Dynasty of Dune – Season 5, Empires and Puzzles Guide with Heroes
Dynasty of Dunes is the new Empires and Puzzles Season 5 World. This guide is designed to provide a general overview; highlighting key areas and taking an early look at all the new heroes.
While I won’t be providing a detailed analysis, I will provide an early opinion, and invite you to share your own.
Before we start, please support me by sharing a link to this post, it really helps! Thank you!
MENU (Empires and Puzzles Season 5)
1. Dynasty of Dunes Guide
2. Amulets Explained
3. Dunes Family Bonuses
4. All 5 Star Dynasty of Dunes Sun Family Heroes
Khufu (Khafre)
Sobek
Horus
Bennu
Sekhmet
Ma’at
Cleopatra
Eset
Hetepheres
Meresankh
5. All 4 Star Dynasty of Dunes Sun Family Heroes
Azmia
Ptolemy
6. All 3 Star Dynasty of Dunes Sun Family Heroes
Faiez
Rekhetre
Waqas
7. All 5 Star Dynasty of Dunes Moon Family Heroes
El Naddaha
Khonshu
Papyros
Khepri
Bastet
Set
Tetisheri
Ahmose
Hathor
Anubis
Sneferu (New)
8. All 4 Star Dynasty of Dunes Moon Family Heroes
Ahhotep
Junaid
Scoratek
6. All 3 Star Dynasty of Dunes Moon Family Heroes
Aqeela
Jarif
Caveat: The post represents game-play speculation and personal opinion. It is not advice. Information may not be correct, please check in-game to be sure.
Dynasty of Dunes | Empires and Puzzles
Dynasty of Dunes (Season 5) is the Empires and Puzzles’ long-anticipated new world map, due to start on Thursday 21st April 2022.
The Summoning Portal will run for 4 days, ending on Monday 25th April 2022.
As with previous maps, we can expect to begin with part of the map open to play, while the rest will be locked, to be unlocked over the coming months.
So, what’s new in Dynasty of Dunes? Let’s find out!
Dynasty Of Dunes Coins (Empires and Puzzles)
The coins (or tokens) used for the Dynasty of Dunes Summoning Portal, are called Dunes Coins.
Just as with the previous seasons, you can earn Dune Coins by completing map stages:
- Normal levels dole out 3 coins, while
- Hard levels, issue 5.
You’ll need 100 Dune Coins (or 350 Gems) for 1 pull at the Dunes Summons Portal.
x10 pulls will cost 3000 Gems, while x30 pulls will set you back 8400 Gems.
For more on the Summoning Portal, including Odds, Bonus Chest, and even a fantastic Cost Chart, check out this post at the E&P forum.
Dynasty of Dunes Stage Effects (Empires and Puzzles)
As you play Dynasty of Dunes map stages, you’ll notice new Stage Properties, much like we’ve seen with Season 4.
These Stage Effects, called Biome Effects, will change every few provinces, applying different effects throughout the entire map.
Stage Effects are like normal Status Effects, and are given to your heroes every 5 turns. These effects are cleansable, dispellable, and can be blocked.
While many of the Status Effects are as you’d expect (+-Defense/ Mana/ Attack), one Biome Effect reduces all enemies and heroes to Very Slow mana speed!
Also, all of the enemies on these map levels, including normal monsters, will have mana bars, and fire off their own Special Skills. Each type of enemy will also have its own Passive abilities.
If you want to know more about each individual Stage Effect, check out this post on the E&P forum. You’re looking for the header entitled, ‘Stage Properties’.
Amulets (Empires and Puzzles)
Amulets are artefacts which can be used in Dynasty of Dunes map stages, for beneficial battle effects, to help you on your journey.
There will be a short tutorial about these Amulets, shown after completing Province 1.
These Amulets are equipped to Amulet Slots. You’ll unlock new Amulets, and Amulet Slots for free, as you progress through the map, completing provinces.
There are a total of 9 Amulets to collect, and a maximum of 3 Amulet Slots to unlock. They will work a little like ‘Blessings’ found on the Tower Events. Each Amulet provides a different boost.
You’ll be able to unlock new Amulets and Slots by completing stages, marked by a special icon.
Amulets will be unlocked by completing Provinces 1 (2 Amulets), 4, 7, 13, 16, 22, 25, and 31.
Amulet Slots will be unlocked by completing Provinces 1, 10, and 28.
Dynasty of Dunes (Season 5) Family Bonus
There are 2 separate groupings in this family bonus; Sun and Moon. Let’s check ’em out:
🌞 Sun Family Bonus 🌞
Family Bonus (for 1/2 heroes) 1. 50%/75% chance to cast -35% accuracy for 2 turns and X Burn damage over 2 turns on an enemy who deals Special damage to this hero. 2. If enemy’s Special defeats this hero, chance increases to 75%/100%.
X = 196 for 5-Star, 146 for 4-Star, and 114 for 3-Star.
🌚 Moon Family Bonus 🌚
Family Bonus (for 1/2 heroes) 1. 50%/75% chance to cast -24% defense for 2 turns and X Water damage over 2 turns on an enemy who deals Special damage to this hero. 2. If enemy’s Special defeats this hero, chance increases to 75%/100%.
X = 196 for 5-Star, 146 for 4-Star, and 114 for 3-Star.
[These family bonuses were buffed – Details updated.]
All Heroes in Dynasty of Dunes (Season 5) Empires and Puzzles
This time, instead of writing War and Peace on each hero, I’m gonna keep it short and only share an early opinion.
I’m sure I’ll be reviewing many of them in full over the coming months. Let’s see what we’ve got:
Some of these heroes were subsequently Buffed or Nerfed by the developers. Details have been updated to reflect the changes.
