aggressive design that fits his fast, slashing playstyle. Compared to the more mystical or over-the-top designs of recent heroes (looking at you, Construct family), Onyx feels grounded—like he’s actually here to do a job, not just float around glowing.

General Info

Hero Stats

Base Stats (No Emblems)

Level	Attack	Defense	Health	💪Power
4/80	803	706	1392	798
4/85lb1	865	761	1500	850
4/90lb2	990	871	1717	955

▶Calculate with Emblems

Simulation: 0 Emblems

Level				💪
4/80	803	706	1392	798
4/85lb1	865	761	1500	850
4/90lb2	990	871	1717	955

Stat Analysis: The Hard Truth Let's not sugarcoat it: Onyx's stats are a relic of a bygone era.

• Attack (803): Decent in 2020, but "meh" in 2026 where attackers push 1300+.
• Defense (706) & Health (1392): This is the danger zone. Modern 3-star heroes (like those in the "Glass" costume family) can rival his durability.
• Power (798): He sits nearly 450 points lower than modern powerhouses.

Even with Limit Breaks (LB2), his stats barely scratch the surface of a modern hero's base stats. He is glass cannon defined, without the "cannon" part unless you heavily invest in emblems and troops.

Special Skill: Crippling Claws

Special Skill

Crippling Claws

Mana Speed

Charge

• 1x Mana Charge
• * Deals 300% damage to the target.
• * The target is immune to new status effects buffs for 3 turns.
• * Dispels buffs from the target.
• 2x Mana Charge
• * Deals 340% damage to the target and nearby enemies.
• * The target and nearby enemies are immune to new status effects buffs for 4 turns.
• * Dispels buffs from the target and nearby enemies.
• 3x Mana Charge
• * Deals 380% damage to all enemies.
• * All enemies are immune to new status effects buffs for 5 turns.
• * Dispels buffs from all enemies.

⚡ Tile Breakpoints Guide

Charge 1

4.9Base Tiles

23% Bonus

4Tiles

Charge 2

9.8Base Tiles

9% Bonus

9Tiles

Charge 3

14.7Base Tiles

6% Bonus

14Tiles

Skill Analysis The "Charge" mechanic is Onyx's saving grace. It gives you options:

• 1x Charge (Fast-ish): A surgical strike. Hits one target, dispels them, and blocks buffs. This is incredible for shutting down a taunting tank or a healer about to fire.
• 2x Charge (Average-ish): Hits three. Ideally used to control a flank and tank simultaneously.
• 3x Charge (Very Slow-ish): Hits all. The damage is modest by modern standards, but blocking buffs on the entire enemy team for 5 turns is game-winning utility.

The Golden Combo: Dispel FIRST, then Damage, then Buff Immunity. Wait, correction: Onyx deals damage first, then applies immunity, then dispels. Actually, reading the card carefully:

1. Deals Damage.
2. Target is immune to new buffs.
3. Dispels buffs. Note: The order matters! Since he deals damage first, he can be blocked by defensive buffs (like Defense Up) before he dispels them. However, his Ranger class allows him to bypass these buffs, which is a critical synergy.

By the Numbers

Let's look at the math behind the ninja.

• Mana Speed:
  • Charge 1 (100%): Requires 5 tiles (with max mana troops/bonuses). This makes him a "Very Fast" dispeller/blocker.
  • Charge 2 (200%): Requires 10 tiles. Roughly "Average" speed.
  • Charge 3 (300%): Requires 15 tiles. "Very Slow" speed, but high payoff.
• Damage Potential (Base Stats):
  • Charge 1: 803 Atk × 270% ≈ 2,168 raw damage value. (Sniper range, but weak).
  • Charge 3: 803 Atk × 380% ≈ 3,051 raw damage value to all enemies.
  • Comparison: A modern "Hit All" hero like Jwala deals 350% damage off a base attack of 1324. That's a raw value of 4,634. Onyx is dealing roughly half the damage of a modern AoE hitter.
• Utility Value:
  • Buff Immunity: 3 to 5 turns. This is where he shines. Preventing a healer from applying "Revive" buffs or stopping a "Taunt" loop is worth more than raw damage in tactical raids.

Family Bonus, Passives, Aether Power & Unique Abilities

The Ninja family was the first to introduce the "Dodge" meta, and it remains annoying to this day.

Family Bonus

Family Bonus

Tower - Ninjas

• Bonus for 1/2/3 Unique Heroes:
• 5%/10%/15% chance to dodge normal attacks and Special Skills
• 5%/10%/15% chance to counterattack with 60%/90%/120% of the damage received.

Analysis:

• Dodge: A 5-10% chance to dodge everything (Special Skills AND Normal Attacks) is a lifesaver for a hero with such low defense.
• Counterattack: The chance to counter is a nice bonus, but don't rely on it for damage.

Passives

Analysis: Onyx comes from the era before "Passives" were stapled onto every hero. He has zero innate passives outside of his Family Bonus.

Aether Power

Aether Power

Attack Up

At the start of each battle, this Hero gets 20% attack for 6 turns

In battles with multiple waves, the effect is refreshed at the beginning of each wave.

Analysis:

• Attack Up: At Level 90, he gets a raw attack boost for the first 6 turns. This helps patch his outdated damage stats, allowing him to hit slightly harder in the opening rush. It’s decent, but "Dodge" or "Damage Reduction" might have been better to keep him alive.

