Gold and gears in Honkai Star Rail: how to [guide]

Virtual Universe: Gold and Gears in "Invasion of the Swarm", and the changes to the mysterious Bones retain the element of chance and “game of chance”, but provide the opportunity to experiment with the blessings of the Aeons.

In the guide we will look in detail at the features of the Gold and gears mode in HSR, the key tasks of ing and all the changes in the power-up system.

What is the Virtual Universe: Gold and Gears

Gold and gears in HSR - the second addition to the permanent game mode "Invasion of the Swarm", “Gold and Gears” brings variety to the progression process. The mode offers an updated system for selecting power-ups, additional information about the Aeons is revealed, and it is also possible to get a new Path for completing the original activity.

The journey through the stages is in many ways similar to the first expansion - it appears chessboard with random generation of zones. The main changes affected the effects bones, which in adjacent mode are activated when interacting with “visiting devices”. In this activity, you will have the opportunity to independently customize the edges, choosing only the desired enhancements.

The main task of “Gold and Gears” is to collect chapters "Secrets of Mastery" in random events "Self-Awareness". As you progress, new branches of the story naturally open up, for which you will be rewarded. Among the possible awards, it is worth highlighting imprints of fate.

How to open Gold and gears in Honkai: Star Rail

Before proceeding to the age of “Gold and Gears”, you must fulfill the mandatory requirements:

reach 35 Mastering level;
the 5 World "Virtual Universe" on any difficulty.

Next, the Pioneer’s phone in one of the group chats will receive a message from “I Love Red Beans”, along with which an introductory task will appear "Gold and Gears: The Beginning".

Talk to Hertha in her office, located in the southwest corner of the Main Control Area on the Hertha Space Station. The scientist will offer to take part in the updated “Virtual Universe” mode. After fulfilling all the conditions and completing the training mission, you can begin your journey through any levels of the “Dimensions”. Side missions will gradually open up "Gold and Gears: Secrets of KMM I" и "Gold and Gears: Beta Test Purpose" with a full explanation of the test mechanics.

Complete completion of the “Virtual Universe: Gold and Gears” mode leads to obtaining a new Path for the “Virtual Universe” - Paths of Erudite.

Guide for Gold and Gears Mode in Honkai: Star Rail

The “Gold and Gears” add-on has its own characteristic features that distinguish the mode from the classic one "Swarm Invasions". In the next section, we’ll look at the main innovations, the ability to customize bones, the tree of basic enhancements, and more.

Measurement area

Upon completion of the settings of the Path and the composition of the team of the current entry, the squad appears in a virtual space, where each level is represented by a “Dimension”, and the rooms are zones with various tasks. The general structure of all three stages, in turn, appears in the form of a board consisting of hexagonal cells.

Standard movement through stages involves selecting one nearest zone, based on the player's current location. In some cases, bone enhancements work, allowing you to move to a specific room or expanding the selection area several cells forward. The starting point of the age is also on the right side of the board, the final “Dimensions” zone is on the left.

Secrets Events

The purpose of the Gold and Gears activity is to collect information about the Aeons, which can be obtained in special zones. During the age it may start "Self-awareness system", which will cause a special mode event to occur in a random cell. For participation in such an event, a collection "Secrets" is replenished with new plot development branches, opening up access to rewards and bringing us closer to the final quest.

Additional tasks

After ing the zone you need to interact with "visit devices" — objects with the help of which navigation through the “Dimensions” is carried out. Before moving to the next square, they throw your bones with random "gifts of the Aeons". In the "Gold and Gears" mode, the effects of the dice do not depend on the chosen Path and configured independently.

Cube customization adds variety to the gameplay, preserving the element of chance, while at the same time providing the opportunity to greatly simplify the age of the activity. For example, you can select edges with effects that will allow you to jump over fields, change cells, or collect the highest rewards for zones.

How to set up Bones

In activity you can open 12 of your own bones with two types of effects: initial и ive. The first parameter of the die reflects the main purpose of the die and does not change, for example, “Ultra-distant beacon” creates beacons in “Dimensions” I and II. The second buff is always Path dependent, but each die is still assigned unique effects.

All can be configured 6 sides bones on which you can freely equip boosts. Edge effects are characterized by a standard division by rarity, as well as by the nature of the attribute: beacons and general. Initially, restrictions are imposed on the number of legendary and epic facets that can be placed, but as you level up "Neural networks" limits are lifted.

