HSR 4.0 Cosmicon Guide: Best Starter Decks & Farming

What is Cosmicon Collective in HSR 4.0?

Cosmicon Collective is a card-based battle system in HSR 4.0, launching February 13, 2026 at 11:00 AM UTC/GMT+8 (Asia) and February 12, 2026 at 10:00 PM UTC/GMT-5 (NA). It's a standalone progression system within Planarcadia featuring deck construction, card synergies, and tactical decision-making across multiple rounds.

For faster card collection, Honkai Star Rail Oneiric Shards top up through BitTopup offers competitive pricing and instant delivery.

How to Unlock Cosmicon Collective

Unlocks after completing specific Trailblaze Missions in Planarcadia storyline—likely within first 2-3 hours of story progression. Daily Training unlocks after Long Wait for the Blade's Edge mission. Requires Trailblaze Level 13+ for daily missions.

Basic Rules and Win Conditions

Turn-based card play using constructed decks. Deploy cards with resource points, reduce opponent health to zero. Each card has deployment cost, effect triggers, and synergy tags. Matches last 5-8 minutes vs AI. Victory yields currency, card packs, and progression points.

Resource points regenerate each turn—plan when to deploy high-cost cards vs maintaining defense. This tempo balance separates efficient farmers from struggling players.

Why Starter Deck Choice Matters

Your initial deck determines farming efficiency for 72 hours. Optimized starter decks complete AI matches in 4-6 minutes; poor decks take 10-12 minutes—halving resource gains.

Version 4.0 provides 20 free Warps and 1600 Stellar Jades from Weal Sign, plus Gift of Arcadia and Gift of Odyssey packages (10 Star Rail Special Passes each). Proper allocation accelerates competitive deck construction; wasting them delays progress by days.

Top 3 Best Starter Decks (Tested & Ranked)

Aggro Rush Deck: Fastest Wins for Farming

Prioritizes low-cost cards with immediate damage, overwhelming opponents before they establish defense. Completes matches in 4-5 minutes—best for maximizing daily currency through volume.

Key advantages:

• Fastest completion: 12-15 wins/hour
• Low rarity requirements
• Simple decisions reduce fatigue
• Effective vs 70% of AI patterns

Resource priorities:

• Focus on 1-3 cost cards
• Prioritize Rush or Immediate Effect tags
• Avoid 5+ cost cards
• Maintain 60% units, 30% direct damage, 10% card draw

Control Tempo Deck: Balanced for Beginners

Balances defense with strategic offense, maintaining board control through removal effects. Completes matches in 6-7 minutes with 85% win rates—ideal for consistency over speed.

Optimal for players who:

• Prefer strategic depth
• Want flexibility vs multiple opponents
• Value learning advanced interactions
• Plan competitive play after week 1

Deck construction:

• 40% removal/counter cards
• 35% mid-cost units (4-6 points)
• 15% card draw/resource generation
• 10% high-impact finishers

Synergy Combo Deck: High Skill, High Reward

Leverages specific card interactions that multiply effectiveness when sequenced. Requires 2-3 extra days to assemble but delivers 5-6 minute matches with 90%+ win rates once optimized.

Characteristics:

• Requires specific card combinations
• 15-20% higher initial investment than Aggro Rush
• Steeper learning curve (8-10 practice matches)
• Scales better into weeks 2-3

Example synergies:

• Cost reduction when specific types are in play
• Effect chains triggering bonus abilities
• Resource generation loops
• Defensive combos stalling until combo assembly

Performance Comparison

Aggro Rush: 4-5 min matches, 75% win rate, 100% day 1 currency, low skill, excellent week 1, moderate week 2+

Control Tempo: 6-7 min matches, 85% win rate, 85% day 1 currency, moderate skill, excellent weeks 1-2+

Synergy Combo: 5-6 min matches, 90% win rate, 60% day 1 currency, high skill, good week 1, excellent week 2+

Complete Day 1 Farming Strategy (First 3 Hours)

Immediate Actions After Unlocking

Claim all tutorial rewards before optional matches. Tutorial provides starter packs and currency in 15-20 minutes. Complete mandatory tutorial matches (can't fail) for 3-5 card packs.

