Introduction to Balanced Troop Composition
Creating a balanced troop composition in Evony: The King’s Return is critical for success in both PvP and PvE engagements. A well-structured army can adapt to different situations, minimize losses, and maximize effectiveness. This guide explains how to layer troops and balance offensive and defensive capabilities to achieve optimal results as you transition from novice to intermediate gameplay.
Troop Development Journey: Novice to Intermediate
As a new player or novice, the focus is typically on Mounted Troops. These troops excel at monster hunting, which is essential for early game progression. Mounted Troops are also versatile, allowing players to participate in most event types, such as monster rallies and PvE challenges. Building a strong foundation of high-tier Mounted Troops enables players to accumulate resources, rewards, and experience efficiently.
However, as you progress to the intermediate level, the emphasis shifts towards creating a more balanced troop set. This means developing a significant force of Ranged Troops for PvP attacks and Ground Troops for defense and reinforcement strategies. A rounded troop composition provides the flexibility to adapt to different scenarios, including defending your city, supporting alliance members, and launching effective attacks.
The Concept of Troop Layering
Troop layering is a strategy that involves including all troop tiers in your army composition, from the highest level to the lowest. Each tier serves a specific purpose:
- High-Tier Troops: Provide the bulk of the offensive and defensive power.
- Mid-Tier Troops: Act as buffers to absorb damage and protect higher-tier troops.
- Low-Tier Troops: Help to trigger enemy attacks and reduce the impact on higher-tier units.
By incorporating all tiers, you ensure that your army can sustain prolonged battles while reducing the overall losses of your most valuable troops.
| Troop Type | Level | Number |
|---|---|---|
| Mounted Troops | 13 | 150,000 |
| Mounted Troops | 12 | 50,000 |
| Mounted Troops | 11 | 30,000 |
| Mounted Troops | 10 | 20,000 |
| Ranged Troops | 13 | 150,000 |
| Ranged Troops | 12 | 50,000 |
| Ranged Troops | 11 | 30,000 |
| Ranged Troops | 10 | 20,000 |
| Ground Troops | 13 | 150,000 |
| Ground Troops | 12 | 50,000 |
| Ground Troops | 11 | 30,000 |
| Ground Troops | 10 | 20,000 |
| Siege Machines | 13 | 100,000 |
| Siege Machines | 12 | 40,000 |
| Siege Machines | 11 | 25,000 |
| Siege Machines | 10 | 15,000 |
The Strategy and Benefits of Layering Troops in Evony
Layering troops is a vital strategy in Evony: The King’s Return that ensures your army is well-rounded, versatile, and effective in both offense and defense. This approach involves creating a mix of troop types and levels to maximize their potential on the battlefield. Below is an in-depth look at why layering works and tips to implement it effectively.
Why Does Layering Work?
- Mitigates Damage to Higher-Level Troops: When you layer your troops, the lower-level units act as a buffer, absorbing initial hits from the enemy while your higher-level troops deal significant damage. This reduces the losses among your elite troops and preserves their strength for prolonged battles.
- Leverages Unique Abilities of Each Level: Different troop levels and types have varying strengths, weaknesses, and abilities:
- Lower-level troops can serve as "meat shields" to protect higher-level troops.
- Mid-level troops provide additional support, adding versatility to your army.
- Counters a Wide Range of Enemy Strategies: Layered troops ensure your army has the flexibility to counter diverse enemy compositions:
- Ground troops absorb hits and protect ranged troops.
- Ranged troops deal damage from a distance.
- Mounted troops quickly target enemy ranged units.
- Siege machines focus on structures and fortifications.
- Maximizes Buffs and Debuffs: Generals’ buffs and debuffs often apply to all troops in their command, so having a layered composition ensures every unit benefits from these bonuses.
Best Practices for Layering Troops
- Start with a Strong Core of High-Level Troops: Focus on building a core of your highest-level troops (e.g., Level 13 for intermediate players). These troops will form the backbone of your army and deal the most damage.
- Add Lower-Level Troops in Smaller Quantities: Include lower-level troops to act as buffers. These units protect your core troops from heavy losses by absorbing initial attacks.
- Balance All Four Troop Types: Ensure your army includes all troop types:
- Mounted Troops: Effective against ranged units.
- Ranged Troops: Deal damage from a safe distance.
- Ground Troops: Tank damage and protect other troops.
- Siege Machines: Target fortifications and structures.
- Adjust Based on Objectives: Tailor your troop composition to the task at hand:
- PvP Battles: Focus on countering your enemy’s troop types.
- Monster Hunting: Prioritize mounted troops with high attack power.
- City Defense: Include more ground troops to absorb damage.
Tips for Effective Troop Layering
- Pair Troops with the Right General: Use generals whose buffs complement your troop composition. For example:
- A general with bonuses to ground troop defense is ideal for city defense.
