Free-to-play players in Last War can reach Headquarters (HQ) Level 31 around Day 305 of server progression. Completing this upgrade raises the hero level ceiling from 150 to 155. Achieving this milestone without spending real money requires banking unopened resource chests, syncing construction timers with scoring events, and stockpiling Hero EXP so your main squad carries can upgrade immediately upon completion.
What HQ 31 Unlocks
The primary combat advantage of HQ 31 is expanding the hero training cap to Level 155. Hero levels directly increase base statistics, improving squad durability and attack ratings for events such as Warzone Duel and Capital Wars.
Completing HQ 31 also establishes the foundation for higher-tier military structures, keeping your base aligned with server-level progression without purchasing speedup packs.
Speedup and Construction Queue Management
Long construction timers mean that unbuffed building queues waste weeks of progress. To reach HQ 31 on an efficient schedule, apply three operational rules:
- Sync with Construction Events: Only start major multi-week building timers during designated construction scoring days in Alliance Duel or Arms Race.
- Stack Reduction Buffs Before Starting: Request alliance helps, secure base development titles, and ensure active server buffs are running before triggering the upgrade queue.
- Save Universal Speedups for Bottlenecks: Do not spend universal speedups on minor base installations. Reserve them strictly for HQ prerequisite structures and the HQ 31 upgrade itself.
Resource Protection Strategy
Late-game upgrades require tens of millions in iron, food, and coin. Holding loose resources in your base leaves you vulnerable to enemy scouts and plundering during Enemy Buster events.
| Resource Method | Action Required | Practical Result |
|---|---|---|
| Inventory Chests | Keep all selectable and random resource boxes unopened until construction starts. | Keeps raw materials safe from enemy raids and scouting. |
| Targeted Gathering | Deploy gathering marches to high-yield resource tiles during offline periods. | Sustains baseline daily research and training upkeep. |
| Radar Missions | Deplete daily stamina and clear all radar tasks consistently. | Accumulates safe, boxed resource containers over time. |
Open resource chests only when your construction queue is ready and all reduction buffs are active. This funds the upgrade instantly without exposing your stockpiles to enemy attacks.
Hero EXP Allocation at Level 155
Unlocking Level 155 does not automatically grant squad combat power; you must apply accumulated Hero EXP to raise your heroes past Level 150.
Because free-to-play experience income is limited, do not spread Hero EXP evenly across multiple squads:
- Prioritize Squad 1 Frontline: Feed accumulated EXP into your primary shielders first to absorb incoming burst damage.
- Upgrade Primary Backline Damage: Allocate the remaining experience to your primary damage dealer to break enemy frontlines in PvP and campaign encounters.
- Hold Secondary Squads at Level 150: Leave Squad 2 and Squad 3 at the previous cap until your primary squad finishes reaching Level 155.
Balancing Research with Base Upgrades
A high headquarters level without supporting research creates a fragile account. Keep your Tech Center active throughout the push to Day 305 by focusing on:
- Alliance Duel Technology: Improves point yields and event rewards to sustain your inventory flow.
- Core Military Branches: Upgrades base damage and defensive multipliers for your primary troop type.
- Continuous Troop Training: Keeps troop facilities operating around the clock to maintain field capacity.
Maintaining continuous research alongside your construction targets ensures that your Level 155 heroes possess the underlying stat multipliers needed to compete effectively.
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Player Comments
121 players commented on this guide.
Nice guide. I am checking the other Last War articles next.
The explanation is clear, especially for beginners.
I tried this today and it worked better than my old setup.
Can you add more details about heroes in a future update?