Thus, before ing it is necessary choose your bone with suitable ive buffs, then customize all 6 facets by combining different blessings. When traveling through the “Dimensions” the following will be taken into :

strengthening the chosen Path;
initial and ive effects of certain Bones;
one of six personally selected buffs that will drop when rolled.

To discover your bones and new facets, you will need to collect chapters of “Secrets” on the tab of the same name.

Updated blessing system

Among the innovations there is also the opportunity "Banning the Way". When setting up a squad and selecting the desired Path resonance, you can add up to two classes of enhancements to the list, which will not come across during the age. This way, players will be able to narrow the circle of “cards” that are dropped, eliminating those that are not suitable for the squad.

Self-awareness system

During the age it will be launched "Self-awareness system", creating a unique mode event in one of the “Dimensions” zones. As part of a random event, you will have to make a choice that affects the value consciousnesses. A positive assessment is typical of humanoid life forms with a high level of empathy; a negative assessment indicates that elections were made in favor of calculating machines.

By moving in a certain direction, you can discover different endings to the course of history. The mechanics are complemented by an auxiliary system Recommendations, which always leads along plot branches that have not yet been opened, and on the “Secrets” tab you can always see what values you need to adhere to.

The self-awareness system contains two important requirements:

“Secrets” are recorded as revealed when defeating a dimension boss. Therefore, to get the ending you will not only have to participate in events and make the necessary choices, but also win in the final stages.
The “Secrets” collection consists of three parts, revealed sequentially. After collecting all the “Secrets of Mastery” during the next playthrough, the story branches of the chapters “Secrets of the Eons” begin, then, after opening them, the tasks of the final stage begin.

Unfolding Resonance

In the “Gold and Gears” mode, not only players will be able to use the resonance of the Path, but also the boss of the third “Dimension”. In the last room, the squad will be waiting for a group of enemies and the Aeon of Erudition Nus, who have prepared for battle "Unfolding Resonance". The choice of resonance of the enemy's Path can always be influenced during the final test of Dimension II.

Unique bonuses

After leaving the virtual space, according to the progress of the age, you are issued "Neuroimpulse" - an alternative to skill points for leveling up "Neural networks". The mechanic is an analogue of the “Skill Tree” of the main “Virtual Universe”, with the help of which the characteristics of the squad are increased and additional blessings of the regime are unlocked.

Call mode

“Gold and Gears” provides additional challenging content - the adventure does not end at the completion of difficulty level 5, modes are unlocked for additional entertainment "Challenge: Adventure" и "Challenge: Opponents". The tests contain 6 stages, and the difficulty can be increased up to 12 times.

Walkthrough of Gold and Gear levels in Honkai: Star Rail

In the separate mode of the “Virtual Universe”, it is recommended to follow some tips in order to ultimately successfully complete Gold and Gears:

When starting your research, select Path in accordance with the strongest squad and the most pumped up characters. The bosses of each stage are random, so you won’t be able to adapt to the same specific tactics. The only exception is that any final enemy has icy vulnerability.
Pay attention to swarm invasions, however, it has other unique enhancements. At Forbidden Paths do not choose those that can create a combination together with the main one.
If you were unable to collect a sufficient number of blessings of the Path or did not create the Weave of Resonance, then start the age over again - the research is influenced by the element accidents.
Due to the randomness of opponents, take the strongest main damage dealer at the beginning Paths of the Hunt, erudition or Destruction. When you meet the Loader, you can invite an additional hero with a different type of penetration vulnerabilities.
Don't forget about the heroes Ways abundance and / or Conservation, especially capable of removing debuffs from allied targets. There are quite a few combat stages in the study, so protecting the characters is necessary. Heroes are no less important Ways of Harmony or Nothingness to the team or apply debuffs to enemies.
Among the first three boosts, give preference Curiosities, since a successful buff can have a huge impact on the difficulty of battles.
Follow the indicator Interference, since upon reaching the maximum level the enemies become many times stronger, which can make the battle much more difficult.
When setting up Sides of the bones follow the recommendations - you will find suitable effects by the “thumbs up” symbol to the left of the slot name.
Keep in mind that you should move around the board in accordance with the chosen Bone. For example, regardless of which side is equipped, the Event Unfolding die grants a random bleson entering the appropriate zones. With such a Bone, by building a path through rooms with events, you can earn more cards than by participating in regular battles.
Don't by the cells Self-awareness, since its level in each dimension of the three will affect the unlocking of Secrets, which are an important mechanic of the mode.
Keep track of current indicators scales of Consciousness and move around the board according to the values. During the age, the influence can be exerted not so much by events as by random anomalies. Do not waste turns participating in Self-Awareness events if your current stats are within the recommended range.
If you made a mistake in a battle with boss or an unfortunate situation occurs, you can leave the game during the battle, so that when you return start the battle from scratch.

