They Are Billions Calliope Build -
Why the Fan? Because the railgun shot pierces in a line. By forcing them to shoot at slightly different angles (Left-Center-Right), you create a "shotgun blast" of piercing rails. When a wave of 200 runners hits the wall, a single volley from 6 Calliopes will kill 30-40 infected instantly.
A sample build for the Calliope could include:
By following these tips and strategies, you can create an effective Calliope build that will help you defend against hordes of enemies in They Are Billions.
In the They Are Billions campaign, Calliope is a high-speed, agile hero who excels at kiting and tactical speed-clearing. To maximize her potential, a "Glass Cannon" build focusing on Range and Damage is widely considered the most effective for surviving late-game threats like Harpies. Core Build Strategy: The Kiting Specialist
Calliope's primary strength is her mobility, which allows her to outrun almost any enemy. Your goal is to kill high-threat targets before they ever reach her.
Priority 1: Attack Range & View RangeIncreasing her range is critical for engaging Harpies and Spitters from a safe distance. At a high enough level, Calliope can kill Harpies before they trigger their sprint if you aggro them from max range.
Priority 2: Attack DamageYou need enough damage to "one-shot" runners and "four-shot" Harpies. Aim for perks like Aim IV (+50% Attack Damage) to ensure she clears rooms efficiently without getting overwhelmed.
Priority 3: Attack & Reload SpeedWhile kiting, attack speed allows her to fire more shots while moving. Her base attack speed is already high (5.0), and perks can push this significantly higher.
Defensive Utility: Health over ArmorIf you must choose a defensive path to progress the skill tree, prioritize Life/Strength (+30% or +50% Life) over Armor. Math-wise, increased HP is more effective than Armor perks for surviving accidental hits. Key Perks to Target Perk Name Importance Improved Vision III +1 View Range, +1 Attack Range Essential for elite enemies. Aim IV +50% Attack Damage Essential for clearing power. Quick Reflexes II +40% Loading Weapon Speed High value for faster firing cycles. Speed I +20% Movement Speed Useful for kiting, though her base speed is already decent. Operational Tips
They Are Billions is the "speed" hero, acting as a high-mobility, fast-attacking glass cannon
. Unlike her counterpart Caelus, who relies on slow, heavy area-of-effect (AoE) blasts, Calliope excels at and speed-running tactical missions. The "Kiting & Precision" Build
To maximize Calliope's potential and mitigate her low base damage, players generally prioritize reaching specific breakpoints to handle dangerous special infected like Harpies and Spitters. Priority 1: Range & Damage
Essential for survival. You must invest in damage upgrades to ensure she can two-shot Runners and deal with Harpies before they reach her.
Maxing range allows you to aggro enemies from a safer distance (ideally 6+ cells), which is critical because she cannot tank hits. Priority 2: Movement Speed
Her greatest asset. High speed allows her to "dance" around hordes, pulling small groups away to thin them out without taking damage. Priority 3: Survivability (Minimal Investment) Most veterans suggest at least 1 point into Armor and HP
. This prevents her from being instantly killed by a single mistake against a Harpy or Spitter. Debated: Attack Speed & Noise Reduction
While attack speed seems logical, some players find its impact negligible compared to raw damage for "one-shotting" smaller threats.
Noise reduction can be useful but is often bypassed in favor of pure combat stats; high-level players often prefer to pull and kite rather than sneak. Performance Review High Mobility:
Can speed-run tactical missions and save significant real-world time. Low Damage: Struggles against massive hordes without heavy kiting. Excellent Kiting:
Can clear entire maps without taking damage if played perfectly. High Micro-Management:
Requires constant input and attention; one mistake is often fatal. Grenade Utility:
Her grenades provide the necessary AoE to clear "clumped" situations that her dual pistols cannot handle. Weak vs. Bosses/Special Infected:
Lacks the raw "stopping power" of Caelus to stun or one-shot executives easily without late-game perks. Final Verdict:
Calliope is widely considered the "pro" choice for players who enjoy high-intensity micro-management. While she feels "weaker" early on due to low damage, her ability to outrun almost anything makes her the more efficient hero for repeat playthroughs. Do you need a specific mission-by-mission strategy for Calliope, or are you looking for the best Colony Tech Tree to support her?
