Hold The Mine reference
Hold The Mine Route Reference
Use this page when a run is failing and you need a quick diagnosis before choosing the next mining route, building, hero spend, upgrade, or pivot. It is a decision sheet built from the Hold The Mine guides, not a hidden-stat wiki.
Run Problem Reference
ProblemLikely causePriority fixRead next
You lose with resources unspentThe mining route did not convert before nightStop one layer earlier and spend on a named wave answerFailed Night Recovery
The first pressure point breaksNo immediate damage, control, or surface roleChoose a building or hero job that changes the next waveWave Survival
Buildings look strong but still failThe board has effects but no clear jobMake buildings and heroes support the same failure typeBuildings and Heroes
Upgrades feel wastedSpending follows the shop instead of the last failurePrioritize the layer that keeps the next night aliveUpgrade Priority
Pivots make the run messierToo many layers changed at onceReplace one weak piece, then judge the next waveCommon Mistakes
Failure Type Matrix
Failure typeWhat to inspectSafer next routeAvoid
TimingDid resources become power before night?Shorter mining route into earlier spending.Saving for a better plan while the next wave has no answer.
Damage or controlWhere did enemies first break the surface plan?Building or hero support that changes that pressure point.Buying long-term scaling while first contact is already failing.
ScalingDid the board survive early but fall behind later?One building, relic, hero, or perk direction that carries multiple waves.Over-spending on short-term fixes after the surface is stable.
SynergyDo buildings, heroes, relics, and route choices share one job?Reinforce the strongest current layer before adding novelty.Starting a second plan because a reward looks interesting.
RecoveryCan one narrow pivot repair the failed layer?Change one piece and test the next night.Changing mining, buildings, hero focus, and perk logic together.
Failed-Night Router
After a bad night, do not open every guide or rebuild the whole run. Name the visible symptom first, then move to the guide that fixes that layer. The goal is to make the next night easier to read, not to chase a perfect build from memory.
Failed-night symptomLikely missing layerOpen nextDo not do this next
The wave breaks the surface immediately.First contact damage, control, or blocking.Failed Night RecoveryDo not mine deeper before the opening pressure has an answer.
Enemies survive long enough to overwhelm a stable start.Cleanup or scaling.Buildings and HeroesDo not buy another disconnected effect just because it looks powerful.
You die with resources still waiting to be spent.Route timing and conversion.Mining RouteDo not repeat the same deep route unless you can spend earlier.
Buildings, heroes, perks, and relics point in different directions.Surface plan focus.Upgrade PriorityDo not change every layer at once; replace one weak piece first.
An update makes an old safe route feel worse.Retest order.UpdatesDo not assume the whole route is dead before retesting stop timing and the first failed contact point.
Route Job Table
Route jobUse it whenBest first question
Stabilize the next waveThe next night is already shaky.What exact wave problem must change before sunrise?
Convert mined resourcesThe day looks productive but value sits in inventory.What does this resource buy before night?
Support a building planThe board needs one repeatable surface job.Is this structure for first contact, cleanup, economy, or scaling?
Support a hero planBuildings hold part of the wave but miss active pressure.What weakness should the hero cover?
Pivot after evidenceThe last wave proved one layer is not helping.Which single weak piece should change first?