Things to Note When Starting

First, Honkai Impact 3 is a 10-year old game. There is a lot of story content to catch up, and early games also include many external reading sources. Newer story chapters are in semi-open world mode that has few side quests you can farm for crystals. Crystals is the main currency of the game used to gacha characters.

HI3 UI is not yet modernized, it’s really normal if you are not used to with the game buttons and what to do. Beginners are expected to rely on community like armada and experienced senseis, which are real players that you can interact in game and for crystal rewards.

HI3 has one main event and several few smaller events per patch. Main events have their own story, sometimes tied to the main story, sometimes not. HI3 events don’t give out many crystals relatively compared to HSR, but events are still very worth to clear especially because some has connections to story.

HI3 gives out older characters and/or their rankup (Eidolon counterpart) really generously, many can even be farmed on shops.

The endgame modes, Superstring Dimension and Memorial Arena, have leaderboard-based systems and refresh often (twice per week for Superstring Dimension and once for Memorial Arena). In addition, Superstring Dimension is tiered based on continuous performance in said leaderboard, and even has few extra crystals when players are able to retain higher tiers. Memorial Arena doesn’t grant much crystals per week.

There is another game mode, Elysian Realm, complete with its lores and story, and endgame content refreshes every week that rewards you with Crystals.

P2W Game? No.

The game is known to rely on meta and P2W from mouth to mouth, but this is NOT COMPLETELY TRUE. Rather, the game builds way too heavy and confusing mechanics (niches). Early in the game, the mechanics don’t matter much, but it’s so apparent once you break through and enter the endgame. These mechanics are never communicated well to players, players are expected to look for guides to solve the mechanics so they can advance well in endgame modes. Please don’t confuse complicated and untold mechanics with P2W game.

The game is not character building focused, but team building focused. As I mentioned, there are leaderboard-based endgames and one give extra crystals the higher performance you score, but mastering Superstring and Memorial Arena require high learning curve as well as skill. Whaling don’t solve the high learning curve until you’re in the topmost tier that you gained through skill as well.

In fact, the newest team building system actually allows large flexibility and team combinations, making the game more F2P friendly but requires more consistency to gather crystals and pull the complementing characters (in HI3, we call characters valkyries or battlesuits). Once you gain 3 newer valkyries and you keep up with the game’s mechanics, things will get easier.

How does Honkai Helpers help?

Honkai Helpers provide both quick and comprehensive helps. For quick helps, you just have to click the next tabs. As you advance through the game, you might want to explore more things the game has, but you can always start from this page again. The next tabs have references from the same website that you might be interested on for the comprehensive guides.

The comprehensive guides mentioned contain both generalized and valkyrie or team-specific guides to help you understand basic to intermediate HI3 mechanics. The guide ranges from HI3 mechanics rule of thumb, the newest team building system, Astral Ring guide, to endgame modes general guides, the first of such scale in HI3.

In addition, there are reference guides made by the Helpers’ partners too. These are for clearing endgame modes. Kindly check those out!

The Helpers know people seek HI3 for its story. Honkai Helpers provides story guide complete with the links so you can access external links quickly from one source. Story guide is also arranged by reading order so there are more context to each passing content in correct order.

Story is Honkai Impact 3’s main attraction. We’ve heard new players are often confused with story orders because early story progressions are mixed with external resources such as Manga and Visual Novel.

To help beginners on correct reading order, we have gathered story order and put it into a TL;DR complete with reading links.

Story progression is rarely capped by current characters (we call them Valkyries) on hand. HI3 story often provides you with trial characters. Bosses aren’t especially difficult in early chapters, and you are given choice to enable HP protection so your teams won’t die while battling boss.

Early chapters up to Chapter 42 are replayable, but they consume Stamina each time you’re playing for up to 10 Stamina per stage.

P2 chapters are unreplayable, only bosses are. Playing through P2 chapters require no stamina, and the format is semi-open world.

