Since Game of War released on July 25, 2013, Wonder strategy has experienced limited changes. The most recent notable change is “Wonder Only” items and the ban of solo marches at the Super Wonder, reducing lag from 10 minutes to 10 seconds.
The recent research tree Runes, Wonder core set Aether, and Unbreakable Health Gem Set have significantly changed the requirements to battle for the Wonder and Super Wonder.
A Brief History of GoW Wonder Strategy
If you are fairly new to Game of War and have filled a rally at the wonder, then you know to send an even mix of six or nine troop types with an even mix of Infantry, Ranged and Cavalry. However, once upon a time the Wonder was a little trickier. Early on we didn’t even have core sets. Actually, we didn’t even have cores. In the early days we used normal hero level 50 gear which no one would even dream of using now. Then Ancient Relics were released, and those were huge upgrades over normal gear. These relics were similar to cores having a limited time use. Now the Wonder has developed into what we see today where players only use core sets.
Odin and Orion core sets provided specific attack debuff that opened up a bit more strategy than just sending even mixed troop rallies to Wonder. These sets were missile/wonder holding hybrids that added some much welcomed layers of strategy to Wonder fights. However, lately its been an even mix of hitting the wonder and praying that your boosts were better than the other guys. At the Super Wonder, for instance, the weekend is spent setting, hitting, pulling, pray your hero returns.
Runes Research Tree Decisively Changes Wonder Strength
The Runes Research Tree adds significant strength to your rally at Wonder. Like most other research it’s a requirement to be a formidable fighter at Wonder.
Why are Runes so strong?
The Runes Research Tree provides 20,000% health and defense while defending or attacking the wonder (upon first release of the tree it only applied to defense). With the boost from Altar skills you are talking 36,000% health and defense.
Initially, when Runes were first released they created a new style of play for the Wonder similar to King of the Mountain, once you were at the top (holding the Wonder) you had a huge advantage because bonuses only applied to defense..
In the following illustrations you see how Runes Wonder Health and Defense worked upon release. However, these have been changed to include “while rallying” in addition to “while defending.”
Runes Research Strength Battle Tested
When I first completed this tree I didn’t think much about these two categories. I assumed it meant I’d gain more health and defense while at the Wonder, similar to many of the other research categories typically found when doing a new research tree. However, when I stepped into the next kill event I soon realized what sort of impact these categories would have on Wonder fights.
Runes Tree Pre-Update Defense vs Offense
When I was on defense and took a rally we defeated the enemy overwhelmingly. At first I assumed he hadn’t bothered setting up his building boosts as Stronghold 27-30 had just been released a few days prior. So, we decided to take the show on the road. We ported to another kingdom wonder that was busier.
At the time, I had maxed research and 44 million rally size, and the enemy I set on had a very similar build. So I set a rally on the wonder and here is the result:
I suffer 33M deaths to only 19M kills.
This report shocks my alliance! No one has beaten us that badly ever LOL! Ok, maybe when I forgot to put my hero in or something… Then I had an ah-ha moment. The Runes research tree contains a couple research categories of Wonder Health and Defense that say “while defending” only. Well, we now know what that means.
Runes Pre-update Defense
“Congrats Runes Research Tree,” I wrote to defender in a mail. He disagreed and said his barracks boosts were superior.
Really dude? You maxed your Barracks to 30 and boosted them before maxing out Hall of War? Sure. I’m not buying it.
So, eventually he pulled out of the Wonder to reset his Kingdom Warrant. I got in there and he came back to set. This time I’m defending. Same rally leader’s fighting only switched positions attacking /defending. The following is the battle report:
This time I lose only 19M troops and get 28M kills.
Just as I suspected. Even after his alliance sent numerous solo marches to reduce our numbers in the Wonder, we crushed his rally while defending thanks to the insane boosts that Runes Research Tree provided while defending the wonder ONLY.
So that night I slept in the Wonder in Pegasus with no problems. Players assumed it was buggy Wonder’s during the kill event and just gave up rallying them. They couldn’t come close to kicking opposing rally leader’s out. In part that talk prompted me to write this article.
RUNES RESEARCH TREE now includes “while rallying” Health and Defense!
The following images show that Runes Wonder and Rally Troop Health and Defense now includes both Rallying or Defending Wonder:
Wonder Only Core Set Bonuses
After the kill event, I suspected to see a new research tree or wonder core set providing some attack relief! How else are we to knock the defending wonder rally out if they are rocking 36,000% health and defense that we can’t use?
Well, the following Wednesday, Game of War updated the Runes tree to include “while rallying”. Wonder fighters now have same stats whether attacking or defending from Runes tree.
The Aether Core Set provides “Wonder only stats”. However, the bonuses are “Wonder Health.” So, based on the change we saw to Runes tree, it appears Game of War is balancing Wonder when attacking or defending. This set DOES NOT improve the defending rally leader’s ability to defend a Wonder. However, it does reduce the effectiveness of using this set for Health Trapping.
Wonder Only Gem Sets
Gem Sets enter the Wonder Only stats business. Unbreakable Health Gem Set provides “Health at Wonder” bonus. We should assume this health applies while rallying or defending the Wonder.
Wonder Strategy Today
So, what does all this mean for fighters at the Wonder? Well, the obvious answer: Wonder fight’s must now use these Wonder-Only items to ensure they are on par with their opponent.
What do you think of this new direction of Wonder-only stats? Please leave a comment below.
Also, check out our video on Runes research tree!
