Merging

==Summary==
Merging is the most basic and crucial action done in Merge Dragons!. The game is built in a grid shape and in order to perform a merge, a minimum of 3 identical objects are needed to be placed adjacent to each other. 
Some objects, such as brambles, cannot be merged. This is shown by a black or brown outline. 
Mind that not every 3 or more adjacent objects will automatically make a merge, only if you actively dragged one object to an additional 2 or more, the merge will occur.
== Dimensional Jars ==
Since Version 2.0.0, merging certain objects in camp or events have a chance to create Dimensional Jars which are available for a limited time and can be opened with Dragon Gems. The jar will offer an additional object of the same level as the one which have resulted from the merging itself. If you don't want to spend the gems to open them, any Dimensional Jars created in camp can be sold for 50 coins. Dimensional Jars created in events cannot be sold.
== Verifying a merge ==
Sometimes, when you shift objects around too fast, unexpected things happen: accidental merges or not merging the correct number of objects. 
Note that this is how the shifting of objects via dragging works. When the object is being moved to a new place, it eases into/tends to the new position. That is, it moves slower and slower to the new position. This, of course, makes the movement of objects much more fluid. But that is also a source of unwanted merges when you are doing it too fast.
To verify a merge, do not let go of the object yet. The other identical objects will also be moving back and forth in the direction of the object you are holding, but that may be unreliable. Is there a correct number of white square outlines around the other identical objects you want to merge? If you want to merge 5, there should be 5 of them. If there isn't 5 of them, shift the object you are holding onto the neighboring tiles, especially onto another identical object, and then shift it back to the original place where you want the merge to happen. And look again to verify. Repeat if necessary.
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=== Merge Preferences ===
This feature was introduced in Version 2.2.0. On the Game Settings Box accessible from the World Map, a player is able the change the Merge Preferences. Note that this only applies to merging in Camp!
Game Settings 2.png|Game Settings
==== Require Overlap ====
If this option is turned on, it would be possible to place more than 2 identical objects adjacent to each other without merging. In order to perform a merge in this situation, one of the item must be dragged and dropped on one of the other adjacent items.
Do note that even if this option turned on, If you merge too fast, sometimes the system can accidentally catch only 3 items and not 5. Therefore, when dragging an object to perform a merge of 5, please check that 4 other identical objects are highlighted and moving towards your object.
==== Allow Chain Reactions ====
If this option is turned off, no chain reaction would occur in camp. This means combo merging won't be possible and accidental merges are nearly impossible(when combined with 'Require Overlap' turned on').
== Outcomes of a merge ==
Note that in this section, a merge is assumed to be made of 3 objects. 
Merging will typically yield 1 object of the next level. However, there are many merges that create more than just 1 object.
* Merging Magic Mushroom Caps may create Magic Shroom Stalks, which is 2 Levels higher.
* Merging a X-level object that creates a Wonder will also create a (X-1)-level object as a by-product.
* Merging Bones yields 3 or more Life Flower Sprouts.
* Merging Life Flower Seeds may yield additional Life Flower Sprouts.
* Merging Bonus Points may yield additional Bonus Points of the next level.
In some cases, additional objects that are not related to the main merge chain will be created. 
* Merging Dragon Trees of Levels 2 and above may create Glowing Dragon Trees as by-product.
* Merging Fungus Logs creates Magic Mushroom Caps as by-product.
* Merging Graves creates Skulls, Skull & Bones, Unearthed Skeleton, Bones and Gargoyle Dragon Eggs as by-products.
* Merging Shimmer Fountains creates Secret Fountains as by-products.
Some merges will not grant a next level object but rewards or miscellaneous objects.
* Merging Fruits creates Magic Coins, and sometimes, Life Orbs, Life Flowers, Healing Power, and Treasure Chests.
* Merging Grimm Chests of Despair creates either Piles of Riches or summons a Swamp Zomblin.
* Merging Life Flowers, Dragon Trees, Prism Flowers create Healing Power.
* Merging Golden Apples sometimes creates Dragon Egg Chests/Nest Vaults or Magic Coin - Gold instead of the next level Golden Apple.
