Gump is an SR Tank Defense hero in Last War Survival who deals Physical Damage with a flamethrower. He is primarily an early-game frontline placeholder: Flame Boost can pressure multiple enemy front-row units, while Field Combat gives him a small personal HP, Attack, and Defense increase.
Gump’s low rarity and limited defensive utility give him a short useful lifespan. He can help when your roster does not yet contain two developed defenders, but heroes such as Scarlett, Violet, Murphy, and Williams should replace him once they are ready.
This Last War Gump guide covers his correct role, skill priority, gear, Tank formations, Wall of Honor value, F2P investment, replacements, and the point where you should stop upgrading him.
Gump Overview
| Detail | Gump Information |
|---|---|
| Codename | Battlefield Nova |
| Rarity | SR |
| Vehicle Type | Tank |
| Specialty | Defense |
| Damage Type | Physical Damage |
| Recommended Position | Front Row |
| Main Strength | Accessible early frontline placeholder |
| Best Content | Early campaign and general progression |
| Long-Term Priority | Very Low |
| Wall of Honor Bonus | Troop Load |
Current hero references classify Gump as a Defense specialty hero, correcting the older Attack classification used in the previous version of this article. His actual skills still deal damage rather than providing strong shields or team-wide mitigation, which is why he remains a weak long-term defender despite the Defense label.
His commonly listed Level 50 reference stats are approximately 1,200 Attack, 49,900 HP, 276 Defense, and 193 March Size. Actual values on your account depend on levels, stars, Tank Center development, research, equipment, decorations, and other bonuses.
What Role Does Gump Play?
Gump’s job is to occupy a front-row position until a better defender is developed. He has more reason to stand in front than an Attack-specialty hero, but his low SR scaling means you should not build an entire formation around keeping him viable.
He is useful when a new account needs:
- A second frontline hero.
- Another Tank-type hero for formation synergy.
- A temporary defender while Scarlett, Violet, Murphy, or Williams is being developed.
- Extra damage against enemy frontline units.
- A cheap filler for an additional squad.
Is Gump a Real Tank Defender?
Gump has the Defense specialty, but his skill set is unusually damage-focused. Flame Burst and Flame Boost both deal Physical Damage, while Field Combat only raises Gump’s own basic stats.
He therefore lacks many effects found on stronger frontline heroes, such as meaningful team-wide damage reduction, shields, healing, or powerful defensive buffs. His Defense classification makes the front row his natural position, but his rarity and kit keep his actual defensive ceiling low.
How Long Is Gump Useful?
| Progression Stage | Gump’s Role |
|---|---|
| Very Early Game | Frontline defender / formation filler |
| Early Campaign | Frontline placeholder with multi-target damage |
| Developing Tank Squad | Temporary second defender |
| Mid-Game | Secondary-squad filler |
| Developed Roster | Usually replaced |
Do not replace a highly developed Gump with a completely unbuilt hero only because the replacement has higher rarity. Level and equip the replacement first, then make the switch when actual battle performance improves.
Gump Skills
| Skill | Type | Main Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Flame Burst | Auto Attack | Deals Physical Damage with a flamethrower |
| Flame Boost | Tactics | Prioritizes multiple enemy front-row units |
| Field Combat | Expertise | Increases Gump’s HP, Attack, and Defense |
Flame Burst
Flame Burst is Gump’s Auto Attack. Its documented base effect deals Physical Damage equal to 137.80% of his Attack with a four-second cooldown.
| Star Effect Stage | Additional Damage |
|---|---|
| First | 15% |
| Second | 35% |
| Third | 50% |
| Fourth | 75% |
| Fifth | 100% |
Flame Burst contributes steady damage, but Gump is not a hero worth maximizing for personal DPS. Upgrade it only while he remains important to current progression.
Flame Boost
Flame Boost is Gump’s Tactics skill and his highest-priority normal skill. Its documented base effect prioritizes up to two enemy front-row units and deals Physical Damage equal to 181.40% of Gump’s Attack to each target. The cooldown is approximately 10 seconds.
| Star Effect Stage | Effect |
|---|---|
| Base | Targets up to 2 front-row units |
| First | 15% Extra Damage |
| Second | Adds 1 Skill Target but reduces damage dealt |
| Third | Extra Damage increases to 30% |
| Fourth | Extra Damage increases to 50% |
| Fifth | Extra Damage increases to 75% |
The extra target can help in stages with several frontline enemies, although the associated damage reduction means it should not be interpreted as a simple free increase to focused damage.
