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Kingshot Best Troop Formations: How to Build the Right Lineup

April 16, 2025
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Troops might seem straightforward in Kingshot—train some units, send them to battle, and repeat. But once you start climbing in PvP, capturing objectives, or pushing into tougher suppression stages, you’ll realize that how you build your lineup makes or breaks your success.

Most players just hit “Quick Select” and call it a day. The game gives you a “balanced” march, so it must be good… right?

Well, not exactly...

If you want to win consistently, you need to understand what each troop type actually does, how they interact, and how to build around your strengths—not just what the game auto-fills.

In this guide, we’re breaking down everything you need to know about Kingshot troop types, how to counter, and the best formations to use for both PvP and open-world combat.

Whether you're a theorycrafter or just tired of losing to smarter lineups, this one’s for you.

Let’s dive in…

Understanding Kingshot Troop Types

Before you can build a strong formation, you’ve got to understand what each troop type actually brings to the fight. Kingshot has three main types—Infantry, Archers, and Cavalry—and they all play very different roles depending on how you use them.

1. Infantry: Your Frontline Wall

Infantry are your tanks. They take the hits so your backline doesn’t have to.

They’ve got the highest HP and Defense in the game at higher tiers, and they’re built to hold the line. At T9, they sit at 14 HP and 12 Defense, which is solid.

They also have skills like Master Brawler (bonus damage to Cavalry) and Bands of Steel (takes less damage from Cavalry), so they’re great for absorbing punishment and countering Cav-heavy setups.

Long story short—you want a strong infantry line if you want your archers to survive more than a few rounds.

2. Archers: Your Main Damage Dealers

Archers are the ones doing the real damage behind the scenes.

They have the highest Attack and Lethality stats (13 and 14 at T9), which makes them ideal for melting enemies from a distance.

They also get a 10% chance to deal double damage through the Volley skill, which adds up nicely over time.

The catch? They’re squishy. Archers don’t hold up well if they’re exposed—lowest HP and Defense of all troop types—so keeping them safe is key.

And of course, some heroes are much better suited for leading specific troop types—especially in Suppression or PvP.

You’ll notice the difference when your formation’s built around the right heroes—especially strong Infantry frontliners or DPS-heavy Archers from the Kingshot Hero Tier List.

3. Cavalry: Speed, Disruption & Flanking

Cavalry are fast, flexible, and dangerous—if you use them right.

They’ve got a 20% chance to bypass enemy infantry and go straight for the archers, which can wreck backlines if it procs. Plus, their Charge skill gives them bonus damage to Archers.

That said, Cavalry are vulnerable to Infantry. They have lower HP and Defense, and Infantry gets extra bonuses against them—so if you send Cavalry straight into a frontline wall, they’ll get shredded.

If you’ve been running whatever the game gives you with “Quick Select,” now you know why that doesn’t always cut it…

Let’s dig into how these troop types interact—and how to build smarter lineups based on counters and synergy.

How Troop Counters Work

Kingshot combat isn’t just about raw numbers—it’s about matchups.

There’s a built-in rock-paper-scissors system that decides which troops have the edge depending on what they’re up against.

Here’s the basic flow:

  • Infantry beat Cavalry (thanks to high tankiness and anti-cavalry skills)
  • Cavalry beat Archers (with speed and bypass mechanics)
  • Archers beat Infantry (with ranged damage and bonus vs. tank units)

If you’ve ever wondered why your march gets steamrolled even when your power is higher, you were probably out-countered. It happens a lot when players blindly use Quick Select or aim for even troop ratios without thinking about the matchup.

But… Should You Always Balance Your Troops?

Not always. The game will often default to “equalized” lineups—meaning the same number of each troop type—but that’s not always optimal. For example:

  • Stacking more Infantry works well if you expect to take the first hit or face cavalry-heavy opponents.
  • Going archer-heavy can be great for maximizing damage output—especially if your frontline can hold.
  • Cavalry are amazing for pressure and disruption, but risky if the enemy’s using tank-heavy infantry.

You don’t have to follow a strict 33/33/33 setup. Some of the best players tweak ratios based on what they’re fighting, or even shift formations mid-event.

