In this Tycoon but One Dropper (TBOD²) guide, we’ll go over everything you need to know to get started and progress faster. I’ll explain how the merchant works, where you can find it, how Bits and Essence increase your cash, how rebirthing works, and which things you should focus on when upgrading your tycoon.
TBOD² takes the classic Roblox tycoon formula and changes things up by focusing on a single dropper while adding different upgrades, events, merchants, weather effects, and secrets to discover. You still want to generate as much money as possible, but there are several mechanics you need to understand if you want to progress quickly.
I’ll also cover some of the smaller things that can make your time in the game easier, including the different weather events, merchant spawn locations, dirt paths, the free Billy badge, and the best way to use your money. So, if you’re just starting out or you’re trying to make your tycoon more efficient, this guide should give you a good starting point.
Roblox TBOD² Beginner Guide – Trello, Bits & Essence
Tycoon but One Dropper is based on the classic Roblox tycoon formula, but instead of giving you a bunch of droppers to build around your base, the game focuses on having one main dropper.
As you progress, you’ll unlock upgrades and other features that help you generate more money.
The basic gameplay loop is pretty simple:
- Generate money with your dropper.
- Purchase upgrades.
- Increase your cash generation.
- Find the merchant.
- Collect Bits.
- Rebirth when you meet the requirements.
- Earn Essence and continue upgrading.
The more you progress, the more upgrades and mechanics you’ll have access to.
Upgrade Your Tycoon
When you’re starting out, your main goal should be upgrading your tycoon.
You do have the option to upgrade your one dropper, but the bigger focus should be on your other available upgrades.
You don’t necessarily have to follow one perfect upgrade order. Instead, keep spending your money on upgrades that help you generate more cash and continue progressing.
The faster you increase your income, the faster you’ll be able to afford the more expensive upgrades later on.
How to Progress Faster
If you want to progress quickly, there are two things I would focus on the most: finding the merchant and rebirthing.
The merchant gives you access to Bits, which provide a permanent cash boost. That means you’re not simply earning more money for one short period; you’re increasing your overall earning potential.
Once you’ve collected enough resources and meet the requirements, you should also rebirth.
So, rather than sitting around and saving money forever, keep upgrading, look for the merchant, collect Bits, and rebirth whenever you’re able to.
Weather in TBOD²
You’ll see the current weather displayed at the top of the screen.
Weather can affect your gameplay and provide different effects. For example, during the showcase, the weather was Fog, which reduced visibility and also provided a multiplier.
So, don’t ignore the weather indicator.
Different weather conditions can change what’s happening around the map, and some events are much more important than others.
Fog
Fog is one of the weather conditions you can encounter.
The main effect is reduced visibility, so it becomes harder to see around the map.
However, it can also provide a multiplier, which can be useful for your progression.
If you notice fog appearing, keep an eye on the effects you’re receiving and take advantage of the bonus while it’s active.
Blood Moon
The Blood Moon is a much rarer event.
According to the guide, there is a 1 in 100 chance, or around a 1% chance, for a Blood Moon to happen each night.
When a Blood Moon occurs, you’re guaranteed to get a merchant spawn with boosted cards.
This is especially valuable because the merchant can provide better rewards, including a guaranteed sixth card during the Blood Moon event.
So, whenever you see a Blood Moon, it’s worth making finding the merchant one of your top priorities.
Eclipse
The Eclipse is even rarer, with around a 1 in 500 chance of occurring.
At the time covered by this guide, the Eclipse doesn’t actually provide a specific gameplay effect.
That means you don’t need to change your entire strategy when an Eclipse happens.
It’s still a rare event to see, though, so it’s worth knowing about.
How the Merchant Works
The merchant is one of the most important mechanics if you’re trying to progress quickly.
The merchant normally appears every other night, on even-numbered nights, and can also appear during a Blood Moon.
When the merchant appears, it offers several cards that you can purchase using your money.
Normally, the merchant has five cards, with a small chance of getting an additional sixth card.
The main reason you want to find the merchant is because purchasing these cards can give you Bits.
Where Does the Merchant Spawn?
There are several possible areas where the merchant can appear around the map.
Instead of having one fixed location, the merchant can spawn in key areas, usually around paths and recognizable landmarks.
Some of the areas mentioned include:
- The beach
- The lighthouse
- The obelisk
- The statue
- Other important areas around the map
A useful clue is the dirt patches around the map.
If you don’t see the merchant immediately, check these important areas and look for the signs of a merchant spawn.
How to Find the Merchant Faster
If you’re actively searching for the merchant, don’t randomly run around the entire map.
Instead, create a simple route between the major landmarks.
Check the beach, lighthouse, obelisk, statue, and other important areas where a spawn is likely.
This is especially important during a Blood Moon because you know a merchant is guaranteed to appear.
If you spend less time searching, you’ll have more time to purchase cards and get your Bits.