Does Flame Boost Burn or Stun Enemies?
No listed crowd-control or damage-over-time effect is attached to Flame Boost in the current skill references. It is primarily a multi-target Physical Damage skill.
Do not expect Gump to provide a stun, silence, shield break, Defense debuff, or protective effect just because he uses a flamethrower.
Field Combat
Field Combat is Gump’s Expertise effect. It increases his HP, Attack, and Defense by 5% each.
| Stat | Bonus |
|---|---|
| HP | +5% |
| Attack | +5% |
| Defense | +5% |
The extra HP and Defense support his frontline role, while Attack improves both damage skills. However, Field Combat is an Expertise effect rather than a separate normal Skill Medal priority.
Best Gump Skill Upgrade Priority
Gump has two normal combat skills to prioritize:
- Flame Boost
- Flame Burst
| Priority | Skill | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Flame Boost | Main Tactics skill and Gump’s most useful multi-target effect |
| 2 | Flame Burst | Provides additional regular Physical Damage |
Field Combat should not be listed as a third Skill Medal target because it is Gump’s Expertise effect.
How Much Should You Invest in Gump?
| Situation | Recommended Approach |
|---|---|
| Gump is still in Squad 1 | Use modest skill investment |
| Gump is your second defender | Prioritize Flame Boost and survivability from transferable gear |
| Replacement is nearly developed | Stop new investment |
| Gump is in Squad 2 or 3 | Use existing skills and equipment |
| Mid- or late-game roster | Avoid additional premium resources |
Best Gear for Gump
Gump should normally use spare defensive equipment. His job is to survive long enough for stronger heroes to do the real damage, not compete with Kimberly or another carry for your best offensive gear.
If Gump is already surviving easily in very early content, a Turret or Cannon can increase his contribution. Once enemy damage becomes meaningful, Radar and Armor are more useful for his actual frontline role.
Early-Game Gear
| Early Gear | Recommendation |
|
M3 Turret |
Fine as a basic offensive filler while Gump is still active. |
|
M3 Radar |
Useful when Gump needs extra frontline survivability. |
|
M3 Armor |
Another practical defensive filler for his frontline role. |
|
M3 Data Chip |
Equip if available, but do not prioritize investment here. |
Keep temporary blue equipment at Level 0 whenever possible. Upgrade Ore has much better long-term uses than trying to extend Gump’s lifespan by a few more stages.
Should Gump Use Epic Gear?
If Gump is somehow still active when Epic equipment is available, use transferable pieces rather than building a dedicated set for him.
| Recommended Gear | Main Use |
|
M4-A Destroyer Cannon |
An offensive option only if stronger attackers do not need it. |
|
M4-A Jackal Data Chip |
Better reserved for a hero with stronger long-term scaling. |
|
M4-A Seahawk Radar |
Useful as transferable defensive gear if Gump must remain on the frontline. |
|
M4-A Porcupine Armor |
Another reasonable spare defensive piece before Gump is replaced. |
Gump Gear Priority
For a frontline Gump who is struggling to survive:
- Radar
- Armor
- Turret or Cannon
- Data Chip
If early enemies barely threaten him, use available offensive gear without investing heavily. The best Gump gear is usually whatever useful equipment your permanent heroes do not currently need.
Best Position for Gump
Gump should normally stay in the front row. His Defense specialty and limited offensive ceiling make using a valuable back-row slot on him difficult to justify.
| Position | Recommended Role |
|---|---|
| Front Left | Stronger defender |
| Front Right | Gump |
| Back Left | Main attacker |
| Back Middle | Attacker |
| Back Right | Attacker or support |
Should You Move Gump to the Back Row?
Usually no. If you already have two stronger defenders, the better solution is normally to replace Gump rather than move him into a back-row position that could be occupied by a stronger attacker or support hero.
A temporary back-row Gump can make sense on a very young account if he is dramatically more developed than every alternative, but it should not become the long-term plan.
