Hero EXP in Last War: Survival is used to raise hero levels, which increases core combat stats such as Attack, Defense, and HP. Your Headquarters controls the level ceiling: each HQ level adds five hero levels, from a level-5 cap at HQ 1 to a level-175 cap at HQ 35.
The main leveling rule is simple: keep EXP concentrated on heroes that will stay in your primary squad. Late-game costs rise from millions into hundreds of millions per level, so leveling every unlocked hero can delay your strongest formation significantly.
How Hero EXP and Headquarters Level Caps Work
Hero level and Headquarters progression are directly linked. For HQ 1 through HQ 30, the cap rises by five levels per HQ upgrade, reaching hero level 150 at HQ 30. Age of Oil extends the same pattern through HQ 35 and hero level 175.
| Headquarters Level | Hero Level Cap |
|---|---|
| 1 | 5 |
| 5 | 25 |
| 10 | 50 |
| 15 | 75 |
| 20 | 100 |
| 25 | 125 |
| 30 | 150 |
| 31 | 155 |
| 32 | 160 |
| 33 | 165 |
| 34 | 170 |
| 35 | 175 |
HQ 31–35 requires the later Age of Oil progression, including HQ Expansion research and Oil. If your server has not reached that stage, level 150 at HQ 30 may still be your practical ceiling.
For building prerequisites and upgrade planning, use the Last War Headquarters upgrade guide.
Last War Hero EXP Requirements: Level 1 to 175
In the table below, Hero EXP Required is the EXP needed to move from the previous level to the listed target level. For example, the row for level 100 shows the cost of going from level 99 to level 100.
| Hero Level | Hero EXP Required | Headquarters Level Required |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | – | – |
| 2 | 100 | 1 |
| 3 | 200 | 1 |
| 4 | 300 | 1 |
| 5 | 400 | 1 |
| 6 | 500 | 2 |
| 7 | 600 | 2 |
| 8 | 700 | 2 |
| 9 | 800 | 2 |
| 10 | 900 | 2 |
| 11 | 1,000 | 3 |
| 12 | 1,100 | 3 |
| 13 | 1,200 | 3 |
| 14 | 1,300 | 3 |
| 15 | 1,400 | 3 |
| 16 | 1,500 | 4 |
| 17 | 1,600 | 4 |
| 18 | 1,700 | 4 |
| 19 | 1,800 | 4 |
| 20 | 1,900 | 4 |
| 21 | 2,000 | 5 |
| 22 | 2,100 | 5 |
| 23 | 2,300 | 5 |
| 24 | 2,700 | 5 |
| 25 | 3,200 | 5 |
| 26 | 3,900 | 6 |
| 27 | 4,600 | 6 |
| 28 | 5,500 | 6 |
| 29 | 6,600 | 6 |
| 30 | 8,000 | 6 |
| 31 | 9,500 | 7 |
| 32 | 12,000 | 7 |
| 33 | 14,000 | 7 |
| 34 | 17,000 | 7 |
| 35 | 20,000 | 7 |
| 36 | 24,000 | 8 |
| 37 | 29,000 | 8 |
| 38 | 35,000 | 8 |
| 39 | 41,000 | 8 |
| 40 | 49,000 | 8 |
| 41 | 59,000 | 9 |
| 42 | 71,000 | 9 |
| 43 | 85,000 | 9 |
| 44 | 110,000 | 9 |
| 45 | 130,000 | 9 |
| 46 | 150,000 | 10 |
| 47 | 180,000 | 10 |
| 48 | 220,000 | 10 |
| 49 | 260,000 | 10 |
| 50 | 310,000 | 10 |
| 51 | 370,000 | 11 |
| 52 | 440,000 | 11 |
| 53 | 530,000 | 11 |
| 54 | 630,000 | 11 |
| 55 | 760,000 | 11 |
| 56 | 910,000 | 12 |
| 57 | 1,100,000 | 12 |
| 58 | 1,400,000 | 12 |
| 59 | 1,600,000 | 12 |
| 60 | 1,900,000 | 12 |
