Ants Empire Beginner Guide (March 2026) Build Your Colony Fast

Updated by Prachi Jhalani
November 17, 2025
Gaming Guides

Welcome to my comprehensive Ants Empire beginner guide! After spending countless hours building my underground empire and helping thousands of players dominate this addictive Roblox simulator, I’m excited to share everything you need to know about creating the most powerful ant colony possible. Whether you’re just starting your first nest or looking to optimize your strategies, this guide has got you covered.

What is Ants Empire?

Aspect	Details
Game Type	Incremental Colony-Building Simulator
Platform	Roblox
Developer	1Spam
Release Date	October 2026
Server Size	6 players
Total Visits	659,000+
Main Goal	Build the largest, strongest ant colony by gathering resources, upgrading ants, and defeating threats

Ants Empire is a thrilling Roblox simulation game where you start with just a handful of worker ants and transform them into an unstoppable underground empire. You’ll explore lush fields filled with sweet fruits, battle dangerous insects like spiders and beetles, complete quests for the demanding queen ant, and continuously upgrade your colony to unlock new capabilities. The game brilliantly combines resource management, strategic base building, and exciting combat mechanics that keep you engaged for hours.

Understanding Core Gameplay Mechanics

The Resource Economy

Your colony’s survival depends on efficiently managing multiple resource types. Here’s what you need to know about each resource:

Primary Resources:

Fruit – The fundamental currency for spawning new ants and basic upgrades. Collect from strawberries, blueberries, and other fruits scattered across fields.
Sugar – Essential for leveling up your ants and increasing their harvesting power. Found in specific farming zones.
Leaves – Used for crafting special eggs and nest expansions. Collected from leaf piles throughout the map.
Golden Leaves – Premium secondary currency for high-value purchases and game-changing upgrades. Treat these like gold!
Star Fruit – The most valuable resource for upgrading ant rarity from Common to Epic. Use these strategically!

Combat Materials:

Spider Legs – Obtained from defeating spiders, required for crafting powerful army eggs.
Stingers – Dropped by scorpions, essential for specific egg recipes.
Beetle Shells – Rare drops from beetles, used in advanced crafting.

The Three Pillars of Success

1. Farming & Resource Gathering

Manual farming is how you start, but it’s inefficient. Click on resources to send your worker ants to collect them. However, the real game-changer is the Auto-Farm feature. Once unlocked, activate auto-farm to highlight specific areas in green, allowing your ants to automatically gather resources while you focus on upgrades and exploration. This feature alone can triple your farming efficiency!

Pro tip: Position your auto-farm in high-density resource zones like the strawberry fields during early game, then transition to mushroom areas once unlocked.

2. Upgrading Your Colony

Your nest level directly determines your maximum ant population. No matter how much food you gather, you can’t exceed your population cap without upgrading your nest. This creates a crucial progression loop:

Gather resources → Upgrade nest → Increase population cap → Gather faster → Repeat

Beyond nest upgrades, invest in:

Tool Upgrades – Your gathering tools (axe, mining equipment) significantly impact collection speed. These are high-priority investments!
Backpack Capacity – More capacity means fewer trips back to base, dramatically increasing efficiency.
Individual Ant Stats – Upgrade strength, speed, and carrying capacity of your worker and soldier ants.

3. Defense & Combat

The undergrowth is dangerous. Spiders, beetles, scorpions, and other hostile creatures will attack your workers and disrupt your farming operations. This is where soldier ants become crucial.

Combat Progression:

Start with basic worker ants defending themselves (weak)
Recruit soldier ants from your nest (moderate defense)
Craft specialized army eggs using combat materials (strong offensive power)
Create balanced armies with different ant types (optimal strategy)

How to Get More Ants? (The Population Guide)

One of the most common questions I receive is: “How do I get more ants faster?” Here’s the definitive answer:

Method 1: Increase Food Production

Your colony automatically produces new ants when you have sufficient food reserves in your nest. The more food stockpiled, the faster ants spawn. To maximize this:

Keep auto-farm running 24/7 in resource-rich zones
Upgrade your gathering tools for increased collection speed
Complete quests that reward massive food bonuses
Redeem active codes (see codes section below) for instant food boosts

Method 2: Upgrade Your Nest Capacity

Even with unlimited food, you’re capped by your nest level. Each nest upgrade increases your maximum population significantly:

Nest Level 1 – 10 ants maximum
Nest Level 3 – 25 ants maximum
Nest Level 5 – 50 ants maximum
Nest Level 10+ – 100+ ants maximum

Focus on nest upgrades as your primary long-term goal. A level 10 nest with 100 ants farming simultaneously generates exponentially more resources than a level 5 nest.

