Start with one main damage dealer
Choose a crewmate you own and plan to use. Upgrade their level, key skills and target profession first.
If two damage dealers need the same profession tags or Soundstealer Shells, finish one first.Chinese-server resource planning
Who to upgrade first in Sea of Remnants
Build one main damage dealer, then invest in survival and support. Add a second damage dealer when you have a fourth slot and enough materials.
Upgrade order
Four steps for your main team
Cover survival
Add healing, shields or damage absorption based on the fight. If allies keep falling, upgrade sustain before spending on a second damage dealer.
Check whether the team loses to attrition, burst or a lack of recovery.Build a support who enables your rotation
Choose a support whose debuffs, buffs, extra actions, Energy or status effects help your main damage dealer act.
Pick the crewmate who solves your team’s problem at its current investment.Use the fourth slot to fill another need
With three slots, cover damage, support and survival. Once the fourth opens, add a second damage dealer or an encounter specialist.
Save materials until a new crewmate fills a gap in the team.Roster examples
What to do with the crewmates you have
You have Molly or want a follow-up team
Choose an Agility damage dealer to upgrade first. Add teammates who enable frequent actions and keep the team alive. Molly and Julius share Agility profession materials on a voyage.
Read the Molly build guide (Chinese)You have Haig and want damage over time
Check that your teammates can apply the required stacks or statuses consistently. Build a stacker and a sustain crewmate alongside Haig.
Read the Haig build guide (Chinese)Your Black Ticket pick is still open
Look for the role you need most: main damage, wave clear, survival or support. Include your plans for Molly and the cost of building the pick.
Open the Black Ticket selector guideYou own plenty of crewmates but keep getting stuck
Check your roles, profession tags, Shadows and where you spent your materials. Use Team Builder to spot a gap.
Check your roster in Team BuilderBefore spending
Five checks before spending materials
Levels and caps
Bring your core team to the level required by the current stage before upgrading more crewmates.
Skill triggers
Check how personal skills, Signature Skills and passives work together before spending skill materials.
Professions and tags
Plan for the 3/3/6 tag requirements and check that the target profession is available.
Shadows
Choose an effect that helps the crewmate’s rotation or role.
Team gaps
Decide which problem this upgrade solves: damage, survival or support.
FAQ
Crewmate upgrade FAQ
How many crewmates should a beginner upgrade?
Build one damage dealer and fill sustain and support on your three-person team. Add another crewmate when the fourth slot opens.
Should Black Ticket crewmates always get materials first?
Upgrade someone who fits your role, profession and Shadow resources. A crewmate you can build now may be the better investment.
Should I upgrade Molly and Julius together?
Both use Agility resources. If materials are tight, finish one main damage dealer’s profession upgrade before building the other.
How do I use tier lists when deciding whom to upgrade?
Check the encounter, teammates and version behind each ranking. Prioritize the crewmate who fixes your next fight.
Patch notes and references
Sources for profession rules and team roles
- NetEase July 15 developer letter (Chinese)Covers upgrades, Big-Face Coins, profession unlocks and shell acquisition.
- NetEase open beta developer letter, part two (Chinese)Covers the July 23 change to 3/3/6 profession tags and materials.
- SorWiki team building guideSee how damage, support and sustain work together in the lineup examples.
Use the current quest and profession screens when checking unlocks for your account.