For those wanting to only play HI3 for its story, then that’s it for the guide.

How to farm Crystals?

There are many crystals source in HI3. Many of them can only be farmed once, but some are periodical crystals source.

One-time Crystals Source

There are multiple One-time Crystals Source, such as:

1. Story Chapters (including side quests)

2. Voyage Anecdotes

3. Chronicles (Under Voyage Anecdotes Menu)

4. Sensei Examinations (Under Friends Menu)

5. Elysian Realm when you first obtain certain new valkyries, clear Shallow Sequence, and level them up to level 15 (in ER)

6. Achievements

Regular Crystals Source

Here is the complete crystal source list and calculations through a patch IN GENERAL, assuming an 8-week (56 days) patch and for lv 81+ tier captains: F2P:

1. Daily Duty: 56d x 40 crys = 2,240
2. Daily Sign-In: ~14 times x 50 crys = ~700
3. Daily HoyoLab Sign-In: ~10 times x 10 crys = ~100
4. Weekly Armada: 8w x 25 crys = 200 Note: your armada HAS to be active enough to obtain this reward. More about armada here.
5. Weekly share: 8w x 30 crys = 240
6. Elysian Realm: 8w x 500 crys = 4,000 Note: Corruption or above (2.5x +) level
7. Memorial Arena: 8w x 140 crys = 1,120 Note: You need to clear all SSS bosses with 46080 and 38400 score respectively, translating to around 2 minutes of Memorial Arena time.
8. Abyss: 16 times x 420 crys = 6,720 Note: On assumption you retain Masters’ Red Lotus/Exalted Agony 3 comfortably.
9. BP (F2P): 1,250 crys
10. Tutorials (valk&weapons) & Version Share: 85 crys
11. Version Survey: 200 crys
12. Maintenance: 600 crys
13. Story Chapter: 340 crys Notes: BASED on v8.8 featured story chapter
14. All events: 1020 crys
15. Livestream: 350 crys Notes: BASED on all v8.8 events

TOTAL: ~19,165 crys for F2P Players.

Abyss Rewards full list here

Monthly only Players: 56d x 60 crys + ~4 x 500 crys = ~5,360 additional crystals

Total = ~24,525 crystals

Monthly + Paid BP (2,000 crys): ~26,525 crystals

Remember, this is a rough estimation of crystals earned in an 8 week patch. You can also check crystal calculator made by Carrak here.

Now that you’ve stacked crystals, you’d like to know who should you pull, right?

Who Should I Pull?

There are two extremes when you ask that question: the Meta Answer and the Casual Answer. Both shall be answered here.

Who Should I Pull? (Meta Answer)

Pull the newest Valkyrie AND their Signature Weapon, as they are mostly guaranteed to last the longest in the current meta in the current patch and the next few patches in the future.

Hard Fact: HI3’s harder content (Q-Manifold/Superstring Dimension, A.K.A. Abyss, and Memorial Arena) are usually centered around the Valkyries currently featured in the limited gachas (Battlesuit & Equipment Supply).

Higher Valkyrie S-ranks, better gear, and better team compositions equal to higher scores in the Abyss leaderboard, of which is especially true in the higher Abyss ranks (notably, Red Lotus and Nirvana). Though, do note that better Valks and gear do NOT equal better scores if you are just blindly pressing buttons, but that is another matter.

Now, after saving up and pulling the newest Valkyrie and her weapon, your next step is, obviously, to pull the rest of her team!

Keep in mind that in HI3, a Valkyrie’s “best team” is not fixed, especially now with P2’s Astral Ring (AR) mechanics prevalent in the meta.

Generally, if this is your first time making an AR Valkyrie team - as a New Player or a Returnee - your best “pull” strategy is to pick the two other newest Valkyries who share the same Astral Ring Attributes with the P2 Valkyrie whose team you are building. Check out our Astral Ring guide.

