The Kingshot Gen 2 heroes are Zoe, Marlin, and Hilde. They arrive around server Day 50, creating the game's first major hero investment decision. Most players should not try to build all three; the best choice depends on shard access and which battle mode matters to you.
The short version: F2P and low spenders should build Zoe through Hero Roulette and unlock Marlin through Hall of Heroes, then use Mythic General Hero Shards on Marlin. Treat Hilde as a spender or garrison-specialist investment. For a practical three-hero Gen 2 core, use Zoe + Jabel + Marlin.
Kingshot Gen 2 heroes ranked at a glance
| Hero | Type | Main source in Gen 2 | Best role | F2P priority |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zoe | Infantry | Hero Roulette | Frontline, Arena, garrison | High — spend gems on Roulette |
| Marlin | Archer | Hall of Heroes | Arena damage, rally lead, general combat | High — use general shards after unlocking |
| Hilde | Cavalry | Hall of Governors, Strongest Governor, Daily Deals, Hero Rally | Garrison and defensive sustain | Low unless you spend or lead garrisons |
This is not a simple first-to-third power ranking. Zoe is the easiest focused gem build, Marlin is the best place for saved general shards, and Hilde is valuable in a narrower defensive role.
The F2P plan before Gen 2 arrives
If your kingdom is approaching Day 50, prepare resources instead of spreading them across late Gen 1 upgrades.
- Save gems for Zoe's Hero Roulette. The 70-spin milestone is the first efficient stopping point; 120 spins is better when your gem supply can support it.
- Save Mythic General Hero Shards for Marlin. Roulette supplies Zoe-specific shards, while Marlin needs general shards after his Hall of Heroes unlock.
- Unlock Marlin; do not keep buying expensive Hall of Heroes progress. His 10-shard unlock is the important part. After that, use general shards to reach 3–4 stars.
- Keep saving recruitment keys. Keys are not the launch path for Gen 2's three Legendary heroes. Use the key strategy in the Hero Summoning guide instead of opening them just because a new generation arrived.
- Keep building your existing gear. Moving strong gear to a new hero creates more immediate value than fielding three under-geared Gen 2 heroes.
Do not spend general shards on Zoe by default. If you can consistently reach Roulette milestones, her dedicated shards will keep coming. General shards are much more important for Marlin, whose Gen 2 acquisition path is limited.
Zoe: the F2P frontline priority
Zoe is the Gen 2 Infantry hero and the only Gen 2 hero featured on Hero Roulette. Her value comes from being both accessible and hard to remove in hero combat.
Her Conquest kit gives her a once-per-battle heal when she falls below half health, while her Expedition kit adds squad Attack and damage amplification. Her widget, The Unrighteous, increases Defender Squad Attack, which keeps her focused on garrison and defensive value rather than attack-rally leadership.
Zoe
Zoe's unpredictable attacks easily enweb foes, dealing Attack × X damage every 0.5s and amplifying damage taken by the target by X for 2s
Zoe requires pain to reach peak physical performance. She immediately regains X of max Health under 50% Health. Can only activate once per battle
Zoe inspires her fellow warriors to battle, boosting your heroes' Attack Speed by X
Your squads' attacks gain a 20% chance of inflicting Sunder, dealing X damage per turn for 3 turns
Zoe is a gifted female orator, and her rousing battle speeches increase the total Squads' Attack by X
Zoe strikes the enemy so completely and utterly that your squads' attacks gain a 50% chance of amplifying enemy squads' damage taken by X
Zoe's inner demon is awakened only by pain. Gaining a X increased Attack until the end of the Battle once "Agony Rush" is triggered
Zoe is a relentlessly demanding garrison commander, increasing Defender Squads' Attack by X
How far should you build Zoe?
- 3 stars: usable, but still an early build.
- 4 stars: the practical F2P target because it opens her level 5 skills.
- 5 stars: realistic only if you repeatedly hit strong Roulette milestones and keep enough gems for the rest of your account.
Use Zoe as your main Gen 2 frontline if your Amadeus or Helga is not already heavily developed. If you have a strong paid Amadeus, Zoe still has value in Arena, garrison, and a second march; she does not automatically replace a much stronger hero just because she is newer.
Marlin: the Gen 2 ranged carry
Marlin is the Gen 2 Archer and the hero most likely to change your Arena results immediately. He deals area damage, controls enemies, and has a Rally Squad Lethality widget. That combination gives him useful roles in Arena, Expedition, and attack rallies.
Unlock Marlin with 10 shards from Hall of Heroes, then build him with Mythic General Hero Shards. Do not confuse him with Hero Rally: that event is one of Hilde's sources, not Marlin's.
