The Hypothetical Grandmapocalypse is a hypothetical in-game event that affects both the 1.0 Update of the game, as well as the pre-update version. It affects the background as well as the appearance of the game window and causes spawning of Wrinklers and Wrath cookies.
Contents
- 1 Grandmapocalypse
- 1.1 Stage 1
- 1.2 Stage 2
- 1.3 Stage 3
- 2 Halting the Grandmapocalypse
- 3 Background changes
- 4 Research Upgrades
- 5 Switches
- 6 Achievements
- 7 Why should I trigger the Grandmapocalypse?
- 8 To Pledge or not to pledge?
- 9 Strategy for achievements
- 10 History
- 10.1 Cookie Clicker v1.03
- 10.2 In Cookie Clicker Classic
- 10.3 The Elder Pledge
- 11 Trivia
- 12 Notes
Grandmapocalypse[]
Stage 1[]
Once "One Mind" is purchased, the hypothetical Grandmapocalypse begins. The Grandmas are now considered "Awoken" and the Grandmatriarch Status will change to Awoken. Wrath cookies will appear 33% of the time, and Wrinklers will appear as well. The Grandmatriarchs will lose their teeth and become more wrinkled.
Stage 2[]
To get to the next stage, follow the Research Upgrades until you buy the "Communal Brainsweep" Upgrade. The Grandmatriarch Status will change to "Displeased." Wrath cookies will appear 66% of the time, and Wrinklers will appear faster. The Grandmatriarchs are tinted red and have glowing eyes and sharper teeth.
Stage 3[]
To get to the Final Stage of the Hypothetical Grandmatriarch form, you must follow the Research Upgrades up until you buy the "Elder Pact." Another warning message will appear. The news broadcasts will turn into reports of the world ending, and the Grandmatriarch Status will change to "Angered." Golden Cookies will be entirely replaced by Wrath cookies at this stage. Wrinklers appear even faster. The Grandmatriarchs show their true form as demonic masses of flesh in the background.
Grandma in the store when appeased.
Grandma in the store when awoken.
Grandma in the store when displeased.
Grandma in the store when angered.
Grandma in the store when Scary Stuff is off.
Halting the Grandmapocalypse[]
Once Elder Pact is purchased, the Elder Pledge switch is unlocked. Elder Pledge puts a temporary hold on the Grandmapocalypse and unlocks the Elder Covenant switch. When the Grandmapocalypse is halted or ended, the Grandmatriarchs' state of mind becomes "appeased". This changes the background into the original blue, makes only Golden Cookies appear, pops all wrinklers, and reverts the news ticker to normal messages.
The Elder Covenant is worth exactly 66.6 trillion cookies. It puts an indefinite hold to the Grandmatriarchs' wrath. This purchase costs 5% of your CpS, and locks the Elder Pledge switch. In order to return to the chaotic state of the Grandmapocalypse and restore your CpS, the Elder Covenant can be revoked at a cost of 6.66 billion cookies.
The Elder Pledge will put the genocidal grandmas to rest for 30 minutes. Every time an Elder Pledge is bought, the price goes up by a factor of 8, capping at 4.4 trillion. After pledging 10 times, Sacrificial Rolling Pins is able to be researched. It doubles the time of peace, making it an hour long.
The Grandmapocalypse can also be stopped by selling all of your grandmas. Doing this causes the Grandmatriarchs' status to disappear from the Stats page. Buying at least one grandma will restart the Grandmapocalypse at the stage you left off.
Background changes[]
As the Grandmapocalypse goes on, the Grandmatriarchs grow increasingly angry with each Bingo Center/Research Facility related upgrade. By using the background switcher unlocked in the ascension upgrades, you can switch the wall paper to the different stages of grandmas without having started the grandmapocalypse. This is reflected in the backgrounds:
Awoken Grandmatriarchs, after buying the One Mind upgrade.
Displeased Grandmatriarchs, once you purchase Communal Brainsweep.
Finally, the angered Grandmatriarchs, after the Elder Pact is acquired.