Level 1

Opening conditions: Complete the introductory mission "Gold and Cogs: The Beginning."

Recommended team level for research - 66. All opponents until the final battle are random, but at the last stage one of four will come across Bosses, each of which weak to ice attacks: "Swarm: Stingbug", Argenti, Grizzly Automaton, Direwolf Automaton.

The first level of the test is the simplest and the most convenient to get acquainted with the mode, so you can experiment with commands. Follow the general tips and build a squad around the strongest main damage dealer to get to the end of the level and defeat the final boss.

Examples of units and selected Paths for ing the first level of Gold and Gears:

Character 1	Character 2	Character 3	Character 4	How to use
Blade	Armor	Silver Wolf	Locha	Path — Destruction, Spread or Hunt. Blade - the main damage dealer, ed by the rest of the squad. Armor buffs and speeds up damage control, and additionally eliminates various weakenings. Silver Wolf imposes additional vulnerabilities on the boss. Locha heals allies without spending a lot of action points.
Jing Yuan	Himeko	sang	Cheetah	Path —Erudition or Joy. Jing Yuan, as the main damage dealer, destroys opponents in any number. Highest priority targets - groups of enemies, but also performs well against elite opponents and large bosses. Himeko acts as a source of additional damage, extremely strong against Argenti with Grizzly Automaton. Instead, for example, you can take a hero with ice, quantum or imaginary damage. Pela applies debuffs to opponents and helps break through the vulnerabilities of any of the final bosses. Cheetah is a strong shield fighter for all allied targets.
Devour. Moon	tingyun	Hanja	Hoho	Path - Spreading. Moon Eater is a character with a huge amount of damage, who, thanks to heroes, destroys any enemies. Tingyun pours energy into the superpower of the main DD and breaks through electrical vulnerabilities. Hanya solves the problem with action points and further strengthens the Moon Eater with buffs to speed and attack power. Hoho — not only an effective healer, but also a buffer.
Dan Heng	Yukong	Fire. hero	Natasha	Path - Hunting. Dan Heng acts as the base of the team and does a lot of damage against single monsters. Yukun s hypercarries and breaks through the vulnerability of bosses such as Stingbug and Automaton Direwolf. Fiery Pathfinder - a shield warrior who useful against Argenti and Grizzly Automaton. Natasha - a healer who can remove weakening.
Hertha	Serval	March 7	Natasha	Path - Memory. Gerta is the main damage dealer, whose damage type will help defeat the final enemy due to his vulnerability. Serval will be useful against automaton bosses and will provide additional damage. She can be replaced with another pumped up hero. March 7 will apply shields to allies, at the same time it synergizes perfectly with Hertha when the Freeze Path is chosen. Natasha helps the squad survive and removes weakening from the characters if necessary.

Level 2

Opening conditions: Complete the tutorial mission "Gold and Gears: The Beginning".

Recommended level of characters in the squad - 73. Enemies in all Dimensions rooms appear randomly, but for the final boss area, 4 possible enemies are clearly defined: Argenti, Swarm: Stingbug, Grizzly Automaton, Direwolf Automaton. In a squad it is recommended to combine ice, imaginary, fiery и electric damage types to complete all challenges.

The second difficulty clearly defines "framework of consciousness" within the range from -20 to 20, which means you can only open 4 endings. For this reason, it is enough to participate in one "Consciousness" event in "Dimensions" I and II or witness one anomaly to affect the scale and receive certain episodes of "Secrets". Since unlocking the rest of the content will require a greater influence on the mind, at this stage it is worth focusing on collecting blessings and fighting bosses.

