Kingshot Hero Tier List: Best Gen 1 and Gen 2 Heroes for Each Mode

If you’ve been grinding your way through Kingshot, you already know that heroes are the backbone of everything, whether you're storming Suppression, clearing Expedition maps, or just trying to stay competitive on your server.

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But here’s the thing most beginners don’t realize until it’s too late: investing in the wrong hero early on can seriously mess with your long-term progress.

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You pour resources into someone who feels powerful for the first few weeks… and suddenly, newer heroes drop, your server advances a generation, and boom... they’re obsolete.

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That’s why we put together this Kingshot hero tier list, not just to say who’s "good" or "bad," but to help you understand when each hero is worth investing in, how long they'll stay relevant, and what modes they truly shine in.

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Let’s dive in…

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Why Your Server Generation Changes Everything

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One of the trickiest things about Kingshot is that the meta isn’t global—it’s server-specific. The age of your server determines which heroes are even available to you.

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That means a hero that dominates a server under 40 days old (aka Generation 1) might not even be in the lineup for someone who started a few months later.

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As a general rule, new heroes become available about every 80 days, give or take, depending on the pace of Lucky Wheels and events.

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That means your server's generation affects everything: which heroes you can unlock, which lineups make sense, and which builds are just wishful thinking.

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So before you dump shards, gear, or gems into a shiny new unit, always ask yourself: how long will this hero actually stay relevant?

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Generation 1 Heroes in Kingshot: Your Starting Lineup

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When you first start the game, you’ll have access to a small batch of heroes, mostly from Generation 1. Some of them are great short-term picks. A few even have staying power. But most will eventually fall off as your server evolves and stronger units come into play.

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Take Amadeus, for example. On paper, he’s a monster, a Legendary Infantry tank with serious potential. But here’s the catch: his real power is locked behind high VIP levels and shard investment.

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For casual or free-to-play players, unlocking him early is a trap. It looks like a shortcut, but you’ll hit a wall fast.

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Jabel is another early standout. You get her just for logging in during your first week, and she’s absolutely solid at the beginning. She brings stuns, buffs, and decent damage to the table... everything you want in early Suppression and even some Expedition fights.

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But don’t get too comfortable... Once newer generations kick in, her stats just won’t scale enough to keep up.

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Then there’s Helga, the hero tied to your first purchase. If you’re planning to spend a little, she gives you a strong start. She’s sturdy, reliable, and performs well in early Suppression. But again, she’s not a forever hero. She’ll start to fall off once your server matures and you unlock better infantry units.

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The Heroes You Might Want to Invest In (But Read the Fine Print)

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Some of the other Generation 1 heroes are less flashy but still serve a purpose, especially in niche modes or for passive boosts in Expedition.

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Howard is a great example. He’s not going to carry your team, but he can soak up damage and reduce incoming hits, which makes him a decent meatshield in Suppression.

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Quinn, on the other hand, is more of a glass cannon. He dishes out solid damage early on, especially in Suppression, and is relatively easy to build.

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Then there are heroes like Saul and Diana. They don’t shine in combat, but they offer long-term Expedition benefits that quietly stack up over time. Saul’s construction boost and Diana’s stamina cost reduction make them worth awakening if you're in it for the long haul.

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Same goes for Edwin, Seth, Olive, and Forrest as they’re more about passive income and utility than raw power.

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Just be careful not to fall into the trap of thinking every Legendary is worth building. Chenko, for instance, sounds exciting at first but doesn’t scale well and drops off hard.

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Same goes for Gordon and Olive. They have niche uses early on, but don’t expect them to carry you past your first month.

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Generation 2 Heroes in Kingshot (Server Age ≥ 40 Days)

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Once your server hits around 40 days of age, a fresh wave of legends drops, and they’ll redefine every mode you thought you’d mastered.

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Gen 2 heroes bring next-level damage, control, and support, but just like Gen 1, some outshine others depending on your team and playstyle.

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On paper, Zoe is your dream infantry: Legendary rarity, rock-solid tank stats, and built-in AoE bursts. In Suppression she soaks up hits that’d crumble most tanks, then ripples out damage to finish off waves.

