When it comes to Warborn: Above Ashes, few characters spark as much debate and curiosity as Varnex. At first glance, many new players mistake Varnex for a traditional tank. After all, the character has access to shields, Warborne Above Ashes Solarbite, and heavy melee weapons that naturally suggest durability. But make no mistake—while Varnex can be built to soak damage, their real strength lies in area-of-effect (AOE) damage and battlefield control.

This guide explores how to maximize Varnex’s potential during the early game, from attributes and weapons to skill rotations, equipment choices, and even drifter setups. By the end, you’ll see why many players call Varnex one of the strongest melee bruisers in Warborn: Above Ashes.

Understanding Varnex’s Scaling

The first step to building Varnex effectively is understanding how attributes scale:

Strength: Every point grants 2.4 scaling, making it the most efficient investment.

Agility: Provides only 1.3 scaling.

Intelligence: Even lower at 0.8 scaling.

This makes it clear: if you want to unlock Varnex’s full damage and control potential, prioritize Strength above all else. While agility or intelligence builds may seem tempting, they pale compared to the raw power that strength scaling provides.

Best Early Game Weapons for Varnex

1. Hellblade Sword

The Hellblade Sword is arguably the best starting weapon for Varnex. Its main advantage lies in sustain and shields, giving new players the tools they need to survive in the chaotic early fights where “glass cannon” opponents try to burst you down. With the Hellblade, you can punish those fragile builds while still holding your ground.

2. Hellcore Cleaver

For players who prefer an aggressive playstyle, the Hellcore Cleaver is a phenomenal option. It amplifies Varnex’s AOE potential and offers more offensive pressure compared to the Hellblade. This is my personal favorite weapon when I want to snowball fights.

3. Titan Spine Blade

If you want to lean more defensively, the Titan Spine Blade offers durability and tankier stats. While it doesn’t pump out damage as efficiently as the Hellcore Cleaver, it’s worth considering if your team needs a sturdier frontline.

4. Wing Blade (Endgame Potential)

Though not accessible right away, many high-level players agree that the Wing Blade is Varnex’s best-in-slot weapon for the late game. It synergizes well with strength scaling and offers immense versatility, but we’ll save the full endgame discussion for later.

Varnex’s Core Skills

Varnex has access to a powerful skill set that combines AOE, control, and sustain. Here’s how to use them:

Q – Crippling Strike

Effect: Dashes to an enemy, deals AOE damage, slows, and grants a shield equal to 20% of max HP.

Use Case: This is your engage and sustain tool, perfect for surviving extended skirmishes. Always open fights with it to immediately gain a defensive advantage.

W – Overload Slash

Effect: Dashes to a target and deals heavy damage. If you have 3 stacks of Momentum, it also stuns the enemy.

Use Case: Only use this ability after building up Momentum stacks. Without stacks, it’s lackluster. With stacks, it’s devastating and a key part of your rotation.

E – Leap

Effect: Leaps into the air and knocks up enemies for 1.5 seconds.

Use Case: Your bread-and-butter initiation skill. Use it to start fights, disrupt backlines, or set up combos.

Passive – Seismic Impact

Every time you use hard control or mobility skills, you trigger Seismic Impact, dropping a damaging meteor. This passive is what separates good Varnex players from great ones. Proper cycling of skills means you’ll constantly rain meteors on your opponents, stacking stuns and pressure until they crumble.

The Standard Varnex Combo

Mastering the skill rotation is crucial. Here’s a typical engagement sequence:

Engage with E (Leap) → Knock enemies up and trigger Seismic Impact.

Immediately follow with Q (Crippling Strike) → Gain a shield and deal AOE damage.

Build Momentum stacks with auto attacks or by taking damage.

Use W (Overload Slash) at 3 stacks → Stun and burst damage.

Repeat cycle: As cooldowns reset, chain more stuns and meteors for nonstop control.