5-Star Sun Family Legendary heroes – Dynasty of Dunes (Empires and Puzzles)
There are a total of ten 5-Star Sun Family Heroes in the Dynasty of Dunes.
Khafre (Khufu) – Empires and Puzzles
🌞 Khafre: Fire, Monk, Slow
1. Deals 450% damage to target. 2. Attack chains through all enemies adjacent to any hit. 3. Target gets -41% defense against Fire, and a further -4% every time they’re hit for 4 turns.
Passive: 70% chance to 1. Hit all enemies for 70% damage and 2. all enemies receive 234 Sand damage over 3 turns.
OC: Khufu has the same skill set as Sir Roostley (Ave), albeit, he adds -Defense to all hit targets. Also, he’s slower but hits harder (450% Vs. 280%).
Given this skill works best early in the battle, his mana speed may forsake him.
But, as is the case with all these heroes, the Passives are seriously formidable and heavily contribute to their overall value.
Sobek (Empires and Puzzles)
🌞 Sobek: Ice, Wizard, Average
1. Deals 290% damage to all. 2. Attack bypasses defensive buffs, including counterattack.
Passive: 60% chance to 1. Hit all enemies for 70% damage and 2. all enemies receive 246 Sand damage over 3 turns.
OC: Compare this guy with a very similar HotM, Zagrog. Zag does 430% to target and minor to nearby, meanwhile, Sobek hits all, for just under 300%. Plus, he bypasses defenses. A complete monster.
A fairer comparison would be Killhare, who does 300% damage at Average speed. -She doesn’t bypass defensive buffs, but she will pass on a nice little ailment to the rest of her team, once she’s done.
Horus (Empires and Puzzles)
🌞 Horus: Holy, Barbarian, Very Fast
1. Deals 250% damage to the target and nearby enemies. 2. Reduces max health of the target and nearby enemies by 150 each turn for 3 turns (can’t get lower than 30% of original max health).
Passive: 40% chance to 1. Deal 70% damage to all enemies and 2. Inflict -34% attack on all enemies for 3 turns.
OC: Horus is a new Dynasty of Dunes heroes, added to the fold on the second outing of the Event.
The interesting point about Horus is his mana speed. This hero will hit 3 targets for 250% damage, in super quick time (6 tiles is relatively achievable with a decent set of Troops).
On top of that, he’ll reduce the victim’s health by 450 over 3 turns (no lower than 30% of max health).
This trigger-happy-hitting deity will definitely be a fan favourite.
Bennu (Empires and Puzzles)
🌞 Bennu: Ice, Druid, Average
1. The caster and nearby allies counterattack with 100% of the damage received for 5 turns. The damage of the counterattack increases by +5% with each counterattack (max 130%). 2. The caster and nearby allies reduce all received damage by -50% for 5 turns.
Passive: 60% chance to 1. Boost all allies’ health by 10% (can exceed max HP) and 2. cleanse the latest cleansable status ailment from all allies.
OC: Bennu is a new addition to the Dynasty of Dunes Sun Family.
You can find his full review here.
Sekhmet (Empires and Puzzles)
🌞 Sekhmet: Fire, Monk, Fast
1. Deals 450% damage to the target. 2. Heals all allies for 40% of the damage dealt.
Passive: 50% chance to 1. Hit all enemies for 70% damage and 2. all enemies get -34% attack for 3 turns.
OC: Sekhmet is a new addition to the Dynasty of Dunes family.
In my test, Sekhmet hit for just over 900 HP and healed her allies in the 380-430 range. On top of that, you have a 50% chance of yet more damage and reduced attack.
I like Sekhmet’s core skills and imagine she’ll be a superstar on a Stacked Fire Raid team.
On Defense, she’s OK but not the most decisive Hero we’ve ever seen.
Overall, a great Hero to own but not a game-ender.
Ma’at (Empires and Puzzles)
🌞 Ma’at: Nature, Rogue, Fast
1. Deals 195% damage to all enemies. 2. All enemies get -34% Defense for 3 turns. 3. All Fire enemies get -24% Attack for 3 turns.
Passive: 50% chance to 1. Hit all enemies for 70% damage and 2. all enemies get -34% attack for 3 turns.
OC: Yes! Ma’at is Morel 2.0.
Although, she inflicts more guaranteed damage and has a Season 5 Passive.
Ma’at, just like Morel, is a solid modern Hero.
Cleopatra (Empires and Puzzles)
🌞 Cleopatra: Holy, Cleric, Average
1. Recovers 65% health for all allies. 2. All allies are immune to new status ailments for 3 turns, and recover 205 health for each attempted status ailment.
Passive: 60% chance to 1. Boost all allies’ health by 10% (can exceed max HP) and 2. cleanse the latest cleansable status ailment from all allies.
OC: Cleopatra offers the most healing in Empires and Puzzles, a crazy 65%.
On top of that, she provides immunity to new Status Ailments for 3 turns, and more health for each attempt made.
And not done yet, she has a 60% chance to Boost health by a further 10% and CLEANSE! What doesn’t she do?
A top-drawer Healer, for sure.
Eset (Empires and Puzzles)
🌞 Eset: Holy, Paladin, Slow
1. Deals 250% damage to the target. Deals extra damage if the target is Dark. 2. Deals 180% damage to 5 random enemies. Deals extra damage if the target is Dark. 3. Alters the power of all Holy shields on the board. When attacking the shields become enhanced with +64% attack. When defending the shields become weakened with -57% attack.
Passive: 70% chance to 1. Hit all enemies for 70% damage and 2. all enemies get -34% attack for 3 turns.
OC: Eset is a new addition to Season 5, and while I’m not able to write a complete review for her, I can offer some general thoughts.
Let’s split Eset’s Special into 2 parts.
Multiple hits, the first at 250% and then 5 more at 180% to random enemies, sounds like Congalach, but he only hits 5 in total.
