Vanguard Archers

Skills & Formations

Attack AreaAttack AreaOrder your unit to shoot ranged weapons at the designated spot. Move and FireMove and Fire [On]: When ordering the unit into formation, the unit can shoot while moving, but the damage of [Move and Fire] attacks is reduced by 18%. [Off]: The unit will prioritize movement and will not shoot while moving.

DispersedDispersedA loose formation that reduces unit vulnerability to ranged weapons. WingsWingsThe unit splits into two echelons to enhance combat strength.

Playstyle

1. Game pace doesn’t suit standard ranged anymore. Leadership changes and offensive doctrines drive fast, high-pressure engagements. Teams push quickly, engage fast, rotate aggressively. There’s no safe window for traditional ranged to set up and contribute
2. Ranged DMG numbers are not impact. Even if your archers show high damage, it doesn’t translate to value. Most damage is chip, healed off, or spread across tanks. Meanwhile your team was short a frontline or cav unit that could have actually broken a phalanx, won a skirmish, or secured a flank. In almost every real scenario, a T4 melee or cav would have done more than a T4 archer
3. No unique role. In higher lobbies, ranked, TW, or tournaments, non-exotic ranged are either not picked or directly avoided. Seen as a handicap, not a contribution. If the enemy sees your team running regular archers, it signals an easy push or opening
4. Appealing trap for new players. Archers seem simple: no micro, no need to understand matchups, feels “safe” and familiar. But that safety is deceptive. By skipping micro and avoiding positioning, timing, and unit interaction, you’re skipping the real learning curve. You fall behind in skill development and map awareness
5. Bait effect on teammates. Low-impact ranged forces teammates to play differently: peeling for your low-damage backline or pushing without needed frontline support. You become bait without knowing it, dragging attention and space away from actual win conditions

If you like range, learn the exotic units (Zykalian Militia, Shenji Grenadiers, Flamers, Lionroar Crew). Use them as tools, not a crutch. Still learn rotation, map pressure, and unit interaction. Watch top-tier play to see how impactful range is actually used (rare, specific, intentional).

Final thought: archers might feel easy, but they teach you nothing and contribute even less. If you’re serious about improving or contributing to wins, step into melee, cav, or exotic range and start learning the real game.

Tips & Tricks

• Some archers with Arrow Rain in their veterancy can’t equip the Arrow Rain doctrine: if that’s your case, just equip more piercing instead