How to Escort Happy Innocents (March 2026) Anime Vanguards Act 2 Guide
Welcome to the most chaotic and adorable mission in Anime Vanguards Act 2! If you are struggling with the “Happy Factory” mission and specifically trying to figure out how to escort Happy Innocents, you are in the right place. This guide is designed to walk you through every single step, strategy, and unit placement you need to secure that victory and grab your rewards.
Having spent hours testing different unit compositions and map layouts in 2026, I’ve compiled the ultimate strategy to help you beat this Act 2 challenge. Whether you are a free-to-play player or you’ve spent some gems rolling for the best units, this guide covers everything you need to know.
Quick Overview: Escort Happy Innocents
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, here is a quick snapshot of what this mission entails and what you need to prepare.
| Feature | Details/Requirement |
|---|---|
| Mission Name | Escort Happy Innocents |
| Location | Act 2 – Happy Factory |
| Objective | Protect the “Happy Innocents” (NPCs) as they move through the map while enemies attack them. |
| Difficulty | Hard / Nightmare |
| Recommended Units | AoE (Area of Effect), Ground DPS, Hybrid Units |
| Main Threat | High HP Bosses, Swarms of Fast Enemies |
| Primary Reward | Gems, Gold, Shards, Potential Mythic Unit Shards |
Check out our latest Anime Vanguards Codes to get free gems and boosts before starting this mission!
Understanding the Mission Mechanics
The “Escort Happy Innocents” mission is fundamentally different from standard tower defense maps where enemies just run to a base. In this scenario, the “base” moves.
Who Are the Happy Innocents?
The Happy Innocents are NPC characters that spawn at a specific point and follow a set path toward the exit. Unlike standard enemies, they do not attack. Their only job is to survive. If a Happy Innocent’s health drops to zero, you fail the wave. Since there are usually multiple waves or multiple Innocents to protect in later stages, losing even one can be catastrophic.
The Pathing
In the Happy Factory, the path is linear but has several choke points and wide areas where enemies can swarm.
- The Start: Innocents spawn near the factory entrance.
- The Middle: The path loops around heavy machinery where enemies like to hide.
- The End: The extraction point.
Enemies will spawn from their own portals and intercept the Innocents. Your job isn’t just to kill enemies; it’s to kill them before they reach the Innocents.
Prerequisites and Preparation
Don’t walk into this mission empty-handed. Preparation is key to success in Act 2.
1. Unit Leveling
Ensure your units are at least Level 50 or higher for Hard mode. If you are attempting Nightmare, you need Level 70+ units. Focus on upgrading your AoE units first, as swarms are the biggest threat to the Innocents.
2. Unit Composition
You cannot win with just single-target damage here. You need a mix:
- AoE Farmers: Essential for clearing the waves of “Happy” minions.
- Single Target DPS: Necessary for the high-HP bosses that attempt to one-shot the Innocents.
- Slow/CC Units: Units that can slow down enemies give the Innocents more time to reach the exit safely.
If you are unsure which units to invest in, consult our Anime Vanguards Tier List to see which meta units perform best in story modes.
Step-by-Step Guide: Escort Happy Innocents
Here is the core of the guide. Follow these steps to replicate the strategy that has worked for thousands of players in 2026.
Phase 1: The Drop and Early Defense
When the match starts, do not place your units immediately at the spawn. Instead, look for the first bend in the path where the Innocents pause or turn.
- Place Your Farmer: Put your economy unit (like the Merchant or Money gain unit) near the back so it doesn’t take up valuable DPS space.
- First DPS Unit: Place a cheap, ground-based AoE unit at the first corner. This will handle the initial weak enemies.
- Wait for Economy: Do not spam units immediately. Let the first wave die and collect the gold. Upgrade your Farmer to Level 2 or 3 as soon as possible.
Phase 2: The Choke Point Strategy
As the Innocents move toward the middle of the factory, the path widens. This is where most players fail.
- Identify the Kill Zone: Look for a spot where the path narrows again or loops back on itself. Placing units here allows them to hit enemies for a longer duration.
- Hybrid Placement:
- Front Line: Place a tanky ground unit to absorb hits.
- Back Line: Place your strongest AoE units behind the tank.
- Prioritize Flying Enemies: In Act 2 Happy Factory, flying enemies often bypass your ground units to hit the Innocents. Ensure you have at least one anti-air unit or a unit with hybrid damage (Ground/Air) placed near the center of the map.
Phase 3: The Escort Logic (Micro-Management)
This is the “Pro” tip that separates beginners from experts. The Innocents move at a fixed speed, but enemies move faster.
- Don’t Overextend: Don’t place your units too far ahead of the Innocents. If you clear enemies too far ahead, your units will stop shooting while the Innocents slowly walk into a new wave that spawned behind your clear zone. Keep your turrets close to the Innocents’ current position.
- The “Body Block” Technique: If you have spare gold, place cheap, disposable units directly in front of the Innocents to block enemy melee attacks. The enemies will stop to attack your unit instead of the Innocent, buying precious seconds.
Phase 4: The Boss Wave
The final wave usually features a massive “Happy Boss” with tons of HP.
- Save Abilities: Do not use your unit’s ultimate skills (like a massive nuke) on trash mobs. Save them for the Boss.
- Clump Your Units: If your units are spread out, the Boss will only hit one or two at a time. Sell your back-line units and re-place them all in one concentrated circle of death near the end of the path.
- Burst Damage: When the Boss enters the kill zone, activate all abilities. The goal is to melt the Boss before it can reach the group of Innocents.
