Whether you’re returning to RAID: Shadow Legends or starting fresh, building your roster with progression in mind saves time and resources later. This guide shifts away from broad power rankings and focuses on practical value at each stage of account development—from level 1–40, through 41–70, to end-game at 70+. You’ll find a framework for which champions to invest in, when to book or 6-star, and how to optimize your farming and dungeon runs to maximize ROI.
Note: this is a progression-focused piece. It does not rely on external testing data or community polls, and it explicitly avoids inflating numbers or promising outcomes beyond what the game itself supports. If you’re a new player, you may also see a mention of Respawn Daily’s starter offer in appropriate places to help you get started, but the guide remains focused on practical in-game ROI rather than affiliate incentives.
1) Early Game (Levels 1–40)
Early-Game ROI Roadmap
Foundation: your early game is about a stable core you can reliably grow with. The key is to identify a starter path, reliable campaign farmers, and a few Rare and Epic picks that reliably scale into mid-game content without draining your resources.
Starter comparisons (conceptual):
- Compare the main starter options you choose from—focus on who scales best with minimal gear, who remains useful in the early Chapters, and who transitions cleanly into mid-game clan boss and dungeon content.
- Which champions you can book or 6-star later for consistent ROI without wasting materials on underperforming drops.
Campaign farming and ROI:
- Identify at least one reliable campaign farmer who can repeatedly clear stages needed for ascension and Masteries. Prioritize someone who handles waves of enemies efficiently and requires modest gear for reliable completion.
- Look for Epics or Rares with straightforward gear needs that still contribute meaningfully to waves and boss fights in early dungeons.
Accessible Rare and Epic picks (early ROI):
- Rare Epic: Choose 1–2 Rare or Epic champions that can perform solidly in campaign farming or early dungeon clears without complex speed sets.
- Review potential to contribute to 6-star material farming by providing stable arena or campaign wins, which translates to faster ascension milestones.
Resource Investment Score (Early):
- Starter Path Champion A — Score 3/5
- Campaign Farmer B — Score 4/5
- Early ROI Epic C — Score 3/5
2) Mid Game (Levels 41–70)
Mid-Game ROI Framework
Mid-game is where you establish a dependable workflow for Clan Boss and dungeon progression. You’ll want champions that control turns, debuff defenses, and reliably push you through key PvE content while you steadily raise star levels and gear.
Key roles and examples (conceptual):
- Speed leads who consistently place you at the top of the turn order in Clan Boss and arena contexts.
- Turn-meter control to accelerate your own team while delaying opponents.
- Decreased DEF and CC utility to simplify dungeon runs and ensure stable clears.
- Consistent dungeon and faction-appropriate debuffs that unlock smoother progression in BR and Scarab/Minotaur-type dungeons.
Booking and 6-star timing (when to invest more):
- Look for a 6-star candidate who can carry multiple content tiers for several months—typically a champion with proven speed, sustain, and debuff utility.
- When a champ becomes a reliable 6-star investment: you can expect consistent Clan Boss cycles and dungeon clears with manageable gear; avoid spreading resources too thin across marginal picks.
Resource Investment Score (Mid):
- Mid-Game Lead Champion D — Score 4/5
- Turn-Meter Specialist E — Score 5/5
- De-DEF/Control Epic F — Score 4/5
3) End Game (Level 70+)
| Detail |
|---|
| Doom Tower, Hydra, Arena role needs |
| Why some S-tier champs aren’t ideal for developing accounts |
| Pivot points from early champs to late-game options |
End-game planning is about maximizing performance in Doom Tower, Hydra, Arena, and high-difficulty PvE. You’ll balance roster breadth with deep specialization, and carefully manage resources so you can sustain end-game progression without over-investing in a single champion.
End-game roles and considerations (conceptual):
- Doom Tower consistency through multi-boss waves and affinity handling.
- Hydra teams requiring precise turn-order and debuffs for multi-stage fights.
- Arena stability via speed tuning, debuff uptime, and shield/HP manipulation.
- Strong PvE teams for late-stage dungeons and faction wars where possible.
Why some S-tier champions aren’t always ideal for a developing account:
Even top-tier champions can be poor investments if their gear or skill requirements demand resources you don’t yet have. The best end-game picks for a growing account are those with flexible gear needs, scalable performance across 10–30 gear options, and clear ROI in multiple PvE modes.
Resource Investment Score (End Game):
- End-Game Core Tank — Score 4/5
- End-Game Ramp DPS — Score 4/5
- Hydra/DoT Specialist — Score 3/5