If you’ve ever stared at your gem stash in Evony wondering, “Is this really worth it?”, you’re not alone. Whether you’re a low spender or topping up regularly, gems are the most valuable currency in the game, and also the easiest one to waste.
From cultivating generals and refining dragons to refreshing shops or keeping your VIP streak alive, there are a ton of ways to burn through gems. But not all of them give you good returns.
That’s why we put together this smart-spending guide.
We’re breaking down the smartest ways to spend gems in Evony, based on what actually boosts your power, progress, and long-term growth. No fluff, just the strategies top players rely on.
Let’s be honest, Evony gives you a lot of ways to blow through your gems. You can drop them on fancy shop items, speed-ups, even tribute offers or random refreshes in the Black Market.
But if you want your gems to actually move your account forward, you’ve got to spend with purpose. So what makes a smart gem investment?
It comes down to long-term gains, not short-term convenience. Smart gem usage in Evony boosts your core power, the stuff that matters in PvP, server wars, and your daily progress.
We’re talking stronger generals, faster building, more buffs, and permanent boosts that make every move you make more efficient.
Here’s how the top players think about it:
• Will this give me a lasting buff? Gems spent on cultivating a top-tier general or unlocking a powerful dragon skill are way more valuable than buying a one-time item.
• Does this make me faster, stronger, or more efficient? If it helps you farm faster, attack harder, or save time every day, that’s a win.
• Is it better to wait for an event? Timing matters. A smart gem spend during a Consumption or Upgrade event gives you double rewards — power and event loot.
• Would a top player do this? When in doubt, ask yourself: would someone in the top 100 rankings actually spend on this? If not, maybe skip it.
So before you tap “Buy,” take a second. If it’s not building your power or giving you lasting value, your gems are probably better saved for something bigger.
With so many ways to burn through gems in Evony, it’s easy to waste them on things that barely move the needle. That’s why we’ve narrowed it down to the 7 smartest gem investments, the ones that actually boost your power, speed up your growth, and help you win fights.
Whether you’re a mid-spender trying to stretch every gem or a VIP 15 player optimizing your build, these are the upgrades and features that deliver real value.
Let’s start with the most important one…
If you’re going to spend gems anywhere, start with your top PvP and farming generals. Cultivation is one of the most gem-intensive parts of Evony, but also one of the most rewarding, especially once you break past the gold-only limits and start pushing stats toward the 500 cap.
But don’t just cultivate anyone. Focus on your best 1–2 main generals, the ones you plan to keep long term, like Scipio, Elise, or Hannibal.
And when you’re ready to push even further, dump gems into their specialties. That’s where the real power comes from. We’re talking up to +26% troop attack or HP just from specialty lines.
Yes, it’s expensive. But a fully cultivated, fully specialized general punches far above their weight. Just make sure it’s a general worth the investment, and not a placeholder you’ll regret powering up.
Refining can make or break your general. A good gear set with optimized refines will outperform even a higher-star general with bad stats. But here’s the catch: not all gear is worth refining.
If you’re just starting out, don’t waste gems refining Champion’s gear or low-tier dragon sets. Save your refining stones and gems for end-game sets like Achaemenidae, Ares, or Plantagenet, depending on your troop type and role.
These are the pieces you’ll keep for the long haul, so every gem spent refining them pays off in the long run.
When refining, prioritize key attributes that match your march type:
And don’t forget: locking multiple high stats gets expensive fast. Be smart about which values you keep and how much you’re willing to spend to reroll.
If you’re not checking the Tavern daily (and spending gems to refresh it), you’re missing out on some of the most underrated gem value in Evony.
The Tavern lets you recruit powerful generals like Andrew Jackson, Dowager Cixi, and Queen Jindeok. These aren’t just filler heroes, they’re crucial for PvP debuffs, farming efficiency, and General Hall collections.
A single refresh costs just 50 gems. And while it might take a few tries to find what you’re looking for, it’s way cheaper than pulling from paid packages or waiting for random drops.
Veteran players regularly spend 50k–100k gems here during early- to mid-game, especially to:
Just don’t waste gems on second-rate or outdated options. Go in with a plan, and stop once you’ve secured what you need.
If you're not using the Patrol feature on your Wall, you’re missing one of the sneakiest gem-efficient systems in Evony.
Here's how it works: after your three free daily patrols, each additional patrol costs just 30 gems. And if you’re hunting Monarch Gear, this is an insanely good deal.
Why? Normally, Level 1 Monarch Gear costs 200 gems in the Shop. But with Patrol, you can grab the same piece for 30…
Even better, Level 3 gear sometimes shows up for the same price, saving you thousands if you're trying to level up your gear sets for construction, research, or combat.
It’s not just gear, either. You’ll occasionally see 24-hour speed-ups, large resource boxes (worth half a million or more), refining stones, VIP time and offering tributes.
Instead of blowing gems on overpriced Shop items, smart players spam Patrols until their gold runs out. It’s one of the cheapest ways to build up Monarch bonuses and stash valuable consumables for events.
Evony’s Shrine Offering system might seem basic, but it’s one of the most consistent long-term gem sinks that pays off, if you’re doing it right.
Every day, you can offer either tributes or gems at the Shrine. And while tributes are fine, most experienced players choose to do at least three gem-based offerings daily. Why?
Because Shrine Offerings give you:
For 475 gems per offering, this is one of the most reliable ways to increase passive bonuses, especially during Growth events, where Shrine contributions often count toward progress.
Dragons aren’t just flashy, they unlock some of the best bonuses in the game. But getting those buffs takes serious investment, especially when it comes to refining dragon stats and unlocking talents.
Cultivating your dragon can cost hundreds of gems per roll, and leveling up talents (like extra march size or troop HP) adds up fast. That said, if you’re pairing your dragon with a top-tier PvP general, those stat boosts can be game-changing.
Just don’t dive in blindly. Focus on one dragon that pairs with your best march (like the Celtic Demon or Nidhogg), and invest gradually. Don’t waste gems on weaker dragons or talents that don’t match your troop type.
If you're mid to late game and already have solid gear and generals, dragon cultivation becomes one of the best long-term uses of your gems.
If you're serious about scaling in Evony, you can't rely on your main city alone. A strong farming setup, especially when supported by specialized gathering generals, gives you a reliable stream of resources that makes everything else smoother.
But here’s where gems come in: many players neglect just how gem-efficient it can be to build out your farming generals through the Tavern. Queen Jindeok is a perfect example, she boosts gathering speed dramatically when properly cultivated and geared.
Spending gems to refresh the Tavern and secure multiple Jindeok copies lets you station several of her in subordinate cities or use her across events.
From there, a small gem investment in her cultivation (mainly Politics) gives you permanent gathering bonuses that stack up big over time.
You can also refine basic Champion or resource gear with minor gem input to support your gatherers. Don’t go overboard, but a few smart investments can shave hours off farming cycles.
This isn’t as flashy as PvP gear or dragon upgrades, but if you’re playing the long game, this is how smart players stay stocked on food, stone, and lumber even during power pushes or server wars.
If you’re spending in game, even occasionally, it makes no sense to pay full price for your top-ups.
Packsify lets you save up to 35% on the same in-game bundles. Everything goes through official stores, so there’s zero risk and no shady middlemen involved.
And the best part? It works seamlessly with how you already play.