Mercenaries are specialized troops used for attack, defense, Control Point, as well as gathering. Each of the Mercenaries comes with its set of stats and attributes. Mercenaries work in tandem. They benefit from one another—knowledge and comprehension of how the mercenaries function is critical to your success in the game.
In this guide, we will cover:
- Mercenary Portal and Training Camp
- Where to reduce the cost of Mercenary Promotion
- Each Mercenary Troop, along with their strengths and weaknesses
- Special Thanks
- What to Read Next?
- Latest Guides and updates at WWR Command
- Join our Conversation!
Firstly, let’s go over what the Mercenary Portal and Training Camp is along with their purposes.
Disclaimer: Some of the benefits mentioned below may have been nerfed or adjusted over time.
Mercenary Portal
Your Mercenaries can be trained through the Mercenary Portal once they are unlocked through various Mercenary Research. Inside the building, you will see the Mercenaries available to train after being opened from the Research Facility. The building also provides additional benefits such as Mercenary Troop Capacity and Troop Training Capacity.
Mercenary Troop Capacity is the maxed allowed of Mercenaries you can hold within your Base.
The Mercenary Troop Training Capacity is the number of Mercenaries you can train at a time.
Your Mercenaries will require Mercenary Rations, Food, and the corresponding Token that matches the Mercenary you’d wish to train to train your Mercenaries.
After training your Mercenaries, you will also have the opportunity to promote your Mercenaries, which can be done in your Mercenary Training Camp.
The Mercenary Portal takes Mercenary Portal Architectural Plans after level 11, and it is based on specific levels per release (T2, T3, etc.). Keep in mind that it is tied to your Command Center’s level, so you will have to level your Base accordingly.
Mercenary Portal Chart
| Level | Mercenary Troop Capacity | Troop Training Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 50,000 | 2,000 |
| 5 | +54,000 | +2,000 |
| 10 | +60,000 | +2,000 |
| 15 | +85,000 | +2,000 |
| 20 | +110,000 | +2,000 |
| 25 | +160,000 | +3,000 |
| 30 | +210,000 | +3,000 |
| 35 | +325,000 | +4,000 |
| 40 | +450,000 | +4,000 |
| 45 | +700,000 | +5,000 |
| 50 | +1,000,000 | +5,000 |
| 55 | +1,250,000 | +6,000 |
| 60 | +1,500,000 | +6,000 |
| 65 | +2,000,000 | +11,000 |
| 70 | +3,000,000 | +17,500 |
Beginning at level 31, you are granted additional benefits for mercenary troop hospital capacity.
| Level | Additional Hospital Capacity for Mercenary Troops |
|---|---|
| 31 | +115,000 |
| 35 | +162,000 |
| 40 | +225,000 |
| 45 | +350,000 |
| 50 | +500,000 |
| 55 | +625,000 |
| 60 | +750,000 |
| 65 | +775,000 |
| 70 | +800,000 |
Chart for Mercenary Portal level 70 to 90 is coming soon!
Within the portal, you will see the mercs available to train. Note that not all mercenary troops are available at all times. They will come and go in terms of availability. As you complete certain research trees, you will be able to make some of the mercs open and available to train permanently at all times.
To acquire mercenaries, you will need type-specific mercenary tokens, food, and mercenary rations.
Mercenary Tokens and Rations can be awarded in event prizes or purchased in packs. Occasionally they are offered as a global gift.
Mercenary Training Camp
The Merc Training Camp enables you to upgrade your Mercenary Troops to a higher level when applicable. When suitable, the troops you can upgrade will show inside the building.
When promoting your Mercenaries, they can get rather pricey. With that in mind, be sure to increase your VIP levels to make the most of your Mercenary Cost Promotion Efficiencies! Also, there are several additional locations to look at when decreasing your Mercenary Promotion Cost. Such as Permanent LIfetime Boosts, Research, as well as Hero Mastery Skills.
Mercenary Training Camp Chart
| Level | Merc Training Camp Arch Plans Needed | Merc Troop Upgrade Capacity | Additional Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | n/a | 10,000 | n/a |
| 2 | 10,000 | 15,000 | Unlock Lv 5 Mercenary Troop Upgrade |
| 3 | 100,000 | 20,000 | Unlock Lv 6 Mercenary Troop Upgrade |
| 4 | 1,500,000 | 30,000 | Unlock Lv 7 Mercenary Troop Upgrade |
| 5 | 50,000 | Unlock Lv 8 Mercenary Troop Upgrade |
Kill Order
Take note of the rating stats within the details of each mercenary troop type. It will give you important information. The kill order is determined by health, not the highest rating. For example: Although the attack on the troops shown below is level 4, their health is level 3. That means they will die at the same time as your T3 troops. You cannot hide them behind the T4.
