To create this effect, you have to understand Sort Distribution mode in Cavalry. In simple terms, this mode re-organises indexes of shapes from another distribution mode. For example, if you have a Grid Mode, indexes will from from Bottom Left corner. With Sort Mode, we can reverse it, flip it or sort it based on Target object and so on.

This is super useful, as you can create a Stacked effect easily. Second part of this effect is the use of a Matte. In this tutorial, I used Text + Background Shape. Background Shape responds to Text Size – changes in Scale, Font Size, Position and so on. By removing some of these connections, for example Position and Scale, we can animate the Text layer, without moving the background shape.

When you add these two elements together, you have an animation that is only visible within the Matte. This is replicated by Duplicator across all the copies, stacked behind each other. With some tweaking to spacing, position and design, you end up with fairly complex animation in no time at all.

Here are some examples I put together during research phase. Everything is controlled from 1 place – changing animation on main Text layer will “feed” through all the copies. In more complex setups, for example Hex one, I used 2 different Duplicators plus some math nodes.