Good relics are the core of any character in Honkai: Star Rail. While good team synergy and strong characters definitely matter a lot, they are nothing if they have no good equipment. They work similarly to Artifacts in Genshin Impact and have special effects with both 2 and 4 pieces equipped. Just like the other Hoyoverse game, gathering good ones can be quite complicated.
The Planar Sphere and the Link Rope Relics (named Planar Ornaments) are only available after you complete Jarilo-VI’s Trailblaze Missions (ending in “No Time for Me, My Friend”), and have some slightly different locations to obtain.
How to Get Relics in Honkai Star Rail
Relics can be obtained through various means:
Cavern of Corrosion
The most reliable method is by tackling the Cavern of Corrosion. This activity is unlocked after you reach Level 24 and progress through the Trailblaze Mission “The Stars are Cold Toys”, so make sure they are your priority at all times. It consumes 40 Trailblaze Power per run and you face various strong enemies in succession.
Just like Genshin’s Domains, there are special bonuses for using certain elements or bringing certain character types, so you can build a team dedicated to dealing with a specific Cavern. Each Path offers two different sets of Relics, so there is a lot of luck involved to get your desired one.
Do not be afraid to farm for more Relics when you feel stuck progression-wise. Waiting for a higher Equilibrium Level to farm for them will give you better results, but there is no point in waiting if you cannot even advance in the main story. Besides, there is a Nameless Honor mission asking you to clear it at least 8 times a week, so you might as well just do that.
Treasure Chests
Chests tend to reward players with weaker relics, especially after reaching Jarilo-VI. Those that are guarded by Fearsome Foes usually have better rewards, including stronger Relics up to 4-star ones. They’re your main source of equipment during the early game, so make sure you’re exploring all maps to their fullest.
Related: Where to Find All Wanted Posters in Honkai: Star Rail
Mission Rewards
Some Missions will occasionally give out Relics as their rewards. Operation Briefing also gives you some free 4-star Relic sets at certain levels, so do not neglect it. Regional coins such as Hertareum or Shields, also gained when completing quests on their respective regions, can be used to obtain some extra pieces.
Simulated Universe
Starting in World 3, completing the Simulated Universe is where you can obtain Planar Ornaments as Immersion Rewards from defeating Elite or Boss enemies. Trailblaze Power can be exchanged for more Planar Ornaments in a Simulated Universe run.
Which Relic Sets Should I Use?
A universally-asked question and also kinda hard to answer. But well, the best Relics for a character will always vary depending on its role on your team. The Musketeer of Wild Wheat set is considered a very good choice for offensive characters thanks to its generic bonuses, while Knight of Purity Palace is perfect for characters with access to Shields since they often have Defense scaling.
Basically, it all comes down to your character and your team. The rule of thumb is to prioritize using higher-rarity Relics at all times, except in situations where you might break a strong 4-piece combo. Leveling those pieces is also required for some higher challenges, so do not neglect them. If you feel bad for leveling low-rarity pieces, do not forget that you can use them as leveling material later, so it is not a waste of experience. Not completely at least.