Next, we have the tile altering, which I’m not blown away with because Eset is Slow, so it’s not necessarily a game-changer.
Ratatoskr offers the same effect at Average speed for Nature tiles.
As a bonus, and because this is a Season 5 Hero, we have to also consider that OTT Passive, and it’s a pain for sure (70% chance to hit all for 70% damage with a -34% attack ailment).
On the whole, Eset is a strong damage dealer who has the ability to manipulate tiles.
Due to their Passives, no Season 5 Hero should be dismissed, but Eset does more than enough to be considered a great catch if you do manage to pull her.
Titans, VF Wars/Tourneys, part of a Stack, and Defense, there are lots of ways she could help out. But it’s true, she’s not cutting-edge or an OP monster… Not in today’s world.
But when she rips those hits, someone’s gonna get hurt, especially if multiples land on the same head.
Hetepheres (Empires and Puzzles)
🌞 Hetepheres: Ice, Cleric, Average
1. Recovers 50% health for all allies. 2. All allies get +84% Defense against Nature, and a further 2% increase every time they are hit during 4 turns. 3. All enemies get -40% accuracy for 4 turns (chance to miss also applies to offensive Special Skills).
Passive: 60% chance to 1. Boost all allies’ health by 10% (can exceed max HP) and 2. cleanse the latest cleansable status ailment from all allies.
OC: Hetepheres is a new addition to the Dynasty of Dunes Sun Family Heroes.
Meresankh (Empires and Puzzles)
🌞 Meresankh: Holy, Druid, Average
1. Deals 130% damage to all enemies. 2. The more Mana the enemies have, the more damage they receive, up to 250%. 3. Reduces the Mana of all enemies by 20%. 4. All enemies get -14% Mana generation for 3 turns.
Passive: 60% chance to 1. Hit all enemies for 70% damage and 2. all enemies receive 222 Sand damage over 3 turns.
OC: Meresankh is a new addition to the Season 5 Sun Family.
ʕ•́ᴥ•̀ʔっUnrelated Ad: If you wanna see how I took two 4-Star heroes to #1 in the world, read this.
4-Star Sun Family Epic heroes – Dynasty of Dunes (Empires and Puzzles)
There are a total of two 4-Star Sun Family Heroes in Dynasty of Dunes.
Azmia (Empires and Puzzles)
🌞 Azmia: Ice, Monk, Average
1. Recovers 15% health for all allies. 2. The caster and nearby counterattack with 100% of damage received for 4 turns. The damage increases by +5% with each counterattack (max 130%).
Passive: 60% chance to 1. Boost all allies’ health by 10% (can exceed max HP) and 2. cleanse the latest cleansable status ailment from all allies.
OC: Yes. We’ve been expecting Azmia for a long time, -a counterattacker who also heals.
Azmia is going to be a 4-Star god.
Up to 130% counterattack? 15% healing… Seems awful strong. Don’t wanna say the word… but you know what I’m thinking… Ferant and Krampus do, too.
Is that 15% too much? You tell me, in the comments.
Want more Azmia? Read her full review here.
Ptolemy (Empires and Puzzles)
🌞 Ptolemy: Nature, Monk, Average
1. Recovers 30% health for all allies. 2. The caster and nearby are immune to new status ailments for 3 turns, and recover 175 health for each attempted status ailment.
Passive: 60% chance to 1. Boost all allies health by 10% (can exceed max HP) and 2. cleanse the latest cleansable status ailment from all allies.
OC: Another, Yes. This is a defensive version of El Naddaha.
Again, I’d love this hero for tournaments and other fun group outings.
3-Star Sun Family Rare heroes – Dynasty of Dunes (Empires and Puzzles)
There are a total of three 3-Star Sun Family Heroes in Dynasty of Dunes.
Faiez (Empires and Puzzles)
🌞 Faiez: Nature, Cleric, Slow
1. Boosts health of all allies by 350 (can exceed max HP). 2. All allies are immune to new Status Ailments for 4 turns. 3. All allies get +30% defense for 4 turns.
Passive: 70% chance to 1. Boost all allies’ health by 10% (can exceed max HP) and 2. cleanse the latest cleansable Status Ailment from all allies.
OC: Alright, we’re all thinking fluffy badger guy, right? (Grevle) Well, he does 250 plus +30% attack at Average.
Faiez is gonna be a star, ‘immune to new Status Ailments’, and ‘+30% defense’. Yep, a star.
Want more Faiez? Read his full review here.
Rekhetre (Empires and Puzzles)
🌞 Rekhetre: Holy, Wizard, Average
1. All allies regenerate 450 boosted health over 3 turns (can exceed max HP). 2. The caster gets +84% defense against Dark, and further 2% increase every time they are hit during 3 turns.
Passive: 60% chance to 1. Boost all allies’ health by 10% (can exceed max HP) and 2. cleanse the latest cleansable status ailment from all allies.
OC: Woah, I wasn’t expecting that. 450 boosted health to all, at Average. Crazy stuff. Plus Defense Up against Dark. Another fantastic 3-Star hero.
Waqas (Empires and Puzzles)
🌞 Waqas: Fire, Paladin, Slow
1. Deals 205% damage to all. 2. Reduces max health for all enemies by 150 each turn for 3 turns (Max reduction of 30% of the original max health).
Passive: 70% chance to 1. Hit all enemies for 70% damage and 2. all enemies get -30% attack for 3 turns.
OC: So, that’s 450 HP reduction for all enemies, on top of the 205% slap. It looks really strong.
For reference, Sally (a recent inductee into my Best 3-Stars List), chains through all for 270% on Slow.
5-Star Moon Family Legendary heroes – Dynasty of Dunes (Empires and Puzzles)
There are a total of eleven 5-Star Moon Family Heroes in the Dynasty of Dunes.