Best Gump Teams
Best Frontline Partners
| Hero | Role with Gump |
|---|---|
| Murphy | Much stronger core Tank defender who absorbs the main pressure |
| Williams | Long-term Tank defender who should eventually replace Gump |
| Scarlett | Accessible SSR frontline upgrade |
| Violet | Useful PvE-oriented frontline upgrade |
| Loki | Another low-rarity early option rather than a long-term partner |
| Richard | Early Tank-type filler, but less ideal than pairing Gump with a stronger defender |
| Farhad | Early roster option, though a sturdier defender is preferable |
Best Back-Row Partners
| Hero | Role |
|---|---|
| Kimberly | High-value Tank damage dealer who should receive offensive resources before Gump |
| Mason | Accessible Tank attacker with useful PvE specialization |
| Marshall | Tank support with much stronger long-term formation value |
| Monica | Early support and farming utility |
| Stetmann | Major long-term Tank damage upgrade |
Early F2P Formation
| Position | Hero |
|---|---|
| Front Row | Violet or Scarlett |
| Front Row | Gump |
| Back Row | Kimberly |
| Back Row | Mason |
| Back Row | Monica |
This is a temporary progression lineup. Violet or Scarlett should handle more of the defensive responsibility, while Kimberly and Mason provide the damage that Gump cannot.
Budget Tank Formation
| Position | Hero |
|---|---|
| Front Row | Murphy |
| Front Row | Gump |
| Back Row | Kimberly |
| Back Row | Mason |
| Back Row | Monica or Marshall |
Once Scarlett, Violet, Williams, or another better defender is sufficiently developed, Gump should be the first hero considered for replacement.
Does Gump Help With Tank Formation Bonuses?
Yes. Gump counts as a Tank-type hero, so he can help a developing account reach Tank formation thresholds. A five-Tank squad eventually receives the maximum same-type formation bonus once that system is available.
That bonus should not become a reason to keep Gump indefinitely. If replacing him with a stronger hero produces better results, use the stronger formation even if its type composition is temporarily less tidy.
Best Uses for Gump
| Content | Gump Value | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Early Campaign | Useful | Can hold a frontline slot while the roster is incomplete |
| Multi-Enemy PvE | Situational | Flame Boost can attack multiple frontline enemies |
| Map Monsters | Low to Moderate | No monster-specific bonus |
| Wanted Bosses | Low | Limited damage and no boss specialization |
| Early Arena | Temporary | Raw development can keep him usable briefly |
| Competitive PvP | Poor | Low rarity and weak defensive ceiling |
| Secondary Squad | Filler | Uses existing development without requiring new investment |
Campaign Progression
This is Gump’s most reasonable use. He fills an early defensive slot while Flame Boost helps damage the opposing frontline.
If Gump is consistently the first hero to die, do not automatically spend more resources on him. First ask whether improving or replacing the frontline is the more efficient solution.
Bosses and Monsters
Gump has no specialized monster-damage or boss-support effect. Mason and other PvE-focused heroes provide much more compelling reasons to invest for this content.
PvP
Gump’s low rarity catches up with him quickly in PvP. Better defenders bring stronger stats and more meaningful survival effects, while Gump mainly contributes modest damage to the enemy frontline.
Secondary Squads
Gump can remain in Squad 2 or 3 after leaving the main team. Use transferred equipment and existing development rather than spending new premium resources.
Gump Strengths and Weaknesses
| Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|
| Available for early progression | Low SR scaling |
| Defense specialty fits the front row | Weak compared with stronger defenders |
| Flame Boost attacks multiple frontline enemies | No meaningful crowd control |
| Counts toward Tank formation bonuses | No team-wide protection |
| Can fill a roster gap cheaply | Limited damage output |
| Extra shards have eventual Wall of Honor value | Poor return on heavy combat investment |
Is Gump Worth Upgrading?
Gump is worth only enough investment to keep a new account progressing. He should not compete with permanent SSR and UR heroes for premium resources.
| Situation | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Gump is currently required in Squad 1 | Use minimal practical upgrades |
| You naturally receive Gump shards | Use them if the upgrade is useful or save them for later Wall of Honor progress |
| A stronger defender is almost ready | Stop new combat investment |
| Gump is already in a secondary squad | Use existing development only |
| You have Epic or Legendary gear available | Give permanent heroes priority |
Should You Upgrade Gump to Five Stars?
