Hexonomica. How do I open a hex?

Open a hex — and you'll see what's hidden under it: a coin, a resource, a building, a monster, or just empty ground you can capture and build on. This page answers the three questions every new player asks: how much does it cost, what can be found, and why open hexes at all.

How much does it cost?

Opening one hex costs exactly 1 unit of energy.

  • Starter pack. Right after registration you receive a small reserve of energy for free — enough for your first dozen or so hexes.
  • Where to top up. When the starter reserve runs out, head to the in-game shop or to your faction's charging station — solar panels, generators.
  • Flywheel. Spin up the flywheel by actually moving around, and you'll earn energy every time the energy circle completes a full cycle.

What can be under a hex?

Most hexes turn out empty, but sometimes you stumble onto something useful — or dangerous.

  • Nothing. The most common outcome. The hex is yours — capture it and build.
  • A resource. Energy, wood, stone, ore, mushrooms — what you find depends on the landscape of that hex. Pick it up with a single tap.
  • A coin or a pot of coins. The in-game currency — picked up with the "Take" button.
  • A building or a resource deposit. A mine, a generator, an ore deposit — the structure stays on the map for everyone to see. Once you capture the hex, you can run it, manage it, or tear it down and build your own.
  • A monster. The hex spawns a creature nearby (survivors, zombies, sand worms, shrikes and others). You'll have to fight it — see the Bestiary.
  • A quest. You may find the start of a quest and join in; details live in the Quests section.

What's around your avatar

No matter where you stand, you always see several hexes around your avatar — that's your actionable area. In this zone you can explore, gather resources, interact with the world and build.

See also