Overview
A simple tip for Gnomes Garden 3
Introduction
Hello again fellow video game enthusiast! Taskmaster here with another, hopefully, helpful guide to improve your game playing enjoyment. This time I have some simple tips for Gnome Garden 3 that might save you a level replay or two.
It is nothing earth-shattering but seeing as this game has no other guides yet, I decided it was worth the creative energy to produce one. It just so happens I noticed a small quirk in the game that gave me an excuse to share with you all. So rather than prolong the introduction let’s get you on your way to the conclusion without anymore blathering!
General Tips
I wanted to toss out a couple tips that work for any level.
1) Review the map, even if only for a couple seconds before you just start randomly clicking.
2) Focus on collecting resources from renewable sources first, such as a mill, garden or altar, then collect the one-time items on the ground or path. The faster you collect a resource from a building, garden, or altar the faster it can begin work to produce the next batch. It may be better to collect resources nearest to the worker’s tent first over those farther away.
3) If a thief takes a resource from a building, notice the building does not start producing the next batch until the thief exits the map, which can be a while. This can be very costly on some maps so be careful.
4) A second (or even third) worker always seems to be worth the cost to upgrade. Probably the sooner the better on most maps.
5) There is no shame in using the “power ups” (faster movement, faster building, and time stop) as often as you can. Try to save the faster building for when you have an item that requires 2 or more workers. The sooner you get them back to resource collecting the better. Use “Time Stop” as soon as it is ready so it can start recharging as soon as possible.
Dealing with Thieves
I like the fact that Gnome Garden 3 has some leeway in their 3-star time expectations. I can take a more relaxed approach to giving orders or make a mistake or two and not be disqualified from 3 stars. Some games have such a tight timer after the 3rd or 4th level that it removes the fun and makes it a tense beat the clock battle.
Anyway, on certain levels there is a thief or two that you are expected to deal with by having the Fireman scared him off. However, I notice that the thieves will ignore any resource that has been queued up. That is, if you have clicked on it, even if it is 4rd or 5th in line to be collected, the thieves will ignore it. That the makes the thieves merely an annoyance rather than a threat.
If you can overlook the fact they are running around the map then you can skip building the fireman’s hut completely; saving you resources and allowing you to complete the level faster. I found an earlier level where I did not need to build the fireman’s hut (it was not a required task) but I did not pay attention to the level number (possibly level 20).
It was not until I reached level 27 that I realized the quirk with the thieves and put 2 + 2 together. Level 27 is an example where the Fireman’s hut is a waste of time to build.
Again, you can build it if you prefer and still complete the level in 3-star time, but now you know it is optional. Simply ensure that all replenished resources are checked for collection and the thieves will not be a problem!
Level 34 and 35 are two additional levels where you can skip the Fireman’s Hut if you can put up with two thieves occassionally roaming around. This let’s you complete the level in much less time.
Level 36 can also be done using this same approach, but it will be random as you will noit be able to gather stone unless it appears on the altar. I was able to complete the level without the Fireman’s hut, with the 3rd star blinking as it was about to fade away, as I got the last stone needed to upgrade the worker’s tent to level 3. You may just want to build the Fireman’s Hut for this level.
Level 41 and 46, are yet another pair of levels that can be completed without the need to build the Fireman’s Hut.
Finally, the last level, 49 can be completed eaily without the Fireman’s Hut.
Bypass the Beacon
For reasons unbeknownst to me, level 21 has a beacon, but there is no requirement to light it so don’t! There is a large bog blocking the way that can be ignored as well. You can save time and resources by ignoring this dead end trail.
There is a required beacon a few levels after this one that will trigger the achievement, so don’t worry about that.
Luck, Not Skill
For some reason the level designers decided to base level 48 completely on luck rather than skill. There is no crystal mine, but you need a ton of crystal in order to build a level 3 Sorceress house. Therefore you are at the mercy of the altars for crystal. You may not beat the 3-star time unless the game gives you crystal in a timely fashion. You will just have to replay the level until you get that quantity of crystal.
Focus on repairing the altars as quickly as you can and make it a priority to pick up resources from the altars first so you have a maximum turn around on them. This may help in getting the crystal you need. Upgrade your tent to 3 workers so you have the best chance to get the altar resources quickly.
I repaired the blue portal first as that gave me access to that thrid altar for maximum opportunity to get crystal. Then I worried about the other portals as the crystal became available.
It took about 3 replays of the level using this approach to finally get the crystal reources to work out such that the level could be completed in 3 star time. It was close to the wire, but it can be done.
Conclusion
Well that was short and sweet, but it doesn’t need to be a long guide to provide you with a quality trick or two. I thank you for giving this guide a once over. I appreciate any feedback or suggestions you may have so feel free to share a comment below!
I have written nearly 20 game guides at this point, so stop by my profile page and check them out. I am especially proud of the Starpoint Gemini 2 guide. It is a fun, illustrated read even if you have never palyed the game. I invite you to take a look.
Again, thanks and have a great day!