Nest Upgrades Guide in Empire of the Ants – Best Upgrades

As a seasoned commander of an ant colony, I can attest to the importance of having the right tools at my disposal. The Empire of the Ants pouch you’ve provided is indeed a game-changer!


In the world of “Empire of the Ants,” enhancing your ant-hills, or Nests, is vital for both defensive purposes within your colony and future territorial growth over various landscapes. Here’s a simplified guide to every Nest upgrade available in the game and their respective functions.

Best Upgrades in Empire of the Ants – All Nest Upgrades, Listed

The following outlines the various Nest upgrades available to you in Empire of the Ants, organized by tier and type. Each upgrade offers specific advantages to you and your ant colonies.

Best Defense Upgrades

Prioritize constructing defense enhancements based on the importance of your mission objectives and the strategic positions of your bases relative to enemy bases.

If a nest is situated far from the main activity (and isn’t your primary base), it might not immediately require fortifications and the resources saved could be allocated towards another upgrade or fortifying more vulnerable nests instead. In simpler terms, not every nest on the map requires immediate defensive constructions.

As for the most effective Defense enhancements, it’s usually wise to begin with the installation of Wood Barricades and recruitment of Nest Gunnery Squads, as these can offer a valuable delay against an incoming enemy force until your troops are able to respond. If you have sufficient resources, consider upgrading them to advanced versions such as Slime Storage and Experienced Nest Gunnery Squads.

Remember, as you reinforce more nests, their construction cost will gradually increase. By the time you construct the third or fourth Wood Barrier for a nest, it will significantly cost more compared to the initial one you built.

UpgradeTierCostBenefits
Wood BarrierI60 x WoodRaises a barrier around this nest
that must be destroyed before damage is applied.
(Price increases by 30 Wood for each one built)
Nest GunnersI40 x WoodMobilizes gunner ants to serve as acid turrets
defending this nest.
Acid Gland EvolutionII20 x WoodIncreases this nest’s gunners’ firing range by 25%
Veteran Nest GuardsII40 x WoodMobilizes veteran guards to defend this nest
Slime ReservesII60 x WoodUpgrades the wood barrier by granting a 20%
shield protection to friendly legions nearby
Veteran Nest GunnersII60 x WoodMobilizes veteran gunner ants to serve as acid turrets
defending this nest
(This upgrade includes the benefits of Nest gunners
using the same chambers)
Elite Nest GuardsIII60 x WoodMobilizes elite guards to defend this nest
(This upgrade includes the benefits of Veteran nest
guards using the same chambers)
Elite Nest GunnersIII80 x WoodMobilizes elite gunner ants to serve as acid
turrets defending this nest
(This upgrade includes the benefits of Veteran
nest gunners using the same chambers)
Frenzy CatalystIII80 x WoodUpgrades the wood barrier to lock in combat all
ant legions that attack it. Legions will remain
locked until the barrier is destroyed.

Best Legion Upgrades

In simple terms, Legion upgrades serve to enhance and fortify the armies composed of ants (and other allies like bugs). These upgrades are crucial for defeating opposing legions such as termites and black ants. It’s one of the initial upgrades you should construct at a nest, so you can command as many legions as possible.

In most cases, it’s advisable to initiate with a pair of legions – one composed of Warriors and another of Gunners. If the challenge level is high, consider upgrading them to Veteran or Elite status. Workers are beneficial when flanking Gunner units, but they excel primarily in transporting resources. Build a Worker only if there are Food resource points on the map for you to collect.

Consider creating a “Super Predator” force at Tier 2 without delay, as they possess superior strength against all types of legions and boast higher-than-average health. For Support legions, the wise choice is often the “Snail,” especially when it becomes accessible within the storyline, due to their ability to slow down enemy units. Aphids, however, are relatively weak and effective only when stationed close to an allied legion.

