# How to Play How Many Dudes (Simple Guide to Reach Wave 100+)
**How Many Dudes** may look like a silly auto-battler, but surviving past **Wave 100** requires real strategy. Beneath the cartoon chaos is a game about **unit synergy, scaling damage, and smart composition choices**.
This short guide explains the core mechanics, the best-known builds, and why most runs fail before reaching high waves.
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## Core Gameplay (Quick Recap)
- Enemies attack in endless **waves**
- You recruit differ... more# How to Play How Many Dudes (Simple Guide to Reach Wave 100+)
**How Many Dudes** may look like a silly auto-battler, but surviving past **Wave 100** requires real strategy. Beneath the cartoon chaos is a game about **unit synergy, scaling damage, and smart composition choices**.
This short guide explains the core mechanics, the best-known builds, and why most runs fail before reaching high waves.
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## Core Gameplay (Quick Recap)
- Enemies attack in endless **waves**
- You recruit different **Dudes**: damage dealers, tanks, healers, and summoners
- Between waves, you buy new units, revive fallen ones, and strengthen your team
- The run ends when all Dudes are knocked out
Early waves are forgiving. Late waves are not.
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## What Actually Wins Runs
Most failed runs die because of **poor scaling**.
To survive long-term, every team needs:
1. **Damage** – Clear enemies fast
2. **Aggro Control** – Someone must take the hits
3. **Sustain** – Healing or lifesteal for long fights
Miss one, and the run collapses.
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## Best Build Right Now (Wave 100–123+)
The most reliable high-wave setup is:
**Viking + NecroDude + Spartan + Cleric**
**Why it works:**
- **NecroDude** summons skeletons that absorb damage
- **Spartans** block massive hits
- **Vikings** provide strong DPS against tanky enemies
- **Clerics** keep the team alive with AOE healing
This build has reached **Wave 123**, the highest commonly reported wave in the demo.
