How Much Does It Cost to Upgrade Relics in Honkai: Star Rail?
The Relic system in Honkai: Star Rail (HSR) is crucial for optimizing your characters’ builds and tackling challenging content. However, upgrading these Relics to their maximum potential requires a significant investment of resources. Simply put, maxing out a 5-star Relic from level 0 to level 15 will cost you approximately 253,440 Credits and 1011 Relic EXP which can be obtained from fodder relics and Lost Gold fragments. The exact cost can fluctuate slightly depending on the quality of the fodder Relics used and the number of “Great” and “Super” successes encountered during the upgrade process, which can reduce the resource needed.
Understanding Relic Upgrading in HSR
Relics in Honkai: Star Rail are essentially equipment that directly affects your characters’ stats. They come in various sets, each providing unique bonuses when equipped together. Optimizing your team involves finding the right Relics with favorable main stats and sub-stats, then upgrading them to maximize their effectiveness. The upgrade process itself isn’t inherently complicated, but the resource investment required to achieve optimal results can be substantial. Understanding the underlying mechanics and resource costs is key to efficient Relic management.
The Core Components: Credits and Relic EXP
The primary resources needed for upgrading Relics are Credits (the game’s main currency) and Relic EXP. Credits are acquired through various in-game activities, such as completing Calyxes, Simulated Universe runs, and completing daily missions. Relic EXP is primarily obtained by sacrificing other Relics as “fodder” during the upgrade process. You can also use Lost Gold Fragments, which are specifically designed to provide large amounts of Relic EXP. Lost Gold Fragments are gained from events, Nameless Honor (battle pass), and assignments.
Upgrade Levels and Resource Consumption
Relics can be upgraded from level 0 to level 15. Each level increases the Relic’s main stat and periodically unlocks or enhances sub-stats. The cost in Credits and Relic EXP increases exponentially with each level. Therefore, the jump from level 14 to level 15 is significantly more expensive than the jump from level 0 to level 1. This exponential increase in cost is a major factor in the overall investment required to max out Relics.
Randomness Factors: Great and Super Successes
The upgrade process isn’t entirely deterministic. When upgrading a Relic, there’s a chance of experiencing a “Great Success” or a “Super Success”. These events provide significantly more Relic EXP than normal, effectively reducing the amount of Credits and fodder Relics required. While these successes are welcome and help reduce costs, they are entirely random, making it impossible to reliably factor them into your resource calculations. Thus the numbers of 253,440 Credits and 1011 Relic EXP for maxing a 5-star relic from level 0 to 15 is for the worst-case scenario without “Great Success” or a “Super Success”.
Strategies for Efficient Relic Upgrading
Given the high cost of upgrading Relics, it’s crucial to adopt efficient strategies to minimize resource consumption and maximize your returns. Careful planning and resource management are essential for optimizing your Relic builds without draining your in-game resources.
Prioritizing Your Resources
Not all Relics are created equal. Before investing heavily in upgrading a Relic, consider its main stat, sub-stats, and set bonus. Focus on upgrading Relics with the most desirable stats for your specific characters and team compositions. For example, a Relic with Crit Rate, Crit DMG, Attack, and Speed sub-stats is generally more valuable than a Relic with Defense, HP, and Effect Resistance sub-stats for damage-dealing characters.
Fodder Management
Efficiently managing your fodder Relics is crucial. Avoid immediately upgrading every Relic you acquire. Instead, carefully evaluate their potential based on their stats and only upgrade those that align with your desired builds. Use lower-rarity Relics (3-star and 4-star) as fodder for upgrading your 5-star Relics. Regularly clear out your Relic inventory to avoid clutter and ensure you have enough space for new acquisitions.
Understanding Sub-stat Growth
Each Relic has four sub-stats. When upgrading a Relic, sub-stats will either be unlocked (if the Relic has fewer than four) or enhanced (if the Relic already has four). The enhancement process is random, meaning any of the four sub-stats can be upgraded. This randomness is a significant factor in the cost of upgrading Relics, as you might end up investing heavily in a Relic only to have its undesirable sub-stats enhanced repeatedly. It’s important to note that the value of sub-stats is important too. A flat HP sub-stat is generally less valuable than a percentage-based HP sub-stat.
