Alright, future Sorcerer Supreme! You want to master Doctor Strange in Marvel Rivals, especially after these juicy Season 2.5 buffs? You came to the right place. I've been dissecting VODs, grinding ranked, and living in the patch notes. Strange isn't just 'viable' anymore, my friend – he's back. Many players and analyses suggest he's poised to be a top-tier Vanguard again. The Season 2.5 update on May 30, 2025, gave him some much-needed love, particularly to his damage falloff, making him a more consistent threat. Let's break down how you can bend reality and climb those ranks with the Master of the Mystic Arts. We're gonna keep it straight to the point, no fluff, just the good stuff. Think of me as your personal Eye of Agamotto, showing you all the winning timelines.
Doctor Strange's Role and Season 2.5 Resurgence
So, who is Doctor Strange in the wild world of Marvel Rivals? He's a Vanguard, which means his primary job is to protect the team, create space, and soak up damage. But Strange isn't your typical beefy brawler. He's a high-skill, spell-centric Vanguard who blends defense with potent utility and surprising damage. Think of him as the thinking player's tank – less about face-tanking everything and more about smart shields, game-changing ultimates, and reality-bending portals.
His playstyle revolves around:
- Protecting Allies: His Shield of the Seraphim is one of the best defensive tools in the game.
- Controlling Space & Objectives: Through smart shield placement and portal shenanigans, you can dictate the flow of a fight.
- Enabling Poke Compositions: Strange excels when paired with heroes who can dish out damage from behind the safety of his shield. The Season 2.5 meta seems to be leaning into poke, which is great news for Strange.
- Utility & Disruption: His Eye of Agamotto ultimate can single-handedly win team fights, and his portals offer unmatched strategic repositioning.
The big news from the May 30, 2025 patch (Season 2.5) is that Strange got some key damage buffs. Specifically:
- Daggers of Denak Damage Falloff Reduced: His primary fire now retains 80% of its damage at 20 meters, up from 62.5%. This means you can poke more effectively from safer distances.
- Maelstrom of Madness Range Damage Falloff REMOVED: This is huge! Your Dark Magic explosion now deals full damage throughout its area of effect. No more enemies barely surviving because they were at the edge of the blast.
These changes are significant because, after some earlier nerfs had made his damage output feel lackluster, these buffs give him back the "damage capability he desperately needed". Combined with nerfs to other prominent Vanguards like Groot and Captain America, many analysts believe Doctor Strange is "about to be back on top". He's now got more solo playmaking potential and fits beautifully into the emerging poke-heavy meta.
Understanding Your Mystic Abilities
Alright, let's dissect the tools of your arcane trade. Knowing these inside and out is the first step to becoming a true Sorcerer Supreme. His health is 600, and movement speed is 6 m/s, pretty standard for a Vanguard.
| Ability | Default Key (PC) | Description & Key Details | Pro-Tips & Nuances |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daggers of Denak (Primary Fire) |
Left-Click | Casts five-round delayed hit projectiles. Damage: 16 per dagger (previously 18 pre-S2 nerf). Ammo: 8 (1 dagger volley per release). No critical hit. Projectile Speed: 60 m/s. Fire Rate: 5.56 rounds/sec (0.03s interval between every two rounds). Each hit generates 3.5 Dark Magic. S2.5 Buff: Damage falloff now starts at 10m, reducing to 80% at 20m (up from 62.5% at 20m). |
Slow projectile speed means you'll have an easier time hitting larger targets like Vanguards or those at mid-range (5-10m is optimal) rather than fast-moving flankers at a distance. The S2.5 buff makes your poke more consistent. Weave this with Melee or Shield (more on that later!). Good for finishing low HP targets. |
| Shield of the Seraphim | Right-Click | Creates a large protective barrier. Max Shield Value: 800. Recovers 70/s (some sources say 80/s) when lowered (1s delay after release). 3s cooldown if destroyed. Your team can shoot through it. | Your BEST defensive tool. Blocks many ults (Iron Man, Scarlet Witch, Hela, etc.). Don't just hold it; manage its health. Lower it when safe to let it recharge. Be selfish with it sometimes; it's for your survival too. |
