Starting your journey in Last War: Survival as a free player can feel daunting. With legendary heroes seemingly reserved for big spenders, it’s easy to wonder if you’ll ever compete.
But here’s the truth: Last War is surprisingly friendly to free-to-play players. You can build a powerful squad without spending a dime by focusing on the right heroes and using smart strategies.
This guide reveals the best heroes for free players in Last War: Survival Game, showing you exactly who to invest in and how to build a competitive team. We’ll cover the top F2P-friendly heroes, how to obtain them, and the strategies that will let you hold your own against paying players.
Understanding Hero Rarity and Types for F2P Players
Before diving into specific heroes, let’s understand the basics. Heroes come in different rarities, and knowing the difference is crucial for resource management.
SSR vs. UR Heroes: What’s the Difference?
- UR (Legendary) Heroes:Â These are the strongest heroes in the game, with higher base stats and powerful skills. While harder to obtain, Last War offers several UR heroes you can acquire for free through gameplay.
- SSR (Epic) Heroes:Â These are more common and easier to upgrade. Some SSR heroes can even be promoted to UR later in the game, making them excellent long-term investments.
Key Insight: Don’t ignore SSR heroes! A fully upgraded SSR hero (5 stars) can outperform a low-star UR hero. This makes SSR heroes invaluable for free players.
The Rock-Paper-Scissors Meta: Tank, Aircraft, Missile
Understanding hero types is essential for building an effective squad. Heroes and troops follow a counter system:
- Tank is strong against Missile but weak against Aircraft
- Missile is strong against Aircraft but weak against Tank
- Aircraft is strong against Tank but weak against Missile
Using the correct counter gives you a 20% damage bonus and reduces incoming damage. For beginners, focusing on Tank heroes is recommended since they’re the easiest to obtain early on.
Also Read Best Hero Lineup for Beginners in Whiteout Survival: Your Ultimate Starting Guide
Top F2P Heroes You Should Focus On In Last War: Survival
Based on multiple expert sources, here are the best heroes for free players in Last War: Survival. These heroes are either free to obtain or can be acquired through regular gameplay.
1. Murphy – The Best F2P Tank
Murphy is arguably the most valuable free-to-play tank in the game. He belongs to the Tank class and is classified as a UR hero.
Why he’s great:
- You can obtain his shards from the Tavern recruitment chest and the Alliance Shop
- He provides defensive buffs that reduce damage taken by your backline
- His HP and attack buffs make him excellent for extended PvP fights
- He’s considered the core F2P Tank and complements Kimberly perfectly
Investment Priority: High. Murphy will likely be your first 4-star UR hero as a free player.
2. Kimberly – The F2P DPS Queen
Kimberly is the strongest damage dealer in the Tank class and arguably the most important hero in the game. She’s a UR Tank hero who specializes in devastating area-of-effect (AoE) energy damage.
Why she’s a must-have:
- While often available for a $0.99 introductory offer, some sources suggest she can be obtained through events
- Her Barrage Strike ability fires eight rockets dealing massive damage
- She’s considered the “DPS Queen” and the core of any competitive Tank formation
- She remains effective throughout all game seasons
Investment Priority: Maximum. If you decide to spend even a small amount, Kimberly is the priority.
3. Mason – The SSR Hero That Becomes UR
Mason starts as an SSR hero, but here’s the exciting part: you can upgrade him to UR during Season 1. This makes him one of the best long-term investments for free players.
Why he’s valuable:
- He’s one of the most accessible SSR heroes in the game
- He deals strong early-game damage and excels in campaign progression
- The UR upgrade makes him competitive with premium heroes
- You can use his own shards for the upgrade, saving universal UR shards
Key Insight: A 5-star Mason is better than a 2-star premium UR hero. Invest in him!
4. Violet – The Solid SSR Tank
Violet is another excellent SSR hero that free players can rely on. She’s a Tank hero with solid defensive capabilities and decent damage.
Why she’s worth investing in:
- Easy to 5-star using Elite Recruitment tickets
- A 5-star Violet outperforms a low-star Williams
- Can be upgraded to UR in Season 2
- Essential for the Armed Truck Exploration Quest
- Her shards are available in the Alliance Store
Investment Priority: Medium-High. She’s an excellent filler until you get more UR heroes.
5. Marshall – The Only UR Support Hero
Marshall is the only UR Support hero in Last War, making him functionally irreplaceable in any squad. He provides team-wide attack and critical hit buffs.
Why he’s a game-changer:
- You can obtain him from the Tavern and events
- He boosts the output of damage dealers like Kimberly
- He’s essential for Tank squad synergy
- Free players can get him through regular gameplay
Investment Priority: Medium. Focus on Kimberly first, then invest in Marshall.
6. Monica – The Economy Hero
Monica is an SSR hero that every free player should have for economic reasons rather than combat.