Examples of groups and suitable paths for ing the second level “Gold and Gears”:

Character 1	Character 2	Character 3	Character 4	How to use
jingliu	Armor	sang	Lynx	Path - Memory, Destruction or Hunting. Jingliu is the core of the group with its own buffs and action promotions. The armor not only buffs, but also raises Jingliu in the move queue for accelerated accumulation of stacks, which allows you to switch to a strengthened form. Pela lowers enemies' defenses and acts as an additional source of ice damage when needed. Lynx heals, removes debuffs, and redirects enemy attacks to the Path of Destruction damage dealer.
Jing Yuan	Asta	Clara	Locha	The path is Joy or Abundance. The General primarily uses the skill to increase the speed of the Lightning Lord and increase the number of its charges. Asta increases the attack power and speed of allies. Clara launches counterattacks in response to opponents' attacks. Locha ively heals during each allied turn and can remove Debuffs when needed.
Seele	tingyun	Silver Wolf	Fu Xuan	Path - Spread or Hunt. Zele deals with opponents with regular attacks and skill, often moving around using his own boosts. Tingyun increases attack power and restores energy to priority squad . Silver Wolf implements the “monoquant” squad through a skill. Fu Xuan increases the chance of inflicting Quantum Vulnerability and ensures survivability during enemy actions.
Hertha	Yukong	Fire. hero	March 7	Path - Conservation or Erudite. Hertha remains relevant thanks to the vulnerabilities of the final enemy lineup. Yukun helps the squad with buffs, good damage and high ultimate penetration. The Pathfinder distracts the attention of enemies, and also provides the entire squad with shields after any action. March 7 protects the Pathfinder from damage and uses his ultimate to freeze small enemies.
Serval	Sampo	Gui	Natasha	The path is Non-existence or Propagation. Serval, like the rest of the group, alternates between a skill and a basic attack to reduce the durability of enemy shields. Sampo applies a ton of periodic statuses and increases the damage of this mechanic. Guinaifen not only benefits from Burning, but also increases the damage received by enemies. Natasha is largely responsible for team skill points and survivability.

Level 3

Opening conditions: Complete the tutorial quest "Gold and Gears: The Beginning".

Recommended level of heroes for the test: 79. Each monster encountered until the last stage depends on randomness, so you can only focus on the final enemy. As the final boss, you will be asked to choose from two opponents, among which may be: Automaton Direwolf, Automaton Grizzly, Swarm: Stingbug, Argenti. All enemies mentioned are vulnerable to icy attacks, also some of them are weak to imaginary, electrical и fiery damage.

Due to the greater spread of the meaning of the “frames of consciousness”, moving through the dimension cells will become more difficult, so stick to the following tactics:

You should not start exploring the mode from the third level without properly leveling up your heroes - first try to simpler tests several times.
В Measurement I it is profitable to collect maximum blessings from cells with battles against monsters, and in Measurement II It is worth going through different stages of events or adventures.
On the last square before the boss you can use "Cheating" when rolling the die, if among the possible effects are those that affect battles.
Keep an eye on the level Interference — ideally it should remain zero or positive. If the value becomes negative, then the chance of success will decrease.
In case of shortage of necessary blessings or if you have other problems, start going through the level of the mode again, since a lot in it depends on luck, and not just on the strength of the characters.

Unit options for ing the third level of Gold and gears:

Character 1	Character 2	Character 3	Character 4	How to use
Kafka	ruan mei	Gui	Hoho	Path and Weave — Nothingness + Joy and Memory. A variant of the team that plays against periodic damage. Kafka is the central character of the party, benefiting greatly from the blessings of the Path of Nothingness. ruan mei — a buffer that increases damage and has the effect of breaking through the vulnerability of allies, also with ice damage. You can choose instead Sampo in of Kafka. Guinafien will become another hero with periodic damage, which applies the Burning status. Depending on the type of boss, it can be replaced Luke. Hoho - one of the best healers, in addition to increasing the attack power of the entire team.
Blade	Silver Wolf	jingliu	Hero of the Path of Plenty	Path and Weave — Destruction + Hunting and Abundance. A variant of a squad with two damage dealers, ready to face any of the bosses in the finals. Blade - a strong damage dealer for several targets, whose shortcomings are compensated by other allies. Silver Wolf will increase the chance of enemies having additional vulnerabilities, but another debuffer will work instead, for example, sang. Jingliu complements Blade. Deals the main damage to single enemy targets. For the last slot, select any convenient healer or shielder for the team’s survival.
Devour. Moon	tingyun	Hanja	Locha	Path and Weave - Distribution + Abundance and Memory. This cast of characters is effective in almost any situation. Moon Eater has massive damage and is better able to take advantage of the Path of Propagation bonuses than other heroes. Tingyun will restore energy to Moon Eater's superpower and allow him to attack several times in a row more often. Hanya will compensate for the main damage dealer's problems with action points, moving him forward and increasing his damage. If she is absent, you can put her on the team Pelu. Locha - one of the best options for healers for the Moon Eater, along with Hoho.
Clara	Fire. hero	March 7	Natasha	Path and Weave — Conservation + Destruction and Erudition. Depending on the selection of characters, the team can play from other types of Paths, even from Erudite or Destruction. Clara is both a tank and a main damage dealer. Fiery Pathfinder - a source of small shields and breaking through fire vulnerability. In the presence of Topaz give preference to it and choose the main Path Joy. March 7 will shift even more enemy attention to Clara thanks to the shield. If there are problems with the survivability of the squad, then it will be dealt with Lynx. Natasha - a good healer with the removal of weakening among the Traces.
Hertha	Serval	March 7	Natasha	Path and Weave — Memory + Preservation and Dissemination. A budget option for a squad through Freezing. Hertha is a free area damage dealer with an ice damage type that will come in handy against any enemy at the end of the third dimension. Serval is a secondary damage dealer that shines even more against automaton bosses. March 7 - a shield shield is required for a greater likelihood of Freezing enemy targets. Natasha will heal injured allies.