El Naddaha (Empires and Puzzles)
🌚 El Naddaha: Nature, Wizard, Fast
1. Deals 305% damage to target and nearby. 2. The target and nearby are immune to new Status Effect buffs for 3 turns, receiving 200 damage for each attempted buff.
Passive: 50% chance to 1. Hit all enemies for 70% damage and 2. dispel the latest buff from enemies.
OC: El Naddaha is my early favourite. At Fast, she’ll slap 3 for 305%, and make them immune to new Status Effects for 3 turns… AND, they’ll get 200 damage should they even try.
Awesome hero. De-i-ty.
Want more El Naddaha? Read her full review here.
Khonshu (Empires and Puzzles)
🌚 Khonshu: Dark, Barbarian, Very Fast
1. Deals 425% damage to target. 2. If the attack defeats the target, the caster gains +50% mana.
Passive: 40% chance to 1. Hit all enemies for 70% damage and 2. -24% mana generation for 3 turns.
OC: This Special looks good on paper, or at least the promise of that 50% mana looks good. But, I don’t actually think that will occur too frequently as 425% shouldn’t kill in one strike.
Still, at Very Fast, Khonshu will be kept busy, and 425% is heavy sniping at that speed. His Passives are also really solid.
Khonshu’s a sniper I could make room for.
Papyros (Empires and Puzzles)
🌚 Papyros: Holy, Druid, Average
1. Summons a Sand Golem Minion for all allies, with 14% HP and 18% attack inherited from the caster. Each time the Sand Golem Minion is attacked (by normal hits or Specials), the attacker receives the following status ailment: The target receives 282 Sand damage over 3 turns. 2. All allies get +30% defense for 3 turns.
Passive: 60% chance to 1. Boost all allies health by 10% (can exceed max HP) and 2. all allies gain a small amount of mana.
OC: If I’m reading this card correctly, Papyros is going to be awesome against all element-strong teams while on Defense. But I haven’t been able to find him, to test it out.
Otherwise, he provides a lighter minion than Freya and the same +30% Defense.
A bit slow for getting the minions out, but may be worth the wait.
Khepri (Empires and Puzzles)
🌚 Khepri: Dark, Ranger, Average
1. Deals 275% damage to the target and nearby enemies. 2. Summons a Bomb Scarab fiend for the target and nearby enemies. Fiend damages its target with 38% attack every turn. 3. The Bomb Scarab fiend absorbs healing (and disappears) equal to 30% of its target’s max health. 4. The Bomb Scarab fiend explodes after 3 turns, dealing 600 damage to its target and minor damage to nearby enemies.
Passives: On Special Skill activation, has a 60% chance of ~ 1. Dealing 70% damage to all enemies. 2. All enemies get -24% mana generation for 3 turns.
OC: Khepri is an absolute powerhouse. This guy does soooo much damage when you work it out.
I’ll save you time and direct you to my full review, where I’ve worked it out for you!
Want more Khepri? Read his full review here.
Bastet (Empires and Puzzles)
🌚 Bastet: Dark, Ranger, Fast
1. Deals 220% damage to all enemies. 2. All allies get +45% chance to dodge Special Skills for 3 turns. Each dodge gives +5% defense Stack (Max 10).
Passive: 50% chance to 1. Hit all enemies for 70% damage and 2. dispel the latest dispellable buff from all enemies.
OC: Bastet is a new addition to the Dynasty of Dunes Moon Family Heroes.
You can find her full review here.
Set (Empires and Puzzles)
🌚 Set: Dark, Monk, Slow
1. Summons a Dark Soldier Minion for all allies with 40% HP and 40% Attack inherited from the caster. 2. All enemies receive 315 Poison damage over 3 turns. 3. If the caster is defeated in the next 3 turns, all enemies’ Mana is reduced by -100% (can not be dispelled).
Passive: 70% chance to 1. Hit all enemies for 70% damage and 2. all enemies get -24% mana generation for 3 turns.
OC: I’m not a fan of Set’s Special; that promise of -100% Mana is too pie in the sky for me.
That leaves the big fat Minions, the Poison damage, and the Passive. And that is a solid package.
But with all the super OP Heroes showing up in Empires and Puzzles, I don’t think Set does enough to be considered elite. -Not for Slow.
Also, he’s Dark, meaning he has strong competition.
Don’t get me wrong, if you’re F2P/C2P, Set will likely be worth the Mats, but if you’re trying to build the strongest team you can, Set is not likely to help.
Tetisheri (Empires and Puzzles)
🌚 Tetisheri: Fire, Paladin, Fast
1. Deals 500% damage to the target and minor damage to nearby enemies. 2. The target gets -54% defense for 3 turns. 3. If the target is defeated in the next 3 turns, all caster’s allies get +20% mana.
Passive: 50% chance to 1. Hit all enemies for 70% damage and 2. dispel the latest dispellable buff from all enemies.
OC: Tetisheri is a powerful hitter who not only slaps but leaves the target with reduced Defense.
Thankfully, it’s only the target.
If the target is defeated in the next 3 turns, all allies receive +20% Mana.
We also have a nice Passive to add weight to her argument.
Tetisheri is a great Offensive Hero, where you can use her to target and eliminate a single Hero.
That said, she hits more than hard enough to make most normal Defenses.
Ahmose (Empires and Puzzles)
🌚 Ahmose: Nature, Wizard, Slow
1. Deals 400% damage to all enemies. 2. All allies reflect all status effects and 150% damage back to the attacker and block other negative effects from enemies’ Fire Special Skills for 4 turns (can not be dispelled).
Passive: 70% chance to 1. Hit all enemies for 70% damage and 2. all enemies get -24% mana generation for 3 turns.
OC: If you add the 400% hit to the 70% Passive, with its 70% chance of triggering, he may well surprise some unsuspecting victims.