Executed correctly, this combo keeps enemies permanently pressured while granting you sustain through shields.

Equipment Choices

Your gear greatly influences how Varnex performs. Here’s a breakdown of recommended early-game equipment:

Helmet: Reptilian Helmet

Provides shields when affected by crowd control.

Great for countering heavy CC opponents and improving survivability.

Chest: Dazing Guard

Slows enemies and stuns for 1.5 seconds.

A perfect offensive option for extending your CC chain.

Boots: Shadeville Slippers or Vanguard Boots

Shadeville Slippers: Grants invisibility, useful for disengaging or escaping zergs.

Vanguard Boots: Popular among aggressive players; boosts speed and grants immunity to slows/stuns.

Pick based on playstyle—I prefer invisibility for safety, but Vanguard is excellent for relentless momentum stacking.

Playing Varnex in Teamfights

In large-scale battles, Varnex shines as a bruiser disruptor. You aren’t the tankiest frontline, but your constant CC and meteors make you invaluable. Focus on:

Initiating fights with Leap.

Locking down glass cannon enemies with Crippling Strike + Overload Slash combos.

Cycling Seismic Impact to rain down meteors throughout the fight.

The key difference between an average Varnex and an exceptional one lies in timing and combo discipline. Knowing when to hold W for a 3-stack stun or when to disengage with Q can turn the tide of entire battles.

Drifters and Early Game Progression

Drifters are another system that can’t be ignored. Even early in the game, their bonuses significantly impact performance.

Zero (Starter Drifter): Grants a small attack bonus at the cost of critical rate. While modest, it’s helpful in the beginning.

Synergy Matters: Always pick drifters that enhance Varnex’s strengths—attack, resistance, and HP scaling.

Upgrading: The more you level them, the more their bonuses scale. For example, Zero’s attack buff grows from 2.69% to 4% once maxed.

Priority Upgrades:

Research Center – Increases your overall progression speed.

Drifter Upgrades – Boosts survivability and power.

Advanced Equipment – Ensures you always stay ahead in gear tiers.

Tip: Always save X Energy for these critical upgrades. Farming energy and allocating it wisely ensures you don’t fall behind in progression.

Endgame Preview

While this guide focuses on early game, it’s worth noting some powerful endgame gear combinations players are testing:

Weapon: Wing Blade

Chest: Ranger’s High Chest

Boots: Savage Boots

Helmet: Foley Helm (great for cleansing control effects during sieges)

Skill Setup: Berserker build for raw damage and sustain

These builds require farming blueprints and materials, so they’re not immediately accessible. Still, it’s good to keep them in mind as you plan your long-term path.

Why Choose Varnex?

So why pick Varnex over other melee bruisers? Here are the highlights:

AOE Dominance: Few characters can rival the sheer area damage potential of seismic meteors combined with cleaves.

Sustain & Shields: Unlike glass cannons, Varnex can stay in the fight longer with shield mechanics.

Control Heavy Kit: Multiple stuns, knockups, and slows make Varnex invaluable in both duels and large-scale wars.

Scaling Power: With the right gear and strength scaling, Varnex transitions from early game powerhouse to endgame juggernaut.

Final Thoughts

Varnex is not just another tank. They are a melee bruiser built for domination through control and damage, thriving in chaotic skirmishes and large teamfights alike. By investing in strength, choosing the right early weapons (Hellblade Sword or Hellcore Cleaver), and mastering the skill rotation that chains Seismic Impact meteors, you’ll quickly see why many players rank Varnex as one of the strongest characters in Warborne Above Ashes Solarbite for sale.

Whether you’re playing aggressively with cleaves or opting for a more defensive Titan Spine setup, Varnex rewards skillful play and smart gear choices. And as the endgame unfolds, Wing Blade builds promise even more power to explore.

If you enjoy melee combat, disruptive control, and the satisfaction of dropping meteors onto entire teams, Varnex is the perfect choice for you.