Level 4

Opening conditions: the 3 level of difficulty.

Recommended level of characters in the squad - 80. Similar to previous stages, the battle zones will feature a variety of enemies, and the final rooms of each Dimension will feature two bosses to choose from. In the battle of the last zone of "Dimension III" there can also be 4 opponents with ice, imaginary, fiery и electric weakness.

The fourth difficulty expands the “Frames of Consciousness” to the maximum, providing the opportunity to collect all the remaining chapters of the “Secrets of Mastery”, so traveling through the cells of “Consciousness” strictly required. If not all the “Secrets” of the previous stages have been collected, you will have to stick to specific values, for example, from 0 to 20. In this case, if you encounter difficulties in opening a certain event, you can lower the difficulty.

Follow these other tips to successfully complete the test:

Pay attention to pumping "Neural networks", which will increase the basic characteristics of characters in virtual space, as well as improve the auxiliary mechanics of Gold and Gears.
Equip into Bones slots hand, which complement each other or can interact with the ive effect of the die. For example, consider the Knowledge category Bones for buffs with the same tag. Use the filtering function to quickly find the desired bone faces.
Actively collect “cards” not only for the resonance of the Path, but also Weaving Resonancesto get additional effects.
Keep enough space fragments, so that, if necessary, you can spend them on resurrecting the character, rather than starting the age over again.
Refrain from participating in events with a chance to receive negative curiosities, and also do not choose items with random effects.
Take several characters into your squad with protective functions, if team quickly die.

Possible squads and recommended combinations of Paths for completing the fourth difficulty “Gold and Gears”:

Character 1	Character 2	Character 3	Character 4	How to use
Kafka	Sampo	tingyun	Hoho	Path and Weave - Nothingness + Joy и Memory. The team relies entirely on the abundance of periodic statuses from the resonance of the Path of Nothingness. Kafka uses superpower after resonance for extra. damage. Sampo increases the damage of all DoT effects. Tingyun and Hoho help the Stellaron Hunter with the accumulation of her ultimate.
Yanqing	ruan mei	Hanja	Cheetah	Path and Weave - Hunting + Conservation и Distribution. A group with high ice damage and strong shields. Yanqing receives large increases in critical stats through his own talents and the Path of the Hunt. Ruan Mei buffs penetration efficiency and prevents opponents from recovering. Chania helps with the accumulation of levels of the Rustle of the Net Weave. Cheetah casts his super before using resonance to make the shields last 7 turns.
jingliu	Armor	Bailu	Blade	Path and Weave - Destruction + Abundance и Hunting. A squad of characters with HP consumption mechanics. Jingliu performs the usual functions of a damage dealer in a small area. The armor promotes the action of the ally so that she enters the “Spectral Transmigration” state more often. Bailu prevents lethal damage. The blade independently contributes high damage figures, while practically not consuming, but also not restoring action points.
Welt	Silver Wolf	Yukong	Locha	Path and Weave - Distribution + Abundance or Abundance + Erudition. The team plays mainly from debuffs and ultimate damage. Welt delays enemy actions, slows them down, and also applies Imprisonment. Silver Wolf causes the desired type of weakness, while at the same time consistently breaking through shields. Yukun buffs imaginary damage and characteristics that affect damage. Locha heals and, like all group , deals imaginary damage with her ultimate.
qingque	Hertha	Fire. hero	Lynx	Path and Weave - Erudition + Joy и Nihility; Memory + Storage. Free group with two defenses and mass healing. Qingque and Gerta share the duties of damage dealers, focusing on the appropriate shield types of their opponents. The Conservation Pioneer (Fire) puts shields on allies with any skill, and “tank” with free skill points. Lynx ensures the survival of the group and promptly relieves allies of negative statuses.