For example, if your Valkyrie is of the “Grail of Infinitude” Astral Ring Specialization, you should aim for the two other newest Valkyries with the matching “Symbiosis” Astral Ring Attribute. The term “newest” in this case could be an already released Valkyrie who fits this description (“backpull”), or a Valkyrie just revealed in CN-beta or just released in the advanced CN server (“save”). 

Simply, a vital rule in HI3 Meta is “New/Current Gacha = Shill”. Like other games, new version will shill the debuting valkyrie through Q-Manifold/Superstring Dimension, Memorial Arena, and Elysian Realm weekly challenges. You’ll notice the debuting valkyrie shill might not be as bad as version passes depends on the other banners, but this shouldn’t deter you too much as Honkai Impact 3 is a matured game, so does the complexity.

Once you get these two new Valkyries for your team (and their respective weapons), you would have built a “base team” (at minimum) for your first Valkyrie, which is honestly the hardest part for any New Player/Returnee to do. At this point, you’ll have a bit more flexibility on who you must pull to keep up with HI3’s meta (basically, just repeat the earlier steps, again and again), and maybe even pull for your first gacha Astral Op to round your first team up. 

SP Characters in HI3

SP characters in HI3 is especially common. Make sure you refer a character by her battlesuit name instead of her name when asking experienced players.

Ranks and Rarity

In HI3, instead of Eidolon, it uses Rank system. Every valkyrie maximum rank is SSS or E6. Thing is, the minimum rank of a valkyrie decides on her rarity.

1. S-Rank valkyries are equal to 5* rarity.
2. A-Rank valkyries are equal to 4* rarity.
3. You are given B-Rank valkyries early in the game, meaning 3* rarity? Valkyries can be ranked up through pulling their character copies in gacha, or collecting their fragments or stamps (1 stamp = 10 fragments). Given HI3 age, collecting fragments for S-Rank valkyries are easy especially for older valkyries. Like Eidolon, valkyries unlock new or upgrade skills (or both) through rank-ups. The difference is, valkyries get stats boost through rankups too.

Note that there is no new A-Rank valkyries since v7.3.

Should you vertically invest on Valkyries?

Meta-wise, it’s better to have as many valkyries as possible to cover up types, elements, and mechanics rather than vertically invest on one valkyrie/team.

Astral Ring Introduction

HI3 introduces a new system, Astral Ring (AR) system in v7.3. Every crystal investment should be focused on building Astral Ring system rather than investing on older valkyries of previous systems, even if you get them for free.

AR System enables compatible teams to be mix-and-matched unlike the previous system, allowing more flexible team combinations built with just few valkyries. Only some newer valkyries are categorized as AR valkyries. AR valkyries ALL function as BOTH DPS and supports. When an AR valkyrie is the leader of the team, she is the dps. Otherwise, she is one of the supports.

AR valkyries are able to enter special state named Stellar Outburst, and are divided to 5 Astral Ring Specializations each with unique Stellar Outburst mechanics.

Stellar Outburst (SO)

Special state enabled when your valkyrie wields Astral Ring and you click the purple button. Your valkyrie in field enters a special animation scene with your AstralOP (all timer is stopped), and she and team enter a state called Stellar Outburst for a certain duration. AR Valkyries enter an enhanced state and will behave differently depending on their Astral Ring Specialization. When entering Stellar Outburst, most team buffs are automatically refreshed.

Close

Astral Ring (AR) Specialization

AR Specialization protects an AR valkyrie and grants her the power to activate AR-related buffs, Stellar Outburst-related special mechanics, and sync with fellow AR valkyries in the field. So far, there are 5 introduced AR Specialization, but as confirmed by Part 2 Chapter 1 Opening cutscene there are 12 of them. Each AR Specialization has its own unique mechanics. AR Specialization that is activated in the field is the AR Specialization protecting the valkyrie leader.

