- Into The Hive Augments are passive upgrades that define your build across extraction runs.
- Equipment Tokens earned from objectives, kills, and swarm events unlock and upgrade Augments.
- Damage first: weapon damage Augments give the strongest early power spike for most players.
- Synergy matters: pairing damage with fire-rate Augments creates the best sustained DPS setup.
- Squad builds: support and survivability Augments anchor turret and frontline co-op roles.
How the Augment System Works
Augments are the core progression layer in Into The Hive. Each run into the hive earns you Equipment Tokens, and those Tokens are spent in the base upgrade system to strengthen your gear permanently between runs. Unlike temporary in-run buffs, Augments persist, which means every Token you invest compounds across future extractions.
The system covers four broad categories — damage, fire rate and reload, survivability, and utility/support. Which category you prioritize depends on your weapon of choice and your role in a 1–4 player squad.
Augments are only as strong as your Token income. Push objectives as deep as your gear allows, but remember: dying means losing the current run's haul. Banked upgrades from previous extractions stay safe.
| Augment Category | Primary Effect | Currency | Persistence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damage | Higher raw weapon damage, faster kills | Equipment Tokens | Permanent |
| Fire Rate / Reload | Faster attacks, less downtime | Equipment Tokens | Permanent |
| Survivability | More health, resistance, healing | Equipment Tokens | Permanent |
| Utility / Support | Better turrets, throwables, team revives | Equipment Tokens | Permanent |
Augment Categories Compared
Each category serves a distinct playstyle. Before spending Tokens, decide whether you want to melt waves, hold chokepoints, or keep your squad alive.
Damage Augments
- Raises raw damage and burst potential
- Shortens time-to-kill on tough enemies and bosses
- Best for assault rifle and high-DPS builds
- Pair with fire-rate Augments for maximum output
Fire Rate & Reload
- Boosts attack speed, cuts reload downtime
- Keeps damage uptime high during sustained swarms
- Ideal for automatic weapon users
- Strongest all-round DPS setup when stacked with damage
Survivability
- Increases health, resistance, and healing
- Lets you tank hits in deep waves
- Built for frontline co-op players
- Excellent alongside turret builds
Utility & Support
- Improves turrets, throwables, and revive speed
- Team-wide benefits for 3–4 player squads
- Best for chokepoint defenders
- Stack with survivability to anchor team defense
| Playstyle | Core Augments | Supporting Picks | Squad Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| High-DPS Attacker | Damage, Fire Rate | Reload speed | Main damage dealer |
| Frontline Tank | Survivability, Health | Utility revive speed | Aggro magnet, reviver |
| Turret Defender | Utility, Survivability | Throwable impact | Chokepoint holder |
| Balanced Solo | Damage, Survivability | Fire rate | All-rounder |
Never invest in fire-rate Augments for slow, heavy-hitting weapons or in damage buffs for a pure support turret build. Upgrade choices should mirror the gear you actually bring into the hive.
Token Spending Priority: Step by Step
Most players waste early Tokens on scattered upgrades. Follow this order for the fastest power curve.
Max Weapon Damage First
Spend your first Tokens on weapon damage upgrades. Faster kills mean fewer insects on you at once, which directly reduces incoming damage and makes every later run safer and more profitable.
Add Fire Rate and Reload
Once damage is solid, boost attack speed and reload performance. This keeps your damage uptime high during swarm events where every second of downtime hurts.
Invest in Armor and Mobility
Armor durability and movement speed come next. Kiting the swarm and escaping overrun chokepoints is far easier with upgraded mobility, and repositioning wins fights in Into The Hive.
Round Out Utility
Finally, fund turret effectiveness, throwable impact, and revive speed. These matter most once you're running coordinated 3–4 player squads on deeper objectives.
Leveling four Augments halfway is weaker than maxing one or two. Concentrate your Tokens on the upgrades that match your main build before branching out.
Best Augment Combos by Build
Synergy is what separates a good build from a great one. These are the recommended pairings for the three most common playstyles.
| Build | Augment Combo | Why It Works | Best Scenario |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melt Build | Damage + Fire Rate | Highest sustained DPS, fastest wave clears | Solo runs, deep pushes |
| Anchor Build | Utility + Survivability | Long-lived turret holder who never folds | 3–4 player chokepoint defense |
| Bruiser Build | Damage + Survivability | Bait lunges, tank hits, punish recovery | Frontline vs. soldier ants and nests |
Melt Build
- Damage Augments maxed first
- Fire-rate support for uptime
- Melts worker packs and nests fast
Anchor Build
- Turret Utility upgraded early
- Survivability to hold the choke
- Team's designated defense point
Bruiser Build
- Balanced damage and armor
- Sustains through swarm events
- Punishes enemy recovery windows
Drop in, clear nearby nests, trigger one swarm event, and extract. Repeating short, safe runs beats one long run that ends in a death — dying loses the current haul, but every successful extraction funds your next Augment tier.
Augment Progression Checklist
Track your build progression with these milestones before attempting deep hive runs.
Build Milestones:
- Max first weapon damage Augment tier
- Complete five consecutive safe extractions
- Add fire-rate or reload upgrade to main weapon
- Unlock one survivability Augment for swarm events
- Reach a full two-Augment synergy build
If a run ends in a death, don't drop back in with your best gear. Re-equip a cheap loadout, run shallow objective loops, rebuild your Token bank, and re-earn gear through safe extractions before pushing deep again.
Augment FAQ
Q: How do I unlock Augments in Into The Hive?
Augments are unlocked and upgraded using Equipment Tokens earned from runs — completing objectives, destroying nests, surviving swarm events — plus Tokens from redeemable codes. Spend them in the base upgrade system between runs.
Q: What are the best Augments to upgrade first?
Weapon damage Augments are the strongest early investment for most players. Faster kills reduce the number of enemies pressuring you at once, which makes every subsequent run safer and more profitable. Follow up with fire rate, then armor and mobility.
Q: Do I lose my Augments if I die in the hive?
No. Augments purchased with banked Equipment Tokens from previous successful extractions are permanent. However, the loot and Tokens from your current run are lost if you die before extracting.
Q: Which Augment combo is best for co-op squads?
The Anchor Build — Utility combined with Survivability — works best for the squad's designated chokepoint defender. It upgrades turret effectiveness and revive speed while keeping that player alive through swarm events while teammates deal damage.