Howard is a Generation 1 Epic Infantry hero in Kingshot who specializes in absorbing damage, strengthening team Defense, and reducing enemy damage output. His best default Conquest skill priority is Shield Block, Joint Defense, and then Shielded Strike.
For Expedition battles, prioritize Defenders’ Edge before Weaken. Defenders’ Edge reduces damage taken by all troops, while Weaken lowers the total Attack of enemy squads.
Howard is especially useful during early and middle kingdom progression because his shards are easier to obtain than those of most Mythic Infantry heroes. He works well as a frontline tank in Conquest and as an accessible defensive Infantry hero for rallies, garrisons, and wilderness combat.
This guide explains Howard’s complete skills, upgrade priority, stats, shard sources, positioning, Expedition role, formations, and whether he is worth investing in.
Upgrade Shield Block first for personal survivability, Joint Defense second for team protection, and Shielded Strike third for damage. For Expedition, prioritize Defenders’ Edge before Weaken. Use Howard in the front row and invest mainly through Howard-specific shards unless he remains part of your long-term Infantry plan.
Howard Hero Overview
| Howard Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Rarity | Epic |
| Troop type | Infantry |
| Generation | Generation 1 |
| Main role | Frontline tank and defensive support |
| Conquest strengths | Damage reduction, team Defense, knockback and area damage |
| Expedition strengths | Reduces troop damage taken and enemy squad Attack |
| Availability | Available from kingdom opening |
| F2P value | Good during early and middle progression |
How to Unlock Howard
Howard belongs to the Generation 1 base hero roster and can be obtained from the beginning of a kingdom.
His shards are available through:
- Hero Recruitment
- Conquest or Exploration progression
- Watchtower Intel Missions
- Epic General Hero Shards
- Custom Epic Hero Shard selection chests when Howard is included
- Event rewards containing Howard-specific shards
Because Howard has several repeatable shard sources, he is easier to ascend than most Mythic Infantry heroes.
However, Epic General Hero Shards can also be used on other eligible Epic heroes. Use Howard-specific shards first and save flexible shards until you are confident he remains part of your main formation.
Howard Maximum Stats
At maximum progression, Howard’s listed Conquest stats are:
| Stat | Maximum Value |
|---|---|
| Hero Attack | 1,361 |
| Hero Defense | 2,220 |
| Hero Health | 26,640 |
| Infantry Expedition Attack | 140.11% |
| Infantry Expedition Defense | 140.11% |
Howard’s high Health and defensive skills make him more suitable for frontline survival than pure damage.
Howard Skill Priority
The best priority depends on whether you are upgrading his Conquest or Expedition skills.
| Mode | Recommended Priority | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Conquest and Arena | Shield Block → Joint Defense → Shielded Strike | Maximizes Howard’s tank role before adding damage |
| Expedition leader | Defenders’ Edge → Weaken | Reduces incoming damage before weakening enemy Attack |
| Rally or garrison joiner | Defenders’ Edge first | The primary Expedition skill is the relevant supporting skill |
| Conquest damage shortage | Shield Block → Shielded Strike → Joint Defense | Alternative order when Howard survives but the formation lacks damage |
Best Default Priority
- Shield Block
- Joint Defense
- Shielded Strike
- Defenders’ Edge
- Weaken
Conquest and Expedition Skill Books are separate resources, so you do not always need to choose between a Conquest skill and an Expedition skill. Follow the priority within each skill category.
Howard Conquest Skills
Shield Block
Shield Block reduces the damage Howard takes.
| Skill Level | Damage Taken Reduction |
|---|---|
| 1 | 10% |
| 2 | 15% |
| 3 | 20% |
| 4 | 25% |
| 5 | 30% |
This is Howard’s best personal survival skill. Keeping him alive longer gives the backline more time to deal damage.
Upgrade Shield Block first when Howard is your main frontline hero.
Joint Defense
Joint Defense increases Defense for every hero in Howard’s Conquest formation.
| Skill Level | Defense Increase |
|---|---|
| 1 | 5% |
| 2 | 7.5% |
| 3 | 10% |
| 4 | 12.5% |
| 5 | 15% |
Joint Defense is more valuable than a personal Defense skill because it strengthens the complete formation.
Upgrade it second after Howard has enough damage reduction to hold the frontline reliably.
