Prestige, rebirth, and reset in idle games: how it works and when to do it
In many idle games, a moment comes when progress gets way too slow. The way out is prestige: starting over from scratch in exchange for a permanent bonus that lets you go much further next time.
What is prestige
Prestige is trading your current progress for a permanent bonus. You go back to the beginning, but with multipliers, special points, or skills that speed everything up. Each cycle gets faster than the previous one.
Every game calls it something different: prestige, rebirth, reset, ascension, renascimento, or transclasse. In Mu Online, for example, resets are part of the game's culture — check out the Mu idle guide.
When to prestige
- When progress stalls: if gaining one more level takes hours and the next prestige already gives a good bonus, it's time.
- Don't do it too early: the first prestige with a small bonus can slow you down.
- Compare the gain: many games show how much bonus you would get right now; when that number stops growing fast, it's worth restarting.
- Read the rules: check what is kept (items, currencies, achievements) and what is lost.
Prestige vs. wipe
Don't get confused: in prestige, you choose to restart and get a bonus. In a wipe, the server deletes everyone's progress, usually to start a new season. See other terms in the idle games glossary.
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Frequently asked questions
Does prestige make you lose everything?
You lose the current cycle's progress, but keep the permanent bonus — and, in many games, items or achievements too. Read the game rules before doing it.
Are rebirth and reset the same thing?
In practice, yes: they are different names for restarting in exchange for a permanent bonus.