* Merging Baby Rainbows creates Ruby Fire Mystery Nest, Giant Life Flower, and Life Tree Sprout.
== Dead Land Merging ==
Merging can also assist in healing Dead Land. If one or two objects of the same kind are adjacent to each other and on Dead Land near healed land, the player may merge them out of the Dead Land and also heal it as a bonus. The healing power required to heal it is ignored.
It is the only way to heal Super Dead Land, other than using Heal Extenders that are adjacent to those. Many of the later Levels has heavy use of the concept of Dead Land Merging.This is also relevant in Event Maps where there are many Dead Land that requires 5,000 Healing Power to heal, and the player may find it easier to heal those through merging.
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== Types of Merges ==
=== 3 Objects Merging (3-merge) ===
The most minimal merge requires 3 identical objects to be actively placed adjacent to each other in one movement. The reward for merging 3 objects is 1 object of the next level. 
		
=== 5 Objects Merging (5-merge) ===
The most efficient merging, requiring 5 identical objects actively placed adjacent to each other. This merge is more difficult than the 3-merge as there must be 2 groups of identical objects that are not in direct contact with each other. The reason being is that any group of 3 identical objects will already be combined. The reward for merging 5 objects is 2 objects of the next level, which is a significantly better outcome.
			
			
=== Push Merge ===
While the fact that when this happens it is always an accident, it is also possible to merge objects by pushing one into a group of identical objects using a miscellaneous item. Since Version 2.2.0, if the option 'Require Overlap' in the Game Settings is toggled on, such accidents can't happen. 
== Merging Table ==
There is a pattern linking merging X number of identical objects and the Y number of objects of the next tier created, but generally, the way to go is to always merge in multiples of 5.
X-merge 	3 	4 	5 	6 	7 	8 	9 	10 	11 	12 	13 	14 	15 	16 	17 	18 	19 	20
Y 	1 	1 	2 	2 	2 	3 	3 	4 	4 	4 	5 	5 	6 	6 	6 	7 	7 	8
Ejected X 	 	1 	 	 	1 	 	 	 	 	1 	 	 	 	 	1 	 	 	
Wasted X 	 	 	 	1 	1 	 	1 	 	1 	1 	 	1 	 	1 	1 	 	1 	
Conversion Ratio	0.333	0.333	0.400	0.333	0.333	0.375	0.333	0.400	0.364	0.364	0.385	0.354	0.400	0.375	0.375	0.389	0.368	0.400
Waste Ratio 	0.167	0.167	0.000	0.167	0.167	0.063	0.167	0.000	0.091	0.091	0.038	0.107	0.000	0.063	0.063	0.028	0.079	0.000
The algorithm goes as follows:
First, the system calculate the number of objects merged=(X).
if X=3 it would return Y=1, Ejected X=0.
if X=4 it would return Y=1 and Ejected X=1.
If X is not 3 or 4, it will divided it by 5, and would check the modulo (fraction):
if it's 0(0/5=0) it would return Y=X/2.5, Ejected X=0
if it's 1(1/5=0.2) it would return Y=(X-1)/2.5, Ejected X=0
if it's 2(2/5=0.4) it would return Y=(X-2)/2.5, Ejected X=1
if it's 3(3/5=0.6) it would return Y=[(X-3)/2.5]+1, Ejected X=0
if it's 4(4/5=0.8) it would return Y=[(X-4)/2.5]+1, Ejected X=0
Chances speaking when merging large amount of objects, there is 20% chance of getting an ejected X as the modulo must be 2.
When an object is ejected in a merge of 4 or various other numbers, it is a new object of the type. This means that it counts toward completing certain goals. When merging idols by 4 you can tap the ejected one for another egg, etc.
==Combo Merging==
It is possible to do combo merges by placing groups of consecutive levels of objects in the same merge chain in a certain pattern. 
In order to make a single combo, 3 objects of the same merge chain must be available, and additional 2 identical objects of the next level. If a more complex combo is desired, 2 objects of the next level are required, and so on, capped at 4 levels for passive combo chain(which means once you activate the first object and let the objects merging without dragging new ones for 5 tier and 6 tier etc).
