What are Credits?
Credits are the main resource you collect during a run. They drop from enemies and coin items, and in co-op are added evenly to all players. You spend Credits in your Player Upgrade Shop between levels on temporary, per-run upgrades.
What are Doom Shards?
Doom Shards are a rare resource. They drop infrequently from enemies (you can improve their drop chance with an upgrade). Doom Shards are spent in the Black Market / Relic Shop on permanent, team-wide upgrades called Relics.
| Credits | Doom Shards | |
|---|---|---|
| Rarity | Common | Rare |
| Spent in | Player Upgrade Shop (between levels) | Black Market / Relic Shop (between runs) |
| Buys | Temporary, per-run upgrades | Permanent, team-wide Relics |
| Who spends | Each player (personal upgrades) | Host/lead player only |
| Shared? | Added evenly to all players | Shared team spend |
Why did I lose my upgrades when my run ended? Is that a bug?
No — this is how the game is designed. Space Metal Mania™ is a rogue-like: the temporary upgrades you buy with Credits last only for that run (Tour). When a Tour ends — win or lose — those per-run upgrades reset. What carries over are the permanent Relics you unlock with Doom Shards. Each new run starts you a little stronger.
How does the Player Upgrade Shop work?
After each level you visit your own upgrade shop. It offers three upgrades — one each from the Power-Up, Class, and Gameplay categories — and only shows options you can currently afford. Each upgrade has up to 5 ranks. The shop is randomized and adaptive: the more you invest in offensive or defensive Class upgrades, the more the shop leans that way. You can purchase only one active skill per run.
Why does the shop only show three upgrades, and why can't I buy the one I want?
The shop intentionally offers a limited, randomized selection of three (one per type) each level, weighted by your previous choices. If the upgrade you want isn't shown, it may appear at a later level, or you may not have enough Credits yet — the shop hides options you can't afford so you can save up.
What are Relics and the Black Market?
Relics are permanent, team-wide upgrades purchased with Doom Shards in the Black Market between runs (whether the run succeeded or failed). They can raise starting ranks of upgrades, improve drop chances, add lives to your shared pool, or unlock additional power-ups into the drop pool. Only the host/lead player spends Doom Shards here.
I reset my Relics — why didn't I get my Doom Shards back?
Relic upgrades can be reset from the menu, but Doom Shards spent are not refunded. Please be sure before resetting — this cannot be undone.