All Star Tower Defense X Trial 1 & 2 Solo Guide (March 2026)

Mastering Trial 1 and Trial 2 in All Star Tower Defense X is absolutely crucial for your progression, as these challenging encounters reward you with two of the game’s most powerful units: Esdeath and Akainu. Both trials can be completed solo in approximately 7-8 minutes using the right strategy, units, and positioning. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step needed to consistently clear both trials without requiring teammates or expensive units.

Quick ASTD X Trial Overview

Trial	Reward Unit	Drop Rate (Regular)	Drop Rate (Strategist)	Approximate Time	Key Requirements
Trial 1	Esdeath	1%	10%	7-8 minutes	Level 25+, Green All-Star unit
Trial 2	Akainu	1%	10%	7 minutes	Esdeath, Shield breakers

How to Easily Solo Trial 1 and 2 All Star Tower Defense X?

Why These Trials Matter for Your Progress?

Trial 1 gives you a chance to get Esdeath, who is essential for Trial 2. Trial 2 rewards Akainu, another powerful unit that can significantly boost your progress in the game. Both units are considered S-tier in the current meta and will dramatically improve your performance in Infinite Mode, Challenge Mode, and PvP.

The strategic importance cannot be overstated – Esdeath becomes your primary crowd control unit for late-game content, while Akainu serves as one of the highest DPS units available. Without these units, you’ll struggle significantly in higher-level content.

Essential Requirements Before Starting

Before attempting either trial, ensure you meet these minimum requirements:

• Player Level: 25+ (recommended 35+ for consistent success)
• Unit Roster: At least one Green All-Star unit (Ulquiora, Broly, or Mihawk preferred)
• Economy Setup: Strong farming units for resource generation
• Shield Breakers: Multi-hit AoE units like Ichigo or Zoro
• Crowd Control: Blackbeard or similar slow units
• Patience: Expect 3-5 attempts per trial due to RNG mechanics

For optimal results, I recommend having your main units at level 100+ with appropriate traits optimized for maximum effectiveness.

Trial 1: Complete Solo Strategy Guide (2026)

Recommended Unit Composition

Primary Damage Dealer (Required)

• Ulquiora – Highest DPS potential with Mercy form transformation
• Broly – Excellent AoE damage with ground coverage
• Mihawk – Strong ranged option with piercing attacks

Support Units (Essential)

• Blackbeard – Slow effect for enemy control
• Ichigo – Multi-hit shield breaker
• Zoro – Alternative shield breaker
• Farm Unit – Any economy unit for resource generation

Step-by-Step Trial 1 Strategy

Early Game Setup (Waves 1-5)

1. Immediate Farm Placement: Place your economy unit in the safest position possible
2. Activate Auto-Skip: Enable wave skipping to maximize efficiency and resource generation
3. Focus on Economy: Upgrade your farm unit to level 2-3 before placing combat units
4. Strategic Patience: Don’t rush unit placement – economy is everything

Mid Game Execution (Waves 6-12)

1. Green All-Star Placement: Place your green all-star unit (Ulquiora/Broly/Mihawk) in a strategic spot, focusing on keeping it safe from enemy stuns
2. Blackbeard Positioning: Place Blackbeard to cover maximum enemy paths with slow effects
3. Shield Breaker Preparation: When shielded enemies appear (around wave 12), place Ichigo and/or Zoro to break their shields quickly
4. Continuous Upgrades: Focus upgrades on your main damage dealer first

Late Game Completion (Waves 13-20)

1. Mercy Form Activation: Keep upgrading your units and rely on Ulquiora’s Mercy form for burst damage
2. Crowd Control Management: Use Blackbeard’s slow to give your DPS units more time
3. Shield Priority: Always prioritize breaking shields before focusing on other enemies
4. Final Push: With this setup, the trial should run smoothly and almost autopilot, completing in about 7 to 8 minutes

Trial 1 Pro Tips

• Skill Tree Optimization: Focus on the Range tree for your All-Star unit and select the overload upgrade (5% chance to hit all enemies in range at 50% damage)
• Positioning Mastery: Place units on elevated terrain when possible for extended range
• Resource Management: Always maintain 200+ gold for emergency unit placement
• Auto Mode Usage: Enable auto-upgrading for consistent damage scaling

