Best upgrade order (by payback)
| # | Upgrade | Cost | Adds | Pays back in | HQ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oil Rig 1 build | $90 | +3/s | 30s | 1 |
| 2 | Oil Rig 2 build | $160 | +4/s | 40s | 1 |
| 3 | Oil Rig 3 build | $270 | +5/s | 54s | 1 |
| 4 | Oil Rig 4 build | $470 | +7/s | 67s | 1 |
| 5 | Oil Rig 5 build | $800 | +9/s | 89s | 2 |
| 6 | Oil Rig 1 Lv 1 → 2 | $380 | +4/s | 2 min | 2 |
| 7 | Oil Rig 6 build | $1,400 | +11/s | 2 min | 2 |
| 8 | Supply Depot build | $400 | +3/s | 2 min | 1 |
| 9 | Oil Rig 2 Lv 1 → 2 | $670 | +5/s | 2 min | — |
| 10 | Oil Rig 1 Lv 2 → 3 | $1,400 | +9/s | 3 min | 3 |
| 11 | Oil Rig 3 Lv 1 → 2 | $1,100 | +7/s | 3 min | — |
| 12 | Oil Rig 4 Lv 1 → 2 | $2,000 | +9/s | 4 min | — |
| 13 | Oil Rig 9 build | $7,200 | +24/s | 5 min | 3 |
| 14 | Supply Depot Lv 1 → 2 | $8,000 | +15/s | 9 min | 1 |
| 15 | Headquarters Lv 1 → 2 | $2,500 | +4/s | 10 min | 1 |
| 16 | Oil Rig 12 build | $37.0K | +54/s | 11 min | 3 |
| 17 | Munitions Factory build | $600K | +600/s | 17 min | 4 |
| 18 | Headquarters Lv 2 → 3 | $60.0K | +10/s | 1.7 h | 2 |
| 19 | Headquarters Lv 3 → 4 | $1.00M | +24/s | 12 h | 3 |
Income values are what each card says the purchase adds (for example “Upgrade: +9/s base income”). HQ upgrades also unlock new buildings, so they are worth more than their payback suggests. Rigs without a recorded income are not ranked yet.
Percent boosts: Power Plant & Oil Refinery
The Power Plant ($1,200, +10% base income; level 2 $30.0K, +12%) and Oil Refinery ($18.0K at HQ 2, +15%) multiply your base income, so they get better the more you already earn. Rule of thumb: a +10% building pays back in cost ÷ (base income × 0.10) seconds. At 40/s base, the Power Plant pays back in about 5 minutes; at 120/s, under 2 minutes.
Hold capture points
Points on the island add an income bonus while you hold them; we have seen it read 8%, 16% and 24% at different times, so it is not a fixed amount per point. Losing a point shows a red “NEUTRALISED: you lost its income” banner. Leave your army on AUTO: since Update 2 it returns to defend points under attack.
Known bug
Points captured by allies do not share passive income yet. The developer said on October 15 that alliance bonuses “will be fixed very soon”.
The Hand Pump
The Hand Pump ($150) pays per pump; it showed $4.50 per pump in our base and grows with base size. It is worth spamming in the first minutes, then forget it unless you own the Auto Pump pass (149 Robux), which works it for you while you are at the front.
Passes and boosts
- 2x Cash (799): doubles all tycoon income, forever.
- VIP Commander (499): +25% income, plus a double daily supply crate.
- Server Boost (149 Robux, one-off): 2x cash for the whole server for 30 minutes.
- Supply Drops: instant Cash worth 10 minutes (49), 1 hour (199) or 5 hours (799) of your income.
- Promotion: +50% income permanently after your first rebirth. Free, just slow.
The store says 2x Cash “stacks with promotions, VIP and boosts” but not whether bonuses add or multiply, so we do not publish a combined multiplier.
A simple plan
- Oil Rigs 1–4, then the Supply Depot ($400).
- Troop Tent and Support Tent so your army holds points (bonus income).
- HQ 2 ($2,500), then Rigs 5–6 and the cheap rig upgrades.
- Power Plant once base income is above ~40/s, Oil Refinery at HQ 2.
- Save for HQ 3 ($60.0K), then Rigs 9–12 (Rig 9: +24/s for $7,200).
- At HQ 4, the Munitions Factory adds +600/s for $600K (about 17 minutes payback).
FAQ
What is the fastest way to make money in Army Commander Tycoon?
Buy income upgrades in order of payback time: Oil Rigs 1–4 first (30–67 seconds each), then rig upgrades and Rigs 5–6, then the Power Plant once your base income is high. Keep capture points held for the bonus.
Is 2x Cash worth it?
It doubles all tycoon income permanently and stacks with promotions, VIP and boosts (the game does not say exactly how). If you plan to play for weeks it has the biggest effect of any pass; buy it with Gold from a large pack to save Robux.
Does the Hand Pump matter?
Early, yes: it paid $4.50 per pump in our base and scales with base size. The Auto Pump pass makes it work by itself while you fight.