Farhad in Fate War: Glass Cannon or Meta Weapon?

Farhad in Fate War: Glass Cannon or Meta Weapon?

Farhad entered the world of Fate War as a powerful Axethrower hero built to do one thing extremely well: break shield-heavy defenses and deal massive burst damage. On paper, he looks like a straight upgrade over many existing heroes. In reality, he is something far more interesting and far more dangerous to misuse.

Compared to meta staples like Freya and Helder, Farhad plays a more aggressive, high-risk role that demands strategic discipline. Used correctly, he becomes a lethal scalpel. Used poorly, he becomes an expensive liability.

Let’s break down what Farhad really brings to the battlefield.

Farhad vs Helder: Damage or Durability?

In-game tests reveal that the real difference between Farhad and Helder is trade efficiency.

Farhad consistently inflicts more heavily wounded on enemy troops. In controlled tests, he dealt around 3,000 more heavily wounded than Helder. On the surface, that looks like a clear win.

But there is a cost.

Helder protects his own troops far better. While Farhad hits harder, he also takes about 1,000 to 1,030 more heavily wounded in return. In short:

• Farhad wins on damage.
• Helder wins on survivability.

This makes their optimal use very different. In rallies, where burst damage decides fights quickly, Farhad shines. In open-field battles, where endurance matters, Helder remains the safer and more reliable choice.

Farhad vs Freya: A Built-In Disadvantage

Freya dominates the current meta, and Farhad is not her counter.

In fact, he is naturally disadvantaged.

Freya’s passive skill, Rose of Allure, reduces damage taken from marches led by male heroes by 15%. Since Farhad is male, he walks straight into this penalty. That alone shifts the matchup heavily in Freya’s favor.

Tests confirm it. When Farhad + Roru faced an Axethrower march led by Freya, the result was decisive: Farhad’s team collapsed under Freya’s defensive toolkit and healing reduction.

The conclusion is simple: Farhad is not an answer to Freya. He is a victim of her.

What Makes Farhad Special?

Farhad is not a standard damage dealer. His kit makes him a true assassin-style Axethrower.

Shield penetration

Farhad ignores 65% of shield and guard effects. This makes him deadly against heroes who rely on shields for survival, such as Reed, Carl, and Arthur.

Bleed damage

He applies a rare bleed effect, dealing additional damage over time. This turns short trades into lethal executions.

Speed and rage control

Farhad can:

• Reduce enemy movement speed by 20%.
• Reduce rage generation by 7%.

For normally slow Axethrower units, this is huge. It allows them to catch fleeing enemies or disengage safely.

Best Pairings and What to Avoid

Best partner: Roru

The most effective partner for Farhad is Roru. While Freya and Helder usually lead main marches, Farhad + Roru works perfectly as a second Axethrower march, especially for hunting Berserkers.

Never pair with Kiara

This combo underperforms badly, even against targets it should beat. Avoid it completely.

Core target priority

When playing Farhad:

• Avoid Freya-led marches.
• Hunt shield-based armies, especially Berserker lineups with heroes like Reed or Carl.

The Big Picture

Farhad is not built to break the meta. He is built to adjust it.

Think of him as the battlefield’s armor-piercing arrow.

Against Freya’s defensive wall, he breaks. Against shield-reliant enemies, he cuts straight to the heart.

He is not a universal solution. He is a precision weapon.

Final Verdict: Is Farhad Worth It?

Farhad is a classic glass cannon:

• In rallies, he delivers devastating value.
• In open-field, he is risky and unforgiving.

If you are an archer or axman main focused on organized rally play, Farhad is absolutely worth the investment. If your gameplay revolves around long, chaotic open-field fights, Helder remains the smarter and cheaper choice.

How to Use Farhad Like a Pro

• Never lead with Farhad. Put him behind a tanky primary like Freya or Arthur.
• Avoid Freya-led marches at all costs.
• Target shield-heavy enemies.
• If running two archer marches: Freya + Farhad as your main rally unit Helder + Roru as your stable second march
• Do not take unnecessary risks outside rallies. Farhad losses are expensive.

Conclusion

Farhad is like a high-voltage wire.

Handled correctly, he delivers enormous power. Handled carelessly, he burns everything, including you.

Once you understand his matchups, his trade-offs with Helder, and the lines that counter him, Farhad stops being a gamble and becomes a real weapon.

Now the real question is simple: Which combo will you test first?