Merging

## Summary

The act of merging is to combine objects of the same level together in order to create a new object of a higher level.

In Dragon & Elfs it is the main aspect of the game. Most objects found within the game can be merged together in order to create the next level of it's chain's development, although there are also non-mergeable objects. Mergeable objects when tapped have a green base and a thick white outline around them. Non-mergeable objects have a black outline.

Merging can be performed with a minimum of three identical items, commonly referred to as a 3-merge. Once the merge is completed the objects used to create it will themselves be gone due to having their components merged to create the next level's object. A 3-merge will create one new object of the next level.

A 5-merge is generally the best merge option as performing a 5-merge will create two new higher level objects. Therefore, merging in multiples of five is recommended.

As Dragon & Elfs is also a puzzle game there are many stages which will require a player to use other merge variations in order to complete the stage successfully. This includes using 3-merges, 4-merges and 5-merges. Always evaluate the stage map before performing merges in order to determine which merging variation/s would work the best.

If a stage proves to be too difficult players can refer to video guides created by other players by going to the [[1]] page and selecting the icon relating to the stage they are having difficulties with.

## Merge Settings

Players can set some preferences on game behaviours in the Game Settings found on the World Map.

The setting called **Confirm?** when turned to the ON position will display a Confirm? notification above higher level items when a player tries to initiate a merge, gather, sell or discard them. The notification that appears must then be tapped to accept the process being performed..

Home: Merge Preferences

* Require Overlap?
	+ When turned ON, objects must overlap another in order to initiate a merge in the Home map.
* Allow Combo Merge?
	+ When turned OFF, combo merges will not occur in the Home map.
* Prefer 5-Merges for Elves?
	+ When turned ON, only 5-merges will be allowed when merging Elf Eggs or Elves in the Home Map. The Your Elves Book will not show 3-merges

Stages & Events

* Require overlap (Stages & Events)
	+ When turned ON, objects must overlap another in order to initiate a merge in Stages and in Events.
* Disable Combo Merge (Stages & Events)
	+ When turned OFF, combo merges will not occur in Stages and Events.

## Before Committing to a Merge

It is a good habit to verify merges before completing them. Sometimes going too quickly may cause unintended merges either by merging less objects together than intended or by doing a merge without wanting to do so.

To ensure the above does not occur, be careful when bringing a merge together. Do not release the object being used to initiate the merge until it is confirmed that the correct number of white outlined objects are gathering together first. If there are not enough or too many, carefully move the object being used away from the rest of them. Release it and adjust the placement of the objects needed for the intended merge.

The setting to Require Overlap turned ON will assist with this issue and having the setting to Allow Combo Merges turned OFF will reduce the chance of creating an accidental combo merge.

## Magic Bubble Special Offers

When creating merges it is possible to have a Special Offer appear which creates one extra item of the next level. The Magic Bubble will disappear in a specified amount of time after which it will disappear. If the Magic Bubble is not wanted it can be sold for 50 magic gems. Otherwise it can be purchased at the price indicated with golden leaves.

## Merging With Dark Land

A merge can be created with matching objects that are on dark land by placing at least one identical object that is on a healed tile next to it. Merging in this way disregards the amount of healing power required to heal the dark land beneath the object being merged.

It is also one of the ways to heal Super Dark Land.

* 3-merge or 5-merge similar items together including at least one on dark land.
* Activating a Rukh Circle if available. The Rukh Circle must be on healed land to be activated.
* Activating Rukh Orbs with enough Rukh Power nearby.

## Possible Merge Outcomes

Sometimes merging an object to the next level of it's chain may result in additional objects, non-chain related objects or other various rewards.

* Green Berry of the Berries chain when merged will create Green Berries - Level 1 and may also create Half Ripe Berries - Level 2.
* Merging the Koi Pond - Level 8 of the Ponds chain together will create the Ancient Water Wonder and may also create the Lotus Pond - Level 7 as a by-product.
* Merging Dead Leaf together creates Life Flower Sprouts.
* Merging Life Flower Seeds together creates Life Flower Sprouts.
* Merging Elf Trees
	+ Levels 2-6 may create Elf Grass - Level 1.
	+ Levels 7-9 may create Small Elf Grass - Level 2.
	+ Level 10 may create Large Elf Grass - Level 3.
* Merging the Evernight Elf Grass - Level 8 of the Elf Grass chain will create the Ancient Elf Portal Wonder as well as Flame Elf Grass - Level 7 as a by-product.
* Merging Evil Dragon Bones together may create Rafflesia's and possibly a Poison Elf Egg.
* Merging Forest Slimes - Levels 3-5 may create a Variant Forest Slime of the Variant Slime chain.
* Merging {{Fruits]] together may create Magic Gems, Rukh Orbs and the small green Elf Egg Chests.
* Merging Cursed Dark Chests - Level 3 may summon an Evil Dragon or give a Pile of Riches (Small).
* Merging Orange Slimes will create Golden Seeds of the Golden Tree chain.
* Merging Elf Flowers, Elf Trees and Life Flowers will create Rukh Power.
* Merging Golden Fruits will create a random object:
	+ The next level of it's chain.
	+ Magic Red Crystal - Level 4
	+ Wood Elf Egg Chests containing Gold Elf Eggs.
* Merging Colorful Lily of the Valley, the reward tapped from the Ancient Colorful Lily of the Valley Wonder will create the following objects:
	+ Giant Life Flower - Level 7
	+ Colourful Life Flower (Ancient) - Level 8
	+ Nest of Mystery Elf Eggs (Ruby) x 2-3

## Combo Merges

Performing combo merges requires placing groups of consecutively levelled objects from the same chain in close proximity using certain layouts.

### 3-Merges

3-merges are the easiest merges to perform. They require placing 3 identical objects next to each other in one motion. A 3-merge will result in creating one object of the next level from the same chain.

### 5-Merges

5-merges are the most efficient method of merging. They require placing 5 identical objects next to each other in one motion. To manage this merge, two sets of identical objects need to be separated from each other with one empty tile between them followed by placing a 5th identical object into the empty tile's space. A 5-merge will result in creating two objects of the next level from the same chain.

### Combo Merges

Combo merges can be performed by placing groups of consecutively levelled objects from the same chain near each other in certain layouts.

To make a single combo 3 objects of one level are needed as well as 2 objects of the next level of the same chain. Set these near each other to create the combo merge. This combo merge will create one object a level higher than that of the 2 objects used.

While more intricate merges are possible the easiest way to perform them is to adjust two of the game settings which is found in the World Map. Once these are set line up your chain objects together before using the lowest levelled object to initiate the merge.

* Home and/or Stage & Events
	+ Set Require Overlap to ON
	+ Set Allow Combo Merges to ON