Outsiders play an important role in long-term progression in Clicker Heroes. They provide bonuses that help you push further, earn more resources, and improve future runs after Transcending.
However, unlocking Outsiders is only the beginning.
You also need to know where to spend your Ancient Souls and which upgrades are worth prioritizing. Poor allocations can slow your progress, especially as you reach higher zones.
This Outsider leveling guide explains how Outsiders work, which ones to upgrade first, and how to use a calculator to improve your build from your first Transcendence to the endgame.
What Are Outsiders in Clicker Heroes?
Outsiders are special upgrades that help you progress through Transcendence. You level them up with Ancient Souls, which you earn when you Transcend.
Each Outsider provides a different bonus, so your choices can affect how quickly you progress in future runs.
How Outsiders Work and Why They Matter
Outsiders provide long-term bonuses that remain useful across Transcensions.
Depending on which ones you upgrade, they can increase damage, improve resource gains, or make other upgrades more effective.
Unlike regular heroes, which you level up with gold to increase your damage, Outsiders use Ancient Souls to improve your overall progression.
How Outsider Bonuses Improve Your Progression
Each Outsider affects a different part of the game.
Some increase damage, while others improve the effects of Ancients or help you clear zones more efficiently.
For example, Phandoryss increases DPS, while Borb improves Kumawakamaru’s effectiveness, reducing the number of monsters you need to defeat per zone.
These bonuses can help you progress faster, but their value depends on your current needs and how far you’ve advanced.
Outsiders vs. Ancients: Key Differences
Outsiders and Ancients both improve your gameplay, but they use different currencies and serve different roles.
| Feature | Outsiders | Ancients |
|---|---|---|
| Currency | Ancient Souls | Hero Souls |
| Unlocked through | Transcendence | Summoning with Hero Souls |
| Main purpose | Long-term progression bonuses | Bonuses for damage, resources, and gameplay |
| Progression system | Transcendence | Ascension |
The key difference is Ascension helps you reset and improve your current progression, while Transcendence resets a larger part of your progress and gives you Ancient Souls to invest in Outsiders.
Both systems work together to help you reach higher zones over time.
How to Unlock Outsiders in Clicker Heroes
Outsiders become available through Transcendence. It’s a major progression reset that lets you earn Ancient Souls and unlock powerful long-term bonuses.
Here’s how to reach this stage and get started with your first Outsider upgrades.
Reaching Zone 300 and Unlocking Transcendence
You can unlock Transcendence after reaching zone 300.
Once available, the Transcendence option lets you reset your current run in exchange for long-term progression benefits.
After unlocking Transcendence, you’ll be able to earn Ancient Souls and spend them on Outsiders.
These upgrades help strengthen your future runs, making Transcendence an important milestone in your Clicker Heroes journey.
How to Perform Your First Transcendence
Before Transcending, remember that this is a bigger reset than Ascension.
You’ll lose much of your current progress, including your regular heroes, gold, Hero Souls, Relics, Ancients, and Zone Progress, in exchange for Transcendence rewards.
Your Outsider progression and other Transcendence-related benefits support your future runs.
The goal is to use the Ancient Souls you earn to build stronger bonuses for your next attempt at reaching higher zones.
How to Earn Ancient Souls
You earn Ancient Souls by Transcending. The amount you receive depends on the Hero Souls you’ve accumulated and sacrificed for the reset.
The reward follows a logarithmic formula, meaning you generally need increasingly more Hero Souls to earn additional Ancient Souls as your total grows.
This makes each Transcendence an opportunity to improve your long-term progression, but the number of Ancient Souls you receive won’t increase at a constant rate.
What to Do Immediately After Unlocking Outsiders
Here’s what to do after your first Transcendence:
- Check your Ancient Souls: This is your budget for upgrading Outsiders.
- Review each bonus: Focus on upgrades that support your current progression instead of leveling everything equally.
- Use a calculator: The Clicker Heroes Outsider Calculator can recommend an allocation based on your available Ancient Souls.