What Are Bits?
Bits are one of the most important progression mechanics in TBOD².
Each Bit you obtain from the merchant gives you a 10% cash boost.
That means your income increases as you collect more Bits.
For example, if you manage to get 10 Bits, the guide states that you’ll have a 100% cash boost.
That’s a huge increase, which is why Bits are so valuable for progressing quickly.
How to Get Bits
The main way to get Bits is through the merchant.
When the merchant appears, purchase the available cards using your money. These cards can reward you with Bits.
So your general strategy should be:
Make money → Find merchant → Buy cards → Get Bits → Increase cash generation.
Once you have a good number of Bits, your tycoon can start generating money much faster.
Why Bits Are So Powerful
The biggest advantage of Bits is that they make everything else easier.
More cash means you can afford upgrades faster.
Faster upgrades mean even more income.
That creates a cycle where your progression starts speeding up as your cash boost increases.
This is why I wouldn’t ignore the merchant just because you’re busy upgrading your base. Finding the merchant can actually help you afford those upgrades much sooner.
What Is Essence?
Essence is another permanent progression resource.
Unlike Bits, Essence provides a smaller boost of 0.4% cash per Essence.
You can obtain Essence through rebirths and the Obelisk.
It may not look as impressive as the 10% boost from a Bit, but Essence can add up over time.
The important thing is that you should keep collecting it as you progress rather than ignoring it.
How to Get Essence
One of the main ways to obtain Essence is by rebirthing.
You can rebirth at the Obelisk, but you first need to reach the required rebirth threshold.
Once you meet the requirement, head over to the Obelisk and use it to rebirth.
This resets part of your current progression, but gives you Essence that contributes to your permanent cash boost.
How Rebirthing Works
Rebirthing is an important part of progressing through TBOD².
You need to reach the required amount before you’re allowed to rebirth.
Once you meet that requirement, go to the Obelisk and rebirth.
You shouldn’t be afraid of rebirthing when you’re ready. The whole point is to trade some of your current progression for a permanent boost through Essence.
The faster you can comfortably reach the rebirth requirement, the more frequently you can build up your Essence.
When Should You Rebirth?
As a general rule, rebirth whenever you’re able to do so efficiently.
Don’t spend an excessive amount of time sitting on a completed rebirth requirement just because you’re worried about resetting.
The Essence you gain contributes to your cash boost and helps make future runs faster.
A good progression loop is:
Upgrade → Earn more cash → Reach rebirth requirement → Rebirth → Gain Essence → Upgrade again.
Repeat that cycle as you continue improving your tycoon.
Use Dirt Paths
There’s also a small movement mechanic that you should know about.
When you’re walking on a dirt path, you can move faster.
This might seem like a minor detail, but it can actually save you quite a bit of time when you’re running around the map looking for the merchant.
If you’re traveling between merchant locations, try to stay on the dirt paths whenever possible.
Important Merchant Locations
Since the merchant can appear around key areas, it’s worth learning the important landmarks on the map.
Some useful areas to check include the beach, lighthouse, Obelisk, and statue.
You don’t necessarily need to memorize every possible spawn immediately.
Instead, learn the general layout of the map and create a route that lets you quickly check the most likely areas.
Once you know the map better, merchant hunting becomes much easier.
Get the Free Billy Badge
There’s also a small secret you can grab while exploring.
If you find Billy and touch him, you can receive a badge.
It’s a completely optional little extra, but since it’s free, there’s really no reason not to grab it if you’re already exploring the map.
Just find Billy, walk up to him, and touch him to get the badge.
Should You Buy Bits With Robux?
The guide also mentions that Bits can be purchased with Robux.
This can provide a significant cash boost, so it’s an option if you’re willing to spend Robux on progression.
However, you don’t need to rely on Robux to understand the game’s progression system.
You can naturally work toward Bits by finding the merchant and purchasing its cards with your earned money.
If you’re playing without spending Robux, simply focus on upgrading your tycoon, finding merchants, collecting Bits, and rebirthing.
TBOD² is actually pretty straightforward once you understand how all of its progression systems connect.
Your main goal is to keep upgrading your tycoon and increasing your income, but you shouldn’t focus only on the one dropper. Merchants, Bits, Essence, and rebirths are all important if you want to progress quickly.
If you’re looking for the biggest immediate boost, focus on finding the merchant and collecting Bits. Each Bit provides a 10% cash boost, and getting 10 Bits can give you a 100% cash boost according to the guide.
At the same time, don’t forget about rebirthing. Once you meet the requirement, head to the Obelisk, rebirth, and collect Essence. That gives you another permanent boost that will help your future progression.
The overall strategy is simple: upgrade your tycoon, find merchants, collect Bits, rebirth for Essence, and repeat.
Once you get into that routine, your tycoon should grow much faster, and eventually you’ll have a much more developed base with significantly better cash generation.