How to Get Platinum Keys in SimCity BuildIt
How to Get Platinum Keys in SimCity BuildIt
Platinum Keys are the rarest currency in SimCity BuildIt, and learning how to get Platinum Keys in SimCity BuildIt is essential if you want the best buildings in the game. They are light blue diamond-shaped keys used to buy rare and legendary specialization buildings, including some parks and landmarks, and to upgrade Disaster Cards. Unlike Golden Keys, Platinum Keys cannot be bought with SimCash, according to community guides and the game wiki. You have to earn them.
Contest of Mayors — the main source
The Contest of Mayors is the most efficient Platinum Key source. It unlocks at level 11, runs for seven days, and pits you against 99 other mayors around your level. There are six leagues — Neighborhood, Suburban, Town, City, Metropolis and Megalopolis — and each league pays better prizes than the last. Community guides describe Platinum Keys as a top prize in Town League and a big prize in City League and above. That means you need to climb leagues, not just take part, to earn Platinum Keys regularly. Finish in the promotion zone to move up; finish in the demotion zone and you drop back down.
Mayor’s Pass
Mayor’s Pass progress, earned through Contest assignments, includes Platinum Keys at some tiers. Community guides report 52 tiers per Mayor’s Pass season, lasting about 40 days or six weeks. The free pass includes Platinum Keys at some tiers, and the premium pass includes more. Because Mayor’s Pass points come from the same assignments as Contest of Mayors, playing the contest well earns both at once. Do not ignore the pass — it is the steadiest Platinum Key trickle in the game.
Epic Projects
Epic Projects can also reward Platinum Keys. An Epic Project asks you to collect Epic Points by producing and delivering items to a residential building, turning it into an Epic Building with special abilities. Community guides list Epic Buildings as producing Simoleons, Golden Keys or Platinum Keys, depending on the building. Epic Projects unlock through the Department of Epic Projects, which community guides place at level 16. They are slow and demanding, but they are a real Platinum Key source for patient players.
Club Wars and events
Club Wars rewards include Platinum Keys for winning clubs, with the amount depending on the arena. Event Tracks and Design Challenges can also include Platinum Keys among their rewards. These are less predictable than the contest, but they add up over a season, especially if your club wins wars regularly.
What to spend Platinum Keys on
Save Platinum Keys for rare and legendary buildings that you cannot get any other way. Check the boost area and the population effect before you spend, and place the building where the most homes benefit. A Platinum Key building placed in a corner with few homes around it wastes the rarest currency in the game. Plan the placement first, then buy.
FAQ
Can I buy Platinum Keys with SimCash?
No. Community guides and the game wiki agree Platinum Keys cannot be bought with SimCash or real money directly.
What is the best way to earn Platinum Keys?
Contest of Mayors, by climbing leagues, plus Mayor’s Pass tiers. Epic Projects and Club Wars add more over time.
How many leagues are there in Contest of Mayors?
Six: Neighborhood, Suburban, Town, City, Metropolis and Megalopolis.
Do Epic Projects give Platinum Keys?
Some Epic Buildings produce Platinum Keys, according to community guides. The project itself is demanding, so treat it as a long-term source.
Should I spend Platinum Keys as soon as I get them?
No. Save them for rare or legendary buildings in a high-population area, where the boost helps the most homes.
For the contest itself, read our Contest of Mayors guide in this series, and start at our homepage.