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Given how the mode allows you to assemble teams featuring any of the title’s available characters and battle for supremacy in a rogue-like fashion, it’s no surprise that Honor Duel quickly won the hearts of all AFK Journey players. But as the mode is PVP only, mastering its fundamentals is key if you plan on finishing your run undefeated. To help you with that, here’s an AFK Journey Honor Duel guide featuring a full breakdown of the mode, and more.
- Table of Contents:
How to Play Honor Duel
Before you start, you must know the basics. You can check out a full breakdown of the basics of Honor Duel below:
- Each Honor Duel run (referred in-game as round) will be completed after you reach 9 wins or accumulate three losses.
- When in battle, you will have 90 seconds to defeat all of the opposing heroes and will receive a sum of Honor Badges (the mode’s exclusive currency) after both winning and losing.
- You will draw if either player falls to eliminate the opposing team before the timer hits zero. You won’t receive any currency after a draw.
Now that you know the basics, head to the next section for a step-by-step overview of how to play.
Picking Your Initial Combo
The first step in playing Honor Duel is selecting your Initial Combo among a random showcase of four. Each of the available picks will feature a specific artifact. The artifact will be the cornerstone of your formation and will grant either team-wide effects or a character-specific buff at first. As you might have guessed, your choice here will define the strengths of your team going forward and in some cases even dictate how you should play.
Each initial combo pick will also come with a 3-hero combination. You will receive an initial amount of 60 Honor Badges after picking any of the first three plans, as well as 70 for going with the random not-showcased one.
The Duel Store
After picking your plan, you will be presented with the game’s Duel Store. You will be able to use your Honor Badges on the store to reroll its selection, as well as get heroes and equipment. You will also be able to ascend your heroes through the store by purchasing copies of them. As you get wins, the level of the store will increase and better items will become available.
As an extra, you will receive Artifact EXP after ascending your heroes and winning battles in Honor Duel. Upon getting certain amounts, your artifact of choice will ascend and you will be able to add new passives to it.
The Rules of Battle
From the shop, you will then move straight to battle. In Honor Duel, all matches will have two preparation phases. During the first, both players must place three heroes in the field to reveal their initial formation. You won’t be able to move your heroes after confirming your selection, so be careful when making your choice.
After both players reveal their formations, you will be able to place your remaining heroes on the field and the battle will start in the usual AFK Journey fashion.
AFK Journey: Honor Duel Tips and Tricks
Honor Duel is considered one of the most technical modes in AFK Journey. For that reason, knowing a few tricks as well as some sure-to-work tactics can help you succeed and reach that dreamed-of unbeaten 9-win streak. Here are a few tips sure to help you come out on top:
- Get a healer as soon as possible: Although not a must in the earlier rounds, securing a top-tier healer is a must in the late stages of the mode.
- Invest in your tank early on: The most important team position in Honor Duel, don’t skip on upgrading your tank.
- Focus on quality, not quantity: Prioritize getting a tight group of Legendary+ heroes equipped with the right equipment pieces instead of getting a large roster unable to keep up.
- Synergy is everything: Remember, no matter the quality of your team, you will be unable to bring out its best if your heroes cannot work in unison or are not equipped with the right items.
- Do not forget to sell heroes: You can sell heroes you are not using while in the Duel Shop for an increase in Honor Badges. Do not skip on doing so.
- Lock items and plan ahead: If you come upon items you cannot buy but are must-haves for your run, don’t think twice and click on the small lock above their icons to save them for the next shop visit.
- Place your most valuable (non-tank) heroes last: Although you will most of the time have to place your main tank first, avoid doing the same with your other vital units. The reason for that lies in how knowing where they are placed will allow your opponent to prepare countermeasures.
Who Are the Best Heroes For Honor Duel in AFK Journey?
For the delight of those who —like me— love to play Cecia, the Graveborn heroes seem to have a clear edge in the mode, with her taking the crown as the best dedicated damage dealer, Thoran setting himself apart as the best tank, and Igor taking the spot of the best flex unit. But that does not mean other heroes cannot shine, as even characters considered mid-tiers like Mirael can become an unstoppable force when paired with their focused Artifacts and in the right formations.
When talking about joker picks such as healers or overall supports, I found Hewynn to be the absolute best. Honestly, there were even instances where she managed to tank my way into a draw. To help you get the full picture of who are the game’s best, don’t forget to check out our AFK Journey tier list.
The Best Initial Combos
The best Initial Combos on Honor Duel are the ones focused on specific characters, as although not game-changing in the first rounds, they can become devastating trump cards in the latter portion of a run. The initial plan focused around Graveborn heroes is also a safe pick, as its Obsidian Earring Artifact is arguably the mode’s most destructive non-hero-specific pick when in optimal scenarios.
You can play AFK Journey right now on PC and mobile devices.
