To increase squad combat strength efficiently in Last War, shift research resources into the Hero Tech tree rather than relying strictly on hero experience and skill leveling. Concentrate upgrades on one primary troop type—typically Tanks—and prioritize nodes that grant squad size increases, percentage Attack and HP boosts, and Defense Penetration.
Why Hero Tech Outpaces Standard Hero Leveling
Standard hero leveling hits progress caps determined by your HQ upgrade level. Hero Tech operates as a force multiplier by providing permanent, cumulative percentage multipliers to your entire squad's base Attack, Defense, and HP.
Because percentage-based research nodes scale off your squad's total stats, these upgrades continuously yield higher power returns as your heroes gain levels and gear.
Key Hero Tech Node Priorities
The Hero Tech research tree contains separate branches for main troop types, including Tanks, Aircraft, and Missiles. Spreading resources evenly across every branch dilutes stat gains. Focus investment on a single primary troop composition first before funding secondary trees.
| Tech Node Focus | Stat Benefit | Recommended Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Squad Size Increases | Expands march size to improve squad durability and total damage output. | Immediate priority whenever available |
| Attack & HP Percentages | Amplifies base damage and survival stats across the active formation. | High continuous priority |
| Defense Penetration | Allows damage to bypass high enemy defense stats in mid-game encounters. | High priority during mid-to-late progression |
| Secondary Troop Branches | Upgrades non-primary formations (such as Aircraft or Missiles). | Low priority until the primary branch is pushed |
Queue Management and Speed-Up Strategy
Researching high-tier Hero Tech requires dedicated time and materials. Keep your research queue running continuously to maintain progression speed.
- Queue Utilization: Never leave your research lab idle. If short on specialized materials, run shorter duration research tasks to maintain momentum.
- Speed-Up Application: Save research speed-ups for high-level nodes that require multiple days to complete. Long combat tech upgrades yield greater value from speed-ups than shorter building construction tasks.
- Material Sourcing: Acquire specialized tech materials through alliance store purchases and event reward track claims.
- Economic Tech Balance: Dedicate at least 80% of active research capacity to your main combat tree during competitive events, relying on non-event windows for minor economic or resource gathering nodes.
Verifying Power Progress Through Battle Reports
To evaluate your tech investment, check your combat reports before and after completing high-tier research nodes. Percentage boosts and squad size increases improve win rates against equivalent-level opponents even when hero levels remain unchanged. If combat progress stalls, locate unlocked high-impact nodes, such as major attack percentages or march size upgrades, to resume steady power growth.
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Player Comments
61 players commented on this guide.
The explanation is clear, especially for beginners.
Can you add more details about heroes in a future update?
I tried this today and it worked better than my old setup.
Good guide for Last War players. The heroes part was useful.