817
0 
There are three types of Crystal Mines, each with different risk levels and production rates.
| Mine Type | Production per Hour | Maximum (12h) | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Excellent Crystal Mine | 4,000 | 48,000 | Very High |
| Rare Crystal Mine | 3,000 | 36,000 | Moderate |
| Normal Crystal Mine | 1,800 | 21,600 | Safe |
Each player can only place one troop in the Normal Mine, making it primarily a safety fallback option.
Crystal Mine gathering uses Cave Troops, which function similarly to your regular march troops.
The combat power and troop count are identical to your Anthill march formations, but troop composition does not affect mining speed or maximum capacity. Troops are only used to defend the mine from plunders.
Cave Troop Unlock Requirements
Unlocking additional Cave Troops allows you to occupy multiple mines simultaneously, significantly increasing your crystal income.
Note: Cave Troops use your regular Soldier Ants. Fighting inside the Crystal Mine does not injure your troops. However, if those Soldier Ants become injured outside the mine, they will automatically be removed from your Cave Troops and must be re-added after they are healed.
The Crystal Mine interface uses colored tags to quickly show mine status.
Mines occupied by alliance members cannot be plundered by you, making them safe targets from friendly attacks.
When you successfully occupy a mine, your troops receive 3 hours of protection.
During this time:
Once the 3-hour shield expires, the mine becomes vulnerable to plundering.
Gathering continues until:
You can recall troops at any time and immediately receive the Mystic Crystals gathered so far.
Each successful occupation or plunder consumes 1 occupation chance.
Daily free occupation chances increase as you progress.
Maximum daily free chances: 10
Free chances reset daily at UTC 00:00.
You can purchase additional occupation chances using diamonds.
Important rule:
Purchased occupation chances do not expire and can carry over to the following week. However, you can only hold a maximum of 10 additional chances at any time. To purchase 10 new chances each week, you must use the previous week’s chances first.
The diamond cost of additional occupation chances increases with every purchase, resetting weekly. The cost of each occupation chance:
The total cost of 10 weekly attempts comes up to 3,800 diamonds.
Plundering is the fastest way to gain Mystic Crystals.
Successful Plunder
If you defeat the defender:
Failed Plunder
If your attack fails:
To manage your Crystal Mine troops efficiently, it helps to understand a few important mechanics and interface rules.
Normal Mine Occupation
Occupying a Normal Crystal Mine does not consume occupation chances, making it a safe option for passive gathering.
Rare and Excellent Mines
Every time you occupy a Rare or Excellent Crystal Mine, it consumes 1 occupation chance, including when using the Quick Occupy feature.
Checking Protection Time
You can check the remaining 3-hour protection timer by clicking on the mine your troop is currently occupying.
Quick Troop Location
If you click the troop frame showing your first ant, the game will instantly move the camera to the mine where that troop is gathering.
Manual Collection
Mystic Crystals are not collected automatically.
If your troop finishes the 12-hour gathering cycle or gets plundered when no Normal Mine slot is available, you must enter the Crystal Mine interface and manually claim the crystals before sending that troop out again.
The game will require you to collect the gathered crystals before the troop can start a new gathering cycle.
If your troop is defeated in a Rare or Excellent Mine, the game automatically attempts to relocate it.
If you do not already have a troop in a Normal Mine, the system will move your defeated troop to an empty Normal Mine to continue gathering.
If you already have a troop in a Normal Mine, the troop that just got defeated becomes idle.
The Crystal Mine also tracks weekly crystal production rankings.
This leaderboard measures the total Mystic Crystals gathered during the week, combining crystals obtained through both:
While the ranking itself does not provide rewards, the real value of the Crystal Mine is the steady Mystic Crystal income used to purchase valuable items in the Mine Store.
The Mine Store offers a variety of progression resources, including Amp Crystals, Insect Ascension materials, Pioneer resources, and Gene upgrades, as well as basic resources such as meat, leaves, wet soil, sand and honeydew. Mystic Crystals should be spent on items that are difficult to obtain elsewhere.
Highest Priority:
Amp Crystals
Required for upgrading the Amplification System, which unlocks T11 Assault Soldier Ants.
The Mine Store is one of the few reliable free ways to obtain Amp Crystals, making it an important source for progressing toward T11 troops.
If you want to understand how the Amplification System works and how to unlock T11 faster, check out our Amplification System Guide.
High Priority:
Insect Ascension Materials
These are critical for strengthening your insects.
Pioneer Resources
Used to upgrade the evolution level and ascent level of Pioneer Special Ants.
Gene Resources
These materials improve Gene upgrades, which provide powerful passive bonuses to your troops.
Attack Mature Targets
Use a Shock Unit
Use All Daily Chances
Balance Risk and Safety
