Looking for how to get Trace Materials in Honkai: Star Rail? Trace Materials are a consumable in HoYoverse's juggernaut turnbased RPG, and used as a way to Ascend and level up characters. In order to cope with increasing Equilibrium Levels, you'll want to have a good amount of Trace Materials available to maximise the effectiveness of your characters in combat. As such, as part of our Honkai: Star Rail guide, we're going to explain how to get Trace Materials.

How Do You Earn Trace Materials in Honkai: Star Rail?

Honkai: Star Rail: How to Earn Trace Materials 1
Image: Push Square

Unlike other consumables in Honkai: Star Rail, there are vast number of different Trace Materials, all of which will be required for characters that belong to different Path Types. Depending on the Path Type, you may need different Trace Materials to upgrade their unique Traces (or combat abilities). The full list of Trace Materials currently available in Honkai: Star Rail is as follows:

Trace Materials Path Type
  • Extinguished Core
  • Glimmering Core
  • Squirming Core
N/A
  • Thief's Instinct
  • Usurper's Scheme
  • Conqueror's Will
N/A
  • Silvermane Badge
  • Silvermane Insignia
  • Silvermane Medal
N/A
  • Ancient Part
  • Ancient Spindle
  • Ancient Engine
N/A
  • Immortal Scionette
  • Immortal Aeroblossom
  • Immortal Lumintwig
N/A
  • Artifex's Module
  • Artifex's Cogwheel
  • Artifex's Gyreheart
N/A
  • Shattered Blade
  • Lifeless Blade
  • Worldbreaker Blade
The Destruction
  • Arrow of the Beast Hunter
  • Arrow of the Demon Slayer
  • Arrow of the Starchaser
The Hunt
  • Key of Inspiration
  • Key of Knowledge
  • Key of Wisdom
The Erudition
  • Endurance of Bronze
  • Oath of Steel
  • Safeguard of Amber
The Preservation
  • Obsidian of Dread
  • Obsidian of Desolation
  • Obsidian of Obsession
The Nihility
  • Harmonic Tune
  • Ancestral Hymn
  • Stellaris Symphony
The Harmony
  • Seed of Abundance
  • Sprout of Life
  • Flower of Eternity
The Abundance

Below, we're going to explain how to get Trace Materials.

Defeat Lots of Different Enemies

Honestly, one of the easiest ways to accrue Trace Materials is simply to defeat enemies you encounter in the world. Different types of enemies will drop different Trace Materials, so you can specifically target some types to maximise a type of item you need in your inventory, or you can just aimlessly grind out encounters and simply stock up on key items as you go. It should be noted that you can also get Trace Materials from Nameless Honor and the Simulated Universe, so in essence simply playing the game will net you some of the resources you need.

Crimson Calyxes Are Essential

For Path-specific Trace Materials you'll need to tackle Crimson Calyxes. Each type of Calyx targets a different Path Type, so you'll need to carefully consider the rewards for the gauntlet you're fighting and ensure it rewards you with the specific Trace Materials you want.

The Omni-Synthesizer Is Your Friend

The Omni-Synthesizer is an always accessible utility within the game that can be used to exchange unwanted consumables for resources you need, or simply create them anew. This is particularly useful when your inventory is well stocked but you don't necessarily have the Trace Materials you specifically need to ascend a character or upgrade their abilities.

Arrange Some Assignments

Assignments are a system in the game whereby you can send characters out on expeditions in order to gather resources. Generally these will take a set number of hours to complete, with 20 being the maximum. You can earn basic Trace Materials from these which can be further refined in the Omni-Synthesizer, but you should always take time to ensure you use the right Path Type for Assignments in order to maximise your rewards.

Spend Your Extra Undying Embers

Different types of Trace Materials can be purchased from the in-game store using Undying Embers, although you will be restricted to a set denomination per month. Typically, it'll cost you about 4 Undying Embers for a set of three Trace Materials.

Use Your Trailblaze Power

As you progress through the game and increase your Trailblaze Level, you'll eventually unlock the Crimson form of Calyxes, which are where you'll be able to spend Trailblaze Power to unlock different Trace Materials. There are different types of Calyx for each Path Type, so think about which character you're trying to upgrade and grind accordingly. You can also unlock some extremely rare Trace Materials by completing Echoes of War.


Did you find this page on how to get Trace Materials in Honkai: Star Rail helpful at all? Take a look at our Honkai: Star Rail guide, and let us know in the comments section below.