Mastering the Sledgehammer: Mechabellum’s Versatile Frontline Anchor

Deployment & Core Value

• Early Chaff Clear: Obliterate Crawlers and unshielded Fangs with AoE attacks.

• Mid-Game Tank: Absorb damage for high-value units (Marksmen, Stormcallers) while softening enemy chaff.

• Tech Flexibility: Adapt to Armor Enhancement (counter Mustangs) or Mechanical Rage (speed boost vs Stormcallers).

• Sacrificial Utility: Level 1 Sledges often outperform leveled ones—cheap, disposable, and efficient at drawing overkill fire.
  

Strategic Timing & Matchups

• Early Game:

  • Deploy 2-3 Sledges to dominate Crawler/Fang-heavy starts.

  • Avoid teching until enemy counters (Scorpions, Fortresses) emerge.

• Mid-Game:

  • Position vertically against Steel Balls—force them to focus one Sledge while your DPS retaliates.

  • Pair with Crawlers to counter Stormcaller-heavy comps after unlocking Mechanical Rage.

• Late Game:

  • Use as sacrificial tanks against Melting Points or Vulcans.

  • Avoid over-investing—replace with Fortresses or Rhinos if countered.

Countering Mustangs: Exploit Their Fragility

• Early Counters:

  • Shielded Fangs: Lock Sledges into endless engagements.

  • Charged Shot Arclights: Melt Sledges while clearing chaff.

• Mid-Game Counters:

  • Scorpions: Disable or destroy Sledges (but risk Overlord vulnerability).

  • Fortresses: Summon shielded Fangs or use anti-air tech to nullify Sledge support.

• Late Counters:

  • War Factory (Rounds 4-5): Overwhelm Sledge-heavy comps with chaff spam.

  • Melting Point: Burn through Sledges with Damage Sharing tech.

Pro Tip: If Sledges tech Damage Sharing, counter with Melting Point + EMP to bypass their mitigation.

Sledgehammer Builds: Adaptive Frontline

1. Early Chaff Crusher:

   • Role: Clear Crawlers/Fangs, no early tech.

   • Synergy: Pair with Stormcallers for AoE follow-up.

2. Armored Bulwark:

   • Tech: Armor Enhancement + Barrier Protocol.

   • Role: Neutralize Mustangs, tank Vulcan fire.

3. Speed Tank:

   • Tech: Mechanical Rage (speed) + Reinforced Plating.

   • Role: Bait Stormcaller volleys, then rush backline.

Key Philosophy

The Sledgehammer is a tempo unit—dominate early, pivot mid-game, and sacrifice late. Avoid overcommitting tech or levels; their value lies in forcing inefficient enemy responses. Use them to control engagements, absorb key cooldowns, and create windows for your carries to thrive.

Mobility - Ground
Giant - No
Cost - 200
Unlock cost - 0
Units - 5
HP - 3478
Attack - 608
Target - Ground Only
Attack Interval - 4.5s
Splash Damage - 5.0m
Burst Damage - 3040
Max DPS - 676
Range - 95m
Speed - 7m/s

Armor Enhancement (300)
HP is increased by 35% and 60 damage is blocked when attacked. The damage blocking effect increases by 60 with each level

Tech Upgrades

Armor-Piercing Bullets (200)
Increases ATK by 200% and attack interval increases by 30%

Electromagnetic Shot (300)
Causes electromagnetic interference on hit, temporarily disabling the target unit's Tech and reducing its movement speed by 40%

Damage Sharing (200)
Increases splash damage range by 7m, but reduces ATK by 30%

Field Maintenance (200)
Increases HP by 30%, automatically restores 4.5% Max HP per second upon taking damage. [Does not stack with the Nano-Repair Kit equipment]

Mechanical Rage (300)
Increases the movement speed of units by 4m/s and reduces attack interval by 1.5s

Range Enhancement (300)
Increases attack range by 40m