Best 4 Star heroes Empires and Puzzles 2022

Who are the Best 5-Star/Legendary heroes in all of Empires and Puzzles? Well, this is my Top 10 countdown. There are no limits, Costumes are allowed, and only the Greatest were even considered.

Please remember, this is my personal opinion, based on my hero grades and the criteria set out below.

Also, I’ve already reviewed many of these heroes, so if you’re looking for a more serious take, please check out their individual reviews (which I’ll also link to).

Before we start, please share this post with your game-buddies and alliance, and please subscribe if you haven’t already!

Caveat: The post represents game-play speculation and personal opinion. It is not advice.

My Criteria for Selection (Empires and Puzzles):

• This is a search for the best of the best. -No exceptions will be tolerated!
• There are absolutely no limits whatsoever
• Every Empires and Puzzles hero will be considered; from Dawa to … 😁 That’s what we’re here to find out!
• Mana Speed Vs. Value returned, is pivotal in my assessment
• Hero Build (Balance), Class, etc. are all considered
• Fear factor and sheer annoyance is highly prized
• Offence, Defense, Stages, and Titans are all on the table
• Current Meta is absolutely relevant, -Minions away!
• Coolness is important – I don’t care for bland heroes
• What it takes to stop them, matters (like a Status Effect dispeller/blocker, for example)
• This list will value the Quarterbacks, the Leaders, and the Generals (selfish heroes need not apply -sry Tyr) -These are heroes you can build a squad around
• Synergy is required for both F2P players with only 1 Deity, and P2Ps with completely stacked rosters
• For the record, this list was published on 10/04/2022, so that’s the cut-off date for new heroes

Finally, being on this list doesn’t automatically make you the best in your Class. For example, a healer may rank well in this Top 10, but fare poorly in a Healers countdown.

-That’s because we’re evaluating the complete package, not just their specialism.

If you think I’ve missed the real Best hero in Empires and Puzzles, I welcome all views and look forward to seeing your reasoning in the comments below!

You’ve been calling for it, and it’s finally here. Ladies and Gentlemen, I give the Best heroes in Empires and Puzzles:

The Best 5-Star/Legendary Heroes In Empires and Puzzles

#10 Guan Yu (Empires and Puzzles)

Special Skills (Green Dragon Crescent Blade): 1. Deals 390% damage to the target and nearby enemies. 2. Damage bypasses target’s Minions. 4. The target and nearby enemies get -25% defense and a further -3% defense for each Minion owned by the enemies for 3 turns, up to -70% defense. This effect can’t be cleansed.

Guan Yu Breakdown

I don’t know much about the real War of the Three Kingdoms… But from what I’ve been reading on Wiki, Guan Yu was one bad man.

Listen to this, Guan Yu was hit by a stray poisoned arrow to the left arm (I’m guessing that’s the arrow in his Hero Card), and anyway, every time it rained, his arm would hurt.

So his doctor was like, ‘to heal you, we need to scrape the poison from your bone’.

No word of a lie, Guan Yu calls his friends over for a party and they all get p*ssed, while the Doc gets to chiselling.

In a similar story, when I had an ingrowing toe-nail (too much?), I was completely numb under local anaesthetic, and still took up the nurse’s offer, of a hand to hold.

Different times… same chisel.

Based on that story, it should come as no surprise that Guan Yu is a total powerhouse in Empires and Puzzles.

390% damage to 3 enemies, while inflicting up to -70% Defense (uncleansable), dependant on minions, is perfectly aligned with the current meta.

Minions continue to dominate, and as long as they do, Guan Yu will seek to redress the balance.

However, being tenth on this list does come with responsibilities; he now stands as gatekeeper to those seeking admittance hereafter.

Old Cynic’s Hero Grade: Deity

Want more Guan Yu? Read his full review here.

#9 Penolite (Empires and Puzzles – The Best Heroes)

Special Skills (Radiant Rapid-Fire): 1. Deals 245% damage to all enemies. 2. Deals 490% damage against Minion and Fiends summoners. 3. All enemies get -50% decrease for any healing for 4 turns.

Penolite Breakdown

I grew up in a poor neighbourhood, it was rough, not gonna lie. But sometimes, the extraordinary happened…

One day I was on the bus, headed home from another exhilarating day of “learning”, when a bunch of twats got on and started making up a holla.

Anyway, this guy, who was sat up front, decided to confront them.

