If you are looking for the most iconic heroes in 'Seven Knights Re:BIRTH' (hereinafter 'SKRB'), the Seven Knights—led by Rudy and Kris—and the Old Four Lords like Yeonhee and Taeo are the usual suspects. They are the backbone of the story, and let's face it, their striking designs and flashy skill effects have kept players hooked. Taeo, in particular, was a massive hit since the original 'Seven Knights'. That popularity has carried over to 'SKRB', where he remains a staple for the majority of the player base. Half a year after launch, let's take a cheeky look at why Taeo is still the man to beat.

Q. What kind of hero is Taeo?
A. Simple is best; he is a physical damage dealer armed with the 'Immortal' state.

Taeo is an early-game hero, meaning his kit is refreshingly simple. 'Simple is best,' they say, and sometimes brevity really is the soul of power. Unlike modern heroes who come packed with extra effects on every basic attack, Taeo keeps it straightforward. His basic attacks offer nothing but a single hit and a multiplier. Even after skill enhancements, it’s just more numbers.

Taeo’s real strength lies in his brutal skills. 'Black Wind Slash' hits all enemies and comes with a 'Pierce' effect. As a passive trait, using this skill grants an additional 30% Critical Hit Rate. Since 'Pierce' ignores damage immunity, he is still a top pick for both the Arena and stage progression.

'Black Wing Full Moon Slash' hits all enemies twice and applies a 2-turn reduction to turn-based buffs. Like his other move, this also packs that 30% Critical Hit Rate boost. This means you only need to hit a 70% Crit Rate to guarantee those crits. The enhancement here? You guessed it, just bigger multipliers.

His passive, 'Crow's Eye', is a multi-layered beast—granting damage immunity three times and an 'Immortal' resurrection state. This immortality lasts for 2 turns. Once enhanced, resurrecting as an Immortal boosts his physical attack power by 39%. Reach 2-transcendence, and your skill cooldowns reset upon triggering immortality. In short, Taeo reaches his peak damage potential the moment he refuses to stay dead.

Taeo hits his true ceiling at 6-transcendence. His main skills then transition to a guaranteed 100% Critical Hit rate. This makes gearing him a breeze, as you can drop crit chance from your stats entirely. Plus, at 4-transcendence, he gains a 24% boost to Critical Hit Damage, pushing his output even further. By the way, thanks to the Advent Expedition rewards, you can now grab 'Old Four Lords Summon Tickets', making him much easier to obtain than before.

Q. What are Taeo’s key buffs and debuffs?
A. Immortality, Pierce, and turn-based buff reduction.

Taeo’s signature buff is Immortality, and his go-to debuff is the turn-based buff reduction. Immortality keeps him alive for 2 turns even after receiving lethal damage. However, beware of 'buff removal', multi-turn reduction effects, or instant death mechanics, which will cut his party short. While the rise of buff-stripping heroes has dulled his edge slightly, he remains a dangerous 'joker' pick in the Arena.

The 2-turn reduction is vital, especially in Taeo mirror matches. It is incredibly efficient at stripping 'n-turn' buffs, including the opponent's Immortality. Whether you are facing another Taeo, a Ring of Immortality, or units like Juri, this skill keeps him relevant. He is still a regular face in Guild Wars and Total War, so keep this in mind if you are diving into competitive play.

Q. How should I build Taeo?
A. I recommend 'Assassin' or 'Avenger' before 6-transcendence, and 'Seeker' after.

Everything hinges on whether you have reached 6-transcendence. If not, stick with the Assassin or Avenger sets for now. Aim for at least 70% Critical Hit Rate; given his innate bonuses, that is enough to ensure consistent crits. Once you hit 6-transcendence, swap to a 4-piece Seeker set and stack 'Critical Hit Damage' gear. Other than that, prioritize Attack Speed and Attack Power. Attack Speed is incredibly valuable in SKRB, so get as much as you can. After 6-transcendence, Crit Rate becomes a wasted stat, so avoid it like the plague. Best of luck!