The secondary, while extremely powerful, is thankfully limited. But under the right circumstances, will feel simply ridiculous.
Ahmose is a cool Hero whose skill set might offer superb synergy in the right squads.
Hathor (Empires and Puzzles)
🌚 Hathor: Fire, Sorcerer, Fast
1. Boosts health of all allies by 480 HP (can exceed max HP). 2. All allies are immune to new Status Ailments for 4 turns.
Passive: 50% chance to 1. Boost all allies’ health by 10% (can exceed max HP) and 2. all allies gain a small amount of mana.
OC: Hathor is a simple Hero (for Season 5 standards!), but looks to be a fantastic catch.
480 HP Boosted health on a Fast Charge is substantial. As a point of ref:
- Garnet gives you 180 HP Boosted on her first charge (also with that Status Ailment immunity, although only for 2 turns)
- Rhys gives you 320 HP Boosted on a Fast charge
- Esme gives you 650 HP on an Average charge, and
- Heimdall gives you 500 HP on a Slow charge
Hathor will provide team-wide immunity to Status Ailments for 4 long turns from real early in the battle. That’s great if you have her but sucks otherwise.
On top of that, she has a Passive that could provide another 10% Boosted healing and a small amount of Mana.
Hathor’s clearly a very powerful Hero to own.
(Update: Hathor features in my Raid Squad/Current Meta post here.)
Anubis (Empires and Puzzles)
🌚 Anubis: Dark, Sorcerer, Average
1. Inflicts the target with Greed for 3 turns. The enemies with Greed prevent other enemies from receiving friendly effects of their allies’ Special Skills. 2. All enemies receive 486 Poison damage over 3 turns. 3. All enemies get -34% Defense for 3 turns.
Passive: 60% chance to 1. Hit all enemies for 70% damage and 2. dispel the latest dispellable buff from all enemies.
OC: Anubis is a new addition to the Dynasty of Dunes Moon Family Heroes.
Sneferu (Empires and Puzzles)
🌚 Sneferu: Dark, Barbarian, Slow
1. Deals 415% damage to the target. 2. The attack chains through all enemies adjacent to any hit enemy. 3. All hit targets are immune to new Status Effect buffs for 5 turns and receive 250 damage for each attempted buff.
Passive: 70% chance to 1. Hit all enemies for 70% damage and 2. dispel the latest dispellable buff from all enemies.
OC: Sneferu is a new addition to the Dynasty of Dunes Moon Family Heroes.
ʕ•́ᴥ•̀ʔっUnrelated Ad: If you wanna see how I took two 4-Star heroes to #1 in the world, read this.
4-Star Moon Family Epic heroes – Dynasty of Dunes (Empires and Puzzles)
There are a total of three 4-Star Moon Family Heroes in Dynasty of Dunes.
Ahhotep (Empires and Puzzles)
🌚 Ahhotep: Dark, Rogue, Average
1. Deals 340% damage to the target and minor damage to nearby. 2. If the target is defeated in the next 3 turns, all allies get +20% mana.
Passive: 60% chance to 1. Hit all enemies for 70% damage and 2. dispel the latest buff from enemies.
OC: OK, these 4-Stars are next level. This is fair warning to all the other 4-Stars out there: Make space in the locker room, get your smelly socks off the bench, and stop goofing around, there’s a new crew in town. And, they’re wearing cologne.
Junaid (Empires and Puzzles)
🌚 Junaid: Fire, Fighter, Fast
1. Deals 400% damage to the target. 2. Heals all allies for 30% of the damage dealt.
Passive: 50% chance to 1. Hit all enemies for 70% damage and 2. -24% mana generation for 3 turns.
OC: Junaid really needs to be tested to verify the level of healing provided. But off the top of my head? I’d say that’s somewhere in the region of 100-150 HP.
At Fast… I love these 4-Star heroes. Just useful stuff going on here.
Scoratek (Empires and Puzzles)
🌚 Scoratek: Holy, Fighter, Fast
1. Deals 190% damage to the target. 2. Summons a Bomb Scarab Fiend for the target, damaging its target with 38% damage every turn. 3. The Bomb Scarab Fiend absorbs healing, equal to 30% of its target’s max health, before it disappears. 4. The Bomb Scarab Fiend explodes after 3 turns, dealing 600 damage to its target and minor damage to nearby enemies.
Passive: 50% chance to 1. Hit all enemies for 70% damage and 2. -24% mana generation for 3 turns.
OC: If you wanna know more about Scoratek’s minion bombs, read my review of Khepri (he’s a Dynasty of Dunes 5-Star hero who hasn’t been released yet).
These bombs pack a punch, but Scoratek only throws one. -Maybe a little underpowered ’til you look at that passive.
3-Star Moon Family Rare heroes – Dynasty of Dunes (Empires and Puzzles)
There are a total of two 3-Star Moon Family Heroes in Dynasty of Dunes.
Aqeela (Empires and Puzzles)
🌚 Aqeela: Dark, Rogue, Fast
1. Deals 155% damage to target and nearby. 2. The caster and nearby allies get +45% chance to dodge Special Skills for 3 turns. Each dodge gives +5% defense stack (max: 10).
Passive: 50% chance to 1. Hit all enemies for 70% damage and 2. dispel the latest dispellable buff from enemies.
OC: Is that the first 3-Star Dodger? At Fast as well.
A lovely little hero, again.
Jarif (Empires and Puzzles)
🌚 Jarif: Ice, Wizard, Average
1. Deals 335% damage to target. 2. The target is immune to new status effect buffs for 3 turns, receiving 70 damage for each attempted buff.
Passive: 60% chance to 1. Hit all enemies for 70% damage and 2. -24% mana generation for 3 turns.
OC: Save the worst for last?
