Character Shards
Character shards can be used to limit break units. Limit breaks will allow a unit to increase their maximum level and combo rate as well as access additional jobs and gear slots. You can also transmute a unit you don't own with character shards, although the cost rises with the unit rarity and this is rarely efficient for any unit above 2 star rarity unless they are a free event unit or a high quality limited unit that is difficult to obtain via summons. In addition to character specific shards, there are also elemental shards that can be used as replacements for them.
Contents
Summonable Units[edit | edit source]
For units acquired through summoning, there are a few primary ways to acquire character shards.
Summoning Duplicate Units/Soul Summon[edit | edit source]
This will provide a quantity of character shards relative to the rarity of the unit. You receive 25 shards for a 5 star unit, 20 for 4, 15 for 3. Unit shards which are 1 or 2 star can be acquired via the normal summon. In addition, sometimes some summon banners provide shard selector or random shard tickets for specific units as bonus rewards for certain steps.
Farming Character Shards[edit | edit source]
Most non-limited units and a few limited ones are available for farming via hard versions of story quests that drop their shards. Most quests can be repeated up to 3 times a day and you receive one shard for that specific unit each time you complete it. This is doubled during a 2x drop event for that type of quest, which typically is available for a week each month.
To see a list of units which are currently farmable, you can go to the hard section of the story quests and click "Select by Unit" or you can check the Farmable Character Shards list. Alternatively, you can go to a unit's limit break screen and if there is a quest available to farm their shards, you will see it listed there. Some unit shard farms are in Babel Chronicles instead and are unlocked as you complete the chapter they appear in- they will not appear in the story quests section but under Babel Chronicles.
Over time, almost all non-collaboration units are expected to receive a permanent hard quest for farming shards (based on the JP version of the game). Some of these farms will be limited to 1/day and will require that you own the unit to farm.
In most cases, you don't need to have a unit to farm their shards. So if you have spare AP, it might be a good choice to farm some of the better unit shards prior to obtaining them so you will be able to limit break them further once you obtain them. It is also possible to transmute a unit from farmed shards, but it is typically not a good idea for any unit above 2 stars as the amount of shards required is so high.
Memory Access[edit | edit source]
There is a special item Memory Access which can be used to reset the number of attempts on a unit shard farm. These can only be used on the 3/day farms (story hard quest or Babel Chronicles shard quest) and can only be used on a specific quest once a day. It is recommended you save these for during 2x drop events.
Event Shard Farming[edit | edit source]
Magni Historia units periodically receive special temporary shard farming events. Usually new units will also receive a temporary farming event. For the Magni Historia units, you must have the unit to complete the farm quest.
Purchasing Character Shards[edit | edit source]
There are some character shards available for purchase via zeni or gems in the Normal Shop and sometimes the Secret Shop. The Bazaar will also sell character shards for units for gems. Some unit shards will only appear in shops if you already own the unit. In addition, some 1 and 2 star unit shards can be purchased via the Multi Coin Exchange. It is not generally recommended to buy unit shards with gems, but in some cases it might make sense for limited units if you can spare the gems (and in some cases you may transmute the unit with the purchased shards).
Soul Exchange Shop[edit | edit source]
You can purchase 3 shards of older 4 or 5 star units via the Soul Coin Exchange shop if you have soul coins. These soul coins are only obtained by trading in excess shards for units you have already reached maximum limit break on, so this is typically only an option once you have been playing for more than a few months.
Other Coin Exchange Shops[edit | edit source]
In addition to the permanent coin exchange shops, there are often temporary event specific coin exchange shops which may make some unit shards available for purchase via those coins.
Collaboration Units[edit | edit source]
Units acquired from collaboration events do not receive permanent unit shard farming, but some do receive temporary shard farming during their events (for example, the Final Fantasy XV collaboration provides a hard quest during the event to acquire tickets to summon unit shards). Collaborations also often provide bonus shards via other sources, such as login bonuses, special coin shops and challenge board rewards.
Free Event Units[edit | edit source]
For free units acquired via special events, you typically will receive enough shards to transmute the unit from the first stage of the event. Additional shards for the unit can typically be acquired via milestone rewards, drops within the event quests, or occasionally from mission challenge rewards. Typically free event units can be raised to maximum level (85) via the shards available in their events, although some events make the shards easier to acquire than others. Some special cases are not farmable but do give shards through milestones or other rewards and don't yet have enough shards available via the milestones to raise to 85, such as Soren from Magni Historia who can currently only be raised to 70.
Arena Coin Units[edit | edit source]
There are currently two units, Lotiyah and Yuan, which can only be acquired via the Arena Coin Exchange.