Is calliope just superior :: They Are Billions General Discussions
They Are Billions is the agile, "hit-and-run" hero choice for the campaign's tactical missions. Unlike her counterpart Caelus, who functions as a slow, tanky AOE powerhouse, Calliope relies on movement speed rapid fire to kite enemies. Calliope "Glass Cannon" Build Guide
To maximize her effectiveness, you should prioritize damage and utility over survivability, as her kiting ability means she should rarely take hits. Primary Focus: Damage & Fire Rate Damage Nodes:
Vital for reducing the number of shots required for high-threat targets like Harpies and Venoms. A common goal is reaching damage to 4-shot Harpies. Attack/Load Speed: Investing in at least
load speed significantly reduces the need for manual animation cancelling, making her much smoother to play. Secondary Focus: Range & Speed Increasing her range to around
allows her to engage and retreat before fast enemies can close the gap. Movement Speed:
While she is already fast, extra speed ensures she can outpace even the quickest infected. Utility & Defense Health over Armor:
If you must take defensive perks to reach further damage nodes,
is mathematically superior to Armor in almost all cases for her limited perk slots. they are billions calliope build
These are essential for clearing rooms packed with low-level infected or handling sudden rushes. Review: Tactical Hero Missions
The community consensus on Calliope and the tactical mission system is polarizing. Dynamic Gameplay:
Her high speed makes kiting feel rewarding and skill-based compared to the slower, stationary defense of traditional RTS missions. Resource Gains:
These missions are the primary way to secure massive amounts of Research Points Empire Points , which are critical for colony tech progression. Pacing Issues:
Many players find the tactical missions slow and repetitive compared to the core base-building gameplay. Difficulty Spikes:
On higher difficulties (like 200%+), a single mistake can lead to Calliope being "2-shot" by Harpies, forcing a mission restart. Visual Fatigue:
Some players report that hunting for tiny, pixel-sized collectibles (like documents) for research points can become tedious. Are you stuck on a specific mission
(like The Foundry or The Last Bunker), or do you want advice on which colony technologies to research next?
They Are Billions is the agile, high-speed hero optimized for kiting and rapid map clearing. Unlike the slow, heavy-hitting Caelus, Calliope relies on "glass cannon" builds that prioritize killing dangerous enemies like Harpies before they can close the distance. Core Build Strategy The most effective Calliope build focuses on Damage, Range, and Attack Speed to maximize her kiting potential. Steam Community Primary Focus (Offense): Attack Damage (Aim):
Essential for reducing the number of shots required to kill high-tier zombies. Attack Range (Improved Vision):
Crucial for engaging Harpies and Spitters safely. A range of 6.5+ cells is recommended to aggro Harpies at their maximum range. Attack Speed (Dexterity):
Significantly increases her overall DPS, allowing for faster room clearing during tactical missions. Secondary Focus (Utility): Movement Speed:
While she is naturally fast, adding a small amount of speed can make kiting easier. Reload Speed (Quick Reflexes):
Often considered lower priority than raw attack speed, though some players find a 40% boost helpful for reducing retargeting animations. Steam Community Key Upgrades Table Calliope's upgrade tree provides tiered bonuses: They Are Billions Wiki Attack Damage Aim I (+30%) Aim II (+30%) Aim III (+40%) Aim IV (+50%) Attack Range Vision I (+1) Vision II (+1) Vision III (+1) Attack Speed Dexterity I (+20%) Dexterity II (+20%) Dexterity III (+25%) Survivability Strength I (Life +30%) Protection I (Armor +15%) Strength IV (Life +50%) Tactical Mission Tips Harpie Counters:
for Harpie groups; they do not cause friendly fire to the hero. Animation Canceling:
To increase fire rate, manually target a new zombie immediately after a shot fires to skip the remainder of the reload animation.
perks reduce attack noise, which can prevent accidental "swarming" in dense areas. Survivability: Between Life and Armor upgrades,
is generally more impactful for Calliope due to her limited total perk points. Steam Community for Calliope's technical upgrades?
The sky over the colony of New Hope wasn’t blue; it was the color of rusted iron, choked by the eternal smog of the Great Infection. High atop the western ramparts, Calliope checked the tension on her composite bow. She wasn’t like the hulking Soldiers or the soot-covered Snipers. She was a shadow given form, the ultimate expression of the Empire's "Quiet Death" initiative.
