How to Buy & Open Loot Crates in 100 Waves Later (March 2026) Full Guide
If you’ve been grinding through waves of enemies in 100 Waves Later only to feel like your weapons just aren’t cutting it anymore, you aren’t alone. I’ve been there—staring down a high-level boss with a peashooter while my teammates are wielding legendary lasers. The difference usually isn’t skill; it’s Loot Crates.
In 100 Waves Later, loot crates are the heartbeat of your progression. They are the gateway to better guns, powerful perks, and the stats you need to survive the later waves. But if you don’t know how to navigate the shop system or manage your economy efficiently, you might end up wasting precious currency on bad RNG rolls.
I’ve spent countless hours analyzing the game’s economy, breaking down the drop rates, and testing the most efficient ways to farm and spend. In this comprehensive guide, updated for March 2026, I’m going to walk you through everything you need to know about buying and opening loot crates. From finding the merchant to understanding the odds, we’ll cover it all so you can stop gambling and start upgrading.
Quick Overview: The Loot Crate System
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty details of the “how-to,” let’s look at a quick breakdown of what you’re dealing with. Understanding the types of crates and their costs is the first step to mastery.
| Crate Type | Currency Used | Cost Range | Potential Rewards | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Crate | Cash / Gold | Low | Common & Uncommon Weapons | Early game (Waves 1-20) |
| Rare Crate | Cash / Gold | Medium | Rare & Epic Weapons, Perks | Mid-game (Waves 20-60) |
| Legendary Crate | Gems / Robux | High | Legendary & Mythic Items | Late game / Whales |
| Event Crate | Special Tokens | Varies | Exclusive Skins & God-tier Guns | Special Events |
Note: Prices fluctuate based on game updates, so always check the in-game shop UI for the most current numbers.
Prerequisites: What You Need Before You Buy?
You can’t just walk into the game and start opening crates like you’re at a birthday party. You need resources. Here is exactly what you need to have prepared before you even think about visiting the merchant.
1. Earning In-Game Currency (Cash/Gold)
The primary way to buy loot crates in 100 Waves Later is through the currency you earn by playing. Unlike some Roblox games that rely heavily on Robux, this game rewards active play.
- Kill Efficiency: Every enemy you kill drops cash. The tougher the enemy, the more they drop.
- Wave Bonuses: Completing a wave grants a lump sum of cash. The higher the wave, the bigger the bonus.
- Multipliers: Look for perks or team buffs that increase cash gain. I always prioritize a “Money Booster” perk if I see one in the early game, as it snowballs your economy hard.
2. Locating Gems (Premium Currency)
While you can buy most crates with standard Cash, the high-tier loot often requires Gems.
- Daily Logins: The game often rewards gems just for logging in. Don’t skip this!
- Achievements: Check your achievement tab. Completing specific challenges (like “Kill 1000 Zombies with a Pistol”) often yields a gem payout.
- Robux Purchase: Of course, you can buy Gems with Robux, but I recommend trying to earn them naturally first to test your luck.
How to Buy Loot Crates: Step-by-Step Process
Now that you’ve got your wallet stuffed with virtual cash, let’s talk about the transaction process. The UI in 100 Waves Later is straightforward, but new players often miss the merchant.
Step 1: Find the Merchant NPC
In most standard maps, the Loot Crate Merchant is located near the Spawn Zone or the Central Base Defense Point. Look for an NPC with a distinct icon floating above their head—usually a crate symbol or a shopping bag icon.
- Pro Tip: If you are playing on a community-created map, the location might vary. Press M to open your map and look for the “Shop” or “Merchant” marker.
Step 2: Interact and Open the Shop Menu
Walk up to the merchant and click on them (or press E, depending on your keybind settings). This will open the Shop Interface.
- Navigate to the tab labeled “Crates” or “Loot.”
- Here, you will see the different tiers of crates available to you.
Step 3: Select Your Crate
Hover over the different crates to see their contents. The game usually shows you the “pool” of items you can win.
