Last Z HQ Upgrade Guide — Levels 1-35, Costs & Strategy
Quick Answer
HQ upgrade essentials: Max HQ is level 35 (hero cap 175). Upgrade Sophia to 5 stars ASAP — she saves 10% on ALL building costs. HQ1-18 is fast (2 days possible). HQ21, 24, 27, 30 are major checkpoints. Steel is required for HQ31-35 and only appears after HQ30. Save HQ completion for Alliance Duel Day 2 for massive points. Final upgrades take 6+ months without bonuses — stack every construction buff you can get.
Watch the Full Video
Source: Last Z HQ Upgrade Guide on YouTube
This guide covers HQ levels 1-35, all costs, build times, steel requirements, Sophia savings, and construction strategies.
HQ Level = Hero Level Cap
The Formula
Every HQ level adds +5 to your hero level cap:
- HQ 1 → Hero cap 5
- HQ 20 → Hero cap 100
- HQ 30 → Hero cap 150
- HQ 35 → Hero cap 175
Why it matters: Higher hero levels = massive power boost. Your arena performance, overall power, and combat strength all increase significantly.
Future Content: T11 Units
T11 units are likely coming. When they arrive, only HQ35 players will be ready. Upgrade now to prepare for what's next.
Sophia — The Queen of Construction
Why Sophia is Essential
Sophia's 3rd skill gives you:
- Extra free construction duration
- Faster construction speed
- At 4 stars: Resource cost -5%
- At 5 stars: Resource cost -10%
Quote: "In a game where upgrading costs hundreds of millions and eventually billions, these discounts save you a mountain of resources. It's like having a personal accountant who actually knows what they're doing."
The Rule
"If you reach HQ30 without Sophia at 5 stars, something went wrong."
Her bonus applies to EVERY building. Since you upgrade tons of buildings to reach HQ35, Sophia saves resources at every step. Push her to 5 stars as early as possible.
HQ Progression Phases
Phase 1: HQ 1-18 (Fast & Easy)
Upgrading is smooth, fast, and cheap. You feel like a building genius.
- Can be done in a few days
- With bonuses: less than 2 days possible
- Barely costs anything
Tip: Don't slow down here. Rush through these levels.
Phase 2: HQ 18-24 (Reality Check)
Upgrade times get longer. Some take a week or more. Resource costs "punch you in the face."
Strategy: Take advantage of early game chaos. Loot weaker players while you can. Don't tie yourself into too many peace treaties early.
Quote: "The game before Season 1 is all about alliance domination. Pick the right team and start climbing."
Phase 3: HQ 24-27 (Smart Play Required)
Things slow down significantly. You'll feel it.
- Saving speedups becomes crucial
- Only upgrade buildings required for next HQ
- Don't waste resources on random buildings just because they glow with a blue arrow
Priority: HQ first, then only required support buildings.
Phase 4: HQ 30 (Major Milestone)
Congratulations — this is one of the biggest milestones in the game!
- Required for T10 troops
- If HQ31-35 isn't unlocked yet, use this time to prepare
- Stack resources, speedups, construction bonuses
- Upgrade Hall of Honor and formation buildings for power boosts
Phase 5: HQ 31-35 (The Journey)
Quote: "Upgrading from 30 to 35 — that's not just an upgrade. That's a journey, a pilgrimage, a test of patience, resources, and how many times you can shout at your screen."
These levels are brutally expensive and require a new resource: Steel.
Reality check: Some upgrades take over 6 months without bonuses. "You could grow a small real-life garden in that time."
Steel — The New Resource
When Steel Appears
Steel only exists after reaching HQ30. Before that, the game acts like steel doesn't exist. Once you hit 30 and unlock the HQ31-35 update, steel suddenly appears everywhere.
How to Get Steel
- Build a Steel Mine in your town
- Earn from Bounties
- Get from Fury Lord
- Buy in Hub Shop
- Season 4 events
- Best method: Orange Bounties (very large amounts)
The Special Event
Around Season 3, right after the HQ31-35 update, there's a special event to help players climb from 30 to 31. You earn lots of steel just for daily tasks.
Important: Make absolutely sure you take advantage of that event. The steel makes HQ31 much easier.
Steel Is NOT the Problem
Steel is easy to collect with orange bounties. Resources are manageable with the new vault system (hundreds of millions per week possible).
The real bottleneck: Speedups. Those will stop you, not steel or resources.
Alliance Duel Day 2 Strategy
The Pro Tip
Keep your HQ upgrade ready, but do NOT finish it until Alliance Duel Day 2.