Combo merges create Loot Orbs containing healing power, which is proportionate to the combo number. One Loot Orb is created per combo, so a combo of 3 will create 2 Loot Orbs. If all the land at the Level/Camp is healed, it will be automatically added as points to the Score.
If on Settings, 'Allow Chain Reactions' is turned off, no combo merge would be possible in the camp.
Setup for a combo of 4 (3-merges)	Setup for a combo of 8 (3-merges)	Setup of a Combo of 2 (5-merges)
 	 	
As illustrated above in Setup for a combo of 8 (3-merges), by moving items while the merge is happening, a quick player can accomplish a Merge Combo of 8. Just after the first object was placed, the 5th level must be dragged quickly as possible into place. As each merge occurs, another piece is moved. The images below show the 5 step procedure.
		
		
== Math Corner, Efficiency & Wastage==
As mentioned before, merging 5 objects is more beneficial than merging 3, but it really matters the higher level of the object you want to achieve or that if you seek to only have the final level of the merge chain. 
===Efficient Method (5-merge priority)===
Here is the most efficient way(the minimal method) to get a single level 13 life tree, by always merging in 5s, but at times 3s.
===Inefficient Method (3-merge only)===
Here's the most inefficient way(the wastage method) to create a single level 13 life tree, which means always merging 3 objects together:
However, 5-merging everything in the camp may be space-consuming. The moderate method is to merge 13 at a time, which forms 5 objects of next level. The waste is only 4% and not too much things will accumulate in the camp.
===Comparison===
The number of Life Flower Sprouts required by the 5-merges-priority method is much lower than required by the 3-merges-only method. 
The wastage percent is the number of units that could be saved if the more efficient method had been used. It is calculated by 1- [ (N_efficient / N_inefficient) * 100 ], with N_efficient being the number of base units required for the efficient method and N_inefficient being the number of base units required for the inefficient method. 
In fact, since the numbers increase exponentially the higher up the merge chain you want to go, the wastage percent increases quickly as well. The amount of Life Flower Sprouts you'd use in the inefficient method for a level 13 Life Tree-531,441 could be used in the efficient method for a level 15 Life Tree-478,050 and even have leftovers. Refer to the Wastage Graphs here. ---> Merge Chain Tables
== Merging Dragons==
The total number of eggs you have to buy to complete the Merge Chain of that particular Dragon can vary a lot, due to the Nests giving a random number of eggs (between 4 to 7 for Tier 2 Nests), and also if you are willing to spend Gems to duplicate Tier 2 Nests that appear randomly in Dimensional Jars.
Assuming 5-merges whenever possible. To get 1 Level 10 Dragon, you will need 50 Tier 2 Eggs, which come from 8 to 13 Tier 2 Nests (Best to worst case). This requires 20 to 33 Level 4 Dragons, which is equals to 783 to 1300 Tier 1 Eggs. 
With every Tier 2 Nests that is duplicated, you save about 125 Tier 1 Eggs. Assuming we are doing 5-merges all the way since we are dealing with Tier 1 Dragons, you would save 208 Tier 1 Eggs if two Dimensional Jars are created. (Refer to this table. Note that the average will be much lesser than 125 Tier 1 Eggs because there will be leftover Tier 1 Dragons because we are doing 5-merges. 
==Merge Chain Tables==
There are three ways of merging where you might utilize while playing.
# You want to create just one of the max level object in the merge chain. (I.e. a Wonder)
#You want to create two of the max level object in the merge chain.
# You want to keep creating the max level objects over and over again.
For 1, you would be performing 5-merges whenever you can, but sometimes you will be performing 3-merges because you would require more base units if you merge more than that. Refer to table for merging Minimally for 1 Object.
For 2, it is the same as 1, except that you require more base units. Refer to table for merging Minimally for 2 Objects.
For 3, you will perform 5-merges only. Note that this method is the most space consuming method. Refer to table for 5-Merges-only all the way.
An example of referencing the tables: Using the 5-merge-priority method, two Rainbows will require 12,398,250 Life Flower Sprouts (Minimally for 2 Objects) and the merge-5-all-the-way method will require 14,939,065 Life Flower Sprouts (5-Merges-only all the way) and will result in tons of leftovers (17%). Therefore, the minimal amount of Life Flower Sprouts needed for 2 wonders is 12,398,250 however if you go 5 all the way, it will be 14,939,065 with leftovers.