Shielded Strike
Shielded Strike deals area damage and knocks the target backward.
| Skill Level | Area Damage |
|---|---|
| 1 | Attack × 200% |
| 2 | Attack × 220% |
| 3 | Attack × 240% |
| 4 | Attack × 260% |
| 5 | Attack × 280% |
The knockback can disrupt enemy positioning and temporarily create space between Howard and the opposing frontline.
However, Howard’s Attack is lower than his defensive statistics. Shielded Strike is useful, but his survival and team Defense generally provide more value.
Howard Expedition Skills
Defenders’ Edge
Defenders’ Edge reduces damage taken by all troops in Howard’s squad.
| Skill Level | Damage Taken Reduction |
|---|---|
| 1 | 4% |
| 2 | 8% |
| 3 | 12% |
| 4 | 16% |
| 5 | 20% |
This is Howard’s most important Expedition skill because it directly improves squad durability.
It is also his primary Expedition skill, making it the relevant effect when Howard is selected as a supporting rally or garrison joiner under the normal joiner-skill rules.
Weaken
Weaken reduces the total Attack of enemy squads.
| Skill Level | Enemy Squad Attack Reduction |
|---|---|
| 1 | 4% |
| 2 | 8% |
| 3 | 12% |
| 4 | 16% |
| 5 | 20% |
Weaken further reduces incoming damage by lowering the enemy’s offensive strength.
Upgrade it after Defenders’ Edge for rally-leading, solo Expedition, wilderness, and defensive formations.
Howard’s Best Position
Howard should normally be placed in the front row during Conquest and Arena battles.
His role is to:
- Absorb early enemy attacks
- Protect lower-Health damage dealers
- Increase Defense for the full hero formation
- Use knockback to disrupt the opposing frontline
- Remain alive long enough for the backline to deal damage
Avoid placing Howard in the back row. His defensive kit loses value when another hero absorbs most of the incoming damage.
Recommended Formation Structure
- Front row: Howard and another durable frontline hero
- Back row: High-damage heroes and one support option when available
Howard does not provide healing, so pair him with heroes that supply strong damage, crowd control, healing, shields, or other formation-wide support.
Best Uses for Howard
Conquest
Howard is useful when your backline dies because the frontline collapses too quickly.
His damage reduction and formation Defense can help clear stages where survival is a bigger problem than damage.
Arena
Howard works as an accessible defensive frontline hero in early Arena formations.
He performs best when placed opposite strong enemy damage dealers and supported by a powerful backline.
Rally Joining
Defenders’ Edge makes Howard a defensive rally-joining option because his primary Expedition skill reduces troop damage taken.
Confirm the rally leader’s instructions before selecting him. Some alliances may prefer offensive primary skills for damage events and defensive skills for garrison or PvP situations.
Rally Leading
Howard can lead Infantry squads during early progression, but his Epic statistics are eventually surpassed by later Mythic Infantry heroes.
Use him as a temporary rally leader when he is better developed than your alternatives.
Garrison and Defensive Battles
Howard’s two Expedition skills support defensive combat by reducing incoming damage and enemy Attack.
He is more naturally suited to defensive situations than damage-focused events.
Damage Events
Howard is generally not the first choice for events that reward maximum damage.
His skills focus on survival rather than Lethality, Attack, or damage dealt. Follow your alliance’s recommended rally-joining heroes for Bear Hunt and similar damage events.
Howard Star and Shard Requirements
Howard requires 1,065 shards to progress through all five complete star levels.
| Star Level | Shards Required | Cumulative Shards |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Star | 10 | 10 |
| 2 Stars | 40 | 50 |
| 3 Stars | 115 | 165 |
| 4 Stars | 300 | 465 |
| 5 Stars | 600 | 1,065 |
Each complete star contains six smaller ascension sections. Skill levels and Expedition statistics improve as Howard progresses through these sections.
Is Howard Worth Upgrading?
Howard is worth upgrading for early and middle-game players who need an accessible Infantry tank.
Howard Is Worth Upgrading When:
- You need a durable Conquest frontline.
- His shards are arriving consistently through recruitment and Intel Missions.
- Your Mythic Infantry hero remains underdeveloped.
- You need a defensive Expedition primary skill.
- Your Arena formation lacks frontline survival.
- You are using an Infantry-focused march.
