Getting your hands on every possible all star tower defense gem is pretty much the main goal for anyone serious about climbing the leaderboards or just surviving the harder nightmare modes. If you've spent more than five minutes in the lobby, you've probably seen players flexing those shiny six-star units that seem impossible to get. The secret isn't just luck; it's all about how you manage your gems. Let's be real, the gacha system can be a total pain sometimes, but if you know where to look and how to save, you won't find yourself staring at an empty balance when a broken meta unit finally drops on Banner Z.
The Daily Grind is Actually Worth It
I know, I know. Logging in every single day feels like a chore, but in ASTD, those daily quests are your bread and butter. It's the most consistent way to keep your all star tower defense gem count rising without having to break a sweat. Usually, these tasks are incredibly simple—stuff like "clear three story stages" or "upgrade units fifty times." You're probably going to do that anyway if you're playing the game, so you might as well get paid for it.
If you skip your dailies, you're basically leaving free money on the table. Over a month, those small rewards add up to enough for a full pity pull. Most players who complain about being broke are the ones who only log in when a big update drops. If you want the top-tier characters, you've got to be a bit more disciplined than that.
Making the Most of Story Mode
When you're first starting out, Story Mode is like a gold mine—well, a gem mine. Every time you clear a new stage for the first time, the game throws gems at you. It's tempting to rush through and just try to see the ending, but you should really focus on completing every difficulty level.
The early levels are a breeze, especially if you've managed to snag even a decent four-star unit from the secondary banners. As you get further into the different worlds, the difficulty spikes, but so do the rewards. If you hit a wall, don't just give up. Go back, level up your units, and come back for those gems. It's a one-time influx, sure, but it's usually enough to get your first "carry" unit that will help you farm everything else.
Hard Mode and Beyond
Once you've cleared the basic stuff, don't ignore the harder versions of those maps. They're tougher, obviously, but they're designed to test your strategy. More importantly, they give out more gems. It's a great way to test out new team compositions while padding your wallet. Plus, it's a lot more engaging than just mindlessly clicking through the same easy levels over and over.
The Magic of the AFK Time Chamber
Let's talk about the best feature for people who actually have a life (or just need to sleep). The Time Chamber is a total lifesaver. You literally just stand there, and the game gives you gems. It's not the fastest way to get rich, but it's passive income. If you're going to be away from your computer or phone for a few hours, there's no reason not to leave your character in the chamber.
If you have a VIP pass or some of the other perks, the rate at which you earn each all star tower defense gem increases. Even without those, it's still worth it. Think about it: if you leave it running overnight while you're getting your eight hours of sleep, you'll wake up to a nice little surprise. It might only be enough for a few pulls, but over a week, that's dozens of summons you didn't have to work for.
Infinite Mode for the Brave
If you're feeling confident and have a solid team, Infinite Mode is where the real action is. It's not just about seeing how long you can last; it's about the rewards you get for reaching certain waves. The further you go, the better the payout. This is where you'll really start to see the difference between a casual player and someone who knows their placements.
The cool thing about Infinite is that it's also the best way to farm XP for your units. So, you're basically killing two birds with one stone: making your units stronger and earning gems to buy new ones. Just make sure you're bringing a well-rounded team with some slow-down or stun units, or you'll get overwhelmed way faster than you'd like.
Don't Forget the Codes
This might seem obvious, but you'd be surprised how many people forget to check for new codes. The developers are actually pretty generous with these, especially after a big update or when the game hits a new milestone. A single code can sometimes give you 500 or even 1000 gems instantly.
I usually keep a tab open for the official Discord or check a reliable fan site every couple of days. They do expire, so you can't just wait around forever. Whenever a new character is announced, there's almost always a code that comes along with it to help people pull for them. It's basically a tradition at this point.
Spending Strategy: The Pity System
Now that you know how to get them, let's talk about how not to waste them. The biggest mistake I see players make is "rage pulling." You see a cool unit, you spend 500 gems, you don't get it, so you spend another 500. Before you know it, you're broke and you have nothing to show for it but a bunch of three-star fodder.
ASTD has a "pity" system for a reason. Usually, after a certain number of pulls (it varies, but it's often around 60 for the big ones), you're guaranteed to get the featured unit. Never start pulling on a banner unless you have enough gems to hit that pity. It sounds strict, but it's the only way to guarantee you aren't wasting your hard-earned all star tower defense gem stash. If you have 2000 gems and the pity is 3000, just wait. The unit will come back, or an even better one will take its place.
Which Banner is Right for You?
You've got Banner X, Banner Y, and the legendary Banner Z. Usually, Banner Z is where the heavy hitters live—the ones that define the current meta. If you're a newer player, you might want to spread your gems out a bit to get a functional team, but once you have the basics, you should be laser-focused on Banner Z.
Check the wikis or YouTube to see which units are actually "S-tier" before you commit. Some units look flashy and cool but actually have terrible range or low DPS compared to others. Don't let a cool animation trick you into spending your savings on a mid-tier character.
Managing Your Inventory
It might not seem related to gems, but keeping your inventory clean actually helps. When you pull a lot, you end up with a ton of low-level units. Instead of just letting them sit there, use them to feed your main units. Stronger units mean you can clear higher waves in Infinite Mode and harder Story stages, which—you guessed it—leads to more gems.
Also, keep an eye out for units that can be evolved. Sometimes a mediocre five-star can turn into a god-tier six-star with the right materials. Evolving is often cheaper and more reliable than trying to pull a six-star directly from the banner.
Final Thoughts on the Grind
At the end of the day, All Star Tower Defense is a marathon, not a sprint. You're not going to have every dream unit in your first week. But if you're smart about your all star tower defense gem usage, stay on top of your dailies, and don't fall for the trap of emotional pulling, you'll find yourself with a top-tier roster sooner than you think.
The game is constantly changing, and new units are always pushing the power creep further. That's why having a healthy reserve of gems is so important. When that next "broken" anime protagonist arrives, you'll be the one laughing while everyone else is scrambling to farm. Just keep grinding, use the Time Chamber whenever you can, and always, always wait for the pity. Your future self will definitely thank you when you're clearing Wave 100 without breaking a sweat.