UpgradeTierCostBenefits Provided
Workers
(Melee Unit)
I20 x Food
2 Chambers
Creates a worker legion attached to this nest.
Can gather and transport 20 Food or Wood, but
these are lost when entering combat.
(Strong against Gunners but weak against Warriors)
Gunners
(Ranged Unit)
I20 x Food
2 Chambers
Creates a gunner legion attached to the respective nest.
Can attack another legion at range and leave combat
while at range.
(Strong against Warriors but weak against Workers)
Warriors
(Melee Unit)
I20 x FoodCreates a warrior legion attached to the respective nest.
(Strong against Workers but weak against Gunners)
Aphids
(Support)
I20 x Food
1 Chamber
Creates an aphid horde attached to the respective nest.
Aphids reinforce friendly troops in close proximity.
(Weak against all types of enemies; this upgrade can
only be built once.)
Snail
(Support)
I20 x Food
1 Chamber
Lesser, but massive creature used in battle to protect troops.
Very slow. Its slime is very useful.
Out of combat, legions cover themselves with its mucus and
gain a 40% damage shield.
(Weak against all types of enemies; this legion can only
be created once)
Rhino Beetles
(Support)
I20 x Food
1 Chamber
Lesser creature, tamed and used to fly legions over large
distances. Looks ferocious but useless in battle.
Can transport up to two ant legions and carry them over
any terrain.
(Weak against all types of enemies; this legion can only
be created once)
Veteran Workers
(Melee Unit)
II40 x Food
2 Chambers
Creates a veteran worker legion attached to the respective nest.
Can gather and transport 25 Food or Wood, but
these are lost when entering combat.
(Strong against Gunners but weak against Warriors)
Veteran Gunners
(Ranged Unit)
II40 x Food
2 Chambers
Creates a veteran gunner legion attached to the respective nest.
Can attack another legion at range and leave combat
while at range.
(Strong against warriors but weak against workers)
Veteran Warriors
(Melee Unit)
II40 x FoodCreates a veteran warrior legion attached to the respective nest.
Dor Beetles
(Super Predator)
II50 x Food
3 Chambers
Creates a dor beetle horde attached to the respective nest.
Can lock all enemy legions in combat.
(Strong against all types of enemies; this upgrade can only
be built once.)
Elite Workers
(Melee Unit)
III60 x Food
2 Chambers
Creates an elite worker legion attached to the respective nest.
Can gather and transport 30 Food or Wood, and these will not
be lost when entering combat.
(Strong against Gunners but weak against Warriors)
Elite Gunners
(Ranged Unit)
III60 x Food
2 Chambers
Creates an elite gunner legion attached to the respective nest.
Decreases the movement speed of targeted ant legions.
(Strong against Warriors but weak against Workers)
Elite Warriors
(Melee Unit)
III60 x FoodCreates an elite warrior legion attached to the respective nest.
This legion’s speed increases when closing on its target.
(Strong against Workers but weak against Gunners)

Best Information Upgrades

These enhancements serve as strategic intelligence resources, enabling you to gain an advantage over opposing armies, anticipating their movements before they reach you.

Eagerly, you’re looking to construct the Cartographer’s upgrade at your earliest convenience, as it provides a complete map view of your mission. Additionally, consider prioritizing Sharp Scouting Equipment for extended reconnaissance without venturing deep into hostile territories. Lastly, don’t forget about Counterintelligence which can camouflage your forces in certain regions from the enemy’s sight.

Alternative enhancements within this category could also prove beneficial, with a focus on improving your Cartographers where possible; however, it might be more prudent to allocate your resources differently.

UpgradeTierCostBenefits Provided
CartographersI30 x Wood
2 Chambers
Displays all your nests and visible legions
on a minimap.
(This upgrade can only be built once)
Activity AlertI30 x Wood
1 Chamber
Displays alerts when an opponent is interacting
with nests, foraging points and resources.
(This upgrade can only be built once)
Scout TrainingI30 x Food
1 Chamber
Passive Power: Increases your max stamina, stamina regeneration,
and health by 50%
(This upgrade can only be built once)
Sharp AntennaeI30 x FoodIncreases the detection range of your legions so
they can discover enemies and nests from further away.
(This upgrade can only be built once)
Veteran
Cartographers
II40 x Wood
2 Chambers
Displays all regions by colors: controller by you (blue),
contested (yellow), and enemies (red).
(This upgrade can only be built once)
TraitorsII40 x Wood
1 Chamber
Displays the upgrades built, as well as the state of
the legion, in the enemy nest you are aiming at.
(This upgrade can only be built once)
CounterspiesIII40 x WoodHides your legions in this region
(This upgrade can only be built once)
Elite
Cartographers
III70 x Wood
2 Chambers
Displays locations of nests and enemy legions moving
through your controlled and contested regions.
(This upgrade can only be built once)
InfiltratorsIII70 x Wood
1 Chamber
Displays enemy legions and nest positions in the opponent’s
controlled regions.
(This upgrade can only be built once)

Best Economy Upgrades

Essential upgrades are vital across all mission types, and they’re nearly always necessary. The facilities like Woodyard and Mushroom Farm offer continual resource generation, whereas Storage Expansion boosts the capacity to store resources simultaneously.

