# Delves: Strategies, tactics and tips **URL:** \ **Category:** Gameplay Chat (General)\ **Created:** [September 8, 2018, 8:01pm UTC](https://community.gemsofwar.com/t/delves-strategies-tactics-and-tips/45522 "2018-09-08T20:01:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 117
**Author:** ![Hazard1](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/community.gemsofwar.com/hazard1/32/76717_2.png) [@Hazard1](https://community.gemsofwar.com/u/Hazard1)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2022, 4:53am UTC](https://community.gemsofwar.com/t/delves-strategies-tactics-and-tips/45522/2353 "2022-08-08T04:53:21Z")
New delve completed “the old fashioned way” too. 😄 [![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/uploads/gemsofwar/original/3X/7/7/770617ee3530568c98944f528a47ce83d869ab83.jpeg "Gems of War - Obsidian Depths Pure Faction level 500 [With Hoard Potions] - Post 6.3 Update") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ziwg7vYbIHY) ---
**Author:** ![TimeKnight](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/community.gemsofwar.com/timeknight/32/50221_2.png) [@TimeKnight](https://community.gemsofwar.com/u/TimeKnight)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2022, 11:23am UTC](https://community.gemsofwar.com/t/delves-strategies-tactics-and-tips/45522/2354 "2022-08-26T11:23:58Z")
Barrier on demand makes no damage run possible! ![IMG_20220826_142705](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/uploads/gemsofwar/original/3X/f/c/fc58f875d640590929f39059d210cbd2c78b5cc4.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Hazard1](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/community.gemsofwar.com/hazard1/32/76717_2.png) [@Hazard1](https://community.gemsofwar.com/u/Hazard1)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2022, 5:24pm UTC](https://community.gemsofwar.com/t/delves-strategies-tactics-and-tips/45522/2355 "2022-08-27T17:24:09Z")
[![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/uploads/gemsofwar/original/3X/f/e/feecc2bfee188b686e65580a3a5c384913c04a87.jpeg "Gems of War - Hall of Guardians Pure Faction level 500 [With Hoard Potions] - Post 6.3 Update - v3") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eT84kplsOY) ---
**Author:** ![Mana\_Surgeon](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/community.gemsofwar.com/mana_surgeon/32/55678_2.png) [@Mana\_Surgeon](https://community.gemsofwar.com/u/Mana_Surgeon)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2022, 10:14pm UTC](https://community.gemsofwar.com/t/delves-strategies-tactics-and-tips/45522/2356 "2022-09-01T22:14:45Z")
Different kind of question - what is the best push team for Eldrazhor above level 300? I’m using a Wulfgarok team, which mostly works, but wondering if there’s something more reliable/faster. ---
**Author:** ![rbchaffe](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/community.gemsofwar.com/rbchaffe/32/58281_2.png) [@rbchaffe](https://community.gemsofwar.com/u/rbchaffe)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2022, 1:19am UTC](https://community.gemsofwar.com/t/delves-strategies-tactics-and-tips/45522/2357 "2022-09-02T01:19:59Z")
I used the following team to get to D500 in Eldrazhor. Don’t know if it’s the “best” team but it worked for me. Sentinel class Vampiric Thirst banner Essence of Evil Thrall Zuul’Goth Obsidius [1220,6146,6529,6746,3074,2,2,3,3,2,2,2,14022] ---
**Author:** ![Hazard1](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/community.gemsofwar.com/hazard1/32/76717_2.png) [@Hazard1](https://community.gemsofwar.com/u/Hazard1)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2022, 1:48am UTC](https://community.gemsofwar.com/t/delves-strategies-tactics-and-tips/45522/2358 "2022-09-02T01:48:55Z")
![Screenshot_20220902-044612_Discord](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/uploads/gemsofwar/original/3X/4/e/4e1dc112dbb91a4f221186f8a39e1a22e33797e5.jpeg) Climbing team for later levels. Any class works as Sylvanimora’s 3rd trait and weapon provide enough safety, but Sunspear makes Thrall spamming pleasure as there more than often are 13+ red gems on board for the guaranteed extra turn. Btw use Abyssal Banner. ---
**Author:** ![TheIdleOne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c68b51/32.png) [@TheIdleOne](https://community.gemsofwar.com/u/TheIdleOne)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2022, 9:51pm UTC](https://community.gemsofwar.com/t/delves-strategies-tactics-and-tips/45522/2359 "2022-09-02T21:51:01Z")
There’s a few rooms (maybe?) with impervious up top, like the Kruarg the Dread which can be a little dangerous to start with the hero in the first slot. (when entangle won’t be active at the start of the battle) Probably not as big of a danger with all of these potions, but I’d use a different skull reduction troop as a first slot if the battle goes long where entangle comes off for any reason, Zuul kills something, the top enemy slot dies to skulls, but leaves skulls behind to hit your top slot with… If your hero dies for any reason, the rest of the team gets a lot riskier to use since 4 matches arent always a guarantee to get entangle up and Thrall pops its own barrier. ---
