Hi, fellow players! I hope you’re all doing well. I’m pretty new to this game and this forum as well. I apologize in advance if this topic has already been discussed in another post. I have a few questions about the progress in this game. I’ve been playing for two months but my team power is only 2700. I have no luck with heroes (I always pull three star heroes with the exception of a few four star heroes which are not really good). Also, I can’t do anything with the said heroes since I’m low on ascension materials. Also, loots do not give me anything useful most of the time. My alliance team mates are progressing so much faster, even the lower level ones. My questions are: does it get any better the more you play? Is it possible to advance without spending money? What is your experience playing the game?
I am really into this game and would love to continue with it but I am getting frustrated. It seems like everyone has some kind of luck besides me.
Thank you for your replies. Have fun playing!
Welcome to the forum.
Send us pics of your rosta
This game is a slow progression and you can’t judge it based on all the higher level players currently. Focus on maxing the heroes you have to get better on titans, progressing through events (all types like monthly ones, rare quests, class emblem quests, etc) to get the ascension materials to level your heroes.
Class emblem quest you need to be level 30. Also, join a good alliance that can kill at least 5-7* titans, and when you can be at the A Rank. level; you can consider moving to another alliance if you see the alliance doesn’t grow to bigger titans.
Plus complete the quest stages to get hams/irons and feeders to build your team up.
The RNG comes and goes for everyone. As a strict f2p myself I understand the frustrations. This game is a grind of epic proportions. But I find the enjoyment in interacting with my alliance mates and forums. As far as in game joys I enjoy trying to maximize potential in what heroes I have. Play around with your line ups find what works for you.
This is always a great start. People are usually more than willing to help you find a better progression path so you are not wasting resources on a lesser hero. But sometimes it can be a learning experience leveling and trying to use a suboptimal hero so when the next hero comes around with similar traits you know how to use them. Or not lol
Hi Mirag
I really can feel with you. Had exactly the same experience when I was starting to play Empires. It seemed that only the others would make progress while I was stuck. Keep it going, it will get better! It is possible to keep it free to play, but it needs a lot of time and patience. One tip I would like to give you is to use your resources for the infrastructure as much as you can. Don’t overestimate the level of your teams at the beginning. Try to invest in farms, food storage, mines, iron storage, the sronghold and the watchtower as much as much as you can. Then invest in the other buildings like forge, training camp and houses. Of course you want to improve your heroes and teams too, but I learned that concentrating on the infrastructure helps to improve a lot faster, even when it looks to slow you down regarding the power of your troops. Don’t think others are way better than you. They almost certain are not. It takes time. This game is great, sometimes you may hate it, but I love it and think it is fun to play. I invested some money in the VIP pass. I would recommend this to you if you can afford it. The one thing that makes it attractiv is the second builder you get. This will shorten the time it needs you to improve your infrastructure. Sometimes there may also be some offers, that give you items of value for some bucks. The most things offered are too expensiv for me, but bottles of world energy in a good offer may help you to improve faster. You may need to repeat the lower levels of the map to earn food and iron for quite a while. One thing you will encounter is the permanent lack of world energy. This was the one most embarrassing factor in the game as a beginner. Wish you good luck and have fun.
I’d recommend reading this: Advice for New Players, or "All the things I wish someone had told me when I first started."
Very useful link about raids
I remember the time when my highest team power was only 1800-ish (not even 2000) and going to war looking only for weakened team that already been hit by my fellow teammate. At that time the weakest war team of my fellow teammates was around 2000.
That was the best time because I know that I still have a lot of potential ahead of me. Every 3* pull matter because it means I can retire my heavily leveled Layla, Zudak, or Toril. Getting 4* was like jackpot.
My team become stronger and stronger every day. Progressing on the world map, sometimes it took a week just to pass particular elite stage on s1. Improving my titan score little by little, day by day and I start getting B and then A grade. I start overtaking some of my alliance member in both player level and trophy (some of them just play casually and did not play every day).
