CannonM 100+ - How to defeat AP Drain ?

[ehonda]

Hi. That my first post. I am cannon main 100+ and I have a problem to beat AP drain + stun formation in pvp. Here is my current formation.

:exo::lak::malehero:
:jan::vik::can:
:ora::mnk::arc:

The strategy used by AP drain opponent is to bomb the monk everytime to force him to use his spells on each turn (-150AP) then to drain his AP (-56 AP I think). And when the monk is combo 1 but cannot use awakening due to a lack of AP that is the beginning of the end (next turn combo 2 on 5 merc.+ mana seal on monk).
I cannot get an Impress or saw for the moment. The minstrel could remove mana seal but is just too weak.

Here is the typical AP drain formation I would like to beat:
:femalehero::spm::spm:
:art::jan::can:
:sha::mnk::exo:

I use to play stun. I am thinking about DMF but in that case I would have to remove LK (since I want to keep my N. Vik to freeze the first line and I already tried DMF without Oracle ==> it is hard to survive for CannonM).

:exo::vik::malehero:
:jan::can::mnk:
:ora::mnk::arc:

Advantage of this formation (compare to my current formation):
+ can HG the front line so no AP drain
+ main gets more def. and HP per turn
+ 2 Awakenings
Disadvantages:
- First line weaker (N. Vik against LK)
- No possibility to switch main with a melee merc (to recover for a short time)
- 3 magic merc. (1 mana seal means 3 merc. unable to cast a spell)

Scrolls are breakable.

Any good strategy or change in my build? If you have a link or a youtube video feel free to share. :)

[Khiruki]

You could probably win using your current formation. First remember that lightning spear is not a heavy damage attack. Try silencing or freezing the front line with manaseal. Rearrange your mercenaries to something like this:

:exo::lak::malehero:
:jan::ora::can:
:vik::mnk::arc:

Your viking has low AP gain, so you really don't want him AP drained. Oracle has much more AP with speedcast. Also, try not to use too much AP while the spearmen are active. Remember that spearmen are one of the weakest melee mercenaries, and are relatively easy to kill. Against the formation you posted, my strategy would be something like this:

-Send one cannon or gun attack down the center at least once each turn.
-Focus fire on center spearman. If the spearman guards, switch to other spearman.
-Conserve AP on cannons and guns as much as possible.
-If given ample chance, use holy guard on front line.
-Bring Stimulants

[ehonda]

Thank you Khiruki for your answer. I will try this build. I can try Stimulants; are stimulants breakable?

[Khiruki]

Nope. Stimulants are just use and awaken. Only downside is that they only awaken one mercenary with one activation, and can only be used by the main. However, they work through holy guard.

[ehonda]

Got it.

-Conserve AP on cannons and guns as much as possible.

That means not to cast speels, right?