| Maelstrom of Madness | E | Releases accumulated Dark Magic (from Price of Magic passive) to deal AoE damage in an 8m radius around Strange. Damage: Each point of Dark Magic deals 1.2 damage. Cooldown: 8s. S2.5 Buff: Range damage falloff REMOVED (previously started at 5m, decreasing to 70% at 8m). |
Your primary burst damage. Use it when Dark Magic is high (ideally 80-100 stacks) to finish off low HP enemies or punish grouped-up foes. The no-falloff buff is huge for consistency. Can hit both body and soul during your ult for double damage. |
| Cloak of Levitation | Shift | Ascend (8m dash distance) and then enter a brief state of sustained flight (6s free-flight). Cooldown: 15s. | Your main mobility tool. Use it for escapes, repositioning, reaching high ground, or setting up surprise ultimates. Can shield and attack while flying. Long cooldown, so don't waste it. |
| Pentagram of Farallah (Portals) |
F | Opens portals between two locations, enabling all units (allies AND enemies!) to travel through them. Duration: 20s. Cooldown: 180s (3 minutes!). When casting, Strange's body is vulnerable. S2.5 Fix: Glitch causing portals to send heroes to unexpected locations fixed. |
Game-changing utility. Use for team pushes, flanks, objective contests, or quick retreats. COMMUNICATE with your team before use! High-skill, high-reward. More on advanced portal tricks later. Cancelling a portal still puts it on full cooldown, a point of frustration for some players. |
| Eye of Agamotto (Ultimate) |
Q | Separates nearby enemies' Souls from their bodies in a 10m spherical radius around Strange. Damage dealt to these Souls is transferred to their physical bodies. Soul Separation Duration: 3s. Damage: 60 on cast. Energy Cost: 3100. | One of the best ults in the game. Immobilizes enemies, setting them up for massive damage. Perfect for breaking enemy formations or securing kills on key targets. Timing and positioning are crucial. |
| Price of Magic (Passive) |
Passive | Dark Magic accumulates with every hit on an enemy (Daggers: 3.5 per hit; Melee [V key]: 10 per enemy hit). Max 100 stacks. If Dark Magic peaks at 100 for 3s, Strange is cursed with Anti-Heal for 2s (cannot be healed). Maelstrom of Madness releases Dark Magic. | Manage this carefully! You want high Dark Magic for powerful Maelstroms, but avoid the Anti-Heal curse by using Maelstrom before it triggers or by having the Hulk team-up (though this team-up seems changed/removed for Strange). Melee attacks are great for building Dark Magic quickly in close quarters. |
| Melee Attack | V (PC default) | A whip-like attack that hits enemies. Generates 10 Dark Magic per enemy hit. | Essential for building Dark Magic quickly and for animation cancels/weaving. Has decent range for a melee. |
Must-Know Tricks & Techniques
Okay, you know the spells. Now, let's learn how to really cast them like a pro. These aren't just flashy moves; they're fundamental to maximizing Strange's potential.
The Reload Animation Cancel: Shaving Off Seconds
Strange's reload is notoriously long. But guess what? You don't have to wait for the whole animation!
How to do it: When the reload circle/meter is about 60-75% full (you'll hear an audio cue, like a 'clap' sound when the ammo actually refills), immediately use your Shield of the Seraphim (even a quick tap) or your melee attack. Boom! Full ammo, and you've skipped a good chunk of the animation, letting you shoot or act much sooner.
This isn't just a minor optimization; it's crucial. Strange's base reload is a significant downtime for damage and Dark Magic generation. Cutting this short means more uptime, more pressure, and better resource management. Players who don't master this will find themselves vulnerable and less impactful, especially in fast-paced fights.
Weaving Abilities: The Mystic Rhythm
Strange isn't about spamming one button. He's about a smooth, efficient flow between his attacks and abilities.
- Dagger-Melee Weave: When an enemy is in melee range, always alternate between your Daggers of Denak and your melee whip (Primary Fire → Melee → Primary Fire). His rate of fire is slow enough that you can do this without losing Dagger uptime, and it significantly boosts your damage and Dark Magic generation (melee gives 10 Dark Magic per hit!).
- Dagger-Shield Weave: When you're taking fire but still need to poke, alternate Daggers with quick taps of your Shield (Primary Fire → Shield → Primary Fire). This keeps you safer while still applying pressure and building some Dark Magic.
