Overview
Character leveling is the foundational progression system in Neverness to Everness. Higher character levels increase base stats, unlock stronger abilities, and are required to progress through the main story. The leveling system works alongside three other progression pillars: Arcs (weapons), KongMu Gear (equipment), and Console Equipment (the Tetris-style module system).
Characters gain experience and level up primarily through mission completion and combat. The game uses an item-based experience system where consumable EXP materials can be used to level characters directly, supplementing the experience gained from active gameplay.
Experience Sources
Experience can be earned through a variety of in-game activities. The following sources have been confirmed from beta test data:
Source | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
One-time | Large EXP rewards for completing story chapters; some quests are level-gated | |
Side Quests | One-time | Additional EXP from optional quests and NPC storylines across Hethereau |
Defeating Anomalies | Repeatable | Combat encounters with enemies and bosses in the open world grant EXP |
Repeatable | Endgame repeatable activities that reward EXP materials and other resources | |
Repeatable | Cooperative 2-4 player dungeons that drop EXP materials and equipment | |
Repeatable | Endgame activity that rewards Fon currency and leveling materials | |
Riftcrystal Mining Permits | Repeatable | Resource gathering activity that provides supplementary rewards |
The main story is level-gated at certain points. If your characters are underleveled, you will need to complete side content and repeatable activities to meet the level requirement before continuing the story. This encourages players to engage with the game's exploration and side activities rather than rushing through the main quest alone.
Character Stats
When a character levels up, their base stats increase. The following attributes are tracked for every character and scale with level:
Stat | Category | Description |
|---|---|---|
ATK | Offensive | Determines base damage output for attacks and skills |
HP | Defensive | Total health pool before the character is knocked out |
DEF | Defensive | Reduces incoming damage from enemy attacks |
CRT Rate | Offensive | Probability of landing a critical hit |
CRT DMG | Offensive | Damage multiplier applied when a critical hit lands |
Break Intensity | Offensive | Determines how quickly enemy break meters are depleted |
Elemental DMG Bonus | Offensive | Percentage increase to damage dealt by the character's specific element |
RES | Defensive | Resistance to specific elemental damage types |
Energy Regen | Utility | Rate at which the character's ultimate energy fills |
Cycle Rate | Utility | How quickly the character fills the Esper Cycle Meter through actions |
Progression Pillars
Character leveling is one of four interconnected progression systems that together determine a character's total power. Understanding how they relate helps with efficient resource allocation.
1. Character Level
The base layer of progression. Increases ATK, HP, DEF, and other core stats. This should be prioritized first, as it provides the foundation that other systems scale from.
2. Arcs (Weapons)
Arcs are the weapon system in NTE. Each Arc provides flat stat bonuses (ATK, HP, DEF, Break Intensity) and a unique passive ability. Arcs have 5 upgrade levels, with Level 5 approximately doubling the Level 1 stats. S-Class Arcs are obtained through the Tri-Key currency (Tri-Keys on the Arc Banner (guaranteed S-Rank Arc at 60 pulls)), not through gacha pulls.
3. KongMu Gear (Disks and Drive Blocks)
The KongMu Gear system provides six equipment slots (2 Disks + 4 Drive Blocks) that supply additional stats, set bonuses, and special affixes. Disks offer randomized stats with 2-piece set effects, while Drive Blocks have fixed main stats. This is the primary gear system for stat optimization.
4. Console Equipment
The Console Equipment system uses a Tetris-like spatial puzzle where module-shaped gear pieces are fitted into a character's Game Boy-style Console grid. Console pieces provide stats including ATK, CRT Rate, CRT DMG, elemental damage bonuses, and more. The challenge is balancing both stat quality and spatial fit.
Awakening
Separate from standard