The Role of Lost Gold Fragments
Lost Gold Fragments are extremely valuable for quickly leveling up Relics. Use them strategically on Relics that you are confident you want to invest in. Prioritize using them on 5-star Relics, as they provide the most value at higher levels. You can acquire Lost Gold Fragments from various in-game activities, including events, battle pass rewards, and assignments.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Relic Upgrading
1. What are the different Relic rarities and how do they affect the cost of upgrading?
Relics come in rarities ranging from 2-star to 5-star. Higher rarity Relics have higher potential stats and require more resources to upgrade. The cost of upgrading a 5-star Relic is significantly higher than that of a lower rarity Relic.
2. How do I obtain Relics in Honkai: Star Rail?
Relics are primarily obtained from Caverns of Corrosion, which are special domains dedicated to Relic farming. You can also obtain Relics from Simulated Universe, events, and some story quests.
3. What are the main stats and sub-stats on Relics?
Main stats are the primary stats that a Relic provides, such as ATK, DEF, HP, Crit Rate, Crit DMG, etc. Sub-stats are additional stats that provide smaller bonuses. The choice of main stats and sub-stats is crucial for optimizing your characters’ builds.
4. How do I know which Relics are best for my characters?
The best Relics for your characters depend on their role in the team and their specific needs. Generally, damage-dealing characters benefit from Relics with ATK, Crit Rate, and Crit DMG, while support characters benefit from Relics with HP, DEF, and Speed. It’s recommended to research character guides and consult with experienced players to determine the optimal Relic builds for your specific characters.
5. What is the maximum level for Relics in Honkai: Star Rail?
The maximum level for Relics is level 15.
6. Can I reset a Relic’s level and recover the resources I invested?
No, currently there is no mechanism for resetting a Relic’s level and recovering the resources you invested in it. Therefore, it’s crucial to carefully consider which Relics to upgrade before committing your resources.
7. How often should I farm Relics?
You should farm Relics regularly, especially once you reach the late-game stages. The quality of your Relics significantly impacts your ability to clear challenging content.
8. Are there any events that increase Relic drop rates?
Yes, the game often features events that increase the drop rates of Relics in Caverns of Corrosion. Be sure to take advantage of these events to maximize your Relic farming efficiency.
9. What is the significance of Relic sets?
Equipping multiple Relics from the same set provides additional bonuses. These set bonuses can significantly enhance your characters’ stats and abilities.
10. Can I equip Relics from different sets on the same character?
Yes, you can equip Relics from different sets, but you will only receive the set bonuses for the number of Relics equipped from each set. For example, equipping two Relics from one set and two from another will grant you the 2-piece set bonus for both sets.
11. What is the best way to use Lost Gold Fragments?
The best way to use Lost Gold Fragments is to strategically invest them in 5-star Relics that you are confident you want to upgrade. They provide a significant boost to Relic EXP, making them a valuable resource for quickly leveling up your best Relics.
12. Is it worth upgrading 4-star Relics?
Upgrading 4-star Relics can be a temporary solution for early-game content, but you should prioritize upgrading 5-star Relics as soon as you have access to them. 4-star Relics have lower potential stats and set bonuses compared to 5-star Relics.
13. How do “Great Success” and “Super Success” affect the upgrading cost?
“Great Success” and “Super Success” provide bonus Relic EXP during the upgrading process. These events reduce the amount of Credits and fodder Relics required to reach the desired level. However, they are random and cannot be relied upon.
14. What are the most important stats to look for on Relics?
The most important stats to look for on Relics depend on the character’s role. Crit Rate, Crit DMG, ATK, and Speed are generally important for damage-dealing characters. HP, DEF, and Effect Resistance are important for support characters. Energy Regeneration Rate is important for characters who rely on their Ultimate abilities.
15. Should I prioritize upgrading main stats or sub-stats?
You should prioritize upgrading the main stat, as it provides a more significant stat boost. However, it’s also important to consider the sub-stats, especially when choosing between two Relics with similar main stats. Ideally, you want a Relic with a desirable main stat and beneficial sub-stats.