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On Expedition runs she’s just as deadly, so ideal for clearing clustered resource nodes fast. But the catch is that she demands solid gear to hit her stride.

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Then, Marlin is the crowd-control king of Gen 2 archers. His hooks and splash shots turn Suppression waves into punchlines. Expedition can feel a bit RNG (his stun procs aren’t guaranteed), but when they land, you’ll melt through camps like butter. If you want raw backline DPS plus utility, Marlin is your pull.

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And last, if you need cavalry that heals your flank and charges the field, Hilde brings built-in heals to keep your mounts (and your march) alive. In Suppression she’s a clutch sustain hero; on resource maps those heals can swing close calls into clean sweeps. Her proc rates aren’t 100 %, but the uptime you do get is massive.

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Best Kingshot Heroes by Game Mode

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Now that you’ve seen Gen 1 and Gen 2, here’s how to mix-and-match them for each core mode. We’ve listed the top picks from both generations, with “must-build” in bold.

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1. Suppression (PvE combat-focused):

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• Jabel – Excellent control with stuns and solid team buffs.

• Zoe (Gen 2) – Next-level tank bursts: soaks hits then ripples out AoE pain.

• Helga – Tough and reliable frontliner for tanking multiple waves.

• Quinn – Great burst damage for faster clears if you gear him early.

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2. Expedition (resource-focused, passive bonuses):

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• Saul – Offers a construction speed boost that helps with base growth.

• Diana – Her passive reduces stamina costs, letting you cover more ground.
  

• Marlin (Gen 2) – AoE clears on nodes when his crowd-control procs land.

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3. Exploration (PvE with strategic troop synergy):

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• Howard – Can tank and reduce incoming damage effectively.

• Quinn – Still useful for early burst-heavy strategies.

• Hilde (Gen 2) – Cavalry heals keep your march alive in close fights.

• Jabel – Stuns help with tricky encounters that require control.

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If you want to maximize efficiency, build your early-game team around Jabel, Helga, and Quinn, then layer in Expedition passives with Diana or Saul as soon as you can awaken them... plus your new Gen 2 carries for next-level impact.

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We’ll be expanding this hero tier list soon with even more Gen 2 meta picks and the best heroes from later generations as your server evolves.

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What This All Means for Your Hero Strategy

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If there’s one golden rule in Kingshot, it’s this: plan beyond the next 40 days. A hero looking unstoppable today can be outshined by Gen 2 or Gen 3 legends tomorrow.

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Some heroes earn lifetime respect thanks to game-changing passives or multi-mode flexibility. And others are burst-only tools. They are perfect for a fast boost, but not worth dumping your entire resource stash into.

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Early-game stalwarts remain Jabel, Helga, and Quinn as they are easy to build, have massive impact in Suppression, and still useful in Expedition or Exploration.

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Mid-to-late-game carries now include Zoe, Marlin, and Hilde. They’ll redefine your frontlines and backlines once you hit Generation 2.

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Everyone else? Yup, welcome them into your roster, but don’t level them beyond what they bring to your current modes or you’ll waste shards and gear that’d be better spent elsewhere.

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And if you’re planning to spend, be smart about it. Some of the early “Legendary” packs look tempting, but they’re often low ROI unless you’re going all-in on VIP. The smartest Kingshot players are the ones who plan builds with server growth in mind.

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Maximize Your Hero Power & Save on Kingshot Upgrades with Packsify

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Building the perfect hero squad in Kingshot isn’t just about picking the right units. It’s about leveling them up fast, unlocking exclusive gear, and staying ahead of the competition as your server evolves.

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Whether you’re grinding through Suppression, leading Expedition squads, or optimizing for resource income, having high-tier heroes fully upgraded makes a massive difference.

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But let’s be real: upgrading your squad can get pricey fast.

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That’s where Packsify comes in.

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Instead of paying full price in-game, you can save up to 35% on Kingshot top-ups with Packsify.

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That means more hero shards, faster awakenings, and better gear without draining your wallet.

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• Level up your top-tier heroes faster without grinding for days.
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If you're serious about building the best lineup for your server generation, there's no smarter way to top up…

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