So you've just started playing Honkai Impact 3rd and have no idea what to do... Here's a comprehensive guide that covers what to focus on, so that you can build good daily habits and have a smooth and enjoyable experience~
Ai-chan's walkthrough[emoji]
In the beginning, Ai-chan will lead you through the story stages. where you'll learn the controls and attack sequences for our favourite Kiana, Mei and Bronya. Following that, Ai-chan will reach you on levelling up your valkyries, gear and stigmata. These are the super-basics for every new captain, so simply follow the instructions and you're on the right track!
Starter's Event [emoji]
After Ai-chan has given you the freedom to explore, you'd want to check out the Starter's Event button at the bottom-middle of your screen. The Starter's Event contains multiple tabs, each with a list of tasks to complete.
1. Path to Greatness:
Path to Greatness is the generic account progression tasks that have simple tasks, but these tasks provide HUGE rewards such as crystals and dorm supply cards! Definitely worth doing due to its simplicity and high returns!
2. Level-up Sprint:
Level up Sprint provides you with more crystals and dorm supply ticket rewards for every 5 to 10 captain levels. There are no tasks associated with this, with the only requirements being the Captain level~
3. Growth Boost:
Want to enjoy the Gacha-experience without spending crystals? Growth boost contains a series of tasks that provides Growth Supply Tickets, and these tickets are used to pull rewards from the Growth Supply. The growth supply contains good early-game stigmata, valkyrie fragments and crystals, which are very helpful for your account progression! Do take note that some tasks in the growth supply refresh daily, while other tasks are cumulative-based.
4. Beginner Shop:
Under the Growth Boost tab is a Beginner Shop option that sells upgrade materials, fragments and more. The shop resets everyday and the prices of the items are insanely cheap, so do clear the shop everyday if possible!
5. Daily Prep:
Your daily warm-up with Honkai, also known as the daily prep stage. Daily prep stages can be done 3 times a day, and provide good rewards. New stages get unlocked every 5 to 10 levels, each with increasing difficulty and better rewards. With high returns from clearing the stage, doing these stages daily is a must!
6. Starter Supply:
Your very first valkyrie banner! The starter supply gives a 50/50 S-rank valkyrie, where you can get either Herrscher of Thunder (HoT) or Azure Empyrea (AE). HoT is a high-end Lightning DPS valkyrie, while AE is one of the best elemental supports in the game. Both valkyries are excellent to have, but overtime they may be phased out (HoT already having Mobius as its substitute), so I would suggest on saving your crystals for a more current valkyries.
So now you're orientated to the Starter's Event set-up, let's move on to the gameplay~
Gameplay [emoji]
1. Story Stages:
Story Stages start off with a slice-of-life style, showing you the daily lives of Kiana, Mei and Bronya. It's all fun and games in their school life, until we reach the infamous Chapter 9. No spoilers here, but do play through the Story Stages, where you'll officially be ONE OF US after Chapter 9~
2. Chronicles:
Not enough Captain levels to progress through the story? Don't worry, Chronicles got your back! Chronicles are side-stories about past events, or side stories that happen alongside the main story, but aren't featured. For example, one of the Chronicles shows Theresa's past and upbringing, were we can learn about her origin and backstory.
3. Open World:
Want to explore a Map like Genshin Impact? Open World does just that! The first Open World you'll unlock is Sakura Samsara, where you'll follow through the wholesome story between Yae Sakura and Kallen Kaslana. The Open World contains adventure tasks that you can unlock using Stamina, but I suggest to do this sparingly in the beginning (at most 5 times a week), as the stamina consumption is quite high here.
4. Daily Material Stages:
Here is where you can perform daily stages to get upgrade materials and fulfill your daily task requirements. The stages here are pretty straightforward, and there's a instant-clear button for stages that you've completed before. Super convenient for everyone~
5. Infinity Abyss:
The first 'PVP' element, where you compete against other other valkyries in completing as many stages as fast as possible. Infinity Abyss puts your valkyries to the test, as you attempt to clear stages that become progressively more difficult. This mode runs twice a week, Monday and Friday, where you'll be able to earn crystals from trying at the stage at least once!
