How to Beat Arleon Final Warlord: Grand Marshal Valerius

Defeat Grand Marshal Valerius, Arleon's final warlord in Songs of Conquest. Understand his army, resilient troops, and devastating aerial support.

Grand Marshal Valerius stands as the ultimate challenge of the Arleon campaign, a seasoned warrior whose strategic acumen and formidable forces make him a true test of a Wielder's might. His army is a testament to Arleon's martial prowess, built around resilient frontline troops and devastating aerial support.

Valerius's Army Composition: The Iron Fist of Arleon

Valerius rarely deviates from a core strategy of overwhelming force, built upon a foundation of Arleon's finest. Expect his armies to be heavily weighted towards:

• Royal Guards: The backbone of his infantry, these heavily armored warriors boast exceptional defense and respectable melee damage. They are designed to absorb punishment and hold the line, making them incredibly difficult to dislodge.
• Knights: Valerius often fields multiple stacks of Knights, leveraging their high mobility and charge bonus. They excel at flanking maneuvers and quickly closing the distance to engage your vulnerable units.
• Griffons: A critical component of his offensive, Griffons provide essential aerial superiority. Their ability to bypass ground defenses and target backlines makes them a significant threat that must be addressed swiftly.
• Chaplains/Priests: Supporting his frontline, these units provide crucial healing and buffs, significantly increasing the survivability of his already tough units.
• Paladins (Late Game/Higher Difficulties): On higher difficulties or in later stages of the campaign, Valerius may incorporate Paladins for their potent anti-magic capabilities and additional frontline resilience.

This composition creates an army that is both incredibly durable and capable of rapid, decisive assaults. His Wielder skills often focus on enhancing the defensive capabilities of his troops, granting them damage reduction, increased armor, or regeneration, further solidifying his frontline.

Battle Phases: The Unyielding Charge

The confrontation with Grand Marshal Valerius is characterized by a single, intense phase. Unlike battles with multiple distinct stages, Valerius's strategy is to apply immediate and overwhelming pressure. His primary objective is to close the distance as rapidly as possible, utilizing his Knights and Griffons to bypass your initial defenses and engage your Wielder or vulnerable ranged units.

This "single, intense phase" means there's no room for complacency. From the moment combat begins, you must be prepared for his aggressive advance. He will not wait for you to set up a perfect defensive formation; he will force the engagement. This phase is defined by:

• Rapid Advance: Valerius's forces will immediately begin moving towards your lines, with Knights often taking the lead to initiate charges.
• Focus on Engagement: His goal is to get his melee units into combat with yours as quickly as possible to leverage their strengths and prevent you from effectively using your ranged units.
• Aerial Harassment: Griffons will likely be used to bypass your frontline and target key units, forcing you to divert attention and resources.
• Sustained Pressure: The intensity remains high throughout the battle, with little respite as he continuously pushes his advantage.

Strategic Approach: Weathering the Storm

Defeating Grand Marshal Valerius requires a careful balance of defensive fortitude and offensive pressure. His army's strengths can be exploited with the right tactics:

• Defensive Core: Establish a robust frontline with your own durable melee units. Units with high defense and HP, such as Arleon's own Royal Guards or similar factions' heavy infantry, are ideal for absorbing the initial shock of his assault.
• Ranged Superiority: Position your ranged units behind your frontline, protected from direct melee engagement. Focus their fire on high-priority targets.
• Prioritize Griffons: These aerial threats are often the most dangerous due to their ability to bypass your defenses. Dedicated anti-air units or high-damage ranged attacks should be focused on them immediately.
• Spellcasting Power: Utilize powerful offensive spells that can bypass armor or deal area-of-effect damage.
  • 'Chain Lightning' is excellent for damaging multiple units in a tight formation.
  • 'Apocalypse' (if you have access to it via the 'Bringer of Ruin' path) can decimate his entire army if positioned correctly.
  • Spells that debuff enemy armor or attack power can also significantly reduce the effectiveness of his elite troops.
• Exploit Weaknesses: While Valerius's army is resilient, it can be vulnerable to sustained magical damage and focused ranged assaults that bypass its high armor. Units with abilities like 'Attack of Opportunity' can punish his advancing troops, dealing extra damage as they move into range.
• Wielder Skills and Artifacts:
  • Wielder Skills: Skills that provide defensive buffs to your own units, grant extra movement, or enhance your ranged attack power are invaluable. Consider skills that can disrupt enemy formations or debuff their stats.
  • Artifacts: Artifacts that boost your Wielder's spellcasting power, increase the range or damage of your ranged units, or provide defensive bonuses to your army are highly recommended. Look for artifacts that offer resistance to melee damage or grant additional armor.

Common Pitfalls and Missables

• Underestimating Griffons: Many players focus solely on the frontline and are caught off guard by the Griffons' ability to decimate their backlines. Always have a plan to deal with them.
• Overextending: Valerius's Knights are designed to punish overextended units. Ensure your frontline is solid and your ranged units are well-protected.
• Ignoring Support Units: While the Royal Guards and Knights are the main threat, don't forget the healing and buffing capabilities of his support units. Eliminating them can weaken his army significantly.
• Low Wielder Level/Poor Loadout: On higher difficulties, Valerius is a formidable opponent. Ensure your Wielder is adequately leveled and equipped with synergistic artifacts and spells.

By understanding Valerius's army composition, the nature of his aggressive assault, and employing a well-prepared strategic approach, you can overcome the final challenge of the Arleon campaign and emerge victorious.