A Guide to Getting Three Stars on Every Kingdom Rush Origins Level: Gray Ravens (Level One)

The new Kingdom Rush for iPad is a lot of fun and comes with a new set of challenges. The key to defeating the final level is making sure you get as many stars on the way there. Here's a comprehensive guide to getting the most stars as you play.

Always begin a new game on the "Casual" setting. You don't get extra stars for playing on the "Normal" or "Veteran" settings. Those should be saved for later when you want an extra challenge.

Because you cannot upgrade towers at this stage in the game, where you place your towers matters a lot. You have limited money to work with also. Place an archer tower (Hunter Arbor) closest to where you're enemies will be arriving from. Don't make the mistake of putting your barracks in one of these spots. They do minimal damage and you want to be able to place them near other towers. Put a mage and barracks tower across from each other where the paths meet. Refer to the picture below for exact placement. Before you call the first wave, this is all you'll be able to afford.

When your reinforcements are unlocked, use them often. As soon as they refresh, place new reinforcements.

One you have enough money, the next tower you add is the druid (Stone Circle) at the intersection near where you already have a mage tower and barracks.

Once the money starts coming in, you need to build additional towers because the waves will become larger as they go. You need to place one barracks tower near the end of the path but not at the very end. Fill the rest of the spots with your favorite towers.

At some point, your lightning spell will unlock. Just as you should be doing with you reinforcements, you should be using your lightning often. It's a huge help.

Also, you should be getting to point where the game's first hero, Eridan is introduced. He comes with his own special power that you should be using often as well. He sprays arrows at several enemies depending on where you aim them. It's always best to move your hero to a spot on the path where he'll see a lot of action. Don't keep him at the end. To move him, either tap him directly and tap the spot on the path you'd like him to go to, or tap his icon at the top left of the screen and then tap where you'd like to go on the path.

You should see the victory screen with three stars when you beat the level. It will also tell you how many gems you've collected. Another benefit the beating the level with three stars is that you'll get more gems that can be used to buy items at the shop. Save them up, because you'll need them later on! If you don't beat the level with three stars, go back and try again even though you can advance to the next level with only one or two stars.

Your stars earned in each level give you access to upgrades and you use them. I find it's best to start upgrading your lightning power first, since the upgrades for it are really useful.

You can go on to the next level, but it's worth noting the challenges that open up after you beat a level with three stars. Each level has a Heroic and an Iron challenge where you have only one life and there are certain limitations. You get a star for beating each challenge, so if you do the challenges before moving onto the next level, you can get two additional stars!

For tips on completing the Heroic Challenge for this level, see this article: Tips for Beating Kingdom Rush Origins Grays Ravens Level on the Heroic Challenge

For tips on completing the Iron Challenge for this level, see this article: Defeating the Iron Challenge for Kingdom Rush Origins: Gray Ravens (Level 1)

For tips on the next level, High Cross, see my next article: Getting Three Stars in Kingdom Rush Origins: High Cross (Level Two)