Enhancing your Nest upgrades in Empire of the Ants is vital for safeguarding your colony and amplifying its influence across various environments. This guide will detail all the Nest upgrades available in the game along with their benefits.
Comprehensive Overview of Nest Upgrades in Empire of the Ants
Below is a categorized breakdown of all Nest upgrades you can unlock in Empire of the Ants, arranged by tier and specific advantages they offer to your colony and ant armies.
Top Defense Upgrades
When considering Defense upgrades, prioritize based on your mission objectives and the geographical positioning of your nests relative to enemy territories.
If a nest is situated further from conflict zones, particularly if it isn’t your Headquarters, immediate defenses may not be necessary. Instead, you can allocate those resources towards upgrading other nests that are more vulnerable. It’s worth noting that fortifying each nest will progressively increase construction costs, so plan accordingly.
The initial focus should be on upgrading to a Wood Barrier and Nest Gunners. These upgrades will provide essential time to defend against intruders until your forces can counter. If your resources allow, further enhancements such as Slime Reserves and Veteran Nest Gunners are also highly effective.
| Upgrade | Tier | Cost | Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood Barrier | I | 60 x Wood | Establishes a defensive barrier that must be breached before any damage is inflicted (Cost increases by 30 Wood for each additional one built). |
| Nest Gunners | I | 40 x Wood | Deploys gunner ants to function as acid turrets for nest defense. |
| Acid Gland Evolution | II | 20 x Wood | Extends the firing range of the nest’s gunners by 25%. |
| Veteran Nest Guards | II | 40 x Wood | Summons veteran guards for enhanced nest protection. |
| Slime Reserves | II | 60 x Wood | Enhances the Wood Barrier by providing a 20% damage shield to nearby friendly armies. |
| Veteran Nest Gunners | II | 60 x Wood | Initiates veteran gunner ants to operate as acid turrets for this nest. |
| Elite Nest Guards | III | 60 x Wood | Calls forth elite guards to reinforce nest defenses. |
| Elite Nest Gunners | III | 80 x Wood | Deploys elite gunner ants for superior acid turret defense. |
| Frenzy Catalyst | III | 80 x Wood | Implements a combat lockdown for enemy legions, preventing them from retreating until your barrier is destroyed. |
Essential Legion Upgrades
Legion upgrades are crucial for assembling and strengthening your armies, as they significantly enhance your ability to defeat adversary groups, particularly termites and black ants. These upgrades should be prioritized to maximize your command over legions.
Although your strategy might vary depending on map design and enemy types, it’s recommended to initiate with both a Warrior and Gunner legion. Upgrading these to Veteran or Elite tiers can provide you with a crucial edge against tougher foes. While Workers can be supportive, they excel at gathering resources rather than frontline combat unless Food resources are present nearby.
Moreover, securing a Super Predator legion is advised early on (available at Tier 2) due to their effectiveness against all enemy types and increased health metrics. For support roles, prioritize the Snail once available in the narrative, as they can impede enemy movement, while Aphids can only assist when closely allied.
| Upgrade | Tier | Cost | Benefits Provided |
|---|---|---|---|
| Workers (Melee Unit) | I | 20 x Food, 2 Chambers | Creates a worker legion capable of transporting 20 Food or Wood, though lost in combat (Strong against Gunners, weak against Warriors). |
| Gunners (Ranged Unit) | I | 20 x Food, 2 Chambers | Establishes a gunner legion that can attack enemies from a distance (Strong against Warriors, weak against Workers). |
| Warriors (Melee Unit) | I | 20 x Food | Creates a warrior legion to guard the nest (Strong against Workers, weak against Gunners). |
| Aphids (Support) | I | 20 x Food, 1 Chamber | Develops an aphid army that boosts nearby allied troops (Vulnerable and only deployable once). |
| Snail (Support) | I | 20 x Food, 1 Chamber | Employed in battle mainly for protection; provides a 40% damage shield when covering other legions (Can be created just once). |
| Rhino Beetles (Support) | I | 20 x Food, 1 Chamber | These creatures facilitate transport but are ineffective in combat (Only deployable once). |
| Veteran Workers (Melee Unit) | II | 40 x Food, 2 Chambers | Rates them to gather and transport 25 food or wood, not lost in combat (Strong against Gunners). |
| Veteran Gunners (Ranged Unit) | II | 40 x Food, 2 Chambers | They can strike from distance and retreat (Strong against Warriors). |
| Veteran Warriors (Melee Unit) | II | 40 x Food | Creates a veteran warrior legion attached to the respective nest. |
| Dor Beetles (Super Predator) | II | 50 x Food, 3 Chambers | Creates a formidable horde capable of locking enemies into combat (Effective against all types, available once). |
| Elite Workers (Melee Unit) | III | 60 x Food, 2 Chambers | May carry 30 Food/Wood without loss during combat (Effective against Gunners). |
| Elite Gunners (Ranged Unit) | III | 60 x Food, 2 Chambers | Reduces the speed of targeted enemies (Effective against Warriors). |
| Elite Warriors (Melee Unit) | III | 60 x Food | They increase speed when charging at targets (Effective against Workers). |
Key Information Upgrades
Information upgrades serve as essential tools for gaining strategic advantages over enemy forces before they engage.
It is highly advisable to prioritize the Cartographers upgrade, as it reveals the entire mission map to you. Other beneficial options include Sharp Antennae, designed to enhance your scouting range, and Counterspies, which help shield your legions from enemy detection.
