Cornelius

hero B-tier

Class MageRole Fire / Burn nuker

Not unlocked by default — recruit him through an in-game quest.

In Senenthia, travel to the River Bridges node, then head to the Velkarath Mountains.
Continue along the south side of the map to the Temple of the Burning Hand.
Beat the mini-boss and take the staff. Cornelius unlocks.

Passive · Ardent — start of turn gain 2 Powerful and suffer 2 Burn (free damage buff, minor self-burn).

Stack Burn on enemies while Powerful scales all his hits. Great AoE that clears trash and softens bosses.

Best cards›

Starting deck›

Key perks›

Burn-scaling + Powerful perks.

Popular builds community›

Burn glass-cannon — Ardent gives free Powerful; stack Burn (Flare → Flamestrike) for AoE melt.
Support — Inner Fire / energy cards to fuel the team.

Synergies community›

Burn + Holy comp with Reginald + Ottis + Heiner. Don't pair him with a hero who cleanses Burn.

Co-op tip 2-player›

Reliable AoE clear; pair Burn with a partner who won't accidentally cleanse it. Bring answers for Fire-resistant late-Act enemies.

Plays well with community›

Reginald — Cornelius's Burn plus Reginald/Ottis Holy damage and Sanctify healing form a burn/holy package. [1]
Velarion — As the biggest fire user, Cornelius enables Velarion's Crimson Ripple (dark-to-fire leech) and takes little self-damage with the new Defensive Aura. [10]

Featured in comps 3›