Cao Cao — Rise of Castles Combos

Most often ranked with Cao Cao

Counted from the published lists: the partners who appear beside Cao Cao in the most ranked lineups.

Bleeding Steed

7 shared combos

War Lord

7 shared combos

Desert Storm

4 shared combos

Ashoka

3 shared combos

Genghis Khan

3 shared combos

Demon Spear

3 shared combos

Peace Bringer

2 shared combos

Isabella I

2 shared combos

Proven synergies

A different question from the grid above: not who Cao Cao is listed with, but whose kit the skill text says Cao Cao actually feeds — or feeds on. Each claim names the effect and, wherever the card records one, the skill producing it, so you can check it against the cards further down. Some of these pairs share no ranked lineup at all; each one says why.

Al-Hawra

Not yet listed

Al-Hawra's Desert Phantom supplies the trigger-rate boosts; Cao Cao's Big Dipper feeds on them. Cao Cao supplies the combat-skill casts; Al-Hawra's Desert Phantom feeds on them. No lineup around this pair clears the era and composition gates.

Cyrus

Not yet listed

Cao Cao supplies the combat-skill casts; Cyrus's Strategy to Victory feeds on them. Cyrus's Tolerance supplies the trigger-rate boosts; Cao Cao's Big Dipper feeds on them. No lineup around this pair clears the era and composition gates.

Roland

Not yet listed

Cao Cao supplies the combat-skill casts; Roland's Paladins feeds on them. Roland's Song of Roland supplies the trigger-rate boosts; Cao Cao's Big Dipper feeds on them. No lineup around this pair clears the era and composition gates.

War Lord

7 shared lineups

War Lord's War God Descends supplies the trigger-rate boosts; Cao Cao's Big Dipper feeds on them.

Genghis Khan

3 shared lineups

Cao Cao supplies the combat-skill casts; Genghis Khan's Fortune's Favor feeds on them.

Ashoka

3 shared lineups

Cao Cao supplies the combat-skill casts; Ashoka's Bloodthirsty Ashoka feeds on them.

Best Footmen combos with Cao Cao

Cao Cao appears in 14 ranked Footmen combos.

1. 19 FMB Ashoka · Cao Cao · Genghis Khan Mid progression Beats 2 of 8 reference lineups 77.58/100 out of 100 ⇗
   Ashoka (X14), Cao Cao (S01) and Genghis Khan (S01) score 77.58 out of 100 together, and each of the three has a job.

   Ashoka is the win condition, bringing 64% of the lineup's expected damage: Bloodthirsty Ashoka puts 210% x5 into one enemy squad on a 60% roll, and takes the front, able to both absorb the opening rounds and heal through them. Cao Cao is the saboteur, stripping the enemy's stats before the blows land: raises what enemies take by 151% across its kit, and sits in the middle, where the support reaches both the front and the back. Genghis Khan brings a second damage line worth 18% of the expected output, so no single silence stops the plan: Hunting Wolf puts 213% into all enemy squads on a 50% roll, and stays in the back, out of the enemy's easy reach, and those range-4 skills lose nothing for it. The lineup works because Ashoka produces combat-skill casts, the exact trigger Genghis Khan’s Fortune's Favor waits on; Cao Cao produces combat-skill casts, the exact trigger Ashoka’s Bloodthirsty Ashoka waits on; Cao Cao raises Ashoka’s output directly rather than adding a number of its own. What you give up: a mid-era lineup anchored by Ashoka (X14); the trigger chain is thin — the three lean on one link rather than several. Budget note: every hero in this lineup can be completed without spending.

2. 28 FMB Ashoka · Clovis I · Cao Cao developer pick Mid progression Beats 1 of 8 reference lineups 77.50/100 out of 100 ⇗
   Ashoka (X14), Clovis I (X15) and Cao Cao (S01) score 77.50 out of 100 together, and each of the three has a job.

