Tower Strategy / Combat Strategy

Last Updated: 10/3/13 


Tower Strategy / Combat Strategy

Since the introduction of the magic tower / maze on 9/17/13 the tower level formations remain relevant; you simply have to match the formations you're attacking with the formations below. For each sphere you advance, the formations will either start at formation 1 and go up, while other times, they will start at number 11 (depending on which sphere you choose on the main screen). Be careful when selecting your attack formation. As you advance through a stage, keep in mind that both paths represent the next formation. So if you reach a dead end and must return, the old formations will repeat. As soon as the sphere boss is found, the stage jumps to the final formation (which is the formation for either 10 or 20). This may occur well before you've completed all 10 formations for that stage, so be vigilant about that as well. To claim the boss listed in the lower left of the main screen, you must clear the final sphere to advance to the boss stage. One notable difference from the last tower, the final boss of each sphere will differ on some stages from before. No longer do the 4 original bosses repeat every 40 levels. What remains unchanged; you will fight a strong super-powered boss during each boss stage.

As before, the tower formations are to be viewed as if FACING THE OPPONENT. This guide utilizes a 3 hero system in which 3 heroes are strengthened while the remaining hero serves as a sacrifice each round. Take note, that despite the numerous ways to successfully navigate each stage with a dual hero system, this system advocates a three hero approach to maximize formation strength when mistakes occur and to better prepare you for actual combat against formations utilizing 4 enemy generals. Feel free to rotate your heroes throughout each role listed below to equalize the experience each hero gains. Do take note that although a 3 hero approach is highly effective during treasure hunts and wild occupations, it is slightly lacking in the arena. There, due to the more evenly matched strength environment, a 4 hero approach completed by replacing the "1" with your weakest and least armed hero is recommended. A dual "D" or triple "O" formation is acceptable in some situations depending on how strong your defense / offense is or how unbalanced / balanced your heroes are (though I won't cover this in this guide).

7 4 1  vs  1 4 7

8 5 2        2 5 8
9 6 3        3 6 9

Attack formation characters:

• "X" - Empty spot in your formation. These spots should have no general in them at all.
• "1" - Archer; one general with one archer troop on the general.
• "O" - Offensive general. This general will take NO DAMAGE in the formation.
• "D" - Defensive general. This general will take ALL THE DAMAGE in the formation

Tower formation characters:

• "X" - Empty spot in the formation
• "G" – General: This is used when ALL opposing generals in a formation have the SAME AMOUNT OF TROOPS
• "LG" - Low General: This is the opposing general with the LOWEST amount of troops in the formation.
• "HG" - High General: This is the opposing general with the HIGHEST amount of troops in the formation.
• "MG" - Mid General: This is the opposing general with the MIDDLE amount of troops in the formation (floor 3).
• "LMG" - Lower/Mid General: This is the opposing general with the LOWER-MIDDLE amount of troops in the formation (floor 15).
• "HMG" - Higher/Mid General: This is the opposing general with the HIGHER-MIDDLE amount of troops in the formation (floor 15).

Damage characters:

• “LD” - Light damage. This is used for formations that will strike the “D” with relatively light damage.
• “LMD” - Light medium damage. This is used for formations that will ultimately strike the “D” with relatively light to medium damage.
• “HD” - Heavy damage. This is used for formations that will ultimately strike the “D” with relatively heavy damage.

YOUR FORMATION          VS.               TOWER 

1, 21, 41) LMD

• 1, X, X                                                             X, G,  X
• D, X, X                                                            G, G,  X
• X, O, O                                                            X,  G,  X

2, 22, 42) LD

• X, X, O                                                           HG, X, LG
• X, O, D                                                            X,   X, X
• X, X, 1                                                            HG, X, LG

3, 23, 43) LD

• O, 1, X                                                            X, MG, X                     
• X, X, D                                                            HG, X, LG         
• X, X, O                                                            X, MG, X

4, 24, 44) LMD

• X, X, O                                                            X, G, X
• X, O, D                                                            X, G, HG 
• X, X, 1                                                             X, G, X

5, 25, 45) LMD

• X, X, O                                                             X, X, X
• X, O, D                                                             G, G, G
• X, X, 1                                                              X, G, X

6, 26, 46) LD

• X, X, D                                                             HG, X, LG
• X, O, 1                                                             HG, X, X 
• X, X, O                                                             HG, X, X

7, 27, 47) LD

• X, X, O                                                            HG,  X,   X
• X, O, D                                                            X, LG, LG
• X, X, 1                                                             HG,  X,   X

8, 28, 48: If D isn’t strong enough to one hit kill the opposing general, possible chance of 2 x HD strike.

• O, O, D                                                            HG, HG, HG            
• 1, X, X                                                              LG,   X,    X        
• X, X, X                                                              X,    X,    X

9, 29, 49) LD

• X, X, D                                                             X, HG, LG             
• X, X, O                                                             X,   X, HG       
• X, O, 1                                                              X,   X, HG

10, 30, 50: Imminent threat of HD strike from HG. This level contains Special Heroes as well.

