Wesley

## Summary

***"He drops a Cursed Lantern on the first crystal he touches"***

Wesley is the most recent hero to be added in game updates. Like Mason, his power is triggered by walking over a point, dropping a stationary object on it.

## Ability: Cursed Lantern

Wesley carries a lantern with a cursed spirit inside it. The spirit inside is hostile and deals damage to both allies & enemies alike - only Wesley and his squad are immune to the curses' effects.

## Upgrades

**Level 7: Slumbering Spirits**

The Lantern won't attack allies until awakened by an enemy presence.

**Level 17: Invisible Light**

The Lantern sees invisible units.

**Level 23: Spirit of Vengeance**

When Wesley dies, the Lantern Spirit escapes and attacks the closest unit. Wesley's squad units are immune.

**Level 32: Increasing Rage**

The Lantern fills with rage when there are no targets in range, making the next attack more & more powerful.

**Level 57: Fire Seal**

Defense only - Place the fire seal on another squad. That squad is immune to Wesley's Lantern.

## Strategy

Wesley's ability forces him to be used away from other squads for the majority of battles, as his ability causes harm to allies and enemies alike. However, this effect is extremely potent, and can greatly weaken the entire opposing force if unprepared.

Wesley's squad can't be near allied squads, but does enjoy other forms of assistance from allies such as Dyna's Beaker Bomb, Pepper's Fireball, and Freya's Icy Clutch to support him. If "Fire Seal" is unlocked, Iriel can reliably assist Wesley with her Falcon and not be damaged by the Lantern's Curse. Taigar also assists Wesley no matter where on the map thanks to her Sharpshooter ability.

Wesley's "Invisible Light" skill can allow him to catch opposing Baba on Attack from sneaking by and stealing an easy win if positioned properly. It also mitigates the damage bonus she gets on both Defense and Attack, as it breaks the Invisibility early. It also detects Sassan on Defense, however because he's ranged this is a negligible benefit.

While Wesley doesn't necessarily appreciate Sassan on the team, Wesley *is* a very strong candidate for Illusory Squad, as Wesley is often a squad that players want to avoid.

**On Defense:**

Serfs are a good option for Wesley, as they can engage multiple opposing squads & trap them into facing against the Lantern's Curse. With "Fire Seal" unlocked, Wesley can cover for an offensive squad as well such as Archers or Sentries.

Archers are another good choice for Wesley. Wesley runs out and begins attacking the opposing force while the squad begins attacking at a distance. Once Wesley dies, the Lantern Spirit rises and begins dealing heavy damage to the opposing force, providing another melee attacker while the Archers are still potentially dealing damage. Once "Fire Seal" is unlocked as well, an allied squad of Serfs or Soldiers can further increase the potency of this.

Knights with Wesley are useable, though difficult to use properly. They *can* prove threatening in a beach rush strategy, where Wesley himself charges the Attackers and causes the Lantern Spirit to rise & weaken the enemy quickly. It's difficult to properly flank with this squad however, as you don't want to get too close to allied squads for fear of the Lantern attacking your allies.

Sentries are a poor choice at the start. There is very little durability to the squad, and because it can't be easily supported it's not an efficient choice. It becomes a better option once "Fire Seal" is unlocked, since a squad of Serfs or Soldiers can body block for the squad.

Soldiers are a strong choice for Wesley, due to these troops being so efficient on their own. Their high Health, Armor, and Attack paired with the Lantern's Curse damage provides a painful squad to take down, even with little to no support.

Brutes are another strong choice for Wesley, if not the strongest. With incredible Health, Armor, and Attack stats paired with the ability to not be stunned, Wesley becomes a wrecking ball. This is compounded by the fact that Wesley has less Health than his squad, meaning he will likely die before them and the Lantern Spirit will start working alongside the squad.

**On Attack:**

Serfs are useable for Wesley on Attack, though not as effective as other options.

Archers are a poor choice with Wesley, as this squad typically likes to be supported while on the offensive and can't receive it due to the Lantern's Curse.

Knights are a good choice for attacking, as you can rush into a clustered group of enemies and allow the Lantern Spirit to come free & deal heavy damage. If the enemy is spread thin however, this becomes less effective.

Sentries are a bad unit with Wesley, as they can receive no support without damaging allies.

Soldiers are a strong unit on Attack. Their high Health, Armor, and Attack make them naturally good initiators. Paired with Wesley's Lantern, the effect is compounded.

Brutes with Wesley may be the strongest composition in the game. Incredible Health, Armor, and Attack, ignoring & *breaking* stuns & freeze effects, all while the Cursed Lantern tears through opposing forces makes for a very difficult beast to take down.