- Equipment Tokens are the core upgrade currency in Into The Hive, earned by completing hive objectives.
- Swarm events are the single biggest payout per run, but require your whole team to survive.
- Nest destruction provides steady passive token income and stops endless enemy spawns.
- Codes like HIVE1 (November 10, 2026) grant bonus Equipment Tokens through the Shop menu.
- Spend tokens on weapon damage first — faster kills mean safer extractions.
What Are Equipment Tokens in Into The Hive?
Equipment Tokens are the primary upgrade currency in Into The Hive, the 1–4 player co-op PvE extraction shooter by developer To The Earth's Core. Every run into the randomly generated hive caves pits your squad against insect swarms, and each objective you complete — destroying nests, collecting resources, surviving waves — pays out Tokens on successful extraction.
Tokens only bank when you extract. If you die in the hive, the current run's haul is lost, while Tokens from previous successful extractions stay safe in your account. That risk-reward loop is the heart of the game: push deeper for richer payouts, or extract early to lock in what you've earned.
Dying before extraction loses the Tokens you earned on that run. Banked tokens from earlier extractions are never at risk — only your current haul.
| Token Source | Payout Level | Risk | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hive objectives | High | Medium | Deeper objectives pay more |
| Swarm event survival | Very High | High | Often the biggest earn of a run |
| Enemy kills | Low | Low | Adds up over a full run |
| Nest destruction | Medium | Medium | Also stops enemy spawning |
| Redeem codes | Medium | None | e.g., HIVE1 via the Shop menu |
Into The Hive How to Get Equipment Tokens: Every Source
There are several proven ways to get Equipment Tokens, and the best runs combine all of them. Understanding each source lets you plan a route that maximizes income without overextending your squad.
Completing Hive Objectives
- Primary source of Tokens
- Destroy nests, collect resources, survive waves
- Deeper objectives pay out more
Kills and Nest Destruction
- Individual kills grant small payouts
- Nests stack a solid bonus per run
- Clearing nests stops constant spawns
Swarm Events
- High-risk, high-reward team events
- Surviving a full wave pays a hefty amount
- Often the biggest single earn of a run
Always prioritize nest destruction over killing the enemies they spawn. You kill the source, earn the bonus, and stop the endless pressure all at once.
Codes are a reliable zero-risk supplement. The code HIVE1, released November 10, 2026, grants an Equipment Token bonus when redeemed in the Shop menu. New codes typically drop around updates and milestones, so check the Shop regularly and bookmark our codes page.
| Method | Tokens Per Run (Relative) | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Objective loop (shallow) | Medium | New players rebuilding a bank |
| Nest-clearing route | Medium-High | Consistent, steady income |
| Swarm event farming | High | Coordinated 3–4 player squads |
| Deep objective pushes | Very High | Experienced, well-upgraded teams |
| Code redemptions | Fixed bonus | Everyone, zero risk |
The Efficient Farming Loop, Step by Step
The most efficient way to get Equipment Tokens is a repeatable short loop, not one long risky run. Dying at minute twenty with a huge haul earns you nothing — several short, safe extractions compound much faster.
Drop In and Scope Nearby Nests
Land, orient yourself in the cave, and identify the closest nests. Nests are your first target — every second they stay alive, they spawn enemies that cost you ammo and health.
Clear Nests and Grab Objectives
Focus team fire on each nest, then complete nearby objectives. Kills and objective completions accumulate token income steadily as you push.
Trigger One Swarm Event
Once your team is healthy and stocked, trigger a swarm event. Hold a chokepoint, stagger ammo usage, and never chase kills into open tunnels mid-wave. Surviving pays the run's biggest reward.
Extract Immediately
After the wave breaks, head straight for extraction. The game often escalates pressure during the extraction wait — treat it like a mini swarm event and hold a defensible position until you're out.
Repeat with a Bigger Loadout
Bank your Tokens, upgrade your gear, and run the loop again. Better gear means deeper objectives and bigger payouts on the next cycle.
Repeating short, safe runs beats one long run that ends in death. Greed kills — extract while your team is ahead and let consistency build your Token bank.
Where to Spend Equipment Tokens First
Earning Tokens is only half the equation — spending them in the right order multiplies the value of every future run. The upgrade priority is straightforward: offense first, survivability second, utility last.
| Upgrade Priority | Category | Why It Comes First |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Weapon damage | Faster kills mean fewer enemies on you at once |
| 2 | Armor durability | Survive hits during swarm events and extraction holds |
| 3 | Mobility / movement speed | Kiting and escaping overrun chokepoints |
| 4 | Augments (damage & fire rate) | Sustained DPS for automatic weapon builds |
| 5 | Turrets & throwables | Squad utility for chokepoint defense |
Weapon damage is the best early investment because it compounds: faster kills reduce incoming damage, which makes every subsequent run safer and more profitable. After weapons, armor and mobility keep you alive long enough to reach deeper objectives, and Augments round out your build with passive buffs that match your weapon style.
Damage Augments pair best with fire-rate Augments for maximum sustained DPS, while survivability Augments shine on frontline players anchoring turret defenses in 3–4 player squads.
Farming Checklist and Common Mistakes
Before your next token run, run through this checklist. Each item directly protects your haul or increases your payout.
Before Every Token Run:
- Redeem all active codes in the Shop menu
- Equip your best upgraded weapon and armor
- Assign squad roles: crowd control, damage, support
- Destroy every nest before pushing deeper
- Extract immediately after the swarm wave breaks
The most common mistake players make is pushing one objective too far with a wounded squad. The second most common: skipping nests and fighting an endless stream of spawns while trying to complete objectives. Both turn profitable runs into zero-payout deaths.
| Mistake | Consequence | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Overextending on low health | Death, full haul lost | Extract early, rebuild next run |
| Ignoring nests | Endless enemy pressure | Kill the source, not the spawn |
| Solo-chasing kills mid-swarm | Flanked and downed | Hold chokepoints as a team |
| Re-dropping with best gear after a wipe | Compounding losses | Run a cheap starter loadout first |
| Hoarding tokens unspent | Slower, riskier runs | Invest in weapon damage early |
Don't tilt-drop back in with your best gear. Re-equip a cheap starter loadout, run a short shallow loop, and rebuild your bank through a few safe extractions before going deep again.
Equipment Tokens FAQ
Q: How do you get Equipment Tokens in Into The Hive?
Equipment Tokens are earned by completing hive objectives (destroying nests, collecting resources, surviving waves), killing enemies, surviving swarm events, and redeeming codes like HIVE1 in the Shop menu. Tokens only bank when you successfully extract.
Q: Do you lose Equipment Tokens when you die?
Yes and no. Tokens earned during your current run are lost if you die before extracting, but tokens banked from previous successful extractions are safe. That is why short, safe extraction loops beat risky deep pushes.
Q: What should I spend Equipment Tokens on first?
Weapon damage upgrades come first. Faster kills mean fewer insects attacking you at once, which directly reduces damage taken and makes every following run safer and more profitable. Armor and mobility come next, then Augments.
Q: Are swarm events worth the risk for Tokens?
Yes, for coordinated squads. Surviving a full swarm event without a team wipe is often the single biggest Token payout of a run. Pre-pick a defensible chokepoint, stagger ammo usage across the team, and extract right after the wave breaks.