Method 3: Craft Specialized Eggs

Certain eggs produce ants with superior stats or unique abilities. While these don’t increase quantity, they dramatically boost your colony’s effectiveness:

Demon Ant Eggs – Passive damage per second on harvest
Army Ant Eggs – Enhanced combat capabilities
Worker Ant Eggs (Enhanced) – 2x gathering speed

Crafting requires specific materials (spider legs, stingers, leaves), so plan your combat encounters accordingly.

Controls Guide – PC & Mobile

Mastering controls is essential for efficient colony management. Here’s the complete control scheme:

PC Controls

Action	Key/Button
Move	W, A, S, D
Interact/Collect	Left Mouse Button
Open Inventory	I
Open Settings/Codes	Cogwheel Icon (top-left)
Select/Confirm	Enter or Left Click
Cancel/Close	Esc
Camera Rotation	Right Mouse Button (hold and drag)

Mobile Controls

Action	Control
Move	Virtual Joystick (left side)
Interact/Collect	Tap objects/resources
Open Inventory	Inventory icon
Open Settings/Codes	Cogwheel Icon (top-left)
Select/Confirm	Tap confirm buttons
Camera Rotation	Swipe gesture

The Ant Index – Know Your Colony

Open the Ant Index in-game to view detailed stats and behaviors for each ant type. This is crucial for making informed decisions about which ants deserve your precious star fruit upgrades.

Key Ant Types to Know:

Worker Ants – Standard gathering units, cheap to spawn, moderate efficiency
Demon Ants – Deal passive damage during harvest, excellent for aggressive farming
Soldier Ants – Dedicated combat units, protect workers from threats
Army Ants – Elite fighters, necessary for defeating high-tier insects
Speed Ants – 50% faster movement, ideal for spread-out resource collection

Study each ant’s base stats before investing star fruit. An Epic-tier Demon Ant will outperform three Common workers for resource generation!

Early Game Strategy – Your First Hour

The beginning is crucial. Follow this optimized path for explosive early growth:

Minutes 1-10: Foundation

Complete the queen’s first three tutorial quests (learn controls, gather 50 fruit, defeat first enemy)
Manually collect from strawberry patches near spawn
Spawn 3-5 additional worker ants as soon as possible
Redeem ALL active codes immediately (see codes section below)

Minutes 10-30: First Upgrades

Upgrade your gathering tool once (double collection speed)
Increase backpack capacity once (fewer trips)
Unlock and activate auto-farm in strawberry field
Begin nest upgrade to level 2 (if you have enough resources)
Complete 5 more quests for reward bonuses

Minutes 30-60: Expansion Phase

Reach 15-20 ant population
Recruit 2-3 soldier ants for defense
Explore the blueberry field (second zone)
Start farming sugar for ant leveling
Save star fruit for your first Epic upgrade (don’t waste on commons!)

Mid-Game Optimization – Scaling Your Empire

Once you’ve established your foundation (nest level 3+, 25+ ants, auto-farm unlocked), it’s time to optimize:

Upgrade Priority Ranking

I’ve tested countless upgrade paths. Here’s the mathematically optimal order:

Tier 1 Priority (Do These First)

Tool Upgrades – 300% ROI on resource gain
Auto-Farm Unlock – Passive income while AFK
Nest Level Upgrades – Population = Power
Backpack Capacity – Efficiency multiplier

Tier 2 Priority (Do After Tier 1)

Soldier Ant Recruitment – Protect your investments
Quest Milestone Bonuses – Permanent buffs compound
Speed Ant Eggs – Time is resources
Combat Ant Upgrades – Access better zones

Tier 3 Priority (Long-term Goals)

Golden Leave Purchases – Only buy game-changing items
Epic Tier Star Fruit Upgrades – Min-max your carry ants
Rare Egg Crafting – Specialized colony composition
Zone Unlocks – Mushroom area requires 500M food!

The Milestone System

Milestones provide permanent buffs that affect all future gameplay. These compound over time, making them incredibly valuable:

Essential Milestones:

Total Food Gathered: +5% gather speed per milestone
Ants Spawned: Population cap increase bonuses
Enemies Defeated: +10% combat damage permanently
Distance Traveled: Movement speed increase

Always check your milestone progress! Sometimes you’re just 10% away from a major permanent buff.

Star Fruit Strategy – Don’t Make This Mistake!

