Starting a new game that has been around for years can feel intimidating, and RAID: Shadow Legends is no exception. By 2026, the game has grown into a large, system-heavy RPG with dozens of menus, modes, and mechanics that are not always obvious at first glance.
The important thing to understand right away is this: starting RAID in 2026 is not “too late.” The game actively supports new players, offers generous beginner rewards, and is built around long-term progression. With the right approach, a new account can catch up smoothly without spending money.
Tools like https://moduletd.com help organize all current starter offers in one place, making it easier to see which bonuses are available before you commit to an account. Having everything in one place often makes the early experience far less confusing, especially if you are starting with no prior knowledge of RAID. Using these tools ensures you can take full advantage of the game’s generous rewards right from the start.
Many players quit RAID within the first week — not because the game is difficult, but because they waste resources without realizing it. Early mistakes can slow your progress for months. This guide is designed to help you avoid those traps from day one.
Introduction: Starting RAID in 2026
RAID: Shadow Legends remains one of the most actively updated turn-based RPGs on mobile and PC. New champions, events, balance changes, and quality-of-life updates continue to roll out regularly.
For beginners, this means two things:
- The game is still fully supported
- New accounts receive more help than ever
RAID is no longer just about grinding blindly. Over time, the developers have added clearer onboarding systems, loyalty rewards, and starter bonuses that make the early game much more forgiving than it used to be. Starting in 2026 is absolutely viable, provided you understand how the early game is meant to be played.
The Smartest Way to Start RAID
One of the biggest advantages new players have today is access to starter bonuses. RAID offers many early rewards, but they are not always presented in one obvious place.
New players often encounter:
- Promo codes
- Referral links
- Limited-time starter offers
These are scattered across YouTube videos, gaming websites, and community posts. Searching manually can be frustrating, especially when some codes are expired or region-locked. Because of this, many players rely on promo tools that aggregate current offers in one place. Some generators allow new players, in just a few clicks, to:
- Generate a referral link
- Receive a working promo code
- Start the game with up to 3 champions
How this works in practice:
- 2 champions unlock immediately
- The 3rd champion unlocks at account level 25
Level 25 is reached naturally during early campaign play, so nothing special is required.
The benefit is simple. Instead of starting with a single hero and limited options, you begin with a small team that can handle different situations. This leads to faster progression and far less resource waste. It is not mandatory, but it is one of the most efficient ways to begin.
What New Players Should Focus on First
RAID throws a lot of content at you early, but not all of it matters right away.
Your early priorities should be:
- Progressing through the Campaign
- Levelling a small core group of champions
- Unlocking basic game systems gradually
A common mistake is trying to do everything at once. Dungeons, Arena, events, and side modes will still be there later. The Campaign is where new accounts should spend most of their time.
The Campaign Explained (Most Important Location)
For new players, the Campaign is the single most important part of RAID.
The Campaign serves three main purposes:
- Levelling up champions
- Farming basic artifacts
- Earning silver and experience efficiently
Early Campaign locations include:
- Kaerok Castle
- Sewers of Arnoc
- Catacombs of Narbuk
Your main early goal is to eventually reach Chapter 12-3 on Brutal difficulty.
Why Chapter 12-3 matters:
- It provides the best early-game XP per energy
- It is very efficient for silver farming
- It is ideal for levelling “fodder” champions
Many long-term RAID accounts still use 12-3 Brutal as a core farming stage.
Campaign Boss Tips (Short and Practical)
Early Campaign bosses can feel difficult if you rush damage without planning.
General advice that applies to most early bosses:
- Prioritize survivability over raw damage
- Use champions with healing or Lifesteal sets
- Avoid upgrading too many champions at once
Artifact Sets and Early Farming
Each Campaign chapter drops specific artifact sets. Understanding this early saves a lot of time.
Important early sets include:
- Chapter 6: Speed set
- Chapter 8: Lifesteal set
Speed is important because it determines how often your champions take turns. Lifesteal allows champions to heal themselves, which is crucial for surviving longer fights early on.
At the start:
- Do not chase perfect stats
- Focus on completing sets
- Replace gear gradually as you progress
Upgrading low-quality artifacts too early is a common mistake that drains silver quickly.
Resource Management: What to Do and What Not to Do
RAID is generous, but only if you manage resources carefully.
What you should do:
- Save shards early instead of summoning immediately
- Invest in a small, reliable core team
- Spend silver mainly on useful artifacts
What you should avoid:
- Upgrading too many champions at once
- Enhancing poor artifacts beyond early levels
- Spending gems impulsively
- Ignoring Campaign progression
This is where many new players slow themselves down. Fewer, stronger champions will always outperform a wide roster of weak ones.
Champion Progression Basics
Champions grow through levelling, ranking up, and ascension.
Key ideas to remember:
- Champions have level caps based on rank
- Ranking up is more important than levelling many heroes
- One strong campaign farmer is essential
A “campaign farmer” is a champion who can clear stages quickly and consistently. Building one early makes everything else easier.
Progression in RAID is about focus. One well-built champion does more for your account than five half-built ones.
Final Advice for New Players in 2026
RAID: Shadow Legends rewards patience, planning, and smart decisions.
If you remember one thing from this guide, let it be this: A good start reduces frustration dramatically. Use available beginner bonuses wisely. Take advantage of starter offers if they are available. Focus on the Campaign. Build a small, strong team instead of chasing everything at once.
RAID is not a race to the endgame. It is a long-term RPG, and players who approach it methodically enjoy it far more than those who rush and burn out.
