[Dungeon Defenders II] Mastery VII - Forest Biome (5 Stars)

Game: Dungeon Defenders II
Port: PC
Mastery Diff: M7
Map:: Forest Biome

It seems to be a pattern of "no Anti-Air but that affix isn't the problem" kind of map. The size of the map in tandem of keeping all Defenses up is going to be the real challenge.

5 STAR REQUIREMENTS
====================
Survive all 5 waves
You cannot build any Anti-Air defenses (Skyguard or Hailstorm Tower)
You cannot let a Defense get Destroyed
All 4 Crystal Cores must stay above 90% health at all times
Do all the above in 1 run

PLAN
=====
Due to the size of the map, it is imperative that you bring a hero with either high movement speed or an ability that let's you traverse the map quickly. Or you must ensure that your Blockades can withstand punishment and you don't place any Towers in a way that Kobolts can easily decimate them. You should treat the Southern most lane as 1 lane and build your defenses to handle 2 sets of enemies to help with DU splitting.

Using Nodes, and Traps will help you kill off most opposition before it reaches your Blockades. Weapon Manufacturers do a good job containing enemies in a small area and can possibly stunlock Kobolts if you have the Shocking Revelation servo. The Fissure of Embermount with the Servo can exploit the long paths to ensure most enemies get burned up before they reach your Blockades. Long range defenses also help immensely. The Earthshatter, Volcano, Obelisk and Dryad defenses can be setup to handle multiple lanes if placed correctly.

If a defense is about to fall, either upgrade it or repair it before it breaks. Do not let Ogres or Cannon Ogres reach your Blockades unless you got Hardened and Protective Downgrade on them. Skeleton bosses can also be a problem if you build too close.

Keep tabs on the Radar, Kobolts are easy to spot (orange air unit) and should be downed as soon as possible to avoid shut down of your other defenses. On Wave 5, there is a chance that Zapper will spawn and his explosion is not only larger, but his stun duration is longer as well. This guy must be destroyed as soon as possible. DO NOT PROVOKE OR CONFUSE IT! You can also use low cost defenses to bait them into divebombing them to protect your main line.

On wave 3 and onwards, you will be harassed by Dark Assassins. If you have any abilities to break yourself free, then use them. Otherwise, pull them near defenses that can kill them quickly or break their lock fast. On Wave 4 and 5, Hex Throwers will be added to the mix and must be slain as to avoid getting your defenses Cursed.

Aside from Kobolts, you will have to be vigilant against Hex Throwers, Snooki and Kobolds as they can still do considerable damage to your defenses. Witherbeasts can also pose a problem if you got a meat wall in front of your defenses. These things can also be a problem when a Cannon Ogre or a boss spawns alongside them.

HYPER SHARD RECOMMENDATION
=============================
Hyper Destruction - Any tower that is either facing bosses or handling multiple lanes or a specific one that is in most or all lanes.

Vicious Strikes - Anything that benefits from the increased range.

Radiant Critical Power - The hero you will be most active with. Fight near your auras, traps and nodes or use ranged near your towers to take full effect of this.

Explosive Shielding Guard - Whichever Blockade will benefit from the Shielding and Explosive effects. Preferably one that is in multiple lanes.

Thunderstruck - Your most active hero, preferably one with high offensive power. This is a useful shard when trying to keep Dark Assassins pacified long enough to kill them before they disappear.

Destructive Pylon - Any tower you feel will benefit from this.

Automation - Your main blockade.

CHARACTERS
============
Tsumiko Kuri (Initiate) - AP DPS (Flame Aura)
Lenneth (Dryad) - Hero DPS (World Tree, Angry Nimbus)
Yojimbo (Squire) - Hero DPS (Spike Blockade)
Shilf (Huntress) - AP DPS (Poison Dart Tower)
Mishera (Adept) - AP DPS (Earthshatter Tower)
Kasuti (Mystic) - AP DPS (Obelisk)