Guide · pace of play
Legend of Defenders speed, waves and the Wormhole
Legend of Defenders tops out at 2x battle speed; 3x is switched off until a frame-rate problem is fixed. You can't pick a wave, but the Wormhole Treasure moves you about 10 waves ahead per fight, which is the fastest way to progress right now.
Quick answer
- Speed-up opens at wave 80.Nerfed Reflexes 7:15
- No 3x yet: the game is CPU-bound and 3x dropped FPS.
- Wormhole: progress jumps, rewards don't multiply.
- Solar and Mirror Towers stack, and so does the difficulty.
Why is there no 3x speed in Legend of Defenders?
The developers tried it and turned it off: 3x cost frame rate, and the game's limit is the CPU, not the graphics card. They are looking at ways to allow more, including a player's idea of a blacked-out screen while it runs faster, but nothing is promised.
- Speed-up itself unlocks at wave 80; before that, battles run at normal speed.Nerfed Reflexes 7:15Dabble 35:13Stanz but Gaming 56:53
- Leave auto next wave on in Settings so the game keeps going while you are away.Nerfed Reflexes 10:28
Can I go back to an earlier wave?
No. The developer confirmed there is no wave select. The closest thing is the auto battle fail rewind setting, which steps you back after a loss instead of stalling on the same wave.Nerfed Reflexes 10:28 Players ask for a real wave select so they can drop back to farm with the Solar Turret; it has not been announced.
How does the Wormhole work, and is it worth it?
The Wormhole is a Treasure. With it equipped, each fight is a stage about 10 waves ahead. The developer explained exactly what you get:
| What | With the Wormhole |
|---|---|
| Clear record | Moves forward by the waves you skip |
| Gold, drops, victory diamond | Paid for the one fight, not per skipped wave |
| Blueprints | 1 per 5 newly cleared waves, so 2 per 10-wave jump |
| Difficulty | Higher: a later wave, and some enemies are enhanced |
So the Wormhole trades income per wave for progress. Players put it this way: you gain progress and lose income, but later waves pay more and talent points and miner upgrades need progress, so they keep it on and take it off only when they run dry and can't push. The developer also points to it for players who find progression slow.
Should I use the Solar Turret and Mirror Tower?
Only when your defense has power to spare. The Solar Turret makes incoming enemies stronger, in Attack and HP, and pays more coins and EXP for them. Its bonus stacks with the Mirror Tower, and so does the extra difficulty. One player gives numbers for a 4-star Solar Turret: enemy HP and damage doubled, +100% gold and a 0.2% diamond chance per kill. Take it off the moment the castle starts losing HP.
What should I do when I'm stuck on a wave?
Stop repeating it and build power on the side; the developers recommend exactly this.
- Rift Gate: beat Rift Raid bosses for gear.
- Blacksmith: enhance, enchant and reroll affixes. See equipment and stats.
- Black Market: spend saved resources on loot boxes.
- Mine, Training Grounds and talents: see diamonds and the Mine.
Expect walls at main stages 1,000, 2,000, 3,000 and so on, where Monster Boosts make enemies stronger. Main waves also bring a boss, the Goblin Shaman or Goblin Chief, about every ten waves.AboboKnows 15:52 Your combat power equals the highest wave you have beaten, which is how Rift and tower power targets compare.
Legend of Defenders speed and Wormhole questions
How do I unlock 3x speed in Legend of Defenders?
You can not yet. The developer switched 3x off because it cost frame rate, and says the game is limited by the CPU rather than the GPU. 2x is the top speed in version 1.0.
Can I choose which wave to play?
No. The developer confirmed there is no wave select. The "auto battle fail rewind" setting steps you back after a loss, which is the closest thing to going back.
Does the Wormhole give 10 times the rewards?
No. It sends you about 10 waves ahead in a single fight. Gold, drops and the victory diamond are paid for that one fight, not per skipped wave. You do get 1 blueprint for every 5 newly cleared waves, so 2 per jump.
Do the Solar (Photosynthesis) and Mirror Tower bonuses stack?
Yes, and so does the extra difficulty, according to the developer.
When does battle speed-up unlock?
At wave 80, as shown on the unlock screen in launch-day gameplay.
Related: locked slots · Demon Lord Tower · settings