Trial 2: Advanced Solo Strategy (2026)

Required Unit Composition

Core Units (Non-Negotiable)

• Esdeath – Primary crowd control with freeze effects (obtained from Trial 1)
• Ulquiora or Broly – Main damage dealer(s)
• Ichigo and Zoro – Shield breakers for protected enemies
• Mihawk – Additional ranged support

Alternative Options

• All-Star Zeke – Hybrid damage dealer with blue element advantage
• Multiple Economy Units – For faster resource generation

Trial 2 Execution Strategy

Early Preparation Phase (Waves 1-6)

1. Aggressive Farming: Farm aggressively early on, placing farms and upgrading as much as possible to prepare for later waves
2. Multiple Farm Setup: Use 2-3 economy units if possible for maximum income
3. Strategic Patience: Don’t place combat units until wave 6-7

Mid Game Control (Waves 7-12)

1. First Esdeath Placement: Place your first Esdeath around wave 6 or 7 and upgrade once to handle powerful enemies
2. Second Esdeath Support: Continue farming and place a second Esdeath by wave 9 or 10 to support crowd control
3. Shield Breaker Timing: Place shield breakers (Ichigo and Zoro) around wave 12 to counter shielded enemies

Late Game Domination (Waves 13-20)

1. Main DPS Deployment: Place your main damage dealer (Ulquiora or Broly) and focus on upgrading to Mercy form for strong burst damage
2. Enhanced Crowd Control: Use multiple Esdeath units for near-permanent enemy control
3. Strategic Selling: You can sell shield breakers once their job is done and focus upgrades on your main damage dealer to finish the trial quickly
4. Protection Strategy: Pay attention to enemy stuns and place your units strategically so that your main damage dealer is protected

Trial 2 Advanced Techniques

Esdeath Ascension Priority Once you have enough Etri coins (250), ascend Esdeath through King Kai’s shop. This will unlock her full potential for Trial 2. Ascended Esdeath gains significantly improved freeze duration and AoE coverage.

Wave Management

• Waves 1-10: Focus purely on economy and basic crowd control
• Waves 11-15: Heavy shield enemy waves – maximize shield breaker usage
• Waves 16-20: Mixed threat waves – balance crowd control with DPS

2026 Unit Builds and Optimization

Optimal Trait Selection

For maximum effectiveness, target these traits for your key units:

Primary DPS Units

• Genesis – Massive damage boost (S-tier trait)
• Bloodlust – Sustain and damage combination
• All Star – 300% damage increase (extremely rare)

Support Units

• Midas – Economy boost for farming units
• Tank – Durability for crowd control units
• Sharpshooter – Range increase for positioning flexibility

Learn more about optimal trait combinations in our comprehensive ASTD X traits tier list.

Skill Tree Optimization

Damage Path (Red) – Recommended for DPS

• Prioritize base damage increases
• Focus on critical hit multipliers
• Maximize piercing damage potential

Range Path (Blue) – Ideal for Support

• Extended coverage for crowd control
• Better positioning flexibility
• Enhanced AoE effects

Speed Path (Green) – Situational

• Faster attack rates
• Quick ability cooldowns
• Economy unit optimization

For detailed skill tree strategies, check our comprehensive skill tree guide.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them?

Trial 1 Common Errors

Poor Economy Management

• Mistake: Placing combat units too early
• Solution: Always max farm units before placing DPS

Inadequate Shield Breaking

• Mistake: Ignoring shield breaker units
• Solution: Always have Ichigo or Zoro ready for wave 12+

Positioning Failures

• Mistake: Placing units in stun-vulnerable positions
• Solution: Use elevated terrain and spread unit placement

Trial 2 Critical Mistakes

Insufficient Crowd Control

• Mistake: Using only one Esdeath unit
• Solution: Deploy 2-3 Esdeath units for consistent control

Resource Allocation Errors

• Mistake: Upgrading support units before main DPS
• Solution: Focus 80% of upgrades on primary damage dealer

Panic Decisions

• Mistake: Selling units during difficult waves
• Solution: Trust your setup and maintain positioning

