Cronos: The New Dawn doesn’t take long to remind you that every mistake hurts. Between scarce resources, unpredictable enemies, and a world that punishes hesitation, knowing what to upgrade early can mean the difference between barely scraping by and confidently cutting through chaos. Whether you’re new to the series or returning for another brutal run, this guide breaks down the best early upgrades, efficient resource use, and how to prepare your build for the long haul.
Understanding Energy and Cores
Before throwing resources around, it’s crucial to understand the two main upgrade materials you’ll be juggling: Energy and Cores.
Energy fuels your weapon improvements — from increasing firepower to improving reload and charge speed. It’s relatively easy to find, usually dropped by defeated enemies or stashed in corners you’d overlook if you weren’t exploring carefully.
Cores, on the other hand, are much rarer. They enhance your suit integrity, inventory capacity, and special items like Torch Fuel or Pyre. Expect to find them only in side routes, hidden rooms, or after interacting with secret environmental elements. If you see a detour or a locked path, take it — it might be hiding a Core that can save your run later.
Upgrade Priority #1: Suit Integrity and Inventory Space
The first hours of Cronos: The New Dawn are less about dealing massive damage and more about surviving long enough to learn how enemies move. Your suit’s integrity upgrades directly increase your survivability, while inventory slots relieve the constant stress of deciding what to leave behind.
Because space is tight and healing items are limited, expanding your carry capacity early on lets you stock essential ammo, tools, and sellable collectibles. A good rhythm is to alternate between suit integrity and inventory upgrades. Once you reach around 200 health points, start prioritizing inventory so you can keep multiple weapons and support items at once — especially once the world opens up and loot becomes plentiful.
Upgrade Priority #2: Sword MK-1615 (Handgun)
Your starting handgun, the Sword MK-1615, may look basic, but with the right upgrades it becomes a reliable workhorse. Instead of jumping straight into raw damage, focus on Stability and Charge Speed.
Higher stability means your shots stay accurate during frantic firefights, while faster charge speed ensures you can line up quick headshots before enemies close in. Since early foes go down with one or two precise hits, consistency matters more than raw output. You’ll thank yourself for those few extra milliseconds when you’re cornered in a tight corridor.
Upgrade Priority #3: Hammer PROV-2030 (Shotgun)
If the handgun is your safety net, the Hammer PROV-2030 is your ace in the hole. It’s devastating at close range but slow to wind up, making Firepower and Charge Speed your must-have upgrades.
Invest in firepower first to melt through bosses and armored enemies faster — every pellet counts. Once it’s hitting like a truck, put points into charge speed to cut down on vulnerability between shots. Even small boosts can make intense encounters far more manageable.
Smart Resource Management
In the early stages, Energy will seem abundant, but Cores will always feel too few. Prioritize Cores for survivability and Energy for weapon reliability. Avoid over-committing to a single weapon too soon — the mid-game introduces new tools that might fit your playstyle better.
Also, explore every optional path. Not only are you rewarded with Cores and crafting parts, but often with shortcuts or lore drops that make the world feel more interconnected. Think of exploration as part of your upgrade loop, not just a detour.