Whiteout Survival Helios Troops Guide: Costs and Research Chart

Whiteout Survival Helios troops are Tier 11 units unlocked through advanced research in the War Academy. Each troop class has a separate technology branch, so unlocking Helios Infantry does not automatically unlock Helios Lancers or Helios Marksmen.

Reaching T11 requires far more than upgrading one building. You must develop the War Academy to Fire Crystal Level 5, complete dozens of prerequisite research levels, collect thousands of Fire Crystal Shards, and finish an expensive final Helios research project.

This guide covers the complete Helios research paths, FC5 requirements, total costs, final unlock costs, recommended troop priority, and practical ways to plan the long War Academy grind.

What Are Helios Troops in Whiteout Survival?

Helios troops are the T11 troop family available through the War Academy. They extend the normal Infantry, Lancer, and Marksman progression into a stronger late-game tier.

The three Helios troop types are:

Helios units were previously the highest troop tier in the game. However, eligible older states can now progress beyond T11 through newer T12 War Academy research.

This does not make Helios obsolete. T11 remains a major combat upgrade and an essential prerequisite for the corresponding higher-tier troop progression where T12 is available.

Whiteout Survival Helios Troop Requirements

The War Academy is released according to state progression. Reaching the required Furnace level does not necessarily unlock it before the feature becomes available in your state.

Once the War Academy is available, its research tree develops through several Fire Crystal building levels.

Do You Need FC5 to Start Helios Research?

No. This is an important distinction.

You can start working through the War Academy branches at lower Academy Fire Crystal levels. Different research levels require War Academy FC1, FC2, FC3, FC4, or FC5.

You only need War Academy FC5 and the completed prerequisite technologies to begin the final Helios unlock node.

Whiteout Survival War Academy Chart for Helios

Each Helios branch contains six prerequisite technology lines followed by the final troop unlock. The maximum required levels are consistent across all three troop types, although the technology names and troop bonuses differ.

Research prerequisites are interconnected. You cannot simply maximize one attack technology and skip the other branches. Certain levels require progress in Flame Squad, the first pair of combat technologies, and Flame Legion before the next stage becomes available.

Helios Troops Cost for One Research Branch

The following totals cover the documented path for one Helios troop type, including the prerequisite research and final T11 unlock.

The research time is a base value. Your actual timer is affected by research speed bonuses, War Academy level, active appointments or state bonuses, alliance technology, and speedups.

Resource totals can also be displayed differently after balancing changes. Before starting a major research push, compare the next levels with the values shown in your own War Academy.

Cost of the Final Helios Unlock Research

The final T11 node is much more expensive than a normal prerequisite level. After completing the relevant branch, the last research project for each troop type has the following documented base cost:

Total Cost to Unlock All Three Helios Troops

Using the documented per-branch totals, completing all three Helios paths requires approximately:

The 813-day figure is the raw total before research-speed reductions and speedups. It does not mean an active player must wait more than two years after beginning the project.

In practice, Fire Crystal Shards and Steel often become the main restrictions. A large supply of research speedups cannot finish the tree when you lack the materials required to start the next technology.

Helios Infantry Research Requirements

Helios Infantry is the T11 frontline unit. Its prerequisite branch improves Infantry Health, Lethality, Attack, Defense, deployment capacity, and rally capacity.

Who Should Unlock Helios Infantry First?

Infantry is the safest first choice for many players because Infantry units occupy the frontline and absorb much of the incoming pressure in standard formations.

Helios Infantry is especially attractive for:

• rally leaders who need a more durable frontline;
• garrison-focused players;
• players who frequently use Infantry-heavy PvP formations;
• accounts with their strongest heroes and equipment concentrated on Infantry;
• players who want a broadly useful first T11 troop type.

However, Infantry first is a recommendation rather than a universal rule. A player focused heavily on offensive rally damage may receive more immediate value from Marksmen.

Helios Lancer Research Requirements

Helios Lancers are unlocked through the Blazing research branch. The structure follows the same level pattern as Infantry, but its combat bonuses apply to Lancer units.

Who Should Unlock Helios Lancers First?

Lancers can be the correct first path when they form a large part of your active formations or when your strongest hero, Chief Gear, and Hero Gear investments support that troop class.

For many general accounts, however, Lancer is commonly placed after Infantry and Marksman because frontline survival and backline damage tend to provide a clearer immediate benefit.

Helios Marksman Research Requirements

Helios Marksmen are the T11 ranged troop type. Their research branch improves Marksman Health, Lethality, Attack, Defense, deployment capacity, and rally capacity.