- A general that enhances mounted troop attack is best for monster hunting.
- Match Generals to Your Layering Strategy: Ensure generals have complementary buffs. For example, a primary general can focus on attack buffs, while a supporting general specializes in defense or HP.
- Maintain a Resource Balance: Layering requires maintaining a diverse army, which can strain resources. Focus on efficient resource gathering and prioritize upgrades to your troop training buildings.
- Reinforce Alliance Members: Layered troops are highly effective for reinforcing alliance members. A balanced composition ensures your reinforcements can handle both offensive and defensive scenarios.
Examples of Effective Layering
- Monster Hunting:
- Focus on mounted troops as the primary force.
- Include a small number of ground, ranged, and siege troops to absorb damage from monsters with area attacks.
- PvP Attacks:
- Ranged troops form the bulk of your offensive power.
- Ground troops protect ranged units from enemy mounted troops.
- Siege machines target enemy defenses.
- City Defense:
- Ground troops form a defensive wall to absorb damage.
- Ranged troops and siege machines deal damage to attacking forces.
- Mounted troops counter enemy ranged units.
Benefits of Layering in Evony
- Reduces Troop Losses: Layering minimizes losses among high-level troops, preserving their strength for future battles.
- Maximizes Combat Effectiveness: Balanced troop compositions adapt to various battle scenarios.
- Increases Strategic Flexibility: Layered troops ensure you’re prepared for any opponent, whether in PvP or PvE.
- Improves Alliance Contributions: Layered reinforcements provide better support for alliance members.
By understanding and implementing troop layering, you’ll significantly enhance your army’s effectiveness, both in battles and events. Whether you’re defending your city, attacking enemies, or participating in alliance rallies, a well-layered troop composition ensures you’re always ready to dominate in Evony: The King’s Return.
Intermediate Focus: Ranged and Ground Troops
Ranged Troops for PvP
As you transition to intermediate gameplay, building up a strong force of Ranged Troops becomes critical for PvP. Ranged Troops excel in dealing high damage from a distance, making them ideal for attacking enemy cities, taking out reinforcing troops, and leading rallies. Pair them with a general who specializes in ranged troop buffs to maximize their potential.
Ground Troops for Defense
Developing a substantial army of Ground Troops is essential for a defensive strategy. Ground Troops have high HP and defense, making them effective at absorbing damage and protecting your city from enemy attacks. Additionally, Ground Troops are valuable for reinforcing alliance members during baiting strategies, where weaker cities are heavily reinforced to lure enemy attackers into a trap.
Balancing Offensive and Defensive Troops
A balanced troop composition requires careful consideration of offensive and defensive units. Here’s how to approach each type:
Offensive Troops
Offensive troops, such as Ranged Troops and Mounted Troops, excel in dealing damage to enemies. When prioritizing offense, focus on generals and buffs that enhance attack power, march size, and troop speed.
Defensive Troops
Defensive troops, including Ground Troops and Siege Machines, are designed to absorb damage and protect your city or allied forces. Defensive generals and buffs should focus on troop HP, defense, and healing speed.
Troop Composition for PvP
In PvP scenarios, your troop composition should reflect a balance between offense and defense, depending on your strategy:
- Offensive PvP: Focus on high-tier Ranged and Mounted Troops with minimal layers of defensive units. This setup is ideal for attacking weaker cities or rallying targets.
- Defensive PvP: Prioritize Ground and Siege Troops with layered support from Ranged and Mounted Troops. This composition works well for holding rallies or defending your city.
Troop Composition for PvE
In PvE engagements, such as monster hunting or event challenges, the focus shifts to maximizing damage output while minimizing losses:
- Monster Hunting: Use high-tier Mounted Troops paired with a general specialized in monster attack buffs. Include minimal layers of lower-tier troops for cost efficiency.
- Event Challenges: Build a balanced force with an emphasis on Ranged Troops for long-range damage and Ground Troops for survivability.
Tips for Optimizing Troop Composition
- Train Troops Regularly: Maintain a consistent training schedule to ensure a steady supply of troops across all tiers.
- Adjust Based on Enemy Composition: Scout your opponents and adapt your troop composition to counter their strengths.
- Utilize Buffs: Activate troop buffs, such as attack and defense increases, during critical battles to gain an edge.
- Coordinate with Allies: Work with your alliance to ensure complementary troop compositions during rallies and defenses.
Conclusion
Mastering troop composition in Evony is an essential skill for achieving success in both PvP and PvE scenarios. By transitioning from a Mounted Troop focus in the early game to a balanced composition with Ranged and Ground Troops as an intermediate player, you’ll gain the flexibility and power needed to excel in all aspects of the game. Start building your balanced troop composition today and gain the upper hand in battles!