Marlin
Marlin is a tidal force on the battlefield, literally and figuratively, when he unleashes a pulse dealing X Area of Effect damage and immobilizing the enemy for 1.5s
Marlin's deadly airborne concoction deals Attack × X Area of Effect damage
Good fortune inevitably follows bad. Marlin stuns targets for %{n2}s after every %{n1} strikes
Marlin, being unpredictable, has a X chance of increasing damage dealt by 50% for all squads
"Stiff rum can drown most any battlefield sorrow". Marlin grants all squads a 20% chance of reducing the total Enemy Squads' Lethality by X for 2 turns when attacking
Grants your squads' attack a 50% chance of increasing damage dealt by X
There's no battlefield pick-me-up like Marlin's special brew, healing your weakest hero by Attack × X with each basic attack
A true admiral leads from the front. Increases Rally Squads' Lethality by X
How far should you build Marlin?
- Unlock: worth doing even if your shard stock is still small.
- 3 stars: the first major target; a 3-star Marlin can outperform a 5-star Diana.
- 4 stars: the recommended long-term target for F2P and low spenders.
- 5 stars: powerful, but usually unrealistic during Gen 2 without heavy spending.
Protect Marlin in the rear row in Arena. His value comes from staying alive long enough to repeat his area damage and control, not from absorbing the opening attack.
Hilde: strong defense, lower F2P priority
Hilde is the Gen 2 Cavalry hero. She heals allies, buffs squad Attack and Defense, and adds a Defender Squad Health widget. Her kit is built for sustain and defense rather than pure attack-rally damage.
Hilde
Immediately restores Health equal to her Attack × X to all friendly heroes
Injury is no match for Hilde's redeeming invocations. Immediately restores Health equal to her Attack × X to the weakest friendly hero
Psychological warfare is an age-old tactic. Disables the enemy target for 1s while dealing Attack × X damage
Hilde's exhaustive discipline develops soldiers into true weapons, increasing the total squads' Attack and Defense by X and X
Hilde uses her secret tonic to enhance the warriors' strength, granting all squads' attack a 25% chance of dealing X damage
Hilde's devout prayer has a X chance of reducing damage taken by 50% for all squads
Soldiers swear by Hilde's everyday miracles, increasing her healing effects by X
Hilde's pious confidence in her cause is infectious, increasing Defender Squads' Health by X
Hilde is worth building when at least one of these is true:
- You spend enough to reach useful stars through Daily Deals and events.
- You are one of your alliance's primary garrison leaders.
- Your Jabel is underbuilt and Hilde can reach a comparable star level quickly.
Most F2P players should keep a well-built Jabel and direct scarce resources into Zoe and Marlin. A low-star Hilde is not an automatic upgrade over a developed Jabel, and Gen 3 brings another major cavalry decision at Day 113.
Recommended Gen 2 investment by account type
| Account | Gems | General shards | Hilde plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| F2P | Zoe Roulette milestones | Marlin to 3–4 stars | Skip or unlock only through free rewards |
| Low spender | Zoe to at least 4 stars | Marlin to 4 stars | Build only if shards arrive efficiently |
| Garrison specialist | Zoe | Marlin after defensive core | Build Hilde and her defensive widget |
| Rally lead / heavier spender | Zoe as needed | Marlin | Build Hilde only for defense; keep attack widgets on attack leads |
Stars beat labels. A finished Gen 1 hero can outperform a newly unlocked Gen 2 hero. Switch when the new hero has enough stars, skills, gear, and widget progress to perform the assigned role.
Best Gen 2 teams by mode
There is no single best lineup for every mode. Arena uses Conquest skills and five hero positions, while map rallies and garrisons use Expedition skills and three-hero marches. Bear Hunt also treats rally leaders and rally joiners differently.
Best F2P three-hero core
Zoe + Jabel + Marlin
- Zoe provides the Infantry frontline.
- Jabel remains a practical Cavalry choice because her shards are widely available during Gen 1.
- Marlin supplies the Archer damage Gen 1 F2P teams usually lack.
Use this core for general map combat, PvE, and as the starting point for Expedition formations. If Amadeus is much stronger than Zoe, do not bench him just to force an all-Gen 2 label.
Best Gen 2 Arena formation
Arena is account-specific, but this is a reliable setup:
- Front row: Zoe plus your strongest developed frontline hero — Amadeus, Helga, or Howard.
- Back row: Marlin, Jabel, and your best remaining damage or support hero.
Keep Marlin in the back. If he is only 1–2 stars, compare battle reports before replacing a maxed Quinn. At 3 stars with developed skills and transferred gear, Marlin is normally ready to take over the main Archer damage slot.
Best Gen 2 Conquest team
For three-hero Conquest, start with Amadeus + Zoe + Marlin when Amadeus is developed. For a more accessible lineup, use Howard + Zoe + Marlin until your frontline improves.
Conquest performance comes from Conquest skills, not Expedition buffs. Upgrade each hero's key Conquest skills and test placement when you hit a stage wall; see the Conquest guide for the full mode strategy.
Best Gen 2 garrison team
For a true Gen 2 defensive core, use Zoe + Hilde + Saul. Zoe and Hilde have defender-focused widgets, while Saul remains a useful defensive Archer. If your Amadeus is substantially stronger than Zoe, test Amadeus + Hilde + Saul rather than forcing a weaker hero into the lead march.
Garrison leaders should prioritize survival and defender widgets. Rally-attack players should not copy this lineup for offense.
