These items provide passive bonuses/unlocks for the entire match
Passive Buffs also apply to mind-controlled units
Valkaru Archeoalloys
Author rating:
Provides +1 Armor to all Units, per level (Max of 3 Armor)
Applies on top of existing Unit Armor
Armor does not apply to Shields
Each point of Armor reduces the damage inflicted on the unit by 1
Minimum damage for an attack is 1
An Attack of 50 gets reduced to 47; An attack of 2x4 gets reduced to 1
Armor reduces Spell Damage too
Does not buff Structures; Does buff Heroes and Harvesters
Makes a massive difference when facing T1 units
Buff applies to Mind-Controlled Units
Synergies
Aster
Aster's Infantry & Air units benefit greatly from +3 Armor
Strider-centered builds get significantly less utility from the item
Vynthra
Vynthra features excellent sustainability already and as such +3 Armor is not needed
However, it does permit more lee-way for keeping Infused units alive
Galavax
Very beneficial for Galavax's swarmy infantry units
Notable increase in durability for the Steelsworn and Thralls
Low utility for Galavax's Mechanical units
Turret HP does not seem to benefit from Armor
66% of the Dreadnought's HP comes from Shields
Terror Tank Shields do not benefit from Armor
Mercs
Valkaru Archeoalloys is an useful addition to most Merc Factions
The namesake Valkaru Faction benefits greatly from the item, further increasing their durability
Generally, more swarmy factions, like the Endari and Free Corsairs benefit more from the item
Tanky units, like Valkaru Hounds, Cha'Kru Clakjaws and Corsair Rovers & Flamers, also benefit greatly from the added Armor
Marrans feature 50%+ of their HP pool as Shields, which do not benefit from Armor
Additionally, both Marran and Arandi offer back-line units which should not necessitate +3 Armor
Cha'Kru Stars is greatly empowered by +3 Armor, with Clakjaws becoming almost immune to T1 units