INTRODUCTION:
Reverse 1999 is a story driven escapade spanning cultures and time with turn based combat that features a card mechanic. For a full review of the game you can view this post. In this beginners guide we will cover all the basics of the game to help get you started. This includes: summoning, re-rolling, character attributes, resonance, psychubes, a condensed tier list, time keeper’s moxie, various gameplay modes, resources, basic team building and what to focus on/how to progress.
SUMMONING:
The rates and pity system is overall decent compared to other gacha games. The base drop rate for a 6 star unit is 1.5%. The current system for limited time banners is that every 70 summons guarantees a 6 star unit with a 50% chance that it is the featured unit. After 60 summons the base rate goes up to 4%. If you still don’t get a summon, then every following summon raises the rate by another 2.5%. Summon count/pity does carry over to other similar banners. Although the overall rates are comparable/good against other gacha games the rate of earning premium currency is more on the scarce side. Hence researching who to pull and pass on is essential to make the most of your premium resources.
RE-ROLLING:
Re-rolling is not completely necessary in this game as the campaign can be completed with a variety of units at the 6 or 5 star level. There are even 4 star units that can be viable while you build your account. For those not familiar with re-rolling in a gacha game, it is the process of replaying an introductory sequence to pull for desired units and therefore starting your account with a strong foundation. To re-roll you will need to use multiple login/email accounts (there is a time delay for deleting an account). The process involves playing through the introductory tutorial (approximately 10-15min) and then gathering all the rewards and summoning on a featured banner.
CHARACTER ATTRIBUTES:
SKILLS
Characters come with 2 incantation skills and an ultimate. As actions are taken (casting incantations or combining cards) they gain moxie. Once the moxie is full they gain access to their ultimate ability. On top of that they have passive abilities called insight. These can also be upgraded at certain levels and improve with each insight tier that is unlocked. The combination of all these elements together allow units to fill specific roles. Like most other games characters fit roles of DPS, support and healer/damage mitigation. The roles are also flexible leading to some hybrid combinations.
AFFLATUS
Characters are also classified into various afflatus (beast/plant/star/mineral/spirit/intelligence). Specific afflatus will gain advantages/disadvantages against others (30% more damage against a weaker afflatus) similar to elemental affinities in other games.
POWER
Character power is augmented through various systems. This includes their level, their insight, portray/portrait (character duplicates), resonance level and psychubes. Character portraits/duplicates can significantly alter and transform units. This can make 5 star units with max portraits viable and powerful options.
RESONANCE
Resonance allows your character to use various puzzle pieces (stat bonuses) arranged in a specific fixed space as you desire. In practice most optimal stat/configurations are static and involve boosting flat damage or critical hit chance or survival (HP/defense). Levelling up resonance can have a big impact especially as you come across more challenging content. Getting your main team and especially your main DPS to resonance level 10 is essential. You can also use a resource like Miseria, Sleepi and Yumdere’s resonance guide and utilize the most optimal configurations. Beyond resonance level 10 is not generally required as the cost to benefit ratio starts to diminish. But for your favourite DPS carry it can be a long term goal.
PSYCHUBES
Lastly, psychubes are items you can equip. They come with a stat boost and a unique passive. Many characters have a unique psychube upon release that is their best in slot option. Similar to resonance, getting psychube levels up to par for the content has an impact especially in difficult encounters. Resources to upgrade psychubes is usually limited to certain content so always keep that in mind when you decide to spend certain currency. Greed and gluttony is used to increased passive stats on 6 star and 5 star psychubes respectively. Polarizations (MF/LF) will unlock a level cap on a psychube while enlighten will increase the experience on it.
CONDENSED TIER LIST:
As with most tier lists use it only as one factor in your process to determine if you should or should not pull on a character. Tier lists don’t tell you the everything about who would be best for your team composition or for the specific content. Also keep in mind that getting portraits/duplicates can transform a unit. For example, I have Bkornblume (a 5 star unit) at 4 duplicates and depending on the content they can be the top damage dealer or on par with a zero duplicate 6 star unit.
This simplified tier list is based off of Prydwen‘s CN tier list. There are many units in the game and more will come. The most helpful aspect for a new player is knowing which units to aim for but also which common rarity units you can use as a replacement while you build your account. That is the goal of the simplified tier list. If a unit does not appear on the list it does not mean they are not usable. It will depend on the duplicates you have for the unit and the specific niche they can be used for. Also keep in mind that certain characters are better in specific team compositions (ex. A specific dps may perform optimally with another specific support/survival). The list will be organized by role (DPS, support, survival (healing/shield ect.) and afflatus. DPS are your main damage dealers on a team. These are usually separated into single target and AOE specialists. Support units provide various buffs for your allies and debuffs to the enemy. Survival units are able to heal and/or mitigate damage (reduce damage or put up shields). Please note some units are hybrid (ex. They can fill dual roles like dps and support. But they are generally listed in their primary role). The list is current up to patch 2.0 on CN.
