Army planning
Before mercenaries expire: plan their final battles
Match temporary troops to a useful target without turning an expiry timer into an expensive spending spree.
By ClanOps · Updated
Read the timer on each group
Mercenaries are temporary troops. Check the expiry shown for the specific group you own; do not assume every event troop follows the same duration. A timer is a planning constraint, not a reason to launch the whole army immediately.
Keep reward-claim deadlines separate from hired-troop expiry. If a reward can wait, read its rules before delaying collection. Do not assume unclaimed rewards remain available indefinitely or that recovery resets a troop’s lifetime.
Choose the right target
Mercenary bonuses differ: some suit monsters and others suit player combat. Read the bonus text before choosing an event.
| Goal | What to check |
|---|---|
| Valor or event coins | Applicable monster bonuses and a reachable reward milestone |
| Hero or Captain Experience | Who can join the march and who receives the Experience |
| Agreed CP exchange | PvP bonuses, partner agreement and recovery costs |
| Clan raid contribution | The raid leader’s formation and departure time |
A good mercenary used against the wrong target is not made efficient by being close to expiry.
Work backwards from your next session
Identify the last time you can actually play before expiry. Choose a realistic number of attacks, including march and recovery time. Prepare a suitable Captain and the supporting army before activating short-duration bonuses.
If your favourite event starts after the troops expire, choose a useful event already available. The calendar is a planning aid; confirm actual event and troop timers in the game.
Set a recovery ceiling
Decide how much Gold, Sacred Potion or Silver you are willing to spend to use this group. After each attack, compare the next recovery bill with the likely benefit of another march before expiry.
Recovering an expensive group for a single weak final attack may be poor value. Conversely, a recovery that completes an attainable milestone can be worthwhile. Use the displayed price rather than assuming all mercenaries deserve automatic revival.
Use a measured formation
Try an affordable attack first and inspect whether the mercenaries contributed before dying. More mercenaries in one march can mean more damage, but also a larger bill. Smaller repeated marches may suit some accounts; limited play time may favour fewer attacks.
Use your own battle reports to compare these options. Keep enough supporting troops and recovery resources for the rest of your plan.
Let the timer end without chasing it
The original acquisition cost is already spent. Judge the next attack on its additional cost and reward. Do not buy another pack or spend your entire reserve simply to avoid feeling that a few remaining troops were wasted.
See Sands of Eternity for levelling plans and revive or retrain for recovery decisions.
Check current requirements in-game before committing troops or resources.