He says:

“Shut up and sit down, or you see this (he tapped on the handrail-pole running from seat to ceiling), I will conk your head”.

Now, English wasn’t his first language, but it sounded like sweet poetry to me. -What a tender and heart-warming speech.

And, in many ways, that reminds me of Penolite’s approach to summoners…

-tho, Penolite tends to tap on her own horn, and indicate where she’ll stick it…

Penolite hits like a French Mule and has complete disdain for all the summoners.

490% to summoners… In a game chock-a-block with summoners… is simply insane. And, 245% to the rest is crazy.

Keep your summoners away, cuz Penolite don’t play games.

Old Cynic’s Hero Grade: Deity

Want more Penolite? Read her full review here.

#8 Costumed Master Lepus (Empires and Puzzles)

Special Skills (Rift Blade): 1. Deals 280% damage to all enemies. 2. The caster gets -24% mana generation for 4 turns. This effect cannot be cleansed.

C. Master Lepus Breakdown

I must have written 3k words about old Master Lepus over the last month or so, and I really don’t have much more to add.

Yes, Master Lupus is an utter liability without his Costume. But with it, much like Clark Kent, he turns into a complete poser.

Why is Costumed Master Lepus on this list?

Because he causes the most damage, for the least amount of mana.

280% to all on a Fast charge is simply devastating.

This guy’s a walking, talking, hopping, jumping, stick of Kryptonite (yep, -all crossed up that Superman reference).

For me, it was between Costumed Master Lepus and Mr. Pengi. But, Mr. Pengi relies on team Set-Up, whereas C. Master Lepus will lay out the Peoples Elbow upon polite request.

As of right now, he’s the hardest-hitting badass in the game. And until that changes, he’s Reppin.

Old Cynic’s Hero Grade: Deity

Want more Costumed Master Lepus? Read his full review here.

#7 Costumed Kadilen (Legendary Review)

Special Skills (Crescent Shield): 1. Deals 170% damage to all enemies. 2. All allies get +45% chance to dodge Special Skills for 3 turns. Each dodge summons a Thorn Minion. 3. Thorn Minion has 15% HP and 15% attack inherited from the caster.

C.Kadilen Breakdown

I’ve never reviewed Costumed Kadilen because she’s always managed to dodge my request for an interview.

And I imagine she’s like that with everything:

• Always missing when it’s time to pay the bill,
• Takes suspiciously long loo breaks at work, and
• Already in jimjams when it’s time to do the washing up

But, I guess, I can’t avoid giving her Props any longer. After all, she is the premier Dodger in all of Empires and Puzzles.

I did reach out to her people again, explaining all about her nomination, and our prestigious event.

And they, in turn, requested a list of my questions, which I duly sent.

Then, a few days later (when they finally caught up with her, I imagine), they finally sent me a response.

Oddly enough, only one question was answered:

What’s your favourite sport? Dodge-ball. Wanna play?

Old Cynic’s Hero Grade: Deity

#6 Krampus (Top 10 Empires and Puzzles Heroes)

Special Skills (Scourge of Joy):
1. Summons an Elf Minion for each ally with 7% HP and 10% attack inherited from the caster. 2. The caster gets Taunt that prevents enemies from using Special Skills on the caster’s allies for 3 turns. 3. The caster gets +44% defense, and a further 10% increase every time they are hit during 3 turns. This effect can’t be dispelled. 4. All allies get +50% attack for 3 turns.

Krampus Breakdown

Since his arrival, Krampus has shown the qualities of a true leader, often putting himself in harm’s way to protect his team.

Sadly, we don’t really see these qualities in the real world, and that’s why I admire Krampus so much.

Sure, he was nerfed, but he managed to emerge from that situation with his dignity intact.

Krampus has to be on this list because he continues to protect his squad against Special Skills damage, and that protection is game-changing.

Add to that, his ability to form strong partnerships with other elite heroes, and it’s really a no-brainer.

Old Cynic’s Hero Grade: Deity

#5 Diaochan (Best Heroes in Empires and Puzzles)

Special Skills (Lady’s Charm):
1. Recovers 35% health for all allies. 2. Summons a Lackey Minion for the caster and nearby allies with 15% HP and 19% attack inherited from the caster. 3. Each time a Lackey Minion hits an enemy, it steals a random dispellable buff from the enemy and gives it to its owner.

Diaochan Breakdown

Diaochan recently appeared as part of the War of the Three Kingdoms.

