The troop type triangle is one of the first systems new players learn and one of the most commonly misapplied, because knowing the counters isn't the same as knowing how to build a squad around them.
The basic triangle
- Infantry generally counters Lancers.
- Lancers generally counter Marksmen.
- Marksmen generally counter Infantry.
This is the foundation, but real squads are mixed, not single-type, so the triangle is a guide for squad ratios, not a rule to follow literally.
Composition beats pure counter-picking
Trying to hard-counter a specific enemy composition by going all-in on one troop type usually backfires, since real fights involve heroes, skills, and gear layered on top of the base triangle. A balanced composition weighted toward your intended role (offense, defense, or garrison) is generally more reliable than a rigid counter-pick.
Match troop tier to Furnace level, not the other way around
Training your highest available troop tier as soon as it unlocks is usually correct — don't hold back a tier upgrade "to save resources," since higher-tier troops are stronger per resource spent in almost every case once you can train them.
Training queue discipline
- Keep your training queue full — an idle barracks is wasted capacity, the same as an idle building queue.
- Don't over-train one troop type at the expense of a balanced force, unless you have a specific reason (like a bear event favoring a particular composition).
Where to learn more
Troop composition interacts directly with hero pairing and gear choices — see our Hero Tier List guide for how to think about the hero side of squad building.
