So, you're diving into the Marvel Contest of Champions (MCOC) arena, and you're wondering which champions are worth that precious awakening gem, huh? You've come to the right place, guys! Awakening a champion can seriously boost their abilities, making them absolute powerhouses in your roster. In 2023, with all the updates and meta shifts, some champions have become exceptionally valuable when awakened. Let's break down the best champions to awaken in MCOC this year, giving you the lowdown on why they're so good and how they can revolutionize your gameplay.

Understanding Awakening in MCOC

Before we jump into specific champions, let's quickly cover what it means to awaken a champion in MCOC. When you awaken a champion, you unlock their signature ability. This ability often provides a passive buff or a new mechanic that significantly enhances their performance. The strength of the signature ability typically scales with the champion's signature level, which you increase using signature stones. So, awakening isn't just a one-time thing; it's an investment that keeps paying off as you level up that signature ability. Trust me, a fully awakened champion can make a huge difference in tackling tough content like Act 7, Variant quests, and Alliance War.

Now, why is awakening so crucial? Well, many champions are good on their own, but their true potential is unleashed once awakened. Think of it like this: a champion without their signature ability is like a car without its turbocharger – it runs, but it's not reaching its full speed. The signature ability often provides the extra edge needed to handle difficult fights, whether it's through increased damage, better survivability, or unique utility. Plus, some content in MCOC is specifically designed to be challenging unless you have certain awakened champions. So, if you're serious about conquering all the game has to offer, awakening the right champions is a must.

Top Champions to Awaken in 2023

Alright, let's get to the juicy part: the best MCOC champions to awaken in 2023. I've compiled a list of champions across different classes who, when awakened, become absolute beasts. Keep in mind that the value of a champion can depend on your specific needs and playstyle, but these are generally considered top-tier choices.

1. Void (Science)

Void remains a top-tier Science champion, especially after being awakened. His signature ability, Fear of the Void, applies debuffs to the opponent based on the amount of damage they deal to him. These debuffs include weakness, fatigue, and heal block, which can massively disrupt the opponent's strategy. What makes Void so amazing is that these debuffs not only weaken the opponent but also help him control the fight. For example, the heal block is invaluable against champions who rely on regeneration. The fatigue debuff reduces their attack, making it safer to go on the offensive.

Additionally, Void's awakened ability allows him to deal significant damage over time through his debuffs. The more damage the opponent inflicts, the more potent these debuffs become, creating a feedback loop that punishes aggressive play. This makes Void an excellent counter to many of the game's toughest bosses and defenders. If you're looking for a Science champion who can handle a wide range of threats, Void is an incredible choice to awaken. Plus, he’s super useful in Alliance War defense, making him a versatile addition to any roster. Seriously guys, don't sleep on Void; he can carry you through so much content.

2. Doctor Doom (Mystic)

Doctor Doom is already a powerful Mystic champion, but awakening him takes him to a whole new level. His signature ability, Arcane Overload, grants him a chance to nullify buffs and inflict shock damage whenever he uses a special attack. This ability significantly enhances his offensive capabilities, allowing him to shut down opponents who rely on buffs while dealing substantial damage. The shock damage adds extra DPS, making him even more effective in shorter fights.

What makes Doctor Doom so exceptional when awakened is his ability to control the flow of the fight. Nullifying buffs is crucial against champions like Apocalyse or Luke Cage, who rely on stacking buffs to enhance their abilities. The constant threat of nullification forces opponents to play defensively, giving Doctor Doom the upper hand. Furthermore, the shock damage synergizes well with his other abilities, allowing him to quickly ramp up damage and finish fights before they become too dangerous. If you're looking for a Mystic champion who can both control and dominate fights, Doctor Doom is an outstanding choice to awaken. He's a true game-changer, especially in high-level content where buff control is essential. You'll see a massive difference in your success rate with Doom once you awaken him – trust me!

