Understanding COA IX Abyss Treasure Mechanics
Call of the Abyss IX runs January 8-28, 2026. Abyss Treasure IX launches January 8 (08:00 UTC+8, 240-min maintenance) through May 5, 2026. This 4-month window allows gradual Inspiration accumulation vs typical 2-week essence events.
For optimal purchasing power, buy identity v echoes cheap through BitTopup's secure platform with competitive pricing and instant delivery.
Team Audition vs Standard COA Essence
Standard Essence:
- 318 Echoes per pull
- 1-3% S-Tier drop rate
- 250-pull pity = 79,500 Echoes guaranteed
- No duplicate protection
Abyss Treasure IX:
- 96 Inspirations per item (flat rate)
- Direct exchange, no RNG
- A-Tier duplicate protection until collection complete
- 960 Inspirations for all 10 items

Cost comparison: 5,000 Echo recharge = 1,660 Inspirations (enough for complete collection + 700 leftover). That's 94% savings vs essence pity.

Event Timeline 2026
- Sacred Sanctum: Dec 31, 2025 - Jan 8, 2026
- Divine Procession: Jan 8 - Jan 22, 2026
- Team Registration Closes: Jan 15, 09:00 UTC+8
- Abyss Treasure Available: Jan 8 - May 5, 23:59
Tournament Fragment Rewards:
- Rank 1: 2,000 Fragments/member
- Rank 2: 1,500 Fragments
- Rank 3: 1,200 Fragments
- Ranks 4-8: 800 Fragments
Complete Skin Pool Breakdown
S-Tier (1):
- Photographer - Eternal Light (enhanced effects, exclusive animations)