Best Gen 2 attack-rally team
Use Amadeus + Jabel or Hilde + Marlin, choosing the Cavalry hero with the better stars, skills, and gear. Amadeus and Marlin have attack-rally widgets; Hilde does not. This means Hilde's newer base stats do not automatically make her the better offensive investment.
Gen 2 heroes in Bear Hunt
The most important distinction is whether you are starting the rally or joining someone else's rally.
If you start a Bear Hunt rally
Use your three strongest properly geared heroes. Zoe + Jabel + Marlin is the accessible Gen 2 host lineup; a developed Amadeus can replace Zoe. As rally leader, the full march matters, so Zoe and Marlin can improve your own damage once they are built.
If you join Bear Hunt rallies
Do not replace your proven first-slot joiners with Zoe or Marlin. Keep using:
- Chenko
- Amane
- Yeonwoo
Their reliable Attack or Lethality buffs are better for the rally than Zoe's and Marlin's chance-based first Expedition skills. Hilde can be a backup joiner for an extra march, but her maximum Attack contribution is lower than the core 25% joiners and can displace a stronger buff. Follow your alliance's rally rules.
For the complete leader-versus-joiner explanation, use the Bear Hunt guide.
Which Gen 2 widget should you upgrade?
| Your priority | First widget | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Attack rallies | Marlin — Mistweaver | Adds Rally Squad Lethality and supports his rally-lead role |
| Garrison defense | Zoe — The Unrighteous | Adds Defender Squad Attack |
| Dedicated defensive Cavalry | Hilde — Revelation | Adds Defender Squad Health |
For most F2P and low spenders who lead attack rallies, Marlin first, then Zoe is the practical order. A garrison leader can reverse that order. Arena-only players should prioritize the hero they actually field while remembering that these listed widget effects apply to Expedition battles, not Arena's Conquest combat. Avoid dividing widget materials evenly across all three; finish a useful breakpoint on the hero who serves your main role.
See the Widget guide before committing rare widget chests.
Common Gen 2 mistakes
- Spending general shards on Zoe even though Roulette supplies her dedicated shards.
- Assuming recruitment keys will immediately unlock Gen 2 Legendary heroes.
- Buying too many Hall of Heroes shards after unlocking Marlin instead of using general shards.
- Forcing a low-star Hilde over a well-developed Jabel.
- Putting Marlin in Arena's front row where he dies before dealing repeat damage.
- Using Zoe or Marlin as primary Bear Hunt joiners instead of Chenko, Amane, or Yeonwoo.
- Calling one lineup “best” without separating Arena, Conquest, rallies, and garrison defense.
FAQ
Who are the Kingshot Gen 2 heroes?
The three Kingshot Gen 2 heroes are Zoe, an Infantry frontline hero from Hero Roulette; Marlin, an Archer damage dealer from Hall of Heroes; and Hilde, a defensive Cavalry hero available through Hall of Governors, Strongest Governor, Daily Deals, and Hero Rally.
Who is the best Gen 2 hero for F2P players?
F2P players should build both Zoe and Marlin through different resource paths: spend gems on Zoe's Hero Roulette and use Mythic General Hero Shards on Marlin after unlocking him through Hall of Heroes. If you can only support one immediately, Zoe is easier to build through repeated Roulette milestones.
Is Marlin worth building in Gen 2?
Yes. Marlin is a strong Arena and Expedition Archer with an attack-rally widget. Three stars is the first major target, and four stars is the better long-term goal. A 3-star Marlin can outperform a 5-star Diana.
Should F2P players skip Hilde?
Usually. Hilde is valuable for garrison defense and players who can obtain enough shards through events and Daily Deals, but a low-star Hilde is not automatically better than a developed Jabel. F2P resources normally produce more value on Zoe and Marlin.
What is the best Gen 2 team in Kingshot?
The best accessible three-hero core is Zoe, Jabel, and Marlin. Arena should protect Marlin in the back row behind Zoe and another developed frontline hero. Garrison specialists can use Zoe, Hilde, and Saul, while Conquest players with a strong Amadeus can use Amadeus, Zoe, and Marlin.
Do Zoe or Marlin replace Bear Hunt joiners?
No. They can improve the rally you start, but they should not replace Chenko, Amane, or Yeonwoo as first-slot joiners. Those heroes provide reliable Attack or Lethality buffs, while Zoe and Marlin use chance-based first Expedition skills.
When do Gen 2 heroes unlock in Kingshot?
Generation 2 heroes unlock around server Day 50. The unlock is based on kingdom age, not your Town Center level. Zoe, Marlin, and Hilde use different acquisition paths, so they may not all appear in the same event on the first day.
Where to go next
- Full hero tier list — compare Gen 2 heroes by rally, garrison, and Bear roles
- Hero Summoning guide — Roulette milestones, keys, and Hall of Heroes planning
- Best hero combinations — team upgrades beyond Gen 2
- Arena guide — formation and daily ranking strategy
- Server timeline — see when Gen 3 and later systems unlock
Need help or spotted something off?
Join the Kingshot Mastery Discord for hero builds, event routing, quick answers, and guide corrections from other players.