🎅 Santa's Challenge (Christmas) 2021 - Teams, Strategy, FAQs, Discussion, and Links – Starts December 01

Santa’s Challenge (Christmas) Event is (almost) Here!

Start End Duration
2021-12-01T07:00:00Z 2022-01-01T07:00:00Z 31 days

:world_map: Guides

Credit to @cap (🌿 Memento seasonal event) & @Zartanis ({Master - Zartanis' Guides} Building, Crafting, Event, Talent Grid Guides, etc)

Details based on beta testing so may vary

Quick Guide by @cap - Mobs & Bosses

Click for Rewards Guide by @cap

Credit @cap

Click for All-in-one guide by @cap

Credit @cap

Click for Guide by @Zartanis

Credit @Zartanis

Click for Guide by @ColdHands

Credit @ColdHands


:dizzy: Updated Rewards & Flag Reqs.

Note – these are based on Beta so there may be some changes.

Click for Easy Mode Info
Stage WE Required Recommended TP Rewards
1 3 :triangular_flag_on_post: 1500 5x Clean Cloth
2 3 :triangular_flag_on_post: 1520 5x Common Herbs
3 3 :triangular_flag_on_post: 1550 6x Clean Cloth
4 3 :triangular_flag_on_post: 1570 5x Crude Iron
5 3 :triangular_flag_on_post: 1600 6x Common Herbs
6 3 :triangular_flag_on_post: 1620 5x Large Bone
7 3 :triangular_flag_on_post: 1650 5x Leather Strips
8 3 :triangular_flag_on_post: 1670 6x Crude Iron
9 3 :triangular_flag_on_post: 1700 8x Large Bone
10 3 :triangular_flag_on_post: 1750 6x Leather Strips
11 3 :triangular_flag_on_post: 1800 8x Clean Cloth
8x Common Herbs
12 4 :triangular_flag_on_post: 1850 Rudolph Avatar
1x 1* Blue Trainer
10x Leather Armor
8x Crude Iron
13 4 :triangular_flag_on_post: 1900 4x Minor Healing Potion
6x Large Bone
14 4 :triangular_flag_on_post: 1950 4x Minor Mana Potion
8x Leather Strips
15 4 :triangular_flag_on_post: 2000 2x Antidotes
7x Oil
16 4 :triangular_flag_on_post: 2050 10x Adventurer’s Kits
7x String
17 4 :triangular_flag_on_post: 2100 2x Arrow Attack
10x Clean Cloth
18 4 :triangular_flag_on_post: 2150 4x Axe Attack
10x Common Herbs
19 4 :triangular_flag_on_post: 2200 1x Mana Potion
10x Crude Iron
20 4 :triangular_flag_on_post: 2250 10x Training Manual
9x Large Bone
21 5 :triangular_flag_on_post: 2300 1x Axe Attack
10x Leather Strips
22 5 :triangular_flag_on_post: 2350 1x Potent Healing Potion
13x Oil
23 5 :triangular_flag_on_post: 2400 1x Mana Potion
13x String
24 5 :triangular_flag_on_post: 2450 Frosty Avatar
1x 1* Red Trainer
1x Epic Troop Token
10x Training Manual
Click for Normal Mode Info
Stage WE Required Recommended TP Rewards
1 6 :triangular_flag_on_post: 2450 4x Crystal Shards
2 6 :triangular_flag_on_post: 2470 4x Firestone
3 6 :triangular_flag_on_post: 2500 4x Crypt Mushroom
4 6 :triangular_flag_on_post: 2520 5x Crystal Shard
5 6 :triangular_flag_on_post: 2550 5x Firestone
6 6 :triangular_flag_on_post: 2600 5x Metal Ores
7 6 :triangular_flag_on_post: 2650 3x Leather Armor
5x Potent Leaves
8 6 :triangular_flag_on_post: 2700 1x 2* Blue Trainer
4x Axe Attack
7x Sunspire Feathers
9 6 :triangular_flag_on_post: 2800 1x Mana Potion
8x Metal Ores
10 6 :triangular_flag_on_post: 2850 3x Leather Armor
6x Crystal Shards
11 6 :triangular_flag_on_post: 2900 1x Axe Attack
6x Firestone
12 7 :triangular_flag_on_post: 2950 Buddy Avatar
1x Chainmail
5x Crypt Mushroom
13 7 :triangular_flag_on_post: 3000 6x Potent Leaves
6x Metal Ores
14 7 :triangular_flag_on_post: 3050 1x Axe Attack
1x Fine Steel
15 7 :triangular_flag_on_post: 3100 1x Potent Healing Potion
8x Potent Leaves
16 7 :triangular_flag_on_post: 3150 1x 2* Red Trainer Hero
3x Leather Armor
8x Sunspire Feathers
17 7 :triangular_flag_on_post: 3200 1x Mana Potion
7x Crypt Mushroom
18 7 :triangular_flag_on_post: 3250 2x Bomb Attack
7x Crystal Shard
19 7 :triangular_flag_on_post: 3300 3x Arcane Scripts
7x Firestone
20 7 :triangular_flag_on_post: 3350 2x Super Antidote
8x Metal Ore
21 8 :triangular_flag_on_post: 3400 1x Dragon Banner
7x Potent Leaves
22 8 :triangular_flag_on_post: 3450 3x Battle Manual
9x Sunspire Feathers
23 8 :triangular_flag_on_post: 3500 1x Revive Scroll
3x Fine Steel
24 8 :triangular_flag_on_post: 3550 Carol Avatar
1x 3* Blue Trainer
1x Epic Hero Token
1x Hidden Blade
Click for Hard Mode Info
Stage WE Required Recommended TP Rewards
1 9 :triangular_flag_on_post: 3550 1x Super Antidote
3x Grimoire Dust
2 9 :triangular_flag_on_post: 3570 3x Arcane Script
2x Hardwoon Lumber
3 9 :triangular_flag_on_post: 3600 1x Dragon Banner
2x Midnight Roots
4 9 :triangular_flag_on_post: 3620 1x Revive Scroll
1x Meteor Fragments
5 9 :triangular_flag_on_post: 3650 1x Strong Rope
3x Dragon Bone
6 9 :triangular_flag_on_post: 3700 3x Bomb Attack
2x Orichalcum Nuggets
7 9 :triangular_flag_on_post: 3750 1x Warm Cape
4x Fine Steel
8 9 :triangular_flag_on_post: 3800 1x 3* Red Trainer Hero
3x Dragon Banner
5x Fine Steel
9 9 :triangular_flag_on_post: 3850 3x Bomb Attack
4x Groimoire Dust
10 9 :triangular_flag_on_post: 3900 1x Super Antidote
1x Dragon Bone
11 9 :triangular_flag_on_post: 3950 7x Grimoire Dust
2x Meteor Fragment
12 10 :triangular_flag_on_post: 4000 Mother North Avatar
1x Farsight Telescope

