Every unit in Anime Expeditions deals one Archetype damage type: Physical, Magical, or Psychic. Archetypes decide which support auras actually stack and which stage modifiers can raise or cut that damage. Psychic is the neutral outlier, so it skips Physical and Magical stage punches but also has no dedicated buffer waiting in the lobby.
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Archetypes
Archetypes
Physical, Magical, and Psychic sit together so you can compare aura access against stage risk. Physical stacks with The Hero, Magical with Forbidden Teacher, and Psychic stays neutral on typed stage debuffs with no dedicated buffer. Pair Archetypes with Elements on each unit; they are not the same system.
Physical
Physical damage type that stacks with The Hero's aura, but can be weakened by Physical stage debuffs.
- Support
- The Hero
- Stage interaction
- Stage modifiers can boost or cut Physical damage. Check the stage before locking a Physical-heavy board.
- Strength
- Gains damage from Physical support auras and performs well on Physical-friendly stages.
- Weakness
- Loses output on stages that debuff Physical damage.
- When to use
- Build around Physical carries when you can place The Hero and the stage does not punish Physical damage.
- Example units
- The Hero, Scissor, 8th Sword (Berserk), Cursed Student (True Love), Hollow (Blaze), Razorjaw (Hunter)
- Description
- Units with this Archetype deal Physical Archetype damage.
Magical
Magical damage type that stacks with Forbidden Teacher's aura, but can be weakened by Magical stage debuffs.
- Support
- Forbidden Teacher
- Stage interaction
- Stage modifiers can boost or cut Magical damage. Avoid Magical stacks on stages that specifically weaken Magical units.
- Strength
- Gains damage from Magical support auras and thrives on Magical-friendly stages.
- Weakness
- Loses output on stages that debuff Magical damage.
- When to use
- Stack Magical carries with Forbidden Teacher when you want aura-amplified spell and AoE damage.
- Example units
- Forbidden Teacher, Shadow (Divine), Crimson (Brother), Flame Emperor (Reincarnate), Crow (Black Fire), Elf Mage (Unleashed)
- Description
- Units with this Archetype deal Magical Archetype damage.
Psychic
Neutral Psychic damage type that ignores Physical/Magical stage debuffs but has no dedicated damage buffer.
- Support
- -
- Stage interaction
- Psychic stays undebuffed by stage modifiers aimed at Physical or Magical damage, so output stays steadier across stages.
- Strength
- Never takes Physical or Magical stage debuffs, so it stays consistent when those modifiers appear.
- Weakness
- Has no dedicated support unit that raises Psychic damage.
- When to use
- Bring Psychic units for control and consistency when stages punish Physical or Magical boards.
- Example units
- Toy Maker, Puppet, Puppet (Telekinetic)
- Description
- Units with this Archetype deal Psychic Archetype damage. Psychic is the neutral Archetype.
| Image | Name | Description | Support | Stage interaction | Strength | Weakness | When to use | Example units | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Physical | Physical damage type that stacks with The Hero's aura, but can be weakened by Physical stage debuffs. | The Hero | Stage modifiers can boost or cut Physical damage. Check the stage before locking a Physical-heavy board. | Gains damage from Physical support auras and performs well on Physical-friendly stages. | Loses output on stages that debuff Physical damage. | Build around Physical carries when you can place The Hero and the stage does not punish Physical damage. | The Hero, Scissor, 8th Sword (Berserk), Cursed Student (True Love), Hollow (Blaze), Razorjaw (Hunter) | Units with this Archetype deal Physical Archetype damage. | |
| Magical | Magical damage type that stacks with Forbidden Teacher's aura, but can be weakened by Magical stage debuffs. | Forbidden Teacher | Stage modifiers can boost or cut Magical damage. Avoid Magical stacks on stages that specifically weaken Magical units. | Gains damage from Magical support auras and thrives on Magical-friendly stages. | Loses output on stages that debuff Magical damage. | Stack Magical carries with Forbidden Teacher when you want aura-amplified spell and AoE damage. | Forbidden Teacher, Shadow (Divine), Crimson (Brother), Flame Emperor (Reincarnate), Crow (Black Fire), Elf Mage (Unleashed) | Units with this Archetype deal Magical Archetype damage. | |
| Psychic | Neutral Psychic damage type that ignores Physical/Magical stage debuffs but has no dedicated damage buffer. | - | Psychic stays undebuffed by stage modifiers aimed at Physical or Magical damage, so output stays steadier across stages. | Never takes Physical or Magical stage debuffs, so it stays consistent when those modifiers appear. | Has no dedicated support unit that raises Psychic damage. | Bring Psychic units for control and consistency when stages punish Physical or Magical boards. | Toy Maker, Puppet, Puppet (Telekinetic) | Units with this Archetype deal Psychic Archetype damage. Psychic is the neutral Archetype. |
Archetype sits next to Element on the unit card. Element handles typed combat like Flame or Hydro. Archetype is the Physical / Magical / Psychic lane that support auras and many stage modifiers care about. Build with both, or you end up with the right Element and the wrong aura plan.
How buffs and stages work
Physical and Magical can ride friendly stage modifiers and matching support auras. The Hero pushes Physical. Forbidden Teacher pushes Magical. The same stages that boost those types can also weaken them, so check Stage Effects before you lock a mono-Physical or mono-Magical board.
Psychic never takes stage debuffs aimed at Physical or Magical damage. That steadiness is the whole pitch. The trade is real: there is no dedicated Psychic damage aura, so you lean on the kit itself when you want Psychic on the field.
There is no single best Archetype. The right pick is the one that matches the stage and the supports you can actually place.
When to lean each way
| Situation | Lean on |
|---|---|
| You can place The Hero and the stage is not anti-Physical | Physical carries |
| You can place Forbidden Teacher and want Magical aura stacks | Magical carries |
| Stage modifiers punish Physical or Magical | Psychic for steadier output |
| You need control kits that ignore those typed stage hits | Psychic (for example Toy Maker or Puppet forms) |
Example units on each card are short samples only. For the full roster filtered by damage type, use the Anime Expeditions units page.
Easy mistakes
- Stacking Physical without The Hero, or Magical without Forbidden Teacher, then wondering why the aura plan never shows up.
- Ignoring Stage Effects and walking a Physical- or Magical-heavy board into a typed debuff.
- Treating Psychic as a free win: it dodges those stage hits, but it will not get a dedicated damage buffer.
- Mixing up Archetype with Element: same unit can be Hydro Magical or Hydro Physical, and those jobs are not interchangeable.
FAQ
How many Archetypes does each unit have?
One. Every unit deals Physical, Magical, or Psychic Archetype damage. The kit does not swap Archetypes mid-fight.
What is the difference between Archetypes and Elements?
Element is the typed combat identity (Flame, Hydro, Farm, and the rest). Archetype is Physical, Magical, or Psychic damage. Each unit has both, and support auras plus many stage modifiers key off Archetype, not Element.
Which supports buff Physical and Magical?
The Hero buffs Physical. Forbidden Teacher buffs Magical. Psychic has no designated damage buffer.
Do stage modifiers affect Psychic?
Psychic stays undebuffed by stage modifiers aimed at Physical or Magical damage, so output stays steadier on those stages. It still does not get a dedicated Psychic aura.
Is there a best Archetype?
No. Pick Physical when The Hero and the stage line up, Magical when Forbidden Teacher and Magical-friendly stages line up, and Psychic when you want consistency against Physical or Magical stage punishment.
Where do I find every unit of each Archetype?
Use the Anime Expeditions units page and filter by damage type. Example units on each Archetype are short samples only; the full roster lives on the units system, not as a dump under Archetypes.
