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Server Timeline & Week-by-Week Roadmap

Getting Started · 2026-04-25

How a Server Progresses

A Last War: Survival server unrolls features in a fixed order. Some unlocks are tied to your HQ level, some are tied to server age (days since the server opened), and a few are tied to alliance state. The exact day numbers vary by player activity and spending, but the order is consistent. This guide is a roadmap so you know what is coming, what to prepare for, and what unlocks gate the next stage.

Two Clocks Run in Parallel

Your HQ level is your personal clock. The server age is everyone's clock. Personal-clock features unlock the moment you hit the HQ requirement. Server-clock features open for everyone at the same time regardless of how strong any individual is. Understanding which clock gates a feature tells you whether to push HQ to unlock it or just wait — pushing HQ does nothing for server-clock events like Alliance Duel VS opening or the season starting.

Personal Clock — HQ Level Milestones

These unlock the moment your HQ reaches the listed level. Pushing HQ is the lever you control.

HQ LevelWhat UnlocksWhy It Matters
HQ 5Alliance, basic squad slotsJoin an alliance on day one — alliance help reduces every timer
HQ 8Hero recruitment expansionTech Centre starts gating most HQ upgrades from here onward
HQ 10T6 troops, second squad slotStay mono-type — splitting troops weakens your main squad
HQ 15Drone Center, T7 troopsDrone is the single biggest combat power source you've unlocked yet — start collecting parts immediately
HQ 18Wall of Honor (rally power tracking)Top-25 Wall ranks earn major rewards — coordinate with alliance for top finishes
HQ 20T8 troops, Marshal's Guard slotT8 is your first "real" troop tier — promote into them rather than training
HQ 25T9 troops, full Drone unlocksMid-game power spike — Exclusive Weapons start mattering here
HQ 27Profession SystemPermanent stat bonuses from gathering Profession EXP — start as soon as it opens
HQ 30T10 troopsEnd of "early-game pace" — timers get long, resources get tight
HQ 32Capital Conquest eligibilityMajor Season 4+ alliance event — Capital ownership grants huge bonuses
HQ 35T11 troops (current cap), Hero Awakening prerequisitesEndgame ceiling. Every upgrade past here is days/weeks long

For the resource costs and Oil requirements at each level, see the HQ Build Planner and the Progression Tables.

Server Clock — Days Since Launch

These open for everyone at the same time, regardless of HQ level. The exact days vary slightly by server but the order is consistent.

Week 1 (Days 1-7) — The Tutorial Window

  • Newbie Pack and 7-day login rewards — extremely high value, do not miss
  • First Recharge bonuses — if you intend to spend at all, the first $0.99 pack gives the best gem-per-dollar ratio in the game
  • Build Speedup events — early server events shower speedups; bank them for HQ pushes
  • Goal: HQ 10-12 by end of Week 1 for an average pace player

Week 2 (Days 8-14) — Drone Center Opens

  • Drone Center unlocks at HQ 15 — most active players hit this in week 2
  • Sky Predator event begins — daily zombie boss with strong rewards
  • Hero Trial opens — daily PvE rotation worth running every day
  • Wall of Honor rally tracking goes live for those at HQ 18+
  • Goal: HQ 16-18, T7 troops, Drone Center building started

Week 3 (Days 15-21) — Marshal's Guard and Zombie Siege

  • Marshal's Guard event window — top alliance fights for the title with major buffs
  • Zombie Siege opens for alliance defence coordination
  • Cross-Server Hero Trial rotates in
  • Alliance Tech starts mattering — donate daily for the buffs
  • Goal: HQ 20, T8 troops, first Drone Lv5+

Week 4 (Days 22-28) — Alliance Duel VS Opens

  • Alliance Duel VS — the flagship 6-day event most servers see in week 4
    • Day 1: Radar | Day 2: Building | Day 3: Research | Day 4: Heroes | Day 5: Mobilisation | Day 6: Combat
    • See the Alliance Duel VS Guide for full mechanics
  • First Cross-Server Wars depending on server age and matching
  • Hot Deals rotate every few hours — the Hot Deals Guide covers what is worth grabbing
  • Goal: HQ 22-24, Drone Lv10+, full T8 squad

Weeks 5-9 (Days 29-63) — Mid-Game Grind

  • Capital Conquest starts gating major alliance ambitions
  • Cross-Server Wall of Honor opens for top-server coordination
  • HQ 25-30 push — this is where most accounts plateau if they did not bank correctly
  • Exclusive Weapons become a meaningful power source from HQ 25
  • Goal: HQ 27-30, T9 troops, Profession System started

~Day 70 — Pre-Season Ends, Season 1 Begins

The biggest single day on the calendar. The pre-season map closes, players are migrated to a Season 1 server, and the Crimson Plague mechanics open. From here, the server will rotate through seasons:

Each season runs roughly 60-90 days and ends with a transition to the next. Your account, heroes, and HQ level carry forward; the map and seasonal mechanics reset. Click into the per-season timeline above for the week-by-week plan for whatever season your server is currently on.

Pre-Season Is Your Setup Phase

Pre-season exists to get you to Season 1 with a strong account. Do not stockpile heavily expecting pre-season to last forever. Use your speedups and resources to push HQ — the migration carries account state, but no in-game event is worth letting your HQ stall to bank for. Players who hit Season 1 at HQ 25+ have a permanent advantage over those who arrive at HQ 18.

The Weekly Cycle

Once you are past week 4, the server settles into a weekly rhythm:

DayWhat Runs
MondayAlliance Duel VS Day 1 (Radar). Reset day for many weekly events
TuesdayVS Day 2 (Building). Building speedup focus
WednesdayVS Day 3 (Research). Research speedup focus
ThursdayVS Day 4 (Heroes). Hero items, Exclusive Weapon upgrades
FridayVS Day 5 (Mobilisation). All speedups for waterfall training
SaturdayVS Day 6 (Combat). Marshal's Guard, peak combat day
SundayAlliance Championship / cross-server events

The Daily Routine covers the daily checklist that sits underneath this weekly rhythm.

Arms Race Runs Continuously

Arms Race runs in 4-hour slots, six per day, every day. The phase rotation (Radar / Construction / Tech / Heroes / Mobilization) is independent of the weekly cycle and runs from server day one — start engaging with it the moment you can to build the badge habit.

Common Timeline Mistakes

  1. Stalling HQ to "save resources" — you save resources to push HQ, not the other way around. A stalled HQ is wasted time
  2. Skipping early events because you "are not ready" — server events have generous reward floors. Participating at any level beats not participating
  3. Joining an alliance late — alliance help, alliance tech, and alliance events are too valuable to miss for any reason. Join on day one
  4. Spending speedups on whatever timer is currently running — speedups are most valuable on Day 5 of VS (4x training multiplier). Save for VS Day 5 from week 4 onward
  5. Treating pre-season like the main game — pre-season is your runway. Use it to set up, not to settle
  6. Not preparing for Drone Center at HQ 15 — Drone parts come from limited sources. Players who hit HQ 15 with parts already saved jump levels immediately

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