Hello, everyone. Welcome back to another Seven Knights Re:BIRTH (SKRB) Re:PLAY update. May 15th marks the first anniversary of SKRB. During the last 'Senari Live' stream, the developers teased that the main events and anniversary updates would drop by the end of May—including the highly anticipated 'Awakening' system that adventurers have been clamouring for. Before that, SKRB introduced Mist, Nata, Omok, and Karl Heron, while giving Akilla and Rin a much-needed rework, shifting the meta across various modes. I have compiled the analysis and hero recommendations for May below.

Hero formations by content in May

A changing of the guard for Siege Defense main DPS!

Last April, Mist and Nata arrived simultaneously. While the community’s attention was firmly fixed on Mist—a hero tailor-made for the fickle PvP meta—Nata was left in the shadows. But as we stepped into May, Nata finally had her moment. She managed to topple Sun Wukong as the top-tier dealer for the Monday-Wednesday Siege Defense, where magic attack dealers rule. Beyond her raw power, players have been praising how easily she can be transcended using Guild Coins.

Meanwhile, in the ever-shifting landscape of PvP, Mist and Omok have been making waves. Both have secured their spots in Death and Magic decks, respectively, driving their teams to victory. As a result, both the Arena and the 5-team Total War compositions have seen a major shake-up. Keep these shifts in mind as you review the hero formations for May.

The Offense deck expands its influence with 'Karl Heron'

Looking back at the current Offense deck meta, most heroes provide a clear, singular answer to the game's problems. Take Landgrid, who is the go-to for deleting the enemy's main front-line tank. She is the backbone of Offense decks, capable of sniping the Defense deck's vanguard or the Magic deck's Milia. Similarly, the way Branz & Branzel 'execute' one back-row enemy follows the same ruthless logic.

While these Offense deck mechanics are undeniably satisfying to watch, they are notoriously easy to counter. A slight adjustment in hero positioning or a meticulous item setup is often enough to put the brakes on them. The 'Watchful Eye' of Kyle, which was popular in the past, suffered from the same predictability. This formula applies not just to facing different parties, but even in the dreaded mirror matches.

SKRB is continuing to broaden the hero choices for Offense decks, and the new hero 'Karl Heron' fits right into that concept. His exclusive effect, 'Thunder Mark,' specifically targets the enemy with the highest attack power. Once hit, their Critical Hit and Weak Point Attack probabilities drop by 50%. It’s a design clearly aimed at keeping Magic, Defense, and even fellow Offense decks in check.

To be fair, the initial reception of Karl Heron hasn't been glowing. Unlike other Attack-type heroes, he lacks guaranteed crits or weak point hits, which is a significant drawback. Consequently, most players are sticking to their existing Offense deck staples for now. Still, having the 'Karl Heron' combo as a viable alternative is a welcome addition. Given how much his stock might rise after the Awakening system drops, he’s definitely one to keep an eye on.

The countdown to the arrival of 'Skuld' alongside Awakening

SKRB is gearing up for its first-anniversary celebration, and the commemorative artwork has already set tongues wagging. We’ve caught a glimpse of Skuld in her anniversary costume, a character who hasn't even hit the live servers yet. With her face now plastered on the updated app icon, adventurers are already dubbing her the '1st Anniversary Hero.' It’s safe to say she’s arriving sooner rather than later.

Many adventurers have been digging into the original game to see how Skuld performed. Since heroes from the 'Celestial Guardians' faction have generally been top-tier, the hype is real. In the original, she was a Support-type with skills befitting her role as the 'Third Seat of Wisdom.' She was incredibly versatile, featuring a 'Regeneration' effect that restored HP under certain conditions, buff stripping, and massive fixed damage.

Since the developers rarely port effects 1:1, players are focused on her base type. If she arrives as a Support-type, the Defense deck mains will likely be cheering. Since they usually run at least one support to maximize the synergy with 'Palladus,' it’s a perfect fit. On the flip side, Offense and Magic decks usually rely on a five-man stack of the same type, making it hard to slot her in. It is far too early to jump to conclusions, but here is hoping Skuld’s arrival is a welcome surprise for everyone.