Navigate to Cosmicon Collection menu and claim all First Time Claim rewards—one-time bonuses including currency, packs, and deck slots.

Which Free Cards to Claim First

Prioritize cards fitting your archetype over rarity alone. A common 2-cost synergy card outperforms a rare 7-cost card you can't deploy efficiently.

Aggro Rush priorities:

• 1-2 cost units with 2+ attack
• Direct damage costing ≤3
• Card draw costing 2 points
• Rush keyword cards

Control Tempo priorities:

• Removal cards destroying/disabling units
• Counter or Response mechanics
• Mid-cost units with 3+ health
• Cost reduction effects

Synergy Combo priorities:

• Matching synergy tags for planned combo
• Cost reduction enabling earlier combos
• Card draw for combo pieces
• Defensive stall cards

Avoid 7+ cost cards on day 1 unless they enable your core strategy.

Optimal Daily Mission Order

Daily Training grants 500 max activity points through eight tasks. Login provides 100 points, dispatching one assignment adds 100, defeating 20 enemies (3-4 Cosmicon matches) secures another 100.

Efficient sequence:

1. Log in, claim 100 points (0 min)
2. Dispatch assignment for 100 points (30 sec)
3. Complete 3 matches for enemy defeat (15-20 min)
4. Claim match victory rewards (1 min)
5. Complete Play X cards during farming (passive)
6. Finish Win X matches through farming (passive)

Day 1 Currency Farming Route

Hour 1:

1. Complete 10 matches with starter deck (40-50 min)
2. Evaluate deck, identify weak cards (5 min)
3. Open accumulated packs (3 min)
4. Make 1-2 card swaps if better options appeared (2 min)

Hour 2:

1. Complete 12 matches with refined deck (48-60 min)
2. Track opponent patterns causing difficulties
3. Claim milestone rewards

Hour 3:

1. Complete 10-12 matches (40-60 min)
2. Comprehensive deck review with new cards
3. Plan day 2 currency allocation
4. Claim all rewards, check weekly progress

Yields 30-35 match completions on day 1, generating substantial currency while establishing archetype familiarity.

Card Pack Opening Priority

Tier 1 - Open immediately:

• Free packs from missions/achievements
• Starter packs with guaranteed archetype cards
• Tutorial completion packs

Tier 2 - Open after 10 matches:

• Standard packs with basic currency
• Guaranteed archetype-matching packs
• Event packs (February 12 to March 6, 2026)

Tier 3 - Save for days 2-3:

• Premium packs requiring rare currency
• Random archetype distributions
• Special packs above current power level

Allocate 1600 Stellar Jades and 20 Star Rail Special Passes toward guaranteed archetype packs, not random assortments. Focused approach builds cohesive decks 40% faster.

For expanded collection beyond F2P limits, buy HSR Oneiric Shards online through BitTopup's secure platform with competitive rates and instant delivery.

Day 2 Progression: Refining Your Deck

Key Cards to Farm or Craft

Crafting system allows direct card creation using currency. Day 2 is optimal crafting window—you've identified weaknesses through play while possessing sufficient currency.

Crafting priorities:

• Cards replacing identified weak performers
• Missing combo pieces (Synergy archetype)
• Removal if AI consistently overwhelms defense
• Card draw if frequently running out of options

Avoid crafting rare cards with marginal improvements. Common cards costing 60% less while delivering 80% performance represent superior week 1 value.

Identifying Weak Cards

Track metrics during matches rather than subjective impressions.

Evaluation criteria:

• Cards unplayed in 70%+ matches indicate excessive cost/poor synergy
• Cards underperforming when played suggest weak stats
• Cards creating dead turns reveal construction flaws
• Cards easily countered need replacement

Tally during 5 consecutive matches which cards you draw but don't play. Any card appearing 4+ times requires evaluation.

