Rare Crypts and Keys in Total Battle

Updated 19 October 2026 · About 5 minutes to read

Rare crypts are where crypt gems come from. They cost more to open than Common crypts, since each one needs a key as well as Rare Tar, so it pays to know how they work before you spend your keys.

In short

Rare crypts run from level 10 to 30 and unlock with the Crypts II research.
Each one needs a Dragon Key and uses Rare Tar.
Keys come from capturing Elven Citadels, and are also sold in the Fenrir's Invasion shop during Ragnarok.
They drop gems for crafted equipment, plus common materials.
Start when your captain clears a level 15 Rare crypt in one march, ideally a 20.

What makes Rare crypts different

	Common	Rare
Levels	5–25	10–30
Research	None for level 5	Crypts II
Tar	Tar	Rare Tar
Key	No	Yes, one per crypt
Drops	Equipment materials	Gems, plus common materials
Double drop chance	Yes	No

There are two Rare crypts, Dracorne and Geodrake. Players report that the Amber gem, the crypt efficiency gem many players put on Carter, comes from the horned Dracorne crypt.

Dragon Keys

A Rare crypt won't open without a key. On the crypt card you first press Open to use the key, and then explore as usual.

Elven Citadels. Capturing an Elven Citadel gives Dragon Keys, along with Valor, experience and a clan chest. Elven Citadels come in levels 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30. Players take a citadel of the same level as the Rare crypts they want to open.
Ragnarok. During Ragnarok, keys can also be bought in the Fenrir's Invasion shop.

Rare Tar

Rare crypts use their own Rare Tar, and no other Tar can stand in for it. No building produces Rare Tar. It comes from tournaments, clan chests, sales, the Triumphal Challenge and Gold purchases. Like Common Tar, carrying more than the crypt needs adds a little efficiency.

When it's worth starting

A key is only used once per crypt, so the worst outcome is a Rare crypt you can't finish in one march: the second trip costs time and Rare Tar on top. A common rule is to wait until your captain can clear a level 15 Rare crypt in one march, and ideally a level 20.

Rare crypts also pay well in clan chest points. Players report these values per crypt:

Level	Common	Rare
10	35	66
15	75	130
20	167	319
25	550	800
30	–	1,200

Player-reported values. Clans may score chests differently.

When keys or Rare Tar run out

Keys and Rare Tar both run out, and when they do, the crypt card won't let you explore. Plan for it: keep Common crypts as the fallback so Carter isn't sitting at home, and save your keys for levels you clear in one march.

Let a bot run your crypts

TB Crypt Auto-Explorer is a Chrome extension that runs the crypt loop for you. It sets the Watchtower filter, sends Carter (or three captains at once) to the nearest crypt of the type and level you pick, speeds up the march with your own speedups, and sends him out again the moment he's home. On Rare crypts it opens them with your keys, and when keys or Tar run out it can switch to Common crypts or stop, whichever you choose. It never buys Tar or anything else.

It runs in a side panel next to the game, sets up in a minute, and the first hour is free.

Try it free for 1 hour Watch the 3-minute setup

Bots are against Total Battle's rules, so using one is at your own risk.

See also Crypt types, levels and rewards for every crypt and its materials.

FAQ

How do you open Rare crypts in Total Battle?

You need the Crypts II research, a Dragon Key and Rare Tar. On the crypt card, press Open to use the key, then explore.

Where do I get Dragon Keys?

By capturing Elven Citadels, which come in levels 10 to 30. Keys are also sold in the Fenrir's Invasion shop during Ragnarok.

What do Rare crypts drop?

Gems for crafted equipment, plus common materials. Players report that the Amber crypt efficiency gem comes from the Dracorne crypt.

When should I start doing Rare crypts?

When your captain can clear a level 15 Rare crypt in one march, ideally level 20, so no key is wasted on a crypt that needs two trips.