The Power Of Petrification Champions in Raid Shadow Legends
In this guide, we explore the power of Petrification champions in Raid Shadow Legends. We break down how the debuff works, why it plays a crucial role in controlling enemies, which champions apply it most effectively, and where you’ll get the most value from using it.
What Petrification does in raid
How the Petrification Debuff Works
Petrification is a powerful control debuff that turns an enemy to stone, removing all of their current buffs and preventing them from taking their next turn. While Petrified, they cannot receive new buffs, become vulnerable to additional debuffs, and are unaffected by most instant effects other than debuff removal.
Unlike most control debuffs, Petrification also reduces incoming damage by 60%, meaning the target only takes 40% of normal damage from attacks. Bombs are the exception, dealing 300% increased damage to Petrified targets, making Bomb Champions the ideal partners for this debuff. It’s also worth noting that Petrification cannot be placed on targets protected by Stoneskin or Block Debuffs.
Currently, Petrification is a very rare mechanic, with only a handful of Champions capable of applying it. Most do so through single target abilities or unique passive effects, making it a niche but impactful form of control when used correctly.
Why Petrification champions are valuable
Petrification is a powerful way to completely shut down key enemy Champions that would otherwise threaten your team. Locking down dangerous revivers, crowd controllers, or nukers gives you the opportunity to deal with the remaining enemies, before turning your attention back to the Petrified target once the fight is under control.
In PvE, however, the 60% damage reduction means Petrified enemies can take longer to defeat, making the debuff less suited to speed farming unless you’re pairing it with Bomb Champions, which deal massively increased damage against Petrified targets.
Best areas to use Petrification champions
PVE Waves
This debuff can be highly effective in PvE waves, allowing you to completely neutralise dangerous enemies while you focus on defeating the rest of the wave. This makes difficult encounters much safer and gives your team greater control over the pace of the fight.
Arena
Arena is where Petrification is most impactful, allowing you to lock down a key enemy while focusing on the rest of the team. Champions such as Fabian take this even further, using his A2 to place Petrification before reactivating the skill whenever enemies successfully take turns under Fear, creating a difficult chain of control.
Just be mindful that Petrified targets take reduced damage, so you’ll either need to steadily wear them down or pair the debuff with Bomb Champions to fully capitalise on it.
Faction Wars
Petrification can also be valuable in Faction Wars, helping control dangerous enemies that might otherwise eliminate one of your Champions. When paired with other forms of crowd control, it can make difficult waves far more manageable and improve your chances of securing consistent 3 star clears.
Petrification champions in raid
Here we’ve highlighted some of the top Petrification champions in Raid: Shadow Legends, showcasing the different strengths they bring. While this list isn’t exhaustive, it should give you an understanding of what makes these champions so effective. For more options, be sure to check out our Champion Tier List.
Fabian
Fabian is a Petrification specialist, placing it on a key target while applying True Fear to all other enemies. His passive can repeatedly reactivate this skill whenever enemies successfully take turns under Fear, creating a difficult chain of control, especially in Arena. Alongside this, he brings buff duration reduction, increased skill cooldowns, and Turn Meter control, making him an exceptional disruption Champion.
Mithrala
Mithrala was the first Champion to introduce Petrification, applying it through her passive whenever a Hexed enemy attacks her (50% chance) or an ally (30% chance), making enemies think twice before attacking.
She also provides exceptional support with Increase DEF, Increase ATK, Shields, Strengthen, and passive Resistance scaling from Accuracy. Alongside these effects, she brings Hex and Poison, offering outstanding utility that makes her a top tier choice across a wide range of content.
Skeletor
Skeletor is a single target control Champion, placing Petrification alongside Decrease ATK and Decrease SPD through his A2 to shut down key targets. He also extends debuffs, reduces enemy buff durations, steals Block Debuffs, and manipulates Turn Meter. His passive further improves his kit by increasing his Accuracy, placing Decrease RES on attackers, and giving him another chance to place Petrification when he loses 30% or more HP from a hit.
Pelops
Pelops combines Taunt, Petrification, and strong defensive utility into a durable control kit. His A3 grants Taunt, Magma Shield, Increase ATK, and passive damage reduction, while his passive places HP Burn and has a chance to Petrify attackers, creating a strong cycle of control as enemies are forced to attack him.
He also brings an A2 that ignores 50% DEF, scaling its damage from remaining turns on active debuffs, or Stuns and steals all buffs if it doesn’t deal enough damage, adding another layer of disruption.
Arbais
In her Base Form, Arbais provides Turn Meter fills, Increase ACC, buff removal, Revive on Death, and Block Active Skills, while her passive gives enemies a 30% chance to be Petrified whenever they attack allies under Revive on Death.
Her Alternate Form shifts towards protection and disruption, placing Taunt and Stoneskin on herself while supporting allies with Continuous Heals. She also brings HP Burn, Leech, Decrease SPD, Turn Meter manipulation, and strong defensive utility, making her an exceptional all round support Champion.
April
April is a control focused Champion who excels at disrupting enemy setups through Accuracy support, Turn Meter manipulation, buff stealing, and the unique Seal and Nullify debuffs. While primarily designed for Arena, she can also provide value in select PvE encounters.
Her Petrification is far less reliable than dedicated users, coming from her A1, which has a chance to apply one of six different control debuffs, with Petrification being just one possible outcome.
How to build Petrification Champions
Accuracy & Speed Requirements
Accuracy and Speed are both important for Champions applying Petrification, unless the skill specifically states the debuff cannot be resisted. Accuracy ensures you can consistently land Petrification, while Speed helps you apply it before enemies have a chance to act. As a general guideline, aim for around 25 more ACC than your target’s RES, using tools such as the Raid Stages Tool to identify the requirements for specific encounters.
Increase ACC buffs and Decrease RES debuffs can further improve consistency, particularly in higher end content. Beyond this, build your Champion around their primary role, whether that’s survivability, damage, or support, while remembering that Bomb Champions are the ideal partners for maximising the value of Petrification.
Recommended Artifact Sets
Petrification Champions benefit most from Artifact Sets that improve their Accuracy and Speed, ensuring they can consistently land their debuffs. Sets such as Perception, Pinpoint, or Feral are excellent choices, while Relentless, Impulse, or Reflex help cycle back to key control skills more frequently.
Once your Accuracy requirements are met, focus on sets that suit the Champion’s role. Hybrid damage dealers such as Pelops benefit from Savage, Merciless, or Lethal, while Stoneskin remains a strong PvP option. For support Champions, Mercurial offers excellent protection, while a 9 piece Protection set can further strengthen your team, provided you maintain enough Accuracy to land Petrification consistently.
Tips for using Petrification Champions
Petrification Champions are most effective when used to lock down the most dangerous enemy first, allowing you to deal with the rest of the fight before focusing them down. Since Petrified targets take significantly reduced damage, avoid spreading damage into them too early unless you’re using Bomb Champions, which are the best way to capitalise on the debuff.
Pairing Petrification with other forms of crowd control can create powerful chains of disruption, especially in Arena, making it difficult for enemies to recover. Just be mindful of effects such as Stoneskin and Block Debuffs, as these must be removed or prevented before Petrification can be applied.