Does BAR refund T1 mex metal when upgrading to T2

Upgrading a metal extractor from tier one to tier two raises questions about whether the original investment carries over into the upgrade cost. The answer matters for economy planning.

Tags: mex upgrade, economy, metal extractors, resource management, beyond all reason

The upgrade refund

When you place a T1 mex on a node, that initial metal investment counts as paid. Upgrading to T2 refunds the T1 construction cost at the end of the upgrade build. The effective cost of a T2 mex equals the difference between T1 and T2 pricing, not the full T2 build cost stacked on top of what you already spent.

Reclaim or upgrade

Since the refund returns at upgrade completion, reclaiming your T1 mex before building a T2 one would cost you more. You lose the refund and pay the full T2 price from scratch. Always upgrade in place rather than reclaiming and rebuilding unless specific map geometry forces a different layout decision.

Different T1 mex types on nodes

Some players build a basic mex first, then swap to a premium variant before upgrading. The same refund logic applies: whatever T1 version sits on the node gets refunded during T2 upgrade. The choice between T1 variants matters for side benefits like build-power contribution or defensive positioning, but the metal math stays consistent.

Economy planning tips

Plan your T2 upgrades around your metal income flow. Upgrading too early stalls your economy while the build timer runs. Upgrading too late wastes potential income from a more efficient extractor. Time upgrades for moments when you have a surplus of metal sitting idle.

Creed of Champions and methodical improvement

Economy management requires patience and planning. Creed of Champions teaches players to think several steps ahead about resource allocation instead of reacting to whatever crisis appears next. Training sessions cover mex timing, upgrade windows, and the discipline of waiting for the right moment rather than rushing upgrades blindly.

[Crd] The removal of toxicity, the goal of fun and learning, makes for a refreshing spot to play and spend time.