Elemental Shards[edit | edit source]
In addition to shards that are specific to a unit, there are also generic shards that are specific to an element which can replace a character shard for any unit of that element. In addition there are rainbow shards which can be used to replace a character shard for a unit of any element. These shards are not plentiful and can't be farmed in quantity, but they can be acquired from the more difficult event quests and occasionally from other sources. It is recommended that you save these shards for very good units which are limited (not part of the general summon pool), especially in the case of rainbow shards.
Note: Elemental shards can be used to limit break units but can't be used for Enlightenment, which means that for limited units without permanent shard farms, or with only 1/day shard farms, it is generally recommended to save the character shards for enlightening and use elemental shards to get the unit to 85.
Login Bonus[edit | edit source]
Elemental shards are rewarded on certain days each month as part of the login bonus. The element changes each month and rainbows are given at the end of the month.
Daily Missions[edit | edit source]
If you complete all the daily missions you get 1 rainbow shard a day. You will also get another 15 rainbow shards a week if you complete enough daily missions.
Coin Exchange[edit | edit source]
The EX Coin Exchange has 5 elemental shards of a random element available for 500 EX Coins every time the shop is refreshed (typically every 2 weeks). There are also elemental shards available in the TAC Coin Exchange. Other temporary coin exchanges sometimes reward elemental shards as well.
Box Events[edit | edit source]
Box Events such as Godless Revolution have event bosses that you can beat to acquire event summon coins. Those coins can be used for event summons which give a variety of rewards, including elemental shards. In addition, some box events have an Extra difficulty mode for their quests- these quests can drop elemental shards and can be cleared once a day when the event is active.
Raids[edit | edit source]
During Raids there are often rewards for clearing areas or laps that give elemental shard rewards, and there are often elemental shards rewarded from the alchemia port rewards as well.
Mystic Tower Veda[edit | edit source]
The Mystic Tower Veda event is permanently available and has elemental shard rewards for completing some floors for the first time. From clearing all 100 floors you can gain 75 rainbow shards and 75 of each element shards. There is also Mystic Tower Veda - Fringe Dimension which provides another 15 shards of each element (not including rainbow).
Event Quest Rewards[edit | edit source]
Some harder event quests (primarily EX but not always) provide elemental shards as rewards from mission challenges or occasionally from milestone rewards. Most of these events are only available for a short time (typically 2 weeks) but some are permanently available.
Permanent Event Quest Elemental Shard Rewards[edit | edit source]
Event | Quest | Reward | Type | Requirement for Reward |
---|---|---|---|---|
Blue Flame & Scarlet Blood Tide | Episode 5 | x 5 | Mission Challenge | Clear without mercenary |
Blue Flame & Scarlet Blood Tide | Path to the Honorable Blue Swordsman | x 15 | Mission Challenge | Kill all foes |
Nightmare Memories | Episode 5 | x 5 | Mission Challenge | Clear without mercenary |
Young Sweeper | Episode 5 | x 5 | Mission Challenge | Kill all foes |
Young Sweeper | The Hard-Boiled Road | x 15 | Mission Challenge | Kill all foes |
Everlasting Love and Small Adventures | Episode 5 | x 5 | Mission Challenge | Clear without mercenary |
Everlasting Love and Small Adventures | Path to the Snow Witch | x 15 | Mission Challenge | Kill all foes |
The Entrusted Land, The Winds of Departure | Episode 5 | x 5 | Mission Challenge | Clear without mercenary |
Severed Inheritance | Malta's Trial [EX] | x 5 | Mission Challenge | Clear without mercenary |
Severed Inheritance | Malta's Trial [EX+] | x 10 | Mission Challenge | Clear without mercenary |