- Plan your next run: Your Ancients, heroes, Hero Souls, and zone progress reset, but your Outsiders, Ancient Souls, and Transcendent Power remain.
Remember that the Transcendence tab can appear before zone 300, but you must defeat Woodchip, the Rodent, at zone 300 to perform your first Transcendence.
All Outsiders in Clicker Heroes Explained
There are nine Outsiders in Clicker Heroes, and each one improves a different part of your progression.
Here’s a quick overview of what each Outsider does.
| Outsider | Main Benefit |
|---|---|
| Xyliqil | Increases idle bonuses |
| Chor’gorloth | Reduces Ancient leveling costs |
| Phandoryss | Increases DPS |
| Ponyboy | Increases Hero Souls from Primal Bosses |
| Borb | Improves Kumawakamaru’s effectiveness, reducing monsters per zone |
| Rhageist | Improves Atman’s effectiveness, increasing the chance of encountering Primal Bosses |
| K’Ariqua | Improves Bubos’s effectiveness, reducing boss health |
| Orphalas | Improves Chronos’s effectiveness, giving you more time to defeat bosses |
| Sen-Akhan | Improves Dora’s effectiveness, increasing treasure chest chances |
Which Outsiders Focus on Damage?
Phandoryss directly increases your DPS, making it useful when you need more damage to defeat enemies and advance through zones.
Xyliqil improves idle bonuses, which can help if you prefer leaving the game running without actively clicking.
However, bigger damage numbers or stronger idle bonuses don’t automatically make an Outsider the best investment. Their value depends on your playstyle and what is holding back your progress.
For optimized progression, consider how each upgrade compares with bonuses that improve resource gains or zone clearing.
Which Outsiders Improve Resources and Farming?
Chor’gorloth reduces the cost of leveling Ancients, helping you get more out of your Hero Souls. Ponyboy increases the Hero Souls you gain from Primal Bosses, supporting your resource growth across runs.
These bonuses work differently: Chor’gorloth makes your Ancient upgrades cheaper, while Ponyboy improves your Hero Soul rewards.
The better investment depends on your current progression and how much value you can get from each bonus.
Which Outsiders Support Faster Zone Progression?
Borb is especially important for efficient zone clearing because it improves Kumawakamaru, which reduces the number of monsters you need to defeat per zone.
Fewer monsters mean less time spent clearing each zone, especially as you push further into the game.
Outsider Leveling Guide: Best Outsiders to Level First
The best Outsiders to level first depend on how many Ancient Souls you have and what you want to improve. Instead of spreading your Souls evenly, focus on upgrades that make a meaningful difference to your next run.
Your priorities will change as you progress, so treat any recommended order as a starting point rather than a fixed rule.
Best Outsider Upgrades for Beginners
When you’re starting out, focus on Outsiders that help you progress more efficiently.
Borb, Ponyboy, and Chor’gorloth are worth understanding early because they affect zone clearing, Hero Soul rewards, and Ancient upgrade costs.
Avoid putting the same number of levels into every Outsider just to keep things balanced. Their bonuses work differently, and an upgrade that helps one player may be less useful to another.
If you’re unsure where to spend your first Ancient Souls, use an Outsider Calculator to find a setup suited to your budget.
Why Borb Is Important for Long-Term Progression
Borb improves Kumawakamaru’s effectiveness, reducing the number of monsters you need to defeat in each zone.
This can make a big difference over many zones because you spend less time clearing enemies and more time pushing forward.
As you reach higher zones, efficient clearing becomes increasingly important. That’s why Borb often deserves more attention as your progression advances.
However, the best level for your build still depends on your Ancient Soul total and other upgrades.
When to Upgrade Ponyboy and Chor’gorloth
Ponyboy increases the Hero Souls you earn from Primal Bosses. These extra resources can help you level Ancients and strengthen your progression after Ascending.
