If you’ve been playing Tiles Survive for a while, you probably remember the first time you logged in after a state merge. Chat was suddenly full of unfamiliar names, alliances were reshuffling overnight, and the map felt… different.
The first time it happened to me, I didn’t really understand what was going on. One day the state felt stable, and the next day new players showed up, alliances shifted power, and the entire server atmosphere changed. That’s when I realized state merges and transfers aren’t just technical features — they can completely reshape your gameplay experience.
If you’re thinking about moving or preparing for an incoming merge, here’s what actually matters before you make any decisions.
State Merges Works
A full state merge is the simpler of the two systems. When it happens, the game automatically combines states, and you don’t have to do anything or spend any resources.
You usually find out through an in-game notice telling you which state is merging with yours or where your state will be relocated. Then, almost overnight, you start seeing new players in chat, unfamiliar alliance tags, and suddenly a lot more activity on the map.
It can actually feel exciting at first. The server becomes lively again, competition increases, and there’s a fresh sense of energy. But it can also bring unexpected changes in power balance, especially if strong alliances arrive together.
State Transfers
State transfer is more controlled and much more deliberate. Instead of your state moving automatically, you choose where you want to go — but it comes with requirements.
You’ll need transfer tickets to move, and you can’t just pick any state freely. The governor of the destination state now plays a major role in deciding who gets accepted. That means communication matters more than ever before.
I’ve seen players rush into buying tickets only to realize they couldn’t enter their target state because they didn’t coordinate with the governor first. That’s a frustrating mistake because the tickets aren’t cheap.
Governor’s Approval Matters
In earlier merges, governors had very little control over who entered their state. That sometimes led to chaos when large groups of players arrived without coordination.
Now, governors can review applications and decide who gets accepted based on factors like power level and available space. When you look at the transfer interface, you’ll notice different colored slots showing how many players each state can still accept.
That system exists to maintain balance. Without it, a state could suddenly be overwhelmed by too many strong players or large alliances transferring in together.
Invitations and Applications
One detail that catches many players off guard is the timing difference between invitations and regular applications.
If you receive a direct invitation from a governor, you can transfer immediately once the event phase begins. But if you apply without an invitation, you’ll need to wait until the application phase ends before you can move.
This can create a stressful situation if you’re trying to coordinate moves with alliance members. Some players transfer instantly while others have to wait, which can temporarily split teams across states.
Things You Need to Fix Before You Transfer
One of the easiest mistakes to make is forgetting to meet transfer requirements. The game won’t allow a move if you still have wounded troops in the hospital, active enlistment queues, or certain leadership roles.
It’s surprisingly common to see players scrambling at the last minute because they forgot to clear their hospital or step down from a governor position. Taking care of these details early saves a lot of stress once the transfer window opens.
State merges and transfers both change your gameplay experience, but in very different ways. Merges are automatic and often bring sudden shifts in activity, while transfers give you control but require planning and coordination.
Neither option is inherently better. The right choice depends on whether you want a fresh start, stronger competition, or simply a more active server environment.
Just don’t wait until the last minute to decide. In Tiles Survive, moving states isn’t just about relocation — it’s about choosing the kind of server experience you want moving forward.
