[Discussion] I have X E3's, and I want to focus on Y content. What should I do about E5s?

This is a discussion thread which I'd like to kick off to discuss potential strategies for people now that E5 is here.

DISCLAIMER: E5 is a brand new feature, so there is a lot to be discovered. So take all discussion here with a grain of salt.

Everyone is at a different level of progression, and have different goals they're aiming for in the game. I'd like to highlight some of the primary game modes in the game, and what may be potential E5 strategies for people depending on their level of progression. My rough thresholds assume that there is no additional 10* fodder waiting in the wings. If you do have 10* fodder, obviously you won't need to regress your current team as much.

#Beginners and Ultra Veterans/Whales

The discussion here will not be that helpful for you. If you don't have a single E3 yet, keep working towards your first E3 and by then you'll have a better grasp of your options. If you whale it up or already have a stable full of E3s along with prepared 10* fodder in anticipation of this feature you already know your hero priorities.

#I want to progress in Aspen

This mode more than any other depends on focusing all of your resources on a single hero. If you want to make progress here you should prioritize making a single E5 over anything.

• I have 1 E3 Hero: If that hero is a good Aspen hero, advance them to E5 as you can, don't use resources anywhere other than getting 2x 10* fodder. If your current E3 is NOT a good Aspen hero, I'd recommend regressing your current E3 once you have a new Aspen focused hero at 9* and have the hero copies to take them to at least E3. Then take that new hero to E5.
• I have 2-4 E3 Heroes: Regress 1-2 non-Aspen heroes to immediately boost your best Aspen hero to E4-E5.
• I have 5+ E3 Heroes: Regress 2 non-Aspen heroes to immediately boost your Aspen hero to E5. Try to preserve key supporting units for other game modes.
• I can't/don't want to regress: Advance your best Aspen hero to E5 as you can, don't use resources anywhere other than getting 2x 10* fodder.

#I want to progress in Seal Land (up through 10)

Clearing level 10 is a hugely beneficial breakpoint, so the initial focus should be on that. Best way to hit that breakpoint would again be to focus on a single hero to carry the day. Also the faction matters a lot, as some factions are much easier (Abyss, Forest) to clear than others (Shadow, Fortress). More specifically, King Barton and Valkyrie appear to be the linchpins for conquering their respective factions. Aida and Aspen also appear to be key units for Light/Dark if you are progressed enough to have E3 Light/Dark units available. Never regress a Light/Dark unit.

• I have 1 E3 Hero: If your current E3 is Shadow or Fortress, I'd recommend regressing your current E3 once you have either King Barton or Valkyrie at 9* and have the hero copies to take them to at least E3. Take KB/Valk to E5.
• I have 2-4 E3 Heroes: If you have one of the key Seal Land heroes at E3, regress different faction heroes to immediately boost the SL hero to E4-E5. If not, get one of those heroes to 9* and have the hero copies to take them to at least E3 before regressing.
• I have 5+ E3 Heroes: Same as above. Try to preserve key supporting units for other game modes.
• I can't/don't want to regress: Build KB, Valk, Aida, or Aspen to E5 as you can. Don't use resources anywhere other than promoting one of those heroes.

#I want to progress in Seal Land (beyond 10)

TBD This will require much more investigation and testing.

There was no way to clear SL-10 without a petty specialized team with at least 1-2 E3s before the E5 era, and clearing SL-11 or 12 required a dedicated full E3 team. I feel that the arrival of E5 will shake this up quite a bit.

#I want to do better against Bosses (Broken Spaces, Marauders, Guild Bosses/PFF)

This is where it gets a bit fuzzier. For example, getting a 10* Heart Watcher is more important than any E3->E5 promotion. That highlights the fact that team buffs and synergy play a much larger role here than the previous game modes discussed. The advice listed here assumes that your core support heroes (HW, Kroos, Sigmund, Vesa, Belrain, etc) can survive the majority of the fight. If not, power those units up first to at least 10* before worrying about taking any E3 to E5.

• I have 1 E3 Hero: Assuming that your E3 is one who can dish out a lot of damage, build them up to E5. Don't use resources anywhere other than getting 2x 10* fodder.
• I have 2-4 E3 Heroes: TBD. If you have 2 E3 heroes who can both deal around 400m damage, would you do MORE damage if you regressed one hero to promote the other to E4? I would wager not but I'm not positive.
• I have 5+ E3 Heroes: At this level you probably have some support heroes at E3. I'd recommend regressing a couple of your support heroes to bump a damage dealer to E5. Use the leftover 9* dummies to rebuild those support heroes to E1 or E2.
• I can't/don't want to regress: Focus on promoting your best damage dealer to E5. Don't use resources anywhere other than promoting one of those heroes.

#I want to do better in PvP

Disclaimer: I am not a PvP focused player, others will likely be much more qualified to make an evalution here than I will

PvP again is more about team synergy than other game modes. There is also a more diverse meta which means that your choices will be largely dependant upon what type of PvP team you build.

The only advice I have here is that if you have multiple E3 units, you can regress some E3 heroes to steal their 10* dummies as needed and use the leftover 9* dummies to reconsitute them as E1 or E2. In this way you can not cripple your team, while still boosting the anchor of your team. For example if your rainbow team revolves around Valkyrie out-surviving everyone till she eventually wins, regressing a Kroos and Ormus to get her to E5 then rebuilding those supports to E2 will likely be a net positive for your team. But if your rainbow team utilizes a Dark Arthindol for fast burst, obviously she'd be the target of that E5 promotion.

#I want to do better in Brave Trial/Tower of Oblivion

Who are you people? Does anyone even care about these game modes?