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The Empyrean Tier arrives to Conquer the Battle!

Empyrean Tier - Wave 1

Six Legendary Empyrean Dragons fly this week!

 

New Dragons have emerged from the lands of Atlas, and they’re ready for a fight. From the Wailing Marshes to the Stygian Glaze, Dragons from all across these lands are prepared to make their presence known. Think you can conquer them all?

 

Join the Dragons community team as they fly the new Empyrean Dragons live on stream this week! Catch the show on Twitch this Wednesday (1/16) and Facebook Live this Thursday (1/17) at 2pm PT!

 

 

Empyrean Tier Logo - War Dragons

Empyrean Dragons in the Lands of Atlas

 

All Empyrean Dragons hail from the various regions in Atlas, similar to the previous Vanguard and Harbinger Tiers before them. The Legendary Dragons have been discovered in the Frigid Narrows, Burning Sands, Wailing Marshes, and even newly discovered lands where places like the City of Suddene are located. Each Dragon represents their region in Atlas and is prepared to use any means necessary to defend their territory.

 

Atlas World Map - War Dragons

 


 

War Dragons - Valens

Dragon Legionnaire

 

Empyrean Tier - Valens

A dragon tactician, bred for battle and boasting tempered armor

 

While human army commanders coordinate the majority of a region’s military actions, the most successful forces have incorporated dragons into their command structure. Dragons like Valens help channel the will of their human counterparts, allowing for coordinated dragon formations that attack synchronously with soldiers on the ground. When need be, Valens can join the battle themself, where their tempered dragonsteel armor makes them impervious to almost all damage.

 

Legendary Earth Warrior

 

Breeding Pair: Itzani and Balahm

 

Spells

  • Onslaught - Active | White | 0.5 Rage per Second

    <ul>
    	<li>
    	<p>While Toggled on, Dragon has a shield that reduces all incoming damage by 70% and will deal 100% increased damage. While active, this spell will drain the Dragon&rsquo;s Rade at 0.5 Rage per second.</p>
    	</li>
    </ul>
    </li>
    <li>
    <p>Bloodfury - Active | Blue | 1 Rage</p>
    
    <ul>
    	<li>
    	<p>Dragon gains 3 Rage (for a net gain of 2 Rage) and destroying a tower heals the Dragon for a percentage of the damage done. While the spell is active, Dragon&#39;s rage generation is slowed by 90%. Spell has a 4 second duration and 4 second cooldown.</p>
    	</li>
    </ul>
    </li>
    <li>
    <p>Dark Flak Resist - Passive | Yellow</p>
    
    <ul>
    	<li>
    	<p>Reduces damage from Dark Flak Towers by 70%.</p>
    	</li>
    </ul>
    </li>
    <li>
    <p>Fire Flak Resist - Passive | Yellow</p>
    
    <ul>
    	<li>
    	<p>Reduces damage from Fire Flak Towers by 70%.</p>
    	</li>
    </ul>
    </li>
    

 

Design Intent

Valens is a particularly durable warrior that benefits from careful target prioritization and Rage management. Valens only has two abilities: Onslaught is a toggle-able shield that boosts its breath damage and drains Rage while the spell is active. Onslaught should be toggled on to burn down key towers, but it shouldn’t be used all the time. Valens has both Dark and Fire Flak Tower resist, so the dragon is not going to be bursted or killed quickly. Rage management is essential to successfully flying Valens. Players must be careful not to drain themselves below one Rage, as maintaining high Bloodfury up-time will make or break Valens’ attack runs. Valens is vulnerable to Mage Tower Rage drains, but fears little else on a defender’s island. Sending Valens in after a lead dragon has destroyed or disabled any mage towers is a sound strategy for success.

 


 

War Dragons - Methalex

The Ignited Bog

 

Empyrean Tier - Methalex

This rotting mass of marshland constantly emits flammable miasma.

 

The Wailing Marshes are a place of death and decay, a home for necromancers and black mages who bend death to their will. Methalex is the result of such evil magic. By bonding the swamp’s highly flammable vapors to a dragon’s long-dead remains, the swamp folk created a monster. Methalex’s flames burn like any living dragon’s, but also carry with them the swamp’s toxic gasses. The air left in Methalex’s wake is just as dangerous as its dragonfire.