Chor’gorloth reduces Ancient leveling costs, helping you get more value from your Hero Souls. This becomes useful as you invest more in Ancients and need to manage their costs.
Neither Outsider has the same priority at every stage.
So, compare their benefits against your current needs instead of following a fixed upgrade order.
Outsiders That Offer Lower Priority Bonuses
Some Outsiders can look powerful because they increase damage or strengthen a specific playstyle, but that doesn’t always make them the best choice for efficient progression.
For example, Phandoryss increases DPS, while Xyliqil improves idle bonuses. Both can be useful, but their value depends on whether damage or idle play is actually limiting your progress.
Other Outsiders may provide more useful benefits for your current build.
The main rule is to prioritize impact, not appearances.
Consider what each Outsider improves, how much the next level costs, and whether another upgrade would help you progress further. Then, recheck your allocation as you earn more Ancient Souls.
Outsider Leveling Guide for Early, Mid, and Late Game
Your Outsider priorities change as you earn more Ancient Souls and reach higher zones.
An allocation that works early on may become less effective later, so review your upgrades as your progression improves.
Early Game: Your First Few Transcendences
During your first few Transcendences, focus on Ponyboy, Borb, and Chor’gorloth as you plan your initial allocation.
- Ponyboy: Increases Hero Souls gained from Primal Bosses, helping you build resources for future upgrades.
- Borb: Reduces the number of monsters you need to defeat per zone through its effect on Kumawakamaru.
- Chor’gorloth: Reduces the cost of leveling Ancients, helping your Hero Souls go further.
These Outsiders serve different purposes, so don’t automatically give them equal levels.
Mid Game: Balancing Ancient Souls and Progression Speed
As you earn more Ancient Souls, pay closer attention to Borb and Chor’gorloth. Borb helps speed up zone clearing, while Chor’gorloth reduces the cost of improving your Ancients.
Ponyboy can still be useful when additional Hero Souls help your progression, but don’t keep investing in it without checking whether the extra levels are worthwhile.
Compare the next upgrade’s benefit with what you could gain from another Outsider.
At this stage, use a calculator to review your allocation after each Transcendence. The best distribution can change as your Ancient Soul budget grows.
Late Game: Maximizing Zone Progression
In the late game, Borb becomes especially important because monsters per zone can be a major progression bottleneck. Reducing the number of monsters you must defeat helps you clear zones more efficiently.
Chor’gorloth also remains worth considering because cheaper Ancient levels can improve how you use your Hero Souls. Meanwhile, Ponyboy’s value depends on how much additional Hero Soul income helps your current setup.
Don’t spend every new Ancient Soul on the Outsider you already have at the highest level.
Instead, compare the benefits of additional levels, watch for diminishing returns, and use a calculator to find a more efficient balance.
Endgame: Refining Outsider Builds
At the endgame, avoid relying on a fixed build from an older game guide. Your Ancient Soul total and progression goals can change which Outsider levels offer the best value.
Track your highest zone and how efficiently you reach it after each Transcendence.
Then, recalculate your allocation as your Ancient Soul total increases, and compare the results rather than assuming every extra Outsider level is equally useful.
How to Spend Ancient Souls Efficiently
Spending Ancient Souls wisely means comparing what each Outsider upgrade gives you with what it costs.
A higher level isn’t always the best choice, and an upgrade that helped during your first Transcendence may not be as useful later.
Understanding Ancient Soul Upgrade Costs
Outsider upgrades have different costs and effects. Some become more expensive as you level them, while others offer more predictable costs.
That means you shouldn’t judge an upgrade by its total level alone.
Instead, ask two questions: How much does the next level cost, and what will it improve?
Avoiding Unnecessary Ancient Soul Spending
Before buying an upgrade, compare its benefit with other ways you could spend the same Ancient Souls.
Avoid these common mistakes:
- Leveling every Outsider equally: Their bonuses serve different purposes and don’t have equal value for every build.
