Fighting Epics & Stacking Troops

Troop stacking is a key strategy for maximizing damage while protecting your valuable high-tier units. It involves layering multiple tiers of troops in each stack—using cheaper, lower-tier "fodder" troops (with high total health) at the front to absorb enemy attacks, followed by stronger, higher-tier troops at the back to deliver maximum damage. This minimizes revival costs since low-tier losses are affordable.

"What?"
Epic monsters = Arachne's swarm, Fallen King, Tinman, Ragnarok.
Troop stacking means sending as many different troop types and tiers as possible in one march.

This includes:
Melee, Ranged Mounted, Flying
G1, G2, G3, etc
Specialists, monsters, mercenaries..

The key idea is variety.
The more different troop types you send, the better the results.

"Why?"
Because it makes you much more effective against epic monsters.

More troop types = more total hits
More total hits = more damage done
More damage = more VP, EXP. etc

This is the fastest way to progress in the game.
Even low-tier troops help because they give extra hits.

"How?"
Use troop health to calculate quanities.
Example:
2 G1 guardsmen = 1 G1 rider
2 G1 guardsmen = 1 G2 guardsman

Core Stacking Strategy & Tips

Layering (Vertical Stacking):
Mix troop tiers within a stack (e.g., Guardsmen 2, 3, and 4). Position low-tier troops first—they take hits due to their higher total health per stack—ensuring your high-damage, expensive units survive and strike multiple times. Enemies (like monsters) target the highest-health stack first.
The Ratio Formula: Balance stacks so each tier contributes equal effective strength.
Calculate lower-tier count as:
Lower-tier troops = (Higher-tier strength ÷ Lower-tier strength) × Higher-tier count
Common ratios are 1.8:1 or 2:1 (e.g., 180–200 lower per 100 higher).
Example: Tier 4 archers (290 strength) + Tier 3 archers (160 strength) = ~181 Tier 3 per 100 Tier 4 (290 ÷ 160 ≈ 1.81).
Monsters & Mercenaries: Hide your strongest units, Epic Monster Hunters (EMHs), and mercs behind low-tier fodder. Use 2–3 large stacks for "zero-loss" attacks—overwhelm the monster in one round to avoid counterattacks.

Pro Tip: Specialists can act as meat shields if bumped to match your top tier. Always check reports for your exact strength/health bonuses (vs. epics/players).

Tools for Perfect Stacks
Use the Total Battle Stack Calculator—input your troop levels, bonuses, and hero skills for precise counts.

For step-by-step guidance, watch this video:

Key Takeaways

Health-First Buffers: Front your stacks with low-tier, high-health units like Spearmen or Riders to soak up damage and safeguard pricier elites.
Study Battle Reports: After fights, review reports—if your top troops die too soon, bulk up the front layers with extra fodder for superior shielding.
Customize for Targets: Tailor stacks to the enemy (e.g., for Arachne, prioritize counters like extra anti-infantry to exploit their weaknesses).