Sacred Stone Memories - Chapter 1 | Entrusted Justice [EX] | x 15 | Mission Challenge | Clear without continues |
Sacred Stone Memories - Chapter 1 | Entrusted Justice [EX] | x 20 | Mission Challenge | Max 30 skills used |
Sacred Stone Memories - Chapter 1 | Entrusted Justice [EX] | x 20 | Mission Challenge | No deaths |
Sacred Stone Memories - Chapter 2 | Demonic Spearman [EX] | x 20 | Mission Challenge | Clear without mercenary |
Sacred Stone Memories - Chapter 2 | Demonic Spearman [EX] | x 20 | Mission Challenge | No items used |
Sacred Stone Memories - Chapter 2 | Demonic Spearman [EX+] | x 15 | Mission Challenge | Clear before reinforcements |
Sacred Stone Memories - Chapter 3 | Arrow of Destiny [EX] | x 10 | Mission Challenge | No deaths |
Sacred Stone Memories - Chapter 3 | Arrow of Destiny [EX] | x 10 | Mission Challenge | Clear without continues |
Sacred Stone Memories - Chapter 3 | Arrow of Destiny [Bonus Rewards] [EX] | x 5 | Mission Challenge | No deaths |
Sacred Stone Memories - Chapter 3 | Arrow of Destiny [Bonus Rewards] [EX] | x 10 | Mission Challenge | Kill 3+ foes in one blow |
Sacred Stone Memories - Chapter 4 | Inherited Cause [EX] | x 5 | Mission Challenge | Kill all foes |
Sacred Stone Memories - Chapter 4 | Inherited Cause [EX] | x 5 | Mission Challenge | Clear with only Water type units |
Sacred Stone Memories - Chapter 4 | Inherited Cause [EX+] | x 5 | Mission Challenge | Kill all foes |
Sacred Stone Memories - Chapter 4 | Inherited Cause [EX+] | x 10 | Mission Challenge | Clear with only Water type units |
Sacred Stone Memories - Chapter 5 | Fallen Sun [EX] | x 5 | Mission Challenge | Kill 3+ foes in one blow |
Sacred Stone Memories - Chapter 5 | Fallen Sun [EX] | x 5 | Mission Challenge | Max 15 skills used |
Sacred Stone Memories - Chapter 5 | Fallen Sun [EX+] | x 5 | Mission Challenge | Kill 3+ foes in one blow |
Sacred Stone Memories - Chapter 5 | Fallen Sun [EX+] | x 10 | Mission Challenge | Clear without mercenary |
Sacred Stone Memories - Chapter 6 | Two Swords, Two Wills [EX] | x 10 | Mission Challenge | Clear with max 4 units |
Sacred Stone Memories - Chapter 6 | Two Swords, Two Wills [EX] | x 5 | Mission Challenge | Clear without mercenary |
Sacred Stone Memories - Chapter 7 | Laws of a Fluctuating World [EX] | x 5 | Mission Challenge | No deaths |
Sacred Stone Memories - Chapter 7 | Laws of a Fluctuating World [EX] | x 10 | Mission Challenge | Kill 4+ foes in one blow |
Sacred Stone Memories - Chapter 8 | Lion Monarch's Charge [EX] | x 5 | Mission Challenge | Clear with max 4 units |
Sacred Stone Memories - Chapter 8 | Lion Monarch's Charge [EX] | x 5 | Mission Challenge | No deaths |
Sacred Stone Memories - Chapter 8 | Lion Monarch's Charge [EX] | x 5 | Mission Challenge | Kill 3+ foes in one blow |
Sacred Stone Memories - Chapter 9 | The Destiny Harbored by the Lion Monarch [EX] | x 5 | Mission Challenge | Clear with max 4 units |
Sacred Stone Memories - Chapter 9 | The Destiny Harbored by the Lion Monarch [EX] | x 5 | Mission Challenge | No deaths |
Sacred Stone Memories - Chapter 9 | The Destiny Harbored by the Lion Monarch [EX] | x 5 | Mission Challenge | Kill 3+ foes in one blow |
Sacred Stone Memories - Chapter 10 | After the Deep Blue Sky [EX] | x 10 | Mission Challenge | Clear while killing the last foe with Kagura |
Sacred Stone Memories - Chapter 10 | After the Deep Blue Sky [EX] | x 10 | Mission Challenge | Complete all quest mission conditions in a single try |
Sacred Stone Memories - Chapter 11 Part One | A Wish that Transcends Space and Time (Part One) [EX] | x 5 | Mission Challenge | Clear while using Chloe as a main member |
Sacred Stone Memories - Chapter 11 Part Two | A Wish that Transcends Space and Time (Part Two) [EX+] | x 5 | Mission Challenge | Kill 4+ foes in one blow |
Shadow Plane Karma - Little Serpent Princess | Little Serpent Princess [Extreme Hell] | x 10 | Mission Challenge | Clear while keeping Undead Familiar alive |
Sweet Aspirations | Sweet Aspirations - Episode 3 | x 5 | Mission Challenge | No deaths |
