“Dragonvale” is a popular dragon-breeding simulation game where players can create their own magical islands, filled with a variety of dragons. One of the core mechanics of the game is breeding dragons to create new species, with each dragon having its own unique traits, elements, and abilities. However, one of the most important aspects of the breeding process is the breeding time—the time it takes for two dragons to produce an egg and for that egg to hatch.
Breeding times play a pivotal role in “Dragonvale” because they can greatly affect the pace of your game and your ability to collect rare dragons. Understanding breeding times, how they work, and how you can optimize them is essential to mastering the game. This review dives deep into the topic of breeding times in “Dragonvale,” covering everything from basic mechanics to advanced strategies.
Table of Contents
1. Understanding Breeding Times: The Basics
In “Dragonvale,” breeding times refer to the amount of time it takes for two dragons to produce an egg. Once the egg is produced, you also need to factor in the incubation time, which is the time it takes for the egg to hatch. The total time from the start of breeding to the moment the dragon is ready to be placed in its habitat is the sum of the breeding time and the incubation time.
Each dragon species has its own breeding time, which can range from just a few minutes to more than two days for the rarest dragons. Generally, the rarer or more powerful the dragon, the longer the breeding time will be. For example, common dragons like the Plant Dragon or Fire Dragon may only take a few minutes to breed, while rare or epic dragons like the Rainbow Dragon or Sun Dragon can take up to 48 hours.
Here are the general categories of breeding times in “Dragonvale”:
- Short breeding times: 5 minutes to 2 hours (common dragons)
- Medium breeding times: 2 hours to 12 hours (uncommon dragons)
- Long breeding times: 12 hours to 24 hours (rare dragons)
- Very long breeding times: 24 hours to 48 hours (epic and limited-time dragons)
2. Why Breeding Times Matter
Breeding times are important because they determine how quickly you can grow your dragon collection. Shorter breeding times allow you to breed more dragons in less time, which is especially useful during limited-time events where certain dragons are only available for a short period. Conversely, longer breeding times can slow your progress, particularly if you’re trying to breed rare dragons and have limited breeding slots.
Here are a few key reasons why breeding times matter in “Dragonvale”:
- Efficiency: The shorter the breeding time, the more dragons you can breed in a given period. Efficient breeding is essential for collecting all available dragons, especially when trying to breed rare or limited-time dragons.
- Event Dragons: During special events, limited-edition dragons are often available for breeding. These dragons typically have long breeding times, which can be a bottleneck for players trying to collect them all before the event ends.
- Dragon Cash Production: Certain dragons are more efficient at producing Dragon Cash (the in-game currency). Breeding dragons with short breeding times and high cash production rates can help you generate more income faster.
3. Breeding Time Strategies
To succeed in “Dragonvale,” you’ll need to employ strategies that minimize waiting times and maximize your chances of breeding rare dragons. While the game includes various ways to reduce or bypass breeding times, such as spending gems or upgrading breeding facilities, there are other strategic approaches you can use to optimize your gameplay.
a) Breeding Time Reduction with Upgrades
One of the best ways to reduce breeding times is to upgrade your Breeding Cave and Epic Breeding Island. These facilities allow you to breed dragons, and upgrading them can shorten the breeding and incubation times. While these upgrades can be expensive in terms of Dragon Cash or gems, they are well worth the investment if you’re focused on breeding rare or epic dragons.
- Breeding Cave: This is the first breeding structure you receive in the game. Upgrading it decreases the breeding times, allowing you to breed dragons faster.
- Epic Breeding Island: This is a premium breeding structure that can be purchased using gems. It significantly increases your chances of breeding rare and epic dragons while also offering faster breeding times.
- Boosts: In addition to upgrades, there are certain temporary boosts and events that can decrease breeding and incubation times. Participating in these events and using boosts strategically can help you breed more dragons in less time.
b) Using Gems to Speed Up Breeding
Gems are a premium currency in “Dragonvale” that can be used to speed up breeding and incubation times. While using gems for every breeding attempt is not always feasible, there are strategic moments when spending gems can be worth it. For example, during limited-time events, where rare dragons are only available for a short period, using gems to speed up breeding can increase your chances of getting the desired dragon before the event ends.
- When to use gems: Use gems to speed up breeding only when you’re breeding rare or limited-time dragons. For common or easily obtainable dragons, it’s usually better to wait for the natural breeding and incubation times.
- How to earn gems: Gems can be earned by completing certain tasks, leveling up, or receiving gifts from friends. You can also buy gems with real money if you want to speed up your progress.
c) Optimizing Breeding Pairs
Breeding times vary depending on the dragons you pair together, so it’s essential to choose your breeding pairs carefully. Some dragon combinations have a higher likelihood of producing rare dragons with longer breeding times, while others are more likely to yield common dragons with shorter breeding times. By understanding the best combinations for breeding specific dragons, you can increase your efficiency and reduce the overall time spent waiting for eggs to hatch.