Close

Astral Ring (AR) Attributes

One or more unique traits only AR Valkyries have to correspond other AR Valkyries. If an AR valkyrie own an AR Attribute that corresponds strongly to her team leader’s AR Specialization, she can utilize her leader’s special mechanisms triggered in Stellar Outburst, and in turn greatly boosts the leader’s DMG. AR valkyries have more than one AR Attribute, except Valkyrie Boltstorm.

Close

The chart below lists the 5 Astral Ring Specializations and Attributes, and describes their relationships.

Quick Summary

• A-rank Coralie and Helia are good placeholder supports
• You don’t need to pull premium astral ops if you are F2P
• Build your team around your leader’s specialization, but it’s not that necessary to backpull just to maximize your teams.

So, you might wonder now, what is HI3’s Rules of Meta?

TL;DR Rules of HI3 Meta

In Honkai Impact, valkyries are divided to 4 Elements and 6 Types. Each valkyrie has exactly 1 Element and 1 Type and these affect her niche.

Type and Type Chart

Below is the relationship of 6 Honkai Impact 3 valkyrie and boss types, by Hyperion Ai-Chan. Solid lines mean said type counters the other with increased damage, and dashed line means said type is countered with decreased damage.

So, how do you view a valkyrie’s type? You can view from her info card. It is the attribute to the right of her level.

To effectively combat enemies, deploy the right DPS type against the enemies. This will help you 50% of the time.

Element Type

Next is damage element. There are 4 elements in Honkai Impact 3.

1. Physical
2. Fire
3. Ice
4. Lightning

The last 3 elements are often collectively called Elemental DMG, and Physical DMG stands alone as it has very different DMG calculation from the rest of the three.

1. ONLY Physical DMG is capable of dealing Critical DMG. Please, please note this!
2. Impair debuff is only useful for Physical DMG. Aside from these, what you need to think of about Element Type is specific boss resistance or immunity. Resistance means reduced DMG, while Immunity means 0 DMG.

How do you view a valkyrie’s element type? You can view from her info card. It is the attribute to the right of her type.

Stats

There are 7 stats in HI3: HP, ATK, DEF, SP, CRT, Critical Rate, and Critical DMG. You can check your valkyries’ stats in Valkyrie > Upgrade page, although the last 2 are not shown in the Upgrade page.

HP, ATK, and DEF are pretty self-explanatory. SP is Skill Points, used by valkyries to use their Ultimate after reaching certain points. CRT can be converted to Crit Rate with this formula:

CRT / ( { [Valkyrie Level] x 5 + 75} x 100)

While Crit DMG can’t be shown in default.

1. Level the valkyrie up
2. Rank the valkyrie up
3. Affix: a menu under characters’ stigmata, used to directly add characters’ stats like ATK, critical damage, or SP regenerations. Think of rerolling affixes as rerolling relics in HSR aka RNG stats generated, but only several affix materials are needed instead of having to farm relics. Watch video below for more info.

Note: there are many affix stats boost, but you just need ATK and Crit DMG in affixes all the time. Very rarely, SP regeneration. 4. Divine Key and Gene Limit.

Divine Key and Gene Limit

Think of these 2 as HI3 equivalent of HSR Global Buff. When unlocked, they raise ALL valkyries stats.

Divine Keys are special type of weapons and require tuning to unleash their full power, and there are tons of them in HI3. When tuned, they raise valkyries’ ATK globally.

Gene Limit allows valkyries to temporarily boost their element damage or SP regeneration by using few coins. Albeit temporarily, you should never forget to reactivate them.

There are also a subgroup of Divine Keys named Stellar Key. Currently, they’re exclusively owned through gacha, and will allow older valkyries to activate Astral Ring. Owning each Stellar Key weapon also increases valkyries Global ATK.

As Stellar Keys are introduced after v7.8, they have synergies that can be increased to Synergy 3 by getting multiple weapon copies. Consider this as HI3 equivalent of GI weapon Refinement, it’s not as important to overinvest on weapon synergies.

