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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsGreat Buildings are special structures in Forge of Empires that provide distinct benefits as you invest Forge Points to level them. Blueprints unlock the levels you can pursue; they do not level a building by themselves. InnoGames’ redesigned Prestige system was active on Beta and open for testing from October 8, 2026, but the announcement gives no production release date. Check your world’s current game rules: older guides describe a three-tier system that the redesign removes.
What Great Buildings do
Each Great Building offers its own benefit. You advance it by investing Forge Points, and its level determines the benefit it provides. To build one, you first need its blueprint plan; completing the plan unlocks the building and its available level range. InnoGames explains the basic mechanics in its Great Buildings overview and its guidance on blueprints and leveling.
How to unlock and level a Great Building
- Collect blueprints for one building. A plan requires nine unique blueprints. Blueprint sources include in-game activities and interactions; InnoGames lists the available methods in its blueprint guide.
- Complete the plan and place the building. Blueprints unlock access; they are not a substitute for Forge Points.
- Invest Forge Points to advance levels. Contribute to the building yourself or invite other players to contribute. The points fill the level’s requirement.
- Use the displayed level and reward information to decide what to fund. The point cost and rewards depend on the building’s level and, under the redesigned system, its tier and level band.
If a building does not level after you use blueprints, that is expected: the blueprints unlock the plan, while Forge Points do the leveling.
Prestige redesign: Beta status and the difference from older guides
InnoGames’ October 2026 overview says its redesigned Great Buildings Prestige feature was announced on Beta on October 1, 2026, was active there, and would be available for testing from October 8. The page does not announce a production release date, so the redesigned rules should not be assumed to apply on every live world. The earlier official Prestige guide describes Copper, Silver, and Gold; in the Beta redesign, Silver is removed and Copper leads directly to Gold.
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- VIE FOR SUPEMACY: Europe in the Age of Absolutism: The 7 Empires Great Britain, Russia, France, Spain, Prussia, Habsburg and the Ottomans vie for supremacy on the old continent.
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For the redesigned system, InnoGames says Forge Point costs to reach level 500 are reduced by around 80% or more, special-goods requirements are removed, and effects and contribution rewards change. It also states that blueprints from contribution rewards are reduced by around 60%, while medal amounts do not change. These are the announced design changes, not a separately measured result.
How contribution rewards work in the redesigned system
When you contribute Forge Points to another player’s Great Building, your rank among contributors affects the reward. InnoGames publishes different reward places and shares for Copper and Gold buildings, and the share of a level’s cost assigned to contributor rewards varies by level band.
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| Levels | Share of level cost assigned to contribution rewards |
|---|---|
| 1–9 | 25% |
| 10–39 | 30% |
| 40–69 | 40% |
| 70–100 | 25% |
| 101–200 | 15% |
| 201–300 | 10% |
| 301–400 | 7% |
| 401–500 | 5% |
The percentages above describe the share allocated to contribution rewards for the level, not a guaranteed return on your own contribution. Your placement and the building’s tier determine what you receive. The redesign provides five contributor places for Copper levels and seven for Gold levels. The Arc’s Gold contribution boost applies when you contribute to other Gold Great Buildings in this design.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Turning Copper blueprints into Gold blueprints
In the Beta redesign, the Refinery exchanges one complete set of nine Copper blueprints for one random Gold blueprint for the same building. It can be used up to five times per day per building. InnoGames says using all five daily exchanges costs 2,400 goods from the relevant age, 144,000 coins, and 144,000 supplies in total for that day.
Quick Recap
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How to decide where to contribute
- Check the world’s rules first. The new reward places, tier structure, and cost figures apply to the announced Beta redesign; do not rely on them for a live world unless it has received the update.
- Look at the building’s level band. The contribution-reward share changes across bands, so a percentage from an early level does not carry through to higher levels.
- Check your likely rank and the available places. A reward depends on your final contributor placement, not just the number of Forge Points you put in.
- For an Arc bonus, verify the target is Gold. In the redesign, the Arc’s Gold contribution boost applies to contributions on other Gold Great Buildings.
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