If you build Dr. Vu's tower, you'll have access to disasters. When you release a disaster, a certain number of buildings will be destroyed, and the population within each of those buildings will be lost as well. To rebuild, you'll have to provide whatever items it is requesting. Unlike a brand new building, you only have to fulfill the construction order once. Upon completion the building will return to it's former glory, your population will return, and you'll receive a specified number of golden keys as a reward.
As you complete disaster challenges, you'll be rewarded with Vu points. Eventually, you'll max out on points and be given the opportunity to pay for an upgrade. As you complete each upgrade, you gain access to new disasters, which also offer greater numbers of golden keys as a reward. There are 18 levels in all. Here's the breakdown on costs.
| Vu Upgrade Cost | |
| 1 | |
| 2 | $10,000 |
| 3 | $20,000 |
| 4 | $30,000 |
| 5 | $40,000 |
| 6 | $50,000 |
| 7 | $60,000 |
| 8 | $80,000 |
| 9 | $100,000 |
| 10 | $120,000 |
| 11 | $140,000 |
| 12 | $160,000 |
| 13 | $180,000 |
| 14 | $200,000 |
| 15 | $220,000 |
| 16 | $240,000 |
| 17 | $260,000 |
| 18 | $280,000 |
| Total | $2,190,000 |
The upgrades get very expensive, but it's awesome being able to complete a disaster challenge and be rewarded with 7 golden keys per Robot disaster when you're fully maxed out. The disaster rebuilds are generally a lot easier than boat shipments, which is an extra benefit to using Vu disasters versus the boats.
So how long will it take to earn 2.2 million Simoleans back? Seems like a huge cost for the return when boat shipments will earn you keys with partial fraction of that investment.
ReplyDeleteVery good point!
DeleteThis section missed out on the fact that to launch disasters, you need special resources such as Vu Remote, Vu Battery or Vu Gloves. These items are very hard to come by... making the whole 'get golden keys by repairing' plan sort of moot... at least shipments are certain every 6 hours, the Vu Tower, you'll need to get the items to just unleash a single disaster...
ReplyDeleteThanks for the extra information and yeah, it looks like a disaster....
DeleteThanks for the extra information and yeah, it looks like a disaster....
DeleteI use Neo Mall primarily as a source of VU items. I collect as much as possible but typically cap to storing 10 items per type (30 in all). This is good for a 'Launch 3 disasters' Vu assignment in CoM.
DeleteI found that once you are at Meteor level 3 you can get 3 keys relatively easy if you are in the process of making money thru trade with any mix of items... always buy a Vu item if you see it. I for one don't mind throwing $20 at this amazing game from time to time for the enjoyment it gives, so using that cash for Vu items for keys makes the most sense to me. you can get by without them but it means more scouring each person's trade offerings.
ReplyDeleteDid you forget the initial cost of Vu's tower at 80,000. It is the easiest way to get keys. Keys buy great items in game.
ReplyDeleteWay way to expensive for my taste
ReplyDeleteHow do you upgrade for 1 star to two?
ReplyDeleteAt some point, you have utilities and there is not a lot to spend money on. Vu upgrades are somewhat free at that point. Also, the items that you need to get 7 keys from vu are less than 1 or 2 ships worth and less trouble. The ships ask for very expensive items at higher levels. Do vu and do it early
ReplyDeleteSome say don't get the vu tower, some say do get it. Great for farming golden keys yes and finishing a couple CoM assignments very easily.
ReplyDeleteCan a lvl 10 get the VU tower? Using helipads and universities? Or must you be 12 or 15?
If you're pass lvl 16 I wouldn't bother unless you have a farm account because after 16, you'll never find the items, unless you're in a good club.
You're progression to golden key buildings will be a lot slower via ship loading.
Im lvl 10 and i have lvl 13 vu tower =), and early game its hard to get the items... imagine higher levels are harder...
ReplyDeleteAfter you get to level 18 and launch a disaster, do you still get vu points, or do you get something useful in their place?
ReplyDeleteYou don't get points after level 18, there is no upgrade so no point to getting Vu points. After that, I basically only do disasters for mayor contest tasks - the contest asks you to do them pretty frequently. And you can always launch a disaster if you just want more keys, too.
ReplyDeleteI have maxed the VU tower.
ReplyDeleteMy source of VU items is: Neighbours and Neo Mall.
I keep a max of 10 per type (30 in all). If crunched for sace, I lower it down to 5 per type.
Almost always used for CoM assignments and the golden keys is a nice side. Good news it they pile up and you can buy what you want.
Of all these VU disasters, here's what I use most:
For Launch 1 disaste: Use Tornado III --> This way you have a chance to to accomplish 2 assignments: Repair 4 disasters (sometimes it says 5 disaster) and Get 4 golden keys. This disaster is also easy to repair.
For Launch 1+ disasters, use Meteor Strike III or Earthquake III. The former has an advantage that repairs are for a smaller number of homes, but need some tough material. Latter needs rebuilding of more himes, but relatively easy - mostly plastic/wood/nails/metal and some others. For the last one I always use Tornado III (for reason mentioned above).
I replace Tornado with Meteor or Earthquake only if I am short on material.
I almost never go for Hard ones.
For Repair disasters, I always go for the ones that give coin rewards, unless of course, it asks to repair 5 homes in which case, I have to pick one with the key.
For Gold keys, its obvious. Sometimes, the count is (one) higher than the keys you can get. In such a case, I couple it with a cargo shipment or another VU disaster.
Often for COM tasks, if you plan it well you can just do 1 disaster and complete 1-3 tasks. Most often two tasks.
ReplyDeleteDude, I think Vu Tower is the best way to get GK , 7 GK per disaster in max level, boat you can get 3-4 per day and you must pay attetions all day. For hight level or even low level with Vu tower, you can reach 7 Keys in a few minuts if you have a good stock ,I spend around 6k-10k(items required to rebuild) for 7 GK in a few minuts, probably a low level can do it easier. I'm level 37. Also I have a feeder city level 10 with Vu Tower, but not sure if i will level up the Vu tower.
ReplyDeleteOUTDATED! Lv1>2 is 20k coins
ReplyDeleteOften for COM tasks, if you plan it well you can just do 1 disaster and complete 1-3 tasks. Most often two tasks.
ReplyDeleteI am a beginner to Simcity (Level 15). I am actually thinking "What's the point of spending so much money to upgrade, to launch disasters, to repair homes." Do we get any thing as reward like simileons, keys or any other things.
ReplyDeleteDon't spend money. Just play the game. I am lvl 37 COM 11 War 27. I have never spent a dime. I have 3 million semolians.
ReplyDelete