TDS Reforged Gladiator Tower Guide
The rework is live—new War Cry at Level 2 supports nearby towers. Here is how to use it.
Gladiator is an exclusive melee ground tower in TDS: Reforged that could previously be obtained by triumphing The Heights during the SFOTH Event, or by paying 599 Robux. On 21 August 2026, Paradoxum Games shipped a full Gladiator rework with a refreshed visual design, rebalanced upgrade path, and an expanded War Cry that now buffs nearby towers—not just the Gladiator itself.
This page explains what changed, how the arc-swing mechanic works, and how to field Gladiator without starving your early board.
What the rework changed
The 21 Aug 2026 rework restyled Gladiator and rebalanced its five upgrade levels. The headline change is War Cry at Level 2 (previously Level 5 or unlock-gated). When activated, War Cry grants nearby towers a Firerate Buff, allowing the whole lane to deal significantly more damage during the buff window.
The sword-swing arc attack remains the core identity: Gladiator swings in a wide arc, piercing through multiple enemies at once. This makes Gladiator effective against clustered packs even without premium damage stats.
Role in the meta
Gladiator occupies a hybrid DPS + support niche after the rework. Unlike pure carries such as Enforcer or Golden Minigunner, Gladiator contributes both damage and a temporary team-wide attack speed boost. In co-op, one Gladiator can buff the entire squad’s fire rate during War Cry windows.
On the Overall Tier List and Hardcore Tier List, Gladiator is a B-to-A tier pick depending on whether your loadout already has a carry. If you need both damage and a support kick, Gladiator earns a slot over a second late carry.
Placement and targeting
Seat Gladiator where the arc covers the densest part of the path. Wide bends and chokepoints let the swing hit multiple enemies per animation cycle. Upgrade toward Level 2 as soon as affordable to unlock War Cry, then continue maxing for raw DPS.
In co-op, place Gladiator centrally so War Cry reaches the maximum number of allied towers. Pair with Slowing Towers to keep clustered enemies inside the arc longer.
Loadout pairing
- Early chip — Gladiator is not a wave-1 answer; keep a cheap defender in slot one
- Economy — fund Gladiator placement through Economy & Cash habits
- War Cry synergy — buffed towers deal more total damage than Gladiator alone during the window
- Late carry — pair with Enforcer or Golden Minigunner for the actual boss-killing DPS
War Cry usage
War Cry is a timed ability that activates a Firerate Buff on nearby towers. In solo play, it extends your burst window during dense enemy waves or boss spawns. In co-op, coordinate with teammates to align War Cry with the squad’s highest-DPS moment. The ability has a cooldown—do not waste it on empty lanes.
Comparison with official TDS
Gladiator in Reforged uses Vince Games’ balance decisions, which differ from official Paradoxum Tower Defense Simulator. Stats, costs, and War Cry behavior may not match TDS wiki pages. Always verify in the Vince Games lobby; see Vs Official TDS.
Related
- Towers Hub
- Engineer Showcase for other rework-day profiles
- Golden Towers if you are deciding between Gladiator and premium golds
- Co-op Guide for War Cry timing with teammates
After each Vince Games patch, run one standard map with Gladiator in the flex slot and log whether War Cry timing changed the leak wave. Change one slot per session.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the most common questions.
How do I get Gladiator in Reforged?
Gladiator was previously obtainable through the SFOTH Event or 599 Robux. Verify current availability in the Vince Games shop.
What does War Cry do after the rework?
War Cry activates at Level 2 and grants nearby towers a Firerate Buff, not just the Gladiator itself.
Is Gladiator a main carry?
Treat it as a hybrid DPS plus support. It deals good damage but the War Cry is the real differentiator.
Can co-op players share War Cry buffs?
Yes. War Cry affects nearby towers regardless of owner—place Gladiator centrally in co-op lanes.
Does Gladiator work in Hardcore?
Gladiator is viable in Hardcore as a flex or mid-DPS slot. Do not replace a proven late carry with it on your first retest.
How does Gladiator compare to Enforcer?
Enforcer has higher single-target burst. Gladiator provides area damage plus a temporary team-wide attack speed boost.