 

Legendary Fire Warrior

 
Breeding Pair: Jormungandr + Redrian
 

Spells

  • Debilitating Sludge - Active | Red | 2 Rage

    <ul>
    	<li>
    	<p>Damages all towers within range for 12% of Dragon&#39;s Modified HP. Damaged towers take 100% increased damage and are frozen for 5 seconds.</p>
    	</li>
    </ul>
    </li>
    <li>
    <p>Miasmic Breath - Active | White | 1 Rage</p>
    
    <ul>
    	<li>
    	<p>Dragon&#39;s breath attack deals 100% increased damage and places Gloom Clouds on targeted towers, causing them to take 2.5% of the Dragon&#39;s Modified HP as damage per second for 4 seconds. Spell has a 3 second cooldown.</p>
    	</li>
    </ul>
    </li>
    <li>
    <p>Devour Hope - Active | Blue | 1 Rage</p>
    
    <ul>
    	<li>
    	<p>Each Gloom Cloud nearby heals the Dragon for 10% of the Dragon&rsquo;s Modified HP. This spell can only be activated if there is tower with the Gloom Cloud effect nearby. Spell has a 12 second cooldown.</p>
    	</li>
    </ul>
    </li>
    <li>
    <p>Dark Flak Resist - Passive</p>
    
    <ul>
    	<li>
    	<p>Reduces damage from Dark Flak Towers by 70%.</p>
    	</li>
    </ul>
    </li>
    

 

Design Intent

Methalex is a throwback to Gloomclaw, one of the mythics from the Garnet Tier. Like Gloomclaw, Methalex wants to poison as many towers as possible and then reap the benefits. Methalex’s main ability is Malefic Breath, a breath modifying ability that boosts breath damage and also damages towers for a percentage of Methalex’s HP per second. Methalex should use Malefic Breath to quickly take down mage towers although the choice of which target to prioritize is always a careful decision. Destroying the Red Mage tower unlocks Debilitating Sludge, an AOE blast that briefly freezes all towers in range and causes them to take increased damage. Methalex’s healing is gated by Blue Mage Towers. Devour Hope works exactly as it has before. Methalex restores more health based on the number of poisoned towers when the spell is activated. One great strategy is to focus down the Blue Mage Tower, do a quick finger swipe flourish to poison all the other towers, and then activate Devour Hope to heal up to full health.

 
 

 

War Dragons - Evakhet

Regal Hawk

 

Empyrean Tier - Evakhet

An arrogant dragon prince, residing at a gilded desert palace.

 

Many pilgrims not satisfied worshipping the Burning Sands’ Dragon-Gods seek out a mysterious, gilded palace deep in the desert. Some believe they’ll find a higher purpose, others pursue material satisfaction. None, however, get what they desire. Instead, they find themselves pressed into service under Evakhet. This selfish regent covets the humans’ adoration and offerings to the powerful Dragon-Gods but offers no boon in return. Evakhet has grown their collection of servants over the years, yet they are never satisfied with the fearful praise bestowed upon them.

 

Legendary Wind Hunter

 

Breeding Pair: Oni + Sanguis

 

Spells

  • Shadow Strike - Active | White | 2 Rage

    <ul>
    	<li>
    	<p>Dragon cloaks briefly and restores all Hunter ammo. While cloaked, the Dragon flies at 25% of its normal speed. After 3 seconds, the Dragon will deal 12% of the Dragon&rsquo;s Modified HP as damage to nearby buildings. This damage won&rsquo;t remove tower-disabling effects like Desiccating Sands and Noxious Vines. Dragon deals 115% bonus damage for a 5 seconds after uncloaking.</p>
    	</li>
    </ul>
    </li>
    <li>
    <p>Chaos - Active | Blue | 2 Rage</p>
    
    <ul>
    	<li>
    	<p>Dragon will do and extra 95% of damage on top of base damage during the spell&rsquo;s 4 second duration.</p>
    	</li>
    </ul>
    </li>
    <li>
    <p>Leech Essence - Active | Yellow | 0 Rage</p>
    
    <ul>
    	<li>
    	<p>Upon destroying a tower, the Dragon will gain an ability and 0.5 Rage. The ability gained is dependent on the tower destroyed, and will cost the same amount of Rage to cast the spell as normal. Refer to the Leech Essence Matrix in <a href="https://wardragons.com/blog/157/can-you-handle-the-heat-of-the-new-harbinger-dragons">this blog</a> for more information.</p>
    	</li>
    </ul>
    </li>
    <li>
    <p>Adaptive Flak Resist - Active | Yellow | 0 Rage</p>
    
    <ul>
    	<li>
    	<p>Change Flak Resist type on use and gain a small amount of Rage. Cycles through Dark, Fire, Ice, and Electro Flak Resist. Resists by 70%.</p>
    	</li>
    </ul>
    </li>
    

 

Design Intent

Evakhet specializes in particularly high burst damage. Between Chaos and Shadow Strike’s damage boosts, the Dragon’s breath attack takes down towers much faster than other hunters. Since Evakhet’s spell set is focused so much on damage dealing, players must make meaningful use of Leech Essence and Adaptive Resist to mitigate the damage Evakhet receives. Evakhet leads an attack with Chaos, casting it before the first turn and out of Blue Mage Tower’s cancel range (Don’t forget to set your Adaptive Flak Resist after casting Chaos to get a little extra rage!). After you’ve dumped your ammo, you can either use Shadow Strike immediately to reload or you can wait to Cloak and dodge any incoming Rage drain super shots. After uncloaking, Shadow Strike’s damage boost can then be used to kill whichever tower you want to leech from; Red Mage and Dark Flak Towers give Death Gaze and Blue Mage Towers give Regenerate. Keep in mind that regenerate is the Dragon’s only source of healing, so players must take care to preserve Evakhet’s health pool. Adaptive Flak Resist and careful target prioritization is key!

