I just posted the following on Reddit and thought it might lead to some lively discussion related to progression and hero priorities - if you see this in both places, sorry! I’m just really curious for your opinions is all! 
It’s a lot of text, so feel free to just hop into the discussion regarding your own particular phase of interest!
There are regular threads about what events are worth the gems… and now that I’ve played for nearly a year, I realized recently that I’ve been through numerous different phases as I’ve progressed in Empires & Puzzles… and each step along the way my spending priorities have changed as my roster has grown. Below I’ll share with you my breakdown of the various phases of roster growth and priorities. Please add your opinion below! Did I nail down the phases appropriately? How do you feel about the priorities that I declared?
Each dropdown below goes into detail about each phase and what I believe to be the appropriate priorities for each.
The Four Phases of E&P:
Phase 1: Newbie - More Heroes Plz!
When new to the game it just feels like there are not enough heroes to go around. Since we need 30 heroes to participate in War, it’s a scramble to 30… and ideally, 3* heroes, too.
That said, since every single event summons has a small chance to produce the ideal outcome, and is guaranteed to produce at minimum a 3* Season 1 hero… there is never, ever, ever any real reason to spend gems (or tokens) on the regular Epic Summons. Because of this, I believe that although they are different stages of growth, the Newbie and Beginner phases are identical in priorities.
During this phase your goals should be to run two training camps at TC13 and get up to running two TC20 ASAP, hoping to get said Season 1 heroes for free.
This phase usually lasts 1-2 months.
Phase 2: Beginner - Caedmon's Call To Arms
Assuming that you only have one or two training camps running TC13 or TC20, you likely only have a few 4* heroes. While almost any 4* hero is an upgrade over a 3* hero, there is a significant difference in quality between Guardian Jackal and Hu Tao.
It’s at this stage where we care far more about gaining power rather than just more heroes. Ideally, we want high quality 4* heroes… a tank, a healer or two, a few dispellers… In the real world, however, we’re still left with the reality mentioned above: Season 2 heroes are better than Season 1 heroes. Event heroes are superior to Season 1 heroes. Basically: Season 1 heroes are good, but heroes from the special summons are better… and each one awards Season 1 heroes as a consolation prize.
Because of this, it is best to consider which events offer a wide array of quality 4* heroes and aim for those events during this stage of growth. You’ll know when you’re past this wide-spray acquisition approach when you begin to question the value of the summons in question: “Since I already own X and Y, is it really worth doing this one specific summon just to acquire Z?” If you have to ask, you’ve moved to Phase 3.
Phase 2 Priorities:
- Christmas - Buddy!
- Guardians of Teltoc - Until you acquire G. Jackal & G. Falcon
- Atlantis - Until you acquire Wilbur & Proteus
By the time you’ve acquired the Guardians, Wilbur and Proteus you’ve finished targeting each of the 4* heroes that are BIG deals. Wilbur will overhaul your Titan teams (along with Wu Kong who you should acquire along the way as a consolation prize since he’s a Season 1 hero), and Proteus is a crucial addition to your offensive raid team… and both together are a great duo for quests.
This phase usually lasts until months 3-5 depending on progression RNG.
Phase 3: Advanced - War Woes
The phase where anything will go as long as it’s a 4* or 5* hero… once you’ve got most of the Elemental Down heroes, Proteus, Wilbur, Wu Kong (or attack up equivalent), the only way to improve is by getting quality 4* heroes, or more 5* heroes. At this point in time we’re left trying to get rid of those pesky 3* heroes at the back 3 war flags.
It is at this point that we find ourselves holding onto the Epic Hero Tokens in hopes of using them in an upcoming Seasonal Event. We’re served most by more 4* and 5* heroes, but we already have a few 4* duds and would really prefer some higher quality snipers…
It is during this phase that Atlantis becomes more critical due to the Featured 5* heroes (which includes previous Heroes of the Month!). The 5* Atlantis heroes are excellent, and if the featured previous HotM is of interest to you… drop all ya got. Acquiring a high quality 5* hero is a Big Deal in E&P. In this phase, we’re targeting 5* heroes and being grateful for good 4* heroes.
Phase 3 Priorities:
This phase lasts through the first approx. 12 months of play. Once the war roster is filled out to the full 30-hero roster of 4 and 5 star heroes… you are officially a Veteran.
Phase 4: Veteran - Prime Time
Once you reach this phase, you know you’ve hit Prime Time. You’re hitting titans hard with every color, disappointed with 20k hits. You know how to adjust for rare titans… your war defense is solid, etc. You’re no longer, however, looking for MORE heroes… in fact, you’re actively feeding away various 4* heroes, and maybe even a few 5* heroes. What you need is quality over quantity. The question is, where can you find it?
What you really need now is two things: The Top 15 heroes in use today, along with each of the Elemental Down heroes.
The Top 15: Most of these are previous HotM (Gravemaker, Kunchen, etc. This means that Atlantis becomes of critical importance when the featured HotM is one of these particular heroes.
Other than that, if only for titans everyone should be capable of each Elemental Down: Evelyn, Guardian Jackal, Guardian Falcon, Guardian Panther, King Arthur/Frida. Not only do they make a huge difference against titans, but they should be a staple in your offensive raid & war teams. A 3/2 with one Elemental Down and 2 snipers will destroy any enemy hero.
The point here is that along the way you will have acquired a lot of heroes… but still lack many of the highest quality 5* heroes. It will require a little research to find what gaps you’re missing, but when you have an opportunity to fill even one of them, it’s worth throwing gems at it.
This phase never really ends… but it starts right around the 1 year mark. If you’ve made it this far, congratulations! …and… what are your most desired heroes? What hero have you been chasing, but are yet to acquire?
Me? I want Alberich and Gravemaker. Those two heroes make life so, so difficult!