Sweet Aspirations | Sweet Aspirations [EX] | x 5 | Mission Challenge | Clear without continues |
Sweet Aspirations | Sweet Aspirations [EX] | x 5 | Mission Challenge | Clear with max 4 units |
Sweet Aspirations | Sweet Aspirations [EX+] | x 5 | Mission Challenge | Clear with only Thunder type units |
Sunrays Beyond Reach | Sunrays Beyond Reach - Episode 3 | x 5 | Mission Challenge | Kill 3+ foes in one blow |
Sunrays Beyond Reach | Sunrays Beyond Reach [EX] | x 5 | Mission Challenge | Kill 3+ foes in one blow |
Sunrays Beyond Reach | Sunrays Beyond Reach [EX] | x 5 | Mission Challenge | Clear without continues |
The Desert Merchant | The Desert Merchant - Episode 3 | x 5 | Mission Challenge | No deaths |
The Desert Merchant | The Desert Merchant [EX] | x 5 | Mission Challenge | No deaths |
Forest Protector | Forest Protector Episode 3 | x 5 | Mission Challenge | Take Yuto along to clear |
Forest Protector | Forest Protector [EX] | x 5 | Mission Challenge | Clear without continues |
Beyond Life or Death | Beyond Life or Death [EX] | x 5 | Mission Challenge | Clear before reinforcements |
Beyond Life or Death | Beyond Life or Death [EX+] | x 5 | Mission Challenge | Clear with max 4 units |
Return to the Underworld | Episode 5 Saving Darkness | x 5 | Mission Challenge | Clear without continues |
Return to the Underworld | Return to the Underworld [EX] | x 5 | Mission Challenge | Clear without continues |
Justin's Justice | Justin's Justice Ep 3 | x 5 | Mission Challenge | Take Justin along to clear |
Justin's Justice | [EX Wind] Justin's Justice | x 5 | Mission Challenge | Clear with only Fire type units |
Justin's Justice | [EX Fire] Justin's Justice | x 5 | Mission Challenge | Clear with only Water type units |
Justin's Justice | [EX Thunder] Justin's Justice | x 5 | Mission Challenge | Clear with only Wind type units |
Justin's Justice | [EX Water] Justin's Justice | x 5 | Mission Challenge | Clear with only Thunder type units |
Justin's Justice | [EX Darkness] Justin's Justice | x 5 | Mission Challenge | Clear with only Light type units |
Justin's Justice | [EX Light] Justin's Justice | x 5 | Mission Challenge | Clear with only Dark type units |
Justin's Justice | Justin's Justice [EX+] | x 10 | Mission Challenge | Clear with max 4 units |
Crystal-Shot Heart | Crystal-Shot Heart [EX Thunder/Light] | x 5 |
x 5
Milestone | Clear Crystal-Shot Heart [EX - Thunder/Light] 3x |
Crystal-Shot Heart | Crystal-Shot Heart [EX Water/Dark] | x 5 |
x 5
Milestone | Clear Crystal-Shot Heart [EX - Water/Dark] 3x |
Crystal-Shot Heart | Crystal-Shot Heart [EX Fire/Wind] | x 5 |
x 5
Milestone | Clear Crystal-Shot Heart [EX - Fire/Wind] 3x |
Crystal-Shot Heart | Crystal-Shot Heart [EX+ Thunder/Light] | x 5 | Mission Challenge | Clear while killing the last foe with Celliers |
Crystal-Shot Heart | Evolve Celliers | x 5 | Milestone | Evolve Celliers to 5★ |
Crystal-Shot Heart | Crystal-Shot Heart Episode 3 | x 5 | Mission Challenge | Clear with max 3 units |
Encounters, Fate, and the Sound of Pipa | Evolve Fayrene | x 5 | Milestone | Evolve Fayrene to 5★ |
Encounters, Fate, and the Sound of Pipa | Encounters, Fate, and the Sound of Pipa [EX+] | x 5 | Milestone | Clear Encounters, Fate, and the Sound of Pipa [EX+] |
Encounters, Fate, and the Sound of Pipa | Encounters, Fate, and the Sound of Pipa Episode 3 | x 5 | Mission Challenge | Clear with max 3 units |
Encounters, Fate, and the Sound of Pipa | Encounters, Fate, and the Sound of Pipa [EX+] | x 10 | Mission Challenge | No deaths |
Stairway to Heaven | Stairway to Heaven - Ep 3 | x 5 | Mission Challenge | Kill 6+ foes in one blow |
Stairway to Heaven | Stairway to Heaven [EX] | x 5 | Mission Challenge | Kill 4+ foes in one blow |
Stairway to Heaven | Stairway to Heaven [EX+] | x 10 | Mission Challenge | Kill 3+ foes in one blow |
Stairway to Heaven | Stairway to Heaven [EX - Hell] | x 10 | Mission Challenge | Clear while killing the last foe with D'Artagnan |
Sandy Journey Under Stars | Sandy Journey under Stars - Ep 3 | x 5 | Mission Challenge | Clear with max 3 units |