 

 

War Dragons - Tuktu

Glacial Prowler

 

Empyrean Tier - Tuktu

Coated in jagged ice, this dragon hunts snowblind prey wandering the Stygian Glaze

 

The few humans that make their home in the Stygian Glaze fortify themselves in large, icy fortresses, built high into the region’s many mountain ranges. These fortresses are essential to keep out the many ruthless predators that prowl the landscape. Any unfortunate soul caught in the snow will likely be eaten by scavengers, such as Tuktu. Tuktu is an opportunistic hunter, preferring weak, vulnerable prey to large takedowns. Why waste the energy fighting other dragons when a weary traveler makes an effortless snack?

 

Legendary Ice Hunter

 
Breeding Pair: Jormungandr + Jotun

 

Spells

  • Coldsnap - Active | White | 1 Rage

    <ul>
    	<li>
    	<p>Damages all towers in a target area for 14% of the Dragon&rsquo;s Modified HP and freezes them for 5 seconds. Spell has a 1 second cooldown.</p>
    	</li>
    </ul>
    </li>
    <li>
    <p>Scavenge - Active | Blue | 2 Rage</p>
    
    <ul>
    	<li>
    	<p>Dragon deals 85% increased breath damage and restores 16% of its Modified HP as health whenever a building is destroyed for the spell&rsquo;s 4.5 second duration.</p>
    	</li>
    </ul>
    </li>
    <li>
    <p>Cloak - Active | Blue | 1 Rage</p>
    
    <ul>
    	<li>
    	<p>Conceals the Dragon so that enemy towers cannot attack. Blue mages cancel this effect. Spell has a 12 second duration and 3 second cooldown, although the cooldown only takes effect when Cloak is disturbed by an attack. There is no cooldown if disturbed by blue mage or if the duration expires.</p>
    	</li>
    </ul>
    </li>
    <li>
    <p>Adaptive Flak Resist - Active | Yellow | 0 Rage</p>
    
    <ul>
    	<li>
    	<p>Change Flak Resist type on use and gain a small amount of Rage. Cycles through Dark, Fire, Ice, and Electro Flak Resist. Resists by 70%.</p>
    	</li>
    </ul>
    </li>
    

 

Design Intent

Tuktu fliers definitely need a ‘plan’ when they head into battle. The Dragon benefits strongly from correct target prioritization, and there’s a lot to do when the attack run begins. Tuktu’s Coldsnap spell should freeze the most dangerous tower on an island. Adaptive Flak Resist should then be set to resist another dangerous tower. Tuktu’s attack priority should focus on Blue Mage Towers to unlock the Dragons’ damage boost, healing mechanic, and cloak spell. Scavenge can help Tuktu recover from mistakes, allowing the Dragon to quickly kill problematic towers and recover HP. Tuktu strongly benefits from carefully planned attack runs, and is best when examining a base’s strong points ahead of time rather than reacting quickly in the moment.

 
 

 

Empyrean Tier - Modrian

Draconic Dynamo

 

Empyrean Tier - Modrian

The final design from the Fire Fields, an adept artificial Sorcerer.

 

The artisans of the Field Fields are engaged in an arms race with the highly aggressive dragons in the region. As the craftsmen produce more advanced mechanized dragons, their enemies adapt with sharper claws and hotter flames. Modrian was created to end this war, once and for all. Forsaking the traditional designs relying on flame projectors, Modrian’s wing-frame is equipped with scaled-down dragonfire missiles. Previously only found on towers, these projectiles can lock onto a dragon’s heat signature and their explosive power can punch through even the toughest dragon scales.