A-Tier Survivors (4):
- Faro Lady - Pale Crown
- Painter - Deep Blue
- Knight - Untamed Song
- Fire Investigator - Caged Fire
Standard A-Tier shop price: 1,388 Echoes (1,178 discounted). All four direct = 4,712 Echoes. Via Abyss Treasure: 384 Inspirations (2,000 Echo recharge).
B-Tier (4):
- Lanternist - Paradise Drifter
- Explorer - Conspiracy Theorist
- The Shadow - Tales from the Dread
- Coordinator - Dark Cleric
Character distribution favors survivors (8 survivor, 1 hunter) with diverse roles: rescuers, kiters, decoders, support.
Drop Rates and Probability
Exchange Mechanics
- Flat 96 Inspirations per item (all rarities)
- A-Tier duplicate protection: Can't get duplicate A-Tier until collecting all 4
- No protection for B-Tier or S-Tier
- S-Tier could appear first exchange (96) or last (960)
- Expected S-Tier acquisition: ~480 Inspirations (50% probability)
Inspiration Acquisition
Recharge Milestones:
- 300 Echoes: 60 Inspirations
- 1,000 Echoes: 200 Inspirations
- 2,000 Echoes: 400 Inspirations
- 5,000 Echoes: 1,000 Inspirations
- 5,000 cumulative: 1,660 total Inspirations
Special Packages:
- 576 Echoes = 20 Inspirations (limit 3)
- Total: 60 Inspirations for 1,728 Echoes
Tournament Fragments:
- Convert to Inspirations via event exchange
Optimal strategy: 5,000 Echo recharge for 1,660 Inspirations. Identity v echoes recharge efficiently through BitTopup for secure, instant delivery.
Cost Analysis
Complete Collection
960 Inspirations = 5,000 Echo recharge = ~521 Echoes/item
Compare to direct A-Tier purchases (5,552 Echoes for 4 skins) - Abyss Treasure gives 10 items for 5,000 Echoes.
Targeted Scenarios
Single S-Tier (Photographer Main):
- Worst: 960 Inspirations (5,000 Echoes)
- Expected: ~480 Inspirations (2,000 Echoes)
- Best: 96 Inspirations (300 Echoes + packages)
Specific A-Tier (Character Main):
- Guaranteed: 384 Inspirations max (2,000 Echoes)
- Direct purchase: 1,178-1,388 Echoes
- Bonus: 3 additional items
All A-Tier (Collector):
- 384 Inspirations (2,000 Echoes)
- Direct cost: 4,712-5,552 Echoes
- Savings: 48-64% discount
Skin Quality Assessment
Design Value
Tournament skins offer exclusivity through limited availability and competitive narrative connection. S-Tier Eternal Light features custom animations, particle effects, audio cues. A-Tier quality matches shop standards with exclusive designs unavailable elsewhere.
B-Tier lacks animation complexity but maintains tournament theming - acceptable bonuses, not primary targets.
Long-Term Collectibility
Limited-availability skins appreciate over time. Previous COA skins now signal veteran status. Casual players may prefer permanent shop content; collectors/competitive players value exclusive tournament cosmetics regardless of objective quality.
Strategic Value by Player Type
F2P Players
Prioritize character mains only. If your main appears: exceptional value (384 Inspirations for A-Tier, ~480 for S-Tier). No character representation? Save for future events.
Character Mains
Photographer/Faro Lady/Painter/Knight/Fire Investigator mains: Clear value. A-Tier guaranteed within 384 Inspirations undercuts direct purchase.
Photographer mains: S-Tier requires 96-960 Inspirations. Full collection (960) = guaranteed S-Tier + 9 items for 5,000 Echoes - exceptional for dedicated mains.
Excluded character mains: Zero direct value. Reserve Inspirations.
Collectors
Anti-duplicate A-Tier protection eliminates frustration. Full collection (960 Inspirations = 5,000 Echoes) = 521 Echoes/item across 10 costumes. Evaluate against upcoming event calendars.
Casual Players
Target 1-2 appealing designs. Extended window through May 5 allows gradual accumulation via small periodic recharges.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Probability Fallacy: Each exchange is independent. Multiple B-Tier results don't increase S-Tier odds next exchange.
Sunk Cost Trap: Don't continue investing just to justify previous spending. Evaluate each additional Inspiration based on prospective value.
Ignoring Opportunity Costs: Every Inspiration here = unavailable for future events (Matador S-Tier Feb 5, 2026, seasonal events, etc.).
FOMO Confusion:Limited-time ≠ permanent exclusivity. Tournament skins occasionally return during anniversaries at premium pricing.
Alternative Spending Options
Memory Sphere Essences: Permanent availability, different characters. Patient players can wait for discounts.
Direct Shop Purchase: First-week A-Tier discount = 1,178 Echoes. Perfect targeting precision vs bulk efficiency.
Future Event Reservation: Quarterly seasonal events, character birthdays, collaborations. Reserve resources for higher personal relevance.
Long-Term Budget: Target 400 Inspirations/quarter (2,000 Echo recharges) = 1,600 annual Inspirations for sustainable acquisition.
Expert Recommendations
Definite Yes
- Main Photographer/Faro Lady/Painter/Knight/Fire Investigator
- Completionist with 5,000+ Echoes available
- Want multiple A-Tier skins, value duplicate protection
- No immediate alternative priorities
Conditional Yes
- Appreciate 2-3 specific designs
- Have 2,000-5,000 Echoes without financial strain
- Value tournament exclusivity
- Accept B-Tier as acceptable bonuses
Probably No
- No main characters in pool
- Limited Inspirations, prefer targeted purchases
- Saving for confirmed upcoming events
- Prioritize permanent content
Definite No
- F2P with minimal reserves, no character representation
- Dislike COA IX aesthetics
- Financial constraints
- New player needing permanent content
Optimal Timing
Extended availability through May 5 eliminates urgency. Delay until:
- Confirming Feb-April 2026 event calendar
- Aligning with personal budget cycles
- Monitoring balance patches
- Observing community feedback
Efficient Acquisition via BitTopup
BitTopup advantages:
- Competitive pricing across all tiers
- Instant Echo delivery
- Secure transactions with buyer guarantees
- 24/7 support
- Multiple payment methods
Target 5,000 Echo cumulative milestone for 1,660 Inspirations. Structure as single purchase or incremental recharges totaling 5,000.
FAQ
How many Inspirations for all skins? 960 Inspirations. 5,000 Echo recharge yields 1,660 (700 leftover).
Can I get duplicate A-Tier skins? No. Anti-duplicate protection prevents A-Tier duplicates until collecting all 4. Doesn't apply to B/S-Tier.
Is Abyss Treasure cheaper than essences for S-Tier? Yes. Essence pity = 79,500 Echoes. Abyss Treasure max = 960 Inspirations (5,000 Echoes) = 94% savings.
When does it end? May 5, 2026, 23:59. Four-month window for gradual accumulation.
Most efficient Inspiration method? 5,000 Echo cumulative recharge = 1,660 Inspirations. Add Special Packages (576 Echoes for 20 Inspirations, limit 3). Competitive players earn tournament Fragments.
Should F2P spend on this? Only if your main appears. Photographer/Faro Lady/Painter/Knight/Fire Investigator mains get exceptional value. Other mains: save for future events.


















