---
title: "Paladin Rifle — Human build order (HvO, HvN, HvU)"
url: https://wc3v.com/builds/hu-paladin-rifle
description: "Paladin first hero for Holy Light sustain on early Footmen. Tower up at base, mass Riflemen with Priest support. Defensive opener that scales into a…"
updated: 2026-08-11
---

# Paladin Rifle

Paladin first hero for Holy Light sustain on early Footmen. Tower up at base, mass Riflemen with Priest support. Defensive opener that scales into a powerful T2 ranged army.

- **Race:** Human
- **Matchups:** HvO, HvN, HvU
- **Level:** Pro meta
- **Difficulty:** medium
- **Hero opener:** Paladin

## How it plays

- Holy Light keeps Footmen alive through early creeping and harass — pivotal at low levels
- Tower one or two Guard Towers at home before second peasant batch — discourages early aggression
- Riflemen production starts around 4:30 — keep all Barracks busy
- Priests with Inner Fire double-buff Riflemen damage; Heal sustains the front
- Archmage second hero for Brilliance Aura mana sustain on Priests
- Wins against: Orc Grunt builds (Holy Light + Towers), NE Bear timing pushes
- Loses to: aggressive caster magic (Frost Nova, Faerie Dragon mana burn)

## Tier progression

- **Tier 1**
  - Buildings: Barracks, Altar of Kings, Blacksmith, Lumber Mill
  - Units: Footman, Peasant
  - Goal: Paladin + 3-4 Footmen, creep with Holy Light heals, tower at home
- **Tier 2**
  - Buildings: Keep
  - Units: Rifleman, Priest
  - Goal: Riflemen + Priest production, second hero (Archmage)
- **Tier 3**
  - Buildings: Castle
  - Units: Flying Machine
  - Goal: Spell Breakers or Gryphons depending on opponent composition

## Pro replays running this build

| Player | Opponent | Map | Stage | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TH000 | Ugly | ShatteredExile_v2.4 |  | [open](https://wc3v.com/viewer?r=289522245_Ugly_TH000_ShatteredExile&player=2&buildId=hu-paladin-rifle) |
| Snowdream | War3Orcer0 | AutumnLeaves_v2.0 |  | [open](https://wc3v.com/viewer?r=325756077_Snowdream_War3Orcer0_AutumnLeaves20&player=1&buildId=hu-paladin-rifle) |