City Building Strategy – Maximize Points with Minimal Waste
In the Arms Race, City Building is one of the easiest ways to stack points—if you play your cards right. You don’t need to spend like a warlord or build nonstop. The secret? Timing and preparation.
The Packaged Upgrade Trick (aka “Delayed Gratification 101”)
Let’s start with a classic but underused move:
- Upgrade a building—but don’t claim it when it finishes.
- Let it sit there, completed but unopened.
- Wait for the City Building phase to begin in the Arms Race.
- Then claim it.
Points instantly.
This works because Arms Race gives you points the moment an upgrade is claimed, not when it’s finished building. So you can preload 2–3 upgrades the day before, then cash them all in during the phase for a big early boost.
Bonus Tip:
If you’re using speedups, try to time your rush so the last second of the upgrade hits right as the phase begins. Think of it like launching a nuke at midnight.
What to Upgrade for the Best Value
Not all buildings are created equal. Here’s where to focus:
- Headquarters – Huge point payout but long timers. Preload if possible.
- Training Grounds / Vehicle Factory / Barracks – Quick to upgrade and always useful.
- Resource Buildings (Oil, Iron, Farms) – Fast and cheap to upgrade. Great for farming points.
- Warehouse / Depot – Mid-range upgrades, but sometimes necessary to meet HQ level requirements.
Try to chain upgrades: one building upgrade unlocks another. This gives you natural progression and a flow of points.
Looping Upgrades Efficiently
Here’s a little efficiency cycle to use:
- Queue a building.
- Use speedups just before the City Building phase starts.
- Immediately queue the next one.
- Keep at least 1 builder free during Arms Race for maximum flexibility.
Don’t burn all your upgrades before the phase starts—it’s like firing all your ammo before the enemy shows up.
Quick Tips
VIP Status Boosts: Some VIP levels give building speed boosts—stack that when prepping upgrades.
Use Boost Items: Use “Construction Speed” items to reduce wait times if you’re on a tight window.
Upgrade Multiple Small Buildings: If you’re low on resources, upgrading 3–4 cheap buildings can outscore one big HQ upgrade, especially if you’re active.
Prepping for the Next Cycle
Want to be one of those players who finishes City Building within the first hour of the phase? Here’s how:
- Queue 2–3 upgrades a day before.
- Keep an eye on building timers so they wrap up right as the phase starts.
- Save a few speedups or use drone boosts strategically to finish last-minute ones.
TL;DR – Your City Building Checklist
Preload upgrades before the phase
Claim completed upgrades during the phase
Focus on quick and efficient buildings
Always have one builder free
Stack speedups + VIP boosts if you’re in a hurry
Chain upgrades for maximum value
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