- Heroes Battlegrounds hero slayer combo routes rely on M1 timing, launchers, and controlled knockback.
- Starter route: Dash Punch, four M1s, Aerial Slam, then a dagger-based extension.
- Core finisher: Blackout Clutch, Curdle Pierce, and Bloodcurdle create the main damage window.
- Mastered route: Shadow Rush, Shadow Dash, One Million Slashes, and Katana Throw extend pressure.
- Practice priority: Learn wake-up timing before attempting the longest one-shot strings.
Heroes Battlegrounds Hero Slayer Combo Basics
The Heroes Battlegrounds hero slayer combo is built around short melee strings that transition into dagger attacks, aerial launches, and Bloodcurdle pressure. Hero Slayer rewards deliberate timing more than simply using every ability as soon as it becomes available. Your objective is to keep the opponent in a controlled state while preserving enough positioning to reach the next extender.
The standard kit has several important functions:
- M1 attacks begin or continue the basic chain.
- Dash Punch starts pressure and helps close distance.
- Aerial Slam converts a grounded string into an airborne sequence.
- Thousand Slashes adds multi-hit pressure after a launcher.
- Blackout Clutch extends a combo after the opponent is already displaced.
- Curdle Pierce can create the Bloodcurdle opportunity when timed correctly.
- Bloodcurdle is most valuable after the opponent’s escape options have been controlled.
| Combo Element | Main Function | Execution Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Dash Punch | Opens from neutral | Confirm the hit before committing to the M1 chain |
| M1 chain | Builds the initial string | Use the correct number of hits for the chosen route |
| Uppercut | Launches or repositions | Avoid rushing the follow-up aerial attack |
| Aerial Slam | Converts to air pressure | Aim so the opponent remains within follow-up range |
| Dagger skills | Extend the route | Watch distance and knockback before using the next move |
| Bloodcurdle | Creates a pressure window | Land the required setup before activating it |
The source combo list presents two useful Hero Slayer routes. One uses Dash Punch + four M1s + Aerial Slam, while another uses Forward Dash + three M1s + Uppercut before moving into Aerial Downslam and dagger attacks. The first route is easier to understand during practice because its opening sequence is clearly defined. The second route is more compact and can preserve additional options for later in the string.
Start with the shorter route until your M1 timing is consistent. A stable opener is more valuable than a longer sequence that drops before the first extender.
Starter Hero Slayer Combo Routes
Hero Slayer has two practical entry points: a Dash Punch route and a Forward Dash route. Both lead into the same general game plan, but they differ in how much room you have to react after the initial launch.
Dash Punch Opener
Use Dash Punch into four M1s, then Aerial Slam. This route gives you a clear rhythm for learning the basic conversion.
Forward Dash Opener
Use Forward Dash, three M1s, and Uppercut. This compact route is useful when you need to preserve a move for the next extension.
Dagger Extension
Thousand Slashes and the Triple Dagger Slam technique continue pressure after the opponent has been launched.
Bloodcurdle Finish
Curdle Pierce must connect at the correct moment before Bloodcurdle becomes part of the final pressure sequence.
Route A: Dash Punch Conversion
The accessible route is:
Dash Punch + 4 M1s + Aerial Slam + Triple Dagger Slam technique + Thousand Slashes + 5 M1s + Blackout Clutch + Aerial Slam + Curdle Pierce wake-up variant + Dash Punch
This route is listed at 105.8% damage in the reference combo page. Treat that number as a reported result rather than a guaranteed outcome. Damage can change with timing, passive effects, defensive actions, and whether every hit connects.
The important transition occurs after Aerial Slam. Do not immediately panic if the opponent is moving through the air. The dagger sequence is intended to keep the target in the route, but the spacing must be corrected before the next M1 chain. After Blackout Clutch, prepare for the wake-up version of Curdle Pierce instead of using the ability randomly during neutral.
