Last time, we talked about some tips and tricks you can use if you’ve just started playing Cradle of Empires, an immersive Android and iOS game from Awem Games. But before we give you some tips you can use if you’ve reached an intermediate level of gaming, let’s give you a quick reminder about what you can expect from this game. It’s a Match 3 title that comes with elements of city building games, and it takes place in an ancient Egyptian setting. You’ll have to complete Match 3 puzzles in order to fulfill various tasks and progress through the game’s storyline, and you’ll also be encountering some things you don’t always see in Match 3 games, including spells, Collections, and a whole lot more.
We’d like to think that we’ve given you a good enough start to the game through our list of beginner tips and tricks. Now, this Cradle of Empires strategy guide should serve you well if you’ve completed more than a few puzzles, and can therefore be considered an intermediate player who knows all of the game’s basics, and is ready to move on to bigger things.
1. Complete The Achievements
Aside from leveling up, connecting your game to Facebook, and, on occasion, completing Match 3 puzzles, you can also complete achievements for more Trophies, starting at the time when you reach Level 6. Getting Trophies means you get some gems as a reward, so take note of the achievements you should complete, and work toward completing them! For example, you may be asked to reach a certain level, or you may be asked to accumulate a certain amount of gold, food, or supplies. As we said last time, you might want to grind in order to gather more resources, but we’ve got one more tip about grinding coming up next.
2. Why Else Should You Grind It Out?
Sure, you can get more XP, currency, and resources by replaying levels you’ve already completed. But you can only complete them so often, as we’ve noticed. You can level up structures in order to unlock more puzzles, though the requirement in order to do so would be to three-star ALL the levels available in a structure. Since chances are you won’t be able to get three stars the first time you’re trying to solve a more difficult puzzle, that means more chances, and more reason to grind it out.
3. Collect Resources Regularly
You will often see a text balloon appearing over certain structures, such as the Hut and the Field. That text balloon will contain an icon representing coins, food, or whatever you need to collect. Make sure to tap that balloon regularly so you can collect resources. You need coins and food so you can build new structures or upgrade existing ones, so be sure you’re keeping a close eye on things and collecting resources whenever possible! Resources will also be needed to upgrade the game Totems and in special buildings: Ship, Cave, Pyramid.
4. Why Should You Complete Those Collections?
The second tab to the left on the bottom of your screen is where you can monitor your Collections. The items required for these Collections (found on the left side) are acquired by completing Match 3 puzzles; just tap on an item you currently don’t have so you can find the puzzle to solve so you can get that item. As we’ve observed, you can get more Chargers (found on the right side) required to complete the Collections by finding the items themselves, so everything boils down to finding the items needed and solving the requisite puzzles. The rewards for a completed Collection are new bonuses or power-ups, and as we said in our list of beginner tips, some of these bonuses can be very helpful. And speaking of bonuses…
5. Don’t Bother With The Hammers At The Totem Of Thoth
It’s also possible to trade gold and food for bonuses at the Totem of Thoth, which you’ll get a chance to complete early on in the game. You’ll have three chances per day to take advantage of this option, but while that structure is still at Level 1, you wouldn’t want to bother with it yet. Personally, we don’t see much use for trading 100 gold and 100 food units for one Hammer, considering that’s the weakest of the bonuses and not really worth it.
6. Don’t Spend Crystals On Extra Moves
Once you run out of moves when trying to complete a puzzle, the game will ask you if you want to spend a few crystals in order to get five extra moves. Should you go for this option? The answer to this is an emphatic no. While you may appear to be on the verge of completing a puzzle when you run out of moves, it’s better to retry the puzzle for some energy, though that brings us to our bonus tip – don’t overdo the option to spend energy to retry a puzzle. The energy required for a retry gets progressively higher each time you fail a puzzle, so you may want to give it a rest and try the puzzle again after a half-hour or more. Remember that compared to other Match 3 titles, energy refills quite quickly in this game.
7. The Puzzles Can Get Tricky In A Hurry
Now, this is probably something for those who are transitioning over from beginner to intermediate, but we’re going to add this one into the mix as well. If you may have noticed, the first few puzzles are pretty straightforward. Clear all the light blue tiles with no obstacles? Easy-peasy. Deal with obstacles such as boxes, or gaps in the board that prevent you from making a sure match? Nothing you couldn’t handle. But once your buildings reach Level 2, you’ll be dealing with stuff like double tiles, which need to be broken twice in order to be cleared; first, they start out as gold tiles, then they become light blue after you break them once.
Be prepared, because it won’t be a picnic out there forever.
My Ship is at Level 7, and I’ve finished all levels completely (3 stars). When will I get the chance to continue to Level 8?
I too am stuck on the ship at Level &. How do you move on?
I’ve got to level 12,x believe me it took some doing, then today went on it x guess what? They took me back to the begining. Are YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME!!! I cant even get back through facebook. Im soooo anoyed i could smash my pad x 2 fones. (No im not rich just get my sons after he upgrades) lol . But seriously could any one help me please.
For Patricia Jackson: I play on my Kindle Fire, and a couple of weeks ago when I was at our local YMCA, I logged in to play, and had the same result. I shut the program down, and then re-opened it, and all was well. It happened to me once at home too, and I was on level 17 at the time. Hopefully that helps a little
Can anyone tell me why I can’t earn certain items no matter how many times I finish the puzzle? I can’t complete my collections because I can’t earn any ‘chalk’ or ‘shells’. Also sometimes I finish the puzzle for one of those or another item and it gives me ‘energy’ instead. That sucks!