Let’s take a look at the different mercenary troops and their uses.
Disclaimer tests above were based on T8/T9 Mercenary release BEFORE combat balance adjustments.
Rally Mercenary Troops
Very strong: Syndicate Targets
Strong: Rallied Targets
Weak: Wall Defenses, Bomber Aircraft, as well as respective types (leveraging)
- Strong when in a rally, especially when paired with Xira’s rally attack skilling (when attacking)
- Rally Merc health is increased by the number of Nightingale and Machina present (when defending)
- Bypasses enemy counterintelligence
- Benefits considerably from Rally Attack benefits
- Requires mercenary rations and rally tokens to train
- Benefits from Infantry, Vehicle, and Artillery Attack, Health, in addition to Armor bonuses
Fokker D VII
Very strong: Syndicate Outposts
Strong: Battle Marked targets in addition to Bomber Aircraft
Weak: Anti-Aircraft
- Health increases based on the number of Machina present (when defending)
- Bypasses enemy counterintelligence
- Benefits from Troop and Mercenary Aircraft Attack, Armor, and Health bonuses
- Requires mercenary rations and Fokker D VII tokens to train
P-51 Mustang
Very Strong: Syndicate Outposts, Bomber, and Helicopter Aircraft*
Strong: Battle Marked targets
Weak: Anti-Aircraft
- Health is increased by the number of Machina present (when defending)
- Bypasses enemy counterintelligence
- Benefits from Troop and Mercenary Aircraft Attack, Armor, and Health bonuses
- Requires mercenary rations and P51 Mustang tokens to train
*Bomber Aircraft are Mercenaries such as Bombay or Sky Wagons, and Helicopters are Mercenaries like Helicob.
Bombay 8-A
Very strong: all ground units and Syndicate Outposts
Strong: Battle Marked targets
Weak: Fighter and Anti Aircraft*
- Health is increased based on the number of Machina present (when defending)
- Bypasses enemy counterintelligence
- Benefits from Troop and Mercenary Aircraft Attack, Armor, and Health bonuses
- Requires mercenary rations and Bombay 8-A tokens to train
*Fighter Aircraft are Mercenaries such as Phantom and P51 Mustang. Anti Aircraft are Mercenaries like Flak Vickers.
Phantom X
Very strong: Helicopters, Bombers, ground units, and Syndicate Outposts
Weak: Fighter Aircraft along with Anti-Aircraft
- Gains twice the attack power when hitting troops two levels lower (when attacking)
- Phantom health is increased by the number of Machina present (when defending)
- Bypasses enemy counterintelligence
- Benefits from Troop and Mercenary Aircraft Attack, Armor, and Health bonuses
- The population is concealed in reports.
Phantom X gains 2xs Attack when attacking lower-tiered defending Troops. For example, if your Phandom X is a level 8, the bonus will trigger if you’re hitting Lv 6 defending Troops.
Helicob
Very strong: Squad, Rallied Control Point, Wall Defenses, and Syndicate Outposts
Strong: ground units
Weak: Fighter Aircraft and Anti-Aircraft
- Attack doubles when solo-attacking Control Point and increases 5x when rallying Control Point.
- Health doubles when the attack deployment contains Fokken DVII or P-51 Mustangs in more significant numbers than Helicobs
- Increases Health based on the quaintly of Machinas present (when defending)
- Bypasses enemy counterintelligence
- Benefits from Troop and Mercenary Aircraft Attack, Armor, and Health bonuses
Sky Wagon and Airborne Brigade
Sky Wagon
Very strong: All ground units and Syndicate Outposts
Strong: Battle Marked targets
Weak: Fighter Aircraft and Anti-Aircraft
- Increases the attack of Airborne Brigade (when attacking)
- Health is increased by the number of Machina present (when defending)
- Bypass enemy counterintelligence
- Benefits from Troop and Mercenary Aircraft Attack, Armor, and Health bonuses
The number of Sky Wagons will help elevate Airborne Brigade’s Attack to be equivalent to Troops of a particular level. Therefore, the more you have, the better, and this benefit caps at 500.
