Merlin in Evony: A Strategic Guide to His Abilities and Pairings

In Evony, Merlin used his wisdom to help King Arthur unite Britain against foreign enemies. Known for his time-travel magic and enlightenment, Merlin is now available as a powerful ranged troop general in the 2024 Children’s Day Event. Let’s explore his attributes, how to obtain him, and optimal pairings.

Special Skill

Weaving the Fate:

• Increases ranged troops’ attack and HP by 45%.
• Increases ranged troops and siege machines’ defense by 30% when Merlin leads the army.

Ascending Attributes:

1. Marching Ranged Troop Attack +25%, Defense +10%.
2. Marching Troop Death-to-Wounded rate +8%.
3. Marching Ranged Troop Attack, Defense, and HP +15%.
4. Marching Ranged Troop and Siege Machine Defense and HP +15%.
5. Marching Ranged Troop Attack, Defense, and HP +20%.

To level up Merlin’s ascending attributes, you need the corresponding general’s fragment (or Ascension Fragment) and Blood of Ares.

Merlin’s Specialty

• Ranged Troop Formation: Ranged Troop Attack & Defense +10%.
• Bash: Ranged Troop and Siege Machine Attack +10%.
• Ranged Troop Ares: Ranged Troop Attack, HP, and Defense +10%.
• Light of Wisdom:
  • Marching Ranged Troop Attack +40%.
  • Marching Ranged Troop Defense +30%.
  • Attacking Ranged Troop and Siege Machine HP +15%.

Each specialty has 5 levels: Veteran, Master, Expert, Grandmaster, and Genius. You can level them up using runestones and gems. Note: You must reach Genius level in the first 3 specialties to unlock the upgrade for the last specialty.

Covenant Attributes

Merlin’s covenant generals are King Arthur, Alfred the Great, and Beowulf. You can use the Covenant Stone to upgrade his covenant level by increasing the total attributes of these generals.

Covenant Buffs:

• War Covenant: March Size Capacity +5%.
• Cooperation Covenant: Marching Ranged Troop HP +10%.
• Peace Covenant: Ranged Troop Training Speed +5%.
• Faith Covenant: In-rally Ranged Troop Defense +10%; March Speed +10%.
• Honor Covenant: In-rally Ranged Troop HP +5%.
• Civilization Covenant: Marching Ranged Troop Attack & Defense +5%.

How to Obtain General Merlin

1. Historic General Summoning Event:
   Purchase event packages to earn Epic Historic General Glory. Use it to summon generals, including Merlin, with a 17.5% chance during the Children’s Day Event.
2. General Tokens:
   Merlin is available in the prize pools of the following general orders:
   • Epic General
   • Epic Historic General
   • Epic Historic General Premium

   The Epic Historic General Premium is the easiest to obtain. It’s available in the 5th tier of festival event packages and can be accumulated in your item bag. Other ways to get it include:

   • Champion loyalty rewards
   • VIP premium packages
   • Limited-time events
   • Gem purchase events
   • Covenant stone packages
   • Decoration collection packages
   • Special events

Recommended General Combinations

Based on calculations and experiments, here are the best general combinations for ranged troops, focusing on attack, defense, and HP:

      1. Strongest Archer Attack:

• Douglas + Merlin
• Merlin + Marcus Agrippa
• Merlin + Douglas

While Douglas provides a strong attack bonus, his 3rd-star special skill offers a 10% march size bonus. The 2nd specialty adds 6%, and Merlin’s 1st covenant attribute adds another 5%. This combination maximizes your march size and attack power.

      2. Best Archer Defense:

• • Marcus Agrippa + Merlin

      3. Best Ranged Troop HP:

• • Merlin + Douglas

For all of the above combinations, use the Lv4 Ranged Troop Attack/Defense/HP Skill Book.

Other Compatible Archer Generals

Generals whose special skills do not conflict with Merlin’s:

• Eleanor
• Godfrey of Bouillon
• Charles XII
• Edward III
• Elektra
• Minamoto no Yoshitsune (Cannot use ranged troop attack skill books)
• Subutai (Cannot use ranged troop attack skill books)