Mastering these weaves is fundamental. The Dagger-Melee weave directly addresses his need for faster Dark Magic for Maelstrom and ult charge. The Dagger-Shield weave improves survivability without completely sacrificing offensive pressure, key for a Vanguard holding space.
Ultimate Wisdom: Targeting and Timing with the Eye of Agamotto
Your ultimate is a game-changer, but only if you use it smart.
Always, ALWAYS try to catch enemy Strategists (healers/supports) in your Eye of Agamotto. Taking them out cripples the enemy team's sustain and can swing a fight instantly. After supports, focus on high-damage threats or enemy Vanguards to break their formation.
- Sneaky Setups: Don't just walk into the enemy team and pop your ult; they'll see it coming a mile away. Use your Cloak of Levitation to ult from an unexpected high-ground position or a flank. The surprise factor is huge. Some clever sorcerers even use portals for an 'alt cannon' delivery – more on that portal magic later!
- The Post-Ult Combo: Remember, after you land Eye of Agamotto, follow up with Maelstrom of Madness. If you have high Dark Magic, this can obliterate squishies. Position yourself so Maelstrom hits both the stunned physical body AND their separated soul – this effectively doubles Maelstrom's damage on that target!
- Awareness is Key: Be mindful of enemy crowd control (CC) abilities that can interrupt your ultimate's startup animation (like Luna Snow's freeze or Mantis's sedate). Also, enemy shields and walls (like Groot's or another Strange's) can block your ult's effect.
Positioning Power: Where to Be and When to Scoot
As a Vanguard, you'll often be on the frontline, but you're not an immovable object. Smart positioning is everything for Strange.
- Mid-Range Master: Generally, you want to operate from mid-range. This is where your Daggers of Denak are most effective (especially with the Season 2.5 falloff buff making them hit harder at this range) and where you can best position your Shield of the Seraphim to protect your team.
- Use Natural Cover: Your shield is amazing, but it has a health pool and a cooldown if broken. Don't rely on it exclusively! Hug corners, use map geometry for cover, and peek-shoot whenever possible. This saves shield health for when you really need it.
- Shield Health Management: If your shield health is low, play more passively and stick close to cover until it recharges. If your shield is healthy and your team is ready to push, you can afford to be more aggressive and take space.
- Stay With the Pack (Usually): Doctor Strange is team-reliant. While you have escape tools, a lone Strange caught out, especially if Cloak of Levitation is on cooldown, can be an easy pick for the enemy team. Stick with your allies to maximize your protective value and receive support.
These advanced techniques—reload cancels and ability weaving—are not just minor optimizations; they are fundamental to Strange's tempo and resource management. Mastering these significantly increases his damage uptime and survivability. His long reload is a core weakness, and these techs directly mitigate that. Faster Dark Magic generation from weaving means more frequent and impactful Maelstroms, which in turn means more burst and faster ultimate charge. Better shield uptime from weaving and faster reloads translates to superior team protection and personal survivability. Players who neglect these will be at a clear disadvantage.
Team-Ups & Playstyles
Now, let's talk "builds." In Marvel Rivals, you won't find traditional talent trees or complex ability augmentation systems for individual heroes. When we say "build" for Doctor Strange, we're talking about two key things:
- Smart Team-Up Synergies: Choosing teammates whose abilities complement Strange's kit and the current match strategy.
- Adaptive Playstyle: Adjusting how you play Strange to maximize the benefits of those Team-Ups and to counter the enemy composition.
