Mason is an accessible Tank-type attacker whose lasting value is monster damage and a planned SSR-to-UR promotion. Use him behind defenders during normal early progression. Later, keep a separate monster preset if his back-row Tank bonus improves the whole squad. The important promotion decision is whether you can rebuild him after the reset, not whether his Wall of Honor has reached a supposedly mandatory level.
Build an Attacker, Not Another Defender
Mason deals Physical Damage through Quick Reload and Fire Cover. His vehicle type says Tank, but his role is Attack. An early formation can use Murphy and Violet in front while Mason and the other damage heroes operate behind them. Replacing a defender with him simply because both use Tank vehicles can expose the back row too early.
His SSR passive, Zombie Purge, increases monster damage for back-row Tank heroes. This is a formation-dependent benefit, not a general bonus against player squads. When several strong attackers receive it, Mason can contribute more than his own damage total suggests.
Choose Skills for the Preset You Actually Use
| Use | Skill emphasis | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Early mixed PvE and PvP | Fire Cover and Quick Reload | His direct attacks work against both enemy types. |
| Monster squad with strong back-row Tanks | Raise Zombie Purge alongside the damage skills | The extra damage benefits the eligible back row, not just Mason. |
| Temporary attacker about to be replaced | Buy inexpensive useful ranks, then pause | Expensive final ranks compete with skills on the replacement. |
Do not automatically put the monster passive last in a dedicated boss build. If Kimberly and another developed Tank attacker receive the effect, improving their combined output may matter more than another small increase to Mason's own attack. Conversely, a PvP preset receives no benefit from an SSR monster-only bonus.
What Changes When Mason Becomes UR?
The promotion begins in Season 1, week 2. It requires five-star SSR Mason and the Legendary Hero Badge. Promotion preserves his EXP level but returns him to three stars, resets skills and removes his existing Wall of Honor contribution.
| Resource | Promotion result |
|---|---|
| Shards spent reaching SSR five stars | Not refunded. |
| Shards invested in his Wall of Honor | Returned as Mason-specific shards, including investments originally made with universal SSR shards. |
| Skill Medals spent on him | Returned through mail. |
| Further star development | Uses Mason or universal SSR shards; three to five stars totals 1,600 shards. |
Claim the returned resources and restore the skills you need before deploying him. A refund preserves the medals; it does not guarantee identical skill levels because UR upgrade costs differ.
Wall Level 160 Is a Savings Target, Not an Unlock Requirement
Player discussions often recommend Wall of Honor level 160 because its refundable shard investment can fund the return to five stars. Other players correctly point out that promotion itself does not require that Wall level. The useful distinction is readiness: a main-squad Mason may suffer an awkward transition at three stars, while a reserve Mason can be rebuilt without weakening the team you use every day.
Count inventory and refundable shards together. For example, a Wall refund of 1,200 plus 400 available shards reaches the 1,600 total without the Wall itself reaching 160. Treating the displayed Wall level as the only route can cause unnecessary spending.
Also remember what the refund becomes. Universal SSR shards placed into Mason's Wall return as Mason shards. They do not remain flexible resources for Violet or Scarlett. Stop adding universals once the Mason plan is funded unless his further development is deliberately your next priority.
Time the Reset Around Your Next Battle
Community players often align promotion with the relevant Hero Advancement scoring window: invest eligible resources, promote, claim the refund, then rebuild. Check that the event currently awards the actions involved. This is useful scheduling, not a reason to buy unnecessary shards or sacrifice an imminent competitive fight.
If Mason is already outside the first squad, removing his Wall bonus can still affect other Tank heroes. Compare that temporary account-wide loss with the benefit of the promoted hero and recovered medals. If he remains essential to progression, arrange enough resources and time to restore him in one session rather than promoting just before a rally.
Gear and the Specialist Front-Row Exception
For a protected attacker, prioritize a useful weapon and Data Chip while retaining enough Armor and Radar to survive. Transfer equipment when changing lineups instead of developing a second complete set just to make a comparison. A Mason kept mainly for a monster passive need not receive the main carry's rarest blueprints.
In a monster attempt where the front row survives, moving Mason forward can free a back-row place for a stronger Tank attacker to receive the passive. This is the reason for that specialist arrangement; it does not make Mason a general-purpose tank. If the move causes him or the team to collapse, return a defender to the front and accept the smaller offensive lineup.
Save both presets. The boss formation and normal combat formation solve different problems, and leaving the monster setup active for PvP can cost more than the extra boss score gained.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wall of Honor 160 required to promote?
No. It is a convenient shard-saving target for returning to five stars after promotion.
Does promoted Mason consume ordinary UR shards?
His promotion path continues using Mason-specific or universal SSR shards.
Are the refunded medals locked to Mason?
No. You can redistribute the returned Skill Medals according to the roster you now use.
Should Mason normally stand in front?
No. Start with a back-row attacker position. Moving him forward is a specialist monster-damage choice that requires sufficient survival.