I can see a use for him on Offense, but as a plug-and-play hero, he’s not great. But given the other fantastic heroes in Dynasty of Dunes, I’ll take this one dud.
… Passives …
He’ll probably be played on the weight of those passives alone!
Dynasty of Dunes (Season 5) – Empires and Puzzles Guide
Dynasty of Dunes will look to have the same impact as Underwild.
The heroes seem better balanced than we’ve previously seen, and of course, they’re much stronger.
I happened to randomly review a new Dunes hero, who seems to be waiting on the sidelines for now, Khepri. I also really like El Naddaha.
Who’s your pick? Let me know in the comments below.
Spot an error? Just let me know and I’ll update it.
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Thank you for the review! I think there is an error though regarding Khafre – Roostley comparison. Roostley gives the attack down to himself as penalty, no ailment to enemies. Khafre seems from the special skill description to give elemental def down to the hit enemies.
Thanks Seeker, you’re absolutely right!
You missed the best 3 junaid hits for 405% heals 30% of that to everyone at fast he is an all star!
I will be summoning in this new portal heavy! These heroes are unique, some could be game changers!
Good luck!
Was excited to do two 10 pulls this morning, shortly after it opened, got all the three stars, all but two 4* and one 5* – the very fast purple! Happy! Now to max a few up! But who to do first?
Wow… jam. Congrats 🥳
Yea, i think all 5 of these new first round of five atars are worth it except for MAYBE Khonshu. Hes good, but his beta version getting 100% mana makes me dream of what couldnof been, but they ALL have good passives. Like Sobek and El Nad the beat with Papyros in 3rd and Khafre being an absolute titan beast. I seriously like wvery single 4 and 3 star hero as well. Passives are the new meta! Haha
Thanks for the insight, they seem strong. 100% mana?! Haha, that would have been interesting!
Did 20 pulls and got all 3 stars (some dupe), all 4 stars except Azmia and the yellow 5* Papyros. I count myself lucky with 14 pulls out of 20 being s5 heroes and ending up with 10 out of the 15 new heroes.
Not sure yet about Papyros, though. Will first focus on finalizing my Raven set (Rayne already maxed, Quintin at 4/50 and Eloise waiting on the bench). Then I will max some of the 3* and 4*. Probably focus on the overhealers and the dodger first.
Amazing set of pulls, congrats! 🎉
I was looking for a review concering El Naddaha since I managed to pull her this morning. I was desperatly chasing Quenell last CoK event (and didn’t get her, got Wolfgang instead) so I’m very very happy with this green girl. I already knew she is a beast but after reading your review about her I really cant wait to max her asap !
Hi Kiwano, working on it now… Words take for-ever to get out right! Thanks for the support!
Hey Kiwano, this is El Naddaha’s review, I hope you like it.
Thanks a lot Old Cynic, fantastic review ! I’m currently maxing LotL-C so El Naddaha will wait a bit. But just a bit. I already fought one maxed and LB : as you said, she’s a true deity !
I did a one token pull on Season 5 this morning, of all the hero’s I could have pulled why oh why did I have to get the only one you aren’t impressed by?
Oh well, I may have to spend some actual money and try for a better 10 pull and hope for something better than 10 x Jarif!
Hey Steve, I’m about to post my El Naddaha review where I talk about my pulls too. You should never chase heroes!
My most desired: El Naddaha and Junaid.
We agree that Khafre’s speed is an unfortunate setback, Sobek’s ability to bypass counter attacks makes him a great against the likes of Sif, Elena, Boril, and Ferant. Khonshu hitting all at very fast, at 425% will chased and unfortunately nerfed. Papyros dealing 282 sand damage over 3 turns to those who attack him but who, unfortunately, can’t remove his minion should keep players on their toes.
Is Azmia’s 20% too much? I don’t think so. I can barely wait to level her up to get that 150% counter attack. I’m excited to welcome her to the team.
Ptolemy, I do wish he was an overhealer. I’ll have to see how the recover 175 health for each attempted status ailment works, before I can’t say yea or nea. Luckily, I can test this out, as I pulled two of him.
Ahhotep, wish I had him because he does look formidable: 340 to 3 plus if you time it right and his special kills your target, all allies get +20% mana. It’s no wonder I wasn’t lucky enough to pull him.
Junaid, Holy you know what, I want this hero. Fast, 400% damage, and heals all allies for 30% of damage dealt. Ok, I originally read this as a 30% heal., but nevertheless, people will chase this one down and limit break him for sure.
Scoratek, I’ll take a fast hero any day of the week. especially one with this passive and whose minion does a good bit of damage. Like you alluded to, these Dynasty of Dunes heroes are coming on strong and are going to make people expand their hero line ups.
Most of the 3 stars look good, esp Aqeela. Does Jarif receives 70 damage for each buff attempted by an ally? Buffs are only cast by allies, right? He’ll be fed to other heroes if that’s the case.
Thanks for your usual, fun, yet through review of heroes.
Hey Agonizer, good to see you.
I agree, I pulled a bunch of 3 and 4-stars, and I’m happy with it. I got Ahhotep, and he’s top priority, followed closely by Azmia (Boril may go missing once she’s done).
I also got Scoratek, Ptolemy, Faiez, and x3 Rekhetre. No 5-Stars, but happy.
Re. Jarif, yes. That should be the targets mates trying to buff him/her.
Thanks for breaking the heroes down!
Hey Cynic, can you expand on your Papyros analysis? You talk about how he’s extra effective against element-strong teams and I’m not sure what you mean by that.
He happened to be my very first s5 pull, so I’m certainly happy to have him. But I’m struggling to figure out where his real opportunities are.
Thanks!