Here are some of the top Team-Up strategies for Doctor Strange in Season 2.5:
| Team-Up Name / Concept | Partner(s) | Strange's Benefit | Partner's Benefit / Team Ability | Strategic Value & Why It Rocks in S2.5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arcane Order | Scarlet Witch | +100 Max Health (as anchor) | Scarlet Witch unlocks "Mystic Burst," replacing Chthonian Burst. It's a continuous barrage of smaller magic projectiles. | The extra HP is fantastic for Strange's survivability. Mystic Burst is described as "downright terrifying," able to "pummel barriers and Vanguards" and deter divers. With Strange's S2.5 buffs and Wanda's empowered attack, this duo offers strong defensive holds and sustained ranged pressure. Strange can effectively "shield bot" for a very dangerous Wanda. |
| Poke Enablers (General) | Heroes like The Punisher, Hela | Strange provides a massive, safe firing platform with his Shield of the Seraphim. | Partners can unleash devastating poke damage with significantly reduced risk. | Strange excels in poke compositions. With Punisher, Strange can protect his turret form; a portal can even give Punisher surprising angles. Against Hela, Strange can also use Levitation and Shield to block an enemy Hela's ultimate. The S2.5 meta leans towards poke, making this a strong general strategy. |
| "Double Shield" Meta | Another shield Vanguard (e.g., Magneto) | Increased overall team shield uptime and defensive stability. | Partners can cycle shield abilities, creating very small windows for enemies to deal damage. Magneto's allied shield can also protect Strange during his ultimate cast. | This is "the ultimate damage mitigation comp". Extremely effective against heavy poke/ranged enemy teams or for locking down critical chokepoints. Some community feedback suggests Strange is particularly strong in double shield setups in S2.5. |
It's worth noting that the Gamma Charge Team-Up, which previously involved Doctor Strange with Hulk (and sometimes Iron Man) to empower his Maelstrom of Madness and grant anti-heal immunity, appears to have been changed or removed for Strange in Season 2.5. Sources indicate Iron Man no longer activates it with him, Strange no longer benefits, or he has been replaced in the lineup. This shifts the focus away from a Maelstrom-centric team-up for him.
The emphasis on Team-Ups like Arcane Order and the general strategy of enabling poke or running double shields, especially with his Season 2.5 damage consistency buffs, solidifies Strange's role. He's not just a shield; he's a premier utility Vanguard who contributes reliable damage while enabling specific, powerful team strategies. His "builds" are about choosing the right allies to either bolster his protective capabilities or to let them unleash havoc from behind his arcane defenses. His own improved damage output is now a more significant bonus to these strategies.
Key Combos for Maximum Impact
Knowing your abilities is one thing; weaving them together into potent combos is another. Doctor Strange's combos are less about flashy, long sequences and more about efficient, well-timed ability usage that maximizes his Dark Magic resource and the utility of his Shield.
The "Mystic Barrage" (Dagger → Melee → Maelstrom of Madness)
This is your bread-and-butter burst combo for close to mid-range engagements.
Execution: Tag an enemy with your Daggers of Denak, immediately follow up with a melee whip attack (this is crucial for rapidly building Dark Magic stacks!), and if they're low on health or you've accumulated a high amount of Dark Magic, unleash Maelstrom of Madness. This can finish off wounded targets or apply significant area-of-effect pressure.
This combo (Primary Fire → Melee → Maelstrom of Madness) is noted to deliver around 250 burst damage, enough to eliminate squishier 250hp heroes like Rocket Raccoon, especially if Maelstrom is well-charged. With Maelstrom's Season 2.5 buff removing damage falloff, its reliability in this combo is even higher.
The "Soul Snatch" (Eye of Agamotto → Maelstrom of Madness)
This is the classic ultimate combo that can turn the tide of any fight.
Execution: Activate Eye of Agamotto to stun enemies within its radius and pull their souls from their bodies. Then, quickly position yourself between an enemy's physical body and their separated soul and cast a fully charged Maelstrom of Madness. Because Maelstrom is an area-of-effect ability, it can strike both the physical body and the soul simultaneously if they are close enough. This effectively deals double damage to the immobilized target.
The removal of Maelstrom's damage falloff in Season 2.5 makes this follow-up even more devastating, as all targets caught by the soul and body will take the full impact of both Maelstrom hits.
The "Defensive Dance" (Dagger → Shield Weave → Dagger)
This is your go-to pattern when you need to hold your ground, poke at enemies, but are also taking incoming fire.
Execution: Fire your Daggers of Denak, then immediately raise your Shield of the Seraphim to block incoming projectiles. Drop the shield quickly (remember, it only recharges when it's down!), fire another volley of Daggers, and repeat the process. This allows you to maintain offensive pressure while significantly mitigating damage.
This technique is crucial for surviving duels, holding chokepoints against ranged compositions, and managing your shield's health effectively.
Strange's skill expression comes from smart decision-making and the precise execution of these fundamental combos in the right situations, rather than memorizing long, intricate button sequences. The Season 2.5 buffs primarily enhance the effectiveness and consistency of these established combo patterns.