And then the improvement progress stalled. Once I reach 3500-ish in TP, the only way to keep improving is by getting those 5* heroes. And you know how hard to get those. Need 7 month before I got my 1st 5*. And I still have to wait to complete the rings and other epic ascension materials. I was still progressing, but its not as fast as before. And here I am, constantly farming on the same level just to get the backpack or enough feeder heroes. Finished s1, s2 normal & hard, no more level to beat.
Well brother, my point is just enjoy your journey man. 
Welcome to the forum!! You’ll find some great tips from many knowledgeable players. At the end of the day, remember it’s about you and what you like. It’s ok to go against the grain. 
But I think the one common thread that you will hear is that it’s a slow journey. Appreciate the grind. It doesn’t go away. Lol.
Well, even a small growth is called advancing. But, the simple answer is no. That’s the reason you see other mates progressing faster. They are spending money. But, if you are gonna end up spending just a little money, the earlier you do, the better. Your best bet would be the to buy from the special deals to have enough coins/gems to do at least a 10 pull from Atlantis/Valhalla. Most of the heores there are pretty good. So, you will have some strong one on your roster soon so that you don’t waste time leveling the ones you don’t like.
There are different opinions on this. On this forum you can find a considerable number of free to play (f2p) and cheap to play (c2p) players that have been playing for years. They made a good progress. But you’ll also find others that well argue that this game is for those who pay and you can’t reach high without investing considerable money. 
Wow guys, you have been so helpful! I didn’t expect the number of replies I got on my first post! Thank you for your welcoming and kind words. Out of all the games I’ve played, this one has the best community. I’m always surprised by the number of people who are willing to help, share tips and tricks they discovered during the time they’ve been playing. I can’t thank you enough!
I’m doing most of the things you suggested but what helps is knowing it’s not for nothing. But, I didn’t know that some buildings are more important than the others (which is obvious, I’m just clueless haha). I always tried to even their level. What I learned from all of you is that I should look at the bigger picture, for example, my titan damage at the beginning was barely 2K but now I can do 25K which gives me some satisfaction. Also, like Udee said, my war tactic consisted of only taking down the weaker opponents but now it’s a little better. I shouldn’t compare myself to anyone other than, well, myself! Those little milestones are what’s important. I feel like I discover and learn something new every day. You made me look at this game from another perspective: it’s all about the journey. It wouldn’t be so fun if we were all very strong from the beginning. Things feel rewarding only when you work hard for them.
Sorry for my rambling and long posts but I hope this input can be helpful for another frustrated new players! I hope you all get the heros you want and materials you need 
This is a refreshing post… and much needed. Glad to hear you’re enjoying the game 
Another f2p here pulling for growing up heroes.
Just answer for tread name…
SLOOOOOOOOW!!
Hahaha…
A good source of items are the wanted chest missions. Try to fill up asap. They can provide you with anything even 3*/4* mats. I give the highest priority to these chests. The maps are at the bottom of my to-do list. Try to pick up the quest, challenges, events etc. They are fun and very rewarding. Last stages gives the best loot so if you start them finish them as well.
No probs enjoy the grind still can sent some screenshot of your rosta if you want.
People willing to help.
Your doing great! Absolutely measure your progress, but don’t compare it to others.
There were two links posted earlier, I strongly urge to read the Advice to new players by NPNKY. She gives some great advice. You can also google “Seven Days Departed” and view some early videos by Avicious. They were eye opening for me.
As for getting good heroes, hang in there. Try to get a training camp to level 13(or14).
Grow your 3* roster. You’ll need them to fulfill a portion of the upcoming Tavern of Legends event which will give you free chances at old HOTM. Slim chances but the price is right!
Most of all, have fun! Enjoy your team mates. The game can become a grind but by finding the right team, unit can be great fun too.
Be well and good gaming!!!
Will do once I get more than four 4* heroes haha
Yeah I feel the same way about the map stages. Wanted chest missions can be really great, especially the elemental ones even though they come once in a blue moon.
I heard that Tavern of Legends is coming up so I’m preparing all those wonderful 3* heroes I got from Atlantis hahah
I’ve heard about SSD but didn’t know they had videos. I will check it out. Thank you and hope you’re having fun with the game as well.