Simulated Universe Guide

Simulated Universe is a rogue-like combat challenge in Honkai: Star Rail. Check out this Simulated Universe guide to learn how to unlock it, the best Paths and teams for each world, all rewards, and how to clear each World!

Simulated Universe Guides
Swarm Disaster	Gold and Gears

Simulated Universe Updates

Simulated Universe World 9 in Version 2.1

Simulated Universe World 9 is a new stage released in the Version 2.1 update.

Simulated Universe World 9 Guide

New Planar Ornaments in World 9

Planar Ornaments Released in Version 2.1
Sigonia, the Unclaimed Desolation	Izumo Gensei and Takama Divine Realm

World 9 features two new Planar Ornaments. Sigonia, the Unclaimed Desolation is a set for characters that can defeat multiple enemies quickly and is great for battles with multiple enemy waves like Pure Fiction.

Izumo Gensei and Takama Divine Realm provides extra buffs to the wearer when other characters are on the same Path in the party. It is amazing for parties with two characters of the same Path!

Relics and Planar Ornaments Guide

Simulated Universe Optimization

As mentioned in the latest Developer's Notes, you will now be able to challenge the highest difficulty available in your current Equilibrium Level in any Simulated Universe world after the Version 2.1 update goes live.

When you clear the stage, you will be able to claim all first-clear rewards from stages with lower difficulties.

Simulated Universe Gold and Gears

Gold and Gears Released in Version 1.6

Release Date	December 27, 2023

Simulated Universe: Gold and Gears has arrived in the Version 1.6 update of Honkai: Star Rail! The update features new mechanics such as the Intra-Cognition System, Dice Faces, and more. This game mode can be unlocked after completing World 5.

Simulated Universe Gold and Gears Guide

Unlock the Path of Erudition

The Gold and Gears game mode features the new Path of Erudition. Similar to the Path of Propagation, it can be used in the regular Simulated Universe once unlocked! You'll have to complete all chapters of Gold and Gears to unlock the Path of Erudition.

Simulated Universe Swarm Disaster

First Major Game Mode

Release Date	September 06, 2023

A game mode called the Simulated Universe: The Swarm Disaster has arrived in the Version 1.3 update of Honkai: Star Rail. This game mode can be unlocked after completing World 5.

Simulated Universe Swarm Disaster Guide

Face Against the True Stings Boss

The Swarm: True Stings is a new enemy that is encountered in the Simulated Universe: The Swarm Disaster. It has the ability to spawn lesser swarms!

The Swarm: True Stings Boss Guide

Best Teams for Simulated Universe

Simulated Universe Guides
World 1	World 2	World 3
World 4	World 5	World 6
World 7	World 8	World 9

Here is a short tabled summary of the best Paths and Elements to use in each world for Simulated Universe for first time clears!

Though it relies on a bit of RNG to get the Blessings, we've found that these Paths are the least character-dependent for getting consistent clears.

World 1 Details

Simulated Universe World 1
World 1	Points: 800 Rec. Team Level: 16
Best Elements	Quantum Physical Wind

Free to Play Team

Main DPS	Sub-DPS	Support	Shielder
Dan Heng	Trailblazer	Asta	March 7th

Simulated Universe World 1 Guide

World 2 Details

Simulated Universe World 2
World 2	Points: 1200 Rec. Team Level: 35
Best Elements	Lightning Ice
Best Path	The Remembrance

Free to Play Team

Main DPS	Sub-DPS	Support	Healer
Serval	Herta	Asta	Natasha

Simulated Universe World 2 Guide

World 3 Details

Simulated Universe World 3
World 3	Points: 1800 Rec. Team Level: 45
Best Elements	Physical Lightning Imaginary
Best Path	The Hunt

Free to Play Team

Main DPS	Sub-DPS	Support	Healer
Trailblazer	Serval	Yukong	Natasha

Simulated Universe World 3 Guide

World 4 Details

Simulated Universe World 4
World 4	Points: 2200 Rec. Team Level: 50
Best Elements	Lightning Wind Fire
Best Path	Destruction, Nihility

Free to Play Team

Main DPS	Support	Healer	Shielder
Dan Heng	Asta	Natasha	Trailblazer (Fire)

Simulated Universe World 4 Guide

World 5 Details

Simulated Universe World 5
World 5	Points: 2800 Rec. Team Level: 60
Best Elements	Wind Imaginary Physical
Best Path	The Abundance

Free to Play Team

Main DPS	Support	Healer	Shielder
Dan Heng	Yukong	Natasha	Trailblazer (Fire)

