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DuringHonkai: Star Rail’s 1.3 update, players were introduced to a permanent new mode in Simulated Universe called Swarm Disaster. This mode allows players to challenge themselves and offers a variety of rewards. While it doesn’t offer any Planar Ornaments, it does provide Stellar Jades and Self-Modelling Resin, among other rewards. Additionally, this update introduced new curios, occurrences, and most significantly, a new path called Propagation, which can also be used in the standard Simulated Universe worlds.
Related:Honkai: Star Rail - Simulated Universe All New Path Resonances Explained
While Swarm Disaster inHonkai: Star Railisn’t entirely different from the usual, there are some new mechanics players should be aware of to complete it and gain as many rewards as possible. It’s worth noting that, although players can take as long as they want to complete this mode since it is permanent, it does require quite an extensive amount of grinding and some luck to entirely finish.
How To Unlock Swarm Disaster
To unlock Swarm Disaster mode, playersmust first complete World 5of the Simulated Universe. After doing so, they will unlock a quest from Herta that introduces them to the basics of this new mode through a short tutorial section. Swarm Disaster Mode will then be accessible via the Simulated Universe World selection screen. In the Swarm Disaster main screen, players will notice a different screen displaying Trailblaze Secrets, Communing Trail, and Swarm Disaster progress, alongside the option to Start Exploring. Swarm Disaster features various missions to increase perks and progress in the mode.
How To Complete Swarm Disaster Exploration
When starting to explore Swarm Disaster Mode, players will need to select their team composition and choose a Path to begin. This initial phase is similar to the normal mode. However, in Swarm Disaster Mode, players must clear lower difficulties before the next difficulty level (up to level 5) unlocks. Additionally, as players progress through the difficulties, the enemies become significantly tougher.
Related:Honkai: Star Rail - Swarm Disaster How to Trigger Emergency
In contrast to normal Simulated Universe worlds, Swarm Disaster consists of 3 planes, each containing an end boss. Players have more freedom to choose their routes to the bosses, as they must navigate a map that allows them to move freely through adjacent tiles of their choice. Therefore, players need to strategically plan their optimal route while paying attention to the countdown timer. If the countdown reaches zero or below,players will enter Planar Disarraymode, which significantly buffs the enemies with each additional step taken until reaching the end boss.
Players should choose their next tile based on the benefits it offers, whether it’s related to the selected path, gaining blessings, or triggering events to complete their index for additional rewards. Each type of domain is marked with a different logo to indicate what players can expect in the next domain. Here’s a list of each domain and what players can expect:
What to Expect
Blank
This is an empty domain with nothing to battle or gain as a reward.
Combat
Players will need to defeat the enemies to obtain Blessings. (Similar to the standard Simulated Universe Combat domains)
Elite
Elite Enemy Domains include more difficult enemies than the standard Combat domains but the rewards have the chance to have higher rarity Blessings.
Boss
The end domain of Plane 1 and Plane 2. Players must complete these before moving on to the next plane.
Different kinds of Occurrence Events will happen in these domains.
Reward
Players will be able to receive a Reward occurrence in this domain type.
Adventure
Players will need to complete a mini-game challenge (such as catching Trotters or destroying barrels) to obtain rewards. The higher the score, the better rewards players will be able to receive.
Respite
Players will be able to heal characters, download new characters, and enhance their Blessings, similar to the standard Simulated Universe.
Transaction
Players can purchase Blessings and Curios by using their Cosmic Fragments.
Combat: Swarm
Similar to the Combat domains, but this time the enemies will be Swarm enemies which will allow players to receive Blessings of Propagation. Until players unlock the Propagation path, Swarm-related domains are the only way to receive Propagation blessings.
Occurrence: Swarm
These Domains are directly affected by the Swarm alertness, which can make the occurrence domains more difficult. Generally, players will be able to obtain Propagation-related rewards through this domain.
Boss: Swarm
The end boss of the 3rd plane, which is always the True Sting (Complete). This must be completed in order to successfully clear the current run of Swarm Disaster exploration.
Some domains may also have Beacons on them, indicated with a small icon on bottom corner of the Domain logo. They have different effects:
Enhance
Enemies in these domains are enhanced and as such more powerful. However, upon defeating, the selected Blessings will be enhanced.
Mutation
Enemies in these are also enhanced (Bugs), however this time, players will receive additional cosmic fragments instead.
Blessing Trotter
The domain will have a trotter alongside the other enemies, and upon defeating, players will be able to select additional Blessings.
Curio Trotter
Same as the Blessing Trotter, though this time players will be able to select additional Curio instead of a Blessing.
After clearing the domains, players need to use the Communing Device to move to the next tile and receive a dice roll, which has various effects depending on the outcome. Players can also reroll the dice (with a limited number of rerolls per exploration) and obtain a cheat roll, allowing them to select their preferred buff immediately. This can be particularly useful when completing certain Trail of Pathstrider Missions.