- Start the upgrade anytime
- When it's ready, you'll see a green checkmark
- That is the most dangerous button in the game
- One accidental tap = points gone forever
- Hold until Day 2, then complete for massive points
Double Bonus
Try to align HQ completion with Full Preparedness on the same day. You get bonus points from both sides.
Quote: "Treat that button like a self-destruct switch. Look at it, but do not touch it."
Construction Speed Setup
Stack Every Bonus
For HQ31-35, prepare your full construction speed setup:
- Villa — gives construction bonuses
- Refugees for Villa — boost construction speed a lot
- Sophia 5 stars — reduces costs and speeds up construction
- Lab buffs — check for construction bonuses
- Alliance City 4 — make sure your alliance holds it
- Alliance Lab — prioritize construction research
- All speedups — collect every one you can get
Building Requirements
Consistent Pattern
From HQ8 to HQ30, Laboratory is mandatory for every upgrade.
Key buildings that must always be kept up:
- City Walls
- Alliance Center
- Assault Camp
- Shooter Camp
- Rider Camp
These move in a predictable pattern all the way to HQ35. Keep them on your upgrade radar.
What NOT to Upgrade Early
Avoid upgrading unless directly required for next HQ:
- Resource production buildings (tempting but slow you down)
- Hall of Honor buildings (bonuses too small early, save for later)
- Random buildings with blue arrows
Optional Early Upgrades (Worth It)
- Formation buildings
- Military Center
- Bookstore
- Restaurant
- Production Center
- Rally buildings
- Radar
HQ Skins
Types of Skins
- Temporary — disappear after 1 day
- Permanent — win from events
- Permanent with stats — the real luxury
Battle Fortress — Easiest Skin
First skin most players get. Just reach 8 million power, complete a few tasks, and it's yours permanently. If you missed the event, you can buy it later in the shop with tickets.
Other Skins
- Epic: Santa Claus, Boom Show (clown), Boxing T-Rex
- Legendary: DJ Cat, Nightmare (Halloween)
- Best overall: Dragon — "That thing looks like your HQ is about to take off and start breathing fire on the map"
Key Tips Summary
- Sophia first — 5 stars as early as possible, saves billions
- HQ before everything — only upgrade buildings required for next HQ
- Alliance Duel Day 2 — hold HQ completion for massive points
- Don't tap the green checkmark — treat it like self-destruct
- Steel from orange bounties — best source by far
- Speedups are the bottleneck — not steel, not resources
- Stack construction bonuses — villa, refugees, Sophia, alliance, lab
- Participate in HQ31-35 event — massive steel rewards
- HQ35 = hero level 175 — huge free power boost
- Prepare for T11 — will require HQ35
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the max HQ level in Last Z?
Level 35 on older servers. Newer states stay at 30 until Season 3 update. Each HQ level adds +5 to hero level cap (HQ35 = hero cap 175).
How do I get steel in Last Z?
Steel only appears after HQ30. Best sources: orange bounties (most steel), steel mine, Fury Lord, hub shop, Season 4 events. A special event after HQ31-35 update gives huge steel.
Why is Sophia important for HQ upgrades?
Her 3rd skill reduces ALL building costs by 10% at 5 stars and speeds up construction. In a game with billion-cost upgrades, this saves massive resources on every building.
How long does it take to reach HQ35?
Without bonuses, some final upgrades take 6+ months EACH. With full construction speed setup (villa, refugees, Sophia, alliance buffs), it's much faster. Speedups are the main bottleneck.
What's the Alliance Duel HQ strategy?
Keep HQ upgrade ready but don't complete until Day 2. The green checkmark is dangerous — one accidental tap wastes all points. Hold until Day 2, align with Full Preparedness for double bonus.
Is it worth upgrading past HQ30?
Yes, 100%. Each level unlocks +5 hero levels = massive free power. HQ35 heroes reach level 175. Also prepares you for T11 units which will require HQ35.
What buildings are required for each HQ level?
Laboratory is mandatory from HQ8 to HQ30. Key buildings: City Walls, Alliance Center, Assault Camp, Shooter Camp, Rider Camp. Pattern is consistent to HQ35.
When do HQ levels 31-35 unlock?
Usually around Season 3. The update adds steel as a new resource and a special event helps players climb from 30 to 31 with bonus steel rewards.
Season 4 Additions
New Customization: Troop Skins
Season 4 adds a new tab for troop skins (vehicle units). Includes 3 dinosaur-themed skins that must be unlocked. Also adds HQ aura and chat titles from season events.
VIP 18 Info Panel
Special info panel unlocked only at VIP 18. Very clean, very fancy, very expensive. Only a few players have achieved this.