Two Systems, One Goal: Getting Decent Gear
Here’s the thing about HSR’s relic management – it’s deliberately split into two approaches that complement each other beautifully (once you understand what you’re doing).
Salvage: Your Quick-and-Dirty Solution
Salvaging is straightforward. Hit that ‘Salvage’ button on your Relic page, but here’s the catch – only unleveled pieces qualify. Already pumped EXP into a relic? You’re stuck using it as fodder instead.
The math is simple enough: 2-star relics give you 300 EXP total, 3-stars bump that to 500, and 4-stars deliver a solid 1,000 EXP. But 5-star pieces? They break the pattern entirely, converting into 10 Relic Remains instead of EXP materials.
That 10-to-1 ratio is crucial for planning. Need one targeted relic? You’re salvaging ten 5-star pieces. Period.
Crafting: Where Strategy Meets RNG
The Omni-Synthesizer unlocks at Trailblazer Level 40 (Equilibrium Level 3), and basic crafting runs 100 Relic Remains per 5-star piece. Without any enhancements, you’re getting random stats – which, let’s be honest, isn’t much better than farming.
Enter Self-Modeling Resin. This stuff transforms crafting from a glorified slot machine into actual strategic planning. One resin lets you pick main stats, which is absolutely game-changing for Body pieces (CRIT Rate/DMG), Feet (SPD), Planar Spheres (Elemental DMG), and Link Ropes (Energy Regen). For players investing in Honkai Star Rail Top Up characters with specific requirements, this precision is worth its weight in gold.
What 3.5 Actually Changed
Version 3.5 wasn’t just a numbers tweak – it fundamentally shifted the crafting economy. Wishful Resin got absorbed into Self-Modeling Resin at 1:1, which simplified things while expanding what you could actually customize.
The real kicker? Enhanced resin now handles both main stats AND limited sub-stat selection. Monthly synthesis caps at 2 Self-Modeling Resins from Relic Remains, but the Smart Equip system now gives character-specific recommendations that actually make sense.
Breaking Down the Salvage Game
When to Salvage (And When Not To)
Only unenhanced relics qualify for salvaging – and there’s good reason for this restriction. Previously leveled equipment keeps 80% of invested EXP when used as fodder, making it more valuable than the Remains you’d get from salvaging.
5-star relics with wrong main stats are immediate salvage candidates. Body pieces without CRIT stats? Gone. Feet lacking SPD? Trash. Pieces sporting 3-4 flat stats are rarely worth keeping, though anything with multiple percentage-based or CRIT substats deserves a second look.
Set completion throws a wrench into simple disposal rules, though. Missing that last Pioneer Diver piece or hunting for Forge of the Kalpagni Lantern components might justify keeping marginally acceptable pieces until something better drops.
The New Filtering Reality
Version 3.5’s filtering options are legitimately helpful – you can set up semi-automated workflows for disposing of 2-4 star relics based on your own criteria. It’s not perfect, but it cuts down on the tedious sorting that used to eat up so much time after farming sessions.
Mastering Remains Crafting
Understanding the True Costs
Each 5-star salvage gives you 10 units toward that 100-unit crafting cost. Self-Modeling Resin comes from Nameless Honor progression and limited events – treat it like the premium resource it is.
Monthly synthesis lets you convert Remains into resin at controlled rates, giving F2P players access to customization features. But 3.5’s enhanced options demand more resin for multi-stat selection, so budget accordingly.
Smart Crafting Priorities
Head and Hands pieces have guaranteed main stats (Flat HP/ATK), making them perfect for resin-free crafting when you just need set completion. Body, Feet, Planar Sphere, and Link Rope pieces benefit most from Self-Modeling Resin because their main stat pools are all over the place.
For players looking to Buy Oneiric Shards to support specific character builds, targeted crafting for combinations like CRIT DMG Bodies or SPD Feet becomes incredibly valuable.
The Real Cost Analysis
100 Relic Remains represents 10 salvaged 5-star relics – roughly 500-600 Trailblaze Power worth of farming. When you factor in Self-Modeling Resin acquisition difficulty and alternative uses through battle pass rewards, the true cost becomes clearer.
Head-to-Head: Which System Wins?
Efficiency Showdown
Salvage gives you immediate, guaranteed returns. No decision paralysis, no complex calculations – ten 5-star relics always generate 100 Relic Remains, and lower-rarity pieces provide fixed EXP values.
Crafting introduces controlled RNG reduction, but at higher resource costs. Basic crafting without resin gives you set/slot guarantees at base cost, while enhanced customization demands premium materials for statistical control.
Investment Philosophy
Early endgame players usually benefit more from salvage-generated EXP for leveling existing pieces. Advanced players flip this priority – they want crafting for build completion and stat optimization.
The opportunity cost hits both systems. Salvaging prevents potential fodder usage, while crafting consumes materials that could support multiple basic pieces. It’s about knowing where you are in the progression curve.