   Ashoka is the win condition, bringing 59% of the lineup's expected damage: Bloodthirsty Ashoka puts 210% x5 into one enemy squad on a 60% roll, and takes the front, able to both absorb the opening rounds and heal through them. Clovis I is the lock: every squad silenced or suppressed is a turn the enemy plan does not happen — Territory Expansion applies Silence on a 60% roll, and sits in the middle, where the support reaches both the front and the back. Cao Cao is the saboteur, stripping the enemy's stats before the blows land: raises what enemies take by 151% across its kit, and stays in the back, out of the enemy's easy reach, and those range-5 skills lose nothing for it. The lineup works because Ashoka produces combat-skill casts, the exact trigger Clovis I’s Frankish Spear waits on; Clovis I produces combat-skill casts, the exact trigger Ashoka’s Bloodthirsty Ashoka waits on; Clovis I’s Territory Expansion applies Silence and takes a squad out of the fight, so Ashoka swings into a line that cannot answer. What you give up: the trigger chain is thin — the three lean on one link rather than several; a mid-era lineup anchored by Clovis I (X15). Budget note: every hero in this lineup can be completed without spending. This is one of the lineups recommended in-game by the developers -- the score above is what that classic core is still worth against the current roster.

3. 49 FMB Ashoka · Cao Cao · Pepin Mid progression Beats 0 of 8 reference lineups 79.10/100 out of 100 ⇗
   Ashoka (X14), Cao Cao (S01) and Pepin (X12) score 79.10 out of 100 together, and each of the three has a job.

   Ashoka is the win condition, bringing 69% of the lineup's expected damage: Bloodthirsty Ashoka puts 210% x5 into one enemy squad on a 60% roll, and takes the front, able to both absorb the opening rounds and heal through them. Cao Cao is the saboteur, stripping the enemy's stats before the blows land: raises what enemies take by 151% across its kit, and sits in the middle, where the support reaches both the front and the back. Pepin is the saboteur, stripping the enemy's stats before the blows land: strips 169% of enemy Might, Resistance and damage across its kit, and stays in the back, out of the enemy's easy reach, and those range-4 skills lose nothing for it. The lineup works because Ashoka produces combat-skill casts, the exact trigger Pepin’s Power of Staff waits on; Cao Cao produces combat-skill casts, the exact trigger Ashoka’s Bloodthirsty Ashoka waits on; Cao Cao raises Ashoka’s output directly rather than adding a number of its own. What you give up: a mid-era lineup anchored by Pepin (X12); the trigger chain is thin — the three lean on one link rather than several. Budget note: every hero in this lineup can be completed without spending.

4. 4 FMB Bleeding Steed · Desert Storm · Cao Cao developer pick Starter Beats 5 of 8 reference lineups 67.07/100 out of 100 ⇗
   Bleeding Steed (S03), Desert Storm (S04) and Cao Cao (S01) score 67.07 out of 100 together, and each of the three has a job.

   Bleeding Steed is the multiplier, raising what the other two put out rather than adding a number of its own: carries 80% of damage amplification across its kit, and takes the front as the sturdiest of the three. Desert Storm is the lock: every squad silenced or suppressed is a turn the enemy plan does not happen — Sandstorm puts 243% into one enemy squad every time it fires, and sits in the middle, where the support reaches both the front and the back. Cao Cao is the saboteur, stripping the enemy's stats before the blows land: raises what enemies take by 151% across its kit, and stays in the back, out of the enemy's easy reach, and those range-5 skills lose nothing for it. The lineup works because Bleeding Steed’s Stampeding Harras applies Confuse and takes a squad out of the fight for 2 rounds, so Cao Cao swings into a line that cannot answer; Bleeding Steed raises Cao Cao’s output directly rather than adding a number of its own. What you give up: no hero here feeds another one's trigger; a mid-era lineup anchored by Bleeding Steed (S03). Budget note: every hero in this lineup can be completed without spending. This is one of the lineups recommended in-game by the developers -- the score above is what that classic core is still worth against the current roster.

