Zertyzzle combos come from chain reactions: after a merge, crystals fall, new ones drop in, and every new line-up merges in turn with a points multiplier (Combo ×2, ×3…). Add five-crystal merges, which jump two tiers, and the Zertyon, which clears an entire row and column, and you have the three keys to big scores.
This page is part of the Zertyzzle guide. It assumes you already know how to play.
How a chain reaction works
Every move plays out in waves:
- your slide creates one or more line-ups, which merge;
- the crystals above the emptied squares fall, and new crystals drop in from the top;
- if that drop creates new line-ups, they merge: that's the next wave, and the combo counter goes up.
The points from each wave are multiplied by the combo number: the second wave counts double, the third triple, and so on. The game cheers your best chains ("Great!", "Awesome!", "Fantastic!", "Divine!", "Stellar!"), and you can share your best chain with friends.
Setting up chains
Play near the bottom
A merge at the bottom of the board drops the whole column above it: the more crystals move, the better your odds of a new line-up. A merge at the very top barely moves anything.
Leave pairs waiting
Before you play, look for pairs of identical crystals stacked on top of each other or side by side. If your merge drops a matching third crystal into the right spot, the chain starts on its own.
Think in loops
The crystal leaving one edge comes back on the other. A line-up that looks impossible can often be made by "rotating" a row. Always check what's about to reappear on the other side.
Where does the merged crystal appear?
This detail changes everything. When your slide triggers a merge, the new crystal appears on the line you slid. During a chain reaction, it appears on the lowest square of the line-up (the highest when gravity is upside down).
So you can choose where your Gems and Jewels are born: slide the line where you want to build next, so the following merges happen in the same area.
Five at once: jump two tiers
Lining up five or more identical crystals jumps two tiers: five Shards go straight to a Jewel, and five Gems go straight to a Zertyon.
The secret: line-ups that cross each other count together. An L or T made of two lines of three identical crystals sharing one square brings five crystals together, so it jumps two tiers too. Look for these crossings, especially around the line you're sliding.
The Zertyon: the ultimate crystal
Three identical Jewels merge into a Zertyon. Tap it and it clears its whole row and its whole column. If another Zertyon sits on that row or column, it goes off too: two well-placed Zertyons can clear a big chunk of the board.
When should you trigger it?
Nothing forces you to tap it right away. The best moment is when its row or column is cluttered: frozen crystals, thick ice, rocks or crystals in your way. A Zertyon even clears thick ice in one go. The Zertyzzle obstacles page explains which obstacles are most worth it.
In levels that ask for a Zertyon as a goal, focus on a single family: you need three Jewels of the same color, so nine Gems, or shortcuts through five-crystal merges.
Score and stars
The score for a merge depends on the number of crystals and their tier: merging Gems scores far more than merging Shards, and creating a Zertyon gives a big bonus. Broken obstacles score points too. All of it is multiplied by the current combo.
Completing the goals earns the first star; the second and third require a higher score. To aim for three stars: set up chains, favor high tiers and keep some moves in reserve.
Combos and game modes
Some weeks, the Weekly Rift changes the rules in favor of combos: with the "Trio" rule there are only three crystal families, so merges rain down; with "Zertyon shower", the board starts with three Zertyons. The 60-second mode rewards fast chains too. All of these are covered on the Zertyzzle game modes page.
These chain reactions are part of the match-3 heritage; if that's the thrill you're after, see what to look for in match 3 games for adults.
Frequently asked questions
What do five Jewels make?
A Zertyon, just like three Jewels: the Zertyon is the highest tier, there's nothing beyond it.
Can a booster set off a chain reaction?
Yes: when a booster empties squares (Hammer, Magnet) or a Zertyon goes off, crystals fall and can merge in a chain, with the usual combo multiplier.
Should you trigger a Zertyon right away?
No. You can keep it for a cluttered row or for the end of the level. Just don't waste it on a line that's already clear.
Where can I share my best chains?
Share them straight from the game, or on the Zertyzzle forum. More advice awaits in our Zertyzzle tips and on the game page.
