Targets

Attack Cooldown Guide

How the attack cooldown works after launching holes, and how to time your raids and Sun attacks for maximum efficiency.

7/23/2026
@Merge a Black Hole Wiki
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Overview

After launching a black hole at any target - the Sun, a planet, or a player's base - there's a short attack cooldown of about a minute before you can attack again. Timing your actions around this window is the key to efficient, low-waste combat.

Mastering the cooldown is what separates casual attackers from top leaderboard players, since the difference between an efficient rotation and a sloppy one compounds dramatically over a full session.

Cooldown:~1 minute
Applies To:All attacks
Trigger:Each launch
Strategy:Launch strongest holes

Cooldown by Target

How the cooldown applies across the different target types you will encounter, so you can plan a smooth rotation that avoids sitting idle during waits.

Every target shares a similar roughly one-minute window, which means smart players chain merges and defense tasks into those gaps rather than staring at the screen.

Once the rhythm becomes second nature, the cooldown stops feeling like a restriction and instead feels like a natural pacing tool that structures your entire combat loop.

TargetCooldown Use
The Sun~1 min between launches
Planets/Asteroids~1 min between attacks
Player bases (PvP)~1 min between raids
During cooldownDefend or merge
Use cooldown windows productively - merge holes or refresh your shield while waiting, turning dead time into progress.

Why the Cooldown Exists

The attack cooldown prevents spamming launches and adds rhythm to combat. Since each attack is gated, you want every launch to count - always send your strongest available holes rather than wasting a window on weak ones.

For Sun fights, this means coordinating weak-point hits within your cooldown windows so each precious launch lands maximum damage. For PvP, it means choosing high-value targets rather than wasting launches on poor ones.

Smart players use the downtime to merge or defend, turning the cooldown from dead time into productive time that strengthens their next attack before it even launches.

Making the Most of Cooldowns

Three productive ways to use cooldown windows so you never sit idle when you could be strengthening your position or preparing your next strike.

Treating the cooldown as a feature rather than a bug is the mindset shift that turns an average attacker into a consistently top-performing one over time.

Merge Holes

Use the downtime to merge and grow stronger, so your next launch hits harder than the last one did.

Refresh Defense

Update your shield during cooldowns to avoid getting raided the moment your guard slips.

Plan Next Hit

Line up the next weak-point or raid target so your next launch fires the instant the cooldown ends.

Idle cooldowns are wasted time - always have a merge or defense task ready between attacks, since every wasted minute compounds against your progress.

Efficient Attack Rotation

A rotation that maximizes damage output while respecting cooldowns, balancing offense with productive downtime so nothing is ever wasted.

This same loop works for both Sun fights and PvP raids, letting you develop one rhythm you can rely on across every combat type in the game.

1

Launch Strong Holes

Send your best holes at the target, since the cooldown means you cannot afford to waste a window on weak launches.

2

Hit Weak Points

Aim for weak points if they are available, multiplying your damage share for the same single launch.

3

Use the Cooldown

Merge or defend during the roughly one-minute cooldown, growing stronger for the next hit while staying protected.

4

Repeat

Launch again the instant the cooldown ends, maintaining a tight rhythm that maximizes your total damage over a full session.

A tight rotation turns cooldowns into a rhythm - attack, merge, defend, repeat - that compounds into top leaderboard spots over time.

Cooldown Tips

Quick pointers for timing your attacks so the cooldown never feels like a penalty and always becomes a productive part of your routine.

The best players build their entire combat rhythm around the cooldown window, treating it as a built-in opportunity to maintain their base rather than as an annoying interruption to their offense.

  • Pair attacks with auto-merge so downtime is never wasted, letting merges happen automatically while you wait.
  • Keep your shield up during PvP cooldowns to avoid retaliation strikes the moment you let your guard down.
  • Read the Sun guide for cooldown-aware Sun tactics that squeeze maximum damage out of every single launch window.
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the attack cooldown?

About one minute between attacks. See the <a class="text-primary/80 hover:text-primary" href="/targets/attack-cooldown-guide">cooldown guide</a> for concrete ways to use that window productively instead of just waiting.

Does the cooldown apply to all targets?

Yes - the <a class="text-primary/80 hover:text-primary" href="/targets/the-sun-boss">Sun</a>, planets, asteroids, and PvP raids all share a similar roughly one-minute attack cooldown after each launch.

What should I do during the cooldown?

Merge holes, refresh your <a class="text-primary/80 hover:text-primary" href="/mechanics/base-shield-and-pvp">shield</a>, or line up your next attack - whatever you do, never sit idle during the window.

Can I reduce the attack cooldown?

Some <a class="text-primary/80 hover:text-primary" href="/shop/gamepasses">gamepasses</a> like faster launch may help shorten it, but otherwise the best strategy is simply to time your actions around it efficiently.

Should I launch weak holes during cooldown?

No - always launch your strongest holes. The cooldown makes every single attack count, so wasting a window on weak holes directly costs you damage.

How do I time Sun attacks with cooldowns?

Launch, hit <a class="text-primary/80 hover:text-primary" href="/targets/weak-points-guide">weak points</a>, merge during the cooldown, then repeat - this steady loop builds maximum damage across a full Sun fight.
Related

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