5. 5 FMB Genghis Khan · Bleeding Steed · Cao Cao Starter Beats 4 of 8 reference lineups 66.47/100 out of 100 ⇗
   Genghis Khan (S01), Bleeding Steed (S03) and Cao Cao (S01) score 66.47 out of 100 together, and each of the three has a job.

   Genghis Khan brings a second damage line worth 49% of the expected output, so no single silence stops the plan: Hunting Wolf puts 213% into all enemy squads on a 50% roll, and takes the front as the sturdiest of the three. Bleeding Steed is the multiplier, raising what the other two put out rather than adding a number of its own: carries 80% of damage amplification across its kit, and sits in the middle, where the support reaches both the front and the back. Cao Cao is the saboteur, stripping the enemy's stats before the blows land: raises what enemies take by 151% across its kit, and stays in the back, out of the enemy's easy reach, and those range-5 skills lose nothing for it. The lineup works because Bleeding Steed produces combat-skill casts, the exact trigger Genghis Khan’s Fortune's Favor waits on; Bleeding Steed’s Stampeding Harras applies Confuse and takes a squad out of the fight for 2 rounds, so Cao Cao swings into a line that cannot answer; Bleeding Steed raises Cao Cao’s output directly rather than adding a number of its own. What you give up: the trigger chain is thin — the three lean on one link rather than several; a mid-era lineup anchored by Bleeding Steed (S03). Budget note: every hero in this lineup can be completed without spending.

6. 14 FMB Peace Bringer · Bleeding Steed · Cao Cao Starter Beats 2 of 8 reference lineups 66.51/100 out of 100 ⇗
   Peace Bringer (S02), Bleeding Steed (S03) and Cao Cao (S01) score 66.51 out of 100 together, and each of the three has a job.

   Peace Bringer is the shield: the damage reduction and staying power buy the rounds the plan needs — carries 74% of damage reduction across its kit, and takes the front on purpose: this kit feeds on being attacked, and the front is where the attacks are. Bleeding Steed is the multiplier, raising what the other two put out rather than adding a number of its own: carries 80% of damage amplification across its kit, and sits in the middle, where the support reaches both the front and the back. Cao Cao is the saboteur, stripping the enemy's stats before the blows land: raises what enemies take by 151% across its kit, and stays in the back, out of the enemy's easy reach, and those range-5 skills lose nothing for it. The lineup works because Bleeding Steed’s Stampeding Harras applies Confuse and takes a squad out of the fight for 2 rounds, so Cao Cao swings into a line that cannot answer; Bleeding Steed raises Cao Cao’s output directly rather than adding a number of its own. What you give up: no hero here feeds another one's trigger; Peace Bringer (S02) is the era weak point -- the enemy will aim at the oldest squad. Budget note: every hero in this lineup can be completed without spending.

7. 15 FMB Isabella I · Bleeding Steed · Cao Cao Starter Beats 2 of 8 reference lineups 67.45/100 out of 100 ⇗
   Isabella I (S01), Bleeding Steed (S03) and Cao Cao (S01) score 67.45 out of 100 together, and each of the three has a job.

   Isabella I is the lock: every squad silenced or suppressed is a turn the enemy plan does not happen — Queen of the Storm applies Suppress on a 70% roll, and takes the front, able to both absorb the opening rounds and heal through them. Bleeding Steed is the multiplier, raising what the other two put out rather than adding a number of its own: carries 80% of damage amplification across its kit, and sits in the middle, where the support reaches both the front and the back. Cao Cao is the saboteur, stripping the enemy's stats before the blows land: raises what enemies take by 151% across its kit, and stays in the back, out of the enemy's easy reach, and those range-5 skills lose nothing for it. The lineup works because Isabella I’s Queen of the Storm applies Suppress and takes a squad out of the fight, so Cao Cao swings into a line that cannot answer; Bleeding Steed raises Cao Cao’s output directly rather than adding a number of its own. What you give up: no hero here feeds another one's trigger; a mid-era lineup anchored by Bleeding Steed (S03). Budget note: every hero in this lineup can be completed without spending.