6. Memorial Arena:
The next 'PVP' element, where you'll be given 3 bosses to fight. The catch is that your valkyries and equipment can only be used once per boss, thus putting your team composition skills to the test. In the beginning you may have a lack of valkyries to clear all the bosses efficiently, but my advice to do at least 10 attempts each week to clear the weekly attempts reward.
7. Universal Mirage:
Universal Mirage provides you with crafting materials that allow you forge valkyrie-specific Weapons and Stigmatas for your valkyries to use. There are 4 elements to choose from (Ice, Fire, Lightning and Physical), and each section consists of 6 levels that get progressively more difficult, but provide better rewards. Initially you may only be able to clear level 2 to 3 for each section, but that's okayy!
With a maximum of 6 tickets and a daily refresh of +1 ticket, my advice is to do them consistently to slowly farm and accumulate Ether Fuel for future gear forging. Fun Fact: Some equipment and stigmata in Forge used to be gacha-only equipments, so the Foundry is the best place to get these gear for free!
Tired of MASHING Buttons? Let's move to the non-combat aspect of Honkai!
Non-combat Gameplay [emoji]
Dorm [emoji]
Dorm is a place for your valks to chill and hangout, providing you with non-combat content and interactions with your favourite valkyries!
1. Dorm Errands:
What makes a true valkyrie is of course, CHORES... Dorm errands is where you can send your valks off to do some cleaning, shopping and groceries, which provide you good rewards. Doing chores uses a different form of stamina called Onigiri, as the doing chores make your valks hungry~ UwU
2. Dorm Expedition:
Not enough time to play Honkai? Dorm Expedition is just for you! It allows valks to clear story stages off-screen and you'll be able to collect the rewards after you're back from a busy day. In the beginning where you're doing a lot of story stages, you will not really need to do Dorm expeditions, thus saving stamina. However, once you're busy or have played through all the story stages, then doing dorm expeditions to fulfill your daily task is the way to go!
3. Dorm Misc.:
The dorm has 2 machines that generate coins and store excess stamina. Do remember to collect your coins daily and excess stamina whenever you are in need of them!
Armada [emoji]
Armada is like a 'guild', where you can join a community of fellow Captains and help each other out!
1. Commissions
Commissions is an open-donation drive where you can donate items to fellow players to help them out. In exchange, you'll stand a chance to receive awesome rewards such as valk fragments Dorm Supply tickets!
2. Warehouse
To give, and to receive... Warehouse is where you get to request specific items from your fellow armada mates, and hopefully they'll fulfill your requests! Request items may vary from valkyrie fragments to upgrading and forging materials.
3. Sim Battle
Sim Battle allows you to experience the full capabilities of a whale, I mean of a fully geared team setup. Here you get to rekt bosses like you never could before, and get tempted to empty your wallets to get the good stuff! Very good indeed XD
Cadet-Sensei System [emoji]
Here you can link yourself up with more experienced captains who are able to guide you through your account progression and help you with anything that you're not sure of!
1. Cadet-Sensei Tasks:
The system provides you with a list of tasks that upon completion, provide you with juicy rewards such as crystals and dorm supply tickets! Your sensei will get a sensei-currency, which is equally valuable, so it's a win-win for everyone :DD
2. Q&A:
"Ask and you shall receive". If there's anything that you're not sure of, be-it game mechanics, gear investments or storyline stuff, don't be afraid to hit your sensei up! I'm sure your sensei would be glad to help, and y'all might even become friends! Honkai is so much more fun when there's friends around amirite?
Conclusion [emoji]
Overall, Honkai Impact 3rd is a long-term game that has been going strong for 5 years, and it's only going to get even better! The game may be a bit confusing for new players, but rest assured, we were all equally lost when we just started as well~ Take your time, enjoy the story, and everything will be fine :D
Thanks for reading my Starter's Guide to Honkai Impact 3rd, and I hope this guide has been helpful for you! [emoji]
