Beginner’s Guide to Ash Echo: Master the Game with Essential Tips and Tricks

Key Takeaways:

1. Unique Progression System: Unlike other games, Ash Echo’s characters don’t have traditional levels, so you’ll rely on Ascension and skill upgrades tied to your account level.
2. Advanced Gear System: Engage with Nexus runs and tactical engravings to boost character stats, rather than traditional gear slots and items.
3. Diverse Game Modes: From story progression to the roguelike Nexus, understanding game modes helps you maximize rewards and avoid resource waste.

Welcome to Ash Echo! If you’re jumping into this unique RPG, you’re in for an adventure. Unlike many gacha games, Ash Echo offers a refreshing twist on character progression, gear, and game modes. This beginner’s guide will walk you through the core systems so that when you dive in, you’re prepared to make the most of your time.

Character Progression: Mastering the Basics

Ascension and Skill Upgrades

In Ash Echo, characters don’t have traditional levels. Instead, their power grows through two main progression methods: Ascension and Combat Skills.

• Ascension: This system works like a limit break, where you unlock stats by increasing your account level rather than individual character levels. To ascend characters, reach certain milestones with your overall account level.
• Combat Skills: Each character has a range of skills, usually including an active “Seed” skill (an ultimate ability) and other passive or auto skills. Skills can be upgraded as your account level rises, enhancing your character’s effectiveness in battle.

Seeds and Dupes: Leveraging Duplicate Characters

Collecting duplicate characters can be valuable in Ash Echo as it unlocks unique traits.

1. First Duplicate: Unlocks a new character trait, enhancing their performance in battles.
2. Third Duplicate: Offers an advanced trait, providing a significant boost.
3. Additional Duplicates (Two, Four, and Five): These upgrades are less impactful, primarily offering small skill enhancements.

While collecting duplicates isn’t essential for every character, if you’re aiming to maximize certain abilities, aim for the first and third duplicates.

Tactical Engravings and Memory Traces: A Unique Gear System

Ash Echo breaks away from traditional equipment systems. Instead, it features Memory Traces and Tactical Engravings.

Memory Traces: Stats and Skills for the Nexus

Memory Traces are earned primarily through the Nexus, a roguelike game mode where you progress as deep as you can. Equip Memory Traces to boost stats, which affect your engraving levels.

Tactical Engravings: Leader’s Advantage

Tactical Engravings are unique to each character, but only the leader’s engraving impacts your team’s stats in battle. Here’s how it works:

1. Nexus Runs: Choose characters to enter the Nexus. The traces you use determine the stats you gain on Tactical Engravings.
2. Director’s Engravings: The Director is your account’s representative. His engravings add passive bonuses that affect all characters.

Selecting the right leader with the best engraving is essential to boosting your entire team’s performance.

Game Modes in Ash Echo

Ash Echo’s game modes are varied and offer unique ways to gather resources, progress, and challenge your team. Let’s break down each one.

1. Worlds: The Story Mode

This is the traditional campaign mode where you progress through story stages, unlocking more content as you advance. Each stage completion provides resources and rewards.

2. Field Ops: Resource Grinding Hub

Field Ops houses your main grind areas. You’ll farm here for essential resources to upgrade your characters and level your account. If you’re ever in need of a particular item, simply use the “obtain” button in your character menu to be directed to the right mission in Field Ops.

3. Nexus Memory: A Challenging Roguelike Experience

The Nexus is a unique roguelike mode where you equip Memory Traces and push as far as possible. Completing deeper levels grants better Tactical Engravings and boosts your stats. There’s also a “hard mode” version of the Nexus, offering tougher challenges and more rewards.

4. Joint Training: Weekly Reset Challenge

Joint Training is a weekly event where you complete nodes and challenges using specific characters as leaders. Here’s what to keep in mind:

• Each node consists of three sub-nodes. Once you assign a character to a sub-node as the leader, they’re locked in for that node.
• Building a roster with various characters will allow you to complete this mode more efficiently.
• Complete as many nodes as possible each week to earn high-level rewards.

5. Sky Rift: Faction-Based Tower

Sky Rift features six towers with faction requirements, meaning you must use characters of specific factions to progress. As you clear each floor, you unlock different buffs and modifiers, adding strategic depth.

Once you clear these towers to level six, you’ll unlock Deep Observation, a hard mode that provides extra rewards.

Summoning and Banners

Summoning is a core mechanic of Ash Echo, and understanding the banners and summoning currencies will maximize your chances of acquiring top-tier characters.

Two Types of Banners

Ash Echo offers two primary types of banners:

1. Targeted Banners: These appear when a new character or Memory Trace is introduced, offering a higher chance of summoning them.
2. Standard Banners: These are available permanently, providing access to existing characters.

Summoning Strategies for Beginners

For new players, targeted banners are often the best option. Early on, summoning on a banner with a powerful featured character can jumpstart your roster. However, it’s wise to save some currency for future targeted banners if you have a solid early lineup.

The Seed Dome: Resource Management Center

The Seed Dome is a deployment-style area where you can assign characters to generate resources or undergo training. Be sure to deploy characters consistently here, as missions will require progress in the Seed Dome.

Additional Tips for Success in Ash Echo

1. Engage in the Phase Quests: Complete phase quests to gain extra rewards. Completing Phase 6 rewards you with a six-star character, so aim to complete these for a major boost.
2. Manage Stamina and Resources Wisely: Field Ops missions require stamina, but Ash Echo provides items to replenish it. Save these for critical farming sessions.
3. Equip Balanced Engravings for Early Game: Until you’re familiar with deeper strategies, use balanced engravings on your characters in the Nexus. This will give you stable progression without overcomplicating setup.

FAQs

1. How does character progression work in Ash Echo?

Character progression is linked to your account level. Characters are strengthened through Ascension and Combat Skill upgrades rather than traditional leveling.

2. Are duplicates essential in Ash Echo?

Duplicates can provide useful traits, especially at the first and third duplicate levels. However, you can enjoy most characters without duplicates unless you’re aiming for competitive play.

3. What’s the best way to acquire powerful characters?

Save your summoning currency for targeted banners featuring newly released characters. These banners offer higher rates for rare characters.

4. How do Memory Traces and Tactical Engravings work?

Memory Traces add stats during Nexus runs, while Tactical Engravings boost your team’s power in all modes. Only the leader’s engraving applies in combat, so choose your leader carefully.

5. What’s the Seed Dome used for?

The Seed Dome allows you to deploy characters for resource gathering and training. It’s crucial for mission progression, so keep deployments active.