March 2026 Advanced Strategies and Meta Insights

Speed Run Techniques

For experienced players looking to minimize clear times:

Optimal Unit Minimization

• Use only essential units: 1 DPS, 1 crowd control, 1 shield breaker, 1 economy
• Focus all upgrades on main damage dealer
• Utilize auto-skip aggressively

Resource Efficiency

• Place economy units in positions that won’t require replacement
• Time shield breaker placement precisely for wave 12
• Use sell-and-replace strategy for maximum upgrade efficiency

Team Composition Alternatives

Budget-Friendly Setup

• Primary DPS: Ichigo (evolved to 5-star)
• Crowd Control: Any slow unit (Blackbeard alternative)
• Shield Breaking: Zoro + basic AoE unit
• Economy: Ramen Guy or equivalent

High-Investment Setup

• Primary DPS: Ulquiora with Genesis trait
• Crowd Control: Multiple Esdeath units
• Shield Breaking: Ichigo + Zoro with optimal traits
• Economy: Multiple Midas trait units

Resource Management and Preparation

Pre-Trial Preparation Checklist

Essential Resources

• 500+ gems for emergency summons
• 50+ trait burners for optimization
• Sufficient gold for unit upgrades
• All required units at level 75+

Recommended Preparation

• Review latest ASTD X codes for free resources
• Ensure optimal traits on key units
• Practice positioning in Story Mode
• Join community Discord for strategy updates

Long-Term Investment Strategy

Priority Investment Order

1. Ulquiora optimization – Genesis trait + max skill tree
2. Esdeath development – Ascension materials + trait optimization
3. Support unit enhancement – Secondary DPS and crowd control
4. Meta unit acquisition – Stay updated on tier list changes

For the most current unit rankings, consult our best units guide regularly.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

“I Keep Failing at Wave 15”

Diagnosis: Insufficient shield breaking capability Solution:

• Ensure both Ichigo and Zoro are placed by wave 12
• Focus upgrades on shield breakers during waves 12-15
• Use Blackbeard slow to give shield breakers more time

“My Units Get Stunned Too Often”

Diagnosis: Poor positioning and lack of crowd control Solution:

• Spread units across the map to avoid AoE stuns
• Place Esdeath units for maximum freeze coverage
• Use terrain advantages for positioning

“I Run Out of Gold Mid-Trial”

Diagnosis: Poor economy management Solution:

• Place 2-3 economy units in Trial 2
• Upgrade farm units to level 5+ before placing DPS
• Use auto-skip consistently for maximum income

“Shield Enemies Leak Through”

Diagnosis: Inadequate shield breaking setup Solution:

• Always have dedicated shield breakers ready
• Position shield breakers for maximum coverage
• Upgrade shield breakers immediately when shields appear

Meta Updates and Future Considerations

Current Meta Shifts (March 2026)

The March 2026 meta heavily favors crowd control and sustained DPS over burst damage. Key changes include:

• Esdeath buffs: 65% effective DPS increase due to pre-timestop freeze mechanics
• Shield enemy frequency: Increased appearance rate requires better shield breaking
• Stun mechanics: More prevalent in higher-level content
• Economy importance: Faster resource generation becomes crucial

Upcoming Balance Changes

Based on developer communications and community feedback:

• Trial difficulty adjustments: Potential slight nerfs to RNG stun frequency
• Unit balancing: Regular updates to maintain competitive diversity
• New trial content: Additional trials planned for Update 2

Stay informed about meta changes through our regular updates and the official Discord community.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Complete These Trials Without Spending Robux?

Absolutely! Both trials are completely free-to-play friendly. The key is patience and strategic resource management. Use free codes to obtain gems and trait burners, then focus on optimizing the units you have rather than chasing rare pulls.

How Many Attempts Should I Expect?

• Trial 1: 2-4 attempts for most players 
• Trial 2: 3-6 attempts due to increased complexity

RNG elements like enemy stuns and shield spawn patterns can affect success rates, so don’t get discouraged by initial failures.

Are These Trials Worth the Time Investment?

Definitely! Both Esdeath and Akainu remain meta-relevant throughout the game’s lifecycle. The time investment (typically 2-3 hours total including attempts) pays dividends in all future content.

What Level Should My Units Be?

