Open Field Cavalry Tier List — Call of Dragons Ultimate Guide
This guide is built to be a practical, deployable reference for commanders who want consistent wins in open-field PvP with cavalry-led forces. You’ll get a full tier list, role-by-role breakdowns, recommended pairings, gear and skill focus, march setups, matchup notes, and concrete tactical play patterns that scale from solo skirmishes to alliance-led fights. Wherever I call out specific heroes, I include why they matter in open-field environments and how to use them to control space, win trades, and force favorable engagements.
Throughout the guide I use bold and italic styling on key phrases like Call of Dragons cavalry, open-field cavalry heroes, and cavalry hero tier list to help quick scanning and emphasis for in-game use.
Guide structure
Quick-read tier list (fast choices for immediate upgrading)
In-depth hero profiles (why they’re placed, strengths/weaknesses)
Recommended pairings and team comps (with role explanations)
Builds: skill priority, rune/glyph focus, artifacts and stat targets
March composition and deployment tips for open-field PvP
Common matchups and counters with play-by-play tactics
Progression and investment advice by commander level and resource stage
Frequently asked questions
Quick-read tier list (open-field PvP focus)
This tier list prioritizes performance in open-field PvP: mobility, burst/sustain trade, ability to snowball skirmishes, zone control, and synergy with rally and support mechanics. Use it to decide who to invest materials and advanced gear into if your primary aim is the open-field ladder, flag fights, and cross-server skirmishes.
S Tier — game-changing, consistently decisive in open-field
Top Cavalry Heroes: Hero A, Hero B, Hero C
A Tier — highly effective, often first-pick in balanced comps
Hero D, Hero E, Hero F
B Tier — solid picks that excel in specific matchups or when paired correctly
Hero G, Hero H, Hero I
C Tier — niche or utility picks; work in specialist strategies or low-power games
Hero J, Hero K, Hero L
D Tier — avoid investing unless you are intentionally using weird comps or a novelty build
Hero M, Hero N
Note: Hero names are placeholders for your specific roster (insert your server’s hero list here). Replace each placeholder with the correct in-game hero name when you implement the plan.
How to read this tier list
S Tier heroes can carry an open-field engagement by themselves or enable decisive win conditions for allied marches. They offer either superior mobility control, burst that kills key targets quickly, or AoE effects that make disengage risky for the enemy.
A Tier offers comparable power but usually requires better micro, pairing, or gear to reach peak performance.
B Tier heroes are specialized — they shine in particular counters or when the enemy composition is predictable.
C and D Tier should only be used by players who like creative builds or are aiming for specific objectives instead of broad open-field dominance.
Hero placement reasoning
Hero evaluation criteria
Mobility impact: How the hero increases march speed, repositioning ability, gap closing, or disengage.
Burst vs sustain: How quickly the hero converts engagements into kills and their ability to recover in long trades.
AoE vs single-target: Influence on multi-march fights and whether one hero can swing the entire engagement.
Crowd control and interrupt: Stun, knockback, silence equivalents that can disable key enemy abilities.
Survivability: Defensive tools (shields, heals, dodge) that allow the hero to remain a persistent threat.
Synergy with meta roles: Compatibility with tanks, ranged nukers, healers, and buffers.
Counter-resilience: How well the hero performs when focused, kited, or CC’d.
S Tier deep dive
S Tier — Role summary
S Tier cavalry heroes dominate open fields by combining speed with clutch crowd control, AoE follow-through, or heavy single-target burst that removes threats before they can react. They routinely win matchups by forcing enemies to engage on their terms.
S Tier — Hero A (primary example)
Strengths: Exceptional gap close with invulnerability frames; a follow-through AoE that cripples nearby enemy marches; excellent crowd control chain that prevents enemy heals.
Weaknesses: Dependence on precise timing; low prolonged sustain if misplayed.
Best use: Pair with sustain or shield-bearing allies that can hold the line once Hero A shreds enemy DPS. Use as primary engage initiator.
Tactics: Use Hero A’s gap-close to single out enemy healers or nukers. Wait for a moment of enemy misposition (split marches, overextension) and commit with ultimate + follow-up. If the enemy double-commits, use the hero’s stun window to secure the kill and let allied shields absorb counter-hits.
S Tier — Hero B (zone control specialist)
Strengths: Continuous AoE that redefines territory control; passive that increases allied march speed within area; resets that punish retreat.
Weaknesses: Lower single-target damage; requires space to be effective.
Best use: Anchor point near objectives or high-traffic lanes. Pair with mobile flankers who can exploit enemy missteps into the AoE.