How To Complete Trail of Pathstrider
Trail of Pathstrider missions are a crucial aspect for players to unlock additional perks, buffs, and chapters. Players can access the Trail of Pathstrider tree under the Communing Trail section or by clicking on the logo at the top indicating the currently in-progress missions while within the domain. This allows players to keep track of the missions they need to complete next.
It’s worth noting that even if players have already achieved some mission requirements before the mission was unlocked, these will not count towards the Trail of Pathstrider mission completion. With that being the case, players should only focus on completing certain tasks upon unlocking that particular one. It is also important to pay attention to which minimum difficulty level is required to complete the missions. If a player’s aim is to complete the missions as soon as possible, it is not worth grinding a higher difficulty than required. Missions will typically get more difficult as players progress through the tree, with the requirements also increasing in the requirement difficulty level. Upon completing the missions, players will be able to obtain points for certain paths and rewards such as Stellar Jades.
The secret golden missions are completed by selecting at least 20 of a certain path’s answers at the end of each plane. There is no requirement for this to be at a certain difficulty, so players looking to unlock the secret Trail of Pathstrider missions can simply keep grinding Level 1 difficulty. Unlocking the Propagation path to reach end bosses as quickly as possible can help reduce the time it takes to complete these missions. Since each path takes 20 selections, players will need to defeat at least 140 planes to unlock all secret path missions.
How To Unlock Chapters
Unlocking chapters is closely related to completing the Pathstrider missions because players need a certain amount of Communing Trial points to unlock the chapters. Some chapters require only a small number of points, while others demand significant progress in the Trail of Pathstrider tree. Additionally, players must complete specific planes to unlock these chapters. Fortunately, none of the chapters require players to defeat the Level 4 difficulty last boss, but some missions will require players to progress that far.
If players have already completed the missions but are struggling to trigger the chapter, they may want to try a lower difficulty level to unlock it, as chapter unlocks are not tied to completing specific difficulty levels. Below is a list of each chapter’s requirements. Players can also view these through the Swarm Disaster Progress screen, while the current Communing Trial points can be viewed through Communing Trail screen:
・Complete Swarm Disaster: Experimental Teaching (II)
Preservation I
・Reach8points for Preservation in the Communing Trail ・Unlocks after completing theSecond Plane.
Remembrance I
・Reach2points for Remembrance in the Communing Trail ・Unlocks after completing theSecond Plane.
Destruction I
・Reach3points for Destruction in the Communing Trail ・Unlocks after completing theSecond Plane.
Elation I
・Reach8points for Elation in the Communing Trail ・Unlocks after completing theSecond Plane.
Abundance I
・Reach5points for Abundance in the Communing Trail ・Unlocks after completing theSecond Plane.
The Hunt I
・Reach2points for the Hunt in the Communing Trail ・Unlocks after completing theThird Plane.
Nihility I
・Reach6points for Nihility in the Communing Trail ・Unlocks after completing theFirst Plane.
Preservation II
・Reach13points for Preservation in the Communing Trail ・Unlocks after completing theThird Plane.
Remembrance II
・Reach7points for Remembrance in the Communing Trail ・Unlocks after completing theSecond Plane.
Destruction II
・Reach5points for Destruction in the Communing Trail ・Unlocks after completing theFirst Plane.
Elation II
・Reach10points for Elation in the Communing Trail ・Unlocks after completing theSecond Plane.
Abundance II
・Reach8points for Abundance in the Communing Trail ・Unlocks after completing theThird Plane.
How To Unlock Propagation Path
To unlock the Propagation Path, players must unlock all chapters. Afterward, they can access the Swarm Disaster: The End Mission. Upon completing this mission, they’ll gain access to the Propagation Path, which can be used in both Swarm Disaster and the standard Simulated Universe. This path is particularly beneficial for characters that rely on enhanced Basic Attacks, such as Blade, Imbibitor Lunae, or Qingque. It aids skill point management and enhances characters based on their Skill and Basic attack usage.
Related:Honkai: Star Rail - Dan Heng Imbibitor Lunae Team Composition Guide
Tips For Clearing Difficulty 5 (Torturous Difficulty)
Swarm Disaster Difficulty 5 stands as one of the most challenging content levels inHonkai: Star Rail. Here, enemies reach level 95 and possess enhanced abilities that can pose a significant threat to the party. Players need to exercise caution and employ well-thought-out strategies to succeed in this mode. With this being the case, while there is no guarantee to be able to clear this difficulty, here are some tips that can highly help out players:
Honkai: Star Railis available now for Android, iOS, and PC. A PlayStation 5 version launches in Q4 2023.