Level 5

Opening conditions: complete the tutorial mission "Gold and Gears: The Beginning" and "Virtual Universe: Gold and Gears - Difficulty 4".

Recommended character level for research - 80. As in previous challenges of the mode, you can only prepare your team in advance for the final enemy: Argenti, Grizzly Automaton, Direwolf Automaton or Swarm: Stingbug. The heroes most suitable for the level will be with icy type of damage, for example, jingliu. In the absence of such characters, select the rest of the squad according to imaginary, fiery и electric type of vulnerability.

Due to the complexity of the stage, it may not be completed the first time, so be prepared to replay it until you select the necessary ones blessings and the successful placement of test hexagons on the measurement map.
At the meeting Skrulluma in the transaction zone you can purchase the missing Blessings for Weaves of Resonance, if you didn’t have time to collect them completely.
The easiest way to the fifth level is if you have Lynx thanks to an increase in the health of allied heroes.
If you do not have the necessary DD to close the content, then restart the level until in Dimension I you get the effect of breaking through the required vulnerabilities for last boss. While you are exploring the map, use Loader and take spare damage dealers for destruction intermediate bosses.
Don't let the value increase Interference above 5, because otherwise the enemies may be too strong. At the same time, you should not sacrifice Blessings, since without them you still won’t be able to gain enough damage or survivability.
Don't risk and don't fight unnecessary elite enemies in Dimension II, and also about the possibility of receiving negative curiosities, which can either ruin the entire age or save it.
The easiest way to complete the level is by using Memory, even if the characters are not particularly strong. Erudition - a fairly strong version of the Path, which can unexpectedly reveal itself well in different team compositions. Third option - Abundance due to Blessings for removing weakening and a charging drop.
Of Resonance deployments For the third boss, avoid Abundance and Destruction, as the first will relieve enemies of debuffs, and the second can easily destroy the entire squad.
Among the Bones of the “Mayak” subtype, it is advantageous to choose "Symbiosis of Travelers" and visit Knowledge cells, however this will still depend on chance. Alternatively, you can take "Trap" from cubes "Zones" and move to distant cells, thus shortening the road. IN "Knowledge" you can choose "Counter" to control the Interference indicator, and among "Heterogeneities" good bone "Data Expansion" for the sake of a large number of enhancements.

Here are a variety of team compositions for ing the fifth level of Gold and gears:

