Zuni: The Anti-Ice Specialist with a Need for Speed

Overview

Zuni is a 5-star Nature (Green) hero from the Super Elemental family, originally released in August 2023. He bursts onto the scene on a steampunk-style hoverboard, bringing a Fast mana speed kit designed with one singular purpose: to absolutely dismantle Ice (Blue) heroes.

In a game that often rewards versatility, Zuni takes the opposite approach. He is the definition of a "conditional" hero. If you play by his rules (target a Blue enemy), he rewards you with devastation. If you don't... well, he's just a guy on a skateboard hitting one person.

Hero Art & Visuals

Zuni features a unique aesthetic that blends fantasy elf features with a distinct sci-fi/steampunk vibe. Riding a hoverboard with green energy trails, he looks like he just zoomed out of a futuristic skate park in Alfheim. It's a fun, dynamic pose that stands out from the usual "warrior standing still with a sword" trope. The vibrant green color palette screams "Nature," but the tech elements suggest he's not your typical druid.

General Info

Hero Stats

When Zuni was released, his stats were top-tier. However, the march of power creep in Empires & Puzzles is relentless.

• Attack (LB2): ~1163
• Defense (LB2): ~1136
• Health (LB2): ~2059
• Total Power (LB2): 1138

Modern Benchmark Comparison: Modern heroes released in late 2025 (like the Astral Demons or Constructs) boast LB2 power levels exceeding 1530, with Attack stats pushing 1600+. Zuni is currently sitting nearly 400 Power points behind the meta leaders. While his skill is potent, his stat line is undeniably dated, making him significantly squishier and less punchy than the latest releases.

Special Skill: Hoverboard Slam

Zuni's special skill, Hoverboard Slam, is a classic "If/Then" mechanic.

1. The Base Case: He deals 300% damage to a single target. By modern standards, a 300% snipe is incredibly weak.
2. The "Jackpot" Case: If the target is Ice (Blue), he deals 275% damage to ALL other enemies.

This transforms him from a mediocre sniper into a Fast speed AoE nuker. On top of the damage, he applies a -34% Attack and Defense debuff to everyone hit. Against Ice characters, this debuff becomes uncleansable and lasts longer.

Analysis: The difference between hitting a Blue target and a non-Blue target is night and day. Hitting a Blue target effectively gives you a 275-300% hit on the entire enemy team at Fast speed, which is phenomenal. Hitting a Red target gives you... a tickle. This makes him strictly an offensive hero; you cannot rely on the AI to target Blue heroes in defense.

By the Numbers

• Mana Speed: Fast. He needs 8 tiles to charge. With a Level 29 Mana troop or appropriate bonuses, he can charge in 7 tiles.
• Damage Potential (vs Non-Ice): 300% to one target. (Very Low).
• Damage Potential (vs Ice Target): 300% (Target) + 275% x 4 (Others) = 1400% Total Damage Output. (Very High).
• Debuff Value: -34% Defense is respectable, roughly equivalent to a standard Tiburtus/Grimm break, but at Fast speed and potentially to all enemies.

Family Bonus, Passives, Aether Power & Unique Abilities

The Super Elemental family is designed to punish mono-elemental weaknesses and reward stacking.

Family Bonus

The Power Gems are a signature of this family. They spawn passively and deal chip damage (20 dmg) each turn. When matched, they deal small damage to all enemies. It's not a game-changer on its own, but in long battles, that chip damage adds up and can break counters or kill low-HP enemies.

Passives

Troop Mastery is Zuni's hidden superpower.

• Attacking: His troops deal +100% extra elemental damage against the weaker element (Blue).
• Defending: He takes -10% damage from the stronger element (Red).

This passive makes Zuni an absolute Titan God. When you bring him against a Blue Titan, your tile damage is effectively doubled (on top of elemental advantage). Even with aging stats, this passive keeps him relevant in PvE.

Aether Power

Attack Up gives him a 20% attack boost for the first 6 turns. This is perfect for his role as a Fast striker. You want to fire him early to soften up the team or wipe them out, and the extra attack helps compensate for his older stats.

Legacy & Modern Relevance

• Historical Context: Upon release, Zuni was considered a "situational but powerful" hero. He was a direct counter to the heavy Blue meta heroes of the time (like Miriam & Midnight or Waterpipe).
• Power Creep Analysis: His stats have fallen off a cliff. He lacks the raw durability to survive hits from modern nukers like Jwala or Turundh.
• Modern Viability Verdict: Zuni is Niche but Viable. He is no longer a general-purpose hero. You generally shouldn't take him into a raid unless you see at least one (preferably two) Blue heroes. However, for Blue Titans and Mythic Titans, he remains a top-tier choice due to his Defense Down and Troop Mastery passive.

