WaO Field GuideWar and Order

Power & Gear

Totems

Fire vs. Guard, where Psionic Tattoos come from, and why you level the three Totem Forces evenly to 48.

2 min read 19 screenshots

On this page

Totems come in Green, Purple and Orange. The higher the color, the more expensive the upgrades.

  • Fire is more for individual play; Guard is more for team play. Some argue one is better than the other.
  • This guide won't pick a winner. It's here to help you decide what you can afford to upgrade.
  • If you don't upgrade a totem, whichever one you selected does nothing.
Guard Totem screen
Guard Totem.

The Totem Skill is the expensive part

The most expensive part of upgrading an Orange totem is the resource for the Totem Skill (the icon in the middle).

Totem Skill Guard Rampart awaken screen
Totem Skill: awakened with Psionic Tattoos.
Orange Psionic Tattoo sources: buy pack or events
Orange Psionic Tattoo: it says you can get it from events, but that's minimal. Most of it comes from purchases.
Purple Psionic Tattoo sources: buy pack, Oracle Quest or events
Purple Psionic Tattoo can also be exchanged in the shop via Oracle Quest.

Exchanging Psionic Tattoos

  1. Open the Oracle Quest page.
  2. Tap the Oracle Shop at the top right.
  3. Scroll to the very bottom of the list.
Oracle Quest page
Oracle Quest.
Oracle Shop button circled at top right
Oracle Shop, top right.
Runestones and Psionic Tattoos at the bottom of the Oracle Shop
Runestones and tattoos at the bottom.
Shop items locked until Oracle level 18
Some items unlock at Oracle Lv.18.

Totems go with your march, so more than one totem means more than one march gets the effect.

Leveling the three Totem Forces

There are three Forces to upgrade. You don't need to max the first before moving to the second or third; spread the upgrades.

Totem Forces I, II and III at 0 of 150
Three Totem Forces, each up to 150.
Totem Forces at 103, 112 and 107 of 150
Spread evenly.

Spread evenly: 30-30-30, then 60-60-60, and so on. Why?

  • Each level gives a different stat.
  • Higher levels need more Superior Runes.
  • The attack and defense stats shared by all three forces sit at levels 30, 60 and 90.
Totem Force I Physique node
Physique: infantry and cavalry HP.
Totem Force Suppression node
Suppression: archer and mage attack.
Totem Force Shield node
Shield: infantry and cavalry take less damage.
Totem Force Suppression node level 0
Another Suppression node.
Totem Force Shield node level 0
Another Shield node.
Totem Force Focus node
Focus: archer and mage damage dealt.
Totem Force II with the shared stats at levels 30, 60 and 90 circled
The stats common to all three forces.

Additional bonus milestones

Check the Additional Bonus at the top right: extra stats unlock when all three forces reach these levels.

30-30-30→48-48-48→60-60-60→90-90-90→98-98-98

Pay special attention to the extra stats at 48 and 96.

Totem rules: totems follow marching troops; extra stats activate at level milestones
Totems follow your marching troops; stats only apply to them.
Stats bonus popup: infantry and cavalry damage taken reduction at slot total level 48
A bonus unlocked at total level 48.

Tips by budget

  • Low spenders: working on a Purple and a Green is better than jumping to Orange. Do daily quests to get items, sell them, and buy Purple with the proceeds.
  • Totem stats only apply to the marching troops. With 2 totems, 2 of your marches get totem stats in events like Fortress War.