"The swarm is four miles out," a scout radioed, his voice trembling. "It’s a Tier 4. Harpies included."
Calliope didn’t blink. She looked down at the Shock Towers humming below her. The Mayor had spent weeks pouring every ounce of gold and wood into her specific training—the Calliope Build. It was a gamble. Instead of a massive wall of fire and lead, the colony relied on her inhuman speed and a specialized grid of Tesla Towers designed to funnel the dead into a narrow "kill box."
As the first wave of runners emerged from the fog, Calliope leaped. She didn't stay on the walls. Using her Agility Perk, she vaulted over the spiked barricades, landing silently in the dirt.
To the untrained eye, she was a blur. She moved in a rhythmic dance, her arrows finding eyes and throats with surgical precision. She wasn't just killing; she was kiting. With every shot, she drew thousands of infected away from the fragile wooden gates and toward the electrified "death corridor."
The Harpies screeched, diving from the clouds. Calliope performed a mid-air twist, releasing three arrows in a single heartbeat. The winged horrors tumbled, pinned to the earth. But the sheer volume of the horde was stifling. The ground shook as a Giant crested the hill, its rotting flesh pulsating. "Now!" Calliope signaled.
The colony's Lucifers opened their fuel valves, but not to spray the front. They created a ring of fire behind Calliope, sealing her in with the horde. It looked like a suicide mission, but it was the final piece of the strategy.
Trapped between the fire and the dead, Calliope’s Veteran Status kicked in. Her attack speed doubled. She became a whirlwind of obsidian glass and carbon fiber. As the Giant lunged, she slid between its massive, decaying legs, planting a high-explosive canister—a gift from the Engineering Center—into its heel.
A deafening roar preceded the explosion. As the Giant fell, it crushed hundreds of lesser undead, creating a temporary ramp. Calliope sprinted up the monster’s back and vaulted back onto the colony walls just as the Shock Towers unleashed a localized storm of blue lightning, vaporizing the remaining thousands.
Silence returned to New Hope, save for the crackle of burning ozone. Calliope wiped a smudge of black blood from her cheek and sheathed her bow. She had held the line. They were billions, but tonight, she was the only one that mattered.
Mastery Guide: The Ultimate Calliope Build for They Are Billions is one of two heroes available in the They Are Billions
"New Empire" campaign. Known for her rapid-fire pistols, "The Devil’s Sisters," she excels in mobility and kiting
, making her a preferred choice for players who value speed and micro-management over raw tanking. Core Attributes & Role
Unlike the heavy-hitting Caelus, Calliope is built for speed. Her base stats feature lower health and short-range attacks, but her high movement speed allows her to outrun almost any enemy except Harpies. The Optimal Build Path (Perks) Why the Fan
Calliope’s upgrade tree branches out from four central perks. To make her viable at higher difficulties (like 500% or 800%), you must prioritize damage and range to counter her natural weaknesses. 1. Essential Offensive Upgrades Attack Range (Improved Vision I & II):
This is your top priority. Calliope’s base range is short, often pulling her into dangerous territory. Increasing range allows you to "aggro" enemies from afar and start kiting earlier. Attack Damage (Aim I-IV):
Essential for reducing the number of shots required per kill. For example, without damage upgrades, runners can take 4 shots to kill, which is lethal in swarms. Attack Speed (Dexterity I-III):
This synergizes with her rapid-fire pistols, allowing her to "mow down" runners more efficiently. 2. Survivability: The "Harpy" Threshold
Harpies are the primary threat to Calliope, as they can close the gap faster than she can run. They Are Billions Campaign Guide 500% - Steam Community
They Are Billions , is the "fast and agile" hero choice for tactical missions, serving as a high-speed alternative to the heavy-hitting but slow Caelus. Calliope Build Review & Key Stats
Calliope excels at kiting—the practice of moving and firing to stay out of reach of enemies—which makes her superior for clearing large, open areas where movement is critical.
Weaponry: She uses "The Devil’s Sisters," dual pistols that have a high fire rate and fast reload but suffer from low base damage and short range.
Pros: Her high movement speed allows her to outrun almost anything on the map and complete tedious search-and-find objectives faster.
