What should I upgrade first in the Abyss? Prefer a clear order—survivability → core damage → niche tools—over random maxing. Match upgrades to your build card, read in-game tooltips for costs, and treat drop rates as UI / verified notes only—this page does not invent official % tables.
Patch 1.16 note + who this is for
Version stamp: Patch 1.16 (Pearl Abyss Notice boardNo=110, 2026-08-01 UTC). Confirm live wording on the patch tracker. This refresh does not invent a private “1.16 Abyss rebalance” changelog—if a later notice changes artifact behavior, trust that notice over stale blogs.
Who it is for: late-story / endgame players unlocking Abyss progression, mid-game players who see artifact upgrade UI and want a priority framework, and NG+ planners tying Abyss power into a second run.
What Abyss artifacts are (concept-level)
Treat Abyss artifacts as endgame-adjacent power pieces: items or systems you unlock through Abyss progression that can be upgraded for stronger effects. Exact names, slots, and upgrade trees belong to in-game UI—not a fan wiki dump on this URL.
We do not publish:
- Fake official drop-rate % tables
- Invented “must-farm” material quantities
- Unverified map coordinates for farms
- Charm rumors (including Guardian’s Bell Charm) as required Abyss gear
If the UI shows a material name and cost, believe the tooltip.
Upgrade priority framework (qualitative)
Use this as a decision order, not a ranked item list with fake DPS scores.
| Priority | Focus | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1 — Survivability | Defense, sustain, damage mitigation, recovery tools that keep you alive in long Abyss pulls | Dead characters deal zero damage |
| 2 — Core damage | Upgrades that raise your main damage loop for your build card | Speeds clears once you stop dying |
| 3 — Niche tools | Situational utility (control, mobility, niche matchups) | Valuable after the first two pillars feel stable |
Unverified / adjust-in-game: which specific artifact fills each pillar depends on your loadout. Cross-check with the Best builds Top 10 and the build planner. Do not treat a random max-all path as optimal.
Resource / material loop
Abyss upgrades consume scarce materials shown in the upgrade UI. Practical habits:
- Read the exact cost on the tooltip before you commit
- Prefer finishing one survivability pillar over spreading thin across every slot
- Re-check costs after patch notices—do not trust outdated screenshots
We do not invent named currencies or drop tables here. If a guide elsewhere lists exact shard counts without a patch citation, treat it as Unverified.
How Abyss ties to endgame
Abyss progression usually overlaps late story and post-story loops: you unlock harder content, spend materials, and fold power into builds used for remaining bosses and endgame activities. For the wider loop (what to do after the credits), use the Endgame content guide.
Boss check-ins that gate comfort: Boss guide.
We do not treat unverified PvP arenas as an Abyss prerequisite or as the “real” endgame on this site.
Builds & planner notes
Artifacts should support a build card, not replace one.
- Pick a starter / ranked card from Best builds
- Sketch swaps in the build planner
- Respec when your Abyss upgrades change what the card needs (respec)
If an upgrade only helps a niche tool you never press, demote it on the priority list.
Recommended order relative to story / NG+
| Stage | Guidance |
|---|---|
| Still in mid-story | Follow unlock cues in-game. Light Abyss dabbling is fine if the UI is open; do not invent a fabricated gate ID. |
| Late story / early endgame | Lock survivability upgrades that match your fight deaths; then core damage. |
| NG+ | Carry lessons and, where the game allows, power into the next run—see New Game Plus guide. Re-evaluate priorities if enemies hit harder. |
Practical upgrade session checklist
Before you spend scarce materials:
- Open the artifact UI and screenshot or note the exact tooltip costs
- Write your current death causes (spike damage, attrition, mistimed defense)
- Map those deaths to the survivability pillar first
- Only then pick a core-damage upgrade that matches your build card
- Leave niche tools for after the first two pillars feel stable in real fights
If two upgrades cost nearly the same but only one reduces your actual deaths, take the death-reducer. Spreadsheets that ignore how you die are worse than a simple priority list.
What we refuse to invent on this page
To protect readers (and our own editorial rules):
- No fake official drop-rate percentages
- No invented material shopping lists with “must farm N per day”
- No GPS pin dumps for Abyss nodes
- No frame-data requirements for artifact procs
- No Guardian’s Bell Charm (or similar rumor charms) as mandatory Abyss entry gear
- No claim that unverified PvP is required before Abyss upgrades matter
When in doubt, the in-game tooltip and the patch tracker win.
FAQ
Do I need to finish the story before Abyss upgrades matter?
Abyss progression often overlaps late story and endgame. Follow in-game unlock cues rather than a fabricated gate checklist. Story completion is not always a hard “off switch” for caring about upgrades—but early-story players usually get more from combat basics and a starter build first.
What should I upgrade first?
Use the framework: **survivability → core damage → niche tools**, adjusted to your [build card](/guides/best-build-guide.html). Random equal upgrades across every artifact usually waste scarce materials.
Where are exact drop rates?
We do **not** invent official % tables. Use in-game UI and verified patch notes only ([patch tracker](/patch-tracker.html)).