Common weak patterns:

• High-cost cards (6+) in Aggro Rush
• Situational cards requiring rare board states
• Duplicate effects
• Cards synergizing with cards you don't own

Resource Allocation Strategy

Split day 2 currency: 70% immediate improvements, 30% long-term investments.

Immediate upgrade budget (70%):

• Replace 3-5 weakest cards
• Craft 1-2 key synergy enablers (Combo archetype)
• Purchase guaranteed archetype packs
• Acquire essential removal

Future investment budget (30%):

• Save for rare cards requiring multi-day accumulation
• Reserve for event-exclusive cards
• Maintain emergency fund for meta shifts
• Build toward second archetype

Unlocking Advanced Daily Challenges

Advanced challenges unlock after 2-3 consecutive days of baseline daily completion, offering increased rewards for difficult objectives like Win without losing health or Win using only 3-cost or lower cards.

Maintain deck flexibility—keep 5-10 extra cards for challenge requirements. Skip challenges requiring extensive rebuilding during week 1. Prioritize challenges offering currency over cosmetics.

Advanced challenges provide 30-50% more currency than baseline missions.

Day 3 Optimization: Competitive Transition

When to Replace Starter Cards with Rares

Higher rarity ≠ automatic superior performance. Rare cards must synergize with your archetype.

Replacement framework:

• Rare cards directly upgrading common cards (same role, better stats) warrant immediate inclusion
• Rare cards enabling new strategies require evaluating if strategy outperforms current approach
• Rare cards with marginal improvements (5-10%) wait until week 2
• Rare cards requiring deck restructuring need cost-benefit analysis

Test rare cards in 3-5 matches before permanent inclusion. Track if match times improve, win rates increase, or new weaknesses emerge.

Testing Deck Variants

Create second deck slot using primary deck as template, modify 5-7 cards to test alternatives. Run 10 matches tracking completion times.

Variant testing priorities:

• More aggressive distribution if matches exceed 7 min
• Additional removal if opponents establish board control
• Card draw increases if running out of options
• Defensive additions if losing to late-game strategies

Successful variants reducing match time by 30+ seconds while maintaining win rates should replace original.

Preparing for PvP Mode

If PvP exists, meta differs from AI farming. Human opponents adapt, requiring less predictable patterns.

PvP preparation:

• Include more removal/counter cards
• Reduce reliance on predictable combos
• Add card draw for flexibility
• Consider higher-cost finishers

Maintain separate AI farming and PvP decks.

Week 1 Milestones Checklist

Essential milestones:

• 80-100 total matches across three days
• One fully optimized deck
• Currency reserve = 15-20 pack purchases
• All basic dailies unlocked, 50%+ advanced challenges
• 75%+ win rate, sub-7-min average matches
• 60-80% common cards for archetype
• Identified 3-5 rare cards for week 2 crafting

Stretch milestones:

• Functional second deck in alternative archetype
• All advanced dailies completed
• 90%+ win rate, sub-6-min matches
• Rare currency accumulated
• Tested 3+ deck variants

Resource Farming Efficiency Guide

Daily vs Weekly Priorities

Daily priority tasks:

• Complete Daily Training for 500 activity points (15-20 min)
• Finish Cosmicon daily missions (20-30 min)
• Claim login rewards (2 min)
• Complete minimum match requirements

Weekly objectives:

• Reach weekly match milestones
• Complete weekly challenges
• Participate in Phase 1 events
• Claim milestone rewards

Weekly objectives provide 3-4x daily currency but require cumulative progress. Prioritize daily consistency over individual high-volume sessions.

Best Farming Routes (Time-to-Reward)

Tier 1 efficiency (complete first):

• Daily missions: 450-600 currency/hour
• First-win bonuses: 1200/hour (limited)
• Achievements: 200-500 each (one-time)

Tier 2 efficiency (primary farming):

• Standard AI matches: 360-480/hour
• Advanced challenges: 300-420/hour
• Event matches: 400-600/hour

Tier 3 efficiency (filler):

• Experimental testing: 150-225/hour
• High-difficulty AI: 300-400/hour
• Collection grinding: variable

Focus week 1 on Tier 1-2 activities.