For example, if you’re trying to breed a rare dragon like the Moon Dragon, pairing two dragons with the appropriate elements (cold and lightning) will give you the best chance of success. However, you may also end up with a dragon with a shorter breeding time, such as the Storm Dragon, which shares similar elements.
d) Utilizing the Co-op Breeding Cave
The Co-op Breeding Cave is a special feature that allows you to breed dragons with those of your friends. This can be incredibly useful for obtaining rare or epic dragons with long breeding times. By combining your dragons with a friend’s, you increase the chances of breeding rare dragons, and the breeding time may be shorter depending on the dragon pair.
For instance, if your friend has a rare dragon that you need, such as a Galaxy Dragon, you can breed your dragon with theirs in the Co-op Breeding Cave. This can potentially reduce the breeding time and increase the likelihood of producing a rare dragon egg.
4. Breeding Time Breakdown: Common Dragons
Breeding times for common dragons are usually short, ranging from a few minutes to a few hours. These dragons are often the first ones you breed when starting the game and are essential for building a foundation for more complex dragon breeding.
a) Plant Dragon
- Breeding time: 15 seconds
- Incubation time: 5 seconds
- The Plant Dragon is the most basic dragon in the game, with one of the shortest breeding and incubation times. This makes it ideal for quickly breeding multiple Plant Dragons to generate Dragon Cash.
b) Fire Dragon
- Breeding time: 30 seconds
- Incubation time: 15 seconds
- The Fire Dragon is another basic dragon with a short breeding time. It’s a great option for quickly expanding your dragon collection early in the game.
c) Earth Dragon
- Breeding time: 5 minutes
- Incubation time: 5 minutes
- The Earth Dragon has a slightly longer breeding time but is still considered a common dragon. It pairs well with other elemental dragons to produce more advanced species.
5. Breeding Time Breakdown: Rare Dragons
Rare dragons typically have longer breeding times, ranging from a few hours to a full day. These dragons are more difficult to breed and often require specific element combinations.
a) Crystal Dragon
- Breeding time: 24 hours
- Incubation time: 24 hours
- The Crystal Dragon is one of the first rare dragons that many players encounter. It has a long breeding time but offers high rewards in terms of Dragon Cash production.
b) Sun Dragon
- Breeding time: 48 hours
- Incubation time: 48 hours
- The Sun Dragon is one of the rarest dragons in the game and has one of the longest breeding times. Its counterpart, the Moon Dragon, shares the same breeding time.
c) Blue Fire Dragon
- Breeding time: 12 hours
- Incubation time: 12 hours
- The Blue Fire Dragon is a rare hybrid that requires the Fire and Cold elements to breed. Its breeding time is relatively long, making it a challenging dragon to obtain.
6. Breeding Time Breakdown: Epic Dragons
Epic dragons are some of the most powerful and sought-after dragons in “Dragonvale.” These dragons usually have the longest breeding times, often exceeding 48 hours. Epic dragons are typically event-exclusive or require specific breeding conditions.
a) Rainbow Dragon
- Breeding time: 48 hours
- Incubation time: 48 hours
- The Rainbow Dragon is one of the most iconic dragons in the game and is coveted by many players due to its colorful appearance and high Dragon Cash production. With a breeding time of 48 hours, the Rainbow Dragon represents a significant time investment, but its rarity and powerful abilities make it worth the wait. To breed a Rainbow Dragon, players must combine dragons that include at least four different elements. Since this dragon doesn’t have a specific element combination, it often appears as a random outcome when breeding dragons with varied elemental traits.
b) Double Rainbow Dragon
- Breeding time: 60 hours
- Incubation time: 60 hours
- The Double Rainbow Dragon is a more powerful version of the Rainbow Dragon, boasting increased Dragon Cash production and an even more dazzling appearance. Its breeding time of 60 hours is one of the longest in the game, making it a challenging dragon to obtain. Players will need to combine dragons with at least four different elements to have a chance of breeding this epic dragon.
c) Moon and Sun Dragons
- Breeding time: 48 hours
- Incubation time: 48 hours
- The Moon and Sun Dragons are two sides of the same coin, representing night and day. Both dragons share the same breeding time of 48 hours, and they require a specific breeding environment. The Sun Dragon can only be bred during the day, while the Moon Dragon must be bred at night. Players must pay close attention to in-game time when attempting to breed these celestial dragons.
d) Gold Dragon
- Breeding time: 48 hours
- Incubation time: 48 hours
- The Gold Dragon is an epic dragon with an elegant design and a significant Dragon Cash production rate. It requires the Metal and Fire elements to breed, and its 48-hour breeding time makes it one of the longer processes in the game. Despite the long wait, obtaining a Gold Dragon is highly rewarding for players focused on maximizing their income.
7. Limited-Time Event Dragons and Breeding Times
In “Dragonvale,” there are frequent in-game events that introduce limited-time dragons. These dragons are only available for a short period, and their breeding times can vary widely. Some limited-time dragons may have shorter breeding times to encourage rapid breeding attempts during the event, while others can have epic-length breeding times, making them more challenging to obtain within the event window.
