Classic and Hardcore: prepare all thirty waves
Both modes now last 30 waves. Hardcore adds one-life survival, stronger enemies and no selling, making the whole regional finale essential.
Read the starting budget before copying a build
Classic resources depend on map difficulty; every current Classic/Hardcore run lasts 30 waves.
Hardcore: 1 life; no selling or Replace. Held items and free between-wave movement remain available.
| Difficulty | Run money | Lives | Waves |
|---|---|---|---|
| Easy | ₽700 | 120 | 30 |
| Medium | ₽650 | 100 | 30 |
| Hard | ₽600 | 80 | 30 |
Try it in this order
- Check the selected map’s resources and all 30 waves.
- Keep a compatible attack and control answer for the regional legendary finale.
- Try a placement in Classic or Sandbox before spending irreversibly in Hardcore.
The table lists Classic starting lives. Do not transfer them to Hardcore, Story, Daily or Tower.
Choose from sixteen distinct maps
There are eight Kanto maps and eight Johto maps. Classic uses your collection team and the map difficulty: easy starts with ₽700 and 120 lives, medium with ₽650 and 100 lives, hard with ₽600 and 80 lives. Those values do not govern Story or Tower. Study thematic enemy types as well as the path. A Route 1 formation may leave an immunity gap in Lavender's Ghost waves or against the different types and special enemies of a Johto map.
Do not stop planning at wave twenty
Since October 15, 2026, Classic and Hardcore last 30 waves instead of 20. The regional finale brings Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres before Mewtwo on Kanto maps, or Suicune, Entei, Raikou and Ho-Oh on Johto maps. Buying only enough upgrades for wave 20 leaves the final sequence uncovered. Inspect the wave preview and preserve compatible attack types plus a boss-control role. Bosses keep crawling while stunned or asleep, so an ordinary crowd-control loop is not a permanent freeze.
Plan around Hardcore's irreversible spending
Hardcore provides one life, stronger enemies and no selling. Replace is unavailable too, so you cannot fund a correction by selling a misplaced unit. Free movement between waves can still rearrange the formation, and held items work here. Successful clears receive extra persistent rewards based on difficulty, with a larger first-clear bonus. Compare the whole upgrade budget before starting and retain answers for hidden Ghosts, armor and type immunity. Use Classic or Sandbox to inspect a route and its coverage before committing.