Iron Output
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Iron Output refers to the passive hourly production rate of Iron generated by your city's Iron Mine or equivalent production buildings. Iron becomes increasingly important as players advance to mid-to-late game content.
Overview
Iron is a late-game resource required for constructing high-level buildings, training advanced troops (Tier 3+), and crafting powerful gear. Iron Output from production buildings provides a passive income stream that supplements active Iron Mining gathering operations.
Factors Affecting Iron Output
Production Buildings
The Iron Mine provides passive Iron generation. Upgrading the building increases both the hourly output rate and the building storage capacity.
Research Bonuses
The Economy Research tree includes technologies that boost Iron Output:
- Iron Production — Percentage increase to base Iron generation rate
- Mining Output — General mineral production multiplier
Hero Bonuses
Some heroes provide Iron production bonuses when stationed at the Iron Mine building slot. Check each hero's skill description for relevant production bonuses.
Chief Gear
Development Chief Gear sets may include Iron Output bonuses as secondary stats.
Building Levels and Output
| Building Level | Approx. Hourly Output | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ~200/hr | Very low early game |
| 5 | ~1,000/hr | Early to mid game |
| 10 | ~4,000/hr | Mid game |
| 15 | ~12,000/hr | Late game |
| 20 | ~30,000/hr | Advanced |
| 25 | ~70,000+/hr | Endgame |
Note: Exact values vary and scale with research and hero bonuses.
Iron Consumption
Iron is consumed by:
- **High-level building construction** — Required from Furnace Level 10+ buildings
- **Advanced troop training** — Tier 3, 4, and 5 troops require Iron
- **Gear crafting** — Hero Gears and Chief Gears require Iron components
- **Advanced research technologies** — Top-tier Battle Research consumes Iron
- When Does Iron Matter? ==
Iron is largely unnecessary in the early game but becomes a bottleneck in the mid-to-late game when:
- Furnace upgrades past Level 10 start requiring Iron
- Players begin training Tier 3+ troops in large quantities
- Gear crafting becomes a priority
Maximizing Iron Output
- Upgrade the Iron Mine building to the highest level possible
- Research Iron Production technologies in the Economy tree
- Assign heroes with Iron production bonuses to the Iron Mine slot
- Collect from the building regularly to avoid hitting the storage cap
Tips
- Start building Iron reserves early: Iron demand spikes suddenly — having a stockpile prevents bottlenecks.
- Don't neglect Iron Mine upgrades: Many players focus on Coal and Wood early, then regret not leveling their Iron Mine later.
- Supplement with gathering: Even high Iron Output may not keep up with endgame demand — Iron Mining on the world map is essential.
- Research multiplies output: A 25% Iron Production research boost applies to all your Iron Mines combined.