• Minimum: Level 75+ for key units 
• Recommended: Level 100+ for consistent success 
• Optimal: Level 125+ with proper trait optimization

Can I Use Different Units Than Recommended?

Yes, with caveats. The recommended units represent the most consistent strategy, but alternatives exist:

• Broly instead of Ulquiora for different damage patterns
• Mysterious X for alternative crowd control
• Dark Wing for scaling damage in longer attempts

However, success rates may vary with alternative compositions.

How Often Should I Attempt These Trials?

Daily attempts are recommended once you have the proper setup. Each completion provides:

• 1% chance for the unit reward (10% on Strategist mode)
• Significant gem rewards
• Etri coins for ascension materials
• Achievement progress

Should I Use Strategist Mode?

Only if you’re confident in your setup. Strategist mode removes traits, hidden potential, and stats from your units, making it significantly more challenging. However, it offers:

• 10% unit drop rate (vs 1% regular)
• Enhanced gem rewards
• Exclusive achievement progress

Advanced Meta Insights

Trial Integration with Other Game Modes

Infinite Mode Synergy Units obtained from trials excel in Infinite Mode:

• Esdeath: Essential for wave 100+ crowd control
• Akainu: Top-tier DPS for boss waves
• Combined power: Enables consistent wave 200+ runs

Challenge Mode Applications Both reward units dominate Challenge Mode content:

• Esdeath: Freeze effects counter fast enemy waves
• Akainu: High DPS handles tanky challenge enemies
• Meta relevance: Both units remain S-tier in competitive content

PvP Arena Considerations While trials focus on PvE content, reward units translate to PvP success:

• Esdeath: Crowd control disrupts enemy strategies
• Akainu: Burst damage eliminates key targets
• Versatility: Both units adapt to multiple PvP strategies

Community Strategies and Innovation

The ASTD X community continuously develops new approaches:

Recent Discoveries

• Double Esdeath setup: Reduces RNG dependency in Trial 2
• Economy optimization: 3-farm unit strategy for faster scaling
• Positioning innovations: Terrain abuse for enhanced coverage

Emerging Strategies

• Hybrid DPS approaches: Combining multiple damage dealers
• Minimalist runs: Completing trials with fewer units
• Speed clear techniques: Sub-5-minute completion methods

Stay connected with the community through our Discord server for the latest strategy developments.

Conclusion and Next Steps

Mastering Trial 1 and Trial 2 in All Star Tower Defense X represents a crucial milestone in your progression journey. Soloing Trial 1 and Trial 2 in All Star Tower Defense X is achievable with the right units and strategy. Focus on building a solid economy, use shield breakers for protected enemies, and rely on crowd control units like Blackbeard and Esdeath.

The strategies outlined in this guide provide a solid foundation for consistent success, but remember that practice and adaptation are key. Each attempt teaches valuable lessons about positioning, timing, and resource management that will benefit your overall gameplay.

Your Next Steps:

1. Gather Required Units: Focus on obtaining Ulquiora, Blackbeard, and shield breakers
2. Optimize Traits: Use trait burners to enhance your key units
3. Practice Positioning: Master unit placement in Story Mode
4. Study the Meta: Stay updated on balance changes and new strategies

Final Success Tips:

• Don’t Panic Over Stuns: Stuns happen, but as long as your main all-star unit is protected, you can handle it
• Patience is Key: Expect multiple attempts and learn from failures
• Community Support: Join Discord for real-time strategy discussions
• Resource Management: Use codes and events to accelerate progress

This setup allows you to auto-skip waves and complete both trials efficiently, earning you two of the best units in the game. Master these trials, and you’ll be ready to take on the tougher challenges ASTD X has to offer.

Remember that the journey doesn’t end with completing these trials – they’re stepping stones to conquering Infinite Mode, mastering Challenge content, and dominating PvP. The units you earn will serve as the foundation for all future content, making this investment in time and strategy absolutely worthwhile.

For continued success in ASTD X, bookmark our comprehensive guides and stay connected with the community. The meta continues to evolve, and staying informed ensures you’ll always have the edge needed to succeed.

Good luck conquering Trial 1 and Trial 2 – your anime tower defense empire awaits!