1x Chainmail
13 10 :triangular_flag_on_post: 4050 3x Hardwood Lumber
1x Meteor Bone
14 10 :triangular_flag_on_post: 4100 4x Dragon Banner
3x Midnight Roots
15 10 :triangular_flag_on_post: 4150 10x Rogue Emblems
1x Super Antidote
4x Hardwood Lumber
16 10 :triangular_flag_on_post: 4200 1x 4* Blue Trainer Hero
10x Sorcerer Emblems
4x Bomb Attack
4x Midnight Root
17 10 :triangular_flag_on_post: 4250 10x Wizard Emblems
1x Super Mana Potion
7x Hardwood Lumber
18 10 :triangular_flag_on_post: 4300 Santa Claus Avatar
1x Epic Hero Token

10x Barbarian Emblems
1x Super Healing Potion
19 10 :triangular_flag_on_post: 4350 10x Cleric Emblems
7x Midnight Root
1x Dragon Bone
20 10 :triangular_flag_on_post: 4400 10x Druid Emblems
1x Revive Scroll
3x Meteor Fragment
21 11 :triangular_flag_on_post: 4450 10x Fighter Emblems
1x Time Stop
5x Dragon Bone
22 11 :triangular_flag_on_post: 4500 10x Monk Emblems
1x Tornado
6x Meteor Fragments
23 11 :triangular_flag_on_post: 4550 10x Paladin Emblems
1x Miracle Revive Scroll
4x Orichalcum Nugget
24 11 :triangular_flag_on_post: 4600 1x Krampus Avatar
1x 4* Red Trainer Hero
10x Ranger Emblems
1x Mystic Rings

:snowflake: Special Game-Play - Frosted Tiles!