- Check the Cost: Ensure you have enough funds. If you are short on Cash but have Gems, the game will usually ask if you want to convert or use the alternate currency (if enabled).
- Bulk Buy: Some updates allow you to buy multiple crates at once. If you are grinding, this saves time, but be careful—it’s easy to drain your bank account in seconds.
Step 4: Confirm Purchase
Click “Buy” or “Purchase.” You will see a deduction in your currency. The crate will usually go directly into your inventory, or you will be given an option to open it immediately.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Open Loot Crates?
Buying the crate is only half the battle. Opening it is where the excitement (and frustration) lies.
Method 1: Opening from Inventory
If you chose to save your crates for later:
- Press the Inventory key (usually I or Backspace).
- Look for the “Consumables” or “Crates” tab.
- Click on the crate you want to open.
- Select “Open” or “Open All” if you have a stack.
Method 2: Instant Open
If you bought the crate from the shop and selected the instant open option, a cinematic animation will play immediately.
- The Animation: A crate will appear in the center of your screen. It will shake, glow, and eventually burst open.
- The Reveal: You will see a line of three or four cards flipping over. Typically, you get to pick one, or the game automatically awards you the highest rarity item (depending on the specific crate mechanics in the current patch).
Method 3: Trading (If Applicable)
In some lobbies, players can trade items. However, usually, crates themselves are untradable. Once you open a crate, the weapon inside might be tradable, but the crate is bound to your account. Always check the 2026 patch notes to see if trading has been restricted to prevent scamming.
Understanding the RNG and Drop Rates
This is the section most guides skip, but it’s the most important if you want to manage your expectations. RNG (Random Number Generation) dictates what you get.
The Rarity Colors
Just like in other Roblox games like Pet Simulator 99 or Blox Fruits, 100 Waves Later uses a color-coded system to denote rarity.
- Grey/White: Common (Basic guns, low stats)
- Green: Uncommon (Slightly better stats)
- Blue: Rare (Good weapons, worth using in mid-game)
- Purple: Epic (Strong abilities, often have special effects)
- Orange/Gold: Legendary (The game-changers)
- Red/Mythical: God-tier (Extremely low drop rate)
Probability Tips
Based on community testing from Roonby and Reddit discussions:
- Basic Crates have a 60% chance of giving you a Common item.
- Legendary Crates might guarantee at least a Rare item, with a 1-5% chance for a Mythic.
- Pity Systems: As of March 2026, many players suspect there is a hidden “pity” system. If you open 50 crates without a Legendary, the game might force a drop. While not confirmed by devs, I personally noticed my luck improves significantly after a dry spell.
Pro Strategies: Maximizing Your Crate Value
Don’t just throw money at the screen. Use these strategies to get the most bang for your buck.
1. The “Wave 20” Rule
I recommend not buying any crates until Wave 20.
- Why? In the first 19 waves, enemies are weak. You can survive with the starter pistol or a cheap gun from the ground. Save every penny. By Wave 20, you’ll have a massive stockpile to buy 10-20 Basic Crates at once, giving you a solid arsenal for the mid-game difficulty spike.
2. Sell, Don’t Hoard
Your inventory space is limited. When you open a crate and get a Common version of a gun you already have an Uncommon version of, sell it immediately. Recouping even a small amount of cash helps fuel the next purchase. Don’t get attached to low-tier gear.
3. Wait for Events
The developers often release “2x Drop Rate” events on weekends or holidays.
- Strategy: If you can hold onto your Gems or Cash, wait for these events. Opening a Legendary Crate during a 2x event effectively doubles your statistical chances of getting that Mythic item.
4. Team Synergy
Playing with a team that shares loot buffs can increase your overall gains. If a teammate has a “Luck” stat boosted, it might apply to the lobby’s general RNG (depending on the game’s specific coding). It’s always worth asking in the chat: “Anyone have luck buffs?”
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Sometimes things don’t go as planned. Here are solutions to the most common problems I see players face.
