Season 1: Shadow of the World Tree

Season 1: Shadow of the World Tree is the first seasonal campaign in Top Heroes. The Cataclysm Serpent has broken through the World Tree’s protective barrier, shrouding the world in darkness. Ancient creatures are appearing everywhere, relics are being destroyed, and the once-prosperous land has become a desolate desert — drought, depleted water sources, and withering trees. Lords must defend their territories, rebuild the relics, and defeat the Cataclysm Serpent to revive the World Tree.

The season introduces the water system, desert-themed world map, sandstorms, the Dune Devourer, and seasonal buildings. Most content remains permanently available after the main event timer ends.

This guide covers:

• Ruins, sandstorms, and world map changes ✓
• Dune Devourer Invasion mechanics ✓
• Water supply system ✓
• Adventure mode ✓
• Event schedule and weekly rotation ✓
• FAQ ✓
• Recommended hero compositions and faction synergies for bosses
• Season-exclusive rewards and how to earn every milestone
• How seasonal power (season level and buffs) interacts with your base stats
• Comparison of Season 1 to later seasons for returning players

More sections coming soon — check back for updates!

Ruins

When Season 1 begins, the world map resets with a desert theme. All ruins reset and guilds must capture them again.

Water drain warning: Keeping your castle in high-tier ruin territory (T3+) drains water faster. It’s recommended to keep your hive in T1 or T2 ruin territory to maintain a stable water supply.

Sandstorms

Sandstorms sweep through the desert zones periodically (roughly every 15 hours). Each sandstorm round consists of 4 waves, and the round ends once all waves are completed. Each wave lasts 5 minutes.

You must maintain a positive water level during the storm. Lords whose water stays above zero through all waves of a round receive rewards.

• Inside your ruins territory, you’ll generally be fine
• Outside your territory (or before capturing one), you’ll need to use a couple of Water Flasks — there are plenty available, so this shouldn’t be an issue
• Do not let your water go negative during a sandstorm
• Check the countdown in the event menu to see when the next sandstorm hits

Dune Devourer Invasion

The Dune Devourer is a tough boss that spawns on specific Invasion Days — it won’t appear on non-invasion days. Check the event menu for the next invasion. Each Invasion Day features three invasions.

Morale and HP

The Dune Devourer has both a morale and HP system:

• While morale is above 0, it uses powerful abilities and periodically summons sandworm swarms to attack nearby lords
• While morale is above 0, it also relocates at intervals (every 2 minutes)
• Once morale hits 0, it becomes vulnerable and much easier to damage
• You can reduce morale by attacking or by donating water during the morale phase
• Even after its HP reaches 0, you can keep attacking for mission credit, but it won’t affect rankings

Attacking

You can fight the Dune Devourer in three ways:

• Solo attacks — short cooldown between attacks
• Rallies — no cooldown to join; you can rally and solo attack without delay
• Water donations — only available during the morale phase

Rankings

Deal damage to the Dune Devourer’s morale and HP to earn rank-based rewards.

Water Supply

Water is the central resource of Season 1. It powers buffs for your territory, determines whether you survive sandstorms, and ties into multiple gameplay systems. See the FAQ for all the ways to increase your water supply.

Key points:

• Different water levels provide various buff bonuses to your territory
• Water is required to survive sandstorms and to donate during Dune Devourer morale phases
• There are no negative effects from exceeding 100% water
• Adventure mode water is separate — only the Spring of Nature affects it

Adventure Mode

Season 1 introduces a new adventure map that opens gradually after the season starts. Lords face new bosses and explore the story behind the World Tree’s decline. Water levels in adventure are controlled solely by your Spring of Nature level.

Other Season Mechanics

• King of the Barrens causes 10% soldier losses
• King of the Barrens and Legion Boss participation rewards and limits are increased
• World Tree Donations — donate resources to unlock server-wide buffs and traits

FAQ

Why was I suddenly attacked by sandworm swarms?

Once the Dune Devourer emerges, it attacks all lords within its ruin and adjacent ruin areas. If you were nearby when it spawned, you got caught in the crossfire.

Why can’t I deal any damage in adventure mode after progressing?

Your water level is probably below the required amount for that section. Level up the Spring of Nature to increase your water in adventure mode — nothing else will raise it there.

What is the Harvest Event?

The Harvest Event can only be initiated by the King, who can set a countdown timer or start it immediately. Once it begins, fruits spawn around the World Tree for any player on the server to gather. Fruits keep appearing for 8 hours, after which the event enters a 7-day cooldown. Players must be level 25 to unlock the Harvest Event.

What does water do?

Water is a core mechanic introduced in Season 1. Different water values provide various buff bonuses to your territory.

Will there be negative effects if water exceeds 100%?

No.

How do I get more water?

• Build and upgrade the Ancient Tree Branch to level up the Spring of Nature
• Build and upgrade the Golden Root to level up the Guild Holy Spring
• Purchase a Water Flask for a temporary boost
• Have guild members donate water for a temporary increase
• Occupy ruins — the environmental water supply in that area increases for everyone, regardless of which guild holds the ruin

Check the water system adjustment panel in the upper-left corner of the main interface to see which actions increase or decrease your water supply.

Why can’t I spend water on the Dune Devourer?

You can only spend water during the Morale phase.

How should I use Water Flasks?

• During sandstorms to help teammates avoid morale dropping to 0%
• In PvP, where a difference in water levels can give up to a 20% bonus
• Donate to the Dune Devourer during the morale phase

Note: Water Flasks do not work in adventure mode.

How do I increase water in adventure mode?

Level up the Spring of Nature. Nothing else affects adventure water.

What does the “days” label on castle skins in the Season Store mean?

It shows how many days the castle skin lasts once equipped. After that duration, it disappears.

Does the season end when the timer runs out?

The timer is for the main seasonal event only. When it hits zero, Season 1 settings and gameplay elements remain active — only some challenge events close.

What changes after the season ends?

• Events: The main event “Shadow of the World Tree”, “Sandstorm Incoming”, and “Dune Devourer Invasion” close. However, Sandstorm Incoming and Dune Devourer Invasion reopen immediately as permanent events.
• Content: Seasonal buildings, seasonal technology, map ruins, King of the Barrens, the water system, season channel, World Tree donations, and other season content remain until the next season starts.

When does Season 2 start?

No specific date has been announced yet.

Event Schedule

Season 1 follows a fixed weekly event rotation for the first 7 weeks before returning to the standard cycle.

Week	Event
1	Guild Race + Ruins
2	Guild Arms Race + Throne
3	Guild Race
4	Guild Arms Race
5	Four Nations League (week 1)
6	Guild Race
7	Four Nations League (week 2)
8+	Normal rotation: GR → GAR → GR → KvK

Notes

• Four Nations League spans two separate weeks (5 and 7) with a Guild Race in between — it does not run for two consecutive weeks.
• Week 6 may show 4NL on the in-game calendar — this is just a placeholder. Guild Race and Four Nations League do not run simultaneously.
• After week 8, the schedule returns to the pre-season rotation of Guild Race, Guild Arms Race, Guild Race, KvK.