Hey Holodigm, alright, I don’t know if this is correct but he needs to be faced on Defense to test it…
The card says: ‘… normal attacks or Special Skills, the attacker gets… 282 Sand damage over 3 turns…’
I’m thinking/wondering, if that means, if you’re in a raid and you run blue tiles into him (with your say, 4/1 Ice Team), then for the purposes of the damage, it came from 4 heroes.
So, the 4 Ice heroes all receive 282 damage over 3 turns.
I was thinking out loud with that one… I need to find him to test it in a Raid.
Anyway, if that is the case, then it’s really powerful, because it will go against what is traditionally used in raiding; a strong element team.
Hope that makes sense, hope I’m right, and thanks as always for reading!
OHHHHHH…sh**********t. Okay I see what you mean now. And since it’s damage-independent, one tile hit can potentially cause way more sand damage than what the minion took.
Add in the +30% for a mini-Hulda bump, these minions are low key beastly. Aight Cynic, touche, you’ve officially sold me on Paperboi!
Hold up! I’ve still not managed to test it. I still can’t get him in a raid. Please get an alliance member to test it for you, then we’ll both know for sure!
Hey old cynic, thanks again for the insights. I did 6 pulls in total, leaving me bankrupt in my diamond department bud did get faiez and the yellow healer bird thingy., together with the 4star red one who’s name I keep forgetting. But which one would you work on first? Faiez or bird thingy? In 3star healer department I only have olaf’s evil twin brother so I could use another healer there.
I go them too. I really like Faiez, that protection is nice, +defense, and strong over-healing. But he’s Slow.
Both of mine are getting levelled, and it really depends if any are useful for upcoming tourneys. If I needed something for Maps/Stages/Raids? Prob Rek… a stack of over-healing, and a bit quicker.
Thanks for visiting Duende!
I’ll probably do both of them as well, but I’ll start with rak then, maybe more, usefull in most cases. Thx for the reply, enjoy your heroes!
Hey OC, thanks for this review. Confused with Papyros. Not sure how you think effect chains to all enemies if playing a mono team. Just got him (hesitantly pleased as totally has no hit- means it’s all about passive) just tried him on a green mono (level 7:5) and the sand effect only hit the caster. Also strangely my team didn’t show a defence buff, by the way.
Reading the card I still can’t see how you think the effect should chain to others if they are the same colour. Please help! Thanks
Hi Slowpoke, sry I don’t mean Chain, and I really should say on Defense. What I’m wondering is on Defense, if he gets hit by one blue tile, if that damage is considered to have come from all blue heroes.
Anyway, I can’t find him in a Defense to test the idea.
I’ll update my thoughts, weighing less on this theory.
Thanks for the feedback!
I think u mentioned that khafre applies a def down to all hit enemies, but the way it’s worded to apply to the ‘target’, makes me think the elemental def down only applies to the one that it chains from.
Hey Centruze, yes that’s what I say. It’s what the card says. Thanks for reading!
70 Pulls. Got all the 3s and 4s. 1 Lianna, 2 Silvaria and Khafre.
I was hoping to get Khonshu but I’ll take it. Not excited at first due to his slow speed. But heyy, at least Khafre solid for titan. Looks like my Guardian Falcon will be on the bench later on. Felt better later as i watch various youtube vids and seems like a lot of top players are gunning for Khafre.
Great review as always!!! I always comes here first for info and share to my alliance chat.
Thank you, I appreciate the support! The 4-Stars are really good here, not a bad bunch to collect.
Great site!
Got worst of all 5* in this season – Papyros. But whatever, at least azmia is cool.
Keep it up !
Thanks Fab. I got Azmia too. Already have her levelled and on Defense and Offense… She will be busy!
Great review. May I add something? SOBEK’S passive Its very important. 60% of the time he makes 70% damage to all and 243 sand damage for 3 turns. That means that Sobek, half the time is doing 360% damage, and not 290%.
Great point Papalhorno, you’re right. The Passives are so important here.
Thanks for commenting!
I pulled Sobek the first day of the event and, since I had no other better blue heroes, I decided to max and emblem him mainly due to him being Average speed and hitting all enemies. Holy Cow he is a beast. He obliterated half the team I faced in the war today (5019 team with little damage inflicted at the time with my team being 4603) and weakened the rest for a very lopsided win. I’m sold on him and glad I took him to 18 emblems. His Attack is at 901, Defense 788, and Health 1633 for a Power of 916 right now. He is definitely going to 20 emblems when I can get them and on my short list for limit breaking! I’m hoping to get another S5 – 5 star next time it comes around. Fingers crossed.
Absolutely, he looks devastating. And, I’ve been impressed by the 4-Star heroes I’ve pulled. A bunch of these new heroes are top drawer. Thanks for the feedback Dave!
Thought I’d give an update. Finally leveled khonshu 6 emblems in time for war. He’s a beast. Attack power is 884 already, i have the rest of the emblems but not sure if I’ll limit break him. He paired well with sergei and quartz. 6 tiles and they’re ready to go. He fired 3 times in 5 rounds. His passive went off 2 of those three.
I hope they don’t nerf him. I was lucky enough to get two of him in 60 pulls. Don’t have tabards for a second, I’m usually not a sniper fan but he’s a blast.
That’s awesome! Thanks for the update Wilhem76, these heroes are turning out to be very cool.
Please Add the best Levels to farm for the Avatars
Hi! I was “lucky” enough after I-am-ashemd-to-say-how-many summons to get Horus.
Not reviewed here, but I think he is quite good.
I am currently using Zhang Fei as yellow as fast sniper, which was the substitution of Gefjon.
I think I am gonna switch to Horus for a few reasons:
1) damage + fastness: at very fast, with 205% x 3 versus 530% of Zhang, he makes 85% more damage
2) the passive more damage oriented: 70% damage to all every 4 times out of 10 he shoots the special. So every 2.5 times the special, he deals up to 350% damage
Which means that on avg this dude can do up to 755% dmg on very fast, versus the fixed 530% of Zhang. On very fast.
