Updated on April 18, 10:00 p.m. (GMT+8): Added more relevant links.
It takes just a few minutes to pick up Hanabi in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, but hundreds of hours to fully master her playstyle.
Her insane damage in the late game, coupled with her built-in Purify spell on Ninjutsu: Equinox, makes up for her lack of mobility and subpar base stats in the early to mid game.
Positioning and prioritizing targets in team fights are essential if you want to master the marksman in ranked, especially in Mythic where almost all players know how to counter her.
If you’re up to the challenge, here’s an in-depth guide on how to play Hanabi, including her best build, and recommended emblem set and battle spell.
Hanabi’s skills in Mobile Legends
Passive – Ninjutsu: Petal Barrage
Hanabi’s basic attack and skills will launch Petal Blades after hitting a target, bouncing up to 4 times to nearby enemies.
- Her passive is a great harassing, so make sure to use basic attacks as much as possible whenever an enemy is nearby to force them back or recall.
- The first bounce deals 40% of the damage, and subsequent bounces deal less damage. If you want to deal the most damage, it’s still best to directly attack heroes with your basic attack.
- Don’t worry about tower aggro — her basic attack does not bounce when hitting turrets.
Skill 1 – Ninjutsu: Equinox
Using the secret ninjutsu of the Scarlet Shadow, Hanabi gains a shield for 5 seconds. While the shield is active, Hanabi gains 20% Movement Speed, 25% Attack Speed, and Control Immunity.
20% of the damage dealt will also be added to the shield value when it’s active. Damage dealt to non-hero units will only add 10% of the damage dealt.
- Max this first whenever it’s available, as this is Hanabi’s bread-and-butter skill.
- Activate the skill even before a team fight starts, as the skill only makes her immune to crowd control. It does not immediately remove crowd control effects, especially if you have been already stunned.
- This skill can also be used offensively because of the extra movement speed and attack speed. If you already purchased one lifesteal item, it’s best to fight back as much as possible even in losing team fights, and watch as her HP goes from critical to full in less than five seconds.
- The shield cannot exceed 50% of Hanabi’s Max HP.
Skill 2 – Ninjutsu: Soul Scroll
Hanabi fires the energy kunai in the targeted direction, dealing physical damage to enemies along the way and reducing their movement speed by 60% for 1 second.
Enemy units hit will also be marked, allowing Hanabi’s next bounce damage from basic attacks to deal physical damage on them with no damage decay.
- This is Hanabi’s main damaging skill. Use this whenever an enemy hero tries to get close.
- The skill also bounces four times, marking enemy heroes who will then receive full damage on her Ninjutsu: Petal Barrage attacks.
- This skill also bounces to creeps and minions, greatly improving her wave clear in the laning phase.
- The skill does not reveal enemy heroes in the bush, but still deals damage to them when hit.
- With only a six second cooldown, it’s important that you frequently use this in the laning phase to get an advantage against your matchup.
Ultimate – Forbidden Jutsu: Higanbana
Higanbana now also triggers her passive. The first hero hit is immobilized, and Higanbana blooms at that location after a short delay to deal AOE damage.
- The skill reveals enemies hidden in the bush.
- Be careful when auto casting this skill, as failing to hit an enemy hero will not activate the skill. It also does not work against minions and creeps.
- This is a great initiation skill because it also bounces to nearby enemy heroes. Make sure to activate it only when the enemy is near one another.
A comprehensive guide on how to play Hanabi
Recommended battle spells
Since Hanabi is an auto-attack-reliant hero, going for Inspire will greatly improve her fighting capabilities. This battle spell does wonders for her in the late game when she already has all her items. The only downside to this is that you won’t have any mobility skills if things get tough in the game.
That’s why Flicker is also an option if you want to play it safe. This is recommended when you are playing solo in ranked or if your team doesn’t have a roamer with crowd control or support skills such as Natalia.
Recommended emblem sets
Going for the Marksman emblem tree is the way to go if you are playing Hanabi. To make up for her below average stats in the early, go for the Bravery subtalent for the flat physical damage increase and Agility for the movement speed boost.
For the main talent, Electro Flash works perfectly for her since it grants her movement speed and lifesteal based on her physical attack.
That is big considering that Hanabi’s main problem is her lack of mobility. Electro Flash will help her maintain space and get out of sticky situations with the extra movement speed.
Recommended best build
Hanabi’s petal barrage also triggers attack effects. That said, Hanabi benefits from the unique passive of items such as Corrosion Scythe, Demon Hunter Sword, and Golden Staff.
You can never go wrong with the Blade of Despair and Malefic Roar combo in the late game for a huge damage increase.
If you and your team are struggling in the game, you can go for defensive items such as Immortality if the game goes past the 20-minute mark, or Wind of Nature if the enemy marksman is fed.
Sample best build for Hanabi in Mobile Legends
- Swift Boots
- Corrosion Scythe
- Demon Hunter Sword
- Golden Staff
- Blade of Despair
- Malefic Roar
Easy to learn combos from Hanabi
In the laning phase, harass the enemy gold laner with Ninjutsu: Soul Scroll and basic attacks. Don’t go deep in the lane unless the enemy roamer is with you or if the jungler is en route to gank your lane. If the enemy tries to fight back, activate Ninjutsu: Equinox to gain a shield.
In team fights, you want to manually aim your Forbidden Jutsu: Higanbana if an enemy dives toward you, or if all five of them are clumped up together. After hitting your ultimate, cast Ninjutsu: Soul Scroll, activate Inspire and use auto attacks to deal insane amounts of DPS damage.
During this time, you can also use Ninjutsu: Equinox for the attack speed increase. However, it’s best if you save the skill whenever an assassin or a hero with crowd control lunges at you.
It’s all about positioning when using the Scarlet Flower, and establishing a solid position in team fights is the key to getting out unscathed.
Learn more about how to play other marksman heroes such as Granger, Edith, and Melissa in our comprehensive guides. Follow ONE Esports on Facebook for more MLBB news, updates, and guides.
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