"Very hard" is not just a stronger enemy: it thinks every 0.45 seconds, starts with extra resources (150 gold, 150 wood, 80 stone), gathers 60% more, attacks early and pulls its army back before losing it. But it has weaknesses you can use.
Understand how it thinks
The computer doesn't cheat by seeing the whole map — it plays by the same rules as you:
- It builds its town in neat districts surrounded by a full wall with gates.
- It has a war commander that splits the army into guards, a quick-response force and an attack force.
- It picks the most valuable, least defended target: storehouses, mills and workshops before the keep.
- It retreats when it has lost about half its army.
The plan
1. Out-grow it
Don't start fighting early. Build your economy as in The Best Start, with extra mills since they need no workers.
2. Hold the first attack
The first attack comes between minutes two and four. Get ready:
- A tower near the keep and a line of spear barriers on its path.
- Archers behind swordsmen in 🛡 hold stance, so they don't chase the enemy away from the towers.
- The alarm bell when it gets close.
When it retreats, don't chase it into its town. Use the time to grow your army.
3. Hit the economy, not the army
Instead of fighting its army head-on, send assassins or knights to its distant mines. Drive its workers away: after 10 seconds without a worker of its owner a mine turns neutral, and your workers can take it.
4. Attack with a complete army
When your army is ready, make it: swords and spears in front, archers and mages behind, two priests to heal, and axes or a ballista to break the wall. Attack from the back of its town if you can, where the wall is usually weaker.
5. Use your hero
A hero (300 gold at the tavern) changes battles. Arthax with his meteor and rain of arrows is great against packed armies, and Grum's earthquake stuns enemies around him for 2.5 seconds. Use the skills the moment the enemy army bunches up.
Easier with an ally
In a custom battle you can take a computer ally. Press "⚔️ Attack with me" in the allies panel and your ally attacks the same kingdom you are fighting. An attack from two sides breaks any defence.
More articles
The Best Start: What to Do in Your First Five Minutes
A proven opening for Mini Kingdoms: how many workers to train, when to build houses, a storehouse, mills and barracks, and how to prepare for the first attack.
Who Beats Whom? A Guide to Units and Counters
Every unit in Mini Kingdoms has a strength and a weakness. Learn the counters: spears against knights, knights against archers, axes against buildings and more.
Smart Defence: Walls, Gates and Towers
How to wall your town in Mini Kingdoms: the smart wall tool, gates, towers, spear barriers and the upgrades that make your defence solid.