Tactics: Force enemies to choose between taking the AoE and losing sustained HP or redirecting their path, allowing allied forces to intercept. Use terrain to funnel enemies into the zone.
S Tier — Hero C (burst cavalry assassin)
Strengths: High single-target DPS with short cooldowns; executes priority targets quickly; has a disengage to escape if the focus turns.
Weaknesses: Squishy if caught; limited impact on grouped enemy marches.
Best use: Hunt enemy commanders, kill supports, then retreat.
Tactics: Communicate target priority (healer > nuker > buff) before the engagement. Coordinate with allied tanks to draw attention, then send Hero C to eliminate the key threat.
A Tier deep dive
A Tier cavalry heroes reliably win fights but typically require one of: better micro, ideal pairings, certain gear thresholds, or enemy mistakes to operate at S Tier level.
A Tier — Hero D (balanced carry)
Strengths: Good mobility and respectable AoE damage; easier to play.
Weaknesses: Lacks the one-hit potential of S Tier; can be outpaced by hyper-aggressive heroes.
Best use: Default investment for players who want a dependable cavalry presence.
A Tier — Hero E (supportive cavalry)
Strengths: Buffs allied cavalry stats and provides targeted debuffs to enemies.
Weaknesses: Lower direct damage; vulnerable if isolated.
Best use: Pair with a strong frontliner or burst hero to amplify kill windows.
B Tier deep dive
B Tier heroes are excellent in controlled situations, like flag brawls or when they can exploit a particular weakness. They are also strong counter-picks.
B Tier — Hero G (counter specialist)
Strengths: Abilities that specifically beat common meta plays.
Weaknesses: Falls off when enemy comp changes.
Best use: Keep in reserve as a counter strat when facing predictable lineups.
C and D Tier notes
C Tier heroes can still serve as stopgaps in low-power servers, are fun for off-meta strategies, or can be used for training micro and team coordination.
D Tier heroes should be replaced or only leveled for secondary activities like resource farming or when the hero has unique synergy with other favorite commanders.
Pairings and team compositions
Open-field success is less about a single hero and more about how you compose your march and coordinate with allies. Here are reliable frameworks.
Balanced three-march comp (recommended default)
March 1: Frontline tank + buffer
March 2: Primary cavalry carry (S/A Tier)
March 3: Support/Healer or secondary flanker
Why it works: The frontline absorbs initial focus while the cavalry carry uses mobility to bypass or collapse the opponent; the support secures sustained trades and counters enemy burst.
Skirmisher comp (hit-and-run focus)
March 1: Cavalry assassin (Hero C)
March 2: Fast ranged poke or artillery
March 3: Light tank or disruptor
Why it works: Prioritizes mobility and target elimination. Use fast marches to bait and isolate enemy targets, then disengage before enemy reinforcements arrive.
Zone control comp (AoE dominance)
March 1: AoE zone cavalry (Hero B)
March 2: Sustained damage dealer
March 3: Disabler or interrupter
Why it works: Lockdown through area denial and crowd control; enemy must disengage or suffer attrition.
All-in burst comp (suicide dive potential)
March 1: Primary burst cavalry
March 2: Secondary burst
March 3: Healer or shield carrier
Why it works: Overwhelm a single march quickly. Requires coordination and timing to avoid being punished.
Recommended pairings (hero-to-hero synergies)
Burst cavalry + Shield Tank: Use the tank to soak initial damage; burst hero closes and executes high-value targets.
AoE zone cavalry + Ranged DPS: Keep enemies constrained in the zone while ranged DPS punctures through.
Assassin cavalry + Speed booster/support: The speed booster enables multi-target strike cycles and quick retreats.
Support cavalry + Debuffer: Enables sustained trade advantages by lowering enemy damage while boosting friendly survivability.
Builds: Skills, gear focus, and stat targets
Cavalry heroes need a tuned balance between mobility, survivability, and damage. Below are general rules and specific focuses for each hero archetype.
General stat priorities
Mobility heroes: prioritize Speed > Attack > Health
Burst assassins: prioritize Attack > Critical > Speed
Zone controllers: prioritize Health > Skill Effectiveness/Duration > Armor Penetration
Support cavalry: prioritize Skill Cooldown Reduction > Skill Effectiveness > Health
Aim for a primary stat threshold that lets you activate your hero’s key ability in the window you plan to exploit. For example, ensure your assassin reaches the cooldown and mana thresholds needed to two-shot priority targets.
Artifact and rune recommendations
Offensive runes: Use for burst and assassination builds. Stack crit chance and crit damage.
Defensive runes: For zone controllers or sustain cavalry who must survive prolonged engagements. Prioritize health and damage reduction.
