Desert Storm — Rise of Castles Combos

Most often ranked with Desert Storm

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

Isabella I

6 shared combos

Bleeding Steed

4 shared combos

Genghis Khan

4 shared combos

Cao Cao

4 shared combos

Demon Spear

3 shared combos

Jiguang Qi

3 shared combos

Soaring Hawk

2 shared combos

Ashoka

1 shared combo

Proven synergies

A different question from the grid above: not who Desert Storm is listed with, but whose kit the skill text says Desert Storm 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.

Frederick I

Not yet listed

Desert Storm supplies the combat-skill casts; Frederick I's Frenzy War feeds on them. Desert Storm's Endless Scorched Earth supplies the burns; Frederick I's Frenzy War feeds on them. No lineup around this pair clears the era and composition gates.

Isabella I

6 shared lineups

Desert Storm's Endless Scorched Earth supplies the burns; Isabella I's Everlasting Flame feeds on them.

Genghis Khan

4 shared lineups

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

Jiguang Qi

3 shared lineups

Desert Storm supplies the combat-skill casts; Jiguang Qi's Unyelding feeds on them.

Ashoka

1 shared lineup

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

Darius

Not yet listed

Desert Storm's Endless Scorched Earth supplies the poison and bleed states; Darius's King of all Kings feeds on them. Their strongest lineup together (Ashoka completing it) scores 72.20, below the last ranked seat in its tier (78.57).

Best Footmen combos with Desert Storm

Desert Storm appears in 14 ranked Footmen combos.

1. 21 FMB Ashoka · Desert Storm · Isabella I Mid progression Beats 2 of 8 reference lineups 79.34/100 out of 100 ⇗
   Ashoka (X14), Desert Storm (S04) and Isabella I (S01) score 79.34 out of 100 together, and each of the three has a job.

   Ashoka is the win condition, bringing 74% 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. 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. Isabella I adds a second source of control, so the lock rarely has an off round: Queen of the Storm applies Suppress on a 70% 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 Desert Storm’s Endless Scorched Earth produces burns, the exact trigger Isabella I’s Everlasting Flame waits on; Desert Storm produces combat-skill casts, the exact trigger Ashoka’s Bloodthirsty Ashoka waits on. What you give up: a mid-era lineup anchored by Ashoka (X14); raw damage reaches only about 26% of the hardest-hitting trio in the roster. Budget note: every hero in this lineup can be completed without spending.

2. 52 FMB Soaring Hawk · Dach Tengri · Desert Storm developer pick Mid progression Beats 0 of 8 reference lineups 61.42/100 out of 100 ⇗
   Soaring Hawk (S04), Dach Tengri (X02) and Desert Storm (S04) score 61.42 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. Dach Tengri is the second amplifier -- with two heroes raising the output, the carry hits far above its own numbers: carries 44% of damage amplification across its kit, and sits in the middle, where the support reaches both the front and the back. 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 stays in the back, out of the enemy's easy reach, and those range-5 skills lose nothing for it. The lineup works because Dach Tengri raises Soaring Hawk’s output directly rather than adding a number of its own. What you give up: no hero here feeds another one's trigger; raw damage reaches only about 6% of the hardest-hitting trio in the roster. 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. 1 FMB Desert Storm · Bleeding Steed · Genghis Khan Starter Beats 5 of 8 reference lineups 65.89/100 out of 100 ⇗
   Desert Storm (S04), Bleeding Steed (S03) and Genghis Khan (S01) score 65.89 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. 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. Genghis Khan is the win condition, bringing 69% of the lineup's expected damage: 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 Desert Storm produces combat-skill casts, the exact trigger Genghis Khan’s Fortune's Favor waits on; Bleeding Steed raises Genghis Khan’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; raw damage reaches only about 8% of the hardest-hitting trio in the roster. Budget note: every hero in this lineup can be completed without spending.

4. 2 FMB Isabella I · Bleeding Steed · Desert Storm Starter Beats 5 of 8 reference lineups 70.69/100 out of 100 ⇗
   Isabella I (S01), Bleeding Steed (S03) and Desert Storm (S04) score 70.69 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. 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 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; Bleeding Steed’s Stampeding Harras applies Confuse and takes a squad out of the fight for 2 rounds, so Isabella I swings into a line that cannot answer; Bleeding Steed raises Isabella I’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; raw damage reaches only about 7% of the hardest-hitting trio in the roster. Budget note: every hero in this lineup can be completed without spending.