“I Can’t Find the Merchant!”
If the spawn area is crowded or the map is chaotic, the NPC might be hidden.
- Solution: Check your map (M key). Look for the shopping cart icon. If the marker is missing, the map might not have a merchant enabled, which is common in some “Hardcore” or “Survival” custom modes.
“I Bought a Crate But It Didn’t Open!”
This is a lag issue.
- Solution: Wait 10-15 seconds. If it still doesn’t open, try re-equipping your inventory. If that fails, unfortunately, you might need to reset your character (Esc -> Reset). Warning: Only reset if you are safe, or you will lose your wave progress!
“My Currency Disappeared!”
This usually happens if you accidentally clicked a purchase or if you experienced a server glitch.
- Solution: Check your transaction history if the game has one. If not, unfortunately, Roblox support rarely refunds in-game currency lost to lag. The best fix is preventative: click carefully and ensure your ping is low (green bars) before spending large sums.
Comparison: Crate Buying vs. Direct Shop Purchases
Is it better to buy crates or buy guns directly from the weapon shop? Here is my breakdown:
| Feature | Loot Crates | Direct Shop |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Gambling (Variable) | Fixed Price |
| Guarantee | No guarantee of specific item | You know exactly what you get |
| Value Potential | High (Can get unobtainable items) | Low/Medium (Standard gear) |
| Fun Factor | High (The thrill of the spin) | Low (Transactional) |
Verdict: Use the Direct Shop for essential utility items (ammo, armor, healing). Use Loot Crates for your main offensive weapons. The variance in crates allows you to get gear that is statistically superior to what is sold on the shelves.
Updates and Patch Notes for (March 2026)
Staying updated is crucial. In recent updates, the developers of 100 Waves Later have tweaked the crate mechanics to be more “player-friendly.”
- New Animation: The opening animation was sped up by 50% to allow for faster mass-opening.
- Dupe Protection: A new system was introduced where you are slightly less likely to get a weapon you already own, provided you have equipped a specific high-tier loadout. This is huge for collectors.
- New Crate Type: Keep an eye out for the “Cyber Crate,” introduced in late 2026, which focuses on laser-based weaponry.
Always check the official Discord server for the latest patch notes. Developers often buff drop rates without warning to bring players back to the game.
FAQ’s
Can I open loot crates while in a wave?
Yes, but it is strongly advised not to do so. Opening a crate locks you into an animation and prevents movement. Only open crates during the break time between waves when you are safely inside the base.
Do crates expire?
No. Loot crates stored in your inventory do not expire, and you can save them for months before opening. However, keep in mind that the contents of crates may change if the developers update the loot pool, so opening them sooner can sometimes be safer.
Is it possible to get banned for opening too many crates?
No. As long as you earned the currency legitimately, opening any number of crates is allowed. Using exploits or cheats to generate infinite money or crates, however, is a bannable offense.
What is the best crate to buy for a beginner?
Beginners should stick with the Basic Crate for their first 10–20 hours of gameplay. This helps build a solid weapon inventory. Buying a Legendary Crate too early is usually inefficient because you won’t yet have the ammo capacity or perks needed to support high-tier weapons.
Can I give a crate to a friend?
Generally, no. Crates are usually account-locked once purchased. While some games allow weapon dropping or trading, the crate itself cannot be transferred to another player.
Conclusion
Buying and opening loot crates in 100 Waves Later is more than just a button press; it’s an economy game within the shooter game. If you follow my strategy—saving until Wave 20, managing your inventory, and understanding the rarity system—you will find yourself outgunning the competition in no time.
Remember, RNG can be fickle. Some days you will get a Mythic weapon in your first crate, and other days you will get 10 Common pistols in a row. Stay patient, manage your cash wisely, and don’t spend real money (Robux) unless you are supporting the developers because you love the game.
Good luck in the waves, and may your crates be full of Legendaries! Bookmark this page for updates as the meta shifts in 2026, and check out our other guides on Ofzen and Computing for more Roblox tips and tricks.