Time Master Tips: Best Early Game Strategies to Maximize XP Fast
Let’s be honest. In a game like Time Master, nothing feels better than racing ahead in those first hours and watching your XP bar surge. If you’re looking to level up quickly, you’re in the right place. I’ve spent way too many late nights experimenting in Time Master, and after plenty of trial and error (and a few silly mistakes), I’ve refined some truly effective strategies for early XP gains. In this guide, I’ll walk you through what actually works, what to avoid, and some lesser-known tricks picked up from the growing Time Master community.
1. Choose the Right Starter Path
In Time Master, the choices you make in the first hour can snowball into major time savings later. Picking the best starter path is probably the most important decision for a fast XP grind. Each path has its own tempo and unique boosts. From my own playthroughs, and after swapping tips with others, here’s how I’ve seen it break down:
- Speedrunner Path: Prioritizes XP but may require more focus and quick reflexes. Good for those who like fast-paced play.
- Strategist Path: Grants early boosts to resource efficiency. Offers steadier, less risky XP gains.
- Collector Path: More loot, but XP gains can be slower up front. Best for completionists.
I got my fastest early game XP run by focusing on the Speedrunner route, but I did have to restart after missing a crucial timing mini-mission (rookie error!). Stick to what fits your playstyle, but for pure XP velocity, Speedrunner is the meta right now.
2. Optimize Early Missions for Maximum XP
Not all early missions are created equal. Some are quick XP jackpots, others are time sinks in disguise. Here’s what experienced players target:
- Repeatable Time Trials: Fast, focused, low risk, and easy to master with practice.
- Short Story Quests: These often have XP multipliers in the first 30 minutes of play. Don’t skip dialog! You can miss crucial time-limited bonuses.
- Hidden Objectives: Exploring off the main path can net secret missions with fat XP rewards.
Once, I stumbled randomly into a hidden rift event behind an old clock tower and gained almost a full level in one go. I wouldn’t have found it if I’d only stuck to the main path, so don’t be afraid to poke around!
3. Use Boosts and Bonuses Wisely
Boost items and timed XP multipliers are often overlooked, but using them strategically makes a big difference. Here’s how to squeeze out every drop of value:
- Save Multipliers for Bursts: Don’t pop an XP boost during downtime or slow quests. Stack them for when you plan to power through several Quick Trials or story segments.
- Manual Bonus Timer Triggers: According to some players on this Reddit post about Time Master tips, you can sometimes trigger a bonus XP timer by re-entering the game repeatedly. While not 100% reliable, it’s worth a shot if you’re about to grind.
- Don’t Waste Boosts on Group Tasks: These usually split XP between players and slow down your personal progress.
On one occasion, I timed an XP booster to line up with a chain of rapid quests, netting twice the usual gains in under 20 minutes. Always plan your “boost windows”! Don’t just activate bonuses as soon as you get them, wait until you’re ready to really grind.
4. Master the Art of Efficient Movement
Your in-game movement shortcuts are more important than you might think. Many new players don’t realize how much time gets wasted on unnecessary backtracking. Here’s how to shave minutes off your runs:
- Use Fast Travel Portals: Unlock these as soon as possible. Ignore that urge to “just walk everywhere” for the XP; travel time doesn’t increase gains.
- Plan Your Route: Always queue missions in clusters that are geographically close. Create a run plan before diving in.
- Don’t Skip Tutorials… But Don’t Waste Time: Some game tutorials include hidden XP, but if you already know a system, skim through quickly.
| Task | Average XP/Min |
|---|---|
| Time Trials (Clustered) | +45 |
| Story Missions (Single Run) | +30 |
| Free Exploration (Random) | +10 |
After mapping out my route in advance, I managed to clear three Time Trials and a Story Quest in a single fast travel loop. That single adjustment cut my grind time by a third!
5. Learn From Common Early Game Mistakes
You’re not alone if you’ve ever wasted a potion or accidentally used a boost on the wrong quest; I’ve done it too! Here are the most frequent mistakes I see (and made):
- Wasting XP Multipliers Early: Save them for high-efficiency mission chains, not low-XP quests.
- Ignoring Exploration: Mainlining story content is safe, but missing hidden challenges leaves XP on the table.
- Overcommitting to Groups: Early group play is fun, but XP splits lower your per-minute returns.
- Not Checking for Daily Missions: These refresh often and stack up quickly, but are easy to overlook when the game starts to open up.
We’ve all made these slip-ups. I once got caught up testing combos with friends, only to realize I’d earned half the XP I could have if I stuck to Solo Time Trials. Learn from my mistakes—be strategic early and save co-op play for later!
6. Community Tricks and Advanced Shortcuts
The community keeps finding new ways to shave minutes and multiply XP. Here are my favorite current “secret” tips that actually work:
- Exit & Rejoin for Bonus XP: Yes, it works sometimes! One user reported getting a random bonus timer after re-entering the game 10 times in a row.
- Track Your Efficiency: Use a simple XP per minute tracker (there are browser plugins or do it by hand) to optimize your route.
- Ask for Help: The Time Master subreddit is full of up-to-date meta and trick strategies. Don’t be afraid to reach out with questions! The players are super supportive.
A friend of mine shared how they almost always triggered extra XP gains just before log-out by timing their missions carefully. It’s small math, but it adds up!
Final Thoughts: Build Your Own XP Routine
The most important lesson from my time with Time Master isn’t about one trick or path, but about building a routine that works for you. Know your favorite missions, time your boosts, and don’t burn out grinding the “perfect route.”
- Pick a starter path that fits your style, but always put XP first early on.
- Plan your mission runs in advance and lock in those hidden objectives.
- Save your best boosts for the big waves of quick missions.
- Never stop exploring for new secrets. The fastest paths are often just off the main road
Good luck, and may your XP bar always stay ahead of the pack!
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