Squad compositions (SoW1)

This guide gives information on how to form squads with a certain role on the battlefield. This can either be normal roles, such as tanking, attacking or special purposes.

Surrender squads

For this type of squad, the artifact Skull of Rowdain is of high importance. There are few other squad compositions available without the artifact, which are also able to fulfill that roll, but the amount of surrenders are significantly lower. Especially in the first playthrough, it might be hard to have squad leader available with the desired traits.

Skull of Rowdain squads

There is either the option to make a tank-like squad, which can be used to catch two-four attacks per enemy phase or to use an attack squad, to deal the maximum amount of damage in a single encounter. Though the direct penalties and the penalties applied by morale are significant decreasing combat potential, it can increase surrenders and thus resulting in more money and techpoints considerable.

Attack squads

For an attack squad, one option is a squad led by Beatrix and three dragon riders, in order to make her squad a flying unit. The front row is filled with dragons, while the rear has Beatrix and two healers. The artifacts should be Skull of Rowdain, Jade Figurine and a third artifact of choose. This can be Landis's Fixed Dice for more loot, Cyrene's Regalia for more magic and HP. Soha's Blood Shard can also be used for more strength and magic (+15), but the squad will lose hp when they are not used.

Another option is to use a cannon squad for this role, which should at least have six cannons or even nine cannons. This squad can attack from 2-4 range and should be out of harm's way. This setup also is less harmed by the penalties, with only skill and hp penalties being significant. If picking Field Cannons for this squad, it can also be cavalry squad and have more movement as well. Field Cannons are slightly less powerful than Siege Cannons. The artifacts should be Skull of Rowdain and Jade Figurine.

A third option (untested) is a light (cavalry) squad and combining it with the Aetherium Gemstone. This will increase SKL, at the expense of magic. With the gemstone lowering the magic stat to zero, the only units for this squad are heavy and light infantry or cavalry. By making the squad a light unit, it can take advantage of ambush, which allows the squad to attack two after each other and only suffering one counterattack if possible. The Skill bonus will also further increase their dodging abilities. The front row should consists of a Sentinel, Samurai and a third unit of choose. The back can be filled with Assassin/Thief, archers and Rangers and Swordmasters. For healing, one should resort to Everlasting Potion, Belinda's Field Kit or Soha's Blood Shard. Traits for specific units can also work, such as Assasin's Reaper and Bloodlust.

The leader can have traits, such as Treasure Hunter and Garrison. Artifacts used should be Skull of Rowdain, Aetherium Gemstone, Jade Figurine or the mentioned three healing artifact.

Defense squads

The leader for this setup should either be a Valkyrie, Mage or Stefan with the traits of Treasure Hunter and Counterattack for more damage on defense. In case of not picking a Valkyrie as leader, swap either a cannon or a mage for the healer. This squad is better of with the highest quality available, thus it may require reoganising a few squads to reallocate the best units. The best use of this squad is to let them tank two-four attacks per phase. For more turns, you are better of with on uncompromised tank.

The front row should be a Sentinel, Valkyrie and a Champion. In case of more offense is needed, the sentinel can be replaced by a Samurai or Centurion. The second row can be either two Siege Cannons ore one cannon and mage. Third slot is for the Oracle. In the rear, place the leader, along with a Dark Mage. The final unit of the squad can be a Sorceress. The sorceress is able to daze (lower damage) or stun characters, while the dark mage can curse enemies, which will lower healing potential of the enemy squad significantly or by about 90%.

The artifacts used, should be Skull of Rowdain, Cloak of Cunning and Excalibur to counter a few penalties of the skull. The sword can also be swapped for Balmung, though this does lower health quite some.

Special purpose squads

Dragon raiser

The role of dragon raiser can be fulfilled by a squad led by Abigayle, who has the unique trait Dragon Affinity, which increases class experience for the dragon classes.

Heavy infantry with light infantry skills

Though seeming odd, its possible to create (heavy) infanty with light infantry, though the usage of artifacts. These artifacts are:

• Guerilla Armor
• Eskandar's Karambit
• Shadowchaser Boots