Maximizing F2P Currency

F2P players build competitive decks in 10-14 days through consistent daily completion and avoiding wasteful spending.

F2P optimization:

• Never miss daily missions—7 days of dailies = 3-4 days pure farming
• Prioritize guaranteed packs over random
• Craft specific cards vs buying random packs
• Save premium currency for guaranteed events

Currency preservation:

• Avoid crafting cards obtainable through free packs
• Don't buy cosmetics weeks 1-2
• Skip optional variants with minimal improvements
• Resist impulse rare purchases not fitting archetype

F2P players with disciplined spending match 70-80% of paying players' progression within two weeks.

When to Consider Premium Investment

Invest after identifying specific needed cards, not random purchases.

High-value opportunities:

• Guaranteed rare archetype packs
• Limited-time event cards
• Deck slot expansions (multiple archetypes)
• Premium currency 30%+ discount sales

Avoid:

• Random packs when needing specific cards
• Cosmetics
• Full-price purchases when sales occur regularly
• Cards obtainable through 3-4 days farming

Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid

Don't Craft These Cards Early

Trap card characteristics:

• High costs (7+) preventing consistent play
• Effects requiring rare board states
• Synergies with rare cards you don't own
• Situational counters to strategies AI doesn't use

Trap patterns:

• Win more cards only performing when already winning
• Defensive cards delaying losses vs creating wins
• Combo pieces without supporting cards
• High-rarity cards with no deck synergy

Before crafting, test similar cards or research if card sees play in successful decks.

Pack Opening Mistakes

Random packs provide poor value vs targeted crafting. New players waste 30-40% currency on random packs hoping for specific cards.

Pack errors:

• Buying random packs when needing 2-3 specific cards (craft instead)
• Opening premium before exhausting cheaper types
• Purchasing packs for archetypes you're not playing
• Opening immediately vs waiting for daily mission drops

Optimal strategy:

1. Identify specific needed cards
2. Check if craftable at reasonable cost
3. If crafting exceeds 3 pack purchases, buy guaranteed archetype packs
4. Only buy random when needing multiple general pool cards
5. Save premium for guaranteed rare events

Deck Building Errors

Critical mistakes:

• Too many high-cost cards (40%+ at 5+ cost)
• Insufficient card draw
• Too many situational cards
• Lack of removal options

Construction guidelines:

• 50-60% low-cost cards (1-3 points)
• 10-15% card draw
• 15-20% removal/defense
• 15-25% win conditions

Test deck curve by tracking playable cards turns 1-5. Frequent turns unable to spend all resources = too many high-cost cards. Running out by turn 6-7 = need more draw.

Resource Management Red Flags

Warning signs:

• Currency dropping below 50% daily earning rate
• Crafting multiple untested cards
• Purchasing packs for multiple archetypes simultaneously
• Spending premium on items available through farming

Healthy indicators:

• Reserves = 2-3 days farming
• Testing before full integration
• Focusing one archetype until optimized
• Saving premium for guaranteed opportunities

Advanced Starter Deck Tips

Mulligan Strategy by Archetype

Aggro Rush:

• Keep 1-2 cost units
• Mulligan 4+ cost cards
• Retain direct damage only with units
• Prioritize curve (plays for turns 1-3)

Control Tempo:

• Keep one removal card
• Retain 2-3 cost units
• Mulligan expensive unless critical
• Balance answers and threats

Synergy Combo:

• Keep combo enablers even if expensive
• Retain card draw
• Mulligan situational cards
• Prioritize survival if combo needs 5+ turns

Turn Priority and Tempo

Tempo principles:

• Multiple low-cost cards/turn = tempo advantage
• Forcing opponent responses = tempo
• Inefficient spending = tempo loss
• Maintaining board while answering threats = tempo