| 61 | 2,100,000 | 13 |
| 62 | 2,300,000 | 13 |
| 63 | 2,500,000 | 13 |
| 64 | 2,800,000 | 13 |
| 65 | 3,100,000 | 13 |
| 66 | 3,400,000 | 14 |
| 67 | 3,700,000 | 14 |
| 68 | 4,100,000 | 14 |
| 69 | 4,500,000 | 14 |
| 70 | 4,900,000 | 14 |
| 71 | 5,400,000 | 15 |
| 72 | 5,900,000 | 15 |
| 73 | 6,500,000 | 15 |
| 74 | 7,200,000 | 15 |
| 75 | 7,900,000 | 15 |
| 76 | 8,700,000 | 16 |
| 77 | 9,500,000 | 16 |
| 78 | 11,000,000 | 16 |
| 79 | 12,000,000 | 16 |
| 80 | 13,000,000 | 16 |
| 81 | 13,000,000 | 17 |
| 82 | 14,000,000 | 17 |
| 83 | 14,000,000 | 17 |
| 84 | 15,000,000 | 17 |
| 85 | 16,000,000 | 17 |
| 86 | 17,000,000 | 18 |
| 87 | 18,000,000 | 18 |
| 88 | 19,000,000 | 18 |
| 89 | 20,000,000 | 18 |
| 90 | 21,000,000 | 18 |
| 91 | 22,000,000 | 19 |
| 92 | 23,000,000 | 19 |
| 93 | 24,000,000 | 19 |
| 94 | 25,000,000 | 19 |
| 95 | 26,000,000 | 19 |
| 96 | 27,000,000 | 20 |
| 97 | 28,000,000 | 20 |
| 98 | 30,000,000 | 20 |
| 99 | 31,000,000 | 20 |
| 100 | 33,000,000 | 20 |
| 101 | 35,000,000 | 21 |
| 102 | 37,000,000 | 21 |
| 103 | 39,000,000 | 21 |
| 104 | 41,000,000 | 21 |
| 105 | 43,000,000 | 21 |
| 106 | 45,000,000 | 22 |
| 107 | 47,000,000 | 22 |
| 108 | 49,000,000 | 22 |
| 109 | 51,000,000 | 22 |
| 110 | 53,000,000 | 22 |
| 111 | 55,000,000 | 23 |
| 112 | 57,000,000 | 23 |
| 113 | 59,000,000 | 23 |
| 114 | 61,000,000 | 23 |
| 115 | 63,000,000 | 23 |
| 116 | 65,000,000 | 24 |
| 117 | 67,000,000 | 24 |
| 118 | 69,000,000 | 24 |
| 119 | 71,000,000 | 24 |
| 120 | 73,000,000 | 24 |
| 121 | 75,000,000 | 25 |
| 122 | 77,000,000 | 25 |
| 123 | 79,000,000 | 25 |
| 124 | 81,000,000 | 25 |
| 125 | 83,000,000 | 25 |
| 126 | 85,000,000 | 26 |
| 127 | 87,000,000 | 26 |
| 128 | 89,000,000 | 26 |
| 129 | 91,000,000 | 26 |
| 130 | 93,000,000 | 26 |
| 131 | 95,000,000 | 27 |
| 132 | 97,000,000 | 27 |
| 133 | 100,000,000 | 27 |
| 134 | 105,000,000 | 27 |
| 135 | 110,000,000 | 27 |
| 136 | 115,000,000 | 28 |
| 137 | 120,000,000 | 28 |
| 138 | 125,000,000 | 28 |
| 139 | 130,000,000 | 28 |
| 140 | 135,000,000 | 28 |
| 141 | 140,000,000 | 29 |
| 142 | 145,000,000 | 29 |
| 143 | 150,000,000 | 29 |
| 144 | 155,000,000 | 29 |
| 145 | 160,000,000 | 29 |
| 146 | 165,000,000 | 30 |
| 147 | 170,000,000 | 30 |
| 148 | 175,000,000 | 30 |
| 149 | 180,000,000 | 30 |
| 150 | 185,000,000 | 30 |
| 151 | 200,000,000 | 31 |
| 152 | 215,000,000 | 31 |
| 153 | 230,000,000 | 31 |
| 154 | 245,000,000 | 31 |
| 155 | 260,000,000 | 31 |
| 156 | 285,000,000 | 32 |
| 157 | 310,000,000 | 32 |
| 158 | 335,000,000 | 32 |
| 159 | 360,000,000 | 32 |
| 160 | 385,000,000 | 32 |
| 161 | 350,000,000 | 33 |
| 162 | 365,000,000 | 33 |
| 163 | 380,000,000 | 33 |
| 164 | 395,000,000 | 33 |
| 165 | 410,000,000 | 33 |
| 166 | 435,000,000 | 34 |
| 167 | 460,000,000 | 34 |
| 168 | 485,000,000 | 34 |
| 169 | 510,000,000 | 34 |
| 170 | 535,000,000 | 34 |
