Front line and sustain

This is the foundation almost every team is built on. Your first slot takes most of the melee attacks, so a hero who can stand there for several rounds gives everyone behind more time to act.

Who goes in front

• Shieldbearer has the most armor, restores it each round, and counterattacks while armored.
• Thornweaver brings armor, healing and a counterattack, all from level 1.
• Wildheart has a large health pool, heals itself, and hits hard.
• Guildmaster has lots of health and grows tougher with gold.

Who keeps them alive

• Acolyte is a dedicated healer, and at level 3 extra healing turns into armor.
• Paladin removes statuses and can bring back the first ally to die.
• Oracle cancels the first enemy attack each round at level 3.
• Martyr takes half the damage from attacks on the friends next to it. Stand it in slot 2 to share the front-liner’s load.

How to use it

Don’t overdo it. Two pure supports can leave you short of damage, and the fatigue damage that starts in round 15 means you can’t win by surviving forever. One strong front-liner and one source of healing or protection is often enough, with the other three slots going to damage.

Also watch out for area attacks. A strong tank does nothing against Thunderclap hitting your whole team, so extra health on the back line matters in the late floors.