Example:
5 Sky Wagons increase Airborne to be equal to Lv 5 Troops
10 Sky Wagons enhance Airborne similar to Lv 6 Troops
Then the more Sky Wagons you have, the more it will reflect off of your Airborne Brigade. For Example, if you have 84 Sky Wagons, it will make one Airborne Attack equivalent to five Airbornes without Sky Wagons.
Airborne Brigade
Very strong: Syndicate Outposts
Strong: Battle Marked targets
Weak: Transporters, Aircraft, and Anti-Aircraft
- The attack is increased by the number of Sky Wagons present in the attack deployment.
- Health is increased by the number of Dragonflies present in the attack deployment.
- Health is increased by the number of Nightingales present (when defending)
- Bypass enemy counterintelligence
- Benefits from Troop and Infantry Aircraft Attack, Armor, and Health bonuses
- Requires Mercenary Rations and Airborne Brigade Tokens to train
Dragonfly
Very strong vs. anti-aircraft, squad, and syndicate outposts
Strong vs. battle marked targets
Weak vs. fighter aircraft
- Increases armor when attacking enemy bases and gathering on tiles
- Dragonfly health is based on the number of Machina present (when defending)
- 180% more gathering speed than T4 troops
- It has a larger loot capacity than the Semi Centaurus
- Bypass Enemy Counter Intelligence
- Benefits from Troop and Mercenary Transporter Attack, Armor, and Health
- Requires mercenary rations and Dragonfly tokens to train.
Dragonflies help increase the overall health of Airborne Brigades.
Example:
10,000 Dragonflies increase health by one troop level
25,000 Dragonflies enhance health by two troop levels
50,000 Dragonflies intensify the health by THREE troop levels
When 500,000 dragonflies are present, one Airborne’s health would be the equivalent of five Airborne without any dragonflies present.
Masquerat
Strong: Medics and Mechanics
Weak: Defenses
- Attack TRIPLES with Operatives present, including Phoenix, in the deployment in more significant numbers than itself
- Bypasses enemy counterintelligence
- Benefits from all Troop and Operative Armor and Health bonuses
- The population is concealed in scout reports.
- Benefits from Operative Attack bonuses and applies 3x to that bonus.
- Requires Mercenary Rations, Masquerat tokens, a Nightingale token, and a Machina token to train.
Phoenix
Very strong: Troops (Infantry, Vehicle, Artillery, Operative)
Weak: Rally Troops, Semi Centaurus, and other transporters
- Boosts the Masquerat’s attack (when attacking)
- She becomes more robust based on how many different types of ordinary troops she is up against (when attacking)
- 2x attack power when attacking two types
- 4x attack power when attacking three types
- 8x attack power when attacking four types
- Bypasses enemy counterintelligence
- Health is more vital when making a solo attack
- Benefits from Troop and all Operative Attack, Armor, and Health bonuses
Nimitz
Nimitz has no strength or weakness.
- The attack is GREATLY increased when attacking a Battle Marked target.
- Activates the Masquerat’s 3x attack when they outnumber Masquerats in the deployment.
- Attack increases when accompanying mercenary aircraft troops—the more Nimitz present in the deployment, the more significant the boost – up to 15x.
- Bypasses enemy counterintelligence
- Benefits from Troop and all Operative Attack, Armor, and Health
24,000 Nimitz boost attack 2x.
110,000 Nimitz boost attack 5x.
335,000 Nimitz boost attack 10x.
This boost will stack with any existing increase that is already active for the associated mercenary aircraft troop.
Enemy Attack Deflection is reduced by half against Nimitz and accompanying mercenary aircraft, depending on how many Nimitz are present in the deployment.
Scorpius
Very Strong: all Operatives, including Mercenary Operatives (Phoenix, Nimitz, Masquerat)
Weak: Infantry
- Activates Masquerat’s 3x attack boost when Scorpius outnumber Masquerats in a deployment
- Scorpius attack increases by up to 10 x with the presence of Air Brigades in the deployment
- Attack increases 2x with 20,000 Air Brigade.
- Attack increases 4x with 68,000 Air Brigade.
- Scorpius health is boosted 6X with the presence of 200,000 or more other concealed mercenary troops (when defending)
- Health boosts up to 6.5X of all other mercenaries who are concealed from reports.