Why she’s essential:
- She’s critical for resource farming and hunting
- She provides bonuses that help you gather resources faster
- Every account needs Monica for efficient progression
Key Insight: Don’t invest heavily in her for combat, but make sure you have her for the economic benefits.
How to Build Your F2P Team
Early Game Squad (First 30 Days)
This is your starting lineup. It focuses on heroes you can obtain quickly:
Frontline (Tanks):
- Murphy (UR) – Main tank
- Violet (SSR) – Secondary tank until you get better options
Backline (Damage & Support):
- Mason (SSR) – Primary damage dealer
- Monica (SSR) – Support and economic bonus
- Richard/Farhad (SSR) – Filler damage dealer
First Upgrade Priority: Murphy to 3 stars, then Kimberly (if you get her).
Mid-Game Squad (After Acquiring More Heroes)
As you progress and obtain more heroes, transition to this lineup:
Frontline:
- Murphy (UR) – Solid tank
- Violet (SSR) – If promoted, or keep as secondary
Backline:
- Kimberly (UR) – Main DPS
- Mason (SSR/UR) – Secondary DPS
- Marshall (UR) – Support
Star Priority: Kimberly 4 stars > Mason (promote to UR if possible) > Marshall 4 stars > Williams (if obtained).
The “F2P God Squad” Dream Team
This is the ultimate goal for free players:
Frontline:
Backline:
- Mason (UR, promoted from SSR) – Damage
- Marshall (UR) – Support
- Kimberly (UR) – Main DPS
Why this works: This lineup maximizes synergies while using heroes that free players can obtain through regular gameplay.
F2P Hero Progression Strategy
What to Prioritize First
- Focus on a Core Squad:Â Don’t spread resources too thin. Invest heavily in 5 heroes first.
- Damage Dealers First:Â Upgrade your damage dealers before your tanks. A stronger Kimberly benefits your team more than a slightly tankier Murphy.
- Universal Shards:Â Use universal UR shards on Kimberly first, then on your main tank.
- SSR Shards:Â Use SSR universal shards on Mason first, then Violet.
How to Obtain These Heroes for Free
- Tavern Recruitment:Â Use recruitment tickets to pull heroes. Save tickets for special events if possible.
- Alliance Store:Â Purchase Violet shards and other resources.
- Events:Â Participate in all events. Events often reward hero shards.
- Season 1 Promotion:Â Upgrade Mason from SSR to UR.
- Hero’s Return Recruitment:Â During Season 1, you can recruit Williams using special tickets.
Hero Upgrade Priority Order (Recommended)
According to experienced players, this is the optimal order for using universal shards:
- Kimberly to 4 stars
- Williams to 3 stars (when obtained)
- Stetmann to 3 stars (if obtained)
- Kimberly to 5 stars
- Stetmann to 4 stars
- Stetmann to 5 stars
- Williams to 4 stars
- Marshall to 4 stars (if needed)
This prioritizes damage dealers first, then tanks, then supports.
Common Mistakes F2P Players Should Avoid
- Wasting resources on C-tier heroes:Â Heroes like Farhad, Gump, Loki, and Kane are not worth upgrading.
- Over-investing in early-game heroes:Â Some heroes, like Monica, are for economy, not combat.
- Neglecting formation bonuses:Â Forming squads with the same hero type gives extra buffs.
- Saving everything:Â Use resources to grow. Hoarding too much slows your progression.
- Ignoring Arms Race:Â Always participate in Arms Race events for valuable rewards.
- Using universal shards on SSR heroes:Â Save universal shards for UR heroes.
Conclusion: Your Path to F2P Success
Building the best heroes for free players in Last War: Survival Game is absolutely achievable. By focusing on accessible yet powerful heroes like Murphy, Kimberly, Mason, Violet, and Marshall, you can create a competitive squad that holds its own against paying players.
Remember these key takeaways:
- Start with Tank heroes – they’re the most accessible and form a solid foundation
- Invest in Mason – he’s your ticket to a free UR hero
- Prioritize Kimberly and Murphy – they’re the core of any F2P team
- Save resources for key events – timing your upgrades pays off
- Join an active alliance – alliance rewards accelerate your progress
With patience and smart resource management, you’ll build a powerful city and a formidable hero squad. Good luck, Commander!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the best hero for free players in Last War?
Can free players get UR heroes in Last War?
Yes! Murphy, Marshall, DVA, and Swift are UR heroes available for free through regular gameplay
Is Mason worth upgrading as a free player?
Absolutely. Mason is one of the best investments for free players because he can be upgraded from SSR to UR in Season 1, making him competitive with premium heroes
What is the best F2P tank in Last War?
Murphy is the best F2P tank. He’s obtainable through the Tavern and Alliance Shop, provides defensive buffs, and remains effective throughout the game
How do I get Kimberly for free in Last War?
Hi, I’m Josh Frankline, a gaming niche writer with over 5 years of experience creating game guides, reviews, and esports content. I enjoy breaking down complex gameplay into simple tips and insights to help gamers improve and stay updated with the latest trends in the gaming world.