> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://doc.pixotchi.tech/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://doc.pixotchi.tech/game-mechanics/core-loop.md).

# The Core Loop

The two numbers that rule Pixotchi, PTS and TOD, plus plant status, levels, death, and revival.

Everything in Pixotchi feeds two numbers on your plant card. Master them and you've mastered the game.

<figure><img src="https://839080418-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F9ZKqK3xpoNPWAfr9LDSn%2Fuploads%2FDgzo8jRmiL6Ors9j3em6%2Fcore-loop-plant.webp?alt=media" alt="A Pixotchi plant card showing PTS, stars, the TOD countdown and mood"><figcaption><p>The plant card: PTS and stars on top, the TOD countdown and mood under the art</p></figcaption></figure>

## PTS, your score

<img src="https://839080418-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F9ZKqK3xpoNPWAfr9LDSn%2Fuploads%2FxLQBOVH0mIP7Pn3jBzsn%2Fpts.svg?alt=media" alt="PTS" data-size="line"> **Points (PTS)** are your plant's score, and they do double duty:

1. **Ranking**: the Plants leaderboard is sorted purely by PTS.
2. **Rewards**: your plant's share of the ETH rewards pool is proportional to its PTS.

You gain PTS from care items, arcade wins, land production, quests, and winning attacks. You lose a little when an attacker beats you, and you lose **all of it** when you claim your ETH. That's the big strategic trade-off.

## TOD, your lifeline

<img src="https://839080418-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F9ZKqK3xpoNPWAfr9LDSn%2Fuploads%2FicYa5rVNGdBJ2klVjx0J%2Ftod.svg?alt=media" alt="TOD" data-size="line"> **Time of Death (TOD)** is a countdown. When it reaches zero, your plant dies. Every plant is born with **24 hours** on the clock, and you extend it with items, arcade prizes, Bee Farm production, and quest rewards.

Your plant's mood tells you how urgent things are:

| Status    | Meaning                            |
| --------- | ---------------------------------- |
| **Great** | More than 16 hours left. Relax.    |
| **Okay**  | 12 to 16 hours left.               |
| **Dry**   | 8 to 12 hours left. Time to water. |
| **Dying** | Under 8 hours. Act now!            |
| **Dead**  | The timer hit zero.                |

{% hint style="warning" %}
**A dead plant is at risk of being burned.** It appears in the Dead filter, where an eligible player can burn it to earn a star. If it has not been burned, its owner can revive it for the current price (5 SEED at the September 2026 check), restoring 24 hours of lifetime and retaining its PTS. Burning is permanent; the game’s burn flow pays the owner’s accrued ETH.
{% endhint %}

## Levels & evolving art

Your plant’s **level** is derived from its PTS. Use the level shown on the plant card; it affects attack eligibility and artwork.

* **Attack rules**: you may only attack plants of a *higher* level than yours (details).
* **Looks**: your plant's artwork evolves through **23 visual stages**, changing roughly every 10 levels, from a humble pot to a magnificent grown plant.

## Stars

<img src="https://839080418-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F9ZKqK3xpoNPWAfr9LDSn%2Fuploads%2FKsX2cWTcxB3QjPr3HbtP%2FStar.svg?alt=media" alt="Star" data-size="line"> **Stars** are a special currency earned by burning dead plants (one star per kill). Spend them in the Arcade for extra plays with better cooldowns.

## A day in the life

A healthy daily routine takes about two minutes:

1. Check your plant's TOD; top up if it's below \~16 hours.
2. Collect land production and apply it from the Warehouse.
3. Play your free Box Game; spin if you have stars.
4. Send farmers on quests; start any building upgrades.
5. Tick off daily missions to bank Rocks and keep your streak.

Building PTS can increase your share of future rewards, but that share also depends on other plants’ PTS and the ETH entering the pool.