Key Counters & Matchup Mastery
Every hero has their strengths and weaknesses, and the Sorcerer Supreme is no exception. Understanding your matchups is key to survival and victory. The Season 2.5 meta, with the introduction of Ultron and various balance changes, brings new dynamics to consider.
| Enemy Hero / Archetype | Their Threat to Strange | Your Counter-Play Strategy (S2.5 Focused) |
|---|---|---|
| Dive Heroes (e.g., Spider-Man, Iron Fist, Magik, Wolverine) |
These characters aim to close the distance quickly. Melee attacks bypass Strange's shield, damaging both its HP and Strange directly. They can overwhelm an isolated Strange. | General Anti-Dive: Use Cloak of Levitation to create distance or gain high ground. Weave melee attacks with Daggers if they get close to build Dark Magic for a punishing Maelstrom of Madness. Call for team focus! Spider-Man: His mobility makes Daggers hard to land. Predict movement; use Maelstrom if he commits to a dive. Iron Fist: Similar to Spider-Man, very aggressive. Kite and punish overextensions. Magik: Her teleports and CC are dangerous. Anticipate Limbo Steps. Levitate out of Soul Vortex if possible. Good positioning is vital to avoid her initial engage. Your shield won't stop her Soul Grab. |
| Ranged Threats / Shield Breakers (e.g., The Punisher, Winter Soldier, Star-Lord) |
Characters with high sustained damage can shred Strange's shield quickly, while burst damage from range can catch him off-guard. | General: Utilize natural cover extensively. Manage shield health by lowering it when not actively blocking significant threats. The Punisher: His turret form melts shields. Break line of sight or use Levitation to get an angle on him. Winter Soldier: High burst damage. Be wary of his Bionic Hook pulling you out of position. Star-Lord: Long-range burst can disrupt setups. Shield his burst; consider flanking with portals if he's isolated. |
| Flyers (e.g., Ultron, Human Torch, Storm, Hela during ult) |
Can attack from difficult angles, bypassing grounded shield protection for the team. The S2.5 meta has a notable flyer presence with Ultron's introduction. | General Anti-Flyer: Your Daggers, with improved S2.5 falloff, are better for poking flyers. Use Cloak of Levitation to meet them in the air to apply pressure or shield block for an ally. A well-aimed Eye of Agamotto can snatch them from the sky. One community tip: "fly up, shield primary melee weave them a couple of times they usually buzz off". Ultron: As a flying Strategist, he'll often be a priority. Pressure him to disrupt his healing drone and beams. Enable your Duelists to focus him. Hela (Ultimate): A classic Strange counter! Use Cloak of Levitation to fly into her face and deploy Shield of the Seraphim to block most/all of her ultimate daggers for your team. |
| Other Vanguards (e.g., Emma Frost, Groot) |
Matchups depend on their specific kits. | Emma Frost: Her Diamond Form is CC immune and strong up close. Your shield is excellent for blocking her ultimate. Poke her from range; she lacks mobility to chase if you manage distance well. Groot: His walls can be disruptive. Use Levitation to fly over them. Shield his poke for your team. Focus fire his walls if they block critical paths. |
| Loki | Considered a strong counter by some due to stealth and disruptive abilities that can bypass Strange's direct defenses. | High awareness is key. Listen for his audio cues. Maelstrom of Madness can be effective if he decloaks too close. Rely on teammates to help peel or reveal him. Your shield offers little direct protection against his trickery. |
Strange's success in various matchups hinges heavily on intelligent shield management and positioning. He tends to struggle against characters who can negate or quickly bypass his shield, or those with superior mobility that he can't reliably pin down with his slower projectiles. Conversely, he shines against opponents reliant on projectile damage that his shield can nullify, or those susceptible to his area-of-effect control and ultimate. The Season 2.5 buffs to his Dagger and Maelstrom falloff make his poke against all targets, including flyers, more consistent and threatening.
Pro-Level Portal Wizardry
Alright, this is where the real magic happens. Strange's Pentagram of Farallah (Portals) is arguably one of the most unique and potentially game-changing abilities in all of Marvel Rivals. But with great power comes a hefty 3-minute cooldown, so every portal needs to count!
Strategic Team Teleports: Objectives, Flanks, and Escapes
This is the fundamental use: rapidly move your team onto a contested objective, execute a surprise flank on the enemy's vulnerable backline, or provide a quick escape route when a team fight turns sour.