Cons: She is extremely fragile. Without the right upgrades, she can be two-shotted by Harpies in later hero missions. Recommended Optimal Build Strategy
Reviewers from the Steam Community and Reddit generally agree that a "Glass Cannon" damage and range build is the most effective.
Calliope's They Are Billions campaign build prioritizes damage, attack speed, and range upgrades to transform her into a high-DPS "machine gun" capable of effective kiting. The strategy focuses on achieving damage thresholds to kill Harpies in four shots, leveraging high mobility to navigate tactical missions, and utilizing grenades for crowd control. For a detailed breakdown of Calliope's build, visit the They Are Billions Wiki Steam Community
Is calliope just superior :: They Are Billions General Discussions
In the They Are Billions campaign, Calliope serves as the high-speed, high-micro alternative to the tanky Caelus. While her base damage is low, a specialized build focuses on overcoming her weaknesses—specifically her short range and low health—to transform her into an elite kiting machine capable of soloing tactical missions. Calliope Core Build Strategy
Since Calliope only gains 9 perk points across the entire campaign, every selection must be deliberate. The most effective build focuses on Damage, Range, and Attack Speed to ensure she can eliminate high-threat targets like Harpies before they close the distance. Recommended Perk Priority
Damage (Aim Perks): Prioritize +30%, +40%, and +50% damage upgrades. This is critical for hitting damage "breakpoints." For instance, reaching 33 damage allows her to kill Harpies in exactly 4 shots rather than 5 or 6.
Range (Improved Vision): Investing in Improved Vision III provides +1 Attack Range. For Calliope, this extra tile is often the difference between a successful kite and taking a lethal hit from a Harpy.
Attack & Reload Speed (Dexterity/Quick Reflexes): Calliope already has high speed, but Quick Reflexes II (+40% Loading Speed) is highly recommended. At high loading speeds, Calliope no longer needs heavy manual animation canceling, making her much smoother to control during intense hordes.
Survivability (Strength/Protection): Only invest here if you find yourself struggling with mistakes. Strength II (+30% Life) is generally more efficient than armor perks for surviving the occasional Harpy strike. Tactical Gameplay & Kiting
Calliope’s primary strength is her movement speed, which allows her to "run and gun".
Calliope is the high-agility, rapid-fire hero in the They Are Billions campaign. Unlike her counterpart Caelus, she relies on kiting, high attack speed, and movement to survive tactical missions. A successful Calliope build focuses on overcoming her natural weaknesses—low damage and short range—to ensure she can handle elite threats like Harpies and Spitters. Core Stats & Playstyle Weapon: "The Devil’s Sisters" (dual pistols).
Strengths: Exceptional movement speed and the highest base attack speed in the game.
Weaknesses: Low health, low base damage per shot, and shorter range than Caelus.
Primary Tactic: Kiting. Calliope can clear maps without taking damage by moving between shots, though this requires high player input. Recommended Skill Build Priority
Because you only earn a limited number of hero points (one per scouting mission), you must prioritize stats that prevent enemies from ever reaching you. 1. Damage (The "Harpy Threshold")
Damage is Calliope’s most critical upgrade. Harpies are her greatest threat because they can outrun her and kill her quickly.
The Goal: Invest in at least three damage perks (+30%, +40%, and +50%) to reach approximately 33 damage per shot.
Why: This allows her to kill a Harpy in exactly four shots. Without these, she requires far more hits, increasing the chance of being jumped. 2. Attack Range
Calliope's base range is short, forcing her to get dangerously close to hordes. Priority: Grab at least one +1 Range perk early.
Why: Increased range allows her to engage Harpies and Executives from a safer distance, providing more time to transition into kiting. 3. Attack Speed & Reload Speed
Calliope already fires fast, but further boosts make her a "glass cannon" that can melt groups before they close in. They Are Billions Campaign Guide 500% - Steam Community
They Are Billions " campaign, is the agile, glass-cannon hero choice who excels at kiting and rapid-fire clearing, though she requires more active management than Caelus to survive high-difficulty missions. Calliope Build Strategies By following these tips and strategies, you can
Building Calliope effectively hinges on whether you prefer to "run and gun" or if you want to stand your ground against tougher enemies like Harpies.