Dealing with Bad Rolls
Clear Salvage Candidates
Poor 5-star relics with fundamentally wrong main stats are no-brainers for salvaging. Body pieces lacking CRIT stats, Feet without SPD – these aren’t maybe decisions. Multiple flat stats without percentage alternatives? Same story.
But set context matters beyond individual piece quality. Completing valuable sets like Genius of Brilliant Stars might justify keeping marginally acceptable pieces until you can farm replacements.
Decision Framework
High-priority disposal: wrong main stats plus poor sub-stat combinations. Borderline cases need evaluation considering future character releases and build flexibility.
Here’s a common mistake – overvaluing pieces with good sub-stats but wrong main stats. HSR Top Up Online players should evaluate pieces within complete build contexts, not as isolated quality assessments.
Post-3.5 Strategy Shifts
System Improvements That Matter
Version 3.5 addressed real pain points in RNG mitigation and inventory management. Merging Wishful Resin into Self-Modeling Resin while expanding customization capabilities was smart design – fewer currencies to track, more options to pursue.
UI improvements streamlined workflows through better filtering and character-based recommendations. These aren’t flashy changes, but they reduce friction in daily gameplay loops.
Adjusted Thresholds
Post-3.5 threshold adjustments reflect enhanced Relic Remains value due to improved crafting capabilities. Prioritize resin usage on pieces with maximum main stat variance while avoiding waste on fixed-stat Head and Hands pieces.
The improved accessibility of targeted pieces accelerates build completion timelines, but resource allocation strategies must account for increased material costs of enhanced customization.
Player-Type Optimization
F2P Efficiency Focus
Free-to-play optimization emphasizes maximizing limited Self-Modeling Resin access through battle pass progression and monthly synthesis. Building reserves of 200-300 Remains enables flexible responses to new character acquisitions or meta shifts.
Resource patience becomes crucial here. Waiting for optimal crafting opportunities rather than immediate gratification often produces superior long-term results, especially for primary DPS characters or meta-defining supports.
Spender Advantages
Players with regular Self-Modeling Resin access through battle pass purchases can pursue aggressive optimization strategies. Enhanced crafting becomes viable for multiple characters simultaneously, supporting broader roster development.
Faster progression through enhanced crafting lets spenders focus farming efforts on new content while creating more predictable build completion timelines.
Endgame Considerations
Advanced players often find EXP materials less limiting than specific piece acquisition, shifting disposal preferences toward Relic Remains accumulation. Endgame crafting priorities center on perfecting builds for Memory of Chaos and challenging content.
Long-term planning becomes essential as material accumulation requirements increase. Maintain reserves for future character releases while optimizing your current roster systematically.
Advanced Planning & Character Considerations
Character-Specific Investment
DPS characters typically justify premium material investment for optimal CRIT pieces. Supports may function perfectly well with crafted pieces featuring correct main stats. Hunt and Destruction characters demand CRIT optimization, while Harmony supports prioritize SPD and Energy Regeneration.
Future character planning affects disposal decisions through potential compatibility considerations. Holding pieces with unusual but valuable stat combinations may prove beneficial when new characters introduce novel scaling mechanics.
Resource Portfolio Management
Systematic resource distribution prevents material shortages during critical optimization periods. Maintain minimum Relic Remains reserves while allocating Self-Modeling Resin based on character priority rankings and content requirements.
Seasonal planning accounts for limited-time events and battle pass cycles affecting material availability. Treat character builds as investment opportunities requiring strategic resource allocation.
Common Questions (With Real Answers)
When should I prioritize salvaging over using relics as EXP fodder? Salvage 5-star relics when you need specific pieces through crafting or have sufficient EXP materials. Early endgame players (TL 40-60) often benefit more from using bad 5-stars as fodder for immediate 1,500 EXP, while advanced players prefer accumulating Relic Remains for targeted crafting.
What makes a 5-star relic worth salvaging immediately? Wrong main stats are automatic salvage candidates: Body pieces without CRIT Rate/DMG, Feet lacking SPD, or Planar Spheres missing Elemental DMG bonuses. Pieces with 3-4 flat sub-stats rarely justify retention regardless of main stat quality.
How should I prioritize Self-Modeling Resin usage after the 3.5 update? Focus resin on pieces with highest main stat variance: Body (CRIT Rate/DMG), Feet (SPD), Planar Spheres (Elemental DMG%), and Link Ropes (Energy Regen/Break Effect). Don’t waste resin on Head or Hands pieces since their main stats are fixed.
What’s the most efficient way to accumulate Relic Remains? Consistently salvage poor 5-star relics rather than using them as fodder, maintaining 200-300 Remains as strategic reserve. Each 5-star relic provides 10 Remains, so crafting one piece requires salvaging ten relics.
Should F2P players approach relic management differently than spenders? Absolutely. F2P players should prioritize accumulating Relic Remains through consistent salvaging while carefully rationing limited Self-Modeling Resin from battle pass and monthly synthesis. Focus resin usage on highest-impact pieces for primary DPS characters rather than spreading resources across multiple builds.