Research Upgrades[]
| Icon | Name | Unlock condition | Base price | Description | ID |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Bingo center/Research facility | "Elder" achievement earned At least 6 grandmas owned |  1 quadrillion | Grandma-operated science lab and leisure club. Grandmas are 4 times as efficient. Regularly unlocks new upgrades. "What could possibly keep those grandmothers in check?... Bingo." | 64 |
 | Specialized chocolate chips | 1st research project completed | 1 quadrillion | Cookie production multiplier +1%. "Computer-designed chocolate chips. Computer chips, if you will." | 65 |
 | Designer cocoa beans | 2nd research project completed | 2 quadrillion | Cookie production multiplier +2%. "Now more aerodynamic than ever!" | 66 |
 | Ritual rolling pins | 3rd research project completed | 4 quadrillion | Grandmas are twice as efficient. "The result of years of scientific research!" | 67 |
 | Underworld ovens | 4th research project completed | 8 quadrillion | Cookie production multiplier +3%. "Powered by science, of course!" | 68 |
 | One mind [note 1] | 5th research project completed | 16 quadrillion | Each grandma gains +0.02 base Cps per grandma. Note: the grandmothers are growing restless. Do not encourage them. "We are one. We are many." | 69 |
 | Exotic nuts | 6th research project completed | 32 quadrillion | Cookie production multiplier +4%. "You'll go crazy over these!" | 70 |
 | Communal brainsweep | 7th research project completed | 64 quadrillion | Each grandma gains another +0.02 base Cps per grandma. Note: proceeding any further in scientific research may have unexpected results. You have been warned. "We fuse. We merge. We grow." | 71 |
 | Arcane sugar | 8th research project completed | 128 quadrillion | Cookie production multiplier +5%. "Tastes like insects, ligaments, and molasses." | 72 |
 | Elder Pact | 9th research project completed | 256 quadrillion | Each grandma gains +0.05 base CpS per portal. Note: this is a bad idea. "squirm crawl slither writhe today we rise" | 73 |
| Sacrificial rolling pins | "Elder Pledge" purchased 10 times | 2.889 trillion | Elder pledges last twice as long. "These are mostly just for spreading the anti-aging cream. (And accessorily, shortening the chicken's suffering.)" | 87 |
Switches[]
| Icon | Name | Unlock condition | Base price | Description | ID |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Elder Pledge [note 2] | "Elder Pact" purchased | 64 x 8n (cap: 64 × 812) | Contains the wrath of the elders, at least for a while. "This is simple ritual involving anti-aging cream, cookie batter mixed in the moonlight, and a live chicken." | 74 |
| Revoke Elder Covenant Elder Covenant [clicktoswitch] | "Elder Pledge" purchased at least once |
| You will get 5% of your CpS back, but the grandmatriarchs will return. Puts a permanent end to the elders' wrath, at the price of 5% of your CpS. | 85 84 |
Achievements[]
| Icon | Name | Description | ID |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Grandmapocalypse | Trigger the grandmapocalypse for the first time. | 594 |
 | Wrath cookie | Click a wrath cookie. | 595 |
| Elder nap | Appease the grandmatriarchs at least once. "we are eternal" | 79 |
| Elder slumber | Appease the grandmatriarchs at least 5 times. "our mind outlives the universe" | 80 |
| Elder calm | Declare a covenant with the grandmatriarchs. "we have fed" | 82 |
 | Wrinkler poker | Poke a wrinkler 50 times without killing it. "Also the name of a card game popular in retirement homes." | 598 |
| Itchscratcher | Burst1 wrinkler. | 105 |
| Wrinklesquisher [note 3] | Burst50 wrinklers. | 106 |
| Moistburster [note 3] | Burst200 wrinklers. | 107 |
 | Last Chance to See (shadow achievement) | Burst the near-extinct shiny wrinkler. "You monster!" | 262 |
Why should I trigger the Grandmapocalypse?[]
The Grandmapocalypse seems a bit scary (End-of-the-world jokes aside), but it's really not all that bad, and has the potential to usher in a new era of prosperity for you and your cookie business.
Upgrading through One Mind gives you a 6x increase in CpS because of Wrinklers. Wrinklers are red, eldritch beasts which will leech a small fraction of your CpS and eat it. Fortunately, you can pop them to make them explode, giving you your cookies back along with a bonus.
The reason why wrinklers offer such a big boost is because they help each other. Popping a wrinkler will give you an amount of cookies equal to 1.1x the cookies eaten by ALL wrinklers while that wrinkler was present, not just the cookies eaten by that particular wrinkler.
If you're still confused, here's an example. Let's assume you make exactly 10 trillion cookies per second. Since each wrinkler will eat 5% of your CpS, 10 wrinklers will halve your CpS, lowering it to 5 trillion cookies. After 10 seconds, those 10 wrinklers have eaten a total of 50 trillion cookies, so each wrinkler will give you 1.1x those 50 trillion cookies when popped. Multiplying that 55 trillion cookies by 10 wrinklers gives a total yield of 550 trillion. Adding in the 50 trillion cookies from your unwithered production gives a grand total of 600 trillion cookies, exactly 6x the amount of cookies you'd otherwise get.
