Is Cursed Ed really better than a Legendary?

At the star levels most players reach, yes. A 6-star Epic beats a 2-star Legendary, and Epic shards are farmable while newest-Legendary shards are not.

Where do I get Cursed Ed shards?

Standard Epic shard sources — shops, event tracks and alliance rewards. This reliability is precisely what makes him the best free investment.

What damage type is he for?

All of them. His amplification is universal, which is why he survives composition changes that bench type-locked heroes.

Should I use him in Trials?

Yes. In a 5v5 turn-based mode, making your burst hero lethal enough to remove a threat in one turn is worth more than adding another attacker.

He has stayed relevant across multiple patches and seasons precisely because universal effects do not fall out of the meta the way type-specific ones do.

Is Cursed Ed free to play friendly?

He is the single most free-to-play friendly investment in the game. His shards come from sources you can farm without spending, which is exactly why he outperforms Legendaries on accounts that do not pay.

How many stars should I take him to?

As far as you can, and before you star anything else. Because he is in every fight, every star applies every time — the compounding is better on him than on any hero you use situationally.

Who should I build after him?

Madame Lulu and Will (both free from beginner events), then Old Ahab as your accessible Legendary.

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Sea of Conquest Cursed Ed: The Best Epic Hero in the Game

Verified 18 August 2026

Published: 18 August 20268 min readChecked against: 1.1.740 (August 2026)