What is Raiding?
Raiding in Earth 2 is a tactical gameplay mechanic where players deploy their First Gen Cydroids to launch operations on nearby properties. The primary goal is to extract E-ther, a valuable in-game resource, from other players.
What are Civilians?
In the dynamic virtual ecosystem of Earth 2, Civilians play a crucial role in enhancing gameplay by performing specialized functions. As of now, there are four distinct types of Civilians, each with unique capabilities and a capped supply of 500,000 units.
Civilians in Earth 2: Roles, Functions, and Rarity
In Earth 2’s evolving virtual world, Civilians are essential units that enhance gameplay by automating tasks and enabling strategic operations. These semi-sentient beings are synthesized by players and serve various roles, from resource collection to conducting raids.
Types of Civilians in Earth 2 and Their Functions
1. E-ther Reckoner
Function: The E-ther Reckoner specializes in the collection and management of E-ther, a critical in-game resource. This Civilian ensures efficient resource gathering by automating the dispensing process.
Key Features:
- Auto-Dispense Mechanism: Automatically collects E-ther from owned properties, streamlining resource accumulation for the player.
2. Cydroid Technician
Function: Cydroid Technicians are responsible for the maintenance and repair of Cydroids, which are vital for raiding operations and other strategic gameplay elements. Keeping Cydroids in top condition ensures smooth and efficient functionality.
Key Features:
- Automated Repair Services: Cydroid Technicians help extend the lifespan and operational efficiency of Cydroids by performing regular maintenance.
3. Raid Commander
Function: The Raid Commander leads raiding operations, allowing players to deploy First Gen Cydroids to conduct strategic missions on nearby properties. The goal is to extract E-ther from other players.
Key Features:
- Orchestrates Raids: Directs Cydroids in raids, optimizing their efficiency.
- Faction-Based Synergy: A full same-faction team of Civilians is necessary for unlocking special abilities like Abort Raid.
4. Geologist
Function: Geologists specialize in resource discovery and analysis. They have the unique ability to Unlock Insights, though the full extent of this feature is still being explored. Unlike other Civilians, they do not require Red Energy to function.
Key Features:
- Unlock Insights: Geologists provide valuable in-game data, possibly related to resource locations or property benefits.
- Faction Availability: Available across all three major factions—Egyptian Gods, Rebels, and Space Force.
- Tradeable Asset: Geologists can be resold in the marketplace.
Rarity and Importance of Civilians
The rarity of Civilians in Earth 2 is influenced by several factors:
- Limited Supply: The First Edition Civilians have a capped supply of 500,000 units, making them exclusive assets.
- Faction Alignment: Some abilities require a full team of same-faction Civilians, adding strategic depth to team-building.
- Resource Dependence: While most Civilians rely on Red Energy to function, Geologists do not, making them more versatile.
Civilians in Earth 2 are integral to the game’s ecosystem, providing automation, strategic depth, and resource management capabilities. Whether it’s the E-ther Reckoner optimizing resource collection, the Cydroid Technician maintaining crucial units, the Raid Commander leading tactical missions, or the Geologist unlocking insights, each Civilian plays a key role. Understanding their functions and managing them effectively can greatly enhance a player’s strategic advantage in Earth 2.
Civilian Sustenance and XP System
Sustenance for Civilians
Civilians in Earth 2 introduced the game’s first sustenance system, adding a new layer of resource management for players. To keep their Civilians happy, active, and focused on their designated tasks, players must provide them with Red Energy. This unique energy source can be gained through conflict-based activities, such as executing successful raids on other players’ properties.
Red Energy
Red Energy is easily transferable through a player’s Mentar network, meaning a player’s global Red Energy balance can be utilized to sustain Civilians on any property, regardless of its location. For instance, Red Energy earned from operations in Africa can be used to sustain Civilians stationed in America, and vice versa.
However, if a player lacks sufficient Red Energy to support their First Edition Civilians, those Civilians will stop working and start wandering in the wilderness in search of sustenance. Fortunately, players have the ability to lure these wandering Civilians back once they replenish their Red Energy reserves. A weekly Red Energy unit is required to keep each First Edition Civilian loyal and operational. This energy is automatically distributed to Civilians on a weekly cycle, determined by the day they initially received sustenance. For instance, if a Civilian is synthesized on a Monday, it will need replenishment every Monday. If the Civilian begins wandering and is lured back on a Wednesday, the new replenishment day becomes Wednesday.
Civilians XP System
Alongside the sustenance system, Earth 2 also introduced the Civilians XP system to enhance gameplay. This system allows players to level up their Civilians, improving their productivity and enabling them to acquire new skills through hands-on experience. Civilians gain experience points (XP) primarily from participating in successful raids and assisting in E-ther collection. Specifically, for every 0.01 E-ther dispensed, a Civilian earns 1 XP.
Raiding is a collaborative effort involving multiple Civilians to Charge, Raid, and Dispense E-ther. Therefore, the XP gained from these activities is evenly distributed among all the Civilians participating in a raid on a specific property. This system not only rewards strategic gameplay but also encourages players to effectively manage and optimize their Civilian teams for maximum productivity.

Where can I buy Earth 2 civilians?
On September 19, 2023, Earth 2 officially launched Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Civilian trading on the Bazaar, marking a major milestone for the game’s EcoSim economy.
According to Earth 2 Founder Shane Isaac, the introduction of Civilian trading aligns with Earth 2’s long-term vision of building a player-driven Metaverse. Unlike traditional games where digital items are locked within a game company’s marketplace, Earth 2 fosters an economy where players can discover, build, train, improve, and trade digital items freely.
“We recognize that it takes time for a smaller player to collect 25 E-ther—the amount required to synthesize their first Civilian,” Shane Isaac stated. “Now, players who succeed through manual raiding have an alternative path—they can purchase Civilians from other players, sometimes for as little as a few cents for a Level 1 Civilian.”
Unlike many modern games that restrict reselling, Earth 2 ensures that players are central to the digital item economy, allowing them to create, trade, and resell items while retaining most of the value.
How Players Are Utilizing the Civilian Bazaar
With P2P trading, players have developed various strategies for managing and acquiring Civilians:
- Some focus on collecting full sets of First Edition Civilians from different factions.
- Others prioritize specific occupational skills and mastery levels to optimize in-game efficiency.
- The new system allows players to purchase high-level Civilians individually, bypassing the usual synthesis process that requires E-ther Reckoners and Cydroid Technicians first.
Key Considerations for Civilian Trading
While buying Civilians can be advantageous, managing them requires a strategic and sustainable approach. Players should avoid over-purchasing and ensure they can maintain their Civilian workforce, as each Civilian requires 4 Red Energy Units per week to remain functional.
Here are some important factors to consider before diving into Civilian trading:
- Mentars & Property Requirements – Each First Edition Civilian requires at least a Mentar on a 4-tile property to function.
- Limited Supply – First Edition Civilians will not be available for synthesis indefinitely, making them increasingly scarce over time.
- Future Utility & Generations – These Civilians may play expanded roles in future gameplay, potentially influencing the development of Second Gen Civilians in Earth 2.
Bazaar Update: Individual Civilian Deployment
A significant update to the Civilian Bazaar now allows purchased First Edition Civilians to work individually on a property, without requiring additional Civilians.
For example, if a player synthesizes a Raid Commander, they must also synthesize an E-ther Reckoner and Cydroid Technician. However, through the Bazaar, a player can directly purchase a Level 6 Raid Commander and deploy it on an empty property without needing any other Civilians.