8. 16 FMB Soaring Hawk · Bleeding Steed · Cao Cao Starter Beats 2 of 8 reference lineups 68.25/100 out of 100 ⇗
   Soaring Hawk (S04), Bleeding Steed (S03) and Cao Cao (S01) score 68.25 out of 100 together, and each of the three has a job.

   Soaring Hawk is the multiplier, raising what the other two put out rather than adding a number of its own: carries 20% of damage amplification across its kit, and takes the front on purpose: this kit feeds on being attacked, and the front is where the attacks are. Bleeding Steed is the second amplifier -- with two heroes raising the output, the carry hits far above its own numbers: carries 80% of damage amplification across its kit, and sits in the middle, where the support reaches both the front and the back. Cao Cao is the saboteur, stripping the enemy's stats before the blows land: raises what enemies take by 151% across its kit, and stays in the back, out of the enemy's easy reach, and those range-5 skills lose nothing for it. The lineup works because Bleeding Steed’s Stampeding Harras applies Confuse and takes a squad out of the fight for 2 rounds, so Cao Cao swings into a line that cannot answer; Bleeding Steed raises Cao Cao’s output directly rather than adding a number of its own. What you give up: no hero here feeds another one's trigger; a mid-era lineup anchored by Bleeding Steed (S03). Budget note: every hero in this lineup can be completed without spending.

9. 17 FMB Demon Spear · Bleeding Steed · Cao Cao Starter Beats 2 of 8 reference lineups 66.80/100 out of 100 ⇗
   Demon Spear (S00), Bleeding Steed (S03) and Cao Cao (S01) score 66.80 out of 100 together, and each of the three has a job.

   Demon Spear is the lock: every squad silenced or suppressed is a turn the enemy plan does not happen — Tamashi kari applies Silence for 1 round on a 85% roll, and takes the front because those range-2 skills only connect from there. Bleeding Steed is the multiplier, raising what the other two put out rather than adding a number of its own: carries 80% of damage amplification across its kit, and sits in the middle, where the support reaches both the front and the back. Cao Cao is the saboteur, stripping the enemy's stats before the blows land: raises what enemies take by 151% across its kit, and stays in the back, out of the enemy's easy reach, and those range-5 skills lose nothing for it. The lineup works because Demon Spear’s Tamashi kari applies Silence and takes a squad out of the fight for 1 round, so Cao Cao swings into a line that cannot answer; Bleeding Steed raises Cao Cao’s output directly rather than adding a number of its own. What you give up: no hero here feeds another one's trigger; a mid-era lineup anchored by Bleeding Steed (S03). Budget note: every hero in this lineup can be completed without spending.

10. 25 FMB Isabella I · Desert Storm · Cao Cao Starter Beats 0 of 8 reference lineups 65.81/100 out of 100 ⇗
    Isabella I (S01), Desert Storm (S04) and Cao Cao (S01) score 65.81 out of 100 together, and each of the three has a job.

    Isabella I is the lock: every squad silenced or suppressed is a turn the enemy plan does not happen — Queen of the Storm applies Suppress on a 70% roll, and takes the front, able to both absorb the opening rounds and heal through them. Desert Storm adds a second source of control, so the lock rarely has an off round: Sandstorm puts 243% into one enemy squad every time it fires, and sits in the middle, where the support reaches both the front and the back. Cao Cao is the saboteur, stripping the enemy's stats before the blows land: raises what enemies take by 151% across its kit, and stays in the back, out of the enemy's easy reach, and those range-5 skills lose nothing for it. The lineup works because Desert Storm’s Endless Scorched Earth produces burns, the exact trigger Isabella I’s Everlasting Flame waits on; Isabella I’s Queen of the Storm applies Suppress and takes a squad out of the fight, so Cao Cao swings into a line that cannot answer. What you give up: the trigger chain is thin — the three lean on one link rather than several; no one hero clearly carries, so the damage is easier to interrupt. Budget note: every hero in this lineup can be completed without spending.

