Arnold in Z Route: Redemption
Arnold is a UR Warrior Frontline tank. Popular lists rate him S, with 6 of 7 in agreement (see the tier list page). Guides call him the best Warrior tank: he has 933,798 HP at level 150 and a shield skill that covers the whole squad from 4 stars. He is the partner that lets a Warrior damage dealer stand in the back.
Arnold Skills
His four skills are a shotgun, a shield, a passive wall and the specialty skill that every UR hero receives. His own damage is Physical and small. Shared level and star rules sit on the heroes page, so the table keeps to Arnold alone.
| Skill | Type | Unlocks at | Effect | Per star |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tactical Shotgun | Auto attack | Base skill | Shotgun fire from the front line. It is filler between shield casts. | Damage bonus rises from 35% at 1 star to 130% at 3 stars and 265% at 5 stars. |
| Field Support | Active skill | Hero level 5 | A shield that cuts Physical damage taken by front-row allies. It deals no damage. | Lasts 6 s at 1 star, cuts a further 5% at 2 stars, lasts 7 s at 3 stars, covers all allies at 4 stars and lasts 8 s at 5 stars. |
| Tactical Shield | Passive | Hero level 21 | Front-row allies always take less damage of any type. Back-row heroes do not get it. | Grows with stars. |
| Doomsday Judgment | Specialty (personal) | From level 31 at 4 stars | A 20% boost to ATK, DEF and HP, and 10% faster cooldowns. | No star scaling. |
Field Support is the skill to understand. Before 4 stars it protects only the front row, so a sniper in the back takes full damage. After 4 stars the shield also covers the back row, and that is the point where Arnold starts to protect the whole formation.
Skill Priority
A tank is raised for its team effects, so the damage skill comes last.
- Field Support. The shield is the kit, and it grows with every star step.
- Tactical Shield. An always-on cut for the front row, with no cooldown to wait for.
- Doomsday Judgment. It adds 20% to ATK, DEF and HP once Arnold has 4 stars and hero level 31.
- Tactical Shotgun. It fires between shield casts and does not decide a fight.
One progression guide compared the real next-level gain of two skills and found Field Support the better upgrade than Tactical Shield, so check the numbers on screen before you spend books. Stars and levels move together here: each star step raises the level cap for all four skills, and a 4 star Arnold reaches the stage at which the shield already protects the snipers in the back row.
Stats and Gear
At level 150, 5 stars, no gear, Arnold stands at 933,798 HP, 3,581 DEF, 13,880 ATK, 351 command and 1,209,127 power. Monroe has 405,419 HP at the same level, so he carries more than twice her health. His ATK ranks 13th of 15 UR heroes, which fits a role built on absorbing hits.
Build his gear for defense: Helmet and Vest lead, Binoculars follow and the Rifle waits at the end. Every piece boosts Arnold only, not his neighbors. There is no awakening mechanic to plan for, so the build is skills, stars and gear.
How to Get Arnold
Arnold can be recruited in the Tavern, in the building called Highway Tavern, and he also appears in a special sale offer. Some guides add the Oasis Market event as a further route. Many players receive him as the second UR hero on their account, after the first purchase hero. Free gift codes help in the first days.
Best Team for Arnold
The core setup is five Warriors and a 20% faction bonus: Arnold and Dirk in the first row, with Monroe, Carter, Lucian behind them.
| Partner | Why it works |
|---|---|
| Monroe | The wall that suits the top Warrior carry, who takes the back center. Competitive accounts are usually built on this pair. |
| Dirk | A second Warrior tank that keeps the faction bonus and gives the front row the most HP. |
| Bekka | A hybrid wall. Arnold covers Physical damage and Bekka covers Radiation, at the price of the same-faction bonus. |
| Carter | Raises the ATK of the squad and fits into the five-Warrior row. |
| Lucian | Hits random enemies, three at 0 stars, and completes the Warrior squad. |
The squad guide compares these formations by slot.
Arnold vs Dirk
Both are UR Warrior tanks, so the question is whether to raise one or both.
| Hero | Tier | HP at level 150 | DEF | Power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arnold | S, 6 of 7 lists | 933,798 | 3,581 | 1,209,127 |
| Dirk | A, 4 of 6 lists | 948,108 | 3,590 | 1,216,063 |
Arnold shields against Physical damage, while Dirk raises DEF for the front row and, from 3 stars, for all allies. Guides advise against taking both walls to 5 stars unless the front keeps dying. Choose one first, and Arnold is the usual choice, with Dirk joining later as the second tank.
Is Arnold Worth It?
Yes, for any Warrior account. He sits in the S tier, backed by 6 of 7 lists, although one list places him as low as B. His limits are low attack and a shield that ignores Radiation. As the first wall in front of Monroe he is the first tank to raise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Arnold good in Z Route Redemption?
Yes. Arnold is rated S in 6 of 7 popular tier lists, and guides call him the best Warrior tank. He has 933,798 HP at level 150, the third highest of all UR heroes, and Field Support turns into a shield for the whole squad at 4 stars. His attack is low by design, so he is a wall and not a damage dealer.
How do I get Arnold?
Arnold can be recruited in the Tavern, in the building called Highway Tavern, and he is also offered in a special sale. Some guides add the Oasis Market event as a third route. Offers and drop pools change with events and regions, so check the in-game screens. Many players receive him as their second UR hero.
Which Arnold skill should I level first?
Field Support first, because the shield is the point of this hero. Tactical Shield comes second as an always-on cut for the front row. Doomsday Judgment is third and needs hero level 31 and 4 stars. The shotgun goes last, since Arnold is not there to deal damage and his auto attack only fills the pauses.
What gear does Arnold need?
Gear him as a tank. The Helmet and the Vest come first, then the Binoculars, and the Rifle comes last because he does not carry damage. The gear bonus stays on Arnold and does not spread to the squad. Using the same order as for a sniper wastes pieces on a hero whose job is to absorb hits.
Who is the best partner for Arnold?
Monroe is the best partner. Arnold holds the front while she deals damage from the back center slot, and this pair is the base of most competitive Warrior squads. Dirk adds a second tank, Carter and Lucian fill the back row, and Bekka joins him when the enemy deals Radiation damage that his shield cannot stop.
Does Arnold work against Tactical squads?
Only partly. His shield cuts Physical damage, and Tactical heroes deal Radiation, so it does little there. The faction circle also favors Tactical over Warrior. When you expect Tactical enemies, put Bekka next to Arnold, who reduces Radiation damage, and accept a smaller faction bonus in return for a sturdier front row.