Making the most of Shop Titans heroes
Introduction
In this guide, we’re going to build on what we learned from reading the Hero Academia page. In particular, we’ll dig a layer deeper than the three hero class types put forward in-game (Fighter/Rogue/Spellcaster) and discuss different hero archetypes and how to best use them in running quests.
While there are certainly commonalities between all classes within a type, the particular skill-set or build of a hero is more important in how to use them on quests. A samurai is a Fighter class, for example, and while they can be built like a tank as per any other Fighter, you wouldn’t really be taking advantage of the innate skill that makes them unique and actually gives them a little more in common with some of the critical hit-dealing Rogue classes.
So this is where we’ll start, by taking a look at the main hero archetypes and which classes are best suited for each one. With that concept we’ll then go one step further in terms of understanding how to best team your heroes up to be most effective in their quests.
Hero Archetypes
Note: Class examples noted below are not exhaustive, but can most effectively be built for the archetype. Can you turn your Geomancer into a Sneak? Sure you can, but your aspiring Dancermancer will not work as well in that archetype.
The Tank (High Threat & Defense/HP): Taking it on the chin
- Does not rely on evasion, HP regeneration, or critical hits, although might take advantage of these stats and can supplement a party’s attack potential too
- Typically Fighters given the role of threat, though the right Rogue can make it work too
- The most tankiest of tanks will provide decent hero power (star power or Dragon Invasion)
- Most effectively buffed by Argon, Lilu, Polonia, Donovan, Ashley
- Best exemplified by:
| Fighters | Rogues | Spellcasters |
|---|---|---|
| Soldier/Mercenary Barbarian/Chieftain Knight/Lord Ranger Berzerker/Jarl | (Polonia) Trickster (High-threat) Dancer/Acrobat | N/A |
The Blaster (High Attack & Low RNG): Dealing it on the chin
- Does not rely on evasion, HP regeneration, or critical hits, although might take advantage of these stats and can successfully mix defence/HP boosting skills into their primarily attack-focused skill set
- Essentially only Spellcasters given their high base attack
- Glass-cannon Blasters going all-in on attack will provide decent hero power (star power or Dragon Invasion)
- Most effectively buffed by Argon, Sia, Donovan, Ashley
- Best exemplified by:
| Fighters | Rogues | Spellcasters |
|---|---|---|
| N/A | N/A | Mage/Archmage Cleric/Bishop Druid/Arch Druid Sorceror/Warlock Spellblade/Spellknight Geomancer/Astramancer |
The Sneak (Max Evasion & HP Regen): Boring the enemy to death
- Bring as close to evasion cap as possible and maximize HP regeneration with gear and spirit selection; often low attack with the goal of just out-lasting the enemy
- Most often Rogues, but there are Fighter and Spellcaster exceptions (eg, immortal bishops, evasive zerks, etc.)
- Generally lower hero power given HP regen does not contribute to power calculations (star power or Dragon Invasion)
- Most effectively buffed by Lilu, Polonia
- Best exemplified by:
| Fighters | Rogues | Spellcasters |
|---|---|---|
| Ranger/Warden Berzerker/Jarl | Thief/Trickster Wanderer/Pathfinder Dancer/Acrobat | (Immortal) Bishop |
The Show-Off (Max Critical Hits): Pew-pew
- Pairs high critical chance and damage modifiers with high attack while sacrificing survivability
- High DPS heroes that are most commonly Rogues or Spellcasters, with rare Fighter exceptions
- Glass-cannon Show-offs can provide the highest hero power numbers (star power or Dragon Invasion)
- Most effectively buffed by Argon, Sia, Yami, Rudo, Donovan, Ashley
- Best exemplified by:
| Fighters | Rogues | Spellcasters |
|---|---|---|
| Samurai/Daimyo | Monk/Grandmaster Musketeer/Conquistador Ninja/Sensei Dancer/Acrobat | Sorceror/Warlock Geomancer/Astramancer |
A note on champions: Champions don’t fit these archetypes, with the exception of Tank Champs (Argon, Rudo, Ashley). In general, Champions act as boosters for your heroes and can make a Sneak sneakier, or a Blaster blasterier, for example.
Questing Approach
Note: Hero selection suggestions for each approach noted below are not exhaustive, but can be the easiest to put together successfully.
Party: The more the merrier
- The cheap and cheerful approach to questing, most appropriate when starting out with heroes and/or when your focus is to be as economical with heroes as possible
- General rule of thumb would be to include 1 Tank and 1 elemental barrier breaker per party (note that both roles can be fulfilled at the same time by a single Tank that also matches the elemental barrier)
- The remaining slots can be filled out with higher damage dealing companions
- Easiest way to clear all content the game has to offer
Duo: The compromise
- Questing with duos will still carry some investment in skills and gear, but is far more forgiving than going solo
- General rule of thumb would be to have no more than 1 Tank or Show-off in a duo
- Typically will require 1 elemental barrier breaker (though exceptionally strong duos can manage without it)
- Need to pay particular attention to the combined potential attack of a duo to ensure they can deal sufficient damage faster than the enemy takes them out
Solo: Not for the faint-of-heart or light-of-wallet
- Elemental barriers generally limit the quest area any given hero class can take on alone
- Soloing late-game content requires significant investment; these are the shiniest of heroes, often with all rare/epic skills and and/or decked out in full legendary gear to succeed
- In most cases, solo heroes are not super flashy in terms of their power numbers (star power or Dragon Invasion power)
- Without gem-rushing quests, this is theoretically how you can maximize the number of quests run in a day
- The main two paths to solo heroes are with The Sneak (RNG-dependent, ie, relies heavily on high evasion) or The Blaster (RNG-independent, ie, goes punch-for-punch with the enemy although even then a few too many critical hits will end your hero), but even some Tanks with all attack-focused skills can get there (they can get all the survivability they need from an innate skill and blindingly shiny legendary gear)
Questing Approach by Hero Archetype
| Party | Duo | Solo | |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Tank | Typically ~1 per party; Can be any Tank class or Tank Champion (Argon, Rudo, Ashley) | Typically only 1 per duo; Can pair any Tank class with a Blaster or Show-off for best results | Possible for 4-skill heroes built with significant attack potential to complement their survival-focused innate abilities |
| The Blaster | Reliable damage dealer; Can be any Blaster class | Can pair any Blaster with a Tank, another Blaster, or a Show-off for best results | Possible for 4-skill heroes built with significant survivability potential to complement their attack-focused innate abilities |
| The Sneak | While any Sneak can fit in a party, their limited attack can put the rest of the party at risk; multiple Sneaks work very well together | Sneaks typically partner very well together but often don’t pair as well with other archetypes due to their low attack and high survivability* | With sufficient damage mitigation (defense), Sneaks make the most accessible solo heroes, though they’re often quite reliant on RNG |
| The Show-off | While any Show-off can fit in a party, RNG can put the quest at risk if they don’t deliver crits before the enemy gets them | Typically only 1 per duo; Can pair any Show-off class with a Tank or a Blaster for best results | Quite challenging due to their disregard for survivability* |
*Dancers/acrobats can be exceptions due to their innate skill being a unique blend of evasion and critical hit potential
A note on champions: Apart from the role some champs can play as Tanks, think of them as boosters for your heroes and select a Champ to buff their strengths or mitigate their weaknesses. Check out the Champion Guide for more details.