During these events, players are encouraged to use their resources wisely, as the window for breeding limited-time dragons is often small. Events may also include special breeding rules or increased chances for specific dragons, further complicating the strategy around breeding times. Additionally, the game may offer special temporary boosts, such as breeding time reductions or free speed-ups, during these periods.
a) Event Strategies
- Breeding Prioritization: When multiple limited-time dragons are available, players must decide which dragons to prioritize based on their breeding times and availability. Dragons with longer breeding times should be attempted earlier in the event, while those with shorter times can be saved for later.
- Boosts and Bonuses: Events often include limited-time bonuses that reduce breeding times or increase the chances of breeding specific dragons. Taking full advantage of these boosts can drastically reduce the time needed to obtain event dragons.
- Gems Usage: Limited-time events are often the best time to use gems to speed up breeding and incubation times. Since the event dragons may not be available again for a long time (if ever), players may choose to spend gems to ensure they get the dragons they want.
8. Reducing Breeding Times: Speeding Up the Process
Waiting for long breeding times can be frustrating, especially when you’re eager to see what dragon you’ll get. Fortunately, there are several methods available in “Dragonvale” that can help reduce breeding times and speed up the process.
a) Gem Speed-Ups
The most direct way to reduce breeding times is by spending gems. Every breeding and incubation process can be sped up by using gems, with the number of gems required based on the remaining time. For players who have accumulated a large number of gems, this can be an efficient way to bypass long waiting periods, especially when breeding rare or limited-time dragons.
b) Breeding Cave and Island Upgrades
Upgrading your Breeding Cave and Epic Breeding Island can reduce breeding times across the board. Each upgrade provides a percentage reduction to the time it takes to breed dragons, meaning that even long breeding times can be shortened significantly over time. These upgrades are permanent, making them a valuable long-term investment for any player.
c) Time-Reduction Events
Occasionally, “Dragonvale” hosts special events or promotions that reduce breeding times for a limited period. These events are excellent opportunities to breed rare or epic dragons, as the reduced times allow players to attempt more breeding cycles within the event window. Keeping an eye out for these events can save players a lot of time in the long run.
d) Using the Sanctuary of Speed
The Sanctuary of Speed is a structure in “Dragonvale” that offers temporary reductions to breeding and incubation times when activated. Players can use the Sanctuary of Speed strategically during periods when they are focused on breeding specific dragons, especially those with longer breeding times. While this feature requires an investment of resources to activate, it can be invaluable when trying to breed limited-time dragons or other rare species.
9. Advanced Breeding Time Optimization
For players who want to take their “Dragonvale” game to the next level, understanding and optimizing breeding times becomes an essential skill. By carefully planning breeding cycles, taking advantage of bonuses, and utilizing all available tools, players can reduce the time they spend waiting for dragons to hatch and increase their chances of success in breeding rare dragons.
a) Timing Your Breeding Sessions
One of the most effective ways to optimize breeding times is by timing your breeding sessions around your real-life schedule. If you’re going to be away from the game for an extended period (like overnight or during work), it’s a good idea to start breeding dragons with longer breeding times. This way, the breeding process continues while you’re away, minimizing downtime. When you’re actively playing the game, you can focus on breeding dragons with shorter times to keep the process moving quickly.
b) Co-op Breeding with Friends
The Co-op Breeding Cave allows players to breed their dragons with those of their friends. This feature can be used to breed dragons that you might not have access to on your own, and it can also help reduce breeding times for rare dragons. By coordinating with friends who have rare or epic dragons, you can increase your chances of breeding those dragons yourself, potentially cutting down on long breeding times.
c) Maximizing Breeding Slots
In “Dragonvale,” players can unlock multiple breeding slots, allowing them to breed more dragons simultaneously. By managing your breeding slots effectively, you can keep all your breeding caves occupied at all times, ensuring that you’re always working toward breeding new dragons. Even when working on dragons with long breeding times, having additional slots available means you can continue breeding other dragons in the meantime.
10. Conclusion
Breeding times in “Dragonvale” are a key aspect of the game’s strategy, determining how quickly you can grow your dragon collection and progress through the game. From common dragons with short breeding times to epic dragons with breeding times that can stretch over multiple days, the game offers a wide range of challenges for players to master.
By understanding how breeding times work and learning how to optimize them, players can significantly improve their efficiency in “Dragonvale.” Whether you’re breeding for rare dragons, participating in limited-time events, or simply trying to expand your dragon park, mastering the art of managing breeding times is essential to becoming a top-tier “Dragonvale” player.
Utilizing breeding cave upgrades, taking advantage of special events, and strategically spending gems are just a few of the ways you can reduce breeding times and improve your overall gameplay experience. With patience, careful planning, and a bit of luck, you’ll be able to breed even the rarest dragons in “Dragonvale” and build a thriving dragon park that showcases your skill and dedication.