The max health down can be good but only in attrition war I think. Probably decent against health pumper but I don’t consider that a real game changer.
Obviously Zhang is more consistent. One target, one shoot, and has a nice damage down reflection which with a meta with a lot of defense down is useful.
But in the end for damage purpouses Horus is probably better. I also have in my 5 star team Azmia that even after nerft is pretty good in the team of Garnet-Zhang-Azmia-Ludwig-Quenell. So nice bonus on the sun family.
Now, beside my Zhang substitution, do you think I am throwing away mats and aethers on this one or do you feel my analysis is correct?
(would have loved Papyos tbh, but you can’t have them all I guess)
Hey casacup, congrats! I think Horus’ speed and level of damage is gonna be a problem for anyone who faces him. If I had to choose between the two (both of which are very good), I’d comfortably go Horus. Great team you got there!
Hello Old Cynic!
How often do you tend to keep and level dup heroes?
I think it would be so much fun to field a team of multiple Aqeelas, paired with some of the 3* healers. Not sure I’ll do it due to space and the time it takes to level, but tempting!
No luck with pulling the 5 *’s, but These 3 and 4 *’s are so good. Especially when you factor in their passives, that it doesn’t really bother me.
Take it easy!
I just don’t have the space! I have a dup Frosty, and if I had say another Franz (or super 4-Star), I’d consider it. It’s really a matter of resources, other heroes who need levelling, and variety. But nowadays, I need more space so it’s increasingly less likely. I’m also saving all lame 5-Stars for the next Soul Exchange!
I pulled Junaid and came here to read reviews about him. What I got is some words. What I got was “Just useful stuff going on here”
From season 5 I’ve got Papyros, Khepri, Konshu, Sobek, Horus and 2 El Naddaha. Awesome heroes, except Papyros.
well.. I think Papyros rocks 😀 but given you have those others I can imagine you have basically almost all top heroes in the game so I understand you don’t like him that much
Meanwhile I’ve got also Horus maxed. Next Holy to LB.
Any thoughts on Set? Pulled him yesterday.. looks pretty solid on defense
Hey Jake, yes Set looks good. The Minions are silly at 40% HP 40% Att. But gotta get there (Slow). The -100% Mana will act as a nice trade-off to losing him after he fires (and at undispellable could be a challenge to control when facing him). If it were me, I’d kill him and accept the loss!
Hopefully, you can speed him along a little, but I’m sure with his 70% Passive in hand, he’ll be worth the wait. Thanks for visiting and, congrats! 🎉🎊
Meanwhile I’ve got Horus added to the collection.
Congrats Richard! 🎉🎊
Great s5 hero summary. Thank you! Note, small error in Tetisheri’s description. Nearby enemies damage is “minor”
Thanks for the catch! Updated.
Awsome analisys you performe here…
Any thoughts about Ma`at??
I pulled her last week and looks very similar to Morel in Green but with better pasive
Thanks for your reviews!!!
Hey Sergio, you summed it up right there.
She was a little underwhelming in Beta, but that was just because we are all so used to Morel. Your breakdown sums it up. The Passive is decent and shouldn’t be discounted.
I do plan on coming back to this Season and adding something substantial to each of the Heroes but it’s just time… and I’m taking a breather right now!
Thank you for reading and visiting.
Any chance we can get a brief review of ahmose? Just pulled him and id like to know where he falls in the meek-deity spectrum.
Thanks for running a great site!!
Hi Mstt, I’ll have a quick look but this isn’t a formal rating as I haven’t had the time to dig! If that second part of the Special only applies to Fire, then Deity: T1. He’s a high-level damage inflicter with the hint of ridiculous anti-Fire stacking possibilities (Defense, Raids, Titan, and Rush).
The problem with damage inflicters, across the board, is that it’s the skill most easily improved upon. So next year more powerful hitters appear and the current Hero loses some of their edge.
How does that sound to you?
Sounds reasonable. He’s been pretty strong from the little sample I’ve had. The read of his description, while appearing simple,becomes more complex with his passive, the extra 70% dmg to all and reduction of mana gen seems pretty helpful in current meta (in addition to moon bonus of water dmg and defense down, and his talents) Appreciate the reply here!
I would love to hear your thoughts on Tetisheri. I love your reviews and I appreciate all that you do for this community.
Thanks for reading, Janet. I’m just working on another post but I’ll come back to this tomorrow if that’s ok. Thank you!
OK, I’m done for today. Tetisheri is ridiculous. 500% to target and half for NB at Fast makes Master Lepus look like a chump. Then -54% Defense to target with the promise of +20% Mana all around. Wow. A great Hero.
What an awesome option for Offense, with enough about her to also be useful on Defense. The Passive is annoying too. If forced to grade without a full review, between a D1 and a D2. The Mana is a promise on the never-never. It’s predicated on the -54%, and that could easily break the back of the opponent.
Still, in the age of the Monster OP Hero who kills everything on 6 tiles, Tetisheri isn’t quite there. But a fantastic Hero, nonetheless.
How have you found her?
I just installed her on my defensive team today (replacing Lewena), so it’s too soon to tell there. She’s paired with El Nad on defense, so they have the higher percentage Moon Family bonus. I’ve been running the same defensive team for a few months now, so wanted to mix things up a bit.
On offense, I’ve been testing her with some of my other red heroes (Lewena, c.Marjana, Sekhmet, and Erebus). Her mana boost is fairly easy to pull off on offense, but I’m not sure how reliable it would be on defense. I think to maximize her mana boost on offense, I need to try her with some slower heroes (if I’m running mono), so that her mana boost will fill their mana bar vs just starting it off. I’m still looking for better team synergy with her, but she’s looking very promising.