# Getting Started
## What is Tapmonsters?
Tapmonsters is a tap-to-earn spin-off title, set in the Chainmonsters universe - an upcoming MMORPG where players capture Chainmon, train them, and compete against each other in real-time battles.
In this standalone experience, players join the N-Corp organization and take charge in running a research laboratory, discovering new Chainmon species and developing products to raise your rank inside the organization.
Players will be rewarded with **$MONSTER**, the soon-to-launch token of Chainmonsters.
## How to play
The **Energy** crystal is your main source of coins. Each tap will generate Coins. These Coins can be used to purchase *upgrades* that yield passive Coins per hour. Each tap also consumes *energy*. By default, 1 tap = 1 coin. You can boost your earning potential by upgrading your *tap power* and *energy capacity*.
### Leveling, Upgrades and Earning
Each time you tap the crystal, and every time you spend Coins on upgrades, you will get experience.
Some upgrades will only be available after you reach a certain Level, or may depend on other parts of your lab being at a specific level.
Tapping on an upgrade reveals the upgrade cost, and the additional profit per hour it will generate.
### Chainmon Collection
During your time in the lab, you may discover new **Chainmon** species. These will be added to your collection in the Monster tab.
Chainmons add to your *passive earning potential.* They can be leveled up until Level 10, with each level increasing their Earn per Hour rate substantially.
Up to 10 Chainmons can be discovered each day. If you discover a Chainmon that is already in your collection, it will be converted into experience for that Chainmon.
Each time you discover a Chainmon, there is a rare chance it will be a special *chroma* variant. Your lab upgrades will greatly influence the available Chainmon species you can discover, with rarer Chainmon only discoverable through late-stage upgrades.
## Earning
Each upgrade you unlock, and each Chainmon in your collection, will add to your passive **Earn per Hour** rate. This accumulates for **up to three hours** whilst you are offline.
By **inviting your friends** and **completing tasks**, you are able to boost your balance substantially. Invites and tasks can be found in the **Earn** tab.
## Play-to-Airdrop
By playing Tapmonsters, players will be eligible for a share of the soon-to-launch **$MONSTER** token pool. This token is at the core of the upcoming Chainmonsters MMO, and will be utilized for minting Chainmons, accessing exclusive content and much more.
Your position on the leaderboards and your Chainmon collection will be major factors in determining how much $MONSTER you will receive.
Please note: we are verifying the authenticity of players prior to the distribution of $MONSTER. We reserve the right to invalidate participants if we detect fraudulent activity.
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