Back to Basics modifier battles feel simple at first but they are actually very tricky. Since all units lose their abilities the fight becomes more about stats and archon abilities. This modifier removes many safety nets which makes mistakes more costly.

What makes Back to Basics Modifier interesting is how important archons become more important. They are the only source of abilities in this battle other than other modifiers. Because of that, choosing the right archon and building around it matters a lot more than usual.

Modifiers

Back to Basics - Units lose all abilities.

• Back to Basics Modifier changes how you normally build a lineup. Without unit abilities, raw stats like health, armor and attack becomes very important. This modifier rewards players who understand how to use archon abilities to replace what units normally lose. The right synergy and knowledge about archons can give you huge advantages in these Back to Basics modifier battles.

5 Combos You Can Do with Back to Basics Modifier

Modifier	Name	Description
	Life Leech	Unit's health increases each time it damages an enemy Unit's health by half the damage dealt.
		- Life Leech becomes very valuable in Back to Basics Modifier because units normally cannot grow stronger. With Life Leech, a unit can slowly increase its health every time it attacks. This gives a long term advantage especially in long fights. Archons like Lorkus can provide Life Leech which helps offset the lack of other abilities. A unit that keeps gaining health becomes harder to die over time. This can turn a normal damage unit into a late game threat.
	Blast	Does half damage (rounded up) to Units adjacent to the target monster.
		- Blast is very strong in Back to Basics Modifier because damage is more straightforward. Since units have no defensive abilities, splash damage becomes more effective. Hitting multiple units at once can break formations quickly. Archons like Nidhoggr granting Blast increases your overall damage output a lot. Backline units cannot use Deflect ability to counter the blast so they can just take it. This ability helps end battles fast without enemies being able to react properly.
	Repair	Restores a third of max armor to the friendly Unit whose armor has taken the most damage.
		- Elias Maxx Prutt, a Life and Water archon, feels like a full package ability in Back to Basics Modifier. Armor is very valuable when abilities are removed and Repair helps keep that armor alive. Restoring armor every round can shut down huge melee and range damage depending on the timing.Archons like Elias Max Prutt give armor and Repair together which works very well in this modifier. Without abilities like Corrosive Ward that permanently removes armor, this can be a problematic loop for the enemy. This creates a strong defensive setup especially against melee and range attackers.
	Taunt	All enemy Units target this Unit (if they are able to).
		- Taunt is extremely important in Back to Basics Modifier because it controls targeting. Even without Sneak or Opportunity, Taunt can still affect range and magic attacks. Taunt forces all attacks into one unit which protects the rest of the team. If you miss Taunt, you can use archons like Risqruel Drath to provide it. Putting Taunt on your tankiest unit gives your backline more time to deal damage. Redemption from the same archon also adds value when the Taunt unit finally dies.
	Shield	Reduced damage from Melee and Ranged attacks by 50%.
		- Shield is one of the strongest abilities in Back to Basics Modifier. It halves melee and range damage which are very common in this game since it's 2 out of 3 attack types. This gives you 66% chance to halve and opponent's attack which is an insane advantage for a modifier where no abilities from units are allowed. Archons like Prophet Rosa can grant Shield to one of your units. This greatly increases survivability of that unit especially for frontline units. Without other abilities to counter it, Shield can feel overwhelming if not answered properly.

Closing Thoughts

Back to Basics Modifier may look simple but it rewards smart planning. Archon choice replaces unit abilities so every decision matters more. Life Leech, Blast Repair, Taunt and Shield all help cover what units normally lack. I enjoy this modifier from time to time because it tests your knowledge about the game. You cannot rely on hidden tricks or surprise abilities. If your lineup and archon choice are solid, you will feel it very clearly in this battle.