When to Prestige
For the first run, the clean target is 14-15 PP. Prestige at 14 if the run is slowing down. If the next PP reward is only one mountain away, clear that mountain and prestige at 15.
The reason is the first Tier 2 breakpoint. Tier 2 prestige upgrades unlock after 12 PP spent, and a Tier 2 upgrade costs 2 PP. With 14 PP, you can spend 12 PP on Tier 1 upgrades and still buy one Tier 2 upgrade before starting the next run.
Quick Answer
Section titled “Quick Answer”| State | Decision |
|---|---|
| 14 PP and slowing down | Prestige now, spend 12 PP to open Tier 2, then buy one Tier 2 upgrade. |
| 14 PP and the next PP is one clear away | Clear one more mountain, then prestige at 15 PP. |
| If you are stuck before 14 PP | Prestige only if the run is truly stalled; otherwise try to reach the 14 PP plan so the first reset is stronger. |
| After the first reset | Prestige when staying longer is slower than the next permanent upgrade would make the next loop. |
First Prestige Target
Section titled “First Prestige Target”| Situation | What To Do | Payoff |
|---|---|---|
| You have 14 PP and the next mountain feels slow. | Prestige now. | You can unlock Tier 2 and buy one Tier 2 upgrade immediately. |
| You have 14 PP and the next PP marker is one mountain away. | Clear one more mountain, then prestige at 15 PP. | The extra PP gives more flexibility without dragging the run much longer. |
| You have 10-12 PP. | Usually keep going unless the run is completely stalled. | 12 PP unlocks Tier 2, but you still need 2 more PP to buy a Tier 2 upgrade after spending the 12. |
| You have 16+ PP but every mountain is slow. | Prestige instead of forcing the run deeper. | A faster next run is usually worth more than a slow extra mountain. |
Why 14 PP Works
Section titled “Why 14 PP Works”| Rule | Player Meaning |
|---|---|
| The first PP reward is at mountain level 2. | You start earning prestige currency very early. |
| After each PP reward, the next PP reward moves 1-3 mountain levels forward. | When the UI shows the next PP is close, it can be worth one more clear. |
| Tier 2 needs 12 PP spent. | Your first reset should usually be big enough to cross that unlock line. |
| Prestige upgrade cost equals tier. | A Tier 2 upgrade costs 2 PP, so 12 spent plus one Tier 2 buy means 14 total PP. |
First Spend Plan
Section titled “First Spend Plan”| Goal | Good First Buys | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Start faster | Swift Start · Veteran Settlers | More runners and starting dwarves remove dead time from every future run. |
| Make early damage cheaper | Guild Apprentices · Explosive Interns | Pick the free-buy line that matches the damage branch you are actually using. |
| Reduce mithril friction | Mountain's Hidden Veins · Ancient Cache | Good if mithril costs are already blocking useful upgrades. |
| Improve manual control | Orequake Finger · Heirloom Inheritance | Useful if you are actively clicking ore or want a stronger opening roll. |
First Tier 2 Pick
Section titled “First Tier 2 Pick”| If This Is The Problem | Buy This First | Payoff |
|---|---|---|
| You want faster PP snowball. | Buried Heirlooms Newspaper | Each mountain clear can add extra PP, which makes future prestige loops faster. |
| Mountains are taking too long to kill. | Ancestor's Picks | Miner damage and luck help a basic damage line scale immediately. |
| Ore collection is behind damage. | Marching Orders | Runner speed helps turn ore on the ground into usable gold sooner. |
| Runners fill up too quickly. | Hard Carries | Extra carrying capacity helps if hauling trips are the bottleneck. |
Simple Rule
Section titled “Simple Rule”Prestige when the next permanent upgrade will make the next loop faster than staying in the current run. On the first run, that usually means 14-15 PP, not the first moment the prestige button appears.