**Author:** ![Hazard1](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/community.gemsofwar.com/hazard1/32/76717_2.png) [@Hazard1](https://community.gemsofwar.com/u/Hazard1)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2022, 10:15pm UTC](https://community.gemsofwar.com/t/delves-strategies-tactics-and-tips/45522/2360 "2022-09-02T22:15:47Z")
Valid points, however I have learned there’s no need to fear your own shadow. We will lose valuable time if we go and change the normally very casual and rapid team setup in a fear of single Impervious troop which has what, 5% chance to do lethal skull poke? It’s the same case of fearing Wraith and their Death Touch. If it happens it happens. Besides, who would you use up top anyway to get the safety? Enraged Kurandara? There are plenty safe teams but speed is king in bigger picture, for most that I know. I guess I could do some tweaking with Egg Thief, idk. The summon takes care of many problems… ---
**Author:** ![Mana\_Surgeon](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/community.gemsofwar.com/mana_surgeon/32/55678_2.png) [@Mana\_Surgeon](https://community.gemsofwar.com/u/Mana_Surgeon)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2022, 11:14pm UTC](https://community.gemsofwar.com/t/delves-strategies-tactics-and-tips/45522/2361 "2022-09-02T23:14:21Z")
Thanks for the responses. I use Zuul teams from the level 200-300 range, as they still kill quickly enough for the downsides to be less of a problem, but worry that they are a bit inefficient at the higher ranges. Might give them a spin though, just to see how they do. ---
**Author:** ![jdk](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/community.gemsofwar.com/jdk/32/58002_2.png) [@jdk](https://community.gemsofwar.com/u/jdk)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2022, 11:25pm UTC](https://community.gemsofwar.com/t/delves-strategies-tactics-and-tips/45522/2362 "2022-09-02T23:25:38Z")
A “safe” zuul team I’ve pushed several to 500 with is Guardian Crown (sunspear), thrall, Zuul, alderfather . sunspear entangles at start of battle (plus Fireblade), alderfather entangles on purple matches, crown heals, cleanses and barriers itself so you can take a random skull hit or two, and alderfather also summons durable troops where the team still works decently if hero dies (rare), so you can finish the run it’s not a catastrophe ---
**Author:** ![TheIdleOne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c68b51/32.png) [@TheIdleOne](https://community.gemsofwar.com/u/TheIdleOne)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2022, 11:37pm UTC](https://community.gemsofwar.com/t/delves-strategies-tactics-and-tips/45522/2363 "2022-09-02T23:37:56Z")
> [@Hazard1](#): > > There are plenty safe teams but speed is king in bigger picture, for most that I know. It sounds like TimeKnight is doing these with daily sigils/not during a faction event, so he can afford a little bit of a slower run. But, something with built in skull reduction is what’d Id recommend, personally. so, E.Kura would be very far from ideal. ---
**Author:** ![Hazard1](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/community.gemsofwar.com/hazard1/32/76717_2.png) [@Hazard1](https://community.gemsofwar.com/u/Hazard1)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2022, 3:53am UTC](https://community.gemsofwar.com/t/delves-strategies-tactics-and-tips/45522/2364 "2022-09-03T03:53:01Z")
Yeah see the reason why I mentioned EK is that the skull reduction in delves normally means little to nothing unless you are tanking with Stonehammer or something. If you end up being problems with skulls, then you have done something wrong I’d say and need to recheck your game plan. Why I mentioned EK is that s/he cannot be lethal skulled if the 5% chance kicks in (Invulnerable). The Alderfather tip above is very useful, big fan of the troop but I always forget he exists. 👍🏻 ---
**Author:** ![TheIdleOne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c68b51/32.png) [@TheIdleOne](https://community.gemsofwar.com/u/TheIdleOne)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2022, 4:13am UTC](https://community.gemsofwar.com/t/delves-strategies-tactics-and-tips/45522/2365 "2022-09-03T04:13:43Z")
> [@Hazard1](#): > > you end up being problems with skulls, then you have done something wrong I’d say and need to recheck your game plan. You’ve never had Zuul’Goth misfire and spray skulls everywhere? I get skull cascaded quite frequently in delves… ---