11. 26 FMB Desert Storm · Demon Spear · Cao Cao Starter Beats 0 of 8 reference lineups 65.40/100 out of 100 ⇗
    Desert Storm (S04), Demon Spear (S00) and Cao Cao (S01) score 65.40 out of 100 together, and each of the three has a job.

    Desert Storm is the lock: every squad silenced or suppressed is a turn the enemy plan does not happen — Sandstorm puts 243% into one enemy squad every time it fires, and takes the front as the sturdiest of the three. Demon Spear adds a second source of control, so the lock rarely has an off round: Tamashi kari applies Silence for 1 round on a 85% roll, and sits in the middle, the deepest row those range-2 skills still fire from. Cao Cao is the saboteur, stripping the enemy's stats before the blows land: raises what enemies take by 151% across its kit, and stays in the back, out of the enemy's easy reach, and those range-5 skills lose nothing for it. Be clear about what this is: the three cover each other rather than trigger each other, so it earns its place on coverage, not on a chain. What you give up: no hero here feeds another one's trigger; a mid-era lineup anchored by Desert Storm (S04). Budget note: every hero in this lineup can be completed without spending.

12. 27 FMB Jiguang Qi · Genghis Khan · Cao Cao developer pick Starter Beats 0 of 8 reference lineups 61.41/100 out of 100 ⇗
    Jiguang Qi (S01), Genghis Khan (S01) and Cao Cao (S01) score 61.41 out of 100 together, and each of the three has a job.

    Jiguang Qi is the multiplier, raising what the other two put out rather than adding a number of its own: carries 20% of damage amplification across its kit, and takes the front as the sturdiest of the three. Genghis Khan brings a second damage line worth 39% of the expected output, so no single silence stops the plan: Hunting Wolf puts 213% into all enemy squads on a 50% roll, and sits in the middle, where the support reaches both the front and the back. Cao Cao is the saboteur, stripping the enemy's stats before the blows land: raises what enemies take by 151% across its kit, and stays in the back, out of the enemy's easy reach, and those range-5 skills lose nothing for it. The lineup works because Genghis Khan produces combat-skill casts, the exact trigger Jiguang Qi’s Unyelding waits on; Jiguang Qi produces combat-skill casts, the exact trigger Genghis Khan’s Fortune's Favor waits on. What you give up: no one hero clearly carries, so the damage is easier to interrupt; the trigger chain is thin — the three lean on one link rather than several. Budget note: every hero in this lineup can be completed without spending. This is one of the lineups recommended in-game by the developers -- the score above is what that classic core is still worth against the current roster.

13. 29 FMB Desert Storm · Jiguang Qi · Cao Cao Starter Beats 0 of 8 reference lineups 64.53/100 out of 100 ⇗
    Desert Storm (S04), Jiguang Qi (S01) and Cao Cao (S01) score 64.53 out of 100 together, and each of the three has a job.

    Desert Storm is the lock: every squad silenced or suppressed is a turn the enemy plan does not happen — Sandstorm puts 243% into one enemy squad every time it fires, and takes the front as the sturdiest of the three. Jiguang Qi is the multiplier, raising what the other two put out rather than adding a number of its own: carries 20% of damage amplification across its kit, and sits in the middle, where the support reaches both the front and the back. Cao Cao is the saboteur, stripping the enemy's stats before the blows land: raises what enemies take by 151% across its kit, and stays in the back, out of the enemy's easy reach, and those range-5 skills lose nothing for it. The lineup works because Desert Storm produces combat-skill casts, the exact trigger Jiguang Qi’s Unyelding waits on. What you give up: the trigger chain is thin — the three lean on one link rather than several; Jiguang Qi (S01) is the era weak point -- the enemy will aim at the oldest squad. Budget note: every hero in this lineup can be completed without spending.

14. 33 FMB Peace Bringer · Jade Rakshasa · Cao Cao developer pick Starter Beats 0 of 8 reference lineups 54.97/100 out of 100 ⇗
    Peace Bringer (S02), Jade Rakshasa (S02) and Cao Cao (S01) score 54.97 out of 100 together, and each of the three has a job.

