A good support creates damage the result screen may credit to someone else. Salmon Sorcerer slows and staggers enemies, String Demon locks them in Cocoons, Shadow buffs Magical units, and Puppet amplifies team damage. Accessible Legendaries cover the same jobs until those high-rarity options arrive. Compare these roles with the full unit tier list, then use the team templates and placement guide to decide whether support or another attacker fixes the stage.
Support lookup
Best control support
Salmon Sorcerer (Grade 1) is the cleanest general control pick. Its Slow gives every carry more attack time, and Plummet can Stagger enemies for two seconds. String Demon (Awakened) offers stronger event-driven stall through Cocoon of Carnage, while its String Sync adds a follow-up from a nearby unit.
Ice Queen is the accessible Freeze option. Ice Mage can Slow early waves but becomes easier to replace after Salmon Sorcerer arrives.
Best damage support
Puppet (Telekinetic) is a high-value hybrid because it contributes its own damage while amplifying the team. Shadow (Divine) does the same for a Magical composition through its domain. The Hero and Forbidden Teacher cost a lower-rarity slot but remain efficient when their aura covers several matching carries.
Always check the damage tag. A sword animation is not proof of Physical damage, and a spell animation is not proof that a unit receives a Magical buff.
Best defensive support
Water Princess grants a shield to the nearest unit and regenerates it after 15 seconds. Launch coverage also describes the unit as protection against debuffs, but the exact relationship between the shield and debuff protection should be read from the current tooltip before promising a cleanse.
Support trait stops
Primordial is the broad high-end support roll because lower SPA and more range create additional control and coverage. Optics is worth keeping only when the extra range captures another carry or changes a trigger point. Do not chase Unbound on a low-damage support merely because it is the rarest trait.
For gear decisions, use the best equipment by unit as a matchup guide and the equipment index for documented effects and reroll rules. Range is valuable only when it changes real coverage.
Quick answers
Should every team run a support?
Run one when it increases the total team result more than another attacker. Buffing three developed carries or stopping a fatal rush usually clears that test.
Can Shadow and Forbidden Teacher stack?
Both support Magical teams, but stacking rules must be checked in the live buff display. Do not assume two named buffs add fully until the unit panel confirms it.