Route B: Compact Launcher Route
The shorter route is:
Forward Dash + 3 M1s + Uppercut + Aerial Downslam + Not Done Yet, using the Triple Dagger Throw + Uppercut + Timed Thousand Slashes + 1 M1 + Uppercut + Timed Blackout Clutch + Aerial Downslam + Timed Curdle Pierce + Bloodcurdle + Forward Dash + 3 M1s + Uppercut + Not Done Yet + Uppercut + Aerial Downslam
This sequence is described as a Beyond One-Shot route in the reference material. Its strength comes from layering several timed attacks instead of relying on one ability to carry the entire combo. The route is demanding because the later Curdle Pierce requires a precise hit while the opponent is still unable to evade.
| Route | Opening String | Key Extension | Reported Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dash Punch route | Dash Punch + 4 M1s | T.D.S. technique into Thousand Slashes | 105.8% damage listed |
| Compact route | Forward Dash + 3 M1s + Uppercut | Timed Blackout Clutch into Curdle Pierce | Beyond One-Shot listed |
| Simplified practice route | Forward Dash + 3 M1s + Uppercut | Aerial Downslam into dagger pressure | Easier timing practice |
| Wake-up route | Dash Punch + 4 M1s + Aerial Slam | Curdle Pierce wake-up variant | Requires precise wake-up timing |
Choose the Dash Punch route for structured practice. Choose the compact route when you already understand launch timing and can confirm Curdle Pierce reliably.
Step-by-Step Hero Slayer Execution
Use the following practice order instead of trying to memorize the full string at once. Each step isolates one mechanical goal.
Confirm the Opener
Begin with Dash Punch or Forward Dash. Confirm that the attack connects before starting the M1 sequence. If the opener misses, stop rather than wasting the entire cooldown rotation.
Control the M1 Count
Practice four M1s after Dash Punch and three M1s after Forward Dash. The count changes the timing of the launcher, so do not combine both openings until each feels automatic.
Launch Into the Air
Use Aerial Slam or Uppercut according to the selected route. Keep your camera and movement aligned with the opponent so the aerial follow-up does not drift outside attack range.
Add Dagger Pressure
Insert the Triple Dagger Slam technique, Not Done Yet, or Thousand Slashes only after the opponent is in a controllable position. Prioritize a confirmed extension over an early flashy input.
Time the Bloodcurdle Sequence
Use Blackout Clutch and Curdle Pierce during the correct recovery or wake-up window. Once Bloodcurdle is active, return to the forward-dash M1 sequence and close the route with the remaining aerial attacks.
The most common mistake is treating every move as a fixed-speed input. Hero Slayer’s longer routes contain several timing-sensitive actions. Timed Thousand Slashes, Timed Blackout Clutch, and Timed Curdle Pierce should be practiced individually. If the target escapes before Curdle Pierce, the earlier portion of the combo may still have worked; the failure is usually in the transition rather than the opener.
| Practice Phase | Moves to Drill | Success Check |
|---|---|---|
| Neutral confirm | Dash Punch or Forward Dash | The first M1 reaches the target consistently |
| Ground string | Three or four M1s | The launcher comes out without a dropped chain |
| Air conversion | Uppercut, Aerial Slam, Aerial Downslam | The next attack remains within range |
| Dagger timing | Not Done Yet, Thousand Slashes | Multi-hit attack connects without excess knockback |
| Ender timing | Blackout Clutch, Curdle Pierce | The opponent cannot immediately leave the setup |
Do not activate Curdle Pierce simply because it is available. The route depends on landing it while the opponent is still vulnerable and unable to evade.
Spacing, Defense, and Combo Recovery
A strong Hero Slayer player manages the opponent’s escape options as carefully as their own cooldowns. The reference routes repeatedly use Uppercut, Aerial Downslam, and wake-up variants to prevent the opponent from standing freely between attacks. This makes positioning essential.
Keep these principles in mind:
- Stay close after knockback. A forward dash is often needed before restarting the M1 chain.
- Do not overextend after a miss. If a dagger attack whiffs, reset to neutral instead of forcing the next launcher.
- Respect evasive options. Bloodcurdle setups are strongest when the opponent has already spent or cannot use their escape.
- Use wake-up variants deliberately. A wake-up attack should be timed around the opponent’s recovery, not thrown out early.
- Preserve your finisher. Blackout Clutch and Curdle Pierce are valuable extensions; spending both without a confirmed route can leave Hero Slayer vulnerable.
