I still remember the week I burned every point of Trailblaze Power chasing Pearl’s perfect four-piece set. In 2026, with Version 4.6 live, the new Elation team looked beautiful on paper, yet it still stumbled in Apocalyptic Shadow, Memory of Chaos, and Pure Fiction because my supports were missing Speed boots and my second squad was wearing rainbow relics. That mistake taught me a simple rule for Version 4.6: farm the Cavern that upgrades multiple active units now, not the one that produces the prettiest zero-cycle screenshot.

Start With My Account Stage, Not Endgame Builds

Before Trailblaze Level 60, I keep relic farming selective. Character ascensions, Light Cones, and traces are guaranteed upgrades; a bad relic roll is not. From TL 1–39, gold relic drops are unavailable, so I use quest and chest gear. At TL 40–59, I hunt only the main stats needed to keep a primary DPS functional. I do not burn Fuel chasing crit substats when a trace level or ascension can immediately raise clear consistency.

At TL60+, I build a practical two-team baseline before touching min-max territory: correct main stats, level 12–15 head and hand pieces, Speed boots on most supports, and enough sustain to clear Caverns reliably. A usable 2-piece/2-piece setup is usually better than delaying both Apocalyptic Shadow teams for one elusive 4-piece bonus. If a double-DPS roster has one cracked carry but three empty support slots, my account is not relic-ready. I learned to ask whether my current bottleneck is a carry’s damage ceiling or a support’s 134 Speed breakpoint. Most of the time, it is the latter.

Choose Caverns by Two-Set Value and My Main Teams

I use a roster-first check before spending the daily 240 Trailblaze Power. I name my two endgame teams, their DPS, each support’s Speed need, and the relic slot actually causing failed clears. Path of Dreamdive remains a classic universal choice because Ashblazing Grand Duke helps FUA and Elation attackers, while Prisoner in Deep Confinement serves DoT units and provides usable ATK filler. A Cavern is high return when both sets help FUA, Nihility, Super Break, sustain, or universal support builds. It is low return when only Pearl benefits and every other drop becomes EXP fodder.

I also track which slot is actually failing. If my sustain unit dies before the second cycle, a shiny crit orb will not save the run. If my support is slower than the enemy, a 4-piece set on my carry will not fix the turn order. That is why I prioritize Speed boots and energy-related needs before crit damage.

My Three-Phase Relic Farming Route for Version 4.6

1. Stabilize: Give both Apocalyptic Shadow, Memory of Chaos, and Pure Fiction teams correct main stats and functional 2-piece pairings first. Fix Speed boots, Energy-related needs, and sustain survivability before chasing crit damage. 🛡️

2. Specialize: Farm a 4-piece bonus only when a main carry materially changes with it, especially a current Elation/FUA core or a Remembrance-adjacent team. Keep good off-set pieces when they solve a real Speed-tuning failure. 🎯

3. Min-max: Chase crit ratios and Speed breakpoints after supports are built, salvage obvious misses for relic EXP, and use Self-Modeling Resin on high-impact missing main stats. Reserve planar farming for teams already functional in Caverns rather than replacing five weak relic slots with one shiny orb. 📊

I treat relic EXP as a resource with compounding value. A failed piece is not always a total loss if I salvage it and reinvest into the next attempt. Self-Modeling Resin is too scarce to waste on a slot that is already serviceable; I save it for a missing Speed boot or a correct main stat that unlocks a support’s rotation.

Spend Efficiently Before a Banner Deadline

During the Version 4.6 Pearl and Mortenax Blade banner transition, I decide whether my next upgrade is a unit, a Light Cone, or relic stability for two teams before buying pulls. A new carry without Speed-tuned supports is just a prettier way to fail the same endgame stages. I avoid topping up without a defined banner and relic plan, and I keep my account security and server choice in mind before any transaction. For me, the safer path is always to build the floor for two teams first; only then do I chase the ceiling for a single carry.

Every 240 Power day belongs to the same roster plan. Pearl, Mortenax Blade, and any future FUA, Super Break, or Nihility pull gains more value when my account already has Speed-tuned supports and serviceable relic EXP reserves. In Version 4.6, the best relic Cavern is not the one that makes one character look perfect. It is the one that makes both of my endgame teams clear consistently. ⚡

When you do decide that securing a vital character or signature Light Cone is worth the extra investment before a banner timer expires, managing your budget safely is just as crucial as managing your daily stamina. Utilizing reputable platforms like Lootbar allows players to acquire in-game currency and monthly passes at competitive rates, offering a secure and cost-effective way to hit those pity thresholds without overspending.

By pairing smart banner investments with disciplined relic farming, you ensure that every resource poured into your account translates directly into tangible combat performance. Once your roster baseline is secure and your spending remains calculated, clearing endgame challenges becomes a steady, repeatable routine rather than an uphill battle against RNG.

To stay ahead of upcoming banner rotations, version events, and maintenance schedules, it is always best practice to monitor announcements directly through the Honkai: Star Rail official page. Keeping track of verified patch notes and developer broadcasts ensures you can accurately map out your pull targets and stamina allocation well before the next phase arrives.