Next, let’s break down the troop skills that affect all of this—and why they matter more than you think…

Key Troop Skills & What They Actually Do

Troop types don’t just come with different stats—they each have unique skills that quietly (or not-so-quietly) shape how your lineup performs in battle.

If you're only looking at power numbers, you're missing the bigger picture. Let’s break them down real quick:

Cavalry Skills – High Risk, High Reward

  • Charge – Boosts cavalry damage against Archers by 10%.
  • Flanking Skill – Gives cavalry a 20% chance to skip the frontline and strike enemy Archers directly.

That second one is huge. It’s what makes cavalry such a wildcard—if that flanking chance procs, your opponent’s backline can get deleted before they even get going. But remember, if they run into Infantry instead, they’re toast.

Infantry Skills – Your Damage Soakers

  • Master Brawler – Deals bonus damage to Cavalry.
  • Bands of Steel – Reduces damage taken from Cavalry.

Infantry are built to hold the line. They’ve got the best defensive stats and naturally shut down cavalry charges. Not flashy, but extremely reliable, especially when you’re trying to keep your archers alive.

Archer Skills – Raw Damage

  • Anti-Infantry Bonus – Archers deal extra damage to Infantry.
  • Volley – A passive that gives a 10% chance to deal double damage on each attack.

Archers are your damage engines. That volley skill might not seem like much, but over time, it adds up, especially since archers already have the highest attack and lethality stats in the game.

These passive troop skills matter more than most players realize. They’re what make a “good lineup” actually work, and why throwing units together at random rarely ends well.

Best Troop Formations for PvP & Open World

Now that we’ve covered stats, counters, and troop skills, let’s talk about how to actually put that knowledge into a winning formation.

If you’re still letting the game build your march with “Quick Select,” you’re probably running a balanced lineup of your highest-tier troops. That’s fine in a pinch—but once you start facing tougher opponents or going into PvP, it’s time to think smarter.

The Damage-First Formation (Infantry + Archer Heavy)

This is one of the most effective early-to-mid game lineups:

  • Heavier stack of Infantry to protect your backline
  • High number of Archers for sustained, high-output DPS
  • Just enough Cavalry to trigger flanking but not tank your frontline

This setup works well because Infantry take the brunt of the damage, Archers deal huge output from behind, and your Cavalry adds a layer of unpredictability.

It’s safe, effective, and scales well as you upgrade your troop tiers.

PvP vs. PvE: Should You Switch It Up?

Absolutely. In open world PvE, like farming or suppression, a balanced lineup can help keep your march sustainable. But in PvP, the player you're fighting matters.

If you notice a heavy cavalry user, stack Infantry.

If they run too many Archers, try flanking with Cavalry.

If you’re stronger overall, go archer-heavy and delete them faster.

Adjusting your lineup based on what you’re facing is one of the biggest skill gaps in Kingshot.

Early Theorycrafting: Single-Stack Testing

Some high-level players have been experimenting with single-stack troop marches—sending out 100% Cavalry or 100% Archers to see how they perform. It’s risky, but it opens up some interesting possibilities in specific matchups.

It’s still early days, but if you like to test and push limits, this could be worth playing around with. Just make sure you save your formation presets so you can swap back quickly.

Smart Lineup Tips to Keep You Ahead...

At the end of the day, there’s no “one perfect formation” that works forever. Kingshot is a game of adapting—your lineup will evolve as your heroes get stronger, your troop tiers improve, and your server’s meta shifts.

That said, here are a few tips to keep your march ahead of the curve:

  • Don’t ignore your frontline. Your Archers are only as good as the Infantry holding the line in front of them.
  • Watch your opponents. If you’re running PvP, scout. Adjust your ratios based on what you're up against.
  • Save your presets. Test different formations and keep a few saved. A quick swap before a rally or attack can change everything.
  • Troop tier matters. Higher-tier units bring better stats across the board—so always prioritize training up when possible.
  • Rebalance regularly. As you get more gear, stronger heroes, or unlock new tech, revisit your formation. What worked last week might be outdated now.

You’ve got the knowledge. Now it’s time to start testing, optimizing, and winning more fights—not just because your power is higher, but because your lineup is smarter.

And before you go maxing out scrolls or speed-ups, don’t forget to check for any available Kingshot Gift Codes—they’re an easy way to snag a few extra boosts.

Now…

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