Kingshot formation and rally update: making room for every squad
The October update expands formations and lets rally initiators move a selected member into second position. Here is what that means for alliance coordination.

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More room for different squadsThe second position in a rallyThe battlefield still determines the mixWhy the published slot counts differBefore a Kingshot battle begins, a governor has already made several choices: which heroes to bring, how many troops to send, and whether the squad is joining a rally, defending or heading into an alliance event. The October update pays attention to those moments before deployment. Additional formations unlock as Town Center level rises, and a rally initiator can move a selected participant into second position. Neither changes the basic rules of combat, but both give players more room to organize.

More room for different squads
The developer’s App Store notes say additional formations unlock progressively with Town Center level. Different activities ask different things of a squad: an alliance rally and everyday gathering can call for different heroes and troops. More saved options matter because they make it easier to move between familiar situations without rebuilding the same arrangement each time.
Extra configuration space does not automatically increase troop strength, and it does not create one perfect ratio for every activity. Kingdom progress, the heroes an account has developed and available troops all affect the choice. The reference image shows a player’s existing deployment screen; its numbers are not the new unlock count or a universal recommendation.
The second position in a rally
The developer’s social update also describes rally pinning: the initiator can choose a player and move them into the formation’s second position. It gives the leader control over participant order; it does not automatically select the strongest members. For an alliance that coordinates roles in advance, the adjustment becomes more direct, while communication still matters.
The official Combat FAQ explains that a rally includes four primary hero skills from joining members as well as the initiator’s hero skills. The people in the group therefore matter, but the update only specifies where the pinned member moves; it does not say every other position has the same effect. Looking at participant order alongside actual skills is more useful than judging the change by power alone.
The battlefield still determines the mix
According to the developer, Infantry take the front row, Cavalry the middle and Archers the back. Attacks normally target the front first, although cavalry and some hero skills can reach the back row or particular troop types. The balance between protecting the front, dealing damage and coordinating with allies depends on the encounter. Extra formation options leave room for those differences.
Why the published slot counts differ
There is a discrepancy in the published count: the developer’s App Store page says two additional formations, while a mirror of the official social notice says four. We cannot independently establish which versions or regions explain the difference, so neither number should be treated as universal. Exact unlock levels are not listed either. Your game version, Town Center level and in-game screen are the reliable reference for your account.
What appeals to me about this update is its quieter effect on strategy: more choices can be kept ready before a march, and rally leaders have another way to arrange members. It is not the flashiest change, but it touches the preparation that makes alliance battles work.
App Store update notes
Developer social update (mirror)
Official Combat FAQ
Image source: Kingshot Guide