• X,  X,  X                                                          X,    X,    X  
• 1,  X,  X                                                          LG,  X,    X
• O, O, D                                                          LG, HG, HG        

11, 31, 51) LMD

• X, O, O                                                               G, X, G      
• X, X, D                                                               X, G, X         
• X, X, 1                                                                X, G, X

12, 32, 52) LMD

• D, X, X                                                              X, G, X
• 1, X, X                                                               X, G, X
• X, O, O                                                              G, X, G

13, 33, 53) LD

• D, X, X                                                             LG, X, X
• 1, X, X                                                              X, X, LG
• X, O, O                                                           HG, HG, X

14, 34, 54) LD

• D, X, X                                                             LG, X, X
• 1, X, X                                                              X, HG, X
• X, O, O                                                            HG, LG, X

15, 35, 55: Imminent threat of LMD strike from LMG.

• X, X, X                                                            X,   X,   X     
• D, 1, X                                                          LG,  LMG,  X      
• X, O, O                                                          X, HMG, HG

16, 36, 56: Imminent threat of HD strike from HG.  

• X, 1, X                                                             X, LG, HG
• X, O, D                                                            X, LG, HG                  
• X, O, X                                                            X,  X,   X

17, 37, 57) LD

• D, 1, X                                                           LG, LG,  X
• X, O, O                                                          HG, HG, X        
• X, X, X                                                           X,   X,   X

18, 38, 58: Imminent threat of HD strike from HG. Possible HD & 2 x LD strike if D isn’t strong enough to one hit kill the opposing general.  

• X, X, X                                                           X,  X, LG                           
• 1, X, X                                                            X,  X,  X                                          
• O, O, D                                                        HG, HG, HG

19, 39, 59) LD

• D, X, X                                                          LG, X,  X
• 1, X, X                                                            X, LG, X
• X, O, O                                                         LG, X, HG

20, 40, 60: Imminent threat of HD strike from HG. Possible Dual HD & Dual LD strike if D isn’t strong enough to one hit kill the opposing general. This level contains Special Heroes as well.

• X, O, X                                                           X, X, LG                
• X, 1, X                                                            X, X, LG
• X, O, D                                                         HG, HG, X

WILD Formations 

By using the scouting ability (to identify the strongest and weakest generals) in conjunction with these formations you can attack any wild or stronghold while receiving the least amount of damage possible. After all, you decide which NPC hero attacks your "D" therefore it is recommended that you choose the weakest NPC hero a.k.a. "LG" when making this decision. Keep in mind, in some cases your "D" may be positioned to face the strongest enemy general a.k.a "HG". In such cases either make sure your "D" is strong enough to one hit kill the enemy "HG", otherwise simply alter the formation to make the "O" face the "HG" while the "D" still takes the hit from the "LG". This issue can occur in the formation to be attacked by the hero in slot three, so be careful when using this formation. The easiest way to resolve this issue is to switch the "D" with the "O" at the top and to move the "O" to the slot behind the other "O". This forms a backwards L-formation in which the opposing slots 2 and 4 are taken out first, your "1" takes the shot from the opposing general in slot 1 and the "D" takes the hit from the "LG" in the 3rd slot while at the top. When doing this, make sure the "D" can one hit kill the general in slot 2 or try to avoid fighting this battle altogether; if you proceed, you will possibly face heavy losses. I've added this special formation below. Also try to attack enemy formations / wilds that are unbalanced, with a very distinct "HG" and "LG," to minimize the damage taken from the "LG." Attacking enemy formations with 4 balanced heroes can be accomplished with any of the formations below but will result in equivalent damage. Lastly, always make sure your "O" can one hit kill the strong "HG."


Note: When I refer to enemy heroes in slots 1-4, I'm not referencing the attack slot diagram used for the tower section listed at the top of this guide but rather I'm referring to the automatic positions of NPCs used in treasure hunts or on wilds listed below. This diagram becomes especially relevant when utilizing information gained from scouting or treasure hunting since the chronological order in which the heroes are listed in the scouting report and on the treasure ledgers matches the slot numbers listed below. So a hero shown first in the report will be in the same slot as "slot 1" listed below when you attack and so forth. Keep in mind that when scouting players, their formations cannot be obtained so a preemptive attack with 6 soldiers to see their formation may be helpful if the player doesn't have forts. Otherwise, attacking with just enough soldiers to get through the forts is a good way to see their formation before sending your main force.

You   vs.   NPC

 7 4 1        X 2 X

 8 5 2         1 3 X

 9 6 3        X 4 X

Formation for being attacked by "LG" NPC hero in slot one (1)

    1, X, X
    O, D, X
    X, X, O

Formation for being attacked by "LG" NPC hero in slot two (2)
  

   D, X, X
   X, O, O
  1, X, X

Formation for being attacked by "LG" NPC hero in slot three (3)

   X, X, O
  X, D, 1
   X, X, O

Formation for being attacked by "LG" NPC hero in slot three (3a)

with a strong "HG" hero in Slot 1 but a manageable "LG" or "MG" hero in slot 2.

