So here it is—my complete, gamer-to-gamer guide on how I consistently get gems in Rise of Kingdoms, including free-to-play methods, low-spend options, and the stuff I wish someone told me before I gemmed something incredibly stupid (ahem… resources… once… never again).

First, a quick gem mindset (so you don’t suffer like I did)

Before we farm: gems are not only about getting more, but also not wasting what you get.

I used to spend gems like a drunk barbarian in a shop—randomly, emotionally, and always regretting it the next morning.

Now I treat gems like a dragon hoard:

• I collect them daily

• I spend them only on high-value moments

• I never (ever) buy resources with them unless it’s a true emergency

Alright. Let’s get you rich.

1) Daily Gem Sources (The “I’m Not Even Trying” Gems)

These are the gems you should be getting every single day just by existing responsibly.

Daily Objectives + Activity Chests

Do your daily objectives and open those activity chests. It’s not glamorous, but it adds up—especially over weeks.

My routine is basically:

• Login

• Queue research/builds

• Knock out a few easy tasks

• Grab the rewards

• Pretend I’m disciplined (I’m not)

VIP Daily Chest

If your VIP level is decent, the daily VIP chest becomes a steady drip of value over time. This is why you’ll hear veterans chant like monks:

“VIP is forever.”

2) Events: The Real Gem Floodgates

If daily gems are a trickle, events are the thunderstorm. Most gem “wealth” happens here.

Seasonal / Holiday Events

These vary, but many events hand out gems through:

• event currency exchanges

• milestone rewards

• mini-games

• alliance participation

My personal favorite is when an event looks small… then suddenly I’m up 2,000 gems and I’m like, “Wait, what did I even do?”
Answer: I clicked things. Strategically. Ish.

Karauk Ceremony / Ian’s Ballads / etc. (Rotating Event Types)

Whatever the current rotation is, the rule is the same:

• Do the tasks you’re already doing anyway (barbs, forts, gathering)

• Collect the gems as a bonus

Spend Events (More Than Gems, 7k Gem Event, etc.)

Not a “get gems” method directly, but important: some events give huge rewards for spending gems efficiently. If you’re going to spend, do it when the game bribes you for it.

3) Barbarian Farming (My “Podcast Time” Gem Method)

Barbarians don’t directly drop tons of gems, but they generate value in two gem-adjacent ways:

Barbarians → Action Points → Event Progress

Most gem-heavy events involve killing barbs or doing barb-related tasks. If you’re active during event windows, you’ll rake in rewards.

Barbarian Forts (With Alliance)

Forts are better than lone barb farming in terms of rewards and efficiency—plus they build that alliance momentum where gifts start flying.

Which leads to…

4) Alliance Gifts: The “My Whale Neighbor Pays My Rent” System

If your alliance is active (or has spenders), alliance gifts can be a very real gem source over time.

Even in normal alliances, gifts pop from:

• purchases by members

• some alliance activities

• certain event completions

This is why joining an active alliance is basically a gem strategy.

I once joined a new alliance that felt “friendly but quiet” and my gem income immediately went on life support. Nice people. Zero gifts. I had to leave. I still feel guilty. Not that guilty, but you know.

5) Achievements + Progression Rewards (The One-Time Gem Jackpot)

These aren’t repeatable, but they’re substantial, especially early game.

Achievements

Check the achievement tabs and aim your gameplay at the ones you can hit naturally:

• upgrading buildings

• researching tech

• training troops

• exploring fog

• clearing villages/caves

Expedition / Campaign-style progression

Expedition rewards include gems and other high-value items. Push it whenever your account power jumps.

6) Exploring: Caves, Villages, and “Clicking the Map Like a Raccoon”

If you haven’t fully explored your kingdom map, you’re leaving gems on the table.

Mystic Caves & Tribal Villages

These often give:

• gems

• golden keys

• speedups

• tomes and resources

It’s not just early-game either—some players ignore exploration for way too long because it feels “side quest-y.” But side quests pay.

My weird habit: whenever I’m waiting on a rally, I’ll send scouts out like I’m sweeping a crime scene. It’s relaxing. Also profitable.

7) Gathering Gems (Yes, Gem Nodes Exist—and Yes, They’re Worth It)

This is the closest thing Rise of Kingdoms has to “printing gems” without spending money.

Gem Deposits (On the Map)

You can gather gems directly from gem nodes. The trick is:

• have enough marches

• use good gathering commanders

• keep them constantly working

If you’re active and you rotate marches efficiently, gem gathering becomes a steady income stream.

Small tip from my personal pain:
Don’t send your best combat march to gather gems and then forget you’re vulnerable. I’ve donated full gem loads to enemy players before. I call it “charity.” They call it “free gems.”

8) Kingdom / KVK / Seasonal Rewards (The Big Competitive Payout)

If you participate in major kingdom events—especially KVK—there are usually gem sources tied to:

• honor rewards (varies by season)

• occupation and kingdom-wide objectives

• personal contribution milestones

• event shops

Even if you’re not a frontline fighter, you can contribute through:

• forts

• barbs

• gathering

• support roles

KVK is chaotic, exhausting, and occasionally makes you question your life choices—but reward-wise, it can be very, very good.

9) Buying Gems (If You Spend): The “Do It Smart” Section

If you’re going to spend money, please—learn from the ghosts of my bad purchases.

Best-value common options (varies by region/availability)

• Gem Supply-style monthly packs (usually best gem-per-dollar long term)

• First-time recharge bonuses (if still available to you)

• Event bundles during high-value events (if you’re already participating)

Please don’t do this

• Don’t buy gems from third-party sellers. Risky and often against terms.

• Don’t “panic spend” because you’re 300 gems short. That’s how they get you.

My Personal “Lazy But Effective” Daily Gem Routine

Here’s what I do on a normal day when I’m not trying to sweat:

1. Daily objectives until all chests are claimed

2. Send gatherers, ideally including a gem node if I can safely get one

3. Barbs or forts if there’s an event running

4. Check event tabs for anything I can complete passively

5. Collect alliance gifts and pretend I earned them (I did not)

It’s not glamorous. It’s consistent. Consistency is what makes gems snowball.

Bonus: Common Gem Mistakes I Made So You Don’t Have To

I have committed crimes. Here are the big ones:

• Buying resources with gems (early-game me was wild)

• Spinning/rolling on impulse instead of planning around events

• Ignoring VIP and delaying long-term gem value

• Not gathering gems because it felt “slow” (it adds up like crazy)

• Forgetting marches on the map overnight and getting them slapped

The biggest shift for me wasn’t finding one magical gem source—it was stacking all the little sources:

• daily activity

• alliance momentum

• event timing

• gem gathering

• smart spending

Do that, and your gem count stops feeling like a permanent emergency.