What Are Styx Troops in Empires & Puzzles?
Styx troops (named Cyclopes in-game) are special Epic (4★) tower troops introduced with the Tower of Styx event in Version 50 (August 2022). They are the third and final tower troop type added to the game, and they combine elements from both previous tower troops into one hybrid package.
What makes styx troops unique is their triple-threat stat combination: they boost attack, mana generation, and bypass defensive buffs chance — all in a single troop. This makes them the most versatile tower troop available, combining the mana acceleration of magic troops with the bypass ability of ninja troops.
The trade-off is that styx troops don't excel at any single stat as much as the specialized tower troops. Magic troops have a higher mana boost, and ninja troops have a higher bypass chance. But for players who want a well-rounded offensive troop that does everything, styx troops are an excellent choice.
Styx Troop Mana Breakpoints
Styx troops use a unique mana growth pattern with +3% increments at shifted breakpoint levels compared to other troop types:
| Level | Mana Bonus | Bypass Chance |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | +5% | Base |
| 5 | +8% | Increasing |
| 12 | +11% | Increasing |
| 16 | +14% | Increasing |
| 23 | +17% | Increasing |
| 27 | +20% | Maximum |
Notice that styx troops reach +20% mana bonus at level 27 — two levels earlier than magic troops reach the same milestone. Combined with the bypass ability, this makes styx troops extremely efficient for attack-focused gameplay.
Styx Troops vs Ninja Troops vs Magic Troops
The three tower troop types each excel in different areas. Ninja troops have the highest attack and bypass chance — best for pure tile damage. Magic troops have the highest mana boost — best for charging specials. Styx troops are the jack-of-all-trades — they do both reasonably well.
For most players who can only obtain a few tower troops, styx troops offer the best value because they cover multiple needs simultaneously. If you have duplicates across all three types, the optimal setup is: magic troops on heroes where mana breakpoints matter, ninja troops on tile-damage heroes (titans, events), and styx troops as the versatile fill.