- Expedition Into Darkness quartz is the primary premium currency used for high-tier crafting and rare summons.
- Best farming node: The Shattered Abyss on Stage 4 offers the highest base drop rate.
- Party setup: Bring a support class with luck-boosting passives to increase currency yields.
- Daily limits: Quartz nodes have a soft reset cap of 5 attempts per character daily.
- Event priority: Always prioritize limited-time events for the highest quartz ROI.
Understanding Expedition Into Darkness Quartz Mechanics
Quartz serves as the backbone of the progression system. Unlike standard gold or basic materials, this crystalline resource gates access to endgame gear, character ascensions, and the premium summoning pool. Understanding how the game distributes quartz is essential for efficient account progression.
The game features three distinct tiers of quartz, each serving different crafting and upgrade purposes. Managing your reserves across all three tiers prevents progression bottlenecks during major content updates.
| Quartz Tier | Primary Source | Primary Use | Exchange Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rough Quartz | Standard mining nodes, Stage 1-3 | Basic gear enhancements | 10 = 1 Refined |
| Refined Quartz | Mid-game drops, Event shop | Character ascension, Mid-tier crafts | 5 = 1 Pure |
| Pure Quartz | Boss drops, Endgame raids | Legendary summons, Endgame gear | Non-exchangeable |
Downward exchange is permanent. Never convert Pure Quartz into lower tiers unless facing an absolute emergency, as you cannot reverse the transaction.
Ensure your idle dispatch teams are always assigned to quartz-related expeditions. Even low-tier dispatches yield 15-20 Rough Quartz per cycle, which compounds significantly over a week.
Best Farming Routes and Node Comparison
Optimizing your quartz farming requires targeting the right nodes based on your current progression level. The game maps are divided into zones, each with different drop tables and stamina costs. Selecting the wrong node can waste valuable stamina and time.
Crystal Hollows
- Stamina Cost: 8 per run
- Average Drop: 12-15 Rough Quartz
- Best for: Early game stockpiling
- Difficulty: Easy
Shattered Abyss
- Stamina Cost: 15 per run
- Average Drop: 6-8 Refined Quartz
- Best for: Mid-game farming
- Difficulty: Moderate
Void Rift
- Stamina Cost: 25 per run
- Average Drop: 2-3 Pure Quartz
- Best for: Endgame optimization
- Difficulty: Hard
When comparing stamina efficiency, the Shattered Abyss provides the best balance of difficulty and yield. However, if you are pre-ascension, stick to the Crystal Hollows until your party reaches level 45.
Track your drops over 10 runs. If your Refined Quartz yield falls below 5 per run in the Shattered Abyss, temporarily switch to Crystal Hollows to build your base material pool.
Step-by-Step Quartz Optimization
To maximize your daily quartz output, follow this structured approach. This routine ensures you hit every high-value node without wasting natural stamina regeneration.
Complete Daily Dispatches
Assign your secondary characters to idle expeditions targeting crystal nodes before doing any active combat. This starts the passive timer early.
Run Event Stages First
Check the rotating event tab. Limited-time events often feature a 2x quartz multiplier. Spend 50% of your stamina here if the bonus is active.
Farm the Shattered Abyss
Use your remaining stamina on the Shattered Abyss. Equip gear with the "Greed" affix to boost material drop rates by 15%.
Exchange and Craft
Visit the alchemist to exchange excess Rough Quartz into Refined Quartz only when you need an immediate upgrade. Otherwise, save for bulk crafting.
The "Greed" gear affix stacks across party members. Equipping it on your support characters is just as effective as putting it on your main DPS, as drop rates are calculated party-wide.
Resource Management & Goals
Managing your quartz is often more important than farming it. Many players waste resources on mid-tier upgrades that become obsolete. Establish clear milestones to ensure your currency goes toward permanent account upgrades.
Weekly Quartz Management Goals:
- Save 500 Refined Quartz for the monthly banner
- Do not spend Pure Quartz on non-BIS gear
- Maintain a 200 Rough Quartz buffer for emergency repairs
- Complete all event missions offering quartz rewards
- Upgrade mining dispatch facilities to level 3
| Upgrade Priority | Quartz Cost | Power Increase | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Weapon (Legendary) | 45 Pure | High | Craft immediately |
| Armor Set (Epic) | 120 Refined | Moderate | Wait for set bonuses |
| Summoning Banner (10-pull) | 30 Pure | Variable | Save for rate-up banners |
| Accessory Enhancements | 80 Refined | Low | Use only if stuck |
Do not use Pure Quartz for standard summons. Standard pools rotate frequently, and the rates do not justify the cost. Save Pure Quartz exclusively for limited, rate-up banners featuring exclusive characters.
Advanced Tips and Drop Rate Boosting
Once you have mastered the basic farming routes, you can utilize advanced game mechanics to further increase your quartz acquisition. These methods require specific setups but yield significantly higher returns over time.
First, focus on the "Crystal Resonance" buff. By equipping two or more characters with crystal-themed weapons, you trigger a hidden set effect that increases material drop chances by 10%. This effect works in both active combat and idle dispatches.
Second, coordinate with your guild. Guild buffs provide an additional 5% drop rate increase for all materials. If your guild is inactive, consider moving to an active one specifically for the farming bonuses.
The game refreshes high-tier node drop rates on a weekly cycle. Save your premium stamina potions for the end of the week when you can combine them with guild buffs and weekend bonus events for maximum yield.
Always look at the upcoming content roadmap. If a new character is releasing next month that requires quartz for ascension, start hoarding immediately rather than spending on current mid-tier content.
FAQ
Q: What is the fastest way to get Expedition Into Darkness quartz?
The fastest method is participating in limited-time events that offer quartz as milestone rewards. For sustainable farming, running the Shattered Abyss with a full party equipped with Greed affixes provides the highest consistent yield.
Q: Can I buy quartz with real money?
Yes, the in-game shop offers quartz bundles. However, the free-to-play farming routes are generally sufficient if you manage your resources efficiently and participate in all events.
Q: Should I exchange Pure Quartz for Refined Quartz?
No, this is highly discouraged. Pure Quartz is extremely rare and required for endgame legendary gear and limited summons. Exchanging it downward creates a permanent loss of value.
Q: Does the Greed affix work on boss drops?
Yes, the Greed affix affects all material drops, including boss encounters. Stacking it across your party significantly increases the Pure Quartz drop rate in endgame raids like the Void Rift.