Old Ghrukkus – Champion Spotlight

Old Ghrukkus has quietly flown under the radar but remains a solid option for many teams. In content like Fire Knight, Nether Spider, and Amius, he can have a significant impact, offering a variety of strong debuffs for a single champion. His kit includes an A3 that applies both Heal Reduction and Decrease Attack to all enemies, an A2 with Decrease Speed and Turn Meter reduction, and an A1 that provides Leech for healing. Additionally, he has a great Speed Aura for dungeons. In this article, we’ll spotlight why Old Ghrukkus is a champion worth considering and how he can excel in specific encounters.

It’s no surprise that Heal Reduction is one of the most valuable debuffs for The Fire Knight, preventing the boss from healing when not fully controlled, whether through Turn Meter reduction on Normal or Freeze manipulation on Hard. Old Ghrukkus stands out as an exceptional option by combining Heal Reduction and Decrease Attack in one skill, letting you reduce the boss’s healing and damage output with a single ability. His A2 slows the boss with Decrease Speed, and his Leech helps allies recover HP as they deal damage once the shield is down. Additionally, Old Ghrukkus’s triple hit A1 is perfect for reducing shield counters, especially when used in Ally Attack or Counterattack strategies.

In the Senna based team [Screenshot Below], the strategy involves allowing the boss to wipe out all allies except Mikage and Senna. After revival, Senna triggers an Ally Attack, followed by Mikage, while all champions open with their default attacks until the boss’s first move. Old Ghrukkus and Thor ensure the debuffs are applied, such as Heal Reduction, Decrease Attack, and Decrease Speed, to slow the boss and sustain the team. Even if the boss gets a second turn, Mikage’s Ally Attacks and multi hitters quickly bring the shield down, enabling the team to finish without requiring Freeze champions.

The second team shown includes Gnut alongside two Ally Attack champions, avoiding the need for revivals. Allies use their strongest skills upfront, with Old Ghrukkus providing Heal Reduction, Decrease Attack, and Decrease Speed. Gnut takes on the role of Turn Meter control through Freeze, and inflicting Enemy Max HP damage. If the boss takes a turn, Decrease Attack mitigates incoming damage, and the Phantom Touch blessing is recommended for reducing shield counters faster. Genzin is in both teams for wave clearing, multi hit attacks, and Decrease Defence to speed up the run. Additionally, his synergy with Mikage as a fellow Shadowkin enables additional ally attacks through her A1.

For those tackling Normal mode, Old Ghrukkus is just as effective, if not more so, as his A2 can reduce Turn Meter by 30%, making him an excellent choice for progressing through the dungeon at any level.

Against the Nether Spider, most Heal Reduction champions can fill the role of Old Ghrukkus, but he stands out by also bringing Decrease Attack to lower incoming damage. This strategy revolves around Geomancer applying burns to the boss and deflecting damage with his passive, supported by Heal Reduction to prevent the boss from healing through the Spiderlings’ counterattacks. A cleanser or reviver is recommended to keep your team alive. Vogoth plays a key role with his passive healing ability, while Teumesia is included primarily for wave clearing and dealing damage to the boss. Teumesia’s slot is flexible and can be swapped out for other champions based on your roster.

Overall, Old Ghrukkus’s combination of Decrease Attack, Decrease Speed, and Heal Reduction is great for slowing down the boss, reducing incoming damage, and ensuring smoother runs. Check out a full guide on this strategy here:

When building Old Ghrukkus, prioritize accuracy to ensure his debuffs land effectively. You’ll also need sufficient speed to outpace your encounter, along with enough HP and DEF to endure hits. If these primary stats are covered, you might consider adding some damage to his build.

The key stats to look for on Old Ghrukkus are:

1. ACC
2. SPD
3. HP%
4. DEF%
5. C.RATE

The best sets for Old Ghrukkus are:

1. Perception
2. Accuracy
3. Relentless
4. Feral
5. Speed

Check out our Champion page on Old Ghrukkus to see our recommended Blessings, Masteries and more!

Beyond the areas highlighted today, Old Ghrukkus is a solid choice wherever his effects are needed. For instance, in specific Amius rotations within The Cursed City, he excels at preventing the boss from healing while offering team healing and reducing incoming damage. He’s also a strong pick for general Faction Wars, Secret Rooms, and Cursed City stages where Ogryn champions are an option!