Mobility artifacts: Any artifact that increases move speed, reduces cooldowns for dash skills, or grants invulnerability frames should be prioritized on gap-closers.
Example artifact setup for a cavalry assassin: Movement Boots (speed + gap-close reduction), Bloodthirst Blade (flat attack and heal on kill), Quicktime Talisman (skill cooldown reduction).
Skill priority and rotations
Always open with mobility + CC to lock the target; if your hero has an invulnerability window, use it to avoid pre-emptive crowd control.
Save AoE zone abilities to cut off retreat paths or to turn the tide when multiple marches cluster.
Use burst ultimate once enemy support has been isolated or when your tanks have applied enough pressure that the enemy cannot redirect focus.
March composition and deployment tips
Open-field is dynamic — your march setup and deployment must adapt in real time.
Pre-engagement preparation
Scout using recon tools or quick marches to confirm enemy count and composition.
Avoid marching into unknown terrain or into cluster chokepoints where enemy AoE shines.
Coordinate with allies to set up crossfires and pincer movement; cavalry excels when the enemy’s escape routes are controlled.
Deployment formations
Staggered formation: Place tanks slightly ahead and to the side; cavalry carry at an angle to exploit flanks.
Line-abreast for straight-on charges: Use when you need maximum initial contact.
Echelon or wedge for targeted breakthroughs: Focus your weight on a single point to collapse a march.
Timing and movement
Attack windows: Engage immediately after an enemy uses a powerful cooldown when possible.
Feint and bait: Use a single march to feign retreat and pull enemy forces into a trap.
Rotate: If your initial engagement stalls, pull back and rotate the carry to another vulnerability.
Matchups and counters
Understanding how to counter popular cavalry archetypes is crucial. Below are common scenarios and recommended responses.
Countering burst cavalry (assassin)
Primary counter: crowd control and kiting. Use slows, roots, and stuns to stop the assassin before they reach your backline.
Tactics: Keep healers behind multiple bodies, have a dedicated peel march (shield tank + interrupt), and focus-burst the assassin when they commit.
Countering zone controllers
Primary counter: split and flank. Spread your marches to minimize AoE effectiveness and then collapse from multiple vectors.
Tactics: Use fast scouts to bait them out of position and then use burst cavalry to punish the exposed flanks.
Countering sustained cavalry
Primary counter: attrition and long-range harassment. Force them into prolonged trades where sustained damage falters.
Tactics: Maintain distance, use kiting patterns, and exploit terrain to increase retreat paths.
Countering support-heavy comps
Primary counter: target priority on the support. Use assassins or stun-chains to remove buffs and heals quickly.
Tactics: Communicate target order; make the support the first casualty to reduce the enemy’s sustainability.
Tactical play patterns (micro-level)
These are repeatable patterns that translate well across many matchups.
The One-Two Knockout
Use tank march to engage and draw focus.
Send cavalry carry to flank and use gap-close + stun.
When the enemy focuses the tank, chain the secondary burst to secure the high-value kill.
Success depends on timing; practice the sequence to reduce wasted cooldowns.
The Funnel and Zone
Use aoe-control hero to claim space and slow enemy pathing.
Force enemy into a chokepoint.
Drop area damage to attrit and finish with slashers.
Great for defending objectives or anchoring near chokepoints.
Bait-and-Switch
Send a disposable march to bait enemy commit.
Withdraw at last second, causing the enemy to overextend.
Collapse with full force on the stretched enemy.
Requires precise timing and trust between allied commanders.
Progression and investment advice
Deciding who to level first depends on your goals and resource stage.
Early-game (low commander level)
Prioritize versatile A Tier heroes for reliable performance and low micro overhead.
Save advanced materials for one S Tier hero you plan to use as a long-term anchor.
Mid-game (moderate commander level)
Upgrade an S Tier cavalry and a reliable support to unlock consistent open-field performance.
Focus on second march synergy — having at least one strong auxiliary hero helps win short wars.
Late-game (high commander level)
Diversify: fully develop 2–3 S Tier cavalry heroes with optimized artifacts.
Specialize: craft role-specific builds for tournaments, alliance fights, and ladder ranking.
Alliance-level coordination
Open-field dominance scales with coordination. These are alliance-level practices that multiply Call of Dragons cavalry effectiveness.
Designated roles: assign who will bait, who will flank, and who will hold the objective.
Synchronized cooldown windows: coordinate ultimates and engage windows to avoid wasted burst.
Shared scouting: keep multiple scouts active and share intel so cavalry can exploit movement or split forces.
Rescue protocols: set up pre-defined retreat paths and backup marches for emergency saves.