Turn priority:

1. Can I win this turn? If yes, commit all resources
2. Can opponent win next turn? If yes, prioritize defense
3. Can I establish board control? If yes, deploy threats
4. Should I develop resources? If none above apply

Countering AI Patterns

Aggressive AI:

• Pattern: Multiple low-cost units early
• Counter: Removal and defensive units
• Key: Survive turns 1-5, overwhelm late-game

Control AI:

• Pattern: Remove threats while building resources
• Counter: Deploy expendable units to bait removal
• Key: Force inefficient removal, then deploy win conditions

Combo AI:

• Pattern: Stall while assembling combos
• Counter: Consistent pressure preventing setup
• Key: Win before turn 7-8 combo activation

When to Switch Archetypes

Signs to switch:

• Consistently losing to specific opponent types
• Matches tedious despite winning
• Archetype requires unobtainable cards
• Meta shifts reduce effectiveness

Switching considerations:

• Evaluate if switching costs less than optimizing current
• Check if existing cards transfer
• Calculate time to build new vs overcome weaknesses
• Test new archetype with basic cards before committing

Commit to initial choice 7-10 days before considering switches.

FAQ

What's the best starter deck for new players?

Aggro Rush provides best starter for most players: 4-5 min matches, low rarity requirements, simple decisions. Maximizes currency during critical first 72 hours. For strategic depth over speed, choose Control Tempo (85% win rate, teaches fundamentals).

How long to build competitive deck as F2P?

3-4 days for competitive starter decks via daily missions, focused spending on one archetype, avoiding random packs. 1600 Stellar Jades and 20 Star Rail Special Passes provide substantial starting resources. Fully optimized competitive decks need 10-14 days consistent activity, though starters achieve 75%+ win rates vs AI within 48 hours.

Should I save currency or spend immediately?

Spend strategically: 70% daily earnings on immediate improvements (targeted crafting/guaranteed packs), 30% for future investments. Never accumulate beyond 5-6 days farming income without investing—delays competitive viability without benefits.

Can I change archetype after day 1?

Yes, but switching before day 7-10 wastes invested resources. Most cards don't transfer between archetypes efficiently. If unsuitable due to playstyle/meta, switch earlier vs investing weeks. Most weaknesses stem from incomplete optimization—commit one week before switching.

What if I run out of currency?

Depletion indicates unfocused spending or wasteful random pack purchases. Return to basics: complete all dailies for guaranteed income, farm standard AI matches, avoid purchases until reserves = 2-3 days farming. Review spending for wasteful patterns. Most players recover in 3-4 days focused dailies.

Are event cards better than regular starters?

Event cards (February 12 to March 6, 2026) often provide superior power/unique effects, but only if synergizing with your archetype. Evaluate using same criteria—does this measurably improve deck? Exclusivity creates urgency but shouldn't override strategic principles. Prioritize event cards filling gaps or enabling pursued strategies.

Boost Your Cosmicon Progression

Efficient resource management separates players building competitive decks in one week from those struggling three weeks. Focused archetype selection, disciplined currency spending, systematic daily completion, and strategic card acquisition create compounding advantages accelerating progression exponentially.

Version 4.0's launch rewards (20 free Warps, 1600 Stellar Jades, multiple Star Rail Special Pass packages) provide unprecedented starting resources. Combined with free 5-star selections and optimized farming using 240 daily Trailblaze Power, executing day 1-3 strategies positions you for immediate competitive viability.

Whether choosing Aggro Rush for max farming, Control Tempo for balance, or Synergy Combo for high-skill gameplay, fundamentals remain constant: understand archetype strengths, optimize resource allocation, maintain consistent daily progression.

Ready to dominate Cosmicon faster? Get your Honkai Star Rail top-ups at BitTopup for best rates and instant delivery. Unlock premium packs and accelerate deck building—trusted by millions with competitive pricing, secure transactions, and excellent service ensuring your progression never stalls!