Songs of Conquest is a tactical strategy game where combat efficiency can make the difference between victory and crushing defeat. These ten combat tips will help you optimize your army, minimize losses, and maximize your effectiveness in battle.

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1. Fill Your Army Slots for Maximum Essence

Each unit stack generates Essence, which fuels your spells. Empty slots mean wasted Essence generation. Even if you distribute units differently, ensure that all slots are occupied to avoid losing spell potential.

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2. Designate a Sacrificial Unit

Not all units are equally important. Choose a unit type that can be sacrificed in battle to absorb damage while keeping your core troops alive. Melee frontline units like Fay Spirits or Horned Ones are ideal for this purpose.

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3. Let the Enemy Come to You

Charging headlong into battle often results in unnecessary losses. Instead, position your units defensively and let the AI rush into your prepared formations. This method allows you to control engagements and reduce damage taken.

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4. Utilize High Ground and Terrain

Units positioned on high ground gain increased attack damage and defensive bonuses. Additionally, use natural choke points to restrict enemy movement and force them into unfavorable engagements.

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5. Understand Fast vs. Slow Archers

• Fast archers (such as Rangers) can move and shoot without penalty.
• Slow archers (like Militia) suffer a 50% damage penalty if they move before attacking and must reload.
• Keep slow archers stationary to maximize damage output.

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6. Quality vs. Quantity

• Small, high-quality stacks like Knights excel in direct combat.
• Large, low-quality stacks like Rats can overwhelm enemies but suffer heavy attrition.
• Balance your army composition to take advantage of both strategies.

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7. Play Aggressively with Ranged-Heavy Armies

If your army relies on ranged units, don’t sit back—strike fast and use high-movement and initiative buffs to reposition quickly. However, expect some unavoidable losses against melee-heavy enemy forces.

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8. Prioritize Upgrades

Upgraded units are significantly stronger than their base versions:

• Higher damage output
• Increased health and defense
• Additional movement and range Always upgrade your units as soon as possible to maintain an advantage in combat.

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9. Use Buffs and Debuffs Effectively

Buffs and debuffs are stackable and can turn the tide of battle:

• Defense buffs (e.g., Protection) reduce incoming damage.
• Offense buffs increase damage output.
• Debuffing enemy defense allows your attacks to hit harder.
• Plan your spellcasting to maximize buffs before major engagements.

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10. Specialize Your Army

Instead of using a wide variety of units, focus on:

• A few select troop types to maximize research upgrades.
• Faction-specific branches (e.g., Human vs. Fey units) for greater bonuses.
• Wielder abilities that synergize with your army composition.

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Final Thoughts

Mastering combat in Songs of Conquest requires tactical positioning, resource efficiency, and a deep understanding of your army composition. Apply these tips to sharpen your strategy and secure victory in every battle!