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MK Fast Expand

Mountain King first into fast expansion. Storm Bolt stuns harassers, Bash provides melee dominance. Build army to 60 food then upgrade to Castle for Knights.

How it plays

  • MK first — Storm Bolt is the best anti-harass stun in the game
  • Fast expansion with militia to defend the new Town Hall
  • MK + Footmen + Rifles can defend expo against most early aggression
  • AM second for Brilliance Aura mana sustain and Water Elementals
  • Build to 60 food on two bases, then tech to Castle for Knights
  • Paladin third hero for Holy Light healing and Divine Shield safety
  • Wins against: opponents who don't punish the expansion window
  • Loses to: fast timing attacks that hit before the expansion pays off

Tier progression

Tier 1

Buildings
Altar of Kings, Barracks, Farm, Blacksmith
Units
Footman
Goal
MK + Footmen, scout for expansion timing

Tier 2

Buildings
Keep, Town Hall, Arcane Sanctum
Units
Rifleman, Priest
Goal
Expand, AM second, Rifles + Priests for army sustain

Tier 3

Buildings
Castle
Units
Knight
Goal
Knights with double gold income — the payoff for expanding
Notes
Castle timing is faster with double gold — that's the whole point

Hero skill order

Mountain King

  • Storm Bolt — level 3
  • Thunder Clap — level 2
  • Bash — level 2

Archmage

  • Blizzard — level 2
  • Summon Water Elemental — level 2
  • Brilliance Aura — level 1

Paladin

  • Holy Light — level 2
  • Devotion Aura — level 1

Core upgrades

  • Priest Training
  • human backpack

Pro replays running this build

7 tournament games. Each opens in the 3D simulator on this player's side.

PlayerOpponentMapStage
Fortitude Life Tidehunters v1.2 Quarterfinals Game 2
Fortitude Life Springtime v1.3 Quarterfinals Game 3
Leon Sini AutumnLeaves_v2.0
TH000 Kaho ShatteredExile_v2.4
HawK Jens AutumnLeaves_v2.0
TH000 Kaho NorthernIsles
Sok Kaho AutumnLeaves_v2.0

Drop your own replay to see where yours came apart against this build.

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