The Frosted Tiles (frozen) are returning from last year & feature the same gameplay mechanic.

The shields which are covered with frost! Frosted shields can’t be used in attacks. Match shields to break the frost!

All other match mechanics are the same as regular gameplay.

How this works:

  • Tiles which are frosted CAN be moved
  • Tiles which are frosted involved in a match DO NOT “fire”. They simply lose the frosting.
  • Matching a Diamond or Dragon Bomb by swiping a “frosted tile” DOES NOT result in the formation of the Diamond/ Dragon Bomb.

:sweat_smile: Easy, Normal and Advanced Modes

New for 2020, there are now three Modes for the Seasonal Event — Easy (new), Normal, and Advanced. You can play any or all three, and must complete each Stage sequentially in that mode to advance.

The Modes are separated, a bit like Tiers in Challenge Events.

Unlike Normal/Hard Modes in Atlantis, advancing in the Easy or Normal Modes won’t give you access to the corresponding Stages in Advanced. You need to beat each Stage in each mode to progress. And unlike Normal/Hard Modes in Valhalla, the Modes can be played entirely separately — you could start with Advanced, for instance, without playing Easy and Normal.


:triangular_flag_on_post: Stages

Like previous versions of Santa’s Challenge, there are 24 Stages per Difficulty Mode.

With the addition of Easy, that now means there are a total of 72 Stages across the three Difficulty Modes.


:no_entry_sign: No Hero Restrictions

Unlike Challenge Events, there are no restrictions on Hero or Troop rarity in the Easy, Normal, and Advanced Modes. There are also no restrictions on Hero Classes, unlike Class Trials.

You’re free to use any heroes you’d like!


:repeat: No Replaying Completed Stages

Unlike Challenge Events, Seasonal Events don’t allow replaying a completed Stage — much like how Quests & the Ninja Tower work.

Once you beat each Stage, it’s locked, and once you beat the entirety of the Seasonal Event, you can’t play any more.

If you fail at a Stage, you can retry as many times as you’d like, up until the Event ends.


:spiral_calendar: Offers Calendar & Log

:arrow_right: Details & Discussion Thread:


:star2: Epic Hero Tokens Can Be Used for Seasonal Summoning

The Seasonal Summons replaces the regular Epic Hero Summons.

Because of that, unlike Challenge Event Summons, the Summoning Portal for Seasonal Events allows using saved up Epic Hero Tokens that can otherwise normally only be used for Epic Hero Summons.

That makes Seasonal Events the only place you can currently use Epic Hero Tokens for a chance at non-Season 1 heroes.


:partying_face: Festive Stronghold


Note: these images are from 2019; I will update with new content if there are changes.

During each of the Seasonal Events, your Base is updated in the spirit of the season.

For Santa’s Challenge, this includes snow, snowmen, Christmas lights on trees, and aurora/northern lights in the sky. Also, the dragon that flies across your base sky is replaced with a Sleigh pulled by Reindeer.

She snowmen will bounce when tapped.

image image


:left_speech_bubble: Share Your Teams & Results, and Ask Questions!

  • Many players will switch up their heroes used for each Stage, based on the monster/boss colors — are there heroes you’re using consistently for Santa’s Challenge?
  • Are there any Stages you’re having a hard time with, and would like advice on beating?
  • Are you using particular items to beat Santa’s Challenge stages?
  • How do you find playing with the Frosted Shields?
  • Do you have insights on strategy to share, or questions?
  • Is there anything about Santa’s Challenge that you’re wondering about?


Forum challenge event

There is a forum challenge event for this event, where 5 random players can win free flasks.

