PLAYER GUIDE / Money guide
Army Commander Tycoon Money Guide
Income upgrade calculator
Compare two purchases using the values shown in your game. No game prices or income rates are prefilled. Use the same currency and exclude prerequisites you already own.
Enter both upgrades to compare their payback times.
How the calculation works
- Total cost = purchase price + unowned prerequisite costs.
- Payback time in seconds = total cost ÷ additional Cash per second.
- With a time limit, net additional Cash = additional Cash/s × minutes × 60 − total cost. This includes the upfront expense.
Both options are evaluated separately from the moment of purchase. The model assumes a constant income increase, immediate benefits and no interrupted income. It does not model the wait to afford a purchase, sequential purchases, combat strength, currency conversion or bonuses. If prerequisites also add income, include their combined income increase. Shorter payback does not automatically mean a better combat choice.
Inputs and results stay in this page. They are not uploaded or saved. Use current game values; this is an editorial budgeting tool.
Make your next purchase count: compare income, unlock costs and what your army needs.
Gameplay overview follows the official description. Planning tips are editorial advice, not tested purchase routes or guaranteed fastest strategies.
STEP 01
What should you buy early?
Planning tip: compare available base upgrades by their displayed prices and benefits. Set aside a purpose for your next military purchase: a specific objective or an enemy type. Avoid treating every new unit as an automatic priority if your current force already does its job.
STEP 02
How do you compare income upgrades?
Payback time in seconds equals purchase price divided by extra income per second. Use the increase, not your total income after purchase. This budgeting method compares the numbers you read in your own game; it does not assume a particular building price or income curve.
STEP 03
When should you spend on your army?
Planning tip: spend when a purchase solves a specific problem. If your force cannot contest the next point, identify what stops it. If it already succeeds, an income upgrade may bring the next large purchase closer. Include any prerequisite building in the cost comparison.
STEP 04
What mistakes can waste money?
Planning tip: read requirements before buying, compare unlock costs with building costs, and inspect the promotion reset list before committing. Do not spend premium currency because a unit looks impressive alone. Match the role to the objectives you actually want to fight over.
Read the official game description ↗ · Check promotion before a reset →
How can you compare two upgrades without guessing?
Use this worksheet with the values displayed in your current game. It compares the time needed to recover a purchase cost, not combat strength or guaranteed future income.
| Write down | Upgrade A | Upgrade B |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase price plus required prerequisites | Use your game value | Use your game value |
| Extra income per second | Use your game value | Use your game value |
| Price divided by extra income per second | Use your game value | Use your game value |
| What objective does this unlock? | Use your game value | Use your game value |
| Does the benefit survive promotion? | Use your game value | Use your game value |
What does the result mean?
A shorter payback time means a purchase recovers its cost sooner under the assumptions you entered. It does not automatically make it the better purchase: a slower upgrade might open the objective you need, while a fast one may contribute little to your immediate goal. Keep those two decisions separate.
When should you avoid using this comparison?
Do not divide by zero or treat an unknown income change as zero. If an upgrade only improves combat or transport, compare its role rather than inventing an income value. If income depends on holding a contested point, recalculate after losing it. If a reset is imminent, compare the likely time left before resetting with the payback period.
Original editorial worksheet. No sample prices or payouts are presented as game data.
Guide updated: 2026-10-19