3. Human Torch (Cosmic)

Human Torch is an amazing Cosmic champion, and awakening him unlocks his full potential. His signature ability, Nova Flame, allows him to ignite opponents with a powerful incinerate debuff when they are suffering from a Coldsnap debuff. This ability significantly boosts his damage output, especially against opponents who are susceptible to incinerate. It also adds an extra layer of control, as the incinerate debuff can prevent opponents from triggering certain abilities.

The key to Human Torch's awakened ability is his synergy with Coldsnap. By inflicting Coldsnap, you can trigger the Nova Flame incinerate, creating a devastating combo that melts opponents. This makes him particularly effective against champions who rely on healing or regeneration, as the incinerate debuff reduces their healing effectiveness. What’s more, the incinerate damage scales with his signature level, meaning the higher his signature ability, the more damage he’ll inflict. If you're looking for a Cosmic champion who can dish out incredible damage and control the fight, Human Torch is an excellent choice to awaken. He shines in both offense and defense, making him a valuable asset in any game mode. Seriously, once you get that Nova Flame going, you'll watch opponents crumble before your eyes.

4. Hit-Monkey (Skill)

Hit-Monkey is a fantastic Skill champion, and awakening him truly unleashes his unique abilities. His signature ability, Tactical Advantage, grants him increased attack rating and critical hit chance when fighting against opponents of a specific class. This ability significantly boosts his damage output, allowing him to take down enemies quickly and efficiently. The attack and critical hit buffs make him a formidable opponent, especially in class-advantage matchups.

What makes Hit-Monkey so great when awakened is his versatility. The increased attack rating and critical hit chance apply to all of his attacks, making him consistently dangerous. This allows him to quickly build up momentum and overwhelm opponents with a barrage of attacks. Furthermore, his awakened ability enhances his defensive capabilities by granting him increased block proficiency and armor rating against certain classes. If you're looking for a Skill champion who can excel in a variety of situations, Hit-Monkey is an awesome choice to awaken. He’s not just a one-trick monkey; he's a strategic fighter who adapts to the situation and comes out on top. Trust me, Hit-Monkey can surprise you with his effectiveness, making him a solid addition to your awakened roster.

5. Overseer (Tech)

Overseer is a stellar Tech champion, and awakening him significantly enhances his utility and damage output. His signature ability, Adaptive Augmentation, grants him a chance to gain various buffs based on the opponent's actions. These buffs include armor up, fury, and precision, which can drastically improve his survivability and offensive capabilities. The adaptive nature of his buffs makes him a versatile pick against a wide range of opponents.

What makes Overseer so valuable when awakened is his ability to adapt to the fight. The buffs he gains can help him mitigate damage, increase his attack, or improve his critical hit chance, depending on what he needs most. This makes him incredibly resilient and dangerous in various scenarios. Additionally, his awakened ability synergizes well with his other abilities, allowing him to quickly adapt to different fighting styles and strategies. If you're seeking a Tech champion who can handle almost any situation, Overseer is a fantastic choice to awaken. He's a Swiss Army knife of a champion, always ready with the right tool for the job. With Overseer awakened, you’ll be prepared for anything MCOC throws your way. So, get him awakened and watch him adapt and conquer!

Honorable Mentions

Okay, so those are my top picks, but there are a few other champions worth mentioning who get a significant boost from being awakened:

• Sunspot (Mutant): His signature ability allows him to generate more incinerate charges, boosting his damage output.
• Angela (Cosmic): Her signature ability grants her a chance to gain a fury buff when struck, increasing her attack.
• Warlock (Tech): His signature ability enhances his ability to spread the Techno-Organic Virus, making him a powerful debuff champion.

These champions are also excellent choices to awaken, depending on your specific needs and preferences. Don't overlook them – they can be just as valuable as the top picks in certain situations.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the best champions to awaken in MCOC can be tough, but hopefully, this guide has given you a better understanding of which champions offer the most value when awakened. Remember to consider your own roster, your playstyle, and the content you're trying to tackle when making your decision. Awakening the right champions can make a huge difference in your MCOC journey, helping you conquer tough content and dominate the arena. So, go out there, awaken those champions, and become a true champion of the Contest!