- Focusing only on DPS: Phandoryss increases damage, but faster zone clearing or better resource gains may help more.
- Ignoring upgrade costs: Consider what you can afford now and how the next level compares with other options.
- Keeping an outdated allocation: Your priorities can change as you earn more Ancient Souls and reach higher zones.
Use an Outsider Calculator to compare recommended levels instead of spending Ancient Souls based on guesswork.
When to Respec Outsiders
You can revise your Outsider allocation using the Respec option when Transcending.
This is useful when a calculator recommends reducing some Outsider levels to invest those Ancient Souls elsewhere.
Don’t panic if your first allocation wasn’t perfect.
Review your current build, check the calculator’s recommendations, and respec when you Transcend if a different setup better supports your next run.
Outsider Leveling Guide: Example Ancient Soul Allocation
Let’s say you’ve just Transcended and have 10 Ancient Souls to spend. Here’s an example of Outsider allocation.
| Outsider | Manual allocation | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Borb | 2 levels | Improve zone-clearing efficiency. |
| Ponyboy | 2 levels | Increase Hero Souls from Primal Bosses. |
| Phandoryss | 4 levels | Use remaining Souls for extra DPS. |
How to Use an Outsider Calculator
An Outsider Calculator helps you decide how to distribute Ancient Souls without guessing.
One popular option is Driej’s Clicker Heroes Outsider Calculator. It supports Clicker Heroes e10 and e11, so check compatibility with your game version before relying on its recommendations.
What Is a Clicker Heroes Outsider Calculator?
A Clicker Heroes Outsider Calculator recommends how many levels to assign to each Outsider based on your Ancient Soul budget and the data it supports.
This is useful because the best allocation isn’t always obvious.
Step-by-Step Guide to Using the Calculator
- Open the calculator: Visit Driej’s Outsider Calculator.
- Enter your game data: Provide your Ancient Soul total or paste supported save information.
- Check the settings: Select any relevant options available for your game version and calculation.
- Calculate your allocation: Run the tool to generate recommended Outsider levels.
- Review the results: Compare the suggested levels with your current build and available Ancient Souls.
- Apply changes when appropriate: If a different allocation looks better, consider using Respec when Transcending to redistribute your Souls.
How to Interpret Calculator Results
The calculator’s recommended levels show how it would distribute your Ancient Souls under its optimization rules.
Compare those levels with your current allocation to see which Outsiders you may need to adjust.
Should You Follow Calculator Results Exactly?
A calculator is a useful starting point, but its recommendations depend on the version and optimization rules it uses.
Your preferred playstyle and immediate goals may also affect which upgrades you value.
For example, you may prefer stronger idle bonuses from Xyliqil, even if the calculator favors another allocation for progression efficiency.
That’s a personal choice, as long as you understand the trade-off.
For the most efficient build, start with the calculator’s recommendation and adjust only when you have a clear reason to do so.
Best Outsider Builds for Different Playstyles
Your ideal Outsider build depends on how you play Clicker Heroes.
Idle players may prefer bonuses that work without constant clicking, while active players may focus more on efficient progression.
A hybrid approach can offer a balance of both.
Idle Outsider Build
If you prefer leaving Clicker Heroes running while you handle other things, Xyliqil is the main Outsider to consider because it improves idle bonuses.
However, stronger idle bonuses don’t guarantee the fastest progression.
Idle-focused play can become less effective for pushing higher zones, so avoid investing heavily in Xyliqil without checking whether those upgrades offer better value than alternatives such as Borb or Chor’gorloth.
Active Outsider Build
Active players spend more time clicking, using abilities, and managing their runs.
For this playstyle, focus on Outsiders that help you progress efficiently rather than prioritizing idle bonuses.
- Borb: Reduces monsters per zone through Kumawakamaru, helping you clear zones faster.
- Chor’gorloth: Reduces Ancient leveling costs, helping your Hero Souls go further.
- Ponyboy: Increases Hero Souls gained from Primal Bosses.
