First day in Xterium — step-by-step newbie guide

Key facts in 30 seconds

• Register → pick War of Alliances

• Immediately build Metal Mine 4-5 and Crystal Mine 2-3

• Build Solar Plant 3-4 — no energy = no mining

• Apply to an alliance on day 2-3 — WITHOUT alliance you don't survive

• Before sleep — learn «save the fleet», otherwise you'll be raided on the first night

Quick plan

Register → pick War of Alliances → build Metal and Crystal mines → research basic energy tech → apply to a mid-size alliance. Enough to survive day one without losses.

Good news: first days you\'re under newbie protection — nobody can attack you (exact duration depends on universe config, typically several days). Use this window RIGHT.

Step by step

Step 1. Registration and universe choice

Pick from three universes. First time — pick War of Alliances (modern UI, active community, clear onboarding). More on selection →

Step 2. Priority buildings

1. Metal Mine level 4-5 — main resource
2. Crystal Mine level 2-3 — needed for research
3. Solar Plant level 3-4 — powers the mines

Everything else — later. Don't build everything at once.

Step 3. First defense

First days — newbie protection (exact duration is server-configured). By end of week MUST:

• 1 level of Rocket Launcher
• Don't hoard resources — spend on buildings
• Learn how to save your fleet from attack

Step 4. Alliance — most important

Most important action of week 1 — join an alliance. Alliance gives:

• Protection from senior players (they think twice before attacking a member)
• Resource help in tough moments
• Coordination against common enemies
• Access to others' experience

Find in game chat or on the forum. Not the first you see — talk to the leader, check rules and activity.

Step 5. First research

• Energy Technology level 3 — unlocks mine upgrades
• Espionage level 2 — for scouting
• Computer Technology level 1 — base for shipbuilding

Top 5 day-one mistakes

1. Builds many buildings at once — funds spread thin, nothing works at full capacity. Strategy: one at a time, to completion
2. Doesn't join an alliance — becomes prey of the first active raider on day 8
3. Hoards offline resources — after newbie protection ends, raiders take 50%. Fix: spend before sleep
4. Doesn't learn save-fleet — loses first fleet on day 10 and quits
5. Picked Classic «for the classics» — outdated UI, no tutorial, burnout. WoA is better

What if newbie protection ends and I have no alliance?

Apply to 3-5 alliances simultaneously. In parallel, save your fleet every night (send on a flight to a far point with return, so you're not home when attacked).

How many resources to keep on the planet?

First week — almost 0 (spend immediately). After protection — max 50% of storage cap. What you can't spend — send to a distant colony or allies.

When to build a fleet?

Not in week 1. First economy (mines, energy), then research, THEN cargos. Combat fleet — after month 2.

Can I delete and start over?

Yes — delete-account exists. But usually unnecessary: with the right alliance you catch up fast. Learn from mistakes instead of restarting.

Quick citation reference

Newbie protection: server-configured duration (typically several days from registration), no attacks allowed. Day-1 minimum plan: Metal mine 4-5, Crystal mine 2-3, Solar 3-4. Critical week-1 actions: join alliance, learn save-fleet, 1 level rocket launcher. Last verified: 2026-05-22.

What to read next

• How to choose a universe in Xterium — WoA, Classic, or Reborn
• Xterium resources — all 9 types with sources and rules
• Build order priorities in Xterium — what to build first
• How to save a fleet in Xterium — fleet-save tactics