However, you have to actually pop the wrinklers before getting those bonus cookies, but doing so will force you to wait for more wrinklers to spawn, which can take a while. (Wrinklers can also be spawned manually by the "Resurrect Abomination" spell from the Grimoire, which can significantly speed up the process.)
| Reachable with | Amount of wrinklers | CPS taken | CPS remaining | Cookies given by each wrinkler | Total cookies given | Total CPS Boost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Always reachable | 0 (no wrinklers) | 0% | 100% | 1.1x0%=0% | 0x0%=0% | 100%+0%=100%=x1 |
| Reachable in the grandmapocalypse | 1 | 5% | 95% | 1.1x5%=5.5% | 1x5.5%=5.5% | 95%+5.5%=100.5%=x1.005 |
| 2 | 10% | 90% | 1.1x10%=11% | 2x11%=22% | 90%+22%=112%=x1.12 | |
| 3 | 15% | 85% | 1.1x15%=16.5% | 3x16.5%=49.5% | 85%+49.5%=134.5%=x1.345 | |
| 4 | 20% | 80% | 1.1x20%=22% | 4x22%=88% | 80%+88%=168%=x1.68 | |
| 5 | 25% | 75% | 1.1x25%=27.5% | 5x27.5%=137.5% | 75%+137.5%=212.5%=x2.125 | |
| 6 | 30% | 70% | 1.1x30%=33% | 6x33%=198% | 70%+198%=268%=x2.68 | |
| 7 | 35% | 65% | 1.1x35%=38.5% | 7x38.5%=269.5% | 65%+269.5%=334.5%=x3.345 | |
| 8 | 40% | 60% | 1.1x40%=44% | 8x44%=352% | 60%+352%=412%=x4.12 | |
| 9 | 45% | 55% | 1.1x45%=49.5% | 9x49.5%=445.5% | 55%+445.5%=500.5%=x5.005 | |
| 10 (example seen above) | 50% | 50% | 1.1x50%=55% | 10x55%=550% | 50%+550%=600%=x6 | |
| Reachable in the grandmapocalypse with "Elder spice" or "Dragon Guts" | 11 | 55% | 45% | 1.1x55%=60.5% | 11x60.5%=665.5% | 45%+665.5%=710.5%=x7.105 |
| 12 | 60% | 40% | 1.1x60%=66% | 12x66%=792% | 40%+792%=832%=x8.32 | |
| Reachable in the grandmapocalypse with "Elder spice" and "Dragon Guts" | 13 | 65% | 35% | 1.1x65%=71.5% | 13x71.5%=929.5% | 35%+929.5%=964.5%=x9.645 |
| 14 | 70% | 30% | 1.1x70%=77% | 14x77%=1078% | 30%+1078%=1108%=x11.08 | |
| Depends on n | n (variable) | 5n% | (100-5n)% | 1.1x5n%=5.5n% | nx5.5n%=(5.5n^2)% | (100-5n)%+(5.5n^2)%=(5.5n^2-5n+100)%=x((5.5n^2-5n+100)/100) |
| With the heavenly upgrade "Sacrilegious corruption", remove x(1-0.05n), then multiply by 1.05, then add x(1-0.05n) again. With the aura "Dragon Guts", add x(0.011n^2-0.01n). (Add x(0.01155n^2-0.01n) instead of that, if you have "Sacrilegious corruption".)With the aura "Reality Bending", add x(0.0011n^2-0.001n). (Add x(0.001155n^2-0.001n) instead of that, if you have "Sacrilegious corruption".) Make sure that you do them in that exact order. | ||||||
True, One Mind also comes with the downside of turning some of your golden cookies into wrath cookies, but it's not really all that big of a downside. Not only do wrath cookies result in positive outcomes nearly as often as negative ones (and are the only way to encounter Elder Frenzies, see here), you can also just choose to ignore them if you want to. (Doing so is not recommended.)
To Pledge or not to pledge?[]
If you are an active player, pledging is generally considered the better option due to the benefits of easier golden combos. In the Grandmapocalypse, golden cookie frequency is reduced, making it not worth it. However, if you are a player who usually relies on idle cookie production, the benefits of occasional Elder Frenzies and boosts from Wrinklers exceeds the benefits of an extra frenzy you get every once in a while.
It is recommended to fully complete the Grandmapocalypse, because of the benefits to your cookies per second through upgrades such as Arcane Sugar. Both idle players and active players should complete the Grandmapocalypse, because idle players benefit from the extra CpS and faster Wrinkler spawn rates, and both playstyles benefit from the CpS multipliers.
Subtle variations can be made for several outstanding factors (e.g. Krumblor's Dragon Harvest, the various stock market loans, etc), but will not alter the overall effectiveness by much.
