To maximize combat power on a budget in Last War, commit all early hero EXP, skill medals, and legendary universal shards into a single five-tank squad. Running five heroes of the same vehicle type grants an automatic 20% bonus to HP, attack, and defense. Splitting resources across Aircraft (such as DVA, Carlie, or Morrison) or Missile units dilutes scarce materials, as those vehicle classes rely heavily on premium packs, exclusive recruitment events, or advanced gear.

Tank heroes are accessible from day one through standard recruitments, daily events, campaign rewards, and the Alliance Shop. Your core budget march should feature Kimberly, Murphy, Williams, and Marshall, filled out by easily farmable options like Mason or Violet.

Squad Allocation and Upgrade Priorities

Universal shards are scarce for non-spenders. Allocate them sequentially rather than spreading them evenly across your squad.

HeroSquad SlotRoleMinimum TargetPriority Gear
KimberlyBack Row (Slot 4 or 5)Primary Energy DPS4 StarsGun & Chip
MurphyFront Row (Slot 1)Main Tank & Physical Defense3 StarsArmor & Radar
WilliamsFront Row (Slot 2)Off-Tank & Mitigation3 StarsArmor & Radar
MarshallBack Row (Slot 3)Buffer & Crit Multiplier3 StarsBalanced Gear
Mason / VioletBack Row / Front AltSecondary Physical DPS / TankMax via Free ShardsClass Appropriate

1. Kimberly: Primary Damage Carry

Kimberly provides the energy burst required to clear campaign stages and win PvP trades. Her active skill launches waves of energy missiles that strike frontline defenders and rear-row damage dealers.

  • Investment Target: Push Kimberly to 4 stars before spending legendary universal shards on other heroes. Her stat multipliers at 4 stars allow budget accounts to overcome higher-spending opponents.
  • Gear: Equip your best Gun and Chip items on her to amplify energy attack and critical strike ratings.
  • Positioning: Keep her in back-row slot 4 or 5 to ensure frontline tanks protect her while she cycles ultimate skills.

2. Murphy and Williams: Frontline Defense

Murphy and Williams absorb incoming fire so your backline carries survive long enough to deal damage.

  • Murphy: Your primary frontline anchor. His shards drop regularly from Tavern recruitments and progression milestones. His active skill provides squad-wide physical damage resistance and personal shielding. Place him in Slot 1 to take the brunt of early attacks.
  • Williams: Pairs alongside Murphy in Slot 2, providing damage mitigation and sustained defense.
  • Investment Target: Bring both to a 3-star operational baseline before resuming work on Kimberly. Focus their equipment exclusively on Armor and Radar to maximize survivability.

3. Marshall: Offensive Buffer

Marshall acts as a force multiplier by enhancing squad attack values and critical strike rates, significantly boosting Kimberly's missile damage.

  • Investment Target: Keep Marshall at a 3-star baseline. Because his utility comes from skill percentages rather than raw attack stats, prioritize his active buff levels using skill medals instead of sinking legendary universal shards into him.
  • Positioning: Place Marshall in Slot 3 in the back row between your damage dealers.

4. Mason and Violet: Free Progression Fillers

Full UR lineups are difficult to star up without spending. Mason and Violet fill the remaining slots through freely accessible shard sources.

  • Mason: An SSR single-target physical attacker who excels against World Bosses and campaign zombies. In early seasons, Mason features an upgrade event that elevates him to UR status, converting farmable SSR investment into high-tier combat power without diamond costs.
  • Violet: Offers crowd control and poison sustain. Her shards can be purchased consistently through the Alliance Shop, making her a practical frontline substitute if Williams is unavailable or under-starred.
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Emily Johnson

Emily Johnson

Emily writes practical mobile strategy guides with a focus on resource planning, base progression, and the early decisions that shape a long-term account.