Apart from them, the Chemical Research Facility is crucial as it will grant you access to upgrade Tier 2 for your convenience. Later on, the Chemical Archives will provide you with Tier 3 upgrades, ensuring you have access to a vast array of things, even the strongest legions. Mostly, these upgrades are quite beneficial, except for Demolition as you likely won’t need to frequently demolish chambers.

UpgradeTierCostBenefits Provided
WoodyardI20 x Wood
1 Chamber
Produces 10 x Wood per minute
(The cost increases by 20 for each one built)
Mushroom FarmI20 x Wood
1 Chamber
Produces 10 x Food per minute
(The cost increases by 20 for each one built)
Storage ExpansionI30 x Wood
1 Chamber
Increases maximum storage of Food and Wood by 100
Chemical LaboratoryI80 x Food
80 x Wood
2 Chambers
Unlocks upgrades of superior tier.
(This upgrade can only be built once)
SalvageII40 x Wood
1 Chamber
Gives you a 50% refund when manually destroying
a chamber.
(This upgrade can only be built once)
MultitudeII60 x Wood
1 Chamber
Increases the maximum number of legions you
can command by one.
(This upgrade can only be built once)
Pheromone ReservesII60 x Wood
2 Chambers
Reduces powers cooldown by 30%
(This upgrade can only be built once)
NurseryII100 x Wood
2 Chambers
Decreases all legions recovery food cost by 30%
(This upgrade can only be built once)
Chemical LibraryII120 x Food
120 x Wood
2 Chambers
Unlocks upgrades of superior tier.
(This upgrade can only be built once)
SwarmIII80 x Wood
1 Chamber
Increases the maximum number of legions you
can command by one.
(This upgrade can only be built once)

Best Powers Upgrades

Here’s one way to rephrase it: The specific enhancements you choose for your character have a broader impact, as they serve to boost the strength of your troops. With these improvements, you gain the ability to grant numerous advantages to your forces, several of which can prove very advantageous.

Dash Pheromones are a must when your legions need to travel quickly across the map to intercept the enemy, or if you’re on a time limit. Rage Pheromones gives your legion a temporary attack boost, which can help ensure victory and minimize casualities/recovery time. Shielding Spores are another practical choice, as they’ll shield your legion up to a certain amount, allowing them to stay in the fight longer.

UpgradeTierCostBenefits Provided
Dash PheromonesI20 x Food
2 Chambers
Increases legion’s move speed by 80%
for 12 seconds per charge used.
(This upgrade can only be built once)
Rage PheromonesI20 x Food
2 Chambers
Induces fury to increase legion damage output
but 30% for 30 seconds per charge used.
(This upgrade can only be built once)
Shielding SporesI20 x Food
2 Chambers
Chitin hardening spores grants a protective
shield of 30% of the legion’s health.
(This upgrade can only be built once)
Reinforcement CallI20 x Food
2 Chambers
Calls reinforcements to slightly heal depleted
legions over 30 seconds.
(This upgrade can only be built once)
Reinforcement CallII30 x Food
2 Chambers
Calls reinforcements to slightly heal depleted
legions over 15 seconds.
(This upgrade can only be built once)
Dash PheromonesII30 x Food
2 Chambers
Increases legion’s move speed by 100% for
16 seconds per charge used.
(This upgrade can only be built once)
Rage PheromonesII30 x Food
2 Chambers
Induces fury to increase legion damage output
by 50% for 30 seconds per charge used.
(This upgrade can only be built once)
Shielding SporesII30 x Food
2 Chambers
Chitin hardening spores grant a protective shield
of 60% of the legion’s health.
(This upgrade can only be built once)
Rage PheromonesIII40 x Food
2 Chambers
Induces fury to increase legion damage output
by 70% for 30 seconds per charge used.
(This upgrade can only be built once)
Dash PheromonesIII40 x Food
2 Chambers
Increases legion’s move speed by 120% for
20 seconds per charge used.
(This upgrade can only be built once)
Shielding SporesIII40 x Food
2 Chambers
Chitin hardening spores grant a protective shield
of 90% of the legion’s health.
(This upgrade can only be built once)
Reinforcement CallIII40 x Food
2 Chambers
Calls reinforcements to slightly heal depleted legions
over 10 seconds.
(This upgrade can only be built once)

Make sure to explore our newly updated gaming tips and updates about Empire of the Ants on GamerTop, including the Phasmophobia Blood Moon Challenge Guide (Halloween Event 2024).

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2024-11-07 21:52