Available from server launch (server age < ~40 days). Foundation heroes — most get replaced by Gen 3–4, with one big exception (Amadeus).

Jabel — Cavalry (Free, Day 2 login reward)

  • How to get: Free — given automatically on day 2 of login, or via Hero Hall recruitment. Most players have her in week one.
  • Kit: AoE damage + squad-wide damage reduction buff in Expedition.
  • Role: Garrison/defender anchor, not a rally leader. Her defender widget keeps her relevant as a city-holder well into Gen 3.
  • F2P note: Zero gem cost, one of the best "free foundation" heroes in the game.

Amadeus — (VIP/paid access)

  • How to get: Typically requires VIP 7+ or a paid acquisition path.
  • Kit: His widget (Aegis of Fate) multiplies Rally Attack; his first Expedition skill gives a flat Lethality buff — no proc chance, no conditions attached.
  • Role: S-tier rally leader and one of the best Bear Hunt joiners, specifically because the buff is unconditional (not chance-based) — it's rare for a hero's kit to stay this relevant across many generations.
  • F2P note: If you can't access him, don't chase him — pour those resources into Zoe (Gen 2) instead.

Saul — Archer

  • How to get: Early — via the $1 starter pack or Hero Roulette.
  • Kit: Stuns enemies for 2 seconds, boosts his own attack speed, and gains defense when his HP drops low. Also has a growth skill that boosts Construction Speed.
  • Role: His hidden value is in joiner stacking — his skill uses a different underlying skill ID than Hilde's, so pairing Saul + Hilde produces a stronger combined multiplier than most normal hero pairings. Worth keeping around for stackable joiner builds even after he "falls off" as a combat hero.
  • F2P note: Don't over-invest combat resources — his construction-speed skill has ongoing value even after his combat stats become outdated.

Helga — Infantry

  • How to get: Often via a first-purchase reward.
  • Kit: Functions similarly to Amadeus as a rally-leader alternative.
  • Role: Good if you get her free/cheap early, but her base stats fall behind starting Gen 2–3. Treat as a stopgap, not a long-term investment.

Others seen in Gen 1 rosters

Howard, Quinn, Diana, Chenko (some lists place Chenko's earliest appearance in Gen 1/early Gen 2 depending on source), Gordon, Olive, Edwin, Seth, Forrest — mostly filler/early heroes; don't heavily invest shards or exclusive gear into these beyond what's needed to clear early content. Quinn in particular is commonly cited as a "use minimally, don't over-upgrade" early Archer.

F2P Priority Order (Gen 1 window)

  1. Jabel — free, easy, build immediately
  2. Amadeus — if VIP-accessible, this is a permanent investment
  3. Saul — cheap, keep for joiner-stacking value long term
  4. Everything else — minimum investment only, to clear content