You can read the rules here:

Use this topic to discuss about it:

:link: Other 2020 Santa’s Challenge (Christmas) Threads


Click for 2020 Santa's Challenge Discussion Threads
Click for 2019 Santa's Challenge Discussion Threads
Click for #beta-beat threads
14 Likes

Mr. Pengi looks buff:

7 Likes

Thank you very much for your continued work creating, and updating these threads @PlayForFun ! :+1: Your ongoing Cake Day celebration is a bit slow atm. I think many are busy with the last Guardians, and the usual stuff. :sweat_smile:

The new rewards look great to me. Hopefully they’ll go live.

5 Likes

You are welcome.
I am planning to add the new costumes and heroes topics later today.

3 Likes

I will try to bring in some action again and maintain my image. Also so that you don’t have to do it again in the word association thread. :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:

2 Likes

Looks like SKADI is going to be putting in for overtime this December

2 Likes

Semi retired

I just came out of full retirement

It will be interesting to see what live server, Santa Challenge v2.0 is like ( see notes for @madmarv )

Besides very grindy

Notes

2020 v2.0 by @madmarv

Click for notes

@madmarv a champion of Legendary recruit training ( RT20 )

(🎅 Santa's Challenge (Christmas) 2020 - Teams, Strategy, FAQs, Discussion, and Links – Starts December 01 - #76 by madmarv)

Unfortunately, @madmarv is currently retired

Harpoons

As a semi retired, solo player, I also use harpoons as an iron sink, sitting on 343x harpoons

([Warning!, Tip, Danger!] 🎶 Drunken Santa ( apologies to the Irish Rovers ) or Battle item targeting and harpoons in Santa's Challenge)

2019 v1.0

(🎅 Santa's Challenge 2019: Teams, Strategy, FAQs, Discussion, and Links – Christmas Event - #268 by Gryphonknight)

Iron sink

Click for iron sink details

Currently I am using excess iron to create harpoons

Per 1* crafting ingredient, used to make harpoons,

Damage to target 107
Attack - 2.85 % / - 3.57 %,
Defense - 0 % / - 4.28 %,
for 0.8571 turns

and

13.5 k iron consumed

Harpoons!!!

(The Great Yellow Whale ( apologies to Herman Melville ) or Harpooning Vivica in Trials of Fortitude and Friar Tuck in Trials of Piety)

([Warning!, Tip, Danger!] :notes: Drunken Santa ( apologies to the Irish Rovers ) or Battle item targeting and harpoons in Santa’s Challenge)

([Tip] One trick titans absolutely hate or Harpoon vs. titan vs. STUNNED titan or Hidden information about harpoons)

FIN

3 Likes

Thanks for the info PFF! I’m a huge fan of Santa’s Challenge and hopefully I get Mother North or Krampus this year.

I put together a guide, including lighthearted reviews for all the Christmas heroes, including their new Costumes & Mr. Pengi. Thanks!

3 Likes

I visited your blog and I’m very impressed! U say to subscribe to help the blog get more recognition, I’m curious how to subscribe. Thanks again for the work!

1 Like

Thank you Apollos, I appreciate the feedback. You can hit the subscribe button on the blog, or click this (it’s mail chimp). Thanks again!

1 Like

Good to see you Back in the mix OG!

1 Like

All set. I got the email confirmation, accepted the subscription and will share with my Alliance. Again, very cool stuff in there for Santas challenge! I recommend e1 to check it out!

1 Like

I grabbed video of the frozen tile behavior in an effort to illustrate the mechanics as described at the top of the post. This was also described well here

I think of the mechanics in terms of the active tile, ie what tile is being moved into the formation to complete the match.