1.MAIN DPS
BEST IN CLASS:
[STAR]: Windsong
[INTELLIGENCE]: Lucy
6 STAR OPTIONS:
[BEAST]: Spathodea, Melania, Centurion
[PLANT]: Marcus, Jessica
[STAR]: 37, Regulus, Lilya
[MINERAL]: Jiu Niangzi, Kaalaa Baunaa, Eternity
[SPIRIT]: A Knight
3/4/5 STAR OPTIONS:
[BEAST]: Sweetheart
[PLANT]: Satsuki
[STAR]: Charlie, Blooney
2. SUPPORT
BEST IN CLASS:
[SPIRIT]: Isolde
6 STAR OPTIONS:
[BEAST]: Getian, J, Shamane
[PLANT]: An-an Lee
[MINERAL]:Pickles, Semmelweis
[SPIRIT]: Mercuria
[INTELLIGENCE]: 6
3/4/5 STAR OPTIONS:
[BEAST]: Darley Clatter, Desert Flannel
[PLANT]: Bkornblume, Avgust
[STAR]: Lorelei, Voyager, Baby Blue, Oliver Fog
[MINERAL]: Necrologist, Horropedia, Sonetto
[SPIRIT]: Twins Sleep
[INTELLIGENCE]: X
3.SURVIVAL:
BEST IN CLASS:
[PLANT]: Kakania, Vila
[STAR]: Tooth Fairy
6 STAR OPTIONS:
[BEAST]: Medicine Pocket
[PLANT]: Sotheby
[STAR]: Ezra
[MINERAL]: Ms. New Babel
3/4/5 STAR OPTIONS:
[BEAST: Tennant, Dikke
[STAR]: Yenisei
[MINERAL]: Balloon Party
TEAM BUILDING:
A balanced team will consist of a main DPS, a support and a survival unit. Although leveling is fairly inexpensive at first you will quickly run low on resources. It’s best to be selective of which units you want to level up. To help with this you can identify a main DPS to level first followed by complimentary support and survival units. You’ll likely start with one type of afflatus. Eventually you’ll have a main DPS of each afflatus. For more end game content you’ll develop at least 2 teams of 4 units. Support and survival units are more flexible and as long as they aren’t facing a strong afflatus they can generally work for the encounter. One thing to note is that team building like many gacha games is slow. These type of games reward patience and carefully selecting which units to level. You can create powerful teams even as a free to player user.
STATS
The level/insight/resonance/psychube will have an impact especially on your main damage dealer. You’ll want to prioritize leveling them up. Don’t underestimate the influence of resonance and psychube stats. They can make an encounter go from impossible to manageable. Also making use of the optimal resonance configurations is much better than using the auto fill function. Check out the link under resonance to view optimal configurations. You first goal with progression is to get a team of 3 (DPS/support/survival) to max level, insight 3, resonance level 10 with an appropriate max level psychube.
HYBRIDS
Another aspect to team building is looking for hybrids. Often the best units fill some aspects of a dual role (ex. DPS and support – able to deal damage and buff/debuff/crowd control ect.). For example, Isolde offers support in her kit with the ability to buff allies and debuff enemies. On top of that she can dish out a lot of damage both in DOT damage and with her skills. This combination of filling dual roles makes them a top tier choice.
UNIVERSAL UNITS
There are also units that can be utilized in a variety of team compositions. For example, characters that can universally buff units like A Knight and Pickles work well with an array of team compositions. Pickles in particular can gain moxie without taking action allowing your DPS to cast more incantations. In addition, Spirit and Intelligence units don’t suffer from increased damage against the other 4 types (Beast/Plant/Star/Mineral) and can fill spots on your team for specific encounters. Moreover many bosses are of the Spirit or Intelligence afflatus making these type of units important for those battles. For example, going back to Isolde a spirit character. They don’t suffer increased damage from beast/plant/star/mineral and they deal increased damage to intelligence. This makes her viable in many battles.
PORTRAITS
Portraits/duplicates can transform a unit. Meaning if you have multiple duplicates of a 5 star unit it can potentially be very useful on your team. Many tier lists don’t factor in having a 5 star at maximum duplicates. In some cases that maxed out 5 star can be on par and/or viable compared to a zero duplicate 6 star depending on the encounter.
TIME KEEPER’S MOXIE:
As you cast, move and merge skills you will gain time keeper’s moxie. Once a certain amount is gained you can spend then for various effects. Currently there are 2 options for time keeper’s moxie and each come with 2 skills. They also grant a different amount of moxie depending on what you do. Hence they are geared towards different styles of play:
1. First Melody
Ability 1: Generate a special incantation to merge with a 1 star incantation.
Ability 2: Randomly change all incantations to new ones (keeping the same tier).
Pros: Augments some randomness if you don’t pull the cards you need. Higher starting moxie and passive moxie gain per round.
Cons: Less options to create 2/3 level incantations. Less emphasis on moving/merging incantations.
2. Grand Orchestra
Ability 1: Generates a special incantation to merge with a 1/2 star incantation.
Ability 2: Can move an incantation for free. This movement does not generate moxie.
Pros: More moxie gain per movement and for merging cards. More options to create stronger incantations. The free move allows more actions to be taken per round.
