Crystal has separate event rules. A good Wanted lineup or advanced PvP hybrid is not automatically a good Crystal preset.
Open the Crystal lineup library to inspect the three same-type references and a clearly marked conflicting-test alternative. For the Factory, currency and Shop, use the existing Crystal Event Guide; this page focuses on formations and comparisons.
Start with the actual bonuses
Five heroes of one troop type receive an extra +30% Attack-damage bonus in Crystal, separate from the ordinary formation bonus. Check the live Extra Bonus panel for qualifying defenders and the effect they provide. A defense icon alone does not prove every promoted hero qualifies.
Weekly damage progress uses the highest single-attack tier, not the sum of every hit. Crystal is permanent; weekly rewards and monthly Shop refreshes are not an event-expiration countdown. Check live values for current rewards and exchanges.
Tank reference
Front: Williams/Murphy. Back: Stetmann/Kimberly/Marshall.
This keeps the five-Tank bonus and the original qualifying defenders when listed. Do not automatically remove one for Mason because a Wanted build uses him.
Players who tried Mason instead of Marshall reported lower damage on several accounts, including developed Mason examples. Other hero/position tests exist, so this is not proof that Mason can never help. It is evidence against calling him an automatic upgrade. Preserve your reference and compare the same phase.
Aircraft reference and Sarah experiment
Front: Carlie/Lucius. Back: Schuyler/DVA/Morrison.
A reported test uses Lucius/UR Sarah front; Schuyler/DVA/Morrison back. One player reported a personal best with this model; other Sarah substitutions reduced damage. It trades Carlie and her eligible defender bonus for Sarah's contribution. Different skills, gear, EW and phases can change the comparison.
That variant is labelled Conflicting tests in the library. It is not a recommended replacement for everyone, and it still requires the actual UR Sarah used in the model.
Missile reference
Front: McGregor/Adam. Back: Tesla/Fiona/Swift.
Start with your developed five before borrowing Lucius or a hero from another type. Losing the additional same-type bonus is a real cost, even if the mixed squad displays more Power. Do not assume promoted Venom or Braz automatically replaces a developed original UR.
What not to import from other modes
Crystal rules disable troop counters and several effects used elsewhere, including War Fever, Charge Banner, Tactics Card actives, seasonal War Rank, fish effects and PvE Tactics Cards. Recheck the current rules screen instead of treating a general-PvE checklist as an instruction to use all of them. Do not scout for War Fever for Crystal.
Defense heroes can earn a damage slot through Extra Bonus. Marshall's support can also outweigh a seemingly attractive replacement. Read the actual effect and test the whole team rather than counting bonus labels alone.
A controlled comparison within your attempts
- Reference: record the phase, active bonuses, actual equipment and result.
- Candidate: change one hero, position or item while keeping other conditions consistent.
- Check: repeat or resolve the uncertain result, rather than comparing attacks from different phases as if only the lineup changed.
Keep Crystal · Reference separate from Crystal · Test. One personal-best screenshot is not a universal ranking. Inspect the individual damage reports and skill development before copying the conclusion.
Do not dismantle gear or replace all Radars because of a blanket Blue Radar claim. Preserve your regular gear and test any lower-rarity alternative cautiously.
Continue learning
- Crystal Factory, rewards and Shop
- Battle Reports
- Gear and Drone
- Code Boss lineups for the separate Wanted rules
- Preset setup and all lineup models