Seriously, tell your team your portal plan before you start casting. A coordinated portal assault can win the game; a poorly communicated one often leads to teammates being picked off one by one. Use voice chat, type "portal incoming," or ping like your life depends on it (because it might!).
Always aim to place portal exits in safe yet advantageous positions. High ground is often an excellent choice, giving your team a superior vantage point.
The Art of the Counter-Portal (vs. Enemy Stranges)
Facing an enemy Doctor Strange who's fond of portals? You can turn their own strategy against them.
If you can anticipate where their portal exit will appear, you can attempt to place one of your portals directly over it. This can redirect unsuspecting enemies to a location of your choosing – perhaps off a convenient cliff or into a killbox your team has prepared. This is a high-skill, high-risk maneuver but incredibly impactful if successful.
Another advanced trick: if you see an enemy Strange channeling his portal ability (remember, his physical body is vulnerable during this), you can try to quickly place one of your portal exits under him and the other over a lethal drop. If timed right, you can send him plummeting, canceling his portal and forcing its lengthy cooldown.
Strategic Spawn Blocking & Objective Denial
On certain maps, particularly Convoy, you can use your portals (which last for 20 seconds) to temporarily block enemy spawn doors. This can buy your team crucial uncontested time to push the payload or secure an objective.
Similarly, portals can be used to obstruct enemy pathways to an objective or even trap them within a confined area for a short duration.
The "Portal Cannon" Ultimate Delivery System
For a truly unexpected Eye of Agamotto, consider the "Portal Cannon" technique, often showcased by creative players.
Execution: Use Cloak of Levitation to fly as high as possible. Cancel the flight and immediately activate Pentagram of Farallah. Place the first portal directly beneath your falling position. Then, quickly aim and place the second portal where you want to launch towards, angling it slightly upwards. As you fall through your first portal, the momentum should propel you out of the second portal at high speed towards the enemy, allowing for a surprise ultimate activation from an unpredictable angle.
Portal Nuances & Important Considerations
- Enemy Access: Never forget that enemies can use your portals too! Ensure your portal exits don't provide the enemy with a free pass into your team's vulnerable backline.
- Caster Vulnerability: When you activate portal mode, Strange's physical body remains stationary and vulnerable at the point where you initiated the cast. Make sure you're in a safe spot before attempting complex portal placements.
- Reliability Boost: The Season 2.5 patch addressed a bug that sometimes caused portals to send heroes to unintended locations. This fix should make your portal plays more consistent and reliable.
- Avoid Exploits: While creative uses are encouraged, be aware that game-breaking exploits (like clipping portals through walls to create inescapable "jails") are likely to be patched quickly by developers. Focus on legitimate strategic applications.
- The Cooldown Conundrum: That 3-minute cooldown means each portal use must be highly impactful. Don't waste it on low-value plays. The Season 2.5 meta, with its emphasis on poke and the presence of flyers like Ultron, might open new strategic avenues for portals – such as rapidly repositioning your poke-heavy team to a new power position or giving your hitscan allies quick access to high ground to counter aerial threats. The "Portal Cannon" ult becomes even more valuable if it allows Strange to bypass entrenched frontline defenses to catch key targets.
Conclusion
So there you have it! Doctor Strange in Marvel Rivals Season 2.5 is a truly formidable hero, brimming with potential. With his recently buffed damage output making his Daggers of Denak and Maelstrom of Madness more consistent threats, combined with his unparalleled Shield of the Seraphim, a game-altering Eye of Agamotto ultimate, and those incredible reality-bending Pentagram of Farallah portals, you possess all the arcane tools necessary to dominate the battlefield.
Mastering the Sorcerer Supreme does indeed take practice. Those reload animation cancels, the fluid weaving of abilities, and especially the high-stakes decision-making involved with portal placement, will require dedication and experimentation. But trust me, invest the time, internalize these strategies, and you'll find yourself not just winning games, but doing so with a style and impact that few other heroes can match. Your team will undoubtedly thank you (probably right after they figure out how your perfectly timed portal just secured them the victory!).
Now go forth, wield the Eye of Agamotto with wisdom, manage your Dark Magic with precision, and show the Marvel Rivals universe what a true Master of the Mystic Arts can achieve! By the Hoary Hosts of Hoggoth, you've got this!