Emblem Path Analysis

Zuni is a Wizard. His talent (Jinx) gives a chance for extra damage per buff on the enemy, which fits his offensive role.

The Glass Cannon (Recommended)

• Path: Attack > Defense > Health
• Pros: Maximizes the damage of his 275% AoE hit and his tile damage against Titans.
• Cons: He remains very fragile.

The Survivor

• Path: Defense > Health > Attack
• Pros: Keeps him alive longer to fire his special.
• Cons: His primary utility is damage and tile damage; lowering his attack stat counteracts his main strengths.

Final Recommendation

For most players, the Attack Path is recommended. If you are bringing Zuni, you are bringing him to kill things quickly. If the battle drags on, his low stats will likely get him killed regardless of emblem path.

Strengths

• Anti-Ice Nuke: Devastating damage if you can target a Blue hero.
• Titan Utility: The combination of Defense Down and the +100% Troop Mastery passive makes him incredible vs Blue Titans.
• Fast Speed: Can fire quickly to set up slower heroes.
• Uncleansable Debuffs: Against Blue heroes, the -34% Defense cannot be cleansed, ensuring damage sticks.

Weaknesses

• Condition Dependent: Without a Blue target, he is a D-tier sniper.
• Outdated Stats: Severely lacks bulk compared to 2025 heroes.
• Defense Liability: AI cannot be trusted to target Blue heroes, making him useless on defense.
• Uncleansable Restriction: The debuffs are only uncleansable on Ice targets; other elements can cleanse them easily.

Best Game Modes

• Titans (Blue): His best role. High tile damage and Defense Down.
• War Attack (vs Blue Tanks): Excellent counter to Blue tanks or flanks.
• Rush Attack: Fast speed is less special here, but the AoE damage is still huge.
• Mythic Titan: Essential for the Blue Mythic Titan.

Advanced Strategy & Team Compositions

Sample Team Ideas

• The Anti-Blue Stack: Zuni - Evelyn/Almur - Francine.
  • Why: Evelyn/Almur provides Elemental Defense Down. Zuni provides regular Defense Down and big AoE damage. Francine cleanses and adds more fast damage.
• The Titan Team: Zuni - Tarlak/Miki - Ratatoskr - Frigg - Franz.
  • Why: Zuni handles the regular Defense Down slot while boosting tile damage significantly.

Counters & Anti-Synergies

• Taunt Heroes (Non-Blue): If a Red Taunt hero (like Phorcys or Black Knight) protects the team, Zuni is forced to hit them. Since they aren't Blue, he won't trigger his AoE, rendering him useless.
• Dodge Heroes: If the target dodges, the secondary effects (AoE damage) do not trigger.

Advice for New Players

If you pulled Zuni early, he is a great asset. He will help you crush map stages with Blue bosses and will be your MVP for Blue Titans. Prioritize his Attack stats. Do not put him on your defense team; he is too easy to exploit.

Advice for Veterans

Zuni is a tool for your toolbox, not a daily driver. He comes off the bench for War hits against Blue-heavy teams and for Titans. Do not spend Alpha Aethers (LB2) on him unless you are chasing Titan high scores; his stats don't justify the cost for PvP competitiveness in the current era.

Community Corner: Hot Takes & History

Back in 2023, players were torn. Some called him the "cat's meow" of the portal, while others saw the "300% first hit" and called it "useless."

• "If you're targeting a blue hero you'd do 275% to all at fast speed? That's a harder hit than Ma'at, Frigg and Archie." - A prescient observation from the forums.
• "Maybe I’m missing something here, but this hero seems pretty solid to me."
• One user noted the key limitation: "This one is useless on defense and on any offense without blue."

Final Thoughts

Zuni is the definition of a "Tech Pick." He isn't the hero you bring to every fight, but he is the hero you are thrilled to have when a massive Blue tank is staring you down. While his stats have aged like milk, his special skill mechanic remains a fine wine—under the right conditions.

If you have him, keep him polished for Titans and specific War matchups. If you don't, you aren't missing a meta-defining monster, just a very cool elf on a hoverboard.

Verdict: A Titan Slayer and Blue-Team specialist who rides the bench until the matchup is just right.