When you first play Hold The Mine, it may look like a simple day-and-night defense game. But after a few runs, you quickly realize success depends on planning during the day, not just surviving at night.
This guide explains the core systems clearly and focuses on the strategies experienced players use to stabilize early runs and reach the final rescue night more consistently.
Hold The Mine Beginner Guide Wiki – Hero Upgrades Tips
Every day follows the same three-phase structure:
Mining Phase → Planning Phase → Night Battle
Mastering how these phases connect is the key to surviving longer runs.
Mining Phase
This is where your run is truly decided.
During the day, you use lanterns to launch mining expeditions and pickaxes to mark blocks for digging. Once marked, your dwarf automatically mines accessible blocks.
Efficient mining determines how strong your defenses will be at night.
Some discoveries are far more valuable than others early on.
Cages are the highest priority because they unlock additional heroes. More heroes mean higher damage output, which makes early waves much easier.
Blueprints unlock new buildings, expanding your defensive options.
Resources like stone, gold, and diamonds are needed for constructing buildings of different rarity levels.
Runes allow you to unlock hero abilities that can significantly improve performance.
Chests provide relics, which often give powerful passive bonuses.
Crates supply random resources for immediate construction needs.
Smart Digging Strategy
Don’t just mine randomly.
Always plan a path that connects multiple valuable blocks so your dwarf can reach them efficiently. Remember, only accessible marked blocks will be dug.
Optimized routes mean more resources per day.
The Planning Phase
After mining, you enter the interlude phase where you construct buildings and upgrade heroes.
This is where strategic decisions matter most.
How to Use Ruins Effectively
Ruins are special spots where buildings can be constructed. Each building provides unique bonuses, such as increased damage, spells, or support effects.
Choosing the right building combinations creates powerful synergies that greatly improve survival.
Hero Upgrades
You can unlock powers for heroes using runes, but trying to unlock everything is inefficient.
Instead, focus on:
Abilities that complement your current buildings
Skills that solve your biggest weaknesses
Powers that enhance overall team synergy
Night Battles
At night, monsters attack the mine door while heroes automatically fight them.
Your main goal is simple: prevent enemies from reaching the door.
Each enemy that touches the door deals damage, so controlling their movement and eliminating threats quickly is crucial.
Understanding Enemy Types
Skeletons are basic enemies with balanced speed and durability.
Slimes are slower but tougher.
Bats move quickly but have low health.
Trolls are extremely durable and can stun heroes, making them dangerous despite slow movement.
Bombers are fast and resilient, posing a major threat if not stopped quickly.
Using Spells at the Right Time
Some buildings provide spells with limited uses each battle.
These should be saved for high-priority threats like bombers or trolls rather than weaker enemies.
Timing spells correctly often determines whether you survive difficult waves.
The Shop
Every three days, a mole merchant appears on the surface.
Here, you can buy relics and gems using coins earned by selling mined resources.
The shop remains open all day, so always check it before starting a night battle.
Relics from the shop can significantly boost your build’s effectiveness.
Events
Daily events can alter gameplay conditions by affecting mining or combat phases.
You can preview upcoming events in advance, which allows you to prepare defenses accordingly.
Some events increase difficulty, while others provide opportunities to strengthen your run.
Planning around these events gives a major strategic advantage.
Hold The Mine is a game about preparation more than reaction. The better you plan your mining routes, building choices, and hero upgrades, the easier nighttime battles become.
Once you understand how each phase supports the next, the game shifts from chaotic survival to strategic resource management.