Just a thread for people to discuss their preferred formations for casual runs. This can be used to share idea, let newer players have a frame of reference from veterans, let veterans be exposed to new ideas from new players, etc. Name the following information, at least:

-Which chapter/formation the following information applies to.

-Which crusaders are used (obviously).

-Which position in the formation they occupy, if you can explain so clearly. Standard should probably naming crusaders from top to bottom working from back(left) to front (right). So the first crusader named would be all the way in the back, at the top, and the second crusader would be directly beneath the first, etc, then starting again from the top of the second-from-leftmost column. Unless you can post a screenshot.

-Name the gear on each crusader using C, U, R, E, and GE for each slot, marked as E/R/E if the crusader has 2 epics and the middle is rare. If you are willing to describe the gear effects each for the people who may not know offhand or be able to check, that would be helpful. If so, explain however you feel would be easiest to understand. A possible method could be "GE200/E40/GE150 Alchemy/Global/Deflect Evil" for my Merci, or "GE60/GE600/GE600 Global/DPS/DPS" for my Sal the Merman.

-This part should be included, but the level of detail is up to you. The minimum requirement is naming how many epic and golden epic gear pieces other crusaders in the same bench slot as your DPSer(s), relevant due to...

-Name your current talent levels. At least the ones that affect area progression, like click chance buffing DPS. Ideally, include the exact buff you get from each talent listed.

-All of the above for gold-find, speed-progression, pure-DPS, tanking, etc builds. Use some kind of header for each section to note the intended purpose of the build. Not a full explanation. Just a name for the type of build. Make sure that each build description is clearly separated to avoid confusion.

-General notes. This area is for everything you, personally, want to say to explain how and why these are your formations of choice. Note things like which crusader effects have the greatest importance/impact on the formation, how crusader abilities and crusaders synergize with eachother, and anything else you think will help others understand all the details of why you choose to use this build.

Description setup can be however you want it to look like, but in an effort to keep things organized and easy to understand, I will post a rough outline of a potential format. Make changes if you feel it is necessary.
__________________________________________________________________________________

(List of all crusaders that will be used in all formations, and their gear, as well as how many epic gear pieces other crusaders in that bench slot have)
-Merci, GE200/E40/GE150 Alchemy/Global/Deflect Evil, 0 slot epics.
-Sal the Merman, GE60/GE600/GE600 Global/DPS/DPS, 4 slot epics.
-etc
-etc
-etc
-etc

(Talent levels) Example: Click damage +250%(level: max), 1% crit chance = 50% DPS buff (Level: max), 1% cooldown = 12.5% DPS buff (Level: max), etc...

_______________(Separator to note beginning of formation description)__________

(Type of formation)

(Which chapter)

(Description of where each crusader is in the formation, or screenshot)

(General notes)

_______________(Separator to note beginning of formation description)__________

(Type of formation)

(Which chapter)

(Description of where each crusader is in the formation, or screenshot)

(General notes)

I'ld recommend on starting with something smaller or more generic for discussions. You mentioned in the thread title 'what are your general idol-formations?' I'ld leave it at that and ask for a more general response. I.e. what are the best priorities, what are good strategies for newer or veteran players (resetting early and more often vs. deep free play runs) to check out different variants which might be helpful.

As an example, my priorities for a free play run are 1) Billy the President 2) Gold buff 3) Animal crusaders with well over 200 EP to support #2

My target: finish with about 200 to 300 idols. This fits with my playing style, since I can't leave the browser open for a very long time in each session.

You don't need my full talent tree or a full list of my gear for discussing that, I think. I would even go so far that you wouldn't need the objective I am playing, because my formation basically contains the same crusaders in each one of them. But I found Idols Through Time the best one working for me since it has a four crusader line.

On the other hand it might make sense for newer players to learn, why Billy might be helpful during idol grinding. I'm not sure, everyone knows he speeds up your progress due to his 'Act of Congress' ability. Or how even a common-geared Monkey can be a better gold buff than Inspector Kaine if you have enough Animal crusaders in the formation.

Chapter: World's Wake (because I can get to a higher area there, therefore making good use of Deep Idol Scavenger)

Idols: 2.03M

Talents: all maxed

Crusaders (from top to bottom):
- 1st column
Roboturkey (GE/E/R)
Sal (GE/GE/GE), 2 epics in alternate slots (only useful for him, since he's my only DPEsr)
Momma Kaine (R/R/GE)
Mindy (R/R/E)
- 2nd column
Bush Whacker (E/GE/R)
Bubba (E/GE/E)
President Billy (GE/E/E)
- 3rd column
Dark Gryphon (GE/E/GE)
Mr. Boggins (E/GE/R)
- 4th column
Littlefoot (R/R/R)

No gold finders because I'm gonna reach the cap anyway, so gold is irrelevant. Mindy copies Billy's ability, and this in turn means faster runs. I generally reach are 930-940, for about 3.1k idols (without factoring in buffs or reset from mobile)

I have yet to specifically time an entire run, but if my usual Storm buff is any indication, then resetting at about area 950 of World's Wake while using Mindy copying Billy buffed by his GE, it typically takes me around 7 hours. That's a rough guess, so give or take 30 minutes.

you dont need to time your run....its in one of your tabs that keeps up with a bunch of stuff. like achievements but not.