I spent some more time with Ranvir. Having now more experience with Guardian Jackal and Joon, I like Ranvir a lot.
His fast mana is not significantly different from Wu Kong’s average mana when fighting a titan or player controlled raiding. However it makes him more practical than Jackal or Wu Kong as a flank or corner for AI controlled defense.
I continue to dislike the Elemental link being an Elemental defense buff. Currently the only use I have for it is overwrite an Elemental purple defense debuff ( Panther ). Or since it is non dispellable, blocking an attacker attempting an Elemental purple defense debuff ( Panther ).
But I like long special skill durations- 5 turns is an eternity for a 5* special skill ( though it does overwrite Gambler’s Stance). They give the player, and the AI, more time to do something meaningful with the special skill.
I like his stat distribution- high attack, high defense, very low HP ( for a 5* hero. yellows tend to be heavily skewed attack or defense/ HP ). Low HP means his attack buff is more active ( like Cyprian’s low defense increasing incoming damage therefore increasing reflected damage). Ranvir’s high defense makes up for his very low HP. His high attack compliments his attack buff and his direct damage.
His resistance to poison helps with his low HP when facing purple 4* / 5* heroes since their poison bypasses his high defense stat.
Like glass cannon Melendor, Companion helps him survive with his very low HP. Definitely an asset for Druid quest Trials of Nature ( mobs green and blue, final Bosses Chao, Brienne, Horghall ) but can be a mixed blessing for Trials of Fortitude ( mobs green and blue, final Bosses Horghall, Vivica, Boril ) with Boril’s reflect damage.
But Ranvir has his drawbacks - the accuracy debuff, very low HP and lack of resistance to Proteus’ and Hel’s Mana block.
Personally I would level him before Joon or Leonidas. I might even level him before Delilah and Guinevere depending on the rest of my 5* heroes.
Just a reminder I am a huge fan of his artwork.
Except for the Elemental link - which I disapprove of in general not in how it compliments his high defense and very low HP - I would label him a perfectly designed hero.
10/10 for the Dev team who hammered out his design. Would purchase one of their HotM again.
