PvP Meta & Troop Compositions

Current best formations for every scenario. Updated for Generation 6.

Troop Counter System

Infantry → beats → Cavalry Cavalry → beats → Archers Archers → beats → Infantry
Infantry Cavalry Archers
Rule: All formations must include at least 5% of each troop type to utilize hero bonuses effectively. Never send a march with 0% of any type.

Rally Formations

Standard Rally (All Generations)

The default go-to. Works for KvK rallies, alliance wars, and most PvP.
50% Inf
20% Cav
30% Arc
Amadeus Vivian Petra

The 50:20:30 ratio is the most reliable composition across all generations. Infantry frontline absorbs damage, archers provide ranged DPS. Amadeus leads, Vivian buffs the army, Petra adds cavalry burst.

Early Gen (1-2) Rally

Optimized for early game when hero options are limited.
50% Inf
40% Cav
10% Arc
Amadeus Helga Chenko

The 5:4:1 ratio was tested optimal during Gen 1-2. Heavy cavalry compensates for weaker archer heroes in early generations. Transition to 50:20:30 once Gen 3+ heroes are available.

F2P Rally (Gen 6)

Best rally composition for free-to-play players in late game.
50% Inf
20% Cav
30% Arc
Yang Marlin Petra Chenko

Yang (S+ rally) leads with Marlin providing archer DPS. Petra covers cavalry. Chenko joins for his dependable first skill. This lineup is entirely F2P-accessible.

Garrison Formations

Standard Garrison Defense

High-health defensive wall. No archers — enemy cavalry bypasses frontline to eliminate them.
60% Inf
20% Cav
20% Arc
Jabel Zoe Eric Hilde Saul

60:20:20 with heavy infantry frontline. Jabel and Zoe tank, Hilde heals and stacks, Saul provides stacking via joining. Minimize archer count because enemy cavalry can bypass your frontline to target them directly.

Gen 4+ Garrison

Cavalry-heavy variant for later generations.
40% Inf
40% Cav
20% Arc
Zoe Alcar Margot Hilde

40:40:20 cavalry formation. Gen 4 introduces strong cavalry garrison heroes (Alcar, Margot). This ratio better counters archer-heavy rally compositions that become common in later generations.

Bear Hunt Formations

Bear Hunt by Generation

Archer-heavy compositions maximize damage output. Ratio shifts each generation.
GenerationInfantryCavalryArchersRatio
Gen 110%30%60%1:3:6
Gen 210%20%70%1:2:7
Gen 310%10%80%1:1:8
Gen 4+5%10%85%~1:1:9
Amadeus Vivian Chenko Amane Yeonwoo

Bear hunt is all about maximizing archer DPS. Infantry is minimal — just enough to trigger hero bonuses. Joiners (Chenko, Amane, Yeonwoo) are S-tier for bear hunt participation. Vivian's army-wide buff is the biggest multiplier.

Event Formations

Mystic Trial / Alliance Championship / Swordland Showdown

Standard balanced composition works for most events.
50% Inf
20% Cav
30% Arc

The standard 50:20:30 applies to most events. Scout your opponent first in PvP events and adjust if they're running archer-heavy (increase cavalry) or infantry-heavy (increase archers).

Quick Reference

ScenarioFormationKey Principle
Standard Rally50:20:30Balanced DPS with infantry wall
Early Game Rally50:40:10Cavalry-heavy for weak archer heroes
Garrison Defense60:20:20Max infantry HP, minimize archers
Gen 4+ Garrison40:40:20Cavalry counters archer rallies
Bear Hunt (Gen 1)10:30:60Maximize archer DPS
Bear Hunt (Gen 3+)10:10:80Near-full archer composition
PvP Events50:20:30Scout first, then adjust
Widgets don't work in solo attacks. Hero selection and troop ratios should differ between solo content (stat-based) and group content (widget-based). These formations are for group content where widgets are active.
View Hero Database for Lineup Details →
Data compiled from: Kingshot Guides, Kingshot Mastery, LootBar, Kingshot Handbook
Last updated: April 13, 2026. Meta shifts with each generation release.