Cons: Requires more planning/strategy. Less options to augment randomness of card draws if you don’t get the incantation you need.
Overall choose the style that matches your preferred way to play. Both can have their place depending on the encounter. Overall first melody is probably easier to use for beginners allowing more starting moxie and passive moxie gain with the option to gain a new set of incantations in case of bad RNG. On the other hand, with Grand Orchestra there are more options to create stronger incantations and perform more actions with the free move. With more experience and for challenging encounters, I prefer Grand Orchestra.
GAMEPLAY MODES:
There are 4 main gameplay modes in Reverse 1999. Many of the modes heavily focus on story driven content. There’s also a range of difficulty and challenge regardless of how long you’ve played or progressed. As you level up specific units and teams you’ll be able to complete even the more challenging encounters.
1. CAMPAIGN:
This story driven mode focuses on Vertin and her companions as they navigate the world and uncover more details about the time reversal phenomenon. Overall, although pacing can be slow it does pay off with some excellent story moments.
2. ARTIFICIAL SOMNAMBULISM:
This is more an end game type encounter. Although not the most challenging content in the game, it can take a while to develop 2 teams to be able to complete it and gain the maximum number of rewards. Challenges also change as per a rotating schedule. Currency you gain here can be used in the Oneiric shop.
3. EVENTS:
New patches come with a variety of content. This usually includes a new story (main campaign or side story) as well as content like:
i. Mane’s Bulletin:
These are boss type encounters. Usually there is a mechanic that you need to pay attention to in order to maximize your score/rewards. They have also optimized this feature so that it now requires less grinding/repeated battles. To reach the maximum score is more end game content. It feels very rewarding once you can develop teams to complete these challenges.
ii. Fame Card Battle:
A popular game mode that utilizes cards with passive abilities that you can equip to your units. It allows you to customize your team and augment weaknesses/enhance strengths. A fun mode that has been continually undergoing revisions and refinement.
iii. Anecdote:
These are side stories of characters that may not have been given the spotlight. Often they reward 5 star psychubes that are helpful for the specific featured unit. Resources to unlock this is acquired once you complete your weekly missions. Make sure to click on this mode to receive your pneumbra can (unlocks the anecdote).
4.THE THREE DOORS:
Is an exploration/puzzle gameplay mode. You can explore different sections of the map and solve puzzles while gaining rewards.
RESOURCE FARMING:
Resources can be farmed in a variety of modes. The main sources are found in the resource section.
1. Pneuma Analysis:
Used to farm resources to purchase psychube and psychube leveling materials from the Fragment shop. Generally an important daily activity.
2. The Poussiere :
Used to farm dust.
3. Mintage Aesthetics:
Used to farm sharpondonty.
4. Harvest Prime:
Used to farm resources for your wilderness structures.
5. Other:
The other sources to farm upgrade materials will be through campaign missions.
WILDERNESS:
The wilderness allows you to customize your island with tiles and structures you’ve obtained. It also houses the Paleohall (used to auto farm dust and sharpondonty) and the Wishing Spring (used to craft materials to upgrade units). Leveling these structures is quite helpful especially as you progress and need specific materials to do upgrades.
BANK:
There are several different shops that you can exchange certain currency for resources. Some helpful materials you can obtain from the shop include: unilog (ticket for summons), LF/MF polarization (to raise the level cap of psychubes), enlighten (to level up psychubes) and high level resonance resources (from the Treble Shop). There are limited ways to acquire these types of material that were highlighted. It’s important to spend your resources here wisely so if you’re not sure what you need wait until you have a specific need. Psychubes and psychube leveling material is available in the Fragment shop.
FRIENDS:
One aspect that has been added to the game is the ability to use characters from your friends list for certain battles. If you’re missing a key unit on your team, consider searching through the suggested friends list for specific units that can help you out.
HOW TO PROGRESS:
The biggest lesson I wish I knew earlier was to focus on leveling up specific units– namely a main DPS, a support and a survival character. Getting your main team to resonance level 10, insight 3 and max level makes a big difference (especially the resonance level and using the optimal configuration). I also realized that I levelled too many units that I don’t necessarily need. You don’t need a full mono team of each afflatus. Instead a main DPS of each afflatus combined with some flexible support/survival units will do the trick. A helpful first goal would be to develop one team of 3 (eventually 4) and then once you reach that milestone a second team of 4 (with different afflatus from team 1). This will enable you to farm the Artificial Somnambulism allowing you to trade currency for valuable resources.
If you did pull multiple duplicates of a 4 star unit read more about their skills/insight abilities. They may be a good fit for your team. Have fun with different team compositions. Pull for units you like and be patient with progression. You’ll eventually build powerful teams as you progress. Events offer a lot of resources to help you level up units. These type of games are a slow build generally rewarding long term growth (aka playing other games, taking breaks so you don’t get burned out and taking a more relaxed approach to progression). In the end its about having fun with team compositions you like. Enjoy your time with Reverse 1999 and may the peace be with us!
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Image Credit: Reverse 1999
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