Simulated Universe World 5 Guide

World 6 Details

Simulated Universe World 6
World 6	Points: 3200 Rec. Team Level: 60
Best Elements	Fire Quantum Lightning
Best Path	The Abundance

Free to Play Team

Main DPS	Tank	Support	Healer
Serval	Trailblazer (Fire)	Asta	Lynx

Simulated Universe World 6 Guide

World 7 Details

Simulated Universe World 7
World 7	Points: 3200 Rec. Team Level: 61
Best Elements	Fire Ice Quantum
Best Path	The Hunt

Free to Play Team

Main DPS	Tank	Support	Healer
Qingque	Trailblazer (Fire)	Asta	Lynx

Simulated Universe World 7 Guide

World 8 Details

Simulated Universe World 8
World 8	Points: 3200 Rec. Team Level: 61
Best Elements	Lightning Wind Imaginary
Best Path	Propagation, The Hunt, Elation

Free to Play Team

Main DPS	Sub DPS	Support	Healer
Dan Heng	Serval	Yukong	Natasha

Simulated Universe World 8 Guide

World 9 Details

Simulated Universe World 9
World 9	Points: 3200 Rec. Team Level: 61
Best Elements	Fire Wind Imaginary
Best Path	The Hunt, Nihility, Elation

Free to Play Team

Main DPS	Support	Support	Healer
Dan Heng	Yukong	Asta	Natasha

Simulated Universe World 9 Guide

Simulated Universe Blessings

Gain Special Buffs Through Blessings

Blessings are a type of special buff that can be obtained in the Simulated Universe. Each Blessing corresponds to an Aeon that provides players a variety of unique buffs that boost the party's performance or apply different effects on enemies.

List of All Paths

Simulated Universe Events

Encounter Events to get Buffs or Items

During a Simulated Universe run, players can encounter events that let them choose between dialogue options. Depending on their choices, these events can help players or be a hindrance in their runs.

All Simulated Universe Events

Simulated Universe Curios

Obtain Curios to Gain an Advantage

Curios are special items that can be found in the Simulated Universe. They provide your party with powerful buffs or effects to aid in your battle and even reduce the cost when purchasing items during a Simulated Universe run.

Some curios require you to complete specific conditions before they work, while others will act like a consumable with a limited number of uses.
List of All Curios

What is the Simulated Universe?

Rogue-Like Challenge Game Mode with Weekly Rewards

The Simulated Universe is a series of 7 challenge levels (Worlds) that have randomly generated sets of enemies for you to defeat using any of your currently built teams. Clear a Simulated Universe Stage to earn weekly rewards that help you upgrade your units.

How to Build a Team for Simulated Universe

Build a Team for Weakness Break

Use Recommended Element Types

The simplest and easiest way to have an easy time clearing a world in the Simulated Universe is simply by having a DPS that can apply Weakness Break on all the Elite enemies, especially the main boss!

In the World 3 example above, most Elite enemies are weak Lightning, Imaginary, and Physical. Since Gepard in this boss fight is weak to all 3 Elements, this means the ideal team will require at least a Physical DPS and either a Lightning or Imaginary DPS.

Using Non-Recommended Types

Sometimes we don't have the right characters for the world, which makes it very difficult to clear. This is when Paths, Blessings, and Curios play a huge role. Clearing worlds without the right Element Type can be hard, but it's certainly doable with the right loadout.

How to Build a Team for Simulated Universe

Build a Team for Weakness Break

Use Recommended Element Types

The simplest and easiest way to have an easy time clearing a world in the Simulated Universe is simply by having a DPS that can apply Weakness Break on all the Elite enemies, especially the main boss!

In the World 3 example above, most Elite enemies are weak Lightning, Imaginary, and Physical. Since Gepard in this boss fight is weak to all 3 Elements, this means the ideal team will require at least a Physical DPS and either a Lightning or Imaginary DPS.

Using Non-Recommended Types

Sometimes we don't have the right characters for the world, which makes it very difficult to clear. This is when Paths, Blessings, and Curios play a huge role. Clearing worlds without the right Element Type can be hard, but it's certainly doable with the right loadout.

How to Choose the Right Path

The Path you choose in the Simulated Universe only affects which Path Resonance you can use. Though it does not greatly increase your chances of getting Blessings from your chosen Path, it does help a little bit when you want to try out specific builds!

Once you've unlocked certain abilities on the Ability Tree, having multiple Blessings from the same Path can enhance your Path Resonance with Resonance formations!