And I really like her, for the same reasons I like Krampus, and Ferant, and so many other heroes.

But, this isn’t some Kum ba yah, We All Are One, talk… No.

As I’ve explained previously, Diaochan is a known thief (allegedly).

She takes things that don’t belong to her. -Somebody had to say it.

That’s not defamation, those be the facts. -if you don’t like it, don’t do it.

Last time I played against her, she took Rigard’s healing, Hanitra’s dodge, and Khangan’s mana generation.

And truth be told, I’d change this entire review if she’d just give them back.

…ball’s in your court, Diaochan.

Old Cynic’s Hero Grade: Deity

Want more Diaochan? Read her full review here.

Related: What Heroes Cause The Most Damage In Empires and Puzzles?

#4 Milena (E&P Best Heroes)

Special Skills (Restoration and Annihilation):
Mana Charge 1x: 1. Recovers 25% health for all allies. 2. Cleanses status ailments from all allies.
Mana Charge 2x: 1. Deals 420% damage to all enemies. 2. Dispels buffs from all enemies.

Milena Breakdown

When Milena first entered the world of Empires and Puzzles, she was already a Deity.

Then something unexpected happened: Sally, daughter to a Developer named Tobey, happened to pull her on a free spin.

Now, this is all hear-say, and you certainly didn’t get it from me, -but there are whispers that Tobey’s been secretly buffing Milena without the proper authority….

… sneaking onto the live system while everyone was out to lunch, and punching in new numbers.

Don’t look at me, the proofs in the pudding… just look at her!

Word is, they finally caught up with him after he tried to create a new Passive called, “Mirror”.

Basically, Milena would spawn a new copy of herself onto the screen, each and every time you breathed.

Anyway, they decided to keep her buffs, and also buff the rest of the Magic Family, in the hope no one would notice.

Old Cynic’s Hero Grade: Deity

Want more Milena? Read her full review here.

#3🥉 Ludwig (Best 5-Star Hero in Empires and Puzzles)

Special Skills (Fullmetal Pelt): 1. The caster gets Taunt that prevents enemies from using Special Skills on the caster’s allies for 6 turns. 2. The caster gets +84% defense against Special Skills for 6 turns. 3. Nearby allies receive mana each turn for 6 turns. Received mana increases each turn until the last turn, when 100% mana is received.

Ludwig Breakdown

We all know what Ludwig brings to the party, so it’s no surprise to see him on this list. But why only 3rd place?

The main reason is: he can be managed by the right hero/es.

As powerful as he is, he’s still a caster of ‘Status Effects’, and as avid readers may know, we don’t tolerate that nonsense around here.

The moment he gets that look in his eyes…

… Malosi get’s to conking heads.

But that’s not a failure, after all, we are now talking about the Top 3 heroes in Empires and Puzzles, right?

The fact is, I consider Ludwig a high-end elite hero, and that’s why he sits at #3 on my list.

I’ve played some devastating teams, and they routinely include Ludwig as a founding member.

Question is, who could possibly be listed above him?

Old Cynic’s Hero Grade: Deity

Want more Ludwig? Read his full review here.

Related: Cristobal’s Interview

#2🥈 Xnolphod (Empires and Puzzles – Top 10)

Special Skills (Ancient Enchantment): 1. Recovers 32% 40% health for all allies. 2. Alters the power of all Dark shields on the board. When an attacking Hero casts the special, the shields become enhanced and give +37% more mana. When defending, the shields become weakened and give -30% less mana. 3. Increases the mana of all allies by 20% 10%.

[Xnolphod was buffed/nerfed after this review – Details updated, although the review remains the same.]

Xnolphod Breakdown

I’ve seen some alliances list Xnolphod as a Condition of Entry.

That’s exclusivity right there.

He’s so powerful, that your value is predicated on your ability to access Him.

… the true meaning of Deity.

And jokes aside, I understand the thinking; Xnolphod was an absolute revelation when first released.

See, it doesn’t matter what heroes you field alongside him, -because he will make them better.

His 20% mana boost to all heroes is one of the most potent forces in all of Empires and Puzzles, but that’s not all he does.

Xnolphod is a complete mana God.

He enhances dark tiles, to give 37% more mana when used on Offense. And, reduces the mana to -30% when on Defense.

And of course, he also heals for a nice, mid-ranged, 32%.