    Peace Bringer is the shield: the damage reduction and staying power buy the rounds the plan needs — carries 74% of damage reduction across its kit, and takes the front on purpose: this kit feeds on being attacked, and the front is where the attacks are. Jade Rakshasa brings a second damage line worth 38% of the expected output, so no single silence stops the plan: Jade Lotus puts 162% x6 into one enemy squad on a 40% roll, and sits in the middle, where the support reaches both the front and the back. Cao Cao is the saboteur, stripping the enemy's stats before the blows land: raises what enemies take by 151% across its kit, and stays in the back, out of the enemy's easy reach, and those range-5 skills lose nothing for it. Be clear about what this is: the three cover each other rather than trigger each other, so it earns its place on coverage, not on a chain. What you give up: no hero here feeds another one's trigger; Jade Rakshasa (S02) is the era weak point -- the enemy will aim at the oldest squad. Budget note: every hero in this lineup can be completed without spending. This is one of the lineups recommended in-game by the developers -- the score above is what that classic core is still worth against the current roster.

See the full Footmen rankings →

Best Mixed combos with Cao Cao

Cao Cao appears in 7 ranked Mixed combos.

1. 2 FMB War Lord · Bleeding Steed · Cao Cao Starter Beats 1 of 8 reference lineups 73.87/100 out of 100 ⇗
   War Lord (cavalry · S03), Bleeding Steed (footmen · S03) and Cao Cao (footmen · S01) score 73.87 out of 100 together, and each of the three has a job.

   War Lord is the multiplier, raising what the other two put out rather than adding a number of its own: carries 45% of damage amplification across its kit, and takes the front on purpose: this kit feeds on being attacked, and the front is where the attacks are. Bleeding Steed is the second amplifier -- with two heroes raising the output, the carry hits far above its own numbers: carries 80% of damage amplification across its kit, and sits in the middle, where the support reaches both the front and the back. Cao Cao is the saboteur, stripping the enemy's stats before the blows land: raises what enemies take by 151% across its kit, and stays in the back, out of the enemy's easy reach, and those range-5 skills lose nothing for it. The lineup works because War Lord’s War God Descends produces trigger-rate boosts, the exact trigger Bleeding Steed’s Stampeding Harras and Cao Cao’s Big Dipper both wait on; Bleeding Steed’s Stampeding Harras applies Confuse and takes a squad out of the fight for 2 rounds, so Cao Cao swings into a line that cannot answer; War Lord raises Cao Cao’s output directly rather than adding a number of its own. What you give up: raw damage reaches only about 3% of the hardest-hitting trio in the roster; Cao Cao (S01) is the era weak point -- the enemy will aim at the oldest squad. Budget note: every hero in this lineup can be completed without spending.

2. 12 FMB War Lord · Black Prince · Cao Cao Starter Beats 0 of 8 reference lineups 73.86/100 out of 100 ⇗
   War Lord (cavalry · S03), Black Prince (cavalry · S01) and Cao Cao (footmen · S01) score 73.86 out of 100 together, and each of the three has a job.

   War Lord is the multiplier, raising what the other two put out rather than adding a number of its own: carries 45% of damage amplification across its kit, and takes the front on purpose: this kit feeds on being attacked, and the front is where the attacks are. Black Prince is the lock: every squad silenced or suppressed is a turn the enemy plan does not happen — Dragon Siege applies Suppress for 2 rounds on a 35% roll, and sits in the middle, where the support reaches both the front and the back. Cao Cao is the saboteur, stripping the enemy's stats before the blows land: raises what enemies take by 151% across its kit, and stays in the back, out of the enemy's easy reach, and those range-5 skills lose nothing for it. The lineup works because War Lord’s War God Descends produces trigger-rate boosts, the exact trigger Black Prince’s Dragon Siege and Cao Cao’s Big Dipper both wait on; Black Prince’s Dragon Siege applies Suppress and takes a squad out of the fight for 2 rounds, so Cao Cao swings into a line that cannot answer; War Lord raises Cao Cao’s output directly rather than adding a number of its own. What you give up: raw damage reaches only about 5% of the hardest-hitting trio in the roster; Cao Cao (S01) is the era weak point -- the enemy will aim at the oldest squad. Budget note: every hero in this lineup can be completed without spending.