DPS Paths

Path	Merits
The Hunt	・Focuses on improving Speed, Action Order, and CRIT. ・Path Resonance deals AoE Wind damage.
Destruction	・The lower your HP, the more damage you deal. ・Also provides defensive buffs tied to HP mechanics. ・Path Resonance deals AoE Fire damage.
Elation	・Improves Follow-up Attack damage and focuses on providing buffs through Follow-up Attacks. ・Path Resonance deals random AoE Type damage that's considered a Follow-up Attack.
Nihility	・Focuses on Damage-over-Time attacks. ・Path Resonance applies multiple Damage-over-Time effects all enemies.
Propagation	・Focuses on Basic ATK DMG and buffs. ・Path Resonance recovers Skill Points.
Erudition	・Focuses on buffing Ultimates. ・Path Resonance inflicts Synapse Resonance on all enemies and deal Imaginary DMG to them.

Blessings from the Paths above all focus on helping you deal damage in one way or another. If you are planning to choose one of the Paths above, base it on the capabilities of your main DPS. For example, if you are using a DoT DPS like Kafka, choose the Nihility Path.

Defensive and Crowd Control Paths

Path	Merits
The Preservation	・Focuses on adding benefits for shielding characters. ・Path Resonance deals AoE Physical damage.
The Remembrance	・Focuses on freezing the enemy. ・A good Path to use for any type of team. ・Also provides defensive buffs tied to HP mechanics. ・Path Resonance deals AoE Ice damage and freezes enemies.
The Abundance	・Keeps your team alive through incredible amounts of healing. ・Dewdrop mechanic provides a large amount of additional damage for your characters. ・Path Resonance heals all party members and increases Max HP, which can be further upgraded to provide permanent healing after every turn phase. ・Have we mentioned how broken this Path is?

Blessings from the Path of Preservation, Remembrance, and Abundance all focus on enhancing a party that focuses on keeping the team alive through shields, crowd control, or healing.

We feel like there needs to be a special mention here that talks about the Abundance Path. This Path is incredibly strong when you have all the Blessings for it.

We'd also like to note that a lot of Equilibrium level 2 players use this Path to clear World 6, which has enemies that are up to 15 levels above the player.

Ban Paths to Limit Blessing Choices

Once you have unlocked the Path of Erudition in the regular Simulated Universe, you will now be able to ban two Paths. Banning a Path will stop its Blessings from appearing in your run, increasing your chance of getting the ones you actually need.

The Paths to ban highly depends on your team comp. For example, if you are running a team whose DPS does not have a follow-up attack, then banning Elation is a logical choice to do. Do note that banning a Path is an optional feature.

Ban Paths to Limit Blessing Choices

Once you have unlocked the Path of Erudition in the regular Simulated Universe, you will now be able to ban two Paths. Banning a Path will stop its Blessings from appearing in your run, increasing your chance of getting the ones you actually need.

The Paths to ban highly depends on your team comp. For example, if you are running a team whose DPS does not have a follow-up attack, then banning Elation is a logical choice to do. Do note that banning a Path is an optional feature.

Best Light Cones to Buy in Simulated Universe

Which Light Cone Should You Buy in Herta's Store?

The best Light Cones that you can buy in Herta's store are tied between On the Fall of an Aeon, Cruising in the Stellar Sea, and Solitary Healing. This means that you should make your purchase depending on which DPS character you have.

Texture of Memories can greatly increase the survival of your Tank, but it is at a lower priority compared to the three other Light Cones.

How to Unlock Simulated Universe

Defeat the Doomsday Beast During the Prologue

To unlock the Simulated Universe, you need to defeat the Doomsday Beast during the Lingering Shadows Trailblaze Mission. Doing so unlocks the Simulated Universe quest line.

Note: Once you unlock the Simulated Universe via the quest, other World stages can be unlocked by going through the main story and raising Equilibrium levels.

How Does the Simulated Universe Work?

1. Explore an Imitation of the World
2. Use Blessings for Buffs
3. Choose the Next Area to Explore
4. Use Curios for Unique Stage Effects
5. Download a Character for Teams
6. Level Up the Ability Tree
7. Get Planar Ornaments

Explore an Imitation of the World

The Simulated Universe is an imitation of the world of Honkai: Star Rail, where you can test the mettle of your teams and learn more about the story behind the Aeons that govern each Path in a controlled manner.

Use Blessings for Buffs

Blessings are types of buffs unique to the Simulated Universe. These Blessings from the Aeons can boost your party's performance or apply an effect on the enemies. Each Blessing will fall under an Aeon-specific Path that you have to choose from.