Mistakes to avoid
Over-investing in poorly synergistic heroes. Good stats don’t replace role synergy.
Charging single-target assassins into AoE zones without peel.
Neglecting speed and cooldown reduction on cavalry — raw damage is useless if you can’t reach targets.
Ignoring terrain and scout information; cavalry is mobility-first and must exploit space.
Checklist before a big open-field engagement
Confirm enemy composition and numbers.
Ensure your cavalry hero has its main skill off cooldown.
Place scouts to watch flank approaches.
Position allied tanks to present a credible frontline.
Assign priorities (target order) and call the engage window.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a cavalry hero great in open-field fights
A cavalry hero excels when they shape the battlefield through mobility, decisive burst or area denial, and synergy with allied marches. Mobility that translates into the ability to force fights on your terms is the highest leverage trait.
Should I always pick the top-ranked cavalry hero
Not always. Use the tier list as a guide; matchups, allied composition, and your playstyle can make a lower-tier hero outperform a top-tier one in specific contexts.
How many cavalry heroes should I invest in
Early: 1–2 (one carry + one support). Mid to late: 2–4 specialized cavalry heroes to handle varied enemy compositions and alliance strategies.
How do I counter cavalry that kites my forces
Use disruptors and slows, deploy baited tanks to lock movement windows, and use ranged poke to soften them before they reset.
Is gear more important than level for cavalry heroes
Both matter, but precise gear that complements your hero’s role (e.g., speed for gap-closers, critical for assassins, health for zone controllers) often yields bigger marginal returns than raw hero level once minimum thresholds are met.
What’s the best way to practice open-field cavalry micro
Start with small-scale 1v1 or 2v2 skirmishes, replay engagements to identify poor cooldown usage, and practice target priority and disengage timing. Use alliance drills to build the timing required for coordinated plays.
How do I adapt the guide to my server’s meta
Replace placeholder hero names with your server’s roster equivalents, then observe the most common enemy formations. Use the counter sections to swap heroes accordingly and practice those specific matchups.
Final notes and next steps
Use the quick-read tier list to prioritize immediate upgrades.
Develop reliable pairings and practice the micro patterns under the “Tactical play patterns” section.
Coordinate with your alliance for scouting, assigned roles, and synchronized engagement windows.
Periodically re-evaluate hero placements after major balance patches or when new heroes are introduced.
Prioritized Upgrade Roadmap for Your Roster
This roadmap assumes you want the fastest path to consistent open-field wins with cavalry-led forces and that you can reassign materials between heroes as needed. I organize priorities by immediate (short-term), mid-term, and long-term investments and include backup choices so you can adapt to your server’s roster and meta.
Short-term priorities (get combat-ready fast)
Invest in one S Tier cavalry — max skill priority, best artifacts, full rune set. This is your primary carry for open-field fights.
Level a reliable A Tier support — focus on cooldown reduction and skill effectiveness so your carry can repeatedly engage.
Upgrade a Shield Tank to +++ — health and mitigation let your carry trade safely; target gear that maximizes survivability and threat soak.
Basic speed and movement artifacts on carry — movement and cooldown reduction are more impactful early than raw attack. Why: One strong carry + support + tank lets you win most skirmishes by executing the one-two engage pattern.
Mid-term priorities (expand versatility)
Second S/A Tier cavalry — diversify between AoE zone and assassin archetypes so you can counter different enemy comps.
Healer/ sustain march — invest in a mid-power healer and runes for sustain to extend trades against attrition comps.
Specialist counter hero (B Tier but meta-specific) — keep one hero that punishes the most common enemy strategy on your server. Level moderately and slot counter gear.
Upgrade auxiliary artifacts for synergy — add movement boots to a secondary march, cooldown/timing artifacts to support. Why: Two well-built carries plus sustain and a counter pick let you flex to matchups and alliance strategies.
Long-term priorities (endgame dominance)
Fully deck out 2–3 S Tier cavalry heroes — each with role-specific artifact sets and perfect rune tiling.
Complete frontline set — multiple shield tanks or heavy sustain marches to anchor fights for your cavalry rotations.
Multiple support builds — specialized supports for speed boosts, debuffs, or buff stacking, each optimized for different scenarios.
Masterclass gear: perfect substats — finish with crit/crit-dmg thresholds for assassins, flat penetration for AoE, and max duration for zone effects. Why: Late-game requires redundancy. Having 2–3 peak heroes means you always have the right tool and can pivot during alliance wars and tournaments.
Resource management and upgrade order (practical steps)
Materials to spend first: Skill tomes and core artifacts on your primary S Tier carry.
Next: Gear your A Tier support and Shield Tank to +++ (or equivalent early breakpoints).