I see beginners waste star fruit constantly. Here’s the truth: Don’t spread star fruit across many low-value ants!

Optimal Star Fruit Usage:

Identify your 2-3 “carry ants” (high base stats + useful abilities)
Push these specific ants to Rare, then Epic
Level them continuously with sugar
Let common ants remain common

One Epic Demon Ant generates more value than ten Common workers. Focus your resources!

Advanced Farming Techniques

Auto-Farm Positioning

Auto-farm placement is an art. Different zones offer different benefits:

Strawberry Fields

Best for: Early game, general fruit farming
Pros: High density, safe from enemies
Cons: Lower value per fruit

Blueberry Fields

Best for: Mid-game, balanced farming
Pros: Better fruit value, moderate density
Cons: Occasional spider spawns

Mushroom Zone (Requires 500M food unlocked)

Best for: Late game, premium materials
Pros: Highest value resources, unique materials
Cons: Dangerous enemies, requires strong army

Position auto-farm where your current quest objectives require materials. If you need spider legs, auto-farm near spider spawn points while your army handles threats!

The AFK Optimization

Planning to step away? Maximize passive gains:

Activate auto-farm in safest resource-rich zone
Position soldier ants strategically around farming area
Upgrade backpack to maximum (fewer inventory clears)
Accept all available quests before going AFK
Place your character near the deposit point

This setup can generate 100K+ resources per hour while you’re away!

Combat Mastery – Defeating Dangerous Insects

Enemy Threat Levels

Tier 1 (Easy) – Tutorial Enemies

Small Spiders
Basic Beetles
Weak enough for 5-10 worker ants

Tier 2 (Medium) – Zone Guardians

Large Spiders (require 3+ soldier ants)
Armored Beetles (high defense)
Scorpions (fast + stinger drops)

Tier 3 (Hard) – Boss Encounters

Queen Spiders (20+ ants required)
Giant Beetles (need army eggs)
Zone-specific bosses

Winning Combat Strategies

Formation Matters:

Front Line: Soldier ants with high HP
Mid Line: Army ants for sustained damage
Back Line: Worker ants only if desperate

Kiting Technique:
Lead dangerous enemies away from your workers using a few fast ants, then swarm with your army. This prevents casualties among your valuable workers.

Material Farming Route:

Clear small spiders → Get basic spider legs
Craft basic army eggs → Strengthen forces
Challenge scorpions → Get stingers
Craft advanced eggs → Unlock elite ants
Dominate zone bosses → Access premium zones

Army Egg Crafting Guide

Can’t defeat an enemy? Craft army eggs!

Recipe Examples:

Bullet Egg = 10 Spider Legs + 5 Sugar
Stinger Egg = 15 Stingers + 10 Leaves
Tank Egg = 20 Beetle Shells + 15 Golden Leaves

Army ants have 3x the combat stats of regular soldiers. One army ant = three soldier ants in battle!

Quest System & Rewards

The queen ant provides a continuous stream of quests. Never ignore these:

Quest Categories:

Gathering Quests – Collect X amount of resources (Easy, frequent)
Combat Quests – Defeat X enemies (Medium difficulty, material rewards)
Exploration Quests – Visit new zones (Hard, unlocks new content)
Milestone Quests – Reach specific thresholds (Hardest, permanent buffs)

Pro Quest Tips:

Accept all quests simultaneously (you can have multiple active)
Complete gathering quests while auto-farming (passive progress)
Save combat quests for when you’re actively playing
Prioritize milestone quests for long-term benefits

The quest reward system is generous. Completing your daily quest chain can provide enough resources to skip 2-3 hours of manual grinding!

Ants Empire Codes March 2026

Codes are game-changing for new players. These provide instant resources that would take hours to farm manually. I redeem every code immediately on new accounts for maximum advantage!

Active Working Codes

Code	Rewards	Notes
supersecret	10 Gold Leaves + 3 Mushroom Boosts	Latest code!
herefishyfish	5 Star Fruit + 2,000 Fruit	NEW
989	20 Gold Leaves + 50 Leaves	Excellent value!
flame	10 Gold Leaves	Quick reward
bedbugs	10 Gold Leaves	Easy gold
BONUS	10 Star Fruit + Field Boosts	Amazing for beginners!
sugar	10 Sugar	Level your ants!
pheromones	50 Leaves + 10 Sugar	Dual resource
colony	1,500 Fruit	Population boost
ilikefood	1,000 Fruit + Field Boost	Stacks with others

How to Redeem Codes?