Strategy for achievements[]
You need to play the Grandmapocalypse through to its end to get the related achievements. More specifically, you need to issue 5 Pledges, and declare a Covenant, on top of popping at least 200 wrinklers (although the latter can be done right after buying the "One Mind" upgrade).
The later phases are also good for collecting all Halloween cookies and Easter eggs. Since you'll be popping wrinklers instantly when you are looking for these collectibles, you'll benefit from the faster spawn rate, and in the event you are simply going for collectibles, the potential negative downsides of having exclusively Wrath Cookies won't be as painful to your cookie production.
Elder Pledge is recommended over Elder Covenant due to the 5% CpS penalty, and Elder pledge is extremely cheap, as it takes 512 Quadrillion to finish to the Grandmapocalypse, and at that stage of the game, the prices to pledge are worth less than 1% of your bank at any given time.
That said, the Covenant is useful as an indirect way to cancel out of a pledge early. If you are about to go idle and want to cancel a pledge, you can't do it directly. However, you can replace the pledge with a Covenant, and Covenants can be cancelled.
History[]
Cookie Clicker v1.03[]
The Grandmapocalypse returned alongside various other grandma-related updates in version "1.03", which was then quickly updated once again with only Grandmapocalypse-related updates in version "1.031". It is triggered after buying the "One mind" upgrade from the Research Facility, and is furthered by buying "Communal brainsweep" and finally "Elder Pact".
Known effects of this event include the background changing into a painting of grandmothers slowly acquiring a demonic appearance and Wrath Cookies occasionally (or once angered enough, always) appearing instead of Golden Cookies. Once the Grandmapocalypse begins, the "special" segment of the Stats page will indicate the Grandmatriarch's mood, from "Awoken", "Displeased", to finally "Angered". Starting with Version 1.0393, the Grandmas in the Store section will distort as the Grandmapocalypse advances, and Wrinklers, leechlike creatures that decrease CpS until popped, begin appearing.
In Cookie Clicker Classic[]
The Grandmapocalypse starts once you've accumulated over 1,000,000 cookies. The screen becomes covered in a shaking, flashing, tiled background of grandmas. As you gain more cookies, the Grandmapocalypse becomes more intense, with more images of different grandmas of various sizes and intensity beginning to show up.
The Elder Pledge[]
The Grandmapocalypse can be temporarily halted by purchasing the Elder Pledge, an upgrade which becomes available after accumulating over 2 million cookies. The first iteration of this upgrade costs 666,666 cookies and increases the effectiveness of your clicking, and boosts the CpS of your grandmas based on your number of portals.
The boost in CpS from purchasing the Elder Pledge can be a huge gift in the beginning of the end game of Cookie Clicker. Players can increase their clicking output by over 100x with enough cursors which can give a huge boost to cookie output when saving for additional Portals or Time Machines.
Trivia[]
- Sometimes, switching windows can cause the grandma background to get 'stuck' in its current state until you buy another upgrade that changes it. (Does not work anymore as of version 1.0375)
- Elder Covenant used to cost 666 trillion cookies, and cut CpS by 20% instead of 5%.
- "The Grandmapocalypse" is a satire reference of labor unions, where the working class organizes in order to improve their pay and working conditions[1], decreasing the accumulation of wealth, of which "Wrinklers" are inspired from, also satirically.
Notes[]
- ↑ Purchasing the One mind upgrade triggers the beginning of the Grandmapocalypse.
- ↑ Elder Pledge is unavailable while Elder Covenant is in effect.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Unlike most "number of actions" achievements, the Wrinkler and Reindeer achievements are counted in a single game, not all time: Ascending will reset the counter.
| Cookie Clicker game mechanics | |
|---|---|
| Cookies | Cookie Clicker • Clicking • Buildings |
| General | Achievements • Golden Cookies • Milk • Sugar Lumps • News Ticker • Options • Cheating Cookies per Second (CpS) • Cookies per Click (CpC) |
| Upgrades | Upgrades overview Multipliers: Flavored Cookies • Kittens Research: Grandmapocalypse • Wrath Cookies • Wrinklers • Shiny wrinklers |
| Ascension | Ascension • Heavenly Chips • Challenge Mode • Krumblor |
| Seasons | Seasons overview Valentine's Day • Business Day • Easter • Halloween • Christmas |
| Minigames | Minigames overview Garden • Stock Market • Pantheon • Grimoire • Dungeons (Beta) |
| Further reading | Gameplay |
- ↑ "...association of workers in a particular trade, industry, or company created for the purpose of securing improvements in pay, benefits, working conditions, or social and political status through collective bargaining." Trade Union. Introduction (2024.) In The New Encyclopedia Britannica https://www.britannica.com/money/trade-union