New to the game? Read our guide on How to Play Anime Vanguards to master the basics like unit selling and upgrading.
Best Units for Happy Factory Act 2
While you can technically beat this with various setups, some units are statistically better suited for the “Escort” mechanic. Here are the top recommendations for March 2026.
| Unit Name | Type | Why Use It? |
|---|---|---|
| AoE King (Meta) | Mythic/AoE | Clears swarms instantly. Essential for keeping the path clean for Innocents. |
| Sniper Pro | Rare/Single Target | High range allows you to hit enemies targeting the Innocents from across the map. |
| Crowd Control | Epic/Slow | Slows down enemies, preventing them from swarming the Innocents too quickly. |
| Hybrid Damage | Legendary | Deals with both ground and air enemies, covering all weaknesses. |
| Economy Unit | Common/Farmer | Generates the gold needed to afford the expensive units listed above. |
Pro Tip: Always check the Anime Vanguards Tier List before investing your shards. The meta changes frequently, and a unit that is S-tier today might drop next month.
Common Mistakes to Avoid In 2026
I failed this mission about five times before I figured out what I was doing wrong. Here are the pitfalls you need to watch out for.
1. Ignoring the Flying Enemies
This is the number one reason players fail. You build a solid ground defense, and then a flock of flying enemies bypasses everything and kills the Innocents in the back. Always, always have at least one unit that can hit air.
2. Spending All Gold on Units
If you spend every coin on units, you won’t have money to upgrade them during critical waves. Always keep a reserve of at least 500-1000 gold for emergency upgrades or re-placement.
3. Placing Units Too Late
Reaction time in this game is key. If you wait until you see the enemies on the screen to place your unit, it’s too late. Anticipate the wave timers and have your units ready 3-5 seconds before the Innocents arrive.
4. Forgetting to Use Codes
Before you start, make sure you are powered up. Our Anime Vanguards Codes page is updated daily with boosts that can give you extra gold or damage, making this mission significantly easier.
Advanced Strategies for Solo Players
If you are trying to solo this mission (which is entirely possible), you need to be even more efficient.
The “Sell and Replace” Tactic
In the early game, place a cheap unit. When the Innocents move past that unit’s range, sell the unit immediately. You get 100% of the value back (depending on game mechanics/patches, usually it’s 70-100%). Use that money to place a new unit further down the path. This keeps your DPS concentrated where it matters most without breaking the bank.
Upgrade Priorities
Follow this upgrade path for maximum efficiency:
- Farmer: Upgrade to max immediately.
- Main DPS: Upgrade to Level 3, then wait.
- Support: Upgrade last.
- Final Wave: Dump all remaining gold into your Main DPS.
Troubleshooting: Why Can’t I Beat It?
- Problem: Innocents die too fast.
- Solution: Your damage is too low. Focus on upgrading one or two units to high levels rather than placing ten level 1 units. Quality over quantity.
- Problem: I run out of money.
- Solution: You are placing units too early. Focus on your economy unit for the first 2-3 minutes. Let the Innocents take a little damage if necessary (they have a decent health pool) to build up your economy. This is a common strategy in Tower Defense Strategies.
- Problem: Boss doesn’t die.
- Solution: You lack single-target damage. Swap out one of your weak AoE units for a high-damage single target unit like a sniper or a blaster.
Rewards and Why Bother?
Aside from the satisfaction of beating a tough level, the “Escort Happy Innocents” mission in Happy Factory offers some of the best rewards in Act 2.
- Gem Payouts: High gem count per win allows you to summon more units.
- Exclusive Shards: Chance to get shards for units that only drop in Act 2.
- Story Progression: Essential for unlocking later maps and Acts.
If you are looking to build the ultimate team, you need the resources from this map. And if you need help managing your inventory or finding teammates, check out our Roblox Game Guides Hub for more community tips.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best unit for defending Innocents in Happy Factory?
Currently, high-tier AoE (Area of Effect) units are the best because they can clear the swarms of enemies that target the Innocents quickly. However, you always need at least one single-target unit for the Boss waves.
Can I beat Escort Happy Innocents solo?
Yes, absolutely. It might be easier with a team, but soloing is entirely possible if you manage your economy well and use the “Sell and Replace” tactic mentioned in this guide.
How many Innocents do I need to save to pass the level?
Usually, you need to save the majority or all of them depending on the difficulty. On Hard mode, losing even one Innocent can sometimes result in a fail, so treat every NPC as critical.
Do codes work in Story Mode?
Most codes in Anime Vanguards provide global boosts (like XP or Gold multipliers) or summon tickets. While they don’t auto-win the level, the Gold boosts are incredibly helpful for affording better units during the match. Grab the Anime Vanguards Codes before you play.
What happens if I fail a wave?
You will have to restart the mission from the beginning. Make sure to note down which wave gave you trouble so you can prepare your unit placement better next time.
Don’t forget to bookmark this page for updates on Anime Vanguards as the meta evolves!
Conclusion
The “Escort Happy Innocents” mission in Anime Vanguards Act 2 Happy Factory is a true test of your tower defense skills. It challenges you to adapt to a moving target, manage a complex economy, and deal with diverse enemy types. By following the strategies outlined above—focusing on the Kill Zone, managing your economy, and prioritizing air defense—you will conquer this map in no time.
Remember, practice makes perfect. Don’t get discouraged if you fail a few times. Adjust your unit placement, check the Anime Vanguards Tier List for better units, and try again. Good luck, commanders!