 

Legendary Fire Sorcerer

 

Breeding Pair: Itzani + Kaze

 

Spells

  • Dragonfile Missile - Active | White | 1 Rage

    <ul>
    	<li>
    	<p>Damages a randomly chosen tower for 75% of Dragon&rsquo;s Modified HP and restores 1 Rage on cast. Spell has a 4 second cooldown.</p>
    	</li>
    </ul>
    </li>
    <li>
    <p>Northern Lights - Light - Active | Blue | 2 Rage</p>
    
    <ul>
    	<li>
    	<p>Upon activation, Dragon shields itself, becoming invincible and immune to rage-drain super shots for 6 seconds. After the shield ends, healing marks are applied to all towers within range. These Healing Marks restore 11.5% of the Dragon&#39;s modified HP when marked towers are destroyed, and can persist between rounds.</p>
    	</li>
    </ul>
    </li>
    <li>
    <p>Seeker Shots - Active | Red | 1 Rage</p>
    
    <ul>
    	<li>
    	<p>Shoots 10 homing shots at up to 5 targets in the area. Each projectile chooses one of the available towers at same chance and deals 10% of the Dragon&rsquo;s Modified HP as damage.</p>
    	</li>
    </ul>
    </li>
    <li>
    <p>Fire Flak Resist - Passive | Yellow</p>
    
    <ul>
    	<li>
    	<p>Reduces damage from Fire Flak Towers by 70%.</p>
    	</li>
    </ul>
    </li>
    

 

Design Intent

Modrian has a consistent attack pattern that rarely deviates, using several powerful spells in the same sequence to achieve the best result. Modrian should open its attack with Dragonfire Missile, which will destroy the Blue Mage Tower. Northern Lights (Light) can then be activated to block all incoming damage and stall for Dragonfire Missile’s cooldown. Once available, a second missile should take out the red mage tower. With both mages down, Modrian can finish off the island with several volleys of Seeker Shots. Because of this powerful (but predictable) pattern, Modrian fliers must account for defender counterplay. Ice Flak Towers can take down Modrian’s shield and Storm Towers can disrupt Dragonfire Missile’s ability to destroy mage towers. If these two towers are particularly prevalent in bases you attack, Modrian may best be reserved as a follower dragon, coming in to clean up after more disruptive towers have been taken care of.

 

 

War Dragons - Capulos

Jester Wyrm

 

Empyrean Tier - Capulos

Lurks in the dark alleys of Suddene's wild festivals.

 

It is easy to get lost in the festivities of Suddene’s frequent festivals, but one must always keep their wits about them. If you’re not careful, you might stumble down the wrong street and come face to face with Capulos. Corrupted by an insane black mage, Capulos’ dark magic can conjure the souls of their victims to enact the dragon’s twisted will. Over the years, Capulos has amassed quite the collection of souls, which can be brought out for whatever the occasion requires.

 

Legendary Dark Sorcerer

 
Breeding Pair: Oni + Altimorak

 

Spells

  • Summon Puppet - Passive | Yellow

    <ul>
    	<li>
    	<p>Dragon automatically summons a puppet Warrior dragon at the start of the battle. This puppet dragon has 500% of the Dragon&rsquo;s Modified HP as health and will deal 1.66% of the Dragon&#39;s Modified HP as damage. The puppet dragon will absorb 10% of all damage received, which appears as healing on Capulos&rsquo; HP bar.</p>
    	</li>
    </ul>
    </li>
    <li>
    <p>Rampage - Active | White | 2 Rage</p>
    
    <ul>
    	<li>
    	<p>A Sorcerer&rsquo;s version of this spell, Rampage will grant 100% increased damage to the Dragon and will heal them for 10% of their Modified HP per tower destroyed. Rage regeneration is also increased by 100% for the spell&rsquo;s 5 second duration. Spell has a 9 second cooldown.</p>
    	</li>
    </ul>
    </li>
    <li>
    <p>Spiraling Madness - Passive | Yellow</p>
    
    <ul>
    	<li>
    	<p>This passive spell sends the Dragon spiraling into madness every 5 seconds, at which time the Dragon will heal for 8% of its Modified HP.</p>
    	</li>
    </ul>
    </li>
    <li>
    <p>Ice Flak Resist - Passive</p>
    
    <ul>
    	<li>
    	<p>Reduces damage from Ice Flak Towers by 70%.</p>
    	</li>
    </ul>
    </li>
    
 

Design Intent

Capulos’ spell kit lends itself to sustained breath damage, a category not many sorcerers occupy. Capulos has two damage boosts. The first is Summon Puppet, a passively summoned warrior dragon that deals sustained damage to random towers. Unlike previous summons like Apophet’s Shadow, this puppet does not soak up incoming damage, but it will take any supershots pointed its way. Capulos’ second damage buff is Rampage, a spell previously seen on Warriors. Rampage increases Capulos’ breath damage and restores HP if any towers are destroyed while the spell is active. Capulos also passively restores HP over time with Spiraling Madness. Capulos is built to both take and dish out a ton of damage. Between its summon and Rampage, towers will fold quickly to Capulos, but players must take care to get the most out of Rampage’s healing. Capulos’ attack runs are all about attrition - balancing your damage output and countering defenders’ damage with an abundance of healing.

 
 

 

Conquer them all with the Empyrean Tier Dragons! Which of these fierce flyers are your favorite? Head over to the official War Dragons Forums to discuss with the War Dragons community!

 
 
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