**Author:** ![Hazard1](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/community.gemsofwar.com/hazard1/32/76717_2.png) [@Hazard1](https://community.gemsofwar.com/u/Hazard1)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2022, 4:49am UTC](https://community.gemsofwar.com/t/delves-strategies-tactics-and-tips/45522/2366 "2022-09-03T04:49:56Z")
He freezes opponents when you cast him, so in most cases you take just one skull poke. Obviously you fire him on a troop that causes you the most problems, be it Kruarg or Wraith or Morterra or whatever. If you can’t take few skull pokes, then you should root for slower teams that get the job done with a more secured way. There’s always Shahbanu and Sycorax build to work with. Besides, I think you are undervalueing Sylvanimora. It’s not random entangle, it is always top troop who gets inflicted the entangle. If Root Trap followed with her 3rd trait isn’t enough and you lose a run, then I’d just go and say s\*it happens sometimes. 😅 ---
**Author:** ![Mana\_Surgeon](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/community.gemsofwar.com/mana_surgeon/32/55678_2.png) [@Mana\_Surgeon](https://community.gemsofwar.com/u/Mana_Surgeon)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2022, 9:59pm UTC](https://community.gemsofwar.com/t/delves-strategies-tactics-and-tips/45522/2367 "2022-09-07T21:59:10Z")
> [@TheIdleOne](#): > > Probably not as big of a danger with all of these potions, but I’d use a different skull reduction troop as a first slot if the battle goes long where entangle comes off for any reason, Zuul kills something, the top enemy slot dies to skulls, but leaves skulls behind to hit your top slot with… I like this idea, but it gets tricky due to mana blocking Essence or Thrall. You ideally would have a troop that fills quickly, has skull resistance, and contributes to the speed of the team. A few candidates: Arachnaean Watcher Rock Spirit Anything better than those out there, given the constraints? ---
**Author:** ![TheIdleOne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c68b51/32.png) [@TheIdleOne](https://community.gemsofwar.com/u/TheIdleOne)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2022, 11:24pm UTC](https://community.gemsofwar.com/t/delves-strategies-tactics-and-tips/45522/2368 "2022-09-07T23:24:22Z")
In theory, you don’t need your 4th troop to do anything, just sit there. Thrall/Marilith → Zuul’Goth → Thrall/Marilith → Zuul’Goth etc. for the Green/Purple colors The only thing that interrupts that is excessive unexpected skull hits, for any reason. With delves now giving enchant all and explode 2 gems per ally at the start of battle from, hoards, mana block isn’t as major of an issue provided you can keep Thrall/Marilith unblocked. Even Essence of Evil isn’t that important. Huanglong/Marilith, Glaycion/Marilith, Krystenax/Thrall etc. If you want to go cheap, Eternal Sentry/Marilith is solid. Something like Eternal Sentry Marilith Rope Dart/Essence of Evil (hero class with Root trap preferred, Orbweaver with Rising Shadow is big) Zuul’Goth Banner of Sin will feel pretty good ---
**Author:** ![Mana\_Surgeon](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/community.gemsofwar.com/mana_surgeon/32/55678_2.png) [@Mana\_Surgeon](https://community.gemsofwar.com/u/Mana_Surgeon)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2022, 12:14am UTC](https://community.gemsofwar.com/t/delves-strategies-tactics-and-tips/45522/2369 "2022-09-08T00:14:14Z")
Thanks, I’ll experiment. I just have bad experience with blocking Essence, having it not fill, and dropping a critical turn on Thrall/Marilith cast. Maybe having something tanky up front will mitigate enough tho? ---
**Author:** ![TheIdleOne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c68b51/32.png) [@TheIdleOne](https://community.gemsofwar.com/u/TheIdleOne)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2022, 12:36am UTC](https://community.gemsofwar.com/t/delves-strategies-tactics-and-tips/45522/2370 "2022-09-08T00:36:42Z")
Depending on how much hoard you have, you may also have barrier at the start of battle and the 25% skull reduction armor potion. I guess it depends on how much magic you have currently. ---
**Author:** ![TimeKnight](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/community.gemsofwar.com/timeknight/32/50221_2.png) [@TimeKnight](https://community.gemsofwar.com/u/TimeKnight)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2022, 9:18am UTC](https://community.gemsofwar.com/t/delves-strategies-tactics-and-tips/45522/2371 "2022-10-07T09:18:34Z")
Not the strongest in the all new Deep troops, but interesting enough. Double TDK might be a stronger team indeed ![IMG_20221007_161246](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/uploads/gemsofwar/original/3X/2/0/20fa6fdc059a1ed097659312c0b35b5f94c9cefa.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![TheIdleOne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c68b51/32.png) [@TheIdleOne](https://community.gemsofwar.com/u/TheIdleOne)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2022, 6:48am UTC](https://community.gemsofwar.com/t/delves-strategies-tactics-and-tips/45522/2372 "2022-10-11T06:48:08Z")
Lol. Just had the AI spawn a 1st slot Diamantina with a Baby Dragon in the 2nd fight of Hell Gate vs the Pure Faction team. It didn’t end well. [Previous page](https://community.gemsofwar.com/t/delves-strategies-tactics-and-tips/45522.md?page=116) [Next page](https://community.gemsofwar.com/t/delves-strategies-tactics-and-tips/45522.md?page=118)