  X, X, D
  X, X, 1
   X, O, O

Formation for being attacked by "LG" NPC hero in slot four (4)

X, 1, X
X, O, O
X, D, X


Special Formations / 1-2-3 Hero Formations

The dragon is a daily event which can offer a quick way to earn gold coins (by attacking the dragon first or killing the dragon) and other various rewards ranging from 25 prestige alongside ~600cc to more exotic rewards such as dozens of cast iron, hero EXP cards or small troop replenishment cards. For most players, simply sending a single hero with a single troop is the most effecient way to benefit from the event due to the way in which rewards are granted. However for those who seek to score in the top 3 or to kill the dragon to earn the best rewards, a more sophisticated approach is necessary. To maximize the amount of damage the dragon receives with the least amount of troop loss, it is best to stall the dragon with "1s" while delivering maximum damage from a single high powered "O" until the dragon ultimately kills the "O." This formation is listed below. This same formation can be utilized to attack players, treasures with a single overpowered hero or to simply maximize your chances of killing a single hero formation without taking high losses. If the dragon is nearing death and you believe you may be able to kill it with one more attack, but you're uncertain if the damage you're able to deal in one round is significant enough to kill it, feel free to replace some of the "1s" with more "Os" starting from the back. Keep in mind, that you'll suffer increasing losses if the dragon reaches the additional "O" generals before it is killed.

• Make sure that the "Os" match the dragon's legion to take advantage of the attack bonus. 
• Match up the "1s" with the "O's" legion to add an additional 5% attack (due to the shared animosity skill bonus).

 Formation for attacking the Dragon or a NPC with a single hero

 X, X, O
 1, 1, 1
  X, X, X

When fighting players or attacking bandits / treasures you will occasionally encounter formations with 2 heroes. For these formations, it is best to utilize a single "O" with multiple "1s" depending on how strong these heroes are. If your "O" is not strong enough to one hit kill the enemy general in slot one or two, it is recommended to initially attack the weaker opponent and then to add more "1s" in the corresponding slots from 4-9 that are in front of the general (I'll often refer to as a "strong general") that cannot be killed in a single strike. If both heroes are strong generals, a judgement call will need to be made as to which hero should be attacked first, how many "1s" to attack with and whether this enemy formation should be attacked at all. In this case, feel free to place the "O" in slot 3 and to fill slots 4-9 with 1s depending on the strength of each enemy general. The first formation below is based on a 2 general formation in which both enemy heroes can be one hit killed by the "O". The second formation is the best formation against strong enemy generals in both slots. Essentially the "O" still attacks first and is protected for at least 2 rounds without any losses while the enemy generals fight through all the "1s."

Formation for being attacked by a NPC with two heroes (which are in slots 1 and 2)

 X, 1, X
  X, X, O
  X, X, X

Formation for being attacked by a NPC with two strong generals (which are in slots 1 and 2)

 1, 1, X

 X, 1, X

  X, X, O

When encountering NPC formations with 3 heroes (which are in slots 1, 2 and 3) it's best to utilize dual "Os". The formation below is based on a 3 hero formation in which all three heroes can be one hit killed by the "Os".

 1, X, X
  X, O, O
  X, X, X

If one of the heroes in the enemy 3 general formation (In slots 1, 2 and 3) is too strong to be killed in one shot, place the "Os" in slots 3 and 6 and place 1s in front of both rows of heroes. Keep in mind that after the initial round, there will be little protection for your hero in slot 3, so plan to take some losses if the first attack of the second round doesn't finish the job. Avoid using this formation if the strong enemy general is in slot 1 or 3 as you will immediately take damage from the enemy general in slot 3 and will take further damage the next round from the general in slot 2. In such cases utilize the next formation.

 1, X, X
  1, X, X
  X, O, O

When encountering NPC formations with 3 heroes (which are in slots 1, 2 and 3) where the strong general is in slot 1 or slot 3 utilize the formation below. It will allow you to kill the general in slot 2 and lay a heavy blow to the general in slot 1 (hopefully killing that general) during the first round without taking losses. Nonetheless, if a strong general is in slot 1, even if you're able to kill the strong general in round 2, you will still take damage from the general in slot 3 before your last attack is levied. A judgement call will be needed to determine if attacking this formation is reasonable despite the imminent losses. If the strong general is in slot 3, as long as the first attack of the second round is sufficient to kill the general in slot 3 (since the general in slot 1 should've been eliminated in round 1), you will not take any losses. If both enemy generals in slots 1 and 3 still remain after round 1 and the general in slot 3 is a strong hero (qualifying both as strong generals), things can turn ugly rather quickly...there will be blood ;-)

   X, O, O
  X, 1, 1
  X, X, X