Beginner's Guide
Starting Your Journey
This guide will help you progress efficiently from beginner to advanced player.
Early Game Strategy (Levels 1-5)
During tutorial protection, focus on building resources:
First Steps: Use starting Scrap to craft basic weapon and armor at Forge Bay Mission Choice: Run Cinders repeatedly for safe, consistent rewards Equipment: Your gear won't degrade on successful missions during protection Resources: Build up Scrap reserves for later repairs and crafting Timing: Set alarms or reminders to claim missions on time
Your goal is to accumulate enough Scrap and EMBER to purchase better gear before protection ends at Level 6.
Mid Game Transition (Levels 6-10)
Once protection ends, gameplay becomes more challenging:
Repair Costs: Budget Scrap for regular equipment maintenance Health Management: Keep medkits available or visit Clinic regularly Mission Selection: Balance risk versus reward based on your power level PvP Preparation: Understand that combat encounters can now occur
This is the learning phase where resource management becomes critical.
Building Your Power Level
Power level determines your success in missions:
Damage Sources:
Primary weapon damage
Secondary weapon damage
Ammo consumables (bonus percentage)
Defense Sources:
Armor defense rating
Item level scaling
Item quality
Higher power level means:
Better PvP win rates
Higher survival chance
Access to harder missions
Equipment Priority
Invest your resources wisely:
Early Priority: Basic weapon and armor from Tier 1 crafting Mid Priority: Upgrade existing gear to level 2-3 Late Priority: Tier 2 and Tier 3 equipment with legendary upgrades
Avoid letting equipment durability reach 0. If it does, you can repair items from 0 durability, but repair costs may be higher.
Managing Currencies
Scrap (Common):
Earned from all missions
Used for crafting, repairs, and basic purchases
Primary resource - always keep a reserve
EMBER (Premium):
Earned from missions using network-share model
Your reward depends on the daily pool divided by active participants
Always guaranteed minimum of 25% of base reward
Used for premium items and special upgrades
Strategic timing (off-peak hours) can yield larger shares
Budget approximately 10% of mission rewards for repair costs.
Mission Timing Strategy
Optimize your mission schedule based on what's unlocked:
Cinders (All levels): 8 hour lock + 4 hour window = Deploy before sleep, claim when awake Ash Wastes (Level 10+): 6 hour lock + 3 hour window = Deploy during work/school Smolder Rift (Level 18+): 4 hour lock + 2 hour window = Only when you can actively monitor
Missing claim windows costs you 75% of rewards. Plan deployments carefully.
EMBER Timing Strategy
The network-share system rewards strategic timing:
Off-Peak Hours: Fewer active participants means larger EMBER shares per player Early Morning: Often the best time for maximum network share Weekday Midday: Lower player activity during work/school hours Weekend Evenings: Highest activity, expect smaller shares (but minimum guaranteed)
Even during peak times, you'll always receive at least 25% of your base reward.
Dealing with Death
If you die (health reaches 0):
Immediate: You cannot deploy new missions until revived
Required: Visit Clinic to revive
Cost: Revival currently costs EMBER (fixed amount), not Scrap or level-based
Equipment: All equipped items are set to 0 durability. You can repair them from 0 at the Forge Bay.
Prevention is cheaper than revival. Monitor health and repair before difficult missions.
PvP Survival Tips
When facing other players:
Know Your Power: Check stats before deploying Choose Timing: Deploy during less active hours for lower PvP encounter rates Accept Risk: Higher tier missions have higher PvP chances Learn Patterns: Track when other players are most active
PvP is unavoidable at higher tiers. Build power to improve win rates.
Leveling Efficiently
Maximize experience gain:
Consistency: Complete missions regularly without missing windows Higher Tiers: More XP per mission, but higher risk PvP Bonus: Victories grant 1.5x XP Avoid Death: Failed missions give 0 XP
Steady progression beats risky gambling.
Resource Conservation
Make your currencies last:
Repair Smart: Fix gear before it's critically low Upgrade Gradually: Don't rush to max level items Save EMBER: Premium items provide better long-term value Avoid Waste: Don't deploy if you might miss claim window
Efficiency leads to faster progression than aggressive high-risk strategies.
Advanced Preparation (Level 10+)
Prepare for endgame content:
Power Target: Aim for 15+ power before attempting Smolder Rift Backup Gear: Keep extra equipment in inventory Resource Buffer: Maintain 5000+ Scrap reserve Health Full: Always heal to 100 HP before difficult missions
Smolder Rift requires serious preparation and active time availability.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Deploying missions you can't claim on time
Letting equipment break instead of repairing
Attempting higher-tier missions before meeting level requirements
Rushing to Smolder Rift without adequate power (Level 18+ recommended)
Spending all Scrap without keeping reserves
Ignoring health damage accumulation
Deploying with low health or damaged gear
Learn from these patterns to progress smoothly.
Long-Term Goals
Focus on sustainable growth:
Week 1: Level to 6+, establish routine, build Scrap reserves Week 2: Level to 10, unlock Ash Wastes, upgrade to Tier 2 equipment Week 3: Attempt Ash Wastes regularly, build power level Month 1: Reach level 18, unlock Smolder Rift, prepare for endgame
Patience and consistency win over rushed progression.
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