| 171 | 560,000,000 | 35 |
| 172 | 585,000,000 | 35 |
| 173 | 610,000,000 | 35 |
| 174 | 635,000,000 | 35 |
| 175 | 660,000,000 | 35 |
How Hero EXP Costs Scale
EXP is cheap in the opening levels and becomes a major bottleneck later. The jump is especially noticeable after level 75 and again once Age of Oil pushes heroes above 150.
| Hero Level Range | Approximate Per-Level Cost Pattern |
|---|---|
| 1–25 | Hundreds to 3,200 EXP |
| 26–50 | 3,900 to 310,000 EXP |
| 51–75 | 370,000 to 7.9 million EXP |
| 76–100 | 8.7 million to 33 million EXP |
| 101–125 | 35 million to 83 million EXP |
| 126–150 | 85 million to 185 million EXP |
| 151–175 | 200 million to 660 million EXP |
The post-150 curve is not perfectly linear. Current tables show the cost reaching 385 million for level 160, dropping to 350 million for level 161, and then climbing again through the HQ 33–35 ranges.
Best Ways to Get Hero EXP
Training Bases
Training Bases are the main passive Hero EXP source. They continuously produce EXP, and upgrading them increases their output. Because this income is recurring, Training Bases become increasingly valuable as your per-level costs move into the millions.
Keep them upgraded alongside your wider HQ plan, but do not delay a critical Headquarters prerequisite just to force a Training Base upgrade. The level cap itself is often the more important bottleneck.
Campaign, PvE, and Zombie Activities
Campaign-style progression and PvE activities can provide Hero EXP or EXP items, and zombie-related activities are another recurring source listed in current leveling references. These rewards are especially useful for F2P players because they build EXP while also advancing other daily objectives.
Daily Rewards, Events, and Shops
Hero EXP items also appear through daily rewards, event rewards, and shops. Event availability changes by server age and season, so check the current reward preview instead of assuming the same source is always active.
When choosing between Hero EXP and rarer progression materials, consider what is actually blocking your squad. Hero Shards, Skill Medals, high-end gear materials, and exclusive-weapon resources may be harder to replace than EXP on an account with strong passive production.
Building and Seasonal Progression Rewards
Some Headquarters and seasonal building upgrades award Hero EXP as part of their progression rewards. These are useful injections of EXP, but they are one-time rewards rather than a farmable replacement for Training Base production.
Paid Packs
Hero-development packs can include Hero EXP, but raw EXP is most valuable when it immediately removes a meaningful level bottleneck. Spenders should still compare the pack against shards, Skill Medals, exclusive-weapon materials, and other scarce resources before treating EXP as the best purchase.
