At a Glance:
- Use different troop formation ratios depending on whether you’re attacking, defending, or in special events.
- The common balanced setup is 50% Infantry, 20% Cavalry, 30% Archers (5-2-3).
- For Bear Hunt / Pitfall events, lean heavily on Archers; for defense (garrison), focus more on Infantry.
In Kingshot, having powerful troops matters—but even more important is how you compose them. Troop formations (the ratios of Infantry, Cavalry, and Archers) can make or break your performance in rallies, events, defenses, and more. Using the right mix depending on the matchup, mode, and opponent often wins where brute force alone fails.
This guide digs into the best troop formation setups for different situations, how to adapt them, and what common mistakes to avoid.
Basics of Troops & Counters
- Infantry: Tough frontline units. High HP, strong defense. Soak damage.
- Cavalry: Fast, decent damage. Good at flanking or hitting vulnerable units (like Archers).
- Archers: High damage output, long range, but lower defense and HP.
These follow a rock-paper-scissors style counter system:
- Infantry > Cavalry
- Cavalry > Archers
- Archers > Infantry
So knowing the opponent’s troop mix is key to picking a formation that exploits counters.
Recommended Troop Formations by Situation
Here are the best formations people are using right now for different modes or challenges. These are ratios of total troop capacity—what proportion of your army you fill with Infantry / Cavalry / Archers.
Mode
Formation (Infantry : Cavalry : Archers)
Reasoning / When to Use
General PvP / Rally / Unknown Opponent
5-2-3 (≈ 50% Inf, 20% Cav, 30% Archers)
Balanced: strong front line with enough damage from Archers and moderate Cavalry support. Safe when you don’t know the enemy’s comp.
Defense / Garrison
7-3-0 (≈ 70% Inf, 30% Cav, 0% Archers)
Prioritize soaking and blocking damage. Archers are fragile, so fewer or none in defense settings.
Bear Hunt / Pitfall Events
1-1-8 or very high Archers (≈ 10% Inf, 10% Cav, 80–90% Archers)
These modes reward high damage output. Archers deal the most damage but need support or at least some Infantry/Cavalry so your formation isn’t weak.
Alliance Championship / Big Rallies
5-2-3
Similar to general PvP: you want balance while still maximizing output.
Custom / Countering Specific Enemies
Adjust based on what opponent is using
For example, if they rely heavily on Infantry, bring more Archers; if they have many Archers, bring more Cavalry or Infantry. Scout first.
How to Adjust & Optimize Formations
- Always scout or check enemy troop types when possible. If you know what you’re facing, adjust your formation instead of using your standard.
- Never leave out a troop type completely (unless a specific event demands, like some Bear Hunt comps). Even a small percentage of each type grants synergy/bonus or countermoves.
- Balance your heroes, gear, and troop stats with your formation. A formation is stronger if your Infantry are well upgraded and your Archers have strong damage buffs, etc.
- Experiment: What works for one player or account might not work exactly the same for yours, especially as you get higher level troops and event bonuses.
- Adapt per mode: Defense vs attack often calls for different setups. Don’t use the same formation for every scenario.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Relying too much on Archers without enough protection → they die too fast if your front line can’t hold.
- Using “balanced” formations without considering counters or the mode. Balance is good, but not always optimal.
- Forgetting that hero and skill buffs/bonuses can shift what formation is best. Sometimes a formation is good on paper, but your gear or hero buffs make another better.
Final Thoughts
Troop formation is one of the most impactful levers you have in Kingshot to improve battle outcomes without just relying on stronger troops. By using the right mix of Infantry, Cavalry, and Archers—tailored to the mode, opponent, and your strengths—you’ll win more consistently.
Start with the reliable 50-20-30 setup for most battles, use 7-3-0 for defense, and 1-1-8 for high-damage events. Then adjust based on your opponent and what bonuses or troops you have. With smart formation choices, even battles you thought were tough become manageable.