Lisa, I can’t tell you why it happens but you aren’t out there suffering alone. I’ve spent days on trying to get just one item and still haven’t gotten it. This isn’t the first time either. Chalk was my first, then the pearl. Also, what’s up with the stars? I can do what I consider an outstanding job on the match-3 puzzle and get one star. Their scoring criteria escapes me.
I know its a complete pain BUT if you do keep trying the same game until youre utterly sick of it, you DO get the reward you want in the end. Sometimes i play the same game all day. In the end im SO fed up of it i just go and play a few different games like hut or pottery and then go back to it. Thats when they reward you. Stick at it – however bored – you’ll get there in the end. I promise.
The whole objective of the game is to get you, the player, to spend real money on the game. This is classic greedware, so if you are not willing to spend a few $hundred, it will continue to frustrate.
Chargers are the hardest items to find. If you win puzzle levels on the last move, it increases your chance getting a charger. However, I have never, ever found a charger that I tried to “Find” from the list of collections. Even using a spell that gave me a 50% increase in finding items didn’t help. That actually makes sense: If you have a zero chance of finding a charger, getting a 50% increase in getting the item still gives you a zero chance of doing so. Even when I break the last puzzle cell to win a level, the chargers I get are usually worthless. I have 36 Asian Spices chargers, 87 Jug of Milk, and 40 Amphora of Wine. It is so frustrating that I am giving up playing this game.
Well this was a great help. Love the game been playing very day but odd things happen. I have unlocked the shipwreck but can’t figure out how to earn resources to complete it. Maybe I just have to give it a rest? Keep the tips and hints coming
How do I spend my gold . I’ve been playing and playing and don’t have a clue
You can trade your gold etc for hammers and the ship you will need plenty to get through that game. Collect all the gold and food and building bricks each time they come up. I have been playing for over a year and only on level 46 it’s tough but love it.
Don ‘ worry. I have the same problem. Your not alone.
I have an excessive amount of gold and resources. How do I use them?
I am lvl 30. having a heck of a hard time on the factory blitz timed mode.the lowest amount of uncleared tiles I have gotten is 26 in the time I have. I spend all the time trying to get the clocks to add time. It seems to me that the clock speeds up faster the more clocks I am able to get. Is anyone having the problen? If I don’t get this part done I won’t be able to progress on upgrading that building. :((
Thank you
I am confused here. I don’t bother doing the lotus quest when I have to get 7 chargers because I find it difficult so today I played in the ship for awhile. When I achieved a couple of anchors it came up that I completed my lotus quest! It said I got my 7 chargers! Can you get chargers from completing a level on the ship?
Not complaining here, I think this is great.
What can I do,with all my coins?…. I don’t seem to be offered many options to use them?
Your not alone. I have the same problem.
I have been playing for a little over a year. I’m stuck just trying to start building the ship. Only need a few remaining items. On 8/7/18 my game wouldn’t open and has stayed that way now for over a week. I sent a message to support and I got a generic type reply about being patient. I even tried to download the game again, that didn’t work either. My progress has always been saved on Facebook but now I’m unsure if that will even help.
Am attempting to build the factory. The growing flowers keep getting me. How do I beat them back?
I’m having the same problem. Were you able to figure it out? There’s a level on the ship that uses fire. I figure if I can beat the flowers in the factory, it will help me with the ship.
I’m frustrated. When I’m asked to find something and I go there, it’s blinking. Ok. No problem. BUT when I’ve completed the puzzle i win something totally different. Why?
The Southern Seas ship level 4 is frustrating!! Any hints out there?
is there any way i can stop my free play? I was awarded a free hour of play but it started right away. I had to leave for work so when I come back the hour will be over. Anyway to pause the free play until I can get back to the game?
How do you the last of the gold runes? I’m on level 225 and have to keep on solving the same puzzles to complete collections.. This is getting old. I’ve spent plenty of money on this game and it’s not going anywhere. I have been playing this game for 3 years. Enough already!
How are you on level 225? I’m stuck on level 9. How do I get past it?
How do I get past level 9? And I only have 13 crystals. How do I st more without paying?
How do I break the clouds, please?
How do you empty the piggy???
Cough up some money!
Nearoffutt and Fran Fiascher are both right. This is classic greedware and the game will reward you when you give up. The game is a smart game, but it is not designed to challenge your skill nor reward you. It is designed to frustrate you into spending money. It will note your moves and figure out what your are trying to do so that it can thwart you. I’ve been playing for three years, I’ve gotten to level 40 and I’ve not spent one dime. That’s because I never get vested. For instance: When getting the kitty treats, I outsmarted the game ONCE and got first place. After that, it would not let me get to first place again. Then third or fourth kitty treat challenge later, I had 2637 treats and was in second place. First place dude had 2764 treats. I played ONE game and the first place dude had moved up to 4312. Now, we all know that nobody can get 2000 treats in the time span of one game. It’s because we’re not really playing against other players, we’re playing against the game. After that, I purposely didn’t play the game for 3 days. When I came back, I started winning again. Not just kitty treats, but other items as well. While it is entertaining, you have to keep in mind that it is a greedware game and it’s sole and only purpose is to get you to spend money. Once you understand that, your challenge becomes getting to the next level without spending money. Good luck to all!