"He does not chase the fight—he shapes where the fight must happen."

Johan "Aardvark" Maes isn’t your typical Hero—he doesn’t win fights by leading charges or dealing damage directly. Instead, he shapes the battlefield itself. Aardvark’s strength lies in preparation: building trench networks that turn open terrain into fortified bastions, stall enemy momentum, and protect key assets. Used well, he doesn’t just defend—he dictates how and where battles unfold.

Field Manual Update: Revised Combat Engineering Protocols

Command has authorized the following enhancements to Johan’s tactical utility:

• Trench bonuses now apply regardless of territory – Trenches could always be placed anywhere, but buffs previously applied only within friendly territory. They now boost Infantry in any location.
• Mobilization time reduced from 1 day to 1 hour, ensuring quicker access to the battlefield.
• Trench construction time scales with level – from 24 hours at Level 1 to 10 hours at max rank.

No upkeep. No limits. No mercy.

What is a Trench?

Trenches are a unique feature created exclusively by Johan "Aardvark" Maes. Once deployed, they appear on the map as standalone defensive structures. Unlike Fortresses, trenches:

• Can be placed anywhere on the map
• Only affect Infantry units standing inside them
• Provide bonuses to Defense Damage, Hitpoints, and Combat Strength
• Are autonomous – once placed, they persist and function even if Johan moves away
• Do not cost upkeep and remain until destroyed or overrun

They can be stacked with Fortresses for layered defense, or placed in forward zones to pre-fortify terrain. Only the player who placed them can benefit from their effects.

Johan’s Unique Abilities:

• Field Fortifier – Build defensive trenches anywhere on the map.
• Earthen Bastion – Infantry in trenches gain boosts to Defense Damage, Hitpoints, and Combat Strength.
• Rapid Reinforcement – Higher levels reduce trench build time, enabling faster fortification cycles.

Why Choose Johan?

• Trenches work autonomously – buffs remain even if Johan moves on.
• No upkeep – trenches cost resources to place but have no maintenance cost.
• Supports indirect warfare – control movement, delay sieges, and secure gains without overstretching.
• Ally coordination – place trenches in allied territory if granted Right of Way—though only you can benefit from them.

Tactical Use Cases:

• Early Game: Fortify chokepoints or delay enemy expansion.
• Mid-Game: Pair with mobile stacks like Orhan for rapid defense deployments.
• Late Game: Trail behind your main force to solidify captured zones and deny enemy counteroffensives.
• Trenchcraft Tactics: Use trenches to protect artillery, encircle enemies, or set ambush zones.

Now’s the time to put Johan "Aardvark" Maes to work. His capabilities have evolved, and your strategy should too.

If he’s still missing from your roster, Hero Medals from ongoing Operations or the Shop will bring him to your ranks.

"Victory favors the prepared, General. Let Aardvark dig your path to triumph." See you in the trenches.