Introduction
Milky Way Idle is a multiplayer idle RPG inspired by classic MMORPGs like Runescape, featuring a whimsical theme of magical cows in space. Developed by chezecow (Peter) and his wife aowoo (artist), the game launched in beta on July 2, 2022, with a full release on April 22, 2023.
It combines automated progression, resource management, crafting, and combat, designed to minimize active clicking for a relaxed yet engaging experience. Players can progress offline for up to 10 hours (extendable), trade in a player-driven marketplace, join guilds, and socialize via in-game chat.
How to play
Getting started
- Create a Character: Choose between Standard mode (full market access) or IronCow mode (limited market, no trading except cowbells). You can have up to four character slots (one Standard, three IronCow).
- Tutorial: Follow the in-game beginner’s guide (bottom-left corner) to learn basics. Completing it grants 80 cowbells and a cheese sword (skippable for advanced players).
Core mechanics
- Automated actions: Select an action (e.g., milking, crafting, combat), and your character repeats it automatically until you change it. Queue multiple actions for sequential execution.
- Offline progress: The game progresses for up to 10 hours offline (extendable with cowbells). Prioritize purchasing action queue and offline progress upgrades with cowbells.
- Skills: Level up 17 skills, divided into:
- Gathering: Milking, Foraging, Woodcutting
- Production: Cheesesmithing, Crafting, Tailoring, Cooking, Brewing
- Enhancing: Improves equipment
- Combat: Stamina, Intelligence, Attack, Power, Defense, Magic, Ranged
- Aim to get each skill to ~Level 45 initially, prioritizing Cheesesmithing to craft tools (required at Levels 1, 10, 20, 35, 50, 65, 80).
- Resources and crafting: Gather resources (e.g., milk, wood) and craft items (tools, gear, consumables). Cheesesmithing is key early for tools that boost efficiency.
- Combat: Fight monsters and bosses AFK with configurable abilities and consumables. Combat skills unlock diverse styles (Melee, Magic, Ranged). Avoid early group combat to maximize solo experience gains. Use the MWI Combat Simulator (via MWITools addon) to optimize setups.