- Phandoryss: Provides additional DPS when damage is a bottleneck.
These Outsiders serve different purposes, so the best allocation depends on what is slowing your runs.
They also complement active-oriented Ancients, which can improve clicking and skill-based gameplay.
Hybrid Outsider Build
A hybrid build suits players who want some idle convenience without giving up efficient progression.
You can invest in Xyliqil for idle bonuses while still prioritizing Outsiders that improve zone clearing and resource efficiency.
Consider switching your priorities when your play habits change.
If you start playing more actively, you may get more value from progression-focused upgrades than from additional idle bonuses.
Which Outsider Build Is Best?
There isn’t one build that works best for everyone.
- Idle build: Best suited to players who prefer minimal interaction and idle bonuses.
- Active build: Suited to players who actively manage runs and want efficient progression.
- Hybrid build: Offers a balance between convenience and progression-focused upgrades.
If your main goal is reaching higher zones efficiently, start with a calculator-based allocation rather than choosing a build based only on playstyle labels.
Then adjust it to fit how you actually play and review your Outsider levels as you earn more Ancient Souls.
Common Outsider Leveling Mistakes to Avoid
Leveling Outsiders effectively means spending Ancient Souls where they provide the most value.
Avoid these common mistakes to keep your progression efficient.
Spending Ancient Souls Without a Plan
Spending Ancient Souls as soon as you earn them can lead to inefficient upgrades.
An Outsider may look useful on its own, but another upgrade could provide greater benefits for your current stage.
Before spending AS, review what each Outsider does and identify your main progression bottleneck.
If you’re unsure how to distribute your points, use an Outsider Calculator to compare recommended allocations.
Upgrading Every Outsider Equally
Not all Outsiders provide the same value at every stage of the game. Their bonuses scale differently, and some become more useful as your progression goals change.
Instead of spreading Ancient Souls evenly, prioritize the Outsiders that support your current goals and provide the best return on investment.
Ignoring Transcendence Timing
Transcending gives you Ancient Souls and lets you rebuild your Outsider allocation, but pushing further before Transcending isn’t always the most efficient choice.
If progress slows significantly, compare the benefits of continuing your current run with the potential rewards of your next Transcendence.
Repeatedly pushing for a higher zone without evaluating the gains can waste time and slow long-term progress.
Using Outdated Outsider Builds
An Outsider build that worked well earlier may not be the best choice for your current situation.
Calculator recommendations can also depend on the game version, supported settings, and the assumptions used to generate them.
Before copying an older build, check whether it matches your current game version and total Ancient Souls.
When possible, recalculate your allocation using an up-to-date tool rather than relying on a fixed list of Outsider levels.
Forgetting to Reevaluate Builds
Your priorities can change as you earn more Ancient Souls and reach higher zones.
An allocation that helped during early progression may become less effective later, especially as upgrade costs rise and the value of additional levels changes.
So, review your Outsider levels after major progression milestones or when your runs start slowing down.
The key is to treat Outsider leveling as an ongoing process. Reassess your allocation as you progress instead of relying on the same build forever.
Advanced Gaming Tips to Improve Outsider Leveling
Once you understand the basics, you can improve your Outsider allocation by following these Clicker Heroes guides and game mechanics below.
Combine Outsider Bonuses with the Right Ancients
Outsiders can strengthen the effects of certain Ancients, making it useful to consider both when planning your build.
For example, Borb improves the effectiveness of Kumawakamaru, which reduces the number of monsters required to clear a zone.
Similarly, Ponyboy improves Hero Soul gains from Primal Bosses, supporting a strategy built around earning more Hero Souls to level your Ancients.
Rhageist improves Atman’s effectiveness, helping you increase your chances of encountering Primal Bosses.
Think about how each Outsider supports your overall strategy rather than evaluating its bonus in isolation. The best combination depends on your current goals and which part of progression needs improvement.