At a time when it seems everybody is trying to jam the E&P game-code, by creating the perfect synergy which simply can’t be beat, Xnolphod is often seen at the fore, leading the charge.

Because, as those Elite Alliances already know, Xnolphod will sit at the heart of the bad code, and force the loop, which no enemy can overcome.

Old Cynic’s Hero Grade: Deity

Want more Xnolphod? Read his full review here.

#1🥇 Rigard (The Best Hero in Empires and Puzzles)

Rigard Breakdown

😂 I’m joking, I’m joking!

Ladies and Gents, Pets and Unicorns of all nations! Please stand in reverence for the best hero in all of Empires and Puzzles… I give you…

#1🥇 Mother North! (Empires and Puzzles)

Standard – Special Skills (Super Porridge): 1. Recovers 30% health for all allies. 2. Each fallen ally has a 50% chance to get revived with 10% HP. 3. Summons an Elf Minion for each ally with 7% HP and 10% attack inherited from the caster.

Or

Costume – Special Skills (Hyper Porridge): 1. Each fallen ally has a 55% chance to get revived with 15% HP. 2. Summons an Elf Minion for each ally with 7% HP and 10% attack inherited from the caster. 3. All allies regenerate 612 HP over 4 turns.

Mother North Breakdown

You know, they say you see a bright light at the end. Some say, all your memories flash before your eyes.

But not to those close to Mother North. Because she believes we can all be reborn.

And not in the next life, but now, in this very moment.

And, just as the dust settles, and your tormenters begin to fill with glee, -that’s when she draws back the curtains to the shadow realm and declares with a mighty roar towards the heavens,

BREATHE!

😲 I like that.

Oooo, do it again…

MUFASA!

Why is Mother North my pick for the Best Hero in E&P?

Mother North is the Best hero in all of Empires and Puzzles because she’s the most reliable reviver in the game.

And when that fallen ally is Ludwig, what value in restoring him to the Land of the Living and sending him back into battle?!

Or Ruby?

Or Diaochan, Milena, or Quenell?

And, no matter who else is in the team, it’s Mother North who brings them back… Back to win a battle you thought was lost.

-Mother North will revive fallen allies 50% of the time. And with her Costume, it’s 55%.

In addition, she’s often used to form these insanely difficult Defenses, especially when teamed with Ludwig.

But it’s not just Ludwig, there are so many other A++ heroes she’ll synergize well with. In fact, I recently came across Costumed Ariel playing Center to Mother North’s Point, and it was a glorious thing to behold… they took my Cups with such grace and elegance.

To my mind, there is no doubt that indeed Nadezhda’s Tier 2 does offer the best value among all the Revivers, but her consistency on Defense is in question.

Truth is, no one has caused nearly as many rage-quits, as has sweet ‘ol Mother North.

And that’s why, whenever we see her used as Tank in war, we get all giddy.

-Because we can’t quite believe our luck. -Here goes the best hero in the game, caught completely off guard and out of position…

I’m torn between Gifs… But as it’s a special occasion, you can have them both

Old Cynic’s Hero Grade: Deity

Want more Mother North? Read her full review here.

The Best Heroes in E&P Poll

I conducted a poll on the E&P forum to get the general consensus from the community.

The poll was limited (for technical reasons) to 20 heroes, so I selected heroes from my countdown and added a further 10 prominent heroes, which readers had suggested.

57 users took part, each voting 3 times.

Here are the results:

1. Xnolphod
2. Milena
3. Mr. Pengi
4. Ruby
5. Mother North
6. Ludwig
7. Director Zuri, Penolite (tied)
8. Costumed Alasie, Diaochan, Morel, Octros, Quenell (tied)

ʕ•́ᴥ•̀ʔっUnrelated Ad: If you wanna see how I took two 4-Star heroes to #1 in the world, read this.

The Best Heroes in Empires and Puzzles

If you found this countdown fun and insightful, I’ve done my job!

Simmering down the best heroes in Empires and Puzzles isn’t done without due consideration of all the moving parts.

Of course, that doesn’t make me right. So please share your views and your own Top 10 (or Honourable Mentions), in the comments below!

If you can, please share a link to this post somewhere, thank you!

Want more, Best Of E&P? Check out my Top 10 4-Star heroes.

Spot an error? Just let me know and I’ll fix it.

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Images used by way of review/tutorial – Copyright owned by Empires & Puzzles: Small Giant Games