Pokemon Survivor upgrades are permanent boosts you buy with coins between runs. There are 13 of them, and maxing every one costs 40,000 coins for each Pokemon.
This page lists every upgrade with its effect and cost, how coins are paid out at the end of a run, and how upgrades differ from the stat cards you pick at level-up. For a first run, see Pokemon Survivor guide.
How Pokemon Survivor upgrades work
- They are per Pokemon. Every Pokemon has its own upgrade levels. Coins are a single shared wallet, but what you buy applies to the Pokemon you bought it for. See the Pokedex to pick one.
- They apply from the start of every run. The effect is in place before the first enemy arrives.
- Coins come from runs. A new account starts with 500 coins, and every run pays out when it ends.
- Tickets are separate. Gacha tickets are never spent on upgrades; see gacha.
All 13 permanent upgrades
Costs rise with each level. The cost column gives the first and last level, and the last column the total to max the upgrade. Together they come to 40,000 coins.
| Upgrade | Per level | At max | Levels | Cost per level | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vitality | +8 max HP | +80 max HP | 10 | 60 to 890 | 3,270 |
| Strength | +4% damage | +40% damage | 10 | 80 to 1,450 | 5,050 |
| Stride | +3% movement speed | +24% movement speed | 8 | 70 to 740 | 2,420 |
| Reflexes | -3% cooldown | -24% cooldown | 8 | 90 to 1,050 | 3,340 |
| Armor | +2% damage reduction | +16% damage reduction | 8 | 80 to 840 | 2,750 |
| Synthesis | +0.2 HP per second | +1 HP per second | 5 | 120 to 610 | 1,590 |
| Magnet | +12% pickup radius | +72% pickup radius | 6 | 50 to 270 | 820 |
| Wisdom | +5% experience | +40% experience | 8 | 100 to 1,160 | 3,700 |
| Fortune | +8% coins at the end of a run | +64% coins | 8 | 120 to 1,620 | 4,950 |
| Repertoire | Start every run with a second move | A second starting move | 1 | 1,500 | 1,500 |
| Critical Hit | +3% critical chance (critical hits deal x1.5) | +30% critical chance | 10 | 90 to 1,860 | 6,300 |
| Card reroll | +1 level-up card reroll per run | +5 rerolls per run | 5 | 150 to 980 | 2,360 |
| Ban | Blocks one move from your level-up cards | 3 blocked moves | 3 | 300 to 1,080 | 1,950 |
How coins are paid
Pokemon Survivor upgrades are paid for with coins, and a run pays out when it ends, however it ends:
- 1 coin for every 5 seconds survived.
- 1 coin for every 4 Pokemon defeated.
- 80 coins for every boss defeated.
- Every coin you picked up on the map.
- The total is multiplied by your coin multiplier: Fortune gives up to x1.64 at level 8, and the Amulet Coin held item multiplies it by a further 1.5.
A worked example
Say a run lasts the full 30 minutes, with 2,000 Pokemon defeated and 5 bosses. That pays 360 for time, 500 for defeats and 400 for bosses: 1,260 coins before the coins you picked up. With Fortune maxed the same run pays 2,066. These figures are an illustration, not a measured average.
At that pace the extra coins from a maxed Fortune repay its 4,950-coin cost in about 7 runs.
Level-up cards versus upgrades
Level-up cards are a different system. You pick one of three whenever you level up, and everything resets when the run ends. The stat cards are:
- A card takes the place of a new move or a move upgrade, so you trade between growing your stats and growing your moves. The move evolution guide explains the cards that unlock evolutions.
- New-move cards are offered while you have a free move slot; once the slots are full, stat cards carry more weight.
- Card reroll and Ban are upgrades that shape the cards: +5 rerolls per run and 3 blocked moves at max.
| Card | Effect | Most picks in a run |
|---|---|---|
| Vigor | +20 max HP, and heals that amount | No limit |
| Power | +10% damage with every move | 40 |
| Sprint | +7% movement speed | 8 |
| Reflexes | -8% cooldown on every move | 10 |
| Armor | +6% damage reduction (total capped at 70%) | 12 |
| Synthesis | +0.9 HP regenerated per second | No limit |
| Magnet | +30% pickup radius for experience | 6 |
| Learning | +12% experience gained | 8 |
| Sitrus Berry | Restores 45% of your max HP right now | No limit |
What to buy first
- The first levels of Pokemon Survivor upgrades give the most per coin, because each level costs more than the last: a few levels in several upgrades cost less than the same number in one. The cheapest to max are Magnet (820 coins), Synthesis (1,590 coins), Ban (1,950 coins), and Card reroll (2,360 coins).
- Repertoire costs 1,500 coins once and gives you a second move from the start of every run, which is a large step on its own.
- Fortune is worth buying early if you play a lot: it raises every later payout. Pokemon Survivor tips has advice on getting the most out of each run.
- Buy for the Pokemon you intend to keep playing. See best Pokemon in Pokemon Survivor for picks and Pokemon Survivor starters for the first choice.
Pokemon Survivor upgrades FAQ
How many upgrades are there in Pokemon Survivor?
13 permanent upgrades, costing 40,000 coins to max for one Pokemon.
Are upgrades per Pokemon?
Yes. Each Pokemon has its own levels, and the coins are one shared wallet.
How do I earn coins?
At the end of each run you are paid for time survived, Pokemon defeated, bosses and coins picked up, multiplied by your Fortune level.
What is the difference between upgrades and level-up cards?
Upgrades are permanent and bought with coins. Level-up cards are chosen in a run and reset when it ends.