author: Ewa Ichniowska
Gunfire Reborn - Zi Xiao Guide; Learn about the Owl
Zi Xiao (also called the Owl by fans) is a new character in Gunfire Reborn with luck based abilities. Find out how to effectively play him in our guide.
Zi Xiao is a new character in Gunfire Reborn, a fantasy rougelike combining the elements of an FPS and RPG. As the 9th champion, he has been added in the Artisan and Magician DLC. Zi Xiao’s mechanics may seem complex and difficult to master, as they are partly luck-based. However, with knowledge of how Owl's skills work together and some investment into the character, players will be able to skew the odds in their favour to deal high damage.
Zi Xiao – Skills
Zi Xiao needs to use his Secondary Skill - Astroforecast – in battle first in order to maximize the damage from his Primary Skill.
Astroforecast summons a number of cards, which track and attack opponents. Those cards are displayed next to the champion’s weapon.
Each time Zi Xiao uses the Secondary Skill, he obtains an Astroaspect, which is represented by a scroll-shaped icon in one of the three slots underneath the available cards. The trick to playing Zi Xiao effectively is to fire off his Primary Skill, Falling Star, whenever we collect 3 Astroaspects in the same color (representing rarity). The mechanic could be compared to a simplified version of poker, where Astrohouses are hands and the rarity of Astroaspects corresponds to suits.
3 Astroaspects make an Astrohouse. However, only Astrohouses consisting of Astroaspects of the same rarity activate additional effects when using the Primary Skill. If the rarities, or colors of the Astroaspect don’t match, it results in the Impure Astrohouse. The better the rarity, the better the effects:
- Impure: Deal 800 DMG to nearby enemies within 3.5m radius of the target
- Normal (Cyan): Deal 800 DMG to nearby enemies twice within 3.5m radius of the target
- Rare (Purple): Deal 800 DMG to nearby enemies twice within 3.5m radius of the target, then deal 1000 DMG within 7m.
- Legendary (Orange): Deal 800 DMG to nearby enemies twice within 3.5m radius of the target, then deal 1600 DMG within 7m. Finally Deal 1000 DMG per second and reduce Movement Speed by 50%.
Wild Astroaspects can also be obtained. Those can fill in as any available color at random.
As you can see, matching the rarities of Astroaspects is very important, as even a Normal Astrohouse doubles the damage dealt by Falling Star. Players can upgrade Talents and Ascensions in order to maximize their chances of getting a Legendary Astrohouse. Occult Scrolls obtained by the player also affect what Astroaspects Zi Xiao gains.
Zi Xiao – Occult Scrolls
Occult Scrolls are a mechanic shared by the different champions in the game. The ways of obtaining them, such as completing Vault objectives and Challenge Events, buying, or defeating elite or boss enemies, are the same.
However, Zi Xiao gains unique benefits depending on the rarity of Occult Scrolls he holds. Owning more Scrolls of a given rarity increases the chance of obtaining Astroaspects of the same rarity. Cursed Scrolls make Wild Astroaspects appear more often.
Zi Xiao – Build
Players can choose to focus on different aspects of Zi Xiao’s gameplay depending on Ascensions. Those are divided into three categories:
- Strategy Thought – Increases number of cards the player can hold, the damage dealt by Secondary Skill – Astroforecast, and allows to rotate cards more effectively, etc.
- Star Sparkle – Increases damage of Primary Skill – Starfall, adds slots and raises the probability of obtaining higher rarity Astrohouses, etc,
- Arcane Arts – Adds additional effects or damage based on the owned Scrolls or Astroaspects.
It is possible to combine Ascensions from different paths, so it’s recommended to experiment with different combinations and find out what suits your playstyle best.