- Starter Pick: Ichigo (in-game name Ichiga) acts as a reliable physical damage dealer for early-game progression.
- Key Mechanic: Balanced scaling between single-target damage and small AoE sweeps makes clearing early acts straightforward.
- Best Strategy: Reroll traits to obtain budget options like Swift or Vigor early, saving premium rerolls for late-game Secret units.
- Evolution Path: Farm standard Essence Stones in Nightmare Story Mode or Legend Stages to upgrade your starter carry.
- Top Choice: Ideal starter choice if you prefer physical scaling, rapid attacks, and a direct progression bridge to higher rarities.
anime vanguards ichigo: Starter Unit Overview
Choosing your starter in Kitawari's tower defense game is a critical decision, and analyzing the anime vanguards ichigo (in-game name: Ichiga) unit is essential for a smooth leveling experience. The unit represents a highly accessible, cost-effective physical carry designed to handle early waves and boss mechanics. Unlike Luffo or Narutu, who focus on different attack geometries, this unit offers a balanced blend of single-target pressure and localized area-of-effect slashing.
Understanding where this unit fits in the meta allows you to budget your gold, gems, and materials efficiently. During the early acts of Story Mode, you will rely heavily on placement cost and upgrade efficiency to clear stages before unlocking high-tier Summon Banner options.
| Unit | Base Damage | Attack Type | Best For | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ichiga (Ichigo) | Moderate | Single/AoE Slash | Early bosses, single lane | Balanced physical carry |
| Narutu | Moderate | Multi-hit AoE | Grouped waves, stalling | Strong crowd management |
| Luffo | Moderate | Line AoE | Straight lanes, choke points | Strong directional defender |
If you selected another starter during your first session, do not worry. While you cannot change your initial choice, you can summon superior Secret and Vanguard units from the banners as soon as you accumulate enough Gems from early progression.
Stats and In-Game Performance Scaling
To maximize the output of this unit, you must understand its placement cost and upgrade scaling. It functions as a front-line defender, meaning you want to place it near corners or choke points where its slash attacks can clip multiple targets.
Upgrading the unit in-game increases its damage output, reduces its Seconds Per Attack (SPA), and extends its attack range. In the early waves, prioritizing a single upgraded unit is generally more effective than placing multiple un-upgraded copies. This strategy ensures you defeat fast-moving enemies before they leak past your defenses.
| Upgrade Level | Cost | Damage | SPA | Range | DPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base Placement | 400 | 120 | 6.0s | 15.0 | 20.0 |
| Upgrade 1 | 250 | 210 | 6.0s | 16.0 | 35.0 |
| Upgrade 2 | 450 | 380 | 5.5s | 18.0 | 69.1 |
| Upgrade 3 | 700 | 640 | 5.5s | 20.0 | 116.4 |
| Upgrade 4 | 1000 | 1100 | 5.0s | 22.0 | 220.0 |
Always account for the initial 400 gold placement cost. Stacking economy units or farming traits early in the wave allows you to secure upgrades faster, which is key to handling higher difficulty settings.
Optimal Trait Roll & Rerolls Strategy
Traits act as permanent modifiers that can significantly alter a unit's combat efficiency. Since this unit is primarily a starter, spending premium Trait Rerolls on it is not recommended for the long term. However, rolling basic traits can ease the transition into mid-game content.
When visiting the Mandra Traits NPC, target traits that amplify either raw damage or attack speed. Avoid burning your pity counter or rare resources on starter units, as those should be reserved for high-value characters like Demon Leader or Gujo.
Option 1: Swift
- SPA reduction
- Faster hit registration
- Excellent for chipping shields
Option 2: Vigor
- Raw damage boost
- High scaling per upgrade
- Ideal for boss stages
Option 3: Range
- Area coverage
- Better corner reach
- Flexible placement options
| Trait Type | Chance | Stat Modifier | Priority for Starter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monarch | 0.1% | Massive Damage / Range | Low (Save for Secrets) |
| Ethereal | 0.175% | High Crit / Damage | Low (Save for Secrets) |
| Swift | 26.0% | SPA reduction | High (Budget friendly) |
| Vigor | 26.0% | Base damage increase | High (Budget friendly) |
Under current system rules, evolving or upgrading your units will not reset your trait pity count. This allows you to safely experiment with budget traits early on without losing long-term progression value.
Step-by-Step Evolution Guide
Evolving your units unlocks higher level caps, new attack patterns, and improved base stats. While evolving a starter unit requires fewer materials than a Secret unit, it still demands a structured farming plan. Follow this progression path to gather the necessary materials without wasting stamina.
Assess Resource Requirements
Ensure you have reached the minimum level and accumulated enough Gold before farming specific maps. Evolving your starter requires Green Essence Stones and a base Gold reserve.
Farm Essence in Legend Stages
Enter Nightmare Story Mode or Legend Stages to farm the required Essence Stones. Co-op lobbies can speed up these runs significantly.
Visit the Upgrades Station
Navigate to the Evolve station in the central hub. Select your unit, confirm you have unlocked and unequipped the target character, and execute the evolution.
| Material | Required Qty | Primary Source | Recommended Mode |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green Essence | 10 | Story Stages, Rifts | Nightmare Difficulty |
| Gold | 5,000 | Challenges, Daily Quests | Gold Rush Challenge |
| Blue Essence | 5 | Legend Stages, Raids | Legend Mode farming |
Before attempting an evolution, ensure the unit is unlocked and removed from all active team presets. Locked units will not appear in the evolution interface selection panel.
Checklist for Starter Transition
As you progress into high-difficulty Raids, Rifts, and Worldlines, starter units will eventually be outclassed by Secret and Vanguard banner summons. Managing this transition smoothly prevents resource bottlenecks. Use the checklist below to track your account milestones.
Transition Progression Goals:
- Complete the first three Story Mode worlds using your starter carry.
- Accumulate at least 5,000 Gems for limited-time Banner pulls.
- Obtain your first Mythic or Secret rarity DPS unit from banners.
- Equip your primary carry with a supportive trait like Swift or Vigor.
- Shift your daily farming stamina toward high-tier Evolution materials.
Once you summon a meta carry like Brolzi Super or Ice Queen, immediately halt major investments into your starter. The stat differences in late-game content make higher rarity units much more viable.
FAQ
Q: Is the anime vanguards ichigo starter viable for late-game content?
It is excellent for early to mid-game progression, but it struggles in high-tier Raids, Rifts, and late Worldlines floors. You should transition to Secret or Vanguard units once they become available.
Q: Should I spend my Trait Rerolls on this unit?
Only use basic rerolls to get a functional budget trait like Swift or Vigor. Save your mythic pity count and premium rerolls for your endgame carries.
Q: Where can I farm the evolution materials for the starter?
You can farm Green and Blue Essence Stones by clearing Nightmare mode story stages, participating in Rifts, or completing Legend Stages.
Q: Does evolving the starter unit reset its current trait?
No, evolving a unit preserves its current trait and does not reset your overall trait pity index.
For players looking to quickly establish a foothold in Story Mode, the starter unit provides a reliable, low-cost damage option that handles boss mechanics efficiently. Invest wisely, and transition your assets to high-tier banner summons as you reach the mid-game.