Who Should Unlock Helios Marksmen First?

Marksmen are an attractive priority for offensive rally leaders and players focused on damage-oriented content. They are also important in activities where Marksman-heavy troop formations are commonly used.

Consider Marksmen first when:

• you lead offensive rallies more often than you defend;
• your strongest combat hero and gear investments favor Marksmen;
• you prioritize damage output over frontline durability;
• your normal event formations contain a high Marksman percentage;
• your alliance already has strong defensive rally leaders.

Which Helios Troop Should You Unlock First?

A broadly useful default order is:

1. Helios Infantry for frontline durability and general PvP value.
2. Helios Marksman for rally damage and offensive performance.
3. Helios Lancer to complete the T11 troop set.

This order is not correct for every account. Your ideal path depends on your role, heroes, gear, formations, and alliance needs.

Do not choose solely according to a generic tier list. A well-developed troop class supported by strong heroes and equipment can provide more value than following the standard order without considering your account.

How to Get Fire Crystal Shards

Fire Crystal Shards are the main specialized material used in War Academy research. Because one Helios branch requires more than 13,000 shards, steady collection is essential.

Potential sources include:

• the War Academy exchange interface;
• exchanging eligible Steel or Fire Crystals;
• event milestone and ranking rewards;
• limited shops or progression features;
• purchased packs.

Exchange limits and conversion options may be adjusted. Check the current War Academy or exchange panel before converting a large Fire Crystal or Steel supply.

Should You Convert Fire Crystals Into Shards?

Fire Crystal conversion can accelerate Helios research, but Fire Crystals also support Furnace, military camp, Embassy, Command Center, and other important building progression.

Before converting them, consider:

• whether an important building upgrade is still waiting;
• how close you are to the next War Academy requirement;
• whether you already lack Steel or normal resources;
• whether spending shards during an upcoming scoring event provides extra value;
• whether your account gains more from building progress or an earlier T11 unlock.

Free-to-play players should avoid converting every available Fire Crystal without a long-term plan. Reaching one Helios troop slightly earlier may not compensate for delaying several critical building upgrades.

Best Helios Research Strategy for Free-to-Play Players

Helios is achievable as a long-term free-to-play goal, but attempting to advance all three branches equally can delay the first meaningful unlock.

1. Select one troop branch. Choose Infantry, Marksman, or Lancer based on your role and account investment.
2. Keep the War Academy research queue active. Complete affordable prerequisite levels instead of waiting for a large one-time push.
3. Protect your Steel supply. Avoid spending Steel carelessly once War Academy progression becomes a priority.
4. Collect Fire Crystal Shards consistently. Daily collection matters more than occasional large spending.
5. Time large research projects with events. Start or complete them when the active event panel awards points for shard use, research power, or eligible speedups.
6. Save for the final node early. The last research alone requires 2,236 shards and one million Steel.
7. Finish the first T11 before spreading resources. One unlocked Helios troop provides more immediate value than three incomplete branches.

Helios Research Strategy for Rally Leaders

Rally leaders benefit from planning Helios around their combat role rather than simply following the shortest visible research.

Consider the following:

• Infantry first when frontline survival is limiting rally performance.
• Marksman first when your alliance needs higher offensive or event damage.
• Lancer first only when your formations and strongest hero investments clearly support it.
• Prioritize deployment and rally-capacity research because more troops can influence total formation performance.
• Coordinate major unlocks with State of Power or another appropriate research-scoring event.
• Keep enough troop training resources and speedups to produce or promote T11 units after the research finishes.

Unlocking the technology is only the first part of the upgrade. Your combat benefit depends on how many Helios troops you can field afterward.

What Happens After You Unlock Helios?

Completing the final research allows the corresponding military camp to train stronger T11 units. You can then train new Helios troops or promote eligible lower-tier troops through the relevant camp.

Your existing T10 troops do not all become Helios automatically when the research completes. They must be promoted through the troop-training interface if you want to convert them to T11.

Train New Helios Troops or Promote T10?

Promotion is often efficient because it converts an existing army into stronger units. However, the better choice depends on your account:

• Promote T10 when you already have a large troop inventory and want immediate T11 strength.
• Train new T11 when you still need more total troops for multiple marches, garrisons, and rallies.
• Combine both methods when preparing for a troop-training event or State of Power stage.

Check the current training time, resource requirement, event points, and promotion capacity before spending a large quantity of speedups.