Limit Howard Investment When:
- A stronger Mythic Infantry hero is already well developed.
- You would need to spend most of your Epic General Hero Shards.
- Your frontline already survives and your formation needs damage instead.
- You are preparing to replace Generation 1 heroes.
- Your main troop focus is not Infantry.
Recommended F2P Approach
- Use Howard-specific shards first.
- Build him when he is your strongest available Infantry frontline.
- Prioritize defensive skills.
- Raise him enough to solve current Conquest or Arena survival problems.
- Avoid forcing five stars with flexible Epic General Hero Shards.
- Reassess the investment when later-generation Infantry heroes arrive.
Howard Strengths and Weaknesses
| Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|
| Strong personal damage reduction | Lower damage than dedicated attackers |
| Raises Defense for all Conquest heroes | Eventually replaced by stronger Mythic Infantry heroes |
| Reduces troop damage taken | Does not provide healing |
| Reduces enemy squad Attack | Not ideal for maximum-damage events |
| Several repeatable shard sources | Heavy investment can consume useful Epic General Shards |
Common Howard Mistakes
Upgrading Shielded Strike First
Howard is primarily a tank. Shield Block and Joint Defense usually create more value than a moderate damage increase.
Placing Howard in the Back Row
Howard should absorb frontline damage so his defensive skills protect more fragile heroes.
Using Him for Every Rally
Defensive primary skills are useful in some situations, but damage-focused rallies may require a different joining hero.
Spending Every Epic General Shard
Howard has repeatable shard sources. Save flexible shards when another Epic hero has greater long-term value.
Expecting Mythic-Level Damage
Howard’s value comes from durability and defensive support, not top-tier damage output.
Ignoring Infantry Development
Howard performs better when Infantry research, troop level, Gear, and formation bonuses support the same role.
Keeping Howard as Rally Leader Too Long
Reassess his position when stronger later-generation Infantry heroes become available.
Calling Howard the Best Hero
Howard is a useful early defensive hero, but his value depends on account age, star level, formation, and available alternatives.
Players entering an established kingdom may need developed heroes, completed star levels, advanced skills, and mature Infantry formations immediately. Those comparing progressed options can review a kingshot account for sale before developing every hero from the beginning.
FAQ
What is Howard’s skill priority in Kingshot?
For Conquest, prioritize Shield Block, Joint Defense, and then Shielded Strike. For Expedition, prioritize Defenders’ Edge before Weaken.
Is Howard good in Kingshot?
Howard is a good early and middle-game Infantry tank with accessible shards, strong damage reduction, and useful defensive support.
Where should Howard be positioned?
Place Howard in the front row during Conquest and Arena battles so he absorbs damage and protects the backline.
How do you get Howard shards?
Howard shards are available through Hero Recruitment, Conquest or Exploration progression, Watchtower Intel, Epic General Hero Shards, and selected reward chests.
What is Howard’s best Expedition skill?
Defenders’ Edge is his best Expedition skill. It reduces damage taken by all troops by up to 20%.
Is Howard good for rally joining?
Howard can be a defensive rally or garrison joiner because Defenders’ Edge is his primary Expedition skill. Follow the rally leader’s instructions for damage-focused events.
Should F2P players use Epic General Hero Shards on Howard?
Use Howard-specific shards first. Spend Epic General Hero Shards only when Howard remains an important part of your main formation.
How many shards are needed to max Howard?
Howard requires a total of 1,065 shards to complete all five star levels.
Conclusion
Howard is an accessible Generation 1 Epic Infantry hero built around frontline survival and defensive support.
His recommended Conquest priority is Shield Block first, Joint Defense second, and Shielded Strike third. This order strengthens his primary role before investing in additional damage.
For Expedition, upgrade Defenders’ Edge before Weaken. Defenders’ Edge reduces damage taken by all troops by up to 20%, while Weaken reduces enemy squad Attack by up to 20%.
Place Howard in the front row with another durable hero and support him with strong backline damage. He is useful in Conquest, Arena, early Infantry marches, and defensive battles.
Howard is F2P-friendly because his shards can come from several repeatable sources. However, use Howard-specific shards before spending flexible Epic General Hero Shards.
As later generations arrive, compare Howard with your stronger Infantry options. He remains useful while his star level, skills, and shard access are better than the available replacements.
