Gold Rush stockpile theft and vault attacks: what is the difference?

The short answer

An online player's gold stockpile cannot be stolen. A vault attack is a separate action that requires the appropriate attack opportunity. Being online is not a blanket promise that every building or every resource is immune to every action.

Identify the target before you act

The stockpile is the mine's collection point. Its displayed amount and capacity concern mined gold waiting to be collected. The gold vault is a separate building. Clicking one should not be interpreted as using the other's rules.

Before visiting another kingdom, inspect the online/offline status shown in the leaderboard. Status may change between opening the list and attempting an action, so the server's response at the time of the attempt is what matters. Refreshing a page does not override an online player's stockpile protection.

Why can a theft or attack fail?

For a stockpile attempt, an online target is a reason for rejection. For a vault attack, opening a kingdom alone does not grant an attack opportunity: the game requires the corresponding GO opportunity or an available revenge action. Other current game checks still apply.

Do not estimate your reward as the full number beside a player on the leaderboard. Ranking wealth is a comparison value, not a quotation for a raid. The action result and the resulting resource balance are the relevant records.

A practical defense routine

Collect mined gold before the stockpile remains full for a long period, then inspect your building and task progress. Learn the separate stockpile and vault rules before using scarce attack opportunities. This keeps your decisions tied to visible game state rather than guesses about another kingdom.

Online protection applies to the stockpile rule described here. This guide does not promise invulnerability, guaranteed loot or a financial return. All Gold earned or lost remains an in-game resource.