3. 13 FMB War Lord · Roku Boshuten · Cao Cao Starter Beats 0 of 8 reference lineups 74.43/100 out of 100 ⇗
   War Lord (cavalry · S03), Roku Boshuten (cavalry · S03) and Cao Cao (footmen · S01) score 74.43 out of 100 together, and each of the three has a job.

   War Lord is the multiplier, raising what the other two put out rather than adding a number of its own: carries 45% of damage amplification across its kit, and takes the front on purpose: this kit feeds on being attacked, and the front is where the attacks are. Roku Boshuten is the second amplifier -- with two heroes raising the output, the carry hits far above its own numbers: carries 156% of damage amplification across its kit, and sits in the middle, where the support reaches both the front and the back. Cao Cao is the saboteur, stripping the enemy's stats before the blows land: raises what enemies take by 151% across its kit, and stays in the back, out of the enemy's easy reach, and those range-5 skills lose nothing for it. The lineup works because War Lord’s War God Descends produces trigger-rate boosts, the exact trigger Cao Cao’s Big Dipper and Roku Boshuten’s Gou both wait on; Cao Cao produces combat-skill casts, the exact trigger Roku Boshuten’s Gokuraku Jodo waits on; Roku Boshuten’s Gokuraku Jodo applies Silence and takes a squad out of the fight for 2 rounds, so Cao Cao swings into a line that cannot answer. What you give up: raw damage reaches only about 5% of the hardest-hitting trio in the roster; Cao Cao (S01) is the era weak point -- the enemy will aim at the oldest squad. Budget note: every hero in this lineup can be completed without spending.

4. 16 FMB War Lord · Yukimura Sanada · Cao Cao Starter Beats 0 of 8 reference lineups 72.63/100 out of 100 ⇗
   War Lord (cavalry · S03), Yukimura Sanada (cavalry · S00) and Cao Cao (footmen · S01) score 72.63 out of 100 together, and each of the three has a job.

   War Lord is the multiplier, raising what the other two put out rather than adding a number of its own: carries 45% of damage amplification across its kit, and takes the front on purpose: this kit feeds on being attacked, and the front is where the attacks are. Yukimura Sanada is the lock: every squad silenced or suppressed is a turn the enemy plan does not happen — Scarlet Armor applies Silence on a 25% roll, and sits in the middle, the deepest row those range-2 skills still fire from. Cao Cao is the saboteur, stripping the enemy's stats before the blows land: raises what enemies take by 151% across its kit, and stays in the back, out of the enemy's easy reach, and those range-5 skills lose nothing for it. The lineup works because War Lord’s War God Descends produces trigger-rate boosts, the exact trigger Cao Cao’s Big Dipper and Yukimura Sanada’s Scarlet Armor both wait on; Yukimura Sanada’s Scarlet Armor applies Silence and takes a squad out of the fight, so Cao Cao swings into a line that cannot answer; War Lord raises Cao Cao’s output directly rather than adding a number of its own. What you give up: Yukimura Sanada (S00) is the era weak point -- the enemy will aim at the oldest squad; raw damage reaches only about 5% of the hardest-hitting trio in the roster. Budget note: every hero in this lineup can be completed without spending.

5. 25 FMB War Lord · Rozen Blade · Cao Cao Starter Beats 0 of 8 reference lineups 74.08/100 out of 100 ⇗
   War Lord (cavalry · S03), Rozen Blade (cavalry · S03) and Cao Cao (footmen · S01) score 74.08 out of 100 together, and each of the three has a job.