While improving your Cartographers can be worthwhile, ensure your resources are judiciously invested across your overall upgrade strategy.
| Upgrade | Tier | Cost | Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cartographers | I | 30 x Wood, 2 Chambers | Displays all nests and visible legions on a minimap (Available once). |
| Activity Alert | I | 30 x Wood, 1 Chamber | Alerts when an opponent interacts with resources (Available once). |
| Scout Training | I | 30 x Food, 1 Chamber | Improves max stamina, regeneration, and health by 50% (Available once). |
| Sharp Antennae | I | 30 x Food | Expands detection range to discover enemies from afar (Available once). |
| Veteran Cartographers | II | 40 x Wood, 2 Chambers | Color codes regions based on control status (Available once). |
| Traitors | II | 40 x Wood, 1 Chamber | Reveals upgrades built in targeted enemy nest (Available once). |
| Counterspies | III | 40 x Wood | Hides your legions in a designated region (Available once). |
| Elite Cartographers | III | 70 x Wood, 2 Chambers | Tracks enemy nests and legions in your controlled areas (Available once). |
| Infiltrators | III | 70 x Wood, 1 Chamber | Reveals enemy positions within their controlled territories (Available once). |
Critical Economy Upgrades
Economy upgrades are among the most vital elements for any successful mission. Upgrades such as the Woodyard and Mushroom Farm reliably generate a steady stream of resources. Additionally, enhancing your Storage Expansion will allow for increased capacity to hold essential resources.
Moreover, the Chemical Laboratory is indispensable as it unlocks all Tier 2 upgrades. Following this, acquiring the Chemical Library will grant access to Tier 3 upgrades, enabling you to access the most elite legions. While most upgrades are beneficial, consider the Salvage option carefully, as dismantling chambers should be a rare necessity.
| Upgrade | Tier | Cost | Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Woodyard | I | 20 x Wood, 1 Chamber | Generates 10 x Wood every minute (Cost rises by 20 for each added unit). |
| Mushroom Farm | I | 20 x Wood, 1 Chamber | Generates 10 x Food every minute (Cost rises by 20 for each added unit). |
| Storage Expansion | I | 30 x Wood, 1 Chamber | Increases maximum storage capacity for Food and Wood by 100. |
| Chemical Laboratory | I | 80 x Food, 80 x Wood, 2 Chambers | Unlocks superior tier upgrades (Available once). |
| Salvage | II | 40 x Wood, 1 Chamber | Provides a 50% reimbursement when manually removing a chamber (Available once). |
| Multitude | II | 60 x Wood, 1 Chamber | Allows command over an additional legion (Available once). |
| Pheromone Reserves | II | 60 x Wood, 2 Chambers | Shortens ability cooldowns by 30% (Available once). |
| Nursery | II | 100 x Wood, 2 Chambers | Reduces resource costs by 30% for recovering legions (Available once). |
| Chemical Library | II | 120 x Food, 120 x Wood, 2 Chambers | Unlocks superior tier upgrades (Available once). |
| Swarm | III | 80 x Wood, 1 Chamber | Allows command over an additional legion (Available once). |
Essential Powers Upgrades
Powers upgrades are specifically designed to bolster the abilities of your legions and provide valuable status enhancements. These upgrades can significantly contribute to your army’s effectiveness in battle.
The Dash Pheromones upgrade is particularly essential for quick troop maneuvers, especially under time constraints. Additionally, Rage Pheromones amplify your legion’s damage output temporarily, which can be crucial for combat success while minimizing recovery time. Shielding Spores can also provide protective advantages, shielding your legions for greater durability in engagements.
| Upgrade | Tier | Cost | Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dash Pheromones | I | 20 x Food, 2 Chambers | Enhances movement speed by 80% for 12 seconds per charge (Available once). |
| Rage Pheromones | I | 20 x Food, 2 Chambers | Boosts damage output by 30% for 30 seconds per charge used (Available once). |
| Shielding Spores | I | 20 x Food, 2 Chambers | Provides a protective shield equating to 30% of the legion’s health (Available once). |
| Reinforcement Call | I | 20 x Food, 2 Chambers | Calls reinforcements to restore health to legion over 30 seconds (Available once). |
| Reinforcement Call | II | 30 x Food, 2 Chambers | Restores health to legion over 15 seconds (Available once). |
| Dash Pheromones | II | 30 x Food, 2 Chambers | Increases speed by 100% for 16 seconds per charge used (Available once). |
| Rage Pheromones | II | 30 x Food, 2 Chambers | Enhances damage output by 50% for 30 seconds per charge used (Available once). |
| Shielding Spores | II | 30 x Food, 2 Chambers | Provides a protective shield of 60% of legion’s health (Available once). |
| Rage Pheromones | III | 40 x Food, 2 Chambers | Increases damage output by 70% for 30 seconds per charge used (Available once). |
| Dash Pheromones | III | 40 x Food, 2 Chambers | Enhances speed by 120% for 20 seconds per charge used (Available once). |
| Shielding Spores | III | 40 x Food, 2 Chambers | Provides a protective shield of 90% of legion’s health (Available once). |
| Reinforcement Call | III | 40 x Food, 2 Chambers | Calls reinforcements for health restoration over 10 seconds (Available once). |
For additional insights and detailed visuals, visit this comprehensive guide.
Leave a Reply