The Order of the Sun — Songs of Conquest Walkthrough

Command The Order of the Sun in Songs of Conquest. Utilize devout warriors and angelic hosts channeling celestial might to support your troops.

The Order of the Sun is a bastion of righteousness and divine power in Songs of Conquest, embodying unwavering faith and the radiant might of the celestial bodies. Their armies are a testament to their devotion, comprised of devout warriors, angelic hosts, and potent spellcasters who channel the very essence of the sun. This faction excels in supporting their troops with potent buffs and healing, while simultaneously unleashing devastating holy damage upon their foes. Mastering the Order of the Sun, whether as a player or an opponent, hinges on understanding their unique strengths, inherent weaknesses, and the strategic deployment of their faith-infused units.

Core Strengths and Playstyle

The Order of the Sun's playstyle is characterized by a strong emphasis on:

• Divine Damage and Support: Their units and spells primarily deal holy damage, which is particularly effective against creatures of darkness and undeath. Furthermore, they possess unparalleled healing and buffing capabilities, ensuring their army remains resilient and empowered throughout prolonged engagements.
• Resilient Frontline: Units like the Templars and Paladins form an unyielding defensive line, capable of absorbing significant punishment and protecting their more fragile backline units.
• Faith-Based Mechanics: Many of their abilities and unit strengths are tied to their faith. Commanders aligned with the Order often possess traits that amplify divine magic, reduce spell costs, or bolster troop morale, making their armies incredibly steadfast.
• Strategic Spellcasting: The Order boasts a formidable array of spells, from the life-restoring 'Holy Light' and the battlefield-cleansing 'Purify' to the direct, searing damage of 'Sunbeam' and 'Divine Wrath'.

Key Units of the Order of the Sun

The Order's roster is a testament to their divine mandate:

• Initiates: The basic melee unit, capable of holding their own and benefiting from early-game buffs.
• Clerics: Essential support units, providing crucial healing and beneficial Auras that bolster nearby allies. Their 'Heal' spell is a cornerstone of Order armies.
• Templars: The backbone of the Order's frontline. Heavily armored, they possess high defense and HP, making them excellent at absorbing enemy attacks and protecting vulnerable units. Their 'Shield Wall' ability further enhances their defensive capabilities.
• Paladins: Elite melee units that combine offensive prowess with strong support. They can deal significant holy damage and possess abilities that can inspire nearby troops or even smite a single target with divine fury.
• Archons: Ranged units that unleash bolts of holy energy. They are vital for softening up enemy formations before they reach the frontline.
• Archangels: The pinnacle of the Order's might. These powerful flying units are devastating in combat, capable of dealing massive holy damage, inspiring nearby allies, and even resurrecting fallen comrades. Their 'Divine Intervention' ability can be a game-changer.

Playing as the Order of the Sun: A Strategic Walkthrough

Embarking on a campaign as the Order of the Sun requires a methodical approach, prioritizing faith, defense, and calculated aggression.

Early Game (Turns 1-5): Establishing Dominance

1. Starting Location: Typically begins in or near a settlement like Sanctum of Light or The Golden Citadel.
2. Initial Objective: Secure your starting region. This usually involves defeating neutral enemy stacks guarding resource nodes or minor settlements. Focus on clearing out any immediate threats to your economy.
3. Recruitment: Prioritize recruiting Initiates and Clerics. Use your starting gold to build a Barracks and a Shrine of Healing in your main settlement.
4. Commander Focus: Choose a commander with early-game buffs for melee units or spell cost reduction. Sister Elara, with her healing bonuses, is an excellent choice.
5. First Expansion: Push towards the nearest neutral resource nodes (Gold Mines, Crystal Veins) and any minor settlements. Be wary of enemy patrols. A common early-game enemy might be a small stack of Goblins or Undead.