Aerial attacks also require camera discipline. When the opponent is moving away from you, a slight directional correction can determine whether the next Uppercut or Aerial Downslam connects. Practice the movement separately from the damage route until you can follow the target without losing your facing direction.
| Situation | Preferred Response | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Opener connects | Continue the planned M1 count | Changing routes mid-chain |
| Opponent is airborne | Adjust position before the next extender | Attacking from maximum distance |
| Opponent is waking up | Time Curdle Pierce or Blackout Clutch | Using the move too early |
| Evasive is available | Bait or delay before the finisher | Assuming the route cannot be interrupted |
| Combo drops | Reset spacing and reassess | Repeating random attacks immediately |
A dropped combo is not automatically a lost exchange. Step back, watch the opponent’s next action, and restart with a confirmed Dash Punch or Forward Dash.
Mastered Hero Slayer Extensions
Mastered Hero Slayer uses a more elaborate sequence built around Shadow Rush, Shadow Dash, One Million Slashes, Katana Throw, Headbutt, and Whirlwind Pierce. The route is more demanding because it includes multiple movement corrections and several chances to continue pressure after ragdoll states.
A representative Mastered route is:
Forward Dash + 3 M1s + Uppercut + Shadow Rush + ragdolled M1s + Uppercut + second Shadow Rush use + Shadow Dash + 3 M1s + One Million Slashes + 1 M1 + Uppercut + Katana Throw + 3 M1s + Uppercut + timed Headbutt + ragdolled M1s + Uppercut + Whirlwind Pierce + Bloodcurdle + Forward Dash + 3 M1s + Uppercut + Aerial Downslam + Uppercut + ragdolled M1s + Downslam + both Dagger Cascade uses + Uppercut + Loop Dash
The listed Mastered routes are described as One-Shot or Beyond One-Shot sequences, depending on the version and execution. They should be treated as advanced extensions rather than the first combo to learn.
| Mastered Tool | Role in the Route | Timing Note |
|---|---|---|
| Shadow Rush | Repositions and extends pressure | The second use must follow the route’s recovery window |
| Shadow Dash | Changes angle or continues pursuit | Keep the opponent within M1 range |
| One Million Slashes | Multi-hit damage extension | Confirm the target is still controlled |
| Katana Throw | Adds a ranged transition | Avoid using it after excessive knockback |
| Headbutt | Timed continuation | Immediate or delayed use depends on the opponent’s state |
| Whirlwind Pierce | Bloodcurdle setup | Aim for a hit that prevents an easy escape |
| Dagger Cascade | Late-route damage | Both uses require stable positioning |
Hero Slayer Combo Checklist:
- Confirm Dash Punch and Forward Dash openers separately
- Practice the correct three-M1 and four-M1 counts
- Land Uppercut, Aerial Slam, and Aerial Downslam without losing range
- Time Blackout Clutch and Curdle Pierce against recovery
- Test the Mastered route only after the base route is consistent
For the full community-maintained move list and additional combo variations, see the Heroes Battlegrounds Wiki Combos page. The page includes Hero Slayer and Mastered Hero Slayer strings, along with alternative routes from multiple contributors.
Treat the Mastered route as a collection of smaller links: Shadow Rush section, sword section, Bloodcurdle setup, and final dagger section.
Hero Slayer Combo FAQ
Q: What is the easiest Heroes Battlegrounds hero slayer combo to practice?
Start with Dash Punch, four M1s, Aerial Slam, and a controlled dagger extension. This route has a clear opening rhythm and is easier to isolate during practice than the longest Forward Dash route.
Q: Which move is most important for the Hero Slayer finisher?
Curdle Pierce is central to the Bloodcurdle setup. It must connect during the correct vulnerable or wake-up window, so timing matters more than simply having the ability available.
Q: Why does my Hero Slayer combo drop after the aerial launcher?
The usual causes are incorrect M1 counts, poor camera alignment, excessive knockback, or using the next extender before the opponent reaches the intended position. Practice the aerial conversion separately.
Q: Should I learn Mastered Hero Slayer before the base Hero Slayer combo?
Learn the base route first. Mastered Hero Slayer adds Shadow Rush, Shadow Dash, One Million Slashes, Katana Throw, Headbutt, and Dagger Cascade, making its timing and positioning more demanding.
The best Hero Slayer route is the one you can confirm consistently. Build from the opener, stabilize the launcher, then add Bloodcurdle timing and advanced extensions.