Last War Best F2P Tank Squad Guide 2026: Max Damage Formation

Hey there, commanders! If you’re reading this, you’re probably tired of watching your damage numbers tickle the Code Boss while other players in your alliance are pulling millions. Trust me, I’ve been there. Now, I’ve cracked the code on how to maximize your damage as a F2P tank main.

Here’s the thing most players get wrong: that full UR squad you’ve been running for PvP? It’snotwhat you want for boss fights. When you’re up against Code 64, Code 30-something, or Code 80-something, your goal isn’t survival—it’s raw, unadulterated damage. And that means rethinking everything you know about team composition.

Let’s dive in.

Understanding the Code Boss Meta

Before we get into specific lineups, let’s talk about what makes Code Boss fights different from everything else in Last War.

In PvP, you need balance—a tanky frontline, solid DPS, maybe some sustain. In boss fights? Every hero that isn’t contributing damage is a wasted slot.That means saying goodbye to pure defenders who don’t pack a punch. I’m looking at you, Murphy .

The other key factor? Troop type bonuses matter more than you think. Running 5 tanks gives you a juicy +20% HP, Attack, and Defense boost . But sometimes, breaking that bonus for the right hero actually increases your overall damage output. It’s about knowing when to stick to type and when to splash.

Also worth noting: troop type match ups play a role here. Tanks deal 20% bonus damage to Missile Vehicles . Keep this in mind when you’re picking your targets!

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The F2P Tank Core: Heroes You MUST Build

Every F2P tank player needs to understand which heroes are non-negotiable investments. Here’s your priority list:

Kimberly – The Damage Queen

If you only invest in one hero, make it Kimberly. She’s the undisputed queen of area damage in Last War . Her third skill unleashes devastating AoE that can shred boss adds and chunk the main target. Plus, her Exclusive Weapon provides a 10% base stat boost per level that scales through her entire kit .

Investment priority: MAXIMUM. Every universal gold shard goes to Kim until she’s at least 4 stars .

Marshall – Your Team Force Multiplier

Here’s a hero that often gets overlooked by new players. Marshall isn’t a traditional tank—he’s a damage amplifier. His second skill increases the attack of your entire squad for 8 seconds . When you’re trying to burst down a boss in a limited time window, this buff is absolutely massive .

Investment priority: HIGH. Level him alongside Kimberly.

Mason – The Early Game King with UR Potential

Mason starts as an impressive early-game damage dealer who can outshine even legendary heroes in the beginning . But here’s where it gets interesting: when you promote him from SSR to UR in Season 1, he becomes significantly stronger .

That said, if you already have Kimberly and DVA built, Mason becomes less critical. He’s a fantastic budget option, but don’t feel obligated to UR him if your other carries are ahead.

Murphy – Your Reliable Defender

Murphy brings excellent defensive capabilities and is very F2P-friendly . He buffs your front-row heroes against physical damage, which is valuable in boss fights where you’re running an off-type hero that needs protection.

Base Tank Formation: The Foundation

Here’s your starting point for any Code Boss fight. This formation works well against both Tank and Aircraft Code bosses:

Why this works: Marshall’s damage buff benefits everyone, DVA brings her devastating single-target burst , and Kimberly handles the wave clear and consistent damage. Murphy gives you just enough survivability to keep everyone alive through the fight.

The DVA question: You might be wondering—why run DVA in a tank squad? She’s an Aircraft hero, so you lose your 5-tank bonus. Here’s the deal: DVA’s single-target damage is so exceptional that it’s worth sacrificing the 20% bonus . Her precision targeting makes her the ultimate boss killer. Once her Exclusive Weapon is unlocked, she becomes even more deadly.

Missile Code Boss (Code 64): The Adam Tech

When you’re facing Code 64 (the Missile boss), things change slightly. This is where Adam comes into play.

Why Adam?

Adam’s second skill, “Counter Defense,” puts him into a counterattack state. When he has4 stars or more, the skill text reads: “The units in the first row” receive the counterattack benefit . That means if you position him correctly, he can massively boost your frontline’s damage output through counterattacks.

Here’s the lineup for Code 64:

Positioning is key: Adam goes in the back row, but his skill affects your frontline. The counterattacks from your front row heroes add significant damage over the course of the fight.

Alternative approach: If you don’t have Adam built, you can run a 4+1 formation with DVA instead. The damage is still solid—just not as optimized for Missile bosses specifically.

Season 3+ Ultimate Tank Formation

Once you hit Season 3, everything changes. Scarlett upgrades to UR, and she becomes an absolute monster for tank formations . This is the definitive F2P tank squad for Code bosses:

For Aircraft Code bosses in Season 3, swap Kimberly out for another DPS option like Tesla or keep the same setup depending on your specific damage needs.

Scarlett’s UR promotion makes her competitive with top-tier heroes . For F2P players who have been patiently building her, Season 3 is your payoff moment. She brings both durability and damage, letting you maintain type bonuses while still pushing high numbers.

Budget Alternatives While You Build

Not everyone has all these heroes at 4+ stars. Here’s what to use while you’re working toward the meta teams:

• Marshall– Already mentioned, but worth repeating. He works inanyformation .
• Scarlett (pre-UR)– A solid budget tank for early game .
• Mason– Strong early-game damage dealer .
• Monica– Pure support with healing. Great for early to mid-game sustain .

Resource Management for F2P Players

Here’s the hard truth: as a F2P player, you can’t build everyone. You need to be strategic about where your resources go.

Priority Order:

• Kimberly to 5 stars– She’s your main carry. Nothing else matters until she’s maxed .
• Marshall to 4 stars– His damage buff scales with stars .
• DVA investment– Start building her on the side. You’ll accumulate her shards through Tavern pulls .
• Murphy and Williams– Use their specific shards from stores, not universal ones .

Ghost Operations and Events

Don’t sleep on Ghost Operations when they become available (around day 200). They’re a fantastic source of hero shards for locked heroes you don’t own yet . Also, Thursday operations can give you shards for heroes even if you haven’t unlocked them .

Skill Upgrade Priority

For support heroes like Marshall, prioritize their active skills first. For damage dealers like Kimberly and DVA, focus on their passive skills that scale damage .

Common Mistakes F2P Players Make

Let me save you some pain by pointing out the traps I’ve seen (and fallen into myself):

❌ Spreading resources too thin

You don’t need 10 decent heroes. You needone killer squad. Focus everything on your top 5 .

❌ Ignoring Marshall

“He’s just a support” – I’ve heard this a hundred times. Then people finally build him and wonder why their damage suddenly spiked .

❌ Forgetting to check tier updates

The meta shifts. What was S-tier last month might be B-tier now . Stay informed.

❌ Sticking rigidly to 5 of the same type

Sometimes breaking the bonus for DVA is the right call. Don’t let perfectionism hurt your damage.

Which Formation Should You Use?

Here’s my recommendation based on where you are in the game:

Test them yourself!

Final Thoughts

Building a boss-killing tank squad as a F2P player isn’t about having the flashiest UR heroes—it’s about synergy, smart investments, and understanding the mechanics of each Code fight.

Now go melt some Code Bosses, commander.

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Savannah Reed Experienced Game Editor

Savannah Reed is a senior game editor at LDShop.gg, specializing in in-depth coverage of RPG and strategy games. With a strong focus on titles like Wuthering Waves, Honkai: Star Rail and Whiteout Survival, she combines industry insight with firsthand player experience to deliver clear, informative, and actionable content. Her work is dedicated to helping gamers make smarter decisions—whether it’s understanding new updates or optimizing their in-game strategy.