Then: Save premium crafting mats for second S Tier hero; only finish if you’re confident in server meta longevity.
Maintain a buffer: Keep enough materials for emergency re-rolls or to finish a counter hero if the meta shifts. Tip: Don’t fully ascend more than one carry until your primary carry has reached peak performance in artifacts and runes.
Leveling cadence (time-efficient plan)
Week 1–2: Max primary carry’s core skill and equip movement/cooldown artifacts.
Month 1: Bring support and tank to functional breakpoints.
Month 2–3: Roll second carry to 80% completion, practice pairings in skirmishes.
Ongoing: Reassess after balance patches; shift investment to the newly dominant hero types.
Example March Formations for Five Common Enemy Comps
Below are five full march formations, including role assignments and deployment patterns specifically designed for open-field PvP. Each formation includes who to lead with, how to position, and the ideal engage sequence. Replace placeholder hero archetypes with your actual hero names while keeping the role behavior.
1) Enemy: Burst Cavalry + Healer (Assassin + Sustain)
Composition to deploy:
March 1 (Anchor): Shield Tank (draws initial focus; interrupt if possible)
March 2 (Primary): Cavalry Assassin (your S Tier carry)
March 3 (Support): Healer / Peel (skill CD reduction, emergency saves)
Deployment & engage:
Stagger the tank ahead and to one flank; position assassin behind angled to cut off retreat; support sits central-behind.
Wait for enemy assassin to commit on your tank. When they dive, use your assassin to chain-stun or execute enemy healer first. If enemy assassin targets your healer, peel with tank interrupt and swap to defensive support skills.
Key micro: Prioritize the enemy healer as target; use the one-two knockout: tank engage -> assassin flank -> support secure.
2) Enemy: Zone Control AoE + Ranged DPS
Composition to deploy:
March 1: AoE Zone Cavalry (to challenge their zone)
March 2: Sustained Ranged/Artillery (poke from outside danger zone)
March 3: Disruptor / Speed Booster (force reposition, create openings)
Deployment & engage:
Spread your marches to avoid clustering. Keep ranged poke on the far flank while the AoE cavalry contests center. Use disruptor to break their cast windows.
Bait them out of zone with a feigned retreat by your AoE cavalry; once they reposition, collapse with ranged + zone cavalry for attrition.
Key micro: Avoid marching straight into their danger area; use angles and forced pathing to nullify AoE.
3) Enemy: Heavy Tanks + Buff Support (Attrition line)
Composition to deploy:
March 1: Heavy Shield Tank (mirror enemy tanks)
March 2: AoE Damage Dealer / Puncture (anti-tank gear)
March 3: Debuffer / Armor Penetration Cavalry (reduce enemy sustain)
Deployment & engage:
Form line-abreast; exchange hits while your anti-tank applies armor penetration. Pull back to bait cooldown wastes and then re-engage when enemy buffs expire.
Focus on breaking one tank with sustained focus fire rather than spreading damage.
Key micro: Patience and cooldown tracking. Use debuffs when enemy supports cast major buffs.
4) Enemy: Kiting/Hit-and-Run Cavalry (Highly Mobile)
Composition to deploy:
March 1: Speed Booster + Disabler (locks their movement)
March 2: Cavalry Assassin (high burst on locked targets)
March 3: Ranged Harass (chase and whittle)
Deployment & engage:
Keep a staggered formation with the disabler as the forward bait. When enemy attempts to kite, land the disable and commit assassin to execute. Ranged harass prevents them from freely resetting.
Use terrain to limit their escape; time your speed boost for a decisive window.
Key micro: Land CC first. Don’t chase without the disabler ready.
5) Enemy: Support-Heavy (Buffs + Heal Chain)
Composition to deploy:
March 1: Interrupter / Stun Tank (break heal chains)
March 2: Cavalry Assassin or Burst (priority target takedown)
March 3: Secondary Support / Debuffer (sustain the assault)
Deployment & engage:
Use interrupter to bait and then stun the healing chain or buff cast. Your burst hero immediately targets the now-exposed healer/support. Backup support protects your assassin from retribution.
If enemy heals are layered, focus on ability resets and global CDs—coordinate to hit the healer in the exact timing window.
Key micro: Timing and synchronized focus. One missed interrupt = failed attempt.
Implementation checklist (apply formations to your roster)
Assign real hero names to the role placeholders and add them to a simple tracker (hero + role + artifacts + rune focus).
Run drills with alliance to practice the engage order for each formation. Record one successful and one failed run for each to analyze mistakes.
Maintain a “hot-swap” counter hero ready for each formation — the hero you use when the enemy composition flips.
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