Next Reign: Kingdom Expedition Units Guide
How the v1.0.3 sixth unit type works, where it stands in formation, and what it means for the late-game army.
The September 5, 2026 hotfix for Next Reign: Kingdom added expedition units as the sixth combat type. They join peasants, spearmen, shield knights, mages, and archers in the army tab. This page covers what expedition units are, how they fit into the formation board, and where they sit in the late-game army picture. This page was written when v1.0.3 was five days old. Public play hours are thin. Check the unit tier list once more footage exists before treating any early assessment as final.
What expedition units are
Expedition units are a late-game unit type that arrived in v1.0.3. They were added because player feedback after launch said the army tab felt thin once you had a working economy and wanted more army variety. Tiny Tulip shipped them fast: the patch dropped two days after the September 3 launch, which is the studio’s usual style of shipping small, responsive updates.
Expedition units are not a replacement for any existing type. Peasants are still the free opener. Spearmen are still the workhorse line infantry. Shield knights are still the front that holds. Mages and archers are still the backline damage. Expedition units are an addition on top of that roster, not a reshuffle of it.
Where expedition units appear in the formation
Public footage of expedition units in action is still being recorded. Based on the v1.0.3 patch notes and the army tab layout, expedition units likely occupy a similar slot to archers: a ranged or specialized role that stands behind the tank line. The exact tile placement will depend on whether expedition units are melee, ranged, or support-adjacent.
Until more public VODs confirm the role, treat expedition units as a backline or flanking unit that requires a working front line before it contributes. If the shield tank is thin, expedition units are not the answer. If the tank and spearmen are solid and you want another unit type to invest iron into, expedition units are the answer.
The formation board in v0.3 and 1.0 shows unit types and the strategies next to each one. Expedition units should appear there with their own strategy slot, same as the other five types.
How they compare to the existing five
| Unit | Role | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Peasants | Free opener, cheap bodies | C, mandatory first fight |
| Spearmen | Line infantry, workhorse | A, core mid-game |
| Shield knights | Front-line tank | S, essential |
| Mages | Backline damage | A, post-tank |
| Archers | Ranged backline | B, under-recorded |
| Expedition units | Late-game addition | TBD, v1.0.3 only |
Expedition units are not going to move peasants, spearmen, or shield knights off the board. They are a choice for the late-game iron budget. If you are spending remains on spearmen upgrades and still have iron, expedition units give that remain investment somewhere to go.
How to unlock expedition units
Expedition units appear after the castle is built and the late-game systems are online. They are not available in the first hour, the first fight, or the first prestige. The unlock order is: complete the main campaign path through the castle, then expedition units show up in the army tab.
If you do not see expedition units in your army tab, the kingdom is probably not far enough into the campaign. Follow the late-game strategy checklist: castle standing, university running, iron chain complete, then check the army tab again.
What to spend on them
Expedition units cost iron bars, same as the other non-peasant combat types. The iron chain (smelter, smithy, tools) has to be running before expedition units are an affordable recruit. If bars are green and tools are flat, the smithy is the bottleneck, not the army tab.
Remains from combat quests can be spent on expedition unit upgrades once the type is unlocked. The upgrade tree for expedition units will follow the same pattern as spearmen and mages: hit points, damage, armor. Check the unit tier list for updates as public hours grow.
Formation advice
Early formation guidance for expedition units:
- Do not send them in as the front line. The shield knight is still the contact tile unit.
- Place them behind the tank line, similar to where mages and archers stand.
- They likely benefit from the same support bonuses as other ranged or specialized units.
- If the formation board lets you save a preset, save one with expedition units included once their role is confirmed.
Do not over-invest in expedition units at the cost of the core formation. Shield tanks and spearmen still win fights. Expedition units are the iron sink that appears after the core army is paid for.
What this page will update
This page will update once more v1.0.3 public play hours are recorded. The unit tier list will carry any tier ranking change. Until then, treat expedition units as a confirmed late-game addition that requires the castle and a working economy before it is worth recruiting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers for new rulers and returning prestige runners.
What are expedition units in Next Reign: Kingdom?
The sixth combat unit type added in the September 5, 2026 hotfix. They appear in the army tab alongside peasants, spearmen, shield knights, mages, and archers. They require the late-game castle and a working economy before they unlock.
Are expedition units better than spearmen or shield knights?
No. Shield knights and spearmen are the core formation. Expedition units are a late-game addition for players who have already built the core army and want another iron sink. They do not replace the front line.
How do I unlock expedition units?
Complete the main campaign path through the castle. Expedition units are not available in the first hour or the first prestige. Build the castle, finish the iron chain, then check the army tab.
What do expedition units cost?
Iron bars, same as the other non-peasant combat types. The smelter and smithy have to be running before expedition units are an affordable recruit.
Where do expedition units stand in formation?
Behind the tank line, similar to mages and archers. They are not a front-line unit. Do not send them in as the contact tile.
Will expedition units get a tier ranking?
Yes, once more public v1.0.3 play hours are recorded. Check the unit tier list for updates.