   War Lord is the multiplier, raising what the other two put out rather than adding a number of its own: carries 45% of damage amplification across its kit, and takes the front on purpose: this kit feeds on being attacked, and the front is where the attacks are. Rozen Blade is the lock: every squad silenced or suppressed is a turn the enemy plan does not happen — Blitz applies Suppress for 1 round on a 30% roll, and sits in the middle, where the support reaches both the front and the back. Cao Cao is the saboteur, stripping the enemy's stats before the blows land: raises what enemies take by 151% across its kit, and stays in the back, out of the enemy's easy reach, and those range-5 skills lose nothing for it. The lineup works because War Lord’s War God Descends produces trigger-rate boosts, the exact trigger Cao Cao’s Big Dipper and Rozen Blade’s Blitz both wait on; Rozen Blade’s Blitz applies Suppress and takes a squad out of the fight for 1 round, so Cao Cao swings into a line that cannot answer; War Lord raises Cao Cao’s output directly rather than adding a number of its own. What you give up: raw damage reaches only about 3% of the hardest-hitting trio in the roster; Cao Cao (S01) is the era weak point -- the enemy will aim at the oldest squad. Budget note: every hero in this lineup can be completed without spending.

6. 26 FMB War Lord · The Boneless · Cao Cao Starter Beats 0 of 8 reference lineups 74.07/100 out of 100 ⇗
   War Lord (cavalry · S03), The Boneless (cavalry · S00) and Cao Cao (footmen · S01) score 74.07 out of 100 together, and each of the three has a job.

   War Lord is the multiplier, raising what the other two put out rather than adding a number of its own: carries 45% of damage amplification across its kit, and takes the front on purpose: this kit feeds on being attacked, and the front is where the attacks are. The Boneless is the lock: every squad silenced or suppressed is a turn the enemy plan does not happen — Hack and Slash applies Disarm on a 50% roll, and sits in the middle, where the support reaches both the front and the back. Cao Cao is the saboteur, stripping the enemy's stats before the blows land: raises what enemies take by 151% across its kit, and stays in the back, out of the enemy's easy reach, and those range-5 skills lose nothing for it. The lineup works because War Lord’s War God Descends produces trigger-rate boosts, the exact trigger Cao Cao’s Big Dipper and The Boneless’s Hanashi both wait on; The Boneless’s Hack and Slash applies Disarm and takes a squad out of the fight, so Cao Cao swings into a line that cannot answer; War Lord raises Cao Cao’s output directly rather than adding a number of its own. What you give up: raw damage reaches only about 4% of the hardest-hitting trio in the roster; The Boneless (S00) is the era weak point -- the enemy will aim at the oldest squad. Budget note: every hero in this lineup can be completed without spending.

7. 29 FMB War Lord · Demon Spear · Cao Cao Starter Beats 0 of 8 reference lineups 73.63/100 out of 100 ⇗
   War Lord (cavalry · S03), Demon Spear (footmen · S00) and Cao Cao (footmen · S01) score 73.63 out of 100 together, and each of the three has a job.

   War Lord is the multiplier, raising what the other two put out rather than adding a number of its own: carries 45% of damage amplification across its kit, and takes the front on purpose: this kit feeds on being attacked, and the front is where the attacks are. Demon Spear is the lock: every squad silenced or suppressed is a turn the enemy plan does not happen — Tamashi kari applies Silence for 1 round on a 85% roll, and sits in the middle, the deepest row those range-2 skills still fire from. Cao Cao is the saboteur, stripping the enemy's stats before the blows land: raises what enemies take by 151% across its kit, and stays in the back, out of the enemy's easy reach, and those range-5 skills lose nothing for it. The lineup works because War Lord’s War God Descends produces trigger-rate boosts, the exact trigger Cao Cao’s Big Dipper and Demon Spear’s Moshitate both wait on; Demon Spear’s Tamashi kari applies Silence and takes a squad out of the fight for 1 round, so Cao Cao swings into a line that cannot answer; War Lord raises Cao Cao’s output directly rather than adding a number of its own. What you give up: raw damage reaches only about 4% of the hardest-hitting trio in the roster; Cao Cao (S01) is the era weak point -- the enemy will aim at the oldest squad. Budget note: every hero in this lineup can be completed without spending.

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