The single best power-up in Jewels of the Wild West is the Rainbow Gem combined with a Bomb or Dynamite. While a double Rainbow Gem clears the board, the strategic value of turning an entire color of gems into targeted explosives is unmatched for clearing specific, stubborn obstacles. This guide ranks every power-up and combination to transform you from a struggling prospector into a puzzle-solving legend.
Mastering the game isn't about random matching; it's about understanding the explosive toolkit at your disposal. Knowing which power-up to create and when to deploy it—or, more importantly, when to save it for a devastating combination—is the difference between failing a level by one move and clearing it with a dozen to spare.
The Core Power-Ups, Ranked by Utility
Not all explosions are created equal. Some are surgical tools for tight spots, while others are board-wiping behemoths. Here’s how the basic, match-made power-ups stack up from most to least essential.
1. The Rainbow Gem
- How to Create: Match 5 gems in a straight line (horizontal or vertical).
- What it Does: When swapped with an adjacent regular gem, it clears every gem of that color from the board.
- Strategic Value: The Rainbow Gem is the ultimate strategic tool. Its true power isn't in its solo use, but as a multiplier for other power-ups (more on that below). On its own, it's perfect for hitting score targets or collecting a large number of a specific gem color required by the level objective. Never use it on a color you only have a few of on the board; always target the most numerous color to maximize its effect.
2. The Bomb
- How to Create: Match 5 gems in a "T" or "L" shape.
- What it Does: Detonates in a 3x3 square, clearing all gems and damaging obstacles within that radius.
- Strategic Value: The Bomb is your workhorse for dealing with clustered objectives. It's incredibly effective against multi-layered obstacles like wooden Crates, stubborn Safes, or a dense patch of Oil. Its focused blast is more potent than Dynamite for single, tough targets. The key is to position it so its blast radius covers the maximum number of objectives or difficult-to-reach corners.
3. Dynamite
- How to Create: Match 4 gems in a straight line (horizontal or vertical).
- What it Does: Clears an entire row or column of gems. The direction of the blast (horizontal or vertical) depends on the orientation of the four gems you matched.
- Strategic Value: Dynamite is the best tool for clearing long, straight lines of obstacles or dropping items to the bottom of the board. It's particularly effective against Chains, as a single stick can break an entire row of them. Always check the orientation of the Dynamite before using it—a vertical blast is wasted if your objective is on the far left or right edge of the board.
Jewels of the Wild West: Match 3 to Build Your City in-game screenshot
Power-Up Combinations: Where the Real Magic Happens
Using a single power-up is efficient. Combining two is a game-changer. Saving your power-ups and maneuvering them next to each other should be your primary goal in any complex level. The effects are dramatic and can often clear 50% or more of the board in a single move.
Here's a breakdown of every possible combination and its effect, ranked from most powerful to least.
| Combination | Effect | Strategic Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Rainbow Gem + Rainbow Gem | Clears every gem on the board and damages every obstacle once. | The ultimate panic button. Use it when the board is a complete mess, or you need to clear a final layer off everything to win. |
| Rainbow Gem + Bomb | Turns all gems of the swapped color into Bombs, then detonates them all. | The best combo for destroying numerous, widespread, multi-layered obstacles like Safes or Crates. |
| Rainbow Gem + Dynamite | Turns all gems of the swapped color into Dynamite sticks, then detonates them all. | Unbeatable for clearing multiple rows/columns of Chains or dropping many items simultaneously. |
| Bomb + Dynamite | Creates a massive cross-shaped blast that clears three full rows and three full columns. | Your go-to "super bomb." It offers a huge area of effect, perfect for clearing the center of the board or hitting objectives in all four quadrants at once. |
| Bomb + Bomb | Creates a larger 5x5 explosion. | Excellent for demolishing a large, dense cluster of tough obstacles that a single Bomb can't handle. |
| Dynamite + Dynamite | Clears one full row and one full column from the point of intersection. | A useful cross-blast, but generally less powerful than the Bomb + Dynamite combo. Best for surgical strikes on two perpendicular lines of obstacles. |
Jewels of the Wild West: Match 3 to Build Your City in-game screenshot
Matching Your Power-Up to the Obstacle
Different level objectives demand different tools. Wasting a powerful combo on the wrong problem is a common mistake. Use this guide to apply the right explosive force to the right target.
Dealing with Spreading Obstacles (Oil, Smoke)
Obstacles like Oil spread with every move you make, making them a top priority.
- Best Tool: The Bomb is excellent for punching a hole in a large patch of Oil.
- Best Combo: A Rainbow Gem + Bomb combination can often clear nearly all the Oil from a board in one move, containing the threat instantly.
Breaking Static Blockers (Crates, Safes, Chains)
These blockers don't spread, but they often have multiple layers (health) and require repeated hits.
- Chains: Dynamite is the most efficient single power-up, as it can break an entire line of chains at once.
- Crates & Safes: Bombs are superior due to their concentrated area damage. A Bomb + Bomb combo is ideal for a tough cluster of high-health safes.
Jewels of the Wild West: Match 3 to Build Your City in-game screenshot
Dropping Items (Masks, Pendants)
For levels where you need to bring special items to the bottom of the screen, clearing the vertical path is all that matters.
- Best Tool: Vertical Dynamite is your best friend. Create it directly in the column with the item.
- Best Combo: The Bomb + Dynamite combo is a surefire way to blast open a huge path, often dropping multiple items to the collection zone in one glorious move.
What About Boosters?
Boosters are not the same as power-ups. They are single-use items that you either select before a level begins or purchase with coins during a level. They are panic buttons and problem-solvers, not tools you create through gameplay.
- Pre-Level Boosters: These let you start a level with a power-up (like a Bomb or Rainbow Gem) already on the board. These are best saved for levels you've already failed once and know have a difficult opening setup.
- In-Level Boosters: These are the Hammer (destroys one piece), Glove (swaps two pieces), and Tornado (shuffles the board).
- The Hammer is for surgically removing a single blocker that's preventing a win.
- The Glove is best used to create a guaranteed power-up or a five-gem match when no other options exist.
- The Tornado is a last resort when you have no available moves. Use it sparingly, as the new board layout is completely random.
Jewels of the Wild West: Match 3 to Build Your City in-game screenshot
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the fastest way to create a Rainbow Gem?
Focus on clearing gems at the bottom of the board. This causes more cascades, increasing the chances of random 5-gem lines forming naturally. Don't chase a Rainbow Gem if it costs you too many moves; making Bombs and Dynamite is often more reliable.
Should I use a power-up as soon as I make it?
Almost never. The core strategy of Jewels of the Wild West is to create power-ups and then maneuver them next to each other for combinations. A solo Dynamite is good; two Dynamite sticks combined with a Bomb is game-winning. Patience is key.
Is the Bomb or Dynamite better?
It depends entirely on the level's layout and objective. For a tight cluster of boxes, the Bomb is better. For a row of chained gems or dropping an item down a column, Dynamite is better. The most skilled players assess the board and create the specific power-up they need.
When should I use the Hammer booster?
Save the Hammer for the last 1-5 moves of a level. Use it when you have a single objective left—one last piece of a crate or one final chained gem—and no other way to clear it. Using it early is almost always a waste.
The Final Verdict
While the spectacle of a double Rainbow Gem is undeniable, the true path to mastering Jewels of the Wild West lies in the versatile and devastating combinations. Prioritize creating a Rainbow Gem and pairing it with a Bomb or Dynamite. This targeted devastation allows you to dismantle the most challenging level designs piece by piece. Stop matching randomly, start thinking like a demolition expert, and you'll conquer even the most notorious puzzles the game throws at you.