Read More: Clicker Heroes Best Ancients: Guide for Faster Progression
Optimize Ascension and Transcendence Cycles
Ascension and Transcendence serve different purposes, so knowing when to use each is important in this idle RPG.
- Ascend to reset your current run and continue progression with Hero Souls and stronger Ancients.
- Transcend when the long-term benefits of gaining Ancient Souls and Transcendent Power outweigh the value of continuing your current progression.
Pay attention when zone progress slows, or each additional push takes significantly longer.
Compare the potential rewards from continuing your run with what you could gain from starting a new Transcendence cycle.
Finally, avoid pushing indefinitely just to reach a slightly higher zone. A well-timed reset can help you make better use of your time and resources over multiple runs.
Track Your Progress Between Transcendences
Tracking results helps you determine whether your Outsider allocation is actually improving your progression.
Instead of relying on memory, record a few key details after each Transcendence:
- Ancient Souls earned: Compare how many AS you gain between Transcendences.
- Highest zone reached: Check whether your new allocation helps you reach higher zones.
- Run duration: Note whether you reach important milestones faster or spend less time stuck at a particular zone.
- Outsider changes: Record which levels you changed so you can compare the results of different allocations.
One run may not provide enough information to judge a build, since progress can also depend on your Ancients, playstyle, and other factors.
Look for consistent improvements across multiple runs before deciding whether a change is worthwhile.
Reassess Upgrades as Costs Increase
As you level Outsiders, the cost of additional upgrades can rise, making each Ancient Soul spent more important.
A bonus that provides a strong improvement early on may offer less value compared with another available upgrade later.
This is why you should consider both the immediate benefit and the long-term effect of each investment.
The goal isn’t to maximize every Outsider level. It’s to spend Ancient Souls where they make the greatest contribution to your long-term progression.
Frequently Asked Questions About Outsider Leveling
There isn’t one best Outsider for every player. Borb, Ponyboy, and Chor’gorloth are worth considering because they support zone clearing, Hero Soul gains, and Ancient leveling costs.
You unlock Outsiders through Transcendence. You can perform your first Transcendence after defeating Woodchip, the Rodent at zone 300.
You earn Ancient Souls by Transcending, with the amount based on your eligible Hero Souls. The reward follows a logarithmic formula, so it doesn’t increase by the same amount every time.
Borb, Ponyboy, and Chor’gorloth are useful Outsiders for beginners to understand. However, your best starting allocation depends on how many Ancient Souls you have and what is slowing your progress.
Borb is often an important Outsider for late-game progression because it improves Kumawakamaru’s effect, helping reduce the number of monsters you need to defeat per zone. However, it isn’t automatically the best investment for every build.
No. Outsiders have different bonuses, costs, and levels of usefulness at different stages. Spreading Ancient Souls evenly can leave you with fewer points invested in the upgrades that matter most to your build.
Yes. You can respec your Outsider levels when Transcending. This is useful when your progression goals change or a calculator recommends a more efficient allocation.
The Driej’s Clicker Heroes Outsider Calculator is a useful tool for planning Ancient Soul allocations. Enter your available Ancient Souls, then review the recommended Outsider levels.
Yes, Outsider progression is tied to Transcendence, and your Ancient Souls and Transcendent Power are retained between Transcendence.
Neither build is always better. Choose a build based on how you play, then use a calculator to refine your allocation.
Conclusion
Outsider leveling guide is an important part of long-term progression in Clicker Heroes.
Instead of spending Ancient Souls on as many upgrades as possible, focus on the Outsiders that provide the most value for your current goals.
Learn what each Outsider does, consider how its bonuses work with your Ancients, and review your allocation as you reach new progression stages.
An Outsider Calculator can help you compare upgrade costs and benefits, while tracking your highest zones and run times helps you see whether your changes are working.
As you earn more Ancient Souls, revisit your build and adjust it when your priorities change. A well-planned allocation can help you progress more efficiently and achieve faster, more consistent results over time in this idle hero clicker game.
