1. What is Ascension?
When you ascend in Cookie Clicker:
- Your game resets, but you earn Heavenly Chips based on the total cookies you’ve baked.
- You can spend Heavenly Chips on Heavenly Upgrades, which persist across all future runs.
- Ascension is an essential mechanic for progressing through the game.
2. How Are Heavenly Chips Earned?
You earn Heavenly Chips based on your Total Cookies Baked (across all ascensions). The formula is:
Heavenly Chips = SQRT[Total Cookies Baked} / 1,000,000,000,000]
- Example:
- If you’ve baked 1 quadrillion (1e+15) cookies in total, you’ll earn 1,000 Heavenly Chips.
3. When to Ascend
The best time to ascend depends on how many Heavenly Chips you’ll earn and your progress in the current run. Below are the common strategies:
First Ascension:
- When to Ascend:
- Ascend when you can earn at least 200–500 Heavenly Chips.
- Why:
- The early Heavenly Upgrades (like Permanent Upgrade Slot 1 and Heavenly Cookies) provide significant boosts to your CPS and efficiency.
- Tip:
- Your first ascension will feel slow, but the permanent bonuses make subsequent runs much faster.
Subsequent Ascensions:
- General Rule:
- Ascend when the Heavenly Chips you’ll earn provide a meaningful boost. This is typically when you can earn double your current total Heavenly Chips or more.
- Why:
- Ascending too early slows your overall progress since you won’t gain enough chips to justify the reset.
Late-Game Ascensions:
- When to Ascend:
- Ascend when you’ve baked enough cookies to unlock major Heavenly Upgrades or make a significant impact on future runs.
- Example Goals:
- Save for powerful upgrades like Golden Switch (1,000 chips) or Permanent Upgrade Slot 2 (5,000 chips).
- Why:
- Late-game ascensions are about optimizing efficiency and unlocking end-game boosts.
4. How to Prepare for Ascension
Before ascending, take these steps to maximize your gains:
- Save as Many Cookies as Possible:
- The more cookies you bake before ascending, the more Heavenly Chips you’ll earn.
- Use Golden Cookies and buffs (e.g., Frenzy + Lucky) to boost cookie production.
- Complete Achievements:
- Achievements contribute to your milk, which boosts CPS when paired with kitten upgrades.
- Spend All Cookies:
- Buy all affordable upgrades and buildings before ascending. The Total Cookies Baked metric only tracks baked cookies, so spending cookies doesn’t affect your Heavenly Chips.
5. Benefits of Ascending
- Permanent Upgrades:
- Upgrades like Permanent Upgrade Slots let you carry over powerful bonuses to future runs.
- Faster Progress:
- Each ascension makes subsequent runs faster and more efficient.
6. Signs You Should Delay Ascension
- You’re close to unlocking a major upgrade or building.
- You haven’t baked enough cookies to earn significant Heavenly Chips (less than 200–500 chips).
7. Summary of When to Ascend
| Stage | Recommended Heavenly Chips | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| First Ascension | 200–500 | Unlock Permanent Upgrade Slot 1 and Heavenly Cookies. |
| Mid-Game Ascensions | 1,000+ | Unlock major Heavenly Upgrades like the Golden Switch. |
| Late-Game Ascensions | 5,000+ | Focus on powerful upgrades like Permanent Slot 2+ and prestige efficiency. |
Pro Tip:
If you’re unsure, wait longer to ascend. A stronger cookie bank ensures more Heavenly Chips and faster progress in your next run!
Happy ascending and building your cookie empire! 🍪