Character 1	Character 2	Character 3	Character 4	How to use
jingliu	sang	Lynx	Cheetah	Path and Weave — Memory + Preservation and Dissemination. Due to the guaranteed ice vulnerability of the final boss, the Freeze method is one of the easiest. Jingliu is the backbone of the team, thanks to whose damage you can easily destroy all enemies, especially when playing from Freeze. Pela is a debuffer that helps the squad with ice damage and penetration. In its absence, Hertha is suitable as a secondary DD or Armor, as . Lynx will increase the HP of the entire squad, which will allow you to save characters against the most formidable enemies, and at the same time heal them. He is also a good doctor Locha, but you may need a shield guard along with it. The Cheetah will cover the entire team with strong shields and at the same time has a chance to freeze the enemy. In the absence of it, take Hoho.
Jing Yuan	tingyun	ruan mei	Hoho	Path and Weaves — Hunting (+ Distribution and Conservation), Joy (+ Oblivion and Hunting) or Erudition (+ Joy and Nothingness). An example of a squad together with a general or other unmentioned DD. Jing Yuan is the main damage dealer, thanks to whose bonus attacks you can give preference to different Paths. This will do instead Clara. Tingyun has an extremely useful attack buff and energy replenishment. If it is not available, they will do sang. Ruan Mei will provide even more buffs to the main damage dealer and break through ice vulnerabilities. Another variant - Topaz, but then you should give preference to the Path of Joy. Hoho will replenish allies' health and further increase their damage.
Seele	Silver Wolf	Armor	Fu Xuan	Path and Weave — Hunting + Distribution and Conservation. A unit with a main damage dealer that has a quantum type of damage. Zele brings massive single damage, but in the absence of Silver Wolf, she will have to knock out the boss’s quantum vulnerability in the first dimension. Silver Wolf will weaken enemies to the damage of allies and lower their defense. Armor — good and buffer under Zele. If survival is not enough, then bet Lynx. Fu Xuan - an ideal hero of the Path of Conservation for the mechanics of the mode, which will absorb damage for allies.
Argenti	tingyun	Hanja	Hero of the Path of Plenty	Path and Weave — Erudition + Joy and Nothingness. A team adjusted to the new Path with area damage. Argenti is a basic and undemanding DPS that stands up especially well against similar bosses. Tingyun will flood the main damage dealer with energy for his ultimate, making its cost less scary. Hanya will create spare action points and, together with a second buffer character, will strengthen Argenti so much that he will give out crushing damage figures with the Path of Erudition. As the last hero, choose any Path of Conservation or Abundance to prevent your allies from dying. If one such character is not enough, then put a second one in Khanya’s place.
Hertha	Natasha	March 7	Fire. hero	Path and Weave — Conservation + Destruction and Erudition. An example of a unit with characters available to newcomers who can also activate the main blessings of the Path of Memory. Hertha is the best free damage dealer option due to her AoE Frost damage and the availability of Eidolons. March 7 is required when choosing both the Preservation Path and the Memory. Natasha, together with her, will clear the allies of weaknesses and the life of the squad. The Fire Pathfinder will provide some damage and shields, but will perform well against both Argenti and Grizzly Automaton.

Challenge Levels in Gold and Gears in Honkai: Star Rail

Next, we will tell you in more detail about the challenges of the Challenge in the “Virtual Universe: Gold and Gears”.

What are Challenge levels and why are they needed?

Challenge levels are modifiers for re-clearing stage 5 Gold and gears. They are divided into "Challenge: Opponents" и "Challenge: Walkthrough", each with 6 different enemy buffs for a total of 12 maximum Challenge levels. Strengthening consists of increasing the characteristics of opponents, Deploying a formation, and so on.

There is a reward for completing each Challenge level, however artifacts and loans.

How to unlock Challenge levels

To unlock the mechanics of the Challenge levels, you need to complete difficulties 4 and 5 of the mode for the first time. Next, you will need to re-enter difficulty 5, choosing from 0 to 6 “enemy” and/or “age” enhancements, which is why the Challenge level will increase in accordance with the number of complications from 0 to 12.

Tips for completing Challenge levels

Demonstration of how the blessing “Perfect Experience: Fuli” works

Challenge level content can be considered "endgame" content. Here are some general tips for completing it, but in general they are similar to the recommendations for difficulty level 5:

Most comfortable Path for the fifth difficulty - Memory, especially in the presence Cheetah, but then you'll need more luck. Look for Decay Status Blessings and attack enemies after being frozen for even more damage. Good options are also Preservation и Abundance.
Among the minor blessings Don't neglect Conservation and Abundance to save the lives of the characters on your team. Look for blessings in Memory "Perfect Experience: Fuli" for massive damage from Decay. "Destruction Regression Inequality" will allow one of the heroes not to die from a huge amount of damage, but it also has a downside, which is why protection is still needed for the entire squad.
In addition to Abundance heroes, put Conservation characters on your team with shields for the entire squad: Fu Xuan.
Beware Resonance deployments Destruction and Abundance, since they are capable of causing the most problems.
Of sides of the bones The good ones are those that allow you to pick up rewards without entering a cell, move long distances, speed up your allies in battle, and others.

Try different tactics depending on the available heroes, dice, upgrade your tree in the Neural Network and the element of randomness of the Virtual Universe.

Awards

As the main reward of the “Gold and Gears” activity, a new Path for the “Virtual Universe” is provided - Path of Erudite. For opening the chapters of “Secrets” and completing “Dimensions” for the first time of a certain difficulty, you can receive an additional reward in the form of:

star jade ×4;
self-modeling resin ×2;
fingerprints of fate ×2;
star es ×4.

We hope that our article helped you understand how to complete Gold and Gears in Honkai: Star Rail and understand the new Virtual Universe mode. If you have any questions, please ask them at comments, we will definitely answer them. Read other useful game guides in the relevant sections of our website: builds.