Arclight Sandworm Standard
Introduction
Section titled “Introduction ”The Arclight-Sandworm composition is a highly specialized Standard positioning build, reaching peak effectiveness in the mid-game. Its core aim is to overwhelm a specific enemy side and secure a rapid victory.
Tech Selection
Section titled “Tech Selection”Sandworm
Section titled “Sandworm”-
Mechanical Rage: Best suited for 2v2 matches. Increases Sandworm’s movement speed and chaff-clearing efficiency for quick teammate support.
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Armor Enhancement: Primarily used against long-range heavy units like Extended-Range Mountain. Less effective against Vulcan if it has Ignite tech.
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Mechanical Division: Low cost, effectively disrupts enemy targeting logic. The optimal choice if only one tech is planned for Sandworm.
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Aerial Specialization: Poor in most scenarios. As a melee unit, Sandworm is vulnerable to EMP, making this tech unreliable.
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Burrow Maintenance: High value for money. If Sandworm can successfully burrow, its sustainability increases dramatically, though be wary of enemy Ignite tech.
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Replicate: Core tech for the Sandworm system. In Standard, after breaking through one side of the board, it can continuously spawn smaller Sandworms that not only assist in damage but also absorb high-damage attacks (e.g., Steel Ball or Melting Point locks, or Marksman single-target bursts).
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Sandstorm: Typically paired with Wasps to disrupt units like Mustangs. Its viability depends on the air unit meta.
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Strike: Can boost chaff-clear and burst damage, but Sandworms are prone to dying quickly when used for frontline chaff-clearing, making it less recommended.
Recommended Tech Combination: Mechanical Division, Armor Enhancement, Burrow Maintenance, Replicate
When to Play
Section titled “When to Play ”This composition excels when the opponent heavily invests in Marksman, Vulcan, etc., in Standard. With its 95m range, Arclight efficiently clears chaff early on, allowing you to focus resources on siege units like Sandworms, supported by Stormcallers or Raidens for a coordinated push.
How to Play
Section titled “How to Play”Rounds 1–4:
Section titled “Rounds 1–4: ”Recommended opening: Arclight + Sabertooth/Sledgehammer/Steel Ball. Establish a basic defense with Arclight, Crawlers, and Stormcaller. If the opponent commits to Vulcan, Stormcaller, or Marksman by Rounds 4–5, pivot into Sandworm immediately.
Rounds 5+:
Section titled “Rounds 5+: ”In the mid-game, quickly identify the opponent’s strategy. If they continue developing Vulcan-Marksman or Arclight-Marksman composition, further investment in Sandworms is optimal. If they counter with Mountain or War Factory, transition into a hybrid Sandworm + Raiden or Sandworm + Melting Point composition.
Key Tactics:
Section titled “Key Tactics:”- Position Sandworms with Mechanical Division on both sides of the board to assist pushes or disrupt enemy chaff clear.
- Concentrate Sandworms (typically 4 packs) on one lane, coordinate with Mobile Beacon and chaff clear to break through, then leverage defensive towers and small Sandworms from Replicate to expand the advantage.
Transition Strategy
Section titled “Transition Strategy ”If the opponent counters with Mountain, War Factory, or other anti-Sandworm units, switch to a hybrid siege composition of Sandworm + Raiden or Sandworm + Melting Point to maintain tempo.
Recommended Equipment & Reinforcement Cards
Section titled “Recommended Equipment & Reinforcement Cards”