After defeating enemies, you can choose a Blessing that ranges from 1-Star to 3-Star, with a guaranteed 3-Star Blessing by defeating each elite boss in the World. You can also enhance a Blessing once you encounter Herta in a rest area!

List of All Paths

Choose the Next Area to Explore

While inside a World or stage, you will sometimes encounter forked rooms that offer branching progression paths. Red Portals lead to more enemies, while Blue Portals give access to a random event that can help you gain all kinds of benefits!

Use Curios for Unique Stage Effects

Curios are a type of item that can grant your party powerful boosts, buffs, and even discounts when purchasing Blessings during your Simulated Universe run.

Do note that these Curios also have their own usage conditions. Some will need a specific trigger to work, while others will function like a consumable with a limited number of uses!

List of All Curios

Download a Character for Teams

Upon reaching the rest areas or rooms of the world, you will be given the option to Download a Character. This downloaded character can be used to edit your team, replacing one of the members of your squad to suit the next rounds of the level.

Level Up the Ability Tree

If you find the stage hard, you can spend Ability Points to level up the Ability Tree. This game mechanic unique to the Simulated Universe unlocks powerful buffs that persist throughout all Simulated Universe stages you play!

Get Planar Ornaments

Once you reach World 3 of the Simulated Universe, you will start being able to get a second type of Relic called Planar Ornaments. Planar Ornaments boost your characters' stats and are the only Relics that can boost your characters' Elemental DMG.

You can get Planar Ornaments in the Immersion Reward by using 1 Immersifier or 40 Trailblazer Power!

All Relics Guide

Simulated Universe Rewards

First-Time Clearance Rewards

World	Rewards
World 1	Trailblaze EXP x600 Stellar Jade x120 Star Rail Pass x1 Herta Bond x2
World 2	Trailblaze EXP x600 Stellar Jade x120 Herta Bond x2 Herta x1
World 3	Trailblaze EXP x600 Stellar Jade x120 Star Rail Pass x2 Herta Bond x2
World 4	Trailblaze EXP x600 Stellar Jade x120 Herta Bond x2 Herta x1
World 5	Trailblaze EXP x600 Stellar Jade x120 Star Rail Pass x2 Herta Bond x2
World 6	Trailblaze EXP x600 Stellar Jade x120 Herta Bond x2 Herta x1
World 7	Trailblaze EXP x600 Stellar Jade x120 Herta Bond x2 Herta x1
World 8	Trailblaze EXP x600 Stellar Jade x120 Star Rail Pass x2 Herta Bond x2
World 9	Trailblaze EXP x600 Stellar Jade x120 Herta Bond x2 Herta x1

Simulated Universe Weekly Rewards

All Weekly Rewards
Credit	Lost Gold Fragment	Lost Crystal	Immersifier
Stellar Jade	Tracks of Destiny	Immersifier	Herta Bond

You can get the rewards listed above by collecting a certain amount of points per week in the Simulated Universe! The rewards will change depending on your current Equilibrium Level!

Herta's Store Rewards

Item	Price
On the Fall of an Aeon	x8
Cruising in the Stellar Sea	x8
Texture of Memories	x8
Solitary Healing	x8
Superimposer (Custom Made)	x2
Star Rail Pass	x2

In Herta's Store, you can use the Herta Bond that you get from the First Time Clear Rewards and from the Weekly Point rewards to exchange for various items within the store.

Simulated Universe Planar Ornament Rewards

World	Planar Ornaments
World 1	No Planar Ornament Immersion Rewards
World 2	No Planar Ornament Immersion Rewards
World 3	Space Sealing Station	Fleet of the Ageless
World 4	Talia: Kingdom of Banditry	Sprightly Vonwacq
World 5	Pan-Cosmic Commercial Enterprise	Celestial Differentiator
World 6	Belobog of the Architects	Inert Salsotto
World 7	Rutilant Arena	Broken Keel
World 8	Penacony, Land of the Dreams	Firmament Frontline Glamoth
World 9	Sigonia, the Unclaimed Desolation	Izumo Gensei and Takama Divine Realm

Honkai: Star Rail Related Guides

Honkai Star Rail Wiki Guide

Honkai: Star Rail Wiki Front

Guides by Category

Honkai Star Rail Categories
News	Characters
Tips and Tricks	Enemies
Bosses	Light Cones
Warps	Events
Items	Relics
Caverns	Missions
Maps	Forgotten Hall
Tier Lists	Cosmetics
Simulated Universe	Pure Fiction