Mid Game (Turns 6-15): Consolidation and Expansion

1. Securing Key Locations: Aim to capture a fortified town or a strategic resource like an Altar of Mana. These locations provide significant income and recruitment options.
2. Unit Progression: Begin recruiting Templars to form your frontline. Supplement them with more Clerics and start adding Archons for ranged support.
3. Commander Development: Invest skill points in abilities that enhance your core units (e.g., +Attack for Templars, +Spell Power for Clerics) or unlock powerful spells.
4. Confronting Mid-Tier Enemies: You will likely encounter stronger enemy factions, such as early-game Sorcerers with their elemental magic or aggressive Warlords with their brute force. A typical encounter might involve a stack of Skeleton Warriors and Necromancers. Your Templars, supported by Clerics, should be able to hold the line while Archons and your commander's spells deal damage.
5. Questing: Many Order quests involve defending sacred sites or purging corrupted areas. Follow your quest markers diligently, as they often lead to valuable rewards and story progression. A common quest objective might be to clear out a Grave of the Forsaken occupied by Undead.

Late Game (Turns 16+): Divine Ascendancy

1. Elite Unit Recruitment: Focus on recruiting Paladins and, if possible, start building towards Archangels. These units will be crucial for taking on enemy capitals and powerful neutral armies.
2. Commander Specialization: Maximize your commander's potential. Focus on high-tier spells like 'Divine Wrath' or 'Mass Heal'.
3. Siege Warfare: When attacking enemy capitals, utilize your siege units effectively. Your strong frontline will absorb tower fire while your ranged units and spells weaken the defenders.
4. Boss Encounters: Late-game quests or enemy capitals may feature powerful boss units. For example, a boss might be a Lich King with powerful death magic. Your strategy should involve focusing all your damage on the Lich while your Clerics keep your frontline alive. Exploit any weaknesses the boss might have, such as a vulnerability to holy damage.

Fighting Against the Order of the Sun: Counter-Strategies

Facing the Order of the Sun requires a tactical shift to overcome their formidable defenses and potent healing.

• Disrupt Healing: Bring units or spells that can inflict 'Silence' or 'Mute' effects to prevent Clerics from casting 'Heal'. Alternatively, use spells like 'Drain Life' to counter their healing output.
• Bypass the Frontline: Utilize fast-moving units or abilities that can strike the Order's back ranks directly. Units with 'Flying' or 'Charge' abilities are excellent for this.
• Exploit Elemental Weaknesses: While the Order excels against darkness, they can be vulnerable to raw elemental damage, particularly from Sorcerers wielding powerful lightning or ice spells.
• Focus Fire on Key Units: Prioritize eliminating their Clerics and Archons to cripple their support and ranged damage.
• Morale Disruption: While the Order is faith-based, breaking the morale of their commanders or elite units can significantly weaken their effectiveness.

Common Pitfalls and Missables

• Neglecting Economy: The Order of the Sun relies on a strong economy to field their expensive elite units. Failing to secure resource nodes early can cripple your army's growth.
• Over-Reliance on Frontline: While Templars are strong, they cannot win battles alone. Ensure you have adequate ranged support and spellcasters to deal damage and provide buffs.
• Ignoring Commander Skills: A well-developed commander can exponentially increase the power of your army. Neglecting their skill tree will leave you at a significant disadvantage.
• Missable Quests: Some quests, especially those tied to specific locations or timed events, can be missed if you do not pursue them promptly. Always check your quest log.

Rewards and Loot Tables (Example)

Completing quests or defeating powerful neutral stacks often yields valuable rewards:

Reward Type	Item/Effect	Quantity/Effect Strength	Notes
Artifact	Amulet of Faith	+10 Morale, +5% Holy Damage	Found after defeating the 'Guardian of the Shrine' in the Whispering Woods.
Resource	Gold	500-1000	Common reward from clearing minor enemy camps.
Resource	Mana Crystals	50-100	Often found near Altar of Mana locations.
Spell Scroll	Greater Heal	Restores 150 HP	Reward for completing the 'Blessing of the Ancients' quest.
Unit Buff	Temporary +2 Attack for all melee units	Lasts 3 turns	Granted by a friendly NPC upon reaching the Sunstone Monastery.

The Order of the Sun's lore is steeped in tales of martyrdom, divine intervention, and the eternal struggle against encroaching darkness. Their campaigns often involve defending sacred sites, purging heretical influences, and spreading their divine light across the war-torn lands of Aerthos.