- 12,000 Scorpius boosts health 2x.
- 47,000 Scorpius boosts health 4x.
- Scorpius’ presence boosts the attack and health of wall defenses up to 20x.
- 46,000 Scorpius boosts wall defenses by 5x.
- 125,000 Scorpius boost wall defenses by 10x.
- The population is concealed in reports.
- Bypass enemy counterintelligence
- Benefits from Troop and all Operative Attack, Armor, and Health
Flak Vicker’s Anti-Air Attack Boosts
- Requirement: At least 20,000 Scorpius present defending
- You receive stackable boosts for each attacking enemy aircraft type.
- For each attacking aircraft type in quantities over 20,000, you receive stackable boosts.
Example:
You have your minimum 20,000 Scorpius defending
Attacking you:
20,000 enemy Helicob (get + boost)
40,000 enemy Bombay (get + boost)
25,000 enemy Fokker DVII (get +boost)
Total anti-aircraft boost=3
Semi Centaurus
Very strong: Syndicate outposts
Strong: Infantry, anti-aircraft, wall defenses, the battle marked targets
Weak: Bomber Aircraft
- Increases armor when attacking enemy bases and gathering on tiles
- Benefits from Troop and Mercenary Transporter Attack, Armor, and Health
- 140% more gathering speed than T4 troops
- Has a large loot capacity
- Requires mercenary rations and Semi Centaurus tokens to train
ARMSV
Very strong: Helicopter Aircraft, Syndicate Outposts, in addition to Artillery (including Anti-Aircraft)
Weak: land mine
- The attack boost is enhanced when troops are used in a rally.
- Health is increased by the number of Machina present (when defending)
- Bypasses enemy counterintelligence
- Benefits from Troop and Mercenary Transporter Attack, Health, and Armor
ARMSV helps improve the Health of Nightingale and Machina.
Example
20,000 ARMSV increase health by at least 2.5x
100,000 Nightingales improve health by up to 7x
The maximum effectiveness you can have for progressing the Health of Nightingale and MAchinas is 10x.
ARMSV increases all Rally Mercenary Troops’ Attack when paired together, allowing your Rally Mercenary Troops to get even more significant Attack benefits when used in a Rally.
Example
37,000 ARMSV’s boosts Attack by 2x
84,500 ARMSV’s heightens Attack by 3x
The maximum effectiveness you can have for enhancing the Attack of Rally Mercenaries is 10x.
Flak Vickers
Very strong: Aircraft plus Syndicate Outposts
Strong: Battle Marked targets as well as Infantry
Weak: Operatives and Transporters
- Flak Vickers health is based on the number of Machina present (when defending)
- Benefits from Artillery Attack bonus and gains 50% additional power from it
- Bypasses enemy counterintelligence
- Benefits from standard Artillery Armor in addition to Health
- Requires mercenary rations and Flak Vickers tokens to train
- Benefits from Troop Attack, Troop Armor, along with Troop Health
Nightingale
Very strong: Mechanic, Infantry/Operative troops, in addition to Syndicate Outposts
Defend well with Infantry/Operatives, Squad, as well as bomber aircraft
- Nightingale health is based on the quantity of ARMSV present (when defending)
- Bypasses enemy counterintelligence
- Benefits from Troop and Mercenary Medic Attack, Health, and Armor bonuses
Nightingales help increase the Health of Infantry and Operative Troops.
Example
20,000 Nightingales increase health by at least 2.5x
100,000 Nightingales improve health by up to 7x
The maximum effectiveness you can have for increasing the Health of Infantry and Operative Troops is 10x.
Pasteur, the Surgeon General
Pasteur has no distinct strength or weakness.
- Pasteur health is based on the number of ARMSV present (when defending)
- Boosts squad member health up to 10x.
- 8 Pasteurs increase health by 1.5x.
- 40 Pasteurs increase health by 3.2x.
- 200 Pasteurs increase health by 7.8x.
- Boosts the health multiplier that Nightingale give Mercenary Infantry and Operatives (when defending)
- 20,000 Nightingale boost Merc. Inf/Op health by 2.5x.
With Pasteur present, health is boosted up to 5x. - 100,000 Nightingale boost Merc. Inf/Op health by up to 7x.
With Pasteur present, health is boosted up to 14x.