Do not force five stars solely to make Gump stronger in battle. His low combat ceiling remains even after additional star investment.
There is, however, a separate long-term reason to keep hero-specific Gump shards: the Wall of Honor.
Gump Wall of Honor Bonus
Once Gump reaches five stars and the Tank Center reaches Level 20, he can enter the Wall of Honor. Extra Gump shards can then raise his Wall level.
Gump’s listed Wall of Honor effect provides +1.00% Troop Load for every 50 Wall levels. This is an account-level utility benefit rather than a reason to keep Gump in your combat squad.
F2P Investment Advice
F2P players should treat Gump as a cheap temporary defender. Concentrate EXP, equipment upgrades, and other scarce resources on the heroes expected to remain in Squad 1.
If you are considering a different progression path, a developed Last War account for sale is an optional alternative, but hero value still depends on the actual roster, stars, gear, and server progression available on the account.
When Should You Replace Gump?
| Replacement | Main Improvement |
|---|---|
| Scarlett | Stronger SSR frontline option |
| Violet | Better PvE frontline value |
| Murphy | Major increase in Tank survivability |
| Williams | Strong long-term Tank defense |
The practical replacement rule is simple: if a developed SSR or UR defender survives longer with the same equipment, Gump’s job is finished.
Do not keep him in Squad 1 because of past investment. Move him to another formation and transfer the better equipment to the replacement.
Common Gump Mistakes
Classifying Gump as an Attack Hero
Current hero references list Gump’s specialty as Defense. His flamethrower skills deal damage, but his intended position is still the frontline.
Moving Gump to the Back Row Long Term
If you have two defenders strong enough to push Gump out of the front, you will usually gain more by replacing him than by occupying a valuable back-row slot with an SR hero.
Treating Field Combat as a Third Skill Medal Priority
Field Combat is an Expertise effect. The normal combat-skill order is Flame Boost first and Flame Burst second.
Expecting Flame Boost to Provide Crowd Control
Flame Boost deals Physical Damage to front-row targets. It does not list a stun, silence, burn debuff, or similar control effect.
Building Expensive Gear for Gump
Use spare equipment. Premium upgrades should go to heroes with much stronger long-term value.
Keeping Gump Because of the Tank Formation Bonus
Formation synergy matters, but an underpowered Gump can still make the overall team worse. Compare actual battle results rather than forcing a five-Tank lineup before the roster is ready.
Investing After a Replacement Is Ready
Gump is valuable because he solves an early roster shortage cheaply. Continuing to pour resources into him after that shortage disappears defeats the purpose.
FAQs
Is Gump good in Last War Survival?
Gump is useful only during early progression. He can temporarily fill a frontline Defense slot, but stronger SSR and UR defenders quickly outperform him.
Is Gump an Attack or Defense hero?
Gump is currently listed as an SR Tank hero with the Defense specialty. His skills still deal Physical Damage, which can make his role look more offensive than other defenders.
What is the best Gump skill priority?
Prioritize Flame Boost first and Flame Burst second. Field Combat is Gump’s Expertise effect rather than a separate normal Skill Medal priority.
What is the best gear for Gump?
Use spare defensive gear, especially Radar and Armor when he struggles to survive. Avoid building an expensive dedicated set for Gump because he is replaced early.
Should Gump be in the front or back row?
Gump should normally be in the front row. If you already have two better defenders, replacing Gump is usually more efficient than moving him permanently to the back.
What does Gump give on the Wall of Honor?
Gump’s Wall of Honor bonus is +1.00% Troop Load per 50 Wall levels. The Wall requires five-star Gump and Tank Center Level 20 before excess shards can be used there.
Conclusion
Gump is an SR Tank Defense hero designed to fill an early frontline gap, not a hero to build around. Prioritize Flame Boost, use spare defensive equipment, and let stronger attackers carry most of the squad’s damage.
Once Scarlett, Violet, Murphy, Williams, or another developed defender can replace him, move Gump out of Squad 1 and stop major combat investment. For more hero builds, formation advice, and progression strategies, explore our latest Last War Survival guides on Heaven Guardian.
