Choose the gain, not the glow
Decide the troop type, stat and flat or percentage attribute your build needs before refining. A gold attribute for the wrong job is still the wrong attribute. It has simply dressed for the interview.
| Possible improvement | Spending priority |
|---|---|
| Wrong stat → useful stat | Usually first: improve a piece you actually use. |
| Useful stat → slightly higher value | Usually wait: compare the small gain with another unfinished piece. |
| Fourth gold attribute on Civilization Equipment | Check the Advanced Refining unlock before deciding to stop. |
Run the break-even test before refining
Flat and percentage attributes do different jobs. Specialist guides report that percentage bonuses scale from a troop tier’s base stat, while flat bonuses add a fixed number afterward. This makes flat refines proportionally powerful for low-tier defensive masses. Percentage refines usually suit high-tier attack marches.
| Tier and stat | Fixed increase | 25% increase | Larger raw increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| T1 mounted HP: base 400 | +1,000 | +100 | Flat |
| T14 mounted HP: base 12,050 | +1,000 | +3,012.5 | Percentage |
Use this planning formula: break-even base stat = flat value ÷ percentage as a decimal.
For a +1,000 flat attribute versus 25%, the break-even base stat is 4,000. Below 4,000, the flat attribute adds more raw stat. Above 4,000, the percentage attribute adds more. The Forge has finally agreed to show its work.
This compares one raw stat increase, not the full battle result. Total buffs, enemy debuffs, troop count, layers, range, targeting and battle mode still matter. Specialist documentation and player reports say flat bonuses are not reduced by percentage debuffs, but Evony does not publish a complete current combat formula. Confirm the choice with comparable reports before replacing a developed refine.
Specialist mechanics guide; Base troop stat table; Player discussion: flat versus percentage
Price the locks you will actually use
Top Games’ 2026-03-27 update says Wish Blessing reduces the Gem cost of locking equipment attributes. Its listed +50 Wish Blessing is not a stated 50% discount. Check the price shown with your intended locks and active blessing before spending.
Official Wish Blessing and refining update
Set separate limits for Gems, Gold and Refining Stones. Stop when any limit is reached. Recalculate if the displayed cost changes.
That buys attempts, not a promised result. This guide does not assume a success probability or calculate an expected price for your target roll.
“I have already spent too much to stop” is the Forge’s preferred accounting method.
The exception: an unlock with a useful job
The official Civilization Equipment rule requires all four refining attributes to reach gold to unlock Advanced Refining. This adds a separate attribute, refined with Gold and Refining Stones.
Official Civilization Equipment Advanced Refining rules
If the fourth gold opens a useful extra attribute, compare that benefit with the remaining cost. Do not assume the same rule applies to every equipment set. Read the unlock shown on your piece.
Aim for useful gold attributes. Accepting the wrong stat just to unlock another can sacrifice more than it adds. Budget for developing the extra attribute too.
Count all three budgets
For ordinary equipment refining, divide each spending limit by its displayed cost per attempt. Round down, then use the smallest result. Your Gem balance is not the whole budget. The Stones would like to be consulted.
| Resource | Spending limit | Cost per attempt | Affordable attempts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gems | 100,000 | 4,000 | 25 |
| Gold | 60,000,000 | 3,000,000 | 20 |
| Refining Stones | 1,800 | 100 | 18 |
This example assumes fixed prices and the same locks throughout. It permits 18 attempts, not 25. You finish with 28,000 Gems and 6,000,000 Gold from the allocated budget, but no Refining Stones. Stop there; leftover Gems are not permission to refill.
Reserve resources for your next planned upgrade before setting these limits. If a lock, blessing or displayed price changes, calculate again using the remaining budget. Advanced Refining has a separate cost structure; do not copy this ordinary-refining example into it.
Set the target before the locks
On a new or unfinished piece, decide which useful attributes are worth keeping before adding locks. On an already useful piece, do not unlock good attributes merely to make attempts cheaper. A cheaper roll can still be an expensive replacement.
Historical specialist guide: lock planning
The linked 2021 guide recommends choosing early attributes carefully before locking. Its old Gem prices and equipment recommendations are not current rules; the official 2026 Wish Blessing adjustment is why you must check your own screen.
Player discussion: Refining Stone budgets
Players describe running short of Stones when developing several Civilization pieces. These are anecdotes, not controlled tests or verified current prices. The budget calculation above is arithmetic, not a prediction of how many rolls will produce your target.
Give the session an ending
- Pick one piece, one useful target and your spending limits. Check any active refining-event rewards against those planned attempts; count only rewards you can actually claim.
- Stop when you reach the target or a limit. If the next improvement is tiny, compare another piece or a guaranteed upgrade before buying more attempts.
Sources reviewed 2026-09-25; flat-versus-percentage test and T1/T14 examples added. Official references document the 2026 cost adjustment and original 2023 Civilization Equipment unlock. Flat-bonus order and base stats come from current specialist documentation, with player reports used only as supporting evidence. Current roll odds, account-specific prices and the complete combat formula remain unverified. Use your in-game costs and comparable battle reports.
Keep the useful roll.
Keep the spending limit.
The Forge will recover emotionally.
— 
Kat
Several Gems were unavailable for comment.