- 20,000 Nightingale boost Merc. Inf/Op health by 2.5x.
Affected mercenaries: Rally Infantry, Airborne Brigade, Masquerat, Guerilla Infantry, Phoenix, Nimitz, Scorpius (This boost does not work unless Nightingale is present.)
- Bypasses enemy counterintelligence
- Benefits from Troop and Mercenary Mechanic Attack, Health, and Armor
Machina
Very strong: Medic, Vehicle, Artillery troops, and Syndicate Outposts
Defends well versus Vehicle, Artillery, as well as Squad
- Machina health is based on the quantity of ARMSV present (when defending)
- Bypasses enemy counterintelligence
- Benefits from Troop and Mercenary Mechanic Attack, Health, and Armor
Machinas help increases the Health of Vehicle, Artillery, and Aircraft Troops.
Example:
20,000 Machina gain health by at least 2.5x
100,000 Machina boost health by up to 7x
The maximum effectiveness you can have for increasing the Health of Vehicle, Artillery, and Aircraft Troops is 10x.
Guerrilla
Very Strong: Rally Deployments
Strong: Rally Infantry, Vehicle, in addition to Artillery Mercenary Troops
Weak: Phoenix Mercenaries
- CHANCE to double attack when defending against solo Deployment
- Armor Bonuses double from Troop Attack, Health, Armor, along with Troop Type (Infantry, Vehicle, and Artillery)
- Attack doubled while defending when you use Anti-Scout and Guerilla Tactics for 1HR item.
- Health is increased based on the number of Nightingale and Machina present (when defending)
- Attack and Health are GREATLY increased while defending against a rally.
- Bypasses enemy counterintelligence
- The population is concealed in reports.
Special Thanks
A very special thank you to Mollz, the original author of the Mercenary Encyclopedia!
And to the WWR community for contributing the data and screenshots over the years!
What to read next?
Having Mercenaries protecting your Base or including them in your Deployment when attacking your opponent can make all the difference. However, Mercenary Troops aren’t the only factor we have to consider when building our Bases in whichever situation we desire to proceed with our gameplay.
Mercenary Research
Mercenary Research is vital to unlock your Mercenaries and strengthen them for battle!
Click here to read the Mercenary Promotion Research guide!
Click here to read the Empower your Mercenary Troops with the new Mercenary Research guide!
Troop Composition
Another essential key to your gameplay is knowing when and what types of Troops you need when counteracting your enemies. Whether it is a Solo, Rally, or Control Point. While this isn’t the ONLY factor that contributes to your encounters, it plays a significant role.
Click here to read the Troop Composition Guide!
VIP
VIP not only helps increase your Mercenary stats. They also can reduce the cost of promoting your Mercenaries from the Training Camp!
Click here to read the VIP (T4) guide!
(VIP T3 Chart included!)
Click here to read the VIP (T5) guide!
Maximizing your Deployment Size
When attacking your assailants or Syndicate Outposts, it helps when you have the largest Deployment Size you can have!
Click here to read the Maximizing your Deployment Size guide!
Technical Testing Techniques
There are multiple situations that we need to factor in when attacking or defending with our Bases that can tip the scale into another direction. It is essential to test and experiment with various Bases to comprehend and learn where your weaknesses are.
Click here to read the Technical Testing Techniques guide!
Join our Conversation
Comment below your thoughts or join us on Social Media, aka Line and or Discord and let us know! Not in our WWR Command Line Rooms? Add me by ID: peacefulwarrior414, and I got you! Hope to see you there!
Want to be one of the first to know when our guides come out?
Then sign up for our email alerts below this guide to notify you when our other articles are updated!
This article states that “The kill order is determined by health.” But the example, uses a Lv 3 troop with a health of 3 anyway, so it would make sense that those troops could not be hid behind Lv 4 troops. However, if mercenary troops receive a health boost, as is the case with Air Brigade from Dragonfly, do those Air Brigade troops (with enough Dragonfly) then change their kill order or do they still die along side their troop level troops? For example: Lv 4 Air Brigade have a health of 4, but when accompanied with 10,000 Dragonfly, they are supposed to get a health boost of one troop level, which should mean they have the health of Lv 5 troops, but does that mean they still die with Lv 4 troops at a “slower” rate or is their kill order changed along with their health and should they be able to hide behind othe Lv 4 troops? Basically is kill order determined by health or by troop level?