5. 3 FMB Soaring Hawk · Bleeding Steed · Desert Storm developer pick Starter Beats 5 of 8 reference lineups 62.08/100 out of 100 ⇗
   Soaring Hawk (S04), Bleeding Steed (S03) and Desert Storm (S04) score 62.08 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. 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 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 Soaring Hawk swings into a line that cannot answer; Bleeding Steed raises Soaring Hawk’s output directly rather than adding a number of its own. What you give up: no hero here feeds another one's trigger; raw damage reaches only about 6% of the hardest-hitting trio in the roster. 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.

6. 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.

7. 21 FMB Desert Storm · Genghis Khan · Isabella I Starter Beats 1 of 8 reference lineups 67.12/100 out of 100 ⇗
   Desert Storm (S04), Genghis Khan (S01) and Isabella I (S01) score 67.12 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. Genghis Khan is the win condition, bringing 44% of the lineup's expected damage: 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. Isabella I adds a second source of control, so the lock rarely has an off round: Queen of the Storm applies Suppress on a 70% 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 Desert Storm’s Endless Scorched Earth produces burns, the exact trigger Isabella I’s Everlasting Flame waits on; Desert Storm 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; a mid-era lineup anchored by Desert Storm (S04). Budget note: every hero in this lineup can be completed without spending.

8. 22 FMB Desert Storm · Demon Spear · Genghis Khan Starter Beats 1 of 8 reference lineups 64.72/100 out of 100 ⇗
   Desert Storm (S04), Demon Spear (S00) and Genghis Khan (S01) score 64.72 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. Genghis Khan is the win condition, bringing 55% of the lineup's expected damage: 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 Desert Storm produces combat-skill casts, the exact trigger Genghis Khan’s Fortune's Favor waits on. What you give up: the trigger chain is thin — the three lean on one link rather than several; a mid-era lineup anchored by Desert Storm (S04). Budget note: every hero in this lineup can be completed without spending.

9. 23 FMB Isabella I · Demon Spear · Desert Storm Starter Beats 0 of 8 reference lineups 66.36/100 out of 100 ⇗
   Isabella I (S01), Demon Spear (S00) and Desert Storm (S04) score 66.36 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. 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. 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 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; Demon Spear’s Tamashi kari applies Silence and takes a squad out of the fight for 1 round, so Isabella I 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; raw damage reaches only about 9% of the hardest-hitting trio in the roster. Budget note: every hero in this lineup can be completed without spending.

10. 24 FMB Desert Storm · Genghis Khan · Jiguang Qi Starter Beats 0 of 8 reference lineups 64.64/100 out of 100 ⇗
    Desert Storm (S04), Genghis Khan (S01) and Jiguang Qi (S01) score 64.64 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. Genghis Khan is the win condition, bringing 52% of the lineup's expected damage: 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. 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 stays in the back, where the range-3 skills still touch the enemy front line. The lineup works because Desert Storm produces combat-skill casts, the exact trigger Genghis Khan’s Fortune's Favor and Jiguang Qi’s Unyelding both wait on. What you give up: Jiguang Qi (S01) is the era weak point -- the enemy will aim at the oldest squad; raw damage reaches only about 10% of the hardest-hitting trio in the roster. Budget note: every hero in this lineup can be completed without spending.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 28 FMB Desert Storm · Isabella I · Jiguang Qi Starter Beats 0 of 8 reference lineups 67.23/100 out of 100 ⇗
    Desert Storm (S04), Isabella I (S01) and Jiguang Qi (S01) score 67.23 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. Isabella I adds a second source of control, so the lock rarely has an off round: Queen of the Storm applies Suppress on a 70% roll, and sits in the middle, where the support reaches both the front and the back. 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 stays in the back, where the range-3 skills still touch the enemy front line. The lineup works because Desert Storm’s Endless Scorched Earth produces burns, the exact trigger Isabella I’s Everlasting Flame waits on; Desert Storm produces combat-skill casts, the exact trigger Jiguang Qi’s Unyelding waits on. What you give up: Jiguang Qi (S01) is the era weak point -- the enemy will aim at the oldest squad; raw damage reaches only about 10% of the hardest-hitting trio in the roster. Budget note: every hero in this lineup can be completed without spending.

14. 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.

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