Downloads
From Idle Server Defender
Downloads[edit]
Downloads are time-based progression upgrades you buy with Coins in the Server screen.
When you start a download:
- You pay Coins up front.
- It is assigned to a server slot.
- A real-time timer starts.
- After completion, the download gains +1 level.
Downloads are a core long-term growth system and should be running as often as possible.
How Downloads Work[edit]
- Select a download from the Downloads list.
- Make sure you have enough Coins and an available slot.
- Start the download (it becomes active and begins counting down).
- Wait for completion, or speed it up.
- On completion, the slot is freed automatically and the download level increases.
Notes:
- A download can only be active once at a time.
- You cannot start it again while it is already running.
- Downloads use authoritative time; if time sync is unavailable, downloading is restricted.
What Downloads Give You[edit]
Different downloads do different things, for example:
- Permanent stat multipliers (damage, health, regen, income, etc.)
- Start-of-run quality boosts (like starting resources)
- Extra capacity systems (module slots, system weapon slots, executable slots, worker idle improvements)
- Access progression to more content
Most download value is permanent account progression through higher download levels.
Speeding Up Downloads[edit]
You can reduce remaining time by:
- Spending Gems to skip hours
- Using the ad/time-speedup option (when available)
Both options reduce remaining time on the active download and can finish it much earlier.
Download Strategy[edit]
- Keep download slots occupied whenever possible.
- Prioritize downloads that unlock new systems, not only raw stats.
- Balance short-term stat downloads with long-term unlock downloads.
Most Important Downloads (Priority)[edit]
The three Upgrade Unlock Downloads are especially important:
These are high priority because they unlock the rest of category content, including:
- Upgrades in that category
- Boosts in that category
- Modules in that category
- Other related category-gated content
If progression feels stuck, these are usually the first downloads to push.