Monkeyisagirldangit made easy to use spreadsheet that use the info from the tables below, unfortunately that particular link no longer works. There is another spreadsheet available to download or copy into your own Google Drive, but cannot be used directly at the source (could someone confirm whether or not this spreadsheet is the same as the one mentioned before?).
A less useful, but flashier, merge tool is available here: Merge Dragons Table.
===Minimally for 1 Object ===
===Minimally for 2 Objects===
===5-Merges-only all the way===
===Graphs===
 
==Currency Merging Efficiency==
In short, it is only worth it if you collect the highest possible level of the currency, and especially so given the unique 2-for-5 merging quirk. The numbers below show the potential worth of any level of currency, if you merge them to the highest possible level. 
The "Merge Worth Results" column is calculated as the average worth of each coin of that level if one were to merge all of them under the 5ATW merging rule, and tally up the total worth of the higher level coins.
===Magic Currency===
Merging coins into higher tiers proves to be very efficient in the long term. If we go by 5ATW merging, and considering the number of lower level magic coin equivalent of two Tiaras (Worth 50K in total):
 	Min Amount	Worth	Merge Worth Results	Potential Worth
Tiny Magic Coin 	3915 	1 	25000 * 2 = 50000 	16.384
Magic Coin - Bronze 	1565 	4 	25000 * 2 = 50000 	40.96
Magic Coin - Silver 	625 	15 	25000 * 2 = 50000 	102.4
Magic Coin - Gold 	250 	50 	25000 * 2 = 50000 	256
Magic Coin - Spellium	100 	175 	25000 * 2 = 50000 	640
Magic Gem of Blood 	40 	550 	25000 * 2 = 50000 	1600
Magic Gem of Tears 	15 	2000 	25000 * 2 = 50000 	4000
Magic Gem of Fate 	5 	7500 	25000 * 2 = 50000 	10000
===Stone Bricks===
The same logic applies to Stone Bricks. If we go by 5ATW merging, and considering the number of lower level Stone Bricks equivalent of two Ogre Stone Monolith (Worth 50K in total):
 	Min Amount	Worth	Merge Worth Results	Potential Worth
Stone Brick 	3915 	1 	25000 * 2 = 50000 	16.384
Stone Bricks 	1565 	5 	25000 * 2 = 50000 	40.96
Pile of Stone Bricks 	625 	20 	25000 * 2 = 50000 	102.4
Nightstone Brick 	250 	75 	25000 * 2 = 50000 	256
Nightstone Bricks 	100 	250 	25000 * 2 = 50000 	640
Pile of Nightstone Bricks	40 	800 	25000 * 2 = 50000 	1600
Ogre Stone Shards 	15 	2500 	25000 * 2 = 50000 	4000
Ogre Stone 	5 	8000 	25000 * 2 = 50000 	10000
===Life Orbs===
Merging Life Orbs also proves to be efficient, just like Magic Currency and Stone Bricks. If we go by 5ATW merging, and considering the number of lower level Life Orbs equivalent of two The Life Orb of Heavens (Worth 655360 HP in total):
 	Min Amount	HP 	Merge HP Results 	Potential HP
Life Essence 	9790 	1 	327680 * 2 = 655360	85.89934592
Tiny Life Orb 	3915 	4 	327680 * 2 = 655360	214.7483648
Small Life Orb 	1565 	16 	327680 * 2 = 655360	536.870912
Life Orb 	625 	64 	327680 * 2 = 655360	1342.17728
Furious Life Orb 	250 	256 	327680 * 2 = 655360	3355.4432
Wondrous Life Orb	100 	1024 	327680 * 2 = 655360	8388.608
Great Life Orb 	40 	4096 	327680 * 2 = 655360	20971.52
Giant Life Orb 	15 	16384	327680 * 2 = 655360	52428.8
Life Orb of Souls	5 	65536	327680 * 2 = 655360	131072
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Category:Game Mechanics