Hey heroes, Kolz here!
Today, I'll walk you through the Dragon's Graveyard, Chapter 390 in Hard Mode. I'll be using my new favorite hero, the Nutcracker.
This guy is a beast. He deals a nut ton of damage, pun fully intended.
I'll break down the run, some end-game strategies, and what I like about the Nut man.
Chapter 390 is the current (2/25/2025) last Hard Mode Chapter.
It introduces the Infernal Wardens, the new half-dragon axe-wielding horde. They spawn in packs rather than one at a time, like much of the late game chapter.
For this run, I ran the following setup:
Hero: Nutcracker (2-Star Hero and 2-Star Forge)
Pets: Level 400 Hydro-Basilisk (Main), Level 300 Dino, Level 300 Emberpaw.
Weapons: Max Damage with Ice Wand for safety. I could probably swap Crit Tome for Coin Tome.
Two mechanics can make a difference in dealing with packs of Elites:
#1- Power-Up Prep
Before the final wave of elites, find a power-up. Priorities are:
>#2 - Shield on Level-Up
You gain a brief invulnerability shield when you level up. By saving experience and leveling when the Elites get close to you, you can mitigate damage as you kite through elites..
It took me over 3000 runs to see that mechanic and even more to think to use it like this. Hopefully it helps.
Nutcracker turned out to be an unexpected powerhouse. His constant ultimates, combined with his stun mechanics, make him a better version of Lionheart, who—let's be honest—is mostly just a token sink right now. Nutcracker's global damage boost is rare, and his built-in crowd control is invaluable, especially in Nightmare Mode.
A five-star Nutcracker could be a sleeper hit for high-level play, thanks to his ability to handle hordes and elites alike. The only real drawback? No healing. This makes Nightmare Mode a challenge, but with smart kiting and stun usage, it might be possible to work around it.
And for those still grinding through lower modes, power-up prep, and level-up shielding aren't just for high-level play—they work at any stage of the game. Next time you're stuck on a tough wave, try prepping a power-up or timing a level-up for an invulnerability boost.
So, whether you're crushing 390 Hard Mode or just trying to get through the next level, keep these tips in mind, and remember: Always do your adventures!