Sandy Journey Under Stars | Sandy Journey under Stars [EX] | x 5 | Mission Challenge | Clear with max 4 units |
Sandy Journey Under Stars | Sandy Journey under Stars [EX] | x 5 | Mission Challenge | Complete all quest mission conditions in a single try |
Lizards of the Lost Kingdom | Lizards of the Lost Kingdom [EX] | x 15 | Mission Challenge | Clear without continues |
Lizards of the Lost Kingdom | Lizards of the Lost Kingdom [EX] | x 10 | Mission Challenge | No deaths |
Sound of the Bells | Sound of the Bells [EX+] | x 5 | Mission Challenge | Clear with only Fire type units |
Hourglass of Life and Death | Hourglass of Life and Death - Ep 5 | x 5 | Mission Challenge | Clear without continues |
Hourglass of Life and Death | Hourglass of Life and Death [EX] | x 5 | Mission Challenge | Clear with only Wind type units |
Hourglass of Life and Death | Hourglass of Life and Death [EX+] | x 5 | Mission Challenge | No deaths |
Hourglass of Life and Death | Hourglass of Life and Death [EX+] | x 10 | Mission Challenge | Clear with only Thunder type units |
Hourglass of Life and Death | Hourglass of Life and Death [EX+] | x 10 | Mission Challenge | Clear with only Wind type units |
Reaching the Gates of Sin by Dawn | Reaching the Gates of Sin by Dawn [EX] | x 5 | Mission Challenge | Clear with only Fire type units |
Babel Chronicles - Red Sparks of Iron | Normal mode quests 1-10 | x 10 | Milestone | Complete all Quest Missions for [Babel Chronicles] Red Sparks of Iron [5/5] |
Babel Chronicles - Dazzling Black Veins | Normal mode quests 1-10 | x 10 | Milestone | Complete all Quest Missions for [Babel Chronicles] Dazzling Black Veins [5/5] |
Babel Chronicles - Green Prayers in Drought | Normal mode quests 1-10 | x 10 | Milestone | Complete all Quest Missions for [Babel Chronicles] Green Prayers in Drought [5/5] |
Reclaiming the Scarlet | Reclaiming the Scarlet [EX] | x 5 | Mission Challenge | Clear with max 3 units |
A Bond More Enduring Than Starlight | A Bond More Enduring Than Starlight [EX] | x 5 | Mission Challenge | Clear without continues |
A Bond More Enduring Than Starlight | A Bond More Enduring Than Starlight [EX+] | x 5 | Mission Challenge | Kill 6+ foes in one blow |
A Bond More Enduring Than Starlight | A Bond More Enduring Than Starlight [EX - Hell] | x 5 | Mission Challenge | Clear while killing the last foe with Pamela |
In Our Fated Future | In Our Fated Future [EX] | x 5 | Mission Challenge | No deaths |
In Our Fated Future | In Our Fated Future [EX+] | x 5 | Mission Challenge | Clear without losing more than 2 units |
In Our Fated Future | In Our Fated Future [EX+] | x 5 | Mission Challenge | Clear after collecting 6 or more Jewels on the map |
In Our Fated Future | In Our Fated Future [EX+] | x 5 | Milestone | In Our Fated Future [EX+] [1/3] |
In Our Fated Future | In Our Fated Future [EX+] | x 5 | Milestone | In Our Fated Future [EX+] [2/3] |
In Our Fated Future | In Our Fated Future [EX+] | x 5 |
x 5
Milestone | In Our Fated Future [EX+] [3/3] |
Blood Wolf by Any Other Name | Blood Wolf by Any Other Name [EX] | x 5 | Mission Challenge | Clear without mercenary |
Path to Alchemia Specialist | Path to Alchemia Specialist | x 5 | Mission Challenge | Don't use items |
Path to Alchemia Specialist | Path to Alchemia Specialist [EX] | x 5 | Mission Challenge | Don't use items |
Path to Alchemia Specialist | Path to Alchemia Specialist [EX+] | x 10 | Mission Challenge | No deaths |
Steel in Hand, We Defend | Steel in Hand, We Defend [EX+] | x 10 |
x 10
Milestone | Clear Steel in Hand, We Defend [EX+] [3/5] |
Steel in Hand, We Defend | Steel in Hand, We Defend [EX+] | x 5 | Mission Challenge | Clear without mercenary |
Steel in Hand, We Defend | Steel in Hand, We Defend [EX+] | x 5 | Mission Challenge | Don't use items |
Other Sources[edit | edit source]
In addition to the more reliable sources of elemental shards, you can sometimes get them from alternative sources, such as bonus rewards from certain steps of summon banners, bundles, or for gems or special coins from event specific shops.