Honkai: Star Rail’s endgame has steadily expanded to include modes that blend roguelike progression with deep strategic planning, and few additions have left as lasting an impression as Gold and Gears. Originally introduced during Version 1.6 in early 2024, this Simulated Universe expansion continues to challenge Trailblazers well into 2026, rewarding those who master its unique Dice Customization system. Unlocking the mode requires completing World 5 on any difficulty, after which the Erudition Path becomes permanently available throughout the entire Simulated Universe. However, simply relying on raw power is never enough here — true success depends on understanding how each die’s passive effect shapes a run.
Upon first opening the Gold and Gears menu, players are greeted by two vital sections: Dice Customization and Dice Face Index. The former allows the selection of a dominant die that dictates the passive effect for the entire run, while the latter catalogs every dice face that has been collected. In total, there are 12 distinct dice split across four thematic categories: Beacon, Domain, Knowledge, and Heterogeneity. At the very start, only three dice are accessible — the first die from the Beacon, Domain, and Knowledge groups. To unlock the remaining two dice within each of those categories, the player must complete a run on any difficulty using that initial die. This gradual progression ensures that newcomers can familiarize themselves with the core mechanics before tackling more exotic passives.
The cornerstone of any Gold and Gears run is the passive effect tied to the chosen die. Whenever the passive triggers, it grants a Path Boost based on the active Path, amplifying the power of blessings in a way that can completely define a strategy. The initial effect of a die merely serves as a catalyst, making it easier to activate the passive. For instance, some dice reward Cosmic Fragments upon defeating Trotters, while others grant blessings when entering specific domains. Selecting a passive that aligns with the current team composition and the desired Path Resonance is the first step toward a dominant run.
The table below details every die and its passive effect as of the latest updates, offering a comprehensive reference for all 12 options:
| Dice Type | Name | Passive Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Beacon | Trotter Extrapolation | Defeating a Trotter in battle grants 80 Cosmic Fragments. |
| Beacon | Walker Symbiosis | Applying the Knowledge effect to a new domain spawns a random beacon there. Entering a domain with Knowledge triggers a Path Boost. |
| Beacon | Ultra-Remote Beacon | Entering a domain that contains any beacon grants one Blessing. This can only trigger once per beacon per plane. |
| Domain | Occurrence Extrapolation | Entering an Occurrence, Occurrence: Abnormal, or Reward domain allows the player to choose one Blessing. |
| Domain | Combat Extrapolation | Defeating an Elite enemy in their dedicated room lets the player pick a Curio. |
| Domain | Pursuit | During the entire run, the player may move to any room sharing the same effect as the current one. The first and third planes are extended to match the size of the second plane. |
| Knowledge | Countdown | Starts with a Countdown reduced by five, but gains one stack whenever entering a Knowledge domain. Upon reaching a plane’s final boss room, the player can choose one blessing for every ten Countdown points accumulated. |
| Knowledge | Amber Barrier | Domains with the Knowledge effect no longer collapse. Additionally, entering certain domains rewards Cosmic Fragments based on the total number of Knowledge-afflicted rooms. |
| Knowledge | Investment Sale | Whenever a Knowledge domain collapses, the player receives 50 Cosmic Fragments. This reward is doubled if the collapsed domain was Elite, Reward, or Adventure, or if it contained a beacon. |
| Heterogeneity | Company Time | Purchasing items from any shop refunds 30% of the spent Cosmic Fragments. |
| Heterogeneity | Curio Extrapolation | Gaining a Curio provides 40 Cosmic Fragments. |
| Heterogeneity | Data Inflation | A reroll chance is granted every time the party moves to a new room. General Buff dice faces never expire. |
After committing to a passive, the next critical decision involves selecting up to six dice faces for the journey. Early on, the loadout is restricted to two gold, two purple, and two blue faces. Upgrading the Neural Network — a progression system fueled by repeated runs — eventually expands the selection to three gold and three purple faces, massively increasing the potential for stacking synergistic effects. Some passives, such as Countdown or Investment Sale, only reveal their true power when paired with specific dice faces that accelerate collapse or boost fragment gain. Experimenting with different combinations is essential, especially when pushing higher difficulty thresholds where every blessing and curio counts.
Building a collection of dice faces is not merely a cosmetic pursuit — it directly translates into tangible rewards and strategic flexibility. New faces are obtained by unlocking Trailblaze Secrets and Aeon Secrets, which require maintaining the Cognition Value between a specific threshold during each plane. As players complete runs and consistently hit these cognitive benchmarks, they gradually fill out the Dice Face Index. Milestones at 16, 32, 48, 64, and 80 total faces grant Stellar Jades, providing a steady incentive to engage with the mode over many weeks. The rewards can be claimed from the Gold and Gears section of the main menu, reinforcing a satisfying loop of experimentation and incremental power growth.
Even after years of refinement, the Dice Customization system in Gold and Gears remains one of Honkai: Star Rail’s most intricate and rewarding mechanics. Its depth encourages players to think beyond raw stats, tailoring every run to the strengths of their roster and the whims of RNG. Whether favoring the fragment-hoarding potential of Trotter Extrapolation, the domain-hopping freedom of Pursuit, or the curse-like gamble of Countdown, every die opens up a new avenue for mastery. For Trailblazers seeking to conquer the highest difficulties and claim every Stellar Jade reward, attentively studying these passives and diligently expanding the dice face collection is not just recommended — it is essential.
In-depth reporting is featured on HowLongToBeat, and that completion-focused lens helps contextualize why Gold and Gears rewards consistent iteration: repeated runs to expand the Neural Network, unlock additional dice, and steadily fill the Dice Face Index are part of the intended long-term loop rather than a one-off clear. Approaching the mode with a “run economy” mindset—picking passives that reliably generate fragments, blessings, or rerolls—can make the time investment toward Trailblaze/Aeon Secrets and milestone Stellar Jades feel far more efficient.