Building Calliope in They Are Billions: A Comprehensive Guide
In the popular real-time strategy game They Are Billions, Calliope is a crucial defensive structure that can make or break your colony's survival. As one of the most powerful artillery units in the game, Calliope provides unparalleled protection against the hordes of infected humans and other threats that seek to destroy your settlement. In this guide, we'll walk you through the process of building Calliope and provide you with valuable tips and strategies to maximize its effectiveness.
Prerequisites for Building Calliope
Before you can start building Calliope, you need to meet certain prerequisites. Firstly, you need to have a sufficient amount of resources, including gold, steel, and oil. The exact resource costs may vary depending on the game's balance and your current level of technology.
Secondly, you need to have a Workshop, which is a fundamental building that allows you to research and construct more advanced structures and units. Make sure you have a steady supply of raw materials and a skilled workforce to construct and maintain your buildings.
Lastly, you need to research the Calliope technology in the Research Tree. This will unlock the blueprint for building Calliope and allow you to start constructing it.
Building Calliope
Once you've met the prerequisites, you can start building Calliope. To do this, follow these steps:
Optimizing Calliope's Placement
The placement of Calliope is critical to its effectiveness. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
Upgrading and Maintaining Calliope
Once you've built Calliope, it's essential to upgrade and maintain it regularly. Here are some tips:
Tips and Strategies
Here are some additional tips and strategies to get the most out of Calliope:
By following these tips and strategies, you can build and maintain an effective Calliope defense that will protect your colony from even the most formidable threats. Happy building!
In the They Are Billions campaign, is the "glass cannon" hero choice—characterized by her high speed and rapid-fire dual pistols, "The Devil’s Sisters," but balanced by low health and short range. Calliope Build Strategy
To optimize Calliope, veterans from the Steam Community and Reddit recommend a build focused on extreme offense to kill threats before they reach her.
Primary Priority: Damage & Range: Since she is squishy, increasing her damage and range allows her to "one-shot" faster enemies and pick off specials like Harpies and Spitters from a safer distance.
Attack Speed: Scaling her attack speed turns her into a bullet hose. For example, three speed perks can nearly triple her fire rate compared to her base stats. Utility & Survival:
Movement Speed: Essential for "kiting" (hitting and running) larger groups or faster zombies.
Health/Armor: Generally considered secondary. If forced to choose, Life/Health is mathematically more efficient than Armor for her limited pool.
Animation Cancelling: Experienced players often use manual "animation cancelling" to increase her effective fire rate, though high-tier speed perks eventually make this less necessary. Lore and Story Role
Background: Calliope is a top agent for the New Empire, working alongside her counterpart Caelus.
Objective: Her primary narrative role is as a scout and recovery specialist. She is tasked with entering derelict bunkers and abandoned fortresses—like the Last Bunker—to retrieve ancient artifacts and lost technologies needed to rebuild humanity.
Playstyle Narrative: Unlike the base-building RTS missions, Calliope's tactical missions are solo stealth-action crawls where she must scavenge for grenades, medkits, and Empire/Research points while avoiding being swarmed. Campaign Mission Dynamics
They Are Billions Calliope Build Guide
The Calliope is a crucial defensive structure in They Are Billions, a steampunk-themed real-time strategy game. This guide will walk you through a practical build strategy for the Calliope, providing you with tips to maximize its effectiveness.
Calliope is a trainable hero unit unlocked via the Engineering Center in the campaign tech tree.
The "Calliope build" refers to a strategy where you rush Calliope as early as possible and use her to carry the early-to-mid game, replacing traditional mass Rangers or Soldiers.
❌ Cannot shoot air – A single harpy or spitter will kill her if unprotected.
❌ Slow fire rate – Gets overwhelmed by massive swarm if not microed.
❌ Expensive tech path – Delays stone workshops and shocking towers.
❌ Oil dependency – If you lose your oil platform, she becomes useless.
Preparing for the Final Wave. The Final Wave on Calliope usually hits from one massive direction or splits between the two main access points.
Calliope has distinct "necks" where the land bridges narrow.
A Thanatos costs 4 Stone. A Calliope costs 5 Stone. The difference is upkeep. Calliopes cost less gold per tick. If you are struggling with stone, research Excavation (Stone Quarry output) before you start mass-producing them.
