Mercenary
1 star cost - Two independent sources
What it is
The cheapest frontline body you can field. At one star it is the default filler when the star budget is tight, and it is the one complete evolution chain every creator names: Mercenary to Squire to Knight.
How to use it
Before level 20 treat it as pure star-cost filler. Keep every duplicate for ascension instead of selling them, and only think about evolving once it sits at three ascensions.
What creators say
Rated as filler rather than a priority pick, listed behind Flaming Archers, Lancer, Halberdier, Spear Vanguard and Imperial Wall.
Source: AccelToWin - Which Unit Should You Evolve First (Update 2) (2026-09-21)
Its final evolution is Knight, which this creator calls an underrated unit.
Source: Tuki - Everything You Need for RANKED (Update 2) (2026-09-21)