Post-Unlock Helios Research

The War Academy contains additional Helios-related technologies after the troop unlock. These can improve areas such as:

• Helios troop training efficiency;
• healing-resource costs;
• healing speed;
• additional troop-class combat statistics.

These upgrades are useful, but players working toward a second T11 troop type should compare their value with beginning the next main branch.

Helios Troops and T12 Progression

In eligible older states, Helios is no longer the end of troop progression. Newer War Academy systems provide a path toward T12 units through additional endgame research.

Availability is state-gated. A younger state may only display the normal T11 Helios branches, while an older state can have extra technology pages and higher War Academy requirements.

Helios remains relevant because the corresponding T11 troop unlock is required before progressing that class toward T12. Skipping Helios is therefore not an option for accounts planning to reach the newer tier.

Players comparing established-state progression may also review a wos account for sale. Before evaluating an account for Helios or later troop research, check its state number, Furnace and War Academy levels, unlocked T11 branches, Fire Crystal Shards, Chief Gear, heroes, transfer eligibility, binding status, and account security.

Common Helios Research Mistakes

Believing FC5 Is Required to Start the Entire Tree

FC5 is required for the final Helios unlock, but prerequisite research begins at lower War Academy levels. Waiting until FC5 wastes valuable research time.

Researching All Three Branches Equally

Splitting shards among Infantry, Lancer, and Marksman delays your first T11 unlock. Concentrate on one branch unless you have a specific reason to balance the early bonuses.

Forgetting the Final Unlock Cost

The last node requires 2,236 Fire Crystal Shards and one million Steel. Reaching the final prerequisite without these materials can leave the branch stalled for a long period.

Using Every Research Speedup Too Early

Speeding through several small levels provides limited value when you cannot afford the following technology. Save a portion of your speedups for high-value event overlaps or the long final unlock timer.

Converting Too Many Fire Crystals

Fire Crystals have many important uses. Excessive conversion can delay the Furnace, camps, Embassy, and other FC buildings.

Choosing a Troop Type Without Reviewing Your Account

Infantry is a strong general recommendation, but it may not be optimal for a Marksman-focused rally leader or a specialized Lancer account.

Ignoring Training Resources After the Unlock

Researching Helios does not provide a full T11 army. You still need resources and training speedups to train or promote enough units for your marches.

Calling Helios the Final Troop Tier in Every State

Helios is T11. Eligible older states can access later T12 progression, although T11 remains a required step.

FAQ

What are Helios troops in Whiteout Survival?

Helios troops are Tier 11 units unlocked through the War Academy. There are separate Helios Infantry, Lancer, and Marksman research branches.

Are Helios troops T11 or T12?

Helios troops are T11. T12 progression is a separate later War Academy system available in eligible older states.

What level is required to unlock Helios troops?

The final Helios research requires War Academy FC5 and the completed prerequisite technologies for that troop branch. Your Furnace must also be high enough to support the FC5 War Academy.

Can I begin Helios research before FC5?

Yes. The early prerequisite technologies open at lower War Academy Fire Crystal levels. FC5 is needed for the final stages and troop unlock, not the beginning of the entire tree.

How many Fire Crystal Shards does one Helios troop cost?

The documented total for one complete branch is 13,421 Fire Crystal Shards. The final Helios unlock node accounts for 2,236 of those shards.

How much does it cost to unlock all Helios troops?

Using the standard per-branch totals, all three paths require approximately 40,263 Fire Crystal Shards, 11,922,000 Steel, and 813 days of base research time before bonuses and speedups.

Which Helios troop should I unlock first?

Helios Infantry is the most broadly useful first choice because it strengthens the frontline. Marksman can be better for offensive rally leaders, while Lancer first is mainly suited to accounts with a strong Lancer specialization.

Do my T10 troops automatically become Helios?

No. Unlocking Helios allows the corresponding camp to train or promote T11 units. Existing lower-tier troops must be promoted through the military camp interface.

Conclusion

Whiteout Survival Helios troops are a major late-game progression milestone, but they require careful planning. Each T11 troop class has a separate War Academy branch, and one complete path costs more than 13,000 Fire Crystal Shards before the unit becomes available.

Begin the prerequisite technologies as soon as their War Academy levels open. Do not wait for FC5, and avoid dividing limited shards equally across all three branches unless the early bonuses serve a deliberate strategy.

For most accounts, Infantry is the safest first unlock, followed by Marksman and Lancer. However, your heroes, gear, alliance role, troop formations, and access to training resources should determine the final order.

For more research planning, Fire Crystal advice, and advanced progression strategies, explore our collection of Whiteout Survival guides.