New Player Questions
1. Is Lands of Jail free to play?
Yes! Lands of Jail is completely free to download and play. It offers optional in-app purchases for gems, heroes, and cosmetic items, but all gameplay content is accessible without spending money.
2. What platforms is Lands of Jail available on?
Lands of Jail is available on iOS (App Store) and Android (Google Play Store). There is no PC version, but you can use emulators.
3. Is it pay-to-win?
While spending money accelerates progress, the game is fully playable as F2P. Smart resource management, active alliance membership, and consistent daily play can keep you competitive — especially in the mid-tier.
4. Can I change servers?
Yes, but it usually costs gems or requires starting a new account. Some servers offer free transfers during special events. Check your server settings for options.
5. How do I bind my account?
Go to Settings → Account → Bind Account. Options typically include Google Play, Game Center, Facebook, and Email. Bind immediately to prevent progress loss.
6. What happens if I lose my device?
As long as your account is bound, you can log in on a new device and continue playing. Unbound accounts may be lost permanently.
7. Can I have multiple accounts?
Yes, you can create multiple accounts, but each must be on a different server. Using the same account on multiple servers requires starting fresh on each.
Gameplay Basics
8. What is the main goal in Lands of Jail?
The primary goals are to build and upgrade your prison facility, recruit powerful prisoner-heroes, train troops, join an alliance, and compete for territory and resources on the world map.
9. What should I do first?
Follow the tutorial, then:
- Bind your account
- Join an active alliance
- Focus on HQ (Warden's Office) upgrades
- Complete daily quests
- Send troops to gather resources
10. What is the Warden's Office (HQ)?
It's your central building. Its level determines the maximum level of all other buildings and unlocks new features. Always keep your HQ at the maximum level possible.
11. What are prisoners/heroes?
Prisoners are the hero characters in Lands of Jail. Each has unique skills and stats. They lead marches, defend your base, provide passive bonuses, and participate in events.
12. How do I get new heroes?
Heroes are obtained through the summoning system using gems or special tokens. Rate-up banners offer increased chances for specific heroes. Some heroes are also available through events and the alliance shop.
13. What are troops and how do I train them?
Troops are your military units, trained at the Guard Barracks. There are multiple types (Guards, Snipers, Riot Squad, K-9 Units) and tiers. Always train the highest tier available.
14. What is stamina/energy used for?
Stamina is consumed when attacking campaign stages and gathering on the world map. It regenerates over time and can be replenished with items.
Resources
15. What are the main resources?
- Food: Troop upkeep and training
- Materials: Building construction
- Cash: Research and recruitment
- Gems: Premium currency for summons and purchases
16. How do I get more food?
Upgrade your Mess Hall, assign food-production heroes (Chef Remy), research food tech, and gather from food nodes on the world map.
17. How do I get gems for free?
Daily quests, alliance events, campaign stars, login rewards, achievement milestones, server events, and PvP ranking rewards all provide free gems.
18. What should I spend gems on?
Save gems for rate-up summoning events featuring S-tier heroes. This is the best value for F2P players. Never waste gems on speed-ups or individual resources.
19. How do I protect my resources from raids?
Upgrade your Warehouse, spend resources before logging off, use protection shields, join an active alliance for defense, and send excess resources with gathering troops.
20. Why do my troops keep dying?
You're likely running out of food (causing troop desertion) or losing them in PvP combat. Check your food production rate and avoid attacking stronger players.
Heroes & Prisoners
21. Who are the best heroes in the game?
Check our Tier List for the current rankings. S-tier heroes include The Warden, Mr. Ledger, Ironjaw, and Scarlet.
22. How do I upgrade heroes?
Heroes can be upgraded through: Leveling (EXP), Ascending (shards), Skill Upgrades (skill books/materials), and Gear (equipment).
23. Should I spread upgrades across multiple heroes or focus on one?
Always focus on your best 2-3 heroes first. Spreading resources thin leads to mediocrity. Max out your top heroes before investing in others.
24. What is hero ascension?
Ascension increases a hero's star level and base stats. It requires duplicate hero shards. Higher ascension = significantly stronger hero.
25. How do I get hero shards?
Hero shards come from summoning duplicates, events, alliance shop, campaign rewards, and special offers.
26. Can I reset a hero's upgrades?
Some games allow reset for a cost (gems or items). Check your hero management screen for this option. If available, use it if you've invested in a weak hero.
Combat
27. How does the troop counter system work?
- Guards counter Snipers
- Snipers counter Riot Squad
- Riot Squad counters Guards
- K-9 Units counter Snipers but lose to Riot Squad
Countering grants +30% damage bonus.