Legacy & Modern Relevance

• Historical Context: In 2020/2021, Onyx was a god. The flexibility to snipe or wipe a team made him a top-tier defender and attacker. Players feared the "Ninja Tower" defense teams.
• Power Creep: The stat gap is undeniable. He gets one-shot by modern snipers. His damage tickles modern tanks.
• Modern Viability Verdict: Niche Attacker. He is no longer viable on defense (too squishy). However, on offense, he is a Premium Support hero. You bring him to shut down Ludwigs, Aramis, or any heavy buffer. He is a tool, not a weapon.

Emblem Path Analysis

You have a tough choice: Polish the glass cannon or try to make the glass bulletproof?

The "Glass Cannon" (Attack Path)

• Path: Attack > Defense > Health
• Pros: Maximizes his damage potential. Since his multipliers (270%-380%) are decent, every point of Attack helps him actually kill things.
• Cons: He remains extremely fragile. A stiff breeze will kill him.

The "Survivalist" (Defense Path)

• Path: Defense > Health > Attack
• Pros: Keeps him alive long enough to fire his x2 or x3 charge. Enhances the value of his Dodge family bonus.
• Cons: His damage becomes negligible. He becomes purely a utility dispeller.

Final Recommendation

For modern play, we recommend the Attack Path. Why? Because if you want a sturdy dispeller, there are better options (like Rigard or Sabina with costumes). If you are bringing Onyx, you want him to contribute some damage while he blocks buffs. Plus, his Ranger class "Pierce" talent scales with damage.

Strengths

• Flexible Mana: Can fire early to save a match or hold for a wipe.
• Buff Immunity: One of the best ailments in the game. Stops HoT, Taunt, Dodge, Retaliate, etc.
• Ranger Class: The "Pierce" talent (25% chance to bypass defensive buffs) allows him to hit through Defense Up or Elemental barriers, ensuring his damage lands before the dispel triggers.
• Dispel: Always useful.

Weaknesses

• Paper-Thin Stats: extremely vulnerable to tile damage and slash attacks.
• Unpredictable Defense: On defense teams, the AI fires randomly (sometimes at x1, sometimes holds for x3), making him unreliable.
• Damage Falloff: Can no longer be relied upon as a primary damage dealer.

Best Game Modes

• War Attack: Excellent for dissecting specific defenses that rely on buffs (e.g., teams with heavy healers or taunters).
• Buff Booster Tournaments: He is a hard counter to the entire format. He prevents the enemy from getting buffs, neutralizing the tournament rule.
• Bloody Battle: Blocking defensive buffs prevents the enemy from mitigating damage since they can't heal.

Advanced Strategy & Team Compositions

Onyx works best when paired with heroes who can keep him alive or capitalize on his soft-up.

Sample Team Ideas

• The "Ninja Squad": Onyx + Garnet + Cobalt.
  • Why: Activates the Family Bonus for maximum Dodge chance. Garnet provides the Overheal needed to keep Onyx's low HP pool irrelevant.
• The "Mana Feeders": Xnolphod/Ludwig + Onyx.
  • Why: Mana boosters help Onyx reach his x2 or x3 charge much faster, bypassing the slow tile gain. Xnolphod (even post-nerf) works well with Purple stacks.
• The "Control Freak": Onyx + Proteus/Hel.
  • Why: Proteus stops mana, Onyx stops buffs. The enemy literally cannot do anything.

Counters & Anti-Synergies

• Counters: Fast Snipers (e.g., Gegneeshu, Toon Joon) will delete Onyx before he charges. Mana Controllers (e.g., Xiahou Dun) prevent him from ever reaching x3 charge.
• Anti-Synergy: Don't pair him with other "Overwrite" ailments if you need the Buff Block. For example, don't overwrite his Buff Block with a less useful ailment if the enemy is about to buff themselves.

Advice for New Players

If you pull Onyx early, rejoice! He is fantastic for map stages and mid-tier raids. His flexibility teaches you how to manage the board. Prioritize his attack stats so he can carry you through story mode bosses by blocking their devastating buffs.

Advice for Veterans

He is a "Luxury Tool." Do not Limit Break 2 (Alpha Aether) him unless you have a surplus of mats and a deep love for Ninjas. He does his job (Dispel/Block) just fine at 4/80 or 4/85. The stat boost from LB2 won't make him a meta defender again. Use him in your 4th or 5th War team to counter specific Ludwig tanks.

Community Corner: Hot Takes & History

The community has had a rollercoaster relationship with Onyx.

• 2020: "He is a monster. 803 Attack is ridiculous!" — Historical Forum Post.
• 2021: "Onyx + Cobalt is the end of Empires & Puzzles." — Every Raid Victim.
• 2025/2026: "His stats are pure garbage even with +25 emblems. He's a bench warmer." — A disillusioned veteran.

One player noted a key mechanic: "I didn't know that bypass gets around taunt... that makes him really good against Black Knight tanks." This remains true today—his Ranger talent is his secret weapon against the Taunt meta.

Final Thoughts

Onyx is like an old sports car. He doesn't have the safety features or the horsepower of the new models, and if you crash him, he crumples. But man, is he still fun to drive when the conditions are right. He brings a level of control and finesse that few "smash and grab" modern heroes can match.

Verdict: Keep him, emblem him, but maybe don't bet the house on him. He's the perfect solution to a problem you'll face about once every two wars.

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