Under the post-1.2.0 (Smuggler) balance the three top comps are the S+ Dracana core (Gaiadrasil + Dryadell, 61.4% over 58 runs), the S+ Cinnabark core (Miasmaw + Drumire, 51.8% over 128 runs) and the S Velocect core (Cicadence + Formiqueen, 43.5% over 99 runs). Around those the Pantra burn line (Cinderfly, Thorntail, Noxnimbus) and the Smuggler cross-region comp (Cordycant or Sproach pulled from a foreign region) give the run its post-1.2.0 identity.
On this page
Post-1.2.0 S+ And S Cores
Dracana (S+, 61.4% over 58 runs)
Highest 10-win finish rate in the post-1.2.0 sample. The Dracana engine rides the Onsetra core with Gaiadrasil + Dryadell as the shared-HP backbone. Shield pressure plus on-cast scaling makes it the safest S+ slot in the dataset.
Cinnabark (S+, 51.8% over 128 runs)
Returned to the top tier by the 1.2.0 revert (CD 5 to 4). The Cinnabark core runs Miasmaw + Drumire with Cinnabark at the center; the Drumire cost 50 to 45 revert lets the run hit the third Drumire copy by Day 4 in most openings.
Velocect (S, 43.5% over 99 runs)
The Velocect core pairs Cicadence + Formiqueen and thrives when the early shop offers multicast support. Sample size is large enough (99 runs) that the 43.5% line is the floor, not the ceiling.
Pantra burn line (Cinderfly, Thorntail, Noxnimbus)
Built around the 1.2.0 Pantra buffs. Cinderfly cost 30 to 25 and Burn 6 to 7, Thorntail damage per Poison stack 6/12/18 to 8/16/24, Noxnimbus Poison-to-adjacent 2/4/6 to 3/6/9. Pair with a Burn enabler for the burn engine to fire on the same turn.
Smuggler cross-region comp (Cordycant, Sproach)
The new Smuggler trainer pulls one foreign-region Batomon per run. Cordycant and Sproach are the published foreign options; pick whichever matches the early shop, then build the rest of the squad around its trigger.
Post-1.2.0 Support Slots
Dracana (16.0% post-1.2.0)
Still the most-picked Batomon across the 4,901-board window after the Smuggler patch. Fits into the S+ Dracana core directly and slots into the Velocect engine as an on-cast rider.
Onsetra (11.7% post-1.2.0)
Default connector for the Dracana and Velocect cores. Pair with a shield engine for the on-cast scaling to fire reliably.
Steamscuttle (11.1%)
Anchors the Steamscuttle line and bridges into the post-1.2.0 Pantra burn line as a survivability slot.
Gaiadrasil + Dryadell
The shared-HP backbone of the S+ Dracana core. Feed both copies to level 3 before pivoting the rest of the squad.
Miasmaw + Drumire
The Cinnabark core's engine. Drumire cost 50 to 45 revert plus Cinnabark CD 5 to 4 revert makes this the cleanest pay-off comp on the post-1.2.0 ladder.
Cicadence + Formiqueen
The Velocect core's Repeater and Amplifier pair. Cicadence produces the multicast window; Formiqueen turns it into scaling damage.
Cinderfly, Thorntail, Noxnimbus
Pantra burn line. Pick whichever burn enabler the early shop offers first, then pivot the other two as the run matures.
Cordycant, Sproach
Smuggler foreign options pulled from Jinto or Pantra. Treat the pull as a sixth slot rather than a build-around.
The 4-Role Build Framework
Plan one Starter
Starter (1 slot): a Batomon that opens the fight with a buff, protect, or shield so the rest of the team survives the first round. Gaiadrasil, Dryadell, and shield-generating rocks like Bonshell fill this slot.
Done when: One Starter is in the formation and the first-round trade is survivable.
Plan one or two Repeaters
Repeater (1-2 slots): fast casts, multicast, or on-ally-trigger effects that fire multiple times per turn. Pipskull and Drumire are the canonical Repeaters.
Done when: A Repeater is online and its multicast or trigger chain is firing each turn.
Plan one or two Amplifiers
Amplifier (1-2 slots): Batomon that boost the Repeater's actions, such as Onsetra, Rhizuka, or Dracana when paired with a shield engine.
Done when: An Amplifier is connected to the Repeater and the trigger chain is scaling.
Plan one Survivor
Survivor (1 slot): a tank or shield-bearer that keeps the shared HP pool alive long enough for the Repeaters and Amplifiers to scale. Fumungus, Cobrex, and Furnadon are common Survivor picks.
Done when: A Survivor is holding the shared HP pool above the failure threshold in long rounds.
Why These Cores Are S+ Now: The 1.2.0 Math
Critcap tracks 4,901 boards at Balance 25 after the Smuggler update. The 1.2.0 buff/nerf math that produces the new S+ list:
- Dracana core climbs to 61.4% over 58 runs because no Pantra carry was nerfed into its trigger chain. Dracana (16.0%) plus Onsetra (11.7%) plus Steamscuttle (11.1%) cover the same Starts / Repeats / On Cast Batomon engine that the S+ slots need.
- Cinnabark climbs back to 51.8% over 128 runs from the two reverts: Cinnabark CD 5 to 4 and Drumire cost 50 to 45. The third Drumire copy now lands by Day 4 in most openings, and the CD revert lets Cinnabark fire on the same turn as the cast window opens.
- Velocect holds 43.5% over 99 runs even after the Jinto carry nerfs because Cicadence and Formiqueen never depended on the nerfed carries.
- The Pantra burn line (Cinderfly / Thorntail / Noxnimbus) is unlocked by the burn-side buffs alone. Cinderfly cost 30 to 25 makes the third copy affordable; Thorntail damage-per-Poison 6/12/18 to 8/16/24 and Noxnimbus Poison-to-adjacent 2/4/6 to 3/6/9 make the burn engine actually close fights.
- The Smuggler cross-region comp is built by taking the new Smuggler trainer at run start and using Cordycant or Sproach (the foreign pull) as a sixth slot rather than a build-around.