28. Should I scout before attacking?
Always. Scouting reveals the target's troop composition, defense layout, and resource stockpile. Attacking blind is a recipe for disaster.
29. How do I defend my base?
Upgrade walls and traps, assign defense heroes (The Architect), keep garrison troops, build defense towers, and ask alliance members for reinforcement.
30. What is a rally?
A rally is a coordinated attack where multiple alliance members contribute troops to a single massive march. Rallies are essential for attacking strong targets.
31. Why do I lose even when I have more power?
Power is a general metric. Actual combat depends on troop counters, hero skills, formations, and defense layouts. A smart player with lower power can beat a careless one with higher power.
32. How do I heal wounded troops?
Wounded troops go to your Infirmary. Upgrade the Infirmary, assign Doctor Vale for faster healing, and use healing speed-ups during wars.
Buildings
33. What should I upgrade first?
Priority: Warden's Office (HQ) > Warehouse > Mess Hall > Research Lab > Guard Barracks > Infirmary. See our Building Priority Guide.
34. How do I get more builder slots?
Most SLGs start you with 1-2 builders. Additional slots can be unlocked through VIP levels, gems, or special events. Extra builders dramatically speed up progression.
35. What does the Research Lab do?
The Research Lab provides permanent stat bonuses — resource production, combat stats, training speed, construction speed. Start researching early.
36. Should I upgrade walls?
Yes. Walls are your primary physical defense. They absorb damage during raids and house traps. Keep them as high as possible.
37. What is the Embassy for?
The Embassy allows alliance members to reinforce your base and enables alliance rally participation. Upgrade it to receive more reinforcement troops.
Alliances
38. When should I join an alliance?
Immediately after the tutorial. Alliance bonuses are essential from day one. Don't wait — find any active alliance and join.
39. How do I choose a good alliance?
Look for: 50+ members, high online activity, alliance level 5+, your language, reasonable requirements. Talk to the leader before joining.
40. What are alliance coins and how do I use them?
Alliance coins are earned through tech donations and alliance events. Spend them in the Alliance Shop on hero shards, speed-ups, resources, and items.
41. Can I switch alliances?
Yes, but there's usually a cooldown (12-24 hours). Always leave on good terms and never during a war. Coordinate your departure with both alliance leaders.
42. What happens during alliance wars?
Alliance wars involve coordinated attacks and defense against rival alliances. You'll rally targets, defend territory, and earn war points for rewards.
Progression
43. How do I increase my power quickly?
- Upgrade buildings (especially HQ)
- Train higher-tier troops
- Research permanent tech
- Level and ascend heroes
- Upgrade hero gear
44. What is VIP and is it worth upgrading?
VIP levels provide permanent bonuses like extra builder slots, faster research, and daily rewards. Upgrading VIP is worth it for active players.
45. What should I do when I'm stuck?
- Check if your HQ is maxed (it gates everything)
- Join a stronger alliance for bonuses
- Focus on research for permanent bonuses
- Gather resources from the world map
- Participate in events for bonus resources
46. How long does it take to be competitive?
F2P players can be competitive in mid-tier within 2-4 weeks of active play. Top-tier competitiveness requires months or significant spending.
Spending & Value
47. Should I spend money on the game?
It's optional. If you enjoy the game and want to support it, the Monthly Pass and Battle Pass offer the best value. For F2P players, patience and consistency are key.
48. What's the best value purchase?
The Monthly Pass provides the most gems per dollar. First-time purchase bonuses (2x or 3x) are also excellent value.
49. Should I buy gem packs for summons?
Only during rate-up banners featuring S-tier heroes. Never buy gems for standard summons — the rates are much worse.
50. Is the Battle Pass worth it?
For active players who complete it: absolutely. The rewards far exceed the cost. For casual players, it may not be worth it.
Technical Issues
51. The game keeps crashing. What should I do?
- Restart your device
- Clear the game cache
- Update to the latest version
- Check available storage space
- Contact customer support
52. I didn't receive my purchase. What now?
Wait 24 hours (purchases can be delayed). If still missing, contact customer support with your purchase receipt. Most issues are resolved within 48 hours.
53. Can I play on multiple devices?
Yes, as long as your account is bound. Log in with the same account on any device. Progress syncs automatically.
54. How do I contact customer support?
Settings → Customer Support → Submit Ticket. Provide screenshots and a clear description of your issue.
Have a question we didn't answer? Check our other guides or reach out through our community channels. This FAQ is updated regularly with new answers.