Conquest Battle Strategies

Conquest Battles are pivotal moments in your journey through Ancient Greece, allowing you to shift the balance of power between Athens and Sparta. Mastering these large-scale engagements is crucial for completing quests, earning valuable rewards, and experiencing some of the game's most epic combat. This guide will equip you with the knowledge and tactics to dominate any Conquest Battle, whether you're fighting for the attackers or the defenders.

Understanding the Basics

Before diving into specific strategies, let's recap the core mechanics:

Objective: Deplete the enemy army's morale bar to zero.
Morale Depletion: This is achieved by defeating enemy soldiers, especially Captains and Commanders, and by completing bonus objectives.
Player Health: Your health bar is critical. If it drops to zero, you'll be revived, but it costs a significant chunk of your army's morale. Avoid dying!
Reinforcements: Both sides receive reinforcements throughout the battle. Focus on high-value targets to make your efforts count.

Pre-Battle Preparation: Maximizing Your Chances

Success in a Conquest Battle begins long before the first sword is drawn. Strategic preparation can turn the tide in your favor.

Gear and Engravings

Warrior Builds: Prioritize gear with Warrior Damage, Crit Chance, and Crit Damage engravings. The Spartan War Hero Set or the Athenian War Hero Set (depending on your allegiance or preference) are excellent choices for their Warrior-focused bonuses.
Weapon Choice: A fast weapon like a sword or dagger is great for clearing out fodder, while a heavy blunt or axe can stun and deal massive damage to Captains. Consider equipping a secondary weapon for versatility.
Engravings for Survivability: Don't neglect defensive engravings. "Health per Hit" or "Damage Resistance" can be lifesavers when you're surrounded.

Abilities and Adrenaline Management

Must-Have Warrior Abilities:
- Second Wind: Absolutely essential for healing in the thick of combat. Max this out early.
- Overpower Attacks: Your primary tool for dealing massive damage to Captains and Commanders. Ensure you have enough Adrenaline segments to use it frequently.
- Battlecry of Ares: Provides a temporary damage boost and makes you invulnerable. Use it strategically when facing multiple elites or when your health is low.
- Ring of Chaos: Excellent for crowd control, knocking back groups of enemies and creating breathing room.
Hunter/Assassin Abilities (Situational): While primarily a Warrior affair, a well-placed "Devastating Shot" or "Hero Strike" can quickly eliminate a troublesome Captain from a distance or in a pinch.
Adrenaline Management: Focus on abilities and gear that generate Adrenaline quickly. Landing critical hits and parries are great ways to build it up.

In-Battle Tactics: Dominating the Field

Once the battle begins, your actions will directly impact the outcome. Prioritize targets and adapt to the flow of combat.

Target Prioritization

Your primary goal is to deplete the enemy morale bar. This is best achieved by focusing on high-value targets:

Captains and Commanders: These are your top priority. Each one you defeat significantly drains the enemy's morale. They are marked with a distinct icon above their heads (often a skull or a star). Use Overpower Attacks and Battlecry of Ares to dispatch them quickly.
Elite Soldiers: Stronger than regular grunts, these soldiers (often marked with a silver or gold health bar) also contribute more to morale depletion.
Regular Soldiers: While important for building Adrenaline and clearing space, don't get bogged down fighting endless waves of basic enemies if Captains are present.

Navigating the Battlefield

Stay Mobile: Don't stand still. Use dodges and parries to avoid damage and reposition yourself.
Utilize High Ground: If available, sometimes retreating to a slightly elevated position can give you a momentary advantage, allowing you to pick off archers or regroup.
Avoid Getting Surrounded: Use abilities like Ring of Chaos to create space. If you're overwhelmed, disengage briefly to heal with Second Wind or reposition.

Dealing with Specific Threats

Heavy Soldiers: These armored foes are resistant to normal attacks. Use Overpower Attacks or break their guard with heavy attacks and parries.
Spearmen: Their long reach can be annoying. Dodge into their attacks to get behind them or parry their thrusts.
Archers: While not a primary threat, a group of archers can whittle down your health. If they become a nuisance, quickly eliminate them with a few ranged attacks or a well-timed charge.

Special Conquest Battle Scenarios

Some Conquest Battles have unique elements that require specific approaches.

The Battle of Pylos (Main Quest)

This particular battle against the Peloponnesian forces introduces a unique enemy: the Athenian Elite Archers and a powerful Spartan Polemarch. Your primary objective here is to protect Brasidas.

Protecting Brasidas: Keep an eye on Brasidas's health bar. If he falls, you fail the mission. Stay close to him and prioritize any enemies that target him.
Athenian Elite Archers: These archers deal significant damage. Use your bow to quickly eliminate them, especially those on elevated positions, before they can harm Brasidas or yourself.
Spartan Polemarch: This is a tough opponent. Engage him with your strongest Warrior abilities. Use Overpower Attacks and Battlecry of Ares. If Brasidas is engaged with him, you can use that as an opportunity for a few free hits.

The Final Push (Main Quest)

This battle is crucial for the main storyline and involves a large-scale assault on Athens. The key here is sustained pressure and managing multiple high-value targets.

Constant Aggression: The enemy morale bar in this battle often feels like it's regenerating quickly. Maintain constant pressure by moving from one Captain/Commander to the next.
Focus on Commanders: There will be multiple Commanders present. Prioritize them as they deplete morale the fastest.
Use the Environment: Look for opportunities to use environmental hazards if any are present, though these battles are usually straightforward brawls.

Post-Battle Rewards

Upon successfully winning a Conquest Battle, you'll receive:

Drachmae: A significant amount of currency.
Experience Points: Crucial for leveling up.
Gear: Often includes epic or legendary items, sometimes from specific sets.
Influence: For the faction you fought for, which can lead to discounts at merchants.

By following these detailed strategies, you'll be well-equipped to turn the tide in any Conquest Battle and emerge victorious, solidifying your legend as a true Greek hero.