> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://degendefense.gitbook.io/degendefense-docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://degendefense.gitbook.io/degendefense-docs/guardian/summoning-and-upgrading.md).

# Summoning and Upgrading

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* **Recruit:** The Recruit feature is mainly used outside of matches in the game’s menu (“Recruit Section”). Players spend "Key" to perform summons (1x or 10x) to acquire Guardians (Common, Rare, Epic, Legendary, Mythic). These summons determine the pool of Guardians available to the player for building their team.
* **Team Setup:** All Guardians obtained through the Recruit feature will be added to your team.
* **Upgrading:** Spend Gold and Guardian fragments in the “Guardian Section” to level up units, prioritizing those with slowdown effects (e.g., Shock Troop) or high damage