Squads
Hello and welcome to a new guide. Today I want to talk about squads, specifically how we can arrange heroes in squads to achieve the best results in combat. It's not an easy task, and I’m sure we’ll have different opinions in some areas. But let’s take a look at it calmly. Please also make sure to check the Guide on heroes, as it explains the heroes and their differences in more detail.
Introduction
We can acquire and use various heroes in the game. Currently, there are 4 rare heroes, 12 epic heroes, and 15 legendary heroes. These are all available in the first 120 days of the game, many behind a paywall.
The numbers change as the game progresses, as in Season 1 an epic hero (Mason) can be promoted to the legendary level. In Season 2, this possibility is available again, but for a different hero (Violet).
These heroes are arranged in groups of five – the so-called squads. There are three squads available for free, and a fourth squad can be rented on a monthly basis.
Squad Structure
A squad always consists of two rows. The front row with two spots serves for defense, so defensive heroes should be placed here. The back row with three spots is for attack and support, where the attacking heroes can be placed on the left, right, or middle, while supporting heroes are best placed in the middle.
Gameplay
The game has a defined order in which the various heroes appear on our playfield. This creates a limitation, especially in the early levels of the game, to achieve one of the squads described below. It’s important to note that at the beginning of the game there is a focus on tank heroes. As the game progresses, plane heroes come into play, and later missile heroes. Please keep this in mind when deciding which heroes to purchase.
Troop Type Bonus
There are two things to consider when building squads.
First, the purpose of the squad. As described in the heroes guide, there is a 20% damage reduction based on hero type:
- Missile heroes take 20% less damage when attacked by plane heroes
- Tank heroes take 20% less damage when attacked by missile heroes
- Plane heroes take 20% less damage when attacked by tank heroes
Second, the combination of identical hero types within the squad:
Using 3 heroes of the same type plus two others of different types increases the damage, defense, and HP of all heroes within the squad by 5%. This would be a 3-1-1 squad.
Using 3 heroes of the same type plus two others of the same type increases the damage, defense, and HP of all heroes within the squad by 10%. This would be a 3-2 squad.
Using 4 heroes of the same type plus one of a different type increases the damage, defense, and HP of all heroes within the squad by 10%. This would be a 4-1 squad.
Using 5 heroes of the same type increases the damage, defense, and HP of all heroes within the squad by 20%. This would be a pure squad.
Based on these bonuses, pure squads are always preferable in the long run. When comparing a 4-1 squad against a pure squad, the one different hero would have to make up for the missed 5% bonus, and this is almost always impossible. In the following three sections, I will show you the squads planned for the long term.
I will also cover some peculiarities that you should know.
Tank Squad
The classic tank squad has the highest importance up until the end of Season 1. Due to the gameplay progression described above, this is usually the strongest and best-equipped troop. With Murphy 
and Williams 
in the front row and Kimberly 
, Stetmann 
, and Marshall 
in the back row, this squad is the cornerstone of all combat actions.
Since some heroes appear fairly late, other heroes are recommended to temporarily fill the corresponding roles.
Violet 
or Scarlett 
are good substitutes until Williams joins the team, with Violet being the better choice due to her comparatively high attack damage.
Monica 
is a solid alternative to Marshall .
Kimberly is hidden behind a paywall, but I can only recommend making this purchase. Kimberly will receive a massive update on Day 4 of Season 1 (see the Guide) and will be extremely important for your squad from that time onward.
The alternative to Stetmann until his arrival is the epic Mason 
.
Stetmann |
Marshall |
Kimberly |
|||
Murphy |
Williams |
||||
Additional Notes: Marshall will not always be the best choice for this squad. Before Season 1 starts, you should experiment a little. A good alternative for more damage is Tesla 
. Starting in the second week of Season 1, there will be an upgrade for Mason , who will be promoted to a UR hero and will be the best replacement for Marshall from that point on. Therefore, investments in Marshall should be kept moderate.
Airplane Squad
The airplane squad with Carlie 
and Lucius 
in the front row, Morrison 
, Schuyler 
, and DVA 
in the second row will take some time to come together. While Carlie and DVA are available from Day 8, Morrison will be the last to join the squad on Day 71.
To bridge the long wait, we need to substitute Maxwell 
and Sarah 
for Morrison and Schuyler , and replace Lucius with Cage 
.
Morrison |
DVA |
Schuyler |
|||
Lucius |
Carlie |
||||
Note: The airplane team will not be very strong initially but will develop into a key part of your activities over time. Play around with the positioning in the back row. Usually, the center position takes the least damage and should be occupied by your strongest hero, although there are some scenarios, particularly in base expeditions, where this differs.
DVA will also receive a weapon upgrade on Day 18 in Season 1 (Guide).
Rocket Squad
The rocket squad will be the hardest to complete. Adam 
and McGregor 
in the front row, Swift 
, Tesla , and Fiona 
in the second row. While Tesla appears on Day 15, you’ll need to wait until Day 99 for Fiona to complete the squad. Until then, your rocket squad will mainly consist of leftovers. Elsa 
, Braz 
, Venom 
, and Kane 
will be used here, but this squad is barely good enough to tend to the fields. I strongly advise against investing in any of these heroes.
Swift |
Tesla |
Fiona |
|||
Adam |
McGregor |
||||
Tesla will receive a weapon upgrade on Day 39 in Season 1 (Guide).
Garages
The up to four squads are stationed as garages in front of your base. Each garage has additional topics that we need to cover.
Building Upgrades
Like any other building, the garages can be upgraded. This increases both the general combat strength and the march speed of the squad. Each upgrade applies only to the squad stationed in the corresponding garage.
Research
The technology research area includes a section dedicated to increasing the attack power or defense of the squad. March speed and other parameters are also included. The research applies only to the corresponding squad and is referred to as the garage bonus. I recommend completing Garage 1 first, then 2, and then 3. The higher the garage number, the later it becomes available, and the longer it will take to complete.
Those who rented Garage 4 for a month have an advantage. The research for the fourth garage is almost free and can be completed 100% within one or two days. The difference between 0% and 100% garage research is approximately 11.4% more attack damage. If the one-month rental expires and is renewed, all investments in the fourth garage will remain—nothing is lost.
Drone Skill Chips
Your tactical drone will receive a new type of upgrade starting on Day 82. So-called drone skill chips are used, which will massively strengthen your tactical drone. There is also a new combat boost system with which different sets of drone skill chips can be unlocked. Each of these sets can be assigned to a garage and therefore a formation. Since these chips are designed for specific types of heroes, it is important to assign the appropriate set to each formation. Please take a look at the separate guide for the drone skill chips.
Good luck with planning, building, and developing your squads.
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