Does Resource Gathering Give Hero EXP?
Normal food, iron, and coin gathering should not be treated as a direct Hero EXP farm. Current leveling references list Training Bases, PvE activities, EXP items, events, daily rewards, and shops as EXP sources, while gathering is handled as a separate activity in Alliance Duel tasks. Gathering can still support your account economy, but do not send marches to resource nodes expecting standard direct Hero EXP.
Which Heroes Should You Level First?
1. Main Damage Dealer
Your primary DPS usually gets the most immediate value from reaching the new HQ level cap first. Extra levels improve the base stats that feed into gear, skills, and other combat bonuses, so a carry that is several levels ahead can produce a noticeable damage increase.
2. Front-Line Heroes
After your main carry, bring up the front row if survivability is limiting your progress. A stronger back line cannot contribute if the formation collapses before its skills cycle.
3. Remaining Core Squad Members
Level the other permanent heroes in your first squad before investing heavily in a second or third formation. Support heroes do not always need to be the first characters at the cap, but leaving them dramatically underleveled can still reduce their durability and overall squad performance.
4. Secondary Squads
Build secondary squads once your main five are near the current cap, you need multiple marches for specific content, or you have a stable EXP surplus. Avoid leveling every newly recruited hero simply to increase displayed account power.
The Last War Tavern guide can help you understand recruitment options before committing EXP to heroes you may replace soon.
F2P vs. Spender Priorities
F2P players benefit most from strict concentration: one main squad, passive Training Base income, recurring PvE rewards, and event-timed spending. Spenders can develop multiple formations sooner, but the same rule applies at a larger scale—EXP should follow heroes that have a clear long-term job in PvP, PvE, or multi-march content.
If you prefer to skip part of the HQ and Hero EXP grind, browsing a Last War account for sale is an optional alternative. Compare HQ level, core hero levels, stars, gear, season progress, and formation quality rather than judging an account by total power alone.
Coordinate Hero EXP With Headquarters Upgrades
Because each HQ level normally opens five more hero levels, it is useful to build an EXP reserve before a Headquarters upgrade finishes. That lets your strongest heroes use the new cap immediately instead of waiting for passive production afterward.
- Keep your primary squad near the current HQ cap.
- Check the next Headquarters prerequisites and construction timeline.
- Save some EXP while the final HQ upgrade is in progress.
- When the new cap opens, level your main carry first.
- Raise the front line and remaining core heroes next.
- Only then send surplus EXP to secondary squads.
This becomes especially important in the late game because a five-level HQ increase can cost hundreds of millions or even billions of EXP across an entire squad.
Should You Save Hero EXP for Alliance Duel and Arms Race?
Yes, when waiting does not block important progression. The current Alliance Duel structure awards Hero EXP usage points on Day 1 and Day 4, with Day 4 specifically focused on training heroes. Hero EXP use can also overlap with the Hero Advancement phase of Arms Race.
For best efficiency, check both event screens before spending a large stockpile. If your main squad is already strong enough for current content, delaying upgrades until a scoring window can turn the same EXP into extra event rewards.
Do not hoard indefinitely, though. Spend immediately if a few hero levels will help you clear valuable PvE stages, survive a key battle, or take advantage of a newly unlocked HQ cap.
Hero Level vs. Stars, Skills, and Gear
Hero EXP only controls hero level. It does not replace the other major hero progression systems.
| Progression System | Main Resource | Main Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Hero Level | Hero EXP | Raises base hero stats |
| Hero Stars | Hero Shards | Improves hero progression and unlocks or strengthens star-based development |
| Hero Skills | Skill Medals | Raises individual skill levels when requirements are met |
| Hero Gear | Gear materials and blueprints | Adds equipment-based combat stats |
| Exclusive Weapon | Weapon-specific progression resources | Improves eligible heroes through a separate late-game system |
A high-level hero with weak stars, skills, or gear can still underperform. Before dumping EXP into a hero simply because they are UR, confirm that they fit your long-term formation and that you can support the rest of their development.
