- Honkai Nexus Anima gacha focuses on summoning Kardia characters who provide powerful team-wide passive buffs and equipable Talismans.
- Anima companions (the core battle units) can be purchased directly from the shop using Aspect Gems or obtained via open-world Bond Encounters.
- Dual-summoning pools allow players to spend Aspect Gems to roll for top-tier combat leaders and unlock rare Chromatic Anima variants.
- F2P-friendly milestones reward active progression, giving players free five-star Kardia characters and Anima companions at specific levels.
How the Honkai Nexus Anima Gacha Works
Honkai: Nexus Anima introduces a unique blend of creature collection and tactical auto-battler gameplay, shifting how traditional gacha mechanics operate. Unlike other HoYoverse titles where players pull directly for on-field combatants, the Honkai Nexus Anima gacha splits its focus between human leaders (Kardia) and collectible battle companions (Anima).
Understanding this split is essential for managing your resources during the Evolution Test (running from July 9 to July 27, 2026).
The Kardia vs. Anima Split
In combat, your team consists of active Anima units fighting on the field. Human characters, obtained via the Kardia gacha, function as tactical commanders. They do not fight directly; instead, they provide powerful passive buffs, spawn unique battlefield "Laws," and equip "Talisman" gear to maximize your Anima's performance.
| Summon Category | Primary Role in Team | How to Acquire | Duplicate System |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kardia Characters | Provide team buffs, Talisman slots, and active Laws | Kardia-limited gacha pools and level milestones | Unlocks advanced passives and boosts buff percentages |
| Anima Companions | Active combat units on the battlefield | Aspect Gem shop, Bond Encounters, and event rewards | Evolves the Anima up to 6 times to boost raw stats |
You can carry up to three Kardia characters in a single battle. However, only your designated Leader appears in chibi form on the field and activates their exclusive "Laws". The other two characters function solely as stat-boosting support slots.
Summoning Rates, Banners, and Currencies
The primary currency used for both the gacha system and the direct-purchase shop is Aspect Gems. These are earned by completing main story quests, finishing daily missions, clearing Plane challenges, and participating in limited-time events.
Gacha Pool Structure
The gacha system features rotating limited-time banners featuring popular cross-over characters (such as Blade from Honkai: Star Rail) and highly anticipated original characters like Nanafey and Bai Mei.
| Banner Type | Primary Focus | Base Rate (5-Star) | Pity System Trigger |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kardia Limited Banner | Featured 5-Star Character (e.g., Blade) | 1.6% (including soft pity) | Guaranteed 5-Star at 80 summons |
| Anima Synergy Banner | High-tier Anima & rare Chromatic variants | 2.5% (higher rate for creatures) | Guaranteed featured Anima at 50 summons |
| Standard Novarch Pool | Permanent characters and basic Talismans | 1.2% (standard rates) | Chosen selector at 150 total summons |
Acquiring duplicate Anima from both the gacha and open-world encounters allows you to evolve them. Anima evolution caps out at 6 times. Any duplicates obtained after reaching the maximum evolution tier are converted into universal shop tokens.
Step-by-Step Guide: Unlocking and Pulling
To get the most out of your Aspect Gems, you should follow a structured progression path. This ensures you do not waste valuable summoning resources on items that the game eventually gives you for free.
Reach Account Level 14
Focus entirely on the main campaign in the town of Iia. Do not worry about team building early on; simply progress until you hit Level 14 to officially unlock the Store interface.
Claim Free Kardia Characters
Before spending any Aspect Gems, check your level rewards. Exclusive Kardia characters such as Maple, Cassio Rollex, and Jalily can be claimed completely free of charge upon reaching Level 21.
Purchase Five-Star Shop Anima
Navigate to the Anima section of the store. High-tier five-star companions like Hamburgoof, Pomparrot, Lumehart, and Mesmerith become available for direct purchase for 800 Aspect Gems at Levels 18, 21, and 24.
Invest in Limited Kardia Banners
Once your core Anima roster is secured via the shop, dump your remaining Aspect Gems into limited-time Kardia banners. Pulling a top-tier commander like Blade provides the massive stat multipliers needed for high-difficulty Planes.
Best Pull Priorities for Beginners
For players looking to optimize their combat power during the Evolution Test, prioritizing the right combination of Kardia leaders and Anima companions is crucial.
S-Tier: Blade (Kardia)
- Aspect Synergy: War and Strength
- Best Role: Main Leader
- Provides massive physical damage multipliers and grants active lifesteal Laws to frontline protectors like Fyrklor.
A-Tier: Pomparrot (Anima)
- Aspect Synergy: Satiation and Wind
- Best Role: Backline Support
- A highly flexible five-star companion available in the shop. Offers excellent area-of-effect healing and energy regeneration.
A-Tier: Nanafey (Kardia)
- Aspect Synergy: Memory and Illusion
- Best Role: Support Commander
- Boosts the attack speed and skill trigger rates of utility-focused companions like Camcorgi.
Always prioritize buying the 800 Aspect Gem five-star Anima from the shop before gambling on banners. These guaranteed purchases provide a stable foundation for your team without relying on gacha luck.
F2P Milestones & Progression Checklist
Keep track of your progression goals to ensure you collect all guaranteed rewards and maximize your daily Aspect Gem income.
Essential F2P Milestones:
- Reach Level 14 to unlock the Store and Gacha systems
- Purchase your first 5-star Anima from the shop for 800 Aspect Gems
- Reach Level 21 to claim free Kardia characters (Maple, Cassio, and Jalily)
- Complete all daily Plane challenges to secure 150+ free Aspect Gems daily
- Clear Nightmare Abyss Bond Encounters for guaranteed 4-star Anima duplicates
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Honkai Nexus Anima gacha-heavy compared to Star Rail?
No, it is significantly more F2P-friendly. While Kardia characters are tied to the Honkai Nexus Anima gacha, the core battle units (Anima) can be bought directly from the shop using in-game currency or captured in the open world.
Q: How many times can I evolve my Anima companions?
You can evolve each Anima up to 6 times. Duplicates can be obtained through the gacha, open-world Bond Encounters, Gym Challenges, and limited-time events.
Q: What happens to my gacha progress after the Evolution Test?
The Evolution Test running from July 9 to July 27, 2026, is a closed beta with a data wipe. All characters, Anima, and unused Aspect Gems will be reset before the official public launch.
Q: Can I play the game without pulling on the Kardia banners?
Yes. The game provides several free Kardia characters at Level 21 that are fully capable of clearing the main story and basic Plane exploration challenges.