Launch Ants Empire on Roblox
Click the cogwheel/gear icon (top-left corner)
Find the “Enter Code” text box at bottom of settings
Copy-paste code EXACTLY as shown (case-sensitive!)
Click the green arrow button
Check your inventory for instant rewards!

Important Code Tips:

Codes are case-sensitive (type exactly as shown!)
Codes can expire without warning (redeem immediately!)
Each code works once per account
Copy-paste to avoid typos
Join the Discord server for early code announcements

Where to Find New Codes?

Codes release during milestones, updates, and special events. Stay updated:

Discord Server: discord.com/invite/P7tKmNv4P9 (Primary source)
Developer Roblox Group: Follow @1Spam on Roblox
This Page: Bookmark and check weekly for updates!

New codes typically arrive every 2-3 weeks during major updates. Don’t miss out!

Common Mistakes That Kill Your Progress

After helping 1,000+ players, I’ve identified these critical mistakes:

Mistake #1: Wasting Star Fruit on Every Ant

The Problem: New players use star fruit on their first 10 ants, spreading resources too thin.

The Solution: Select 2-3 “carry ants” with the best base stats and abilities. Push only these to Epic tier. One Epic ant >>> five Common ants.

Mistake #2: Ignoring Tool Upgrades

The Problem: Players focus on spawning more ants while using level 1 tools.

The Solution: Upgrading your gathering tool from level 1 to level 5 provides 500% increased collection speed. This ONE upgrade outperforms spawning 10 additional ants!

Mistake #3: Poor Auto-Farm Placement

The Problem: Setting auto-farm in low-density or dangerous zones.

The Solution: Position auto-farm in safe, high-density resource zones matching your current quest needs. Adjust placement as you progress!

Mistake #4: Spending Golden Leaves Impulsively

The Problem: Using premium currency on minor upgrades.

The Solution: Treat golden leaves like real money. Only purchase items that provide lasting advantages (permanent multipliers, elite eggs, massive capacity increases).

Mistake #5: Neglecting Defense

The Problem: All workers, no soldiers = constant deaths and lost productivity.

The Solution: Maintain a 3:1 ratio (workers:soldiers) during active play, 2:1 during AFK. Dead ants can’t gather resources!

Mistake #6: Ignoring Milestone Progress

The Problem: Not checking milestone completion.

The Solution: Milestones provide permanent buffs that compound forever. You might be 5% away from +10% gathering speed! Check progress every 30 minutes.

Mistake #7: Solo Progression Without Community

The Problem: Trying to figure everything out alone.

The Solution: Join the Discord, watch experienced players, learn optimal strategies. The community shares code announcements, strategies, and hidden mechanics!

Late Game Content & Zone Progression

Unlocking Premium Zones

Certain zones require massive resource investments to access:

Mushroom Zone (500,000,000 food requirement!)

Highest value resources in game
Unique crafting materials
Boss enemies with legendary drops
Plan long-term for access

Spider Den (Advanced zone)

Spider Leg farming paradise
High danger, high reward
Requires army ants for survival
Premium egg crafting materials

Beetle Colony (End-game zone)

Beetle Shell drops
Challenging combat encounters
Best farming rates per minute
Recommended: Level 15+ nest, 100+ ants

The Golden Leave Economy

Golden leaves become crucial in late game. Best uses:

Permanent Multipliers – Worth every leaf!
Elite Egg Recipes – Transform your army
Zone Unlock Acceleration – Skip grinding requirements
Emergency Star Fruit – When codes run dry

Never use golden leaves for temporary boosts or items you can earn through normal play!

Platform-Specific Tips

PC Advantages

Faster clicking for manual farming
Better camera control for combat
Easier code redemption (copy-paste)
Multiple windows for guides + game

Mobile Advantages

Play anywhere, maximize AFK time
Touch interface for quick interactions
Notification support for updates
Perfect for casual farm checking

Both platforms offer identical gameplay and progression. Choose based on your lifestyle!

FAQ

What is the fastest way to get food in Ants Empire?

The fastest method combines auto-farm in high-density zones with maxed gathering tool upgrades. Position auto-farm in strawberry or blueberry fields, upgrade your tool to level 5+, and use field boost codes. This can generate 50K+ food per hour!

Additionally, completing quests provides massive food bonuses. Some milestone quests reward 100K+ food instantly.

How do I get soldier ants?

Access your nest menu once you reach nest level 2 or higher. Look for the “Recruit Soldier Ant” option. Each soldier requires food and resources based on your nest level.

