How to Play Dawn of Defense

Follow this path to learn the demo, then use the reference sections when a specific number or Runestone needs checking.

Learning path

0. See the gameplay — Official clips show the islands, trenches and fighting before your first run.
1. Understand a run — Learn the jobs of units and towers and what to review after a loss.
2. Choosing your opening — Coming soon. Decide what your starting resources need to accomplish first.
3. Resources and economy — Find the captured building costs and understand resource bottlenecks.
4. Islands and plots — Coming soon. Learn how expansion and building space constrain a plan.
5. Tower placement — Coming soon. Learn how elevation and coverage affect where towers can contribute.
6. Health, Armor and Ward explained — Read the defenses and find options that target them.
7. Upgrade priority — Coming soon. Decide which upgrade addresses the current problem.
8. Fortress and boss preparation — Coming soon. Separate the fortress card from unverified boss triggers.
9. Why you lost — Coming soon. Turn a failed attempt into one deliberate change.

Reference while you play

Runestones lists 80 captured nodes. Units, Towers & Buildings and Enemies collect the captured cards and effects without assuming a tested best build.