Standard shadow main (2.2 patch)

This guide is part of my article series on fire builds. If this build is not to your likeing, have a look at the rest of my builds on the shadow build page. I have multiple builds for any taste available, IB, PvE, arena/ToS builds and F2P/cheap builds.

This article is on a standard shadow main build in the 2.2 meta. The build is a well balanced nuke setup, well equiped for the current meta. Shadow is a very complete element, which offers both strong sustain, insane burst damage, high sustained damage and the best control in the game. It is in my oppinion the absolute best element in the game, not even rivaled by holy. In fact, toss in Qin or Khan and you can use your shadow to kill holy.

This build is a big spender build! We are using shadow here, meaing you have to spend quite a lot to ever run this.

This build performs well against anything. It will even impact holy marches, though you will be defeated by any holy near in power. It is an awesome baseline march that you should default to when running shadow main. When faced with unique encounters, or if you have to countr holy. Swap into a more niche shadow spec (see shadow build page).

Can be altered to include Khan / Qin (see guide) if you are having issues with holys.

How does it work?

This setup is pretty standard and revolves around pumping big magic burst damage from Himiko whilst your dragon and Himiko controls the battlefield. After the initial burst, you are ensured to be at higher troop count than your opponent, at which point your Bathony and Siegfried takes it home with high sustained damage.

Bjorn is in my oppinion the weakest link in the build, and can be swapped for other alternatives. e.g. Charles or K-Khan. That being said, Bjorn is a strong Immortal and provides both strong sustain and a nice damage debuff.

ToK passive setup (main)

This build can both function as a main and as a secondary march. Please see my guide on running this as a secondary march here.

You want to run this passive loadout:

Himiko: Death Breath + Annihilation + Chase

Bathony: Energy Burst + Anger + Fighting Will

Siegfried: Malice + Cleave + Rage Blessing

Bjorn: Oaken Guard + Energy Suppression + Weakness

Published: 22-07-2022