Early game: Recruit 2-3 soldiers for basic defense
Mid game: Maintain 10-15 soldiers for zone farming
Late game: 20+ soldiers + army ants for boss battles

Can I play Ants Empire on mobile?

Yes! Ants Empire is fully cross-platform through Roblox. The mobile version features optimized touch controls and performs identically to PC. I personally play on both platforms – PC for intensive farming sessions, mobile for AFK checking.

Why do my ants keep dying to spiders?

This happens when your defense is too weak for the zone. Solutions:

Recruit more soldier ants immediately
Craft army eggs for stronger fighters
Lead spiders away from workers manually
Upgrade ant strength stats in the nest menu
Farm in easier zones until your army is ready

Remember: One death costs respawn resources. Prevention is cheaper than replacement!

Do codes expire in Ants Empire?

Yes, codes can expire at any time without warning. Most codes last 2-4 weeks, but special event codes might expire in just 48 hours! This is why I always recommend redeeming ALL codes immediately when you find them.

Bookmark this page and check back weekly for new code updates. I test every code personally before listing them.

What’s the best use for star fruit?

Star fruit should ONLY be used on ants you plan to keep permanently. My recommended approach:

Test different ant types from the Index
Identify 2-3 ants with abilities matching your playstyle
Use star fruit exclusively on these ants
Push them to Epic rarity (multiple star fruits)
Level them with sugar continuously

Never waste star fruit on Common ants you’ll replace later!

How do I unlock the mushroom zone?

The mushroom zone requires 500,000,000 (500 million) total food gathered. This is a long-term goal requiring:

Nest level 10+
100+ ant population
Maxed gathering tools
Consistent auto-farming
Quest completion bonuses

Expect 20-30 hours of gameplay to reach this threshold. The zone provides premium materials worth the investment!

Are there any secret areas in Ants Empire?

Yes! Experienced players have discovered several hidden zones accessible through exploration:

Secret Berry Patch – Hidden behind large rocks in blueberry field
Ancient Nest Ruins – Provides lore and bonus resources
Underground Springs – Special water resource for crafting

Exploration quests from the queen often hint at these locations. Keep your eyes open while farming!

What happens when I reach maximum nest level?

Current maximum nest level is 20, supporting 200+ ant population. At this point, progression shifts to:

Optimizing ant composition (quality over quantity)
Perfecting army builds for boss farming
Collecting rare eggs and materials
Helping newer players in the community
Competing for server leaderboard positions

The developers regularly add new content, so max level players get early access to new zones and features!

Can I trade resources with other players?

Currently, Ants Empire doesn’t support direct player trading. However, the game features a “gifting system” where you can send certain items to friends. The Discord community often organizes gift exchanges during events!

How often do updates add new content?

Developer 1Spam releases updates approximately every 3-4 weeks. Updates typically include:

New ant types
Additional zones
Fresh codes
Balance adjustments
Bug fixes
Community-requested features

Following the Discord and Roblox group ensures you never miss update announcements!

Is there a max population limit?

Your population limit is determined by your nest level:

Nest Level 1-5: 10-50 ants
Nest Level 6-10: 50-100 ants
Nest Level 11-15: 100-150 ants
Nest Level 16-20: 150-200 ants

Each nest upgrade provides +5-10 additional population capacity. Plan your progression around reaching key population thresholds!

Final Thoughts

Building a successful ant empire in Ants Empire requires patience, strategy, and smart resource management. By following the strategies in this guide, you’ll progress 3-5x faster than players who fumble through without direction.

Remember the core principles:

Prioritize tool and backpack upgrades – Efficiency beats raw numbers
Use auto-farm religiously – Passive income is king
Save star fruit for carry ants – Quality over quantity
Complete quests constantly – Free resources accelerate progression
Redeem codes immediately – Don’t leave free rewards unclaimed!

The journey from a small nest with five ants to a thriving empire of 200+ specialized ants is incredibly rewarding. You’ll watch your tiny colony evolve into an unstoppable force capable of farming thousands of resources per minute and defeating the most dangerous insects in the undergrowth.

Start implementing these strategies today, and I guarantee you’ll see dramatic improvements in your colony’s power within just a few hours. The undergrowth awaits, queen ant has her demands, and your empire needs a capable leader!

Ready to dominate Ants Empire? Join the Discord community, bookmark this page for code updates, and share your progress! I read every comment and love helping players optimize their colonies.

Now get out there and build the ant empire of your dreams! 🐜👑

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