The Importance of Stats

Stats in HI3 isn’t as important as HSR, especially when you just begin. It helps rerolling Stigmata Affixes for 6 Attacks, but don’t focus on them. The same applies to Divine and Stellar Keys. Gene Limit is always recommended to stay activated, however, especially once Coins are easy to access.

Learning about valkyries’ core attributes and stats will help your gaming experience 25-50% of the time. These 2 are enough for most of the beginner time before breaking through. Read more about HI3 core mechanics here.

Prefering someone to teach you about HI3 met? HI3 has Cadet & Sensei system in-game that rewards you crystals. HI3 also has armada, guild equivalent where you can socialize and learn more from other members about this game.

Sensei System

Honkai Impact 3rd has a Sensei system that would be really useful to guide people through the early game and earn extra crystals. You can watch this video by Laz-y for the Sensei system!

You’ll also notice there are some crystals given for every Sensei Exam phase cleared. You get 1740 crystals in total this way. Regardless of being able to clear all 10 Sensei Exam phases or not, once you reach level 80, you automatically graduate and the unfinished Exam phases can’t be accessed anymore. Once you graduate, you become the sensei that are ready to accept cadets, 2 maximum at a time.

This is as important. Although in-game senseis aren’t obliged to guide their cadets, it’s best you find senseis that truly want to teach and share love of Honkai Impact 3rd with you! One of the best ways to find senseis are through Official HI3 Discord server.

If your sensei can’t teach you, they should at least introduce you to their guild-equivalent of HI3, called armada, to find more players so you can interact and learn more.

Armada

HI3 has armada system that allows you to acquire more materials and interact with fellow armada members. To obtain rarer materials, you need to contribute in armada Commissions in exchange for daily rewards (armada commissions can be done daily for HI3 daily rewards and BP points).

In addition, there is also Armada Warehouse where you can request materials (some are very rare) to other members.

To join armada, simply search for the correct or quick join to join a random one in Armada button (right below in Bridge/Homepage).

Like sensei, you can also find more active armadas through Official HI3 Discord server so you can interact with armada members outside of the game.

By the way, leveling up to lv 80 means you will be going through Breakthrough process.

What is Breakthrough?

Reaching lv 80 will only take 1-2 months from a brand new Honkai Impact 3rd account. Once you reach level 80, the game will give you option whether to breakthrough or not.

1. If you choose not to Breakthrough, your level are capped to 80, with competitive content (Q-Manifold and Memorial Arena) remain way easier.
2. If you choose to Breakthrough, you can keep leveling up to 88. Once level up to 81, your next abyss will be replaced by Superstring Dimension and Memorial Arena entering the Exalted tier with SSS bosses available.

When Should You Breakthrough?

Breakthrough option stays there before you say yes, and you can always hold on not breaking through. Once you decide to, you can’t revert the decision. There are pros and cons to Breakthrough and not to. Breaking through means:

1. Harder abyss and Memorial Arena content, sometimes requiring you to try really hard, be really creative, or even spend money in game to stay on the topmost abyss tier and MA ranks.
2. But also means you gain more rewards from the same content, and you can continue leveling up your PRI-Arms to the max level (65).

Not breaking through means:

1. Clearing content way easier with less resources, valkyries, and efforts.
2. Less rewards gained and unmaxed PRI-arm weapons at lv. 50, with almost no up-to-date community guides for this level.

If you want to breakthrough, the Helpers’ suggestion is to prepare these:

1. Keep your level for a while until you can comfortably stay in Red Lotus Q-Manifold consecutively
2. Learn more advanced mechanics instead of depending on huge damage
3. Get at least 5 S-Rank ASTRAL RING valkyries where you can form at least 3 teams of different Astral Ring Specialization.

This way, you could be able to handle more niches, which is the main concern in HI3 endgames.

Congratulations on completing the Beginner Guides! Hope your journey in HI3 is smooth~ remember to come back if you still have questions. It’s alright to ask about HI3, even encouraged!