If the active tile is frozen, no bomb or diamond will form

If the active tile is not frozen, it will form a bomb or diamond, even if other tiles in the formation are frozen

Hope this helps. Happy gaming :slight_smile:

3 Likes

Grinding Santa

I am slowly grinding my way through Santa’s Challenge, Advanced Stages ( all the 4* ascension items!! )

I have cleared Advanced Stages 1 to 20

Team

Most Valuable Players are:

Rigard b.4^75+18
Vivica b.5* 4.80
Proteus 4*+18
Melendor b.4*+18

b.= base hero, no costume
b+= base hero with costume bonus
b^= base hero with maximum costume bonus
c+= costume and costume bonus
X^Y+Z= Rarity/ Stars X LB Level ^Y Class +Z example b.5^85+15

Supported by

Little John b.4*4.70
Mana generation -64%. Hard to keep alive, but Vivica plus Mana items gives heal, cleanse and defense buff. Defense buff useful against mobs

or

Frida 5*+1
With solo family bonus ( 1x unique hero of the family ), nice attack stat, Damage / dispel for target, and nearby

Waiting in case needed

Wilbur 4*+1

Battle items

Most Valuable Items are:

Harpoons
Mana 25%

Supported by

Antidotes
Mana 60%
Axes

Costume Chao, and Proteus, together they fight crime

… NOT!

I want to play with my new costume Chao, but SGG rebalanced / nerfed / fixed the combo of Hel / Proteus AND Onatel / c+Chao

Notes

Grinder gang v2.1

Click for notes

Mana steal / Mana freeze “fix”

(New onatel fix? - #12 by Gryphonknight)

FIN

1 Like

Mother Frakking North ( MFN ) or Advanced Stage 22

Advanced Stage 22

Rather than deal with Mother Frakking North’s special skill - instant heal, resurrection, and minion heal / meat shield- I just blasted everything

[01] 5x Dragon attacks,
[04] 5x Harpoons,
[03] 10x Mana 25%,
[04] 5x Bomb attacks

[x]= number of battle item used

I used 1x Dragon attacks, to set everything on fire
MFN HP 4396 - 400 = 3,996

I use 4x Bomb attacks, to almost kill the mobs and give enemies an attack debuff -25% for 6x turns
MFN HP 3,996 - ( 4x 300 ) = 2,796

I used 4x harpoons to kill Mother Frakking North
MFN HP 2,796 - ( 4x 750 ) = negative 204

I used 3x Mana 25% on Vivica to get to the Boss Wave

MN stats

On Advanced Stage 22,
Mother Frakking North has Attack 2519, Defense 1384, HP 4396

FIN

1 Like

To be honest I thought it was all fairly easy this time around. Hardly used any battle items at all.
A few red and green banners and some small mana potions in the last 3 levels of Legendary and that was it.
It was all good - my only disappointment was that SG could have put new avatars in.
Good luck everyone

2 Likes

Advanced Stage 23

Team

Click for post

This team - 2x Dispellers, 3x Healers, 1x Defense buffer, 1x mana freeze - worked well

Battle items

[00] 5x Dragon attacks,
[02] 5x Harpoons,
[08] 10x Mana 25%,
[00] 5x Mana 60%

[x]= number of battle item used

The 2x Harpoons were mostly for Attack -20% for 12x total turns

The 8x Mana 25% were mostly charging Vivica for heal and Defense buff

Formation

Double formation, Boss position #3

Mostly targeted Mobs #2 ( 1,2,3 ), or #4, ( 3,4,5 ) with Proteus, and Frida, to catch corner Mobs, and Boss Krampus

Notes

Enemies

Outraged Spruce Attack 1761, Def 939, HP 1878

Boss Krampus Attack 3228, Defense 1761, HP 5635

Edit:

Advanced, Stage 24

Click for post

Same team as Advanced Stage 23

Battle items

[03] 5x Dragon attack,
[02] 5x Harpoons,
[10] 10x Mana 25%,
[02] 5x Bomb attacks

[x]= number of battle item used

Boss stats

Mother Frakking North
Attack 2601, Defense 1419, HP 4540

Krampus
Attack 3261, Defense 1779, HP 5692

Santa Claus
Attack 3096, Defense 1689, HP 5404

FIN

2 Likes

20 quoted elf characters

Same here, last year i was to finish it for the first time. This year the challenge was not to use any items at all. Was able to achieve this without getting in real trouble, both Normal and Hard.

2 Likes

Way too easy. Auto’d the entire thing with Noor Freya Frosth Vanda C and Elizabeth. Didn’t even need a healer and didn’t need to intervene once. Just a big grind for a half decent reward and now back to S4

1 Like