Is it worth upgrading the mine in raid?
Yes, upgrading the Gem Mine is one of the best investments you can make in RAID: Shadow Legends if you plan to play long-term. While the 500 gem cost per upgrade seems steep, the long-term passive income will significantly accelerate your account progression.
Gem Mine Details
Here are the key details on the RAID Gem Mine:
| Mine Level | Upgrade Cost | Gems per Day |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Unlocked for 500 gems | 2 gems per day |
| Level 2 | 500 gems | 3 gems per day |
| Level 3 (max) | 500 gems | 4 gems per day |
- At maximum level, the Gem Mine generates 4 free gems per day, or 1,460 gems per year!
- Total investment to upgrade to max is 1,500 gems
- After ~1 year, a maxed mine has paid for itself and continues generating pure profit
So while the short-term cost is high, upgrading the mine pays off tremendously over the long haul through steady passive gem income. The "break even" point happens remarkably fast.
Key Upgrade Considerations
- Play style: Competitive players should target Level 3 quickly for progression advantages. Casual gamers can pace upgrades as they play more.
- Commitment: Upgrades are only worth it if you plan on consistent long-term play. Upgrade once committed to RAID.
- Spend Gems Elsewhere First: Buy masteries and energy refills before investing in mine upgrades.
Let‘s explore the implications of upgrading in more detail…
Financial Projection & ROI Analysis
Below is a table projecting the 10-year output and return on investment from upgrading to a Level 3 Gem Mine in RAID:
| Year | Free Gems Earned | Total Gems Gained (including cost) | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,460 | 960 | 64% |
| 2 | 2,920 | 2,420 | 161% |
| 3 | 4,380 | 3,880 | 259% |
| 4 | 5,840 | 5,340 | 356% |
| 10 | 14,600 | 13,100 | 873% |
The numbers speak for themselves – while it takes about a year to "pay back" the upgrade investment, lifetime ROI is astronomical. By providing this free gem income, the Level 3 mine tremendously accelerates account progression through energy refills, gear upgrades, and masteries.
After extensively speaking with other top RAID influencers and creators:
"Upgrading the Gem Mine was the single best investment I made as an early game free-to-play player. The long term advantages were absolutely massive, and put me months ahead of those without an upgraded mine." – Skratch AKA SkratchGaming
Additional Progression Impacts
The financial projections above only tell part of the story. Having extra gems provides flexibility across all areas of RAID:
- Masteries: The mine provides the gems needed to unlock key masteries for multiple champions simultaneously.
- Gear Upgrades: Extra gems mean you can upgrade gear more frequently without being gem-limited.
- Arena Advantage: You progress faster in early Arena tiers due to better gear and masteries.
- Energy Refills: Fast progression through campaign for better gear farming and easier events/tournaments.
In summary, upgrading to a maxed Gem Mine accelerates almost all aspects of the game. It pays itself back quickly and should be a top priority following initial masteries and refills. The long term-benefits are immense for committed RAID gamers looking to progress their accounts. Upgrade without hesitation!
