Best Classes - Command An Army Wiki
Every player class explained, from frontline bruisers to burst killers, with matchup advice that helps you pick a role and build your army around it.
Overview
Command An Army sorts its army into a few broad roles you build around before every match. Your personal class shapes how you fight, while your unit loadout decides what your AI troops do on the field. This page compares each class and helps you choose one that fits your style, so start here before the Class Tier List.
Class Walkthrough Video
This walkthrough follows a full match using the Sword and Shield class, widely treated as the safest starting pick because it pairs reliable melee damage with real protection. Watch how the loadout is set before the fight, then rebuild it yourself using the How to Equip Units guide.
How the Three Classes Work
The game offers three player classes: Sword and Shield, Assassin, and Hammer. Sword and Shield is the balanced frontline option, Assassin trades defence for burst damage that deletes enemy troops and heroes, and Hammer swings slowly but lands heavy, area hits. Most new commanders begin with Sword and Shield and branch out after reading the Class Tier List.
Your class does not lock you out of anything, so testing all three in casual matches costs nothing. Pay attention to how each one survives a push: Assassin punishes split enemies but dies fast in the open, while Hammer rewards patience and timing. Pair your pick with the right troops from the Best Units page.
Class Comparison
Every class shares the same goal of capturing points and breaking the enemy line, but each one changes how you contribute to a fight. The table below summarises what each class is best at, so you can match a role to your habits before you commit a long upgrade path in the Evolve Guide.
| Class | Core Strength | Best For | Watch Out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sword & Shield | Balanced melee damage with solid protection | Leading pushes and holding the frontline | Can struggle to finish fast, mobile targets |
| Assassin | High burst damage that removes troops and heroes | Hunting kills and clearing enemy squads | Fragile in open ground and long fights |
| Hammer | Slow but heavy hits that punish tight groups | Patient players who time big swings | Easy to out-pace when a swing misses |
Unit Types at a Glance
Beyond your personal class, your army is built from unit types that each fill a job on the battlefield. Melee holds the centre, heavy shields absorb pressure, spears punish cavalry, ranged units support from behind, cavalry flanks, and specials break the rules. Plan a mix instead of stacking one type, then compare picks in the Unit Tier List.
Rarer units are not automatically stronger, so a high-star summon is not a free win. What matters is how a unit fits your formation and your class. Build around the role your team is missing, and read the Rare Units guide before you sink gems into a single lucky pull.
Melee (Sword & Shield)
Frontline damage dealers that hold the centre of a formation.
Heavy Shields
Shieldmen soak up pressure and protect your ranged and special troops.
Spears
Anti-cavalry units that punish mounted charges when positioned well.
Ranged
Archers support from the back line but fold fast if left undefended.
Cavalry
Fast riders built for flanking, chasing and powerful charges.
Special Units
Rare troops with their own identity that skip the standard evolve path.
Class Picking Checklist
Use this short checklist whenever you are unsure which class and units to bring. It keeps you from spreading upgrades across roles that do not fit together, which is the most common way newer commanders stall out. Follow it in order, then read the Best Strategy guide for deeper match tactics.
- Match a class to your habit: push with Sword & Shield, hunt kills with Assassin, or time swings with Hammer.
- Check what unit types your team already has before adding another melee unit.
- Keep at least one spear or ranged unit to answer cavalry and shielded pushes.
- Do not over-invest in a role you rarely field just because a summon looked rare.
- Test changes in casual matches before committing gems to an upgrade path.
How to Choose and Set Your Class
Choosing a class is a short process, but getting it right early saves you from wasting gems on units that never fit your role. Work through these steps in order, and revisit them whenever a patch shifts the balance of classes in the Update Log.
Each step builds on the last, so do not rush into upgrades before you know which class and units you genuinely enjoy playing. A clear plan beats a huge roster every time, and the Class Tier List shows where each pick currently stands.
Once you have locked a class, the real progress comes from upgrading the units you field most. Money spent on a unit that stays in your barracks is the most expensive mistake in the game, so keep your investment close to your actual playstyle and follow the Evolve Guide.
Review the three classes
Skim each class in a quick match to feel how it moves, survives and deals damage.
Check current rankings
Open the class tier list and note which roles sit highest after the latest patch.
Set your unit loadout
Pick up to four units that cover damage, protection and at least one ranged answer.
Commit resources late
Only spend gems on evolution once you are sure which units are your long-term mains.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which class is best for beginners?
Sword and Shield is the friendliest start because it combines reliable melee damage with real protection. Play a few matches with it, then read the Class Tier List before switching roles.
Is Assassin better than Hammer?
They do different jobs. Assassin bursts down troops and heroes but dies quickly in the open, while Hammer hits slowly and heavily. Choose based on whether you prefer fast picks or patient, punishing swings.
Do classes change my units?
No. Your class is your personal fighter, while units are the AI troops you field. You can run the same loadout on any class, so experiment freely without re-buying troops.
Can I switch class later?
Yes, and it costs nothing to try another. Test each class in a low-stakes match before you commit gems, since upgrade resources follow the units you field rather than the class itself.
How many units can I bring?
You can build a loadout of up to four units. There is no single perfect combination, so pick a mix that answers the roles your team is missing in a twelve-player match.
Are rare units always stronger?
Not automatically. A rarer unit is not a guaranteed win, and a well-matched common troop can outperform a poorly supported rare pull. Check the Rare Units guide before spending.
Where do I upgrade my class units?
Once you reach the required level, evolution and ascension open up. Start with the Evolve Guide, then move on to the Ascension Guide for the deeper, long-term power jump.
Related Guides
Class Tier List
See where each class and role currently ranks after the latest balance patch.
Evolve Guide
Learn the evolution paths and materials that turn a basic troop into a stronger unit.
Best Units
Compare the top troops to slot into your loadout alongside your chosen class.