The Last War Hero Shards guide covers star progression and shard priorities, while the Last War Skill Medal guide explains the separate skill-upgrade resource.
Can Hero EXP Be Reset or Swapped?
Hero EXP should still be treated as a long-term investment, but it is not accurate to say hero levels can never be moved. Last War has used seasonal Hero Swap events that can transfer EXP levels between heroes, and some versions of the event have also handled star progression separately.
These swaps are event-specific rather than a permanent unlimited reset button. Availability, tickets, eligible heroes, and exactly what transfers can change by season, so check the current Hero Swap rules before planning around a future refund.
SSR-to-UR promotion is also separate from a normal Hero EXP reset. In documented promotion events, the hero’s EXP level can remain unchanged even when star and skill progression are reset or reworked.
Common Hero EXP Mistakes
Leveling Every Unlocked Hero
This is the fastest way to turn a large EXP stockpile into very little usable combat strength. Build one serious squad before trying to make the whole roster look even.
Maxing a Temporary Hero
Early-game heroes can be useful, but heavy late-game EXP investment makes more sense when the hero has a stable place in your formation.
Ignoring the HQ Cap
EXP cannot push heroes beyond the level ceiling allowed by Headquarters. If your best heroes are capped, the next meaningful level increase starts with HQ progression.
Leveling Only DPS and Neglecting Survival
Carry-first investment is efficient, but an extremely weak front row can erase that advantage. Once your main damage dealer reaches the cap, strengthen the heroes that keep the squad alive.
Spending a Stockpile Outside Event Windows
If an Alliance Duel or Arms Race scoring window is close and you do not need the levels immediately, holding EXP briefly can earn additional rewards for an upgrade you already intended to make.
Choosing EXP Over Scarcer Resources Automatically
Hero EXP is essential, but it also has recurring passive sources. Compare it with shards, Skill Medals, exclusive-weapon resources, and high-tier gear materials before using choice chests or premium currency.
FAQs
What is the maximum hero level in Last War: Survival?
The current maximum is level 175 at Headquarters level 35. HQ 30 caps heroes at level 150, while Age of Oil extends the cap through HQ 31–35.
How much Hero EXP does it take to reach level 175?
Using the current per-level cost table, one hero needs approximately 15.45 billion Hero EXP to go from level 1 to level 175. Five heroes would need about 77.23 billion in total.
What is the best source of Hero EXP?
Training Bases are the main passive source because they continuously generate Hero EXP. Events, daily rewards, PvE activities, EXP items, shops, and some progression rewards supplement that income.
Should I level my main DPS or keep all five heroes equal?
Push your main carry first when a new HQ cap opens, then bring up the front line and the rest of your permanent main squad. Perfectly equal levels are less important than keeping EXP concentrated on heroes that actually contribute.
Should I save Hero EXP for Alliance Duel?
If you are not blocked by current content, saving can be efficient. Hero EXP use scores in the current Alliance Duel structure on Day 1 and Day 4, and Day 4 is the main hero-training day. Check the live task list before spending because event details can change.
Can I reset or transfer Hero EXP to another hero?
There is no reason to assume an always-available unlimited refund, but seasonal Hero Swap events have allowed EXP levels to be transferred between heroes. Rules and availability vary by season, so treat EXP as committed unless the current event explicitly offers a swap.
Conclusion
Hero EXP management in Last War: Survival is mainly about concentration and timing. Push your permanent main squad toward the current HQ cap, prioritize your carry and survivability, keep Training Bases producing, and coordinate large upgrades with Headquarters and event windows. At the late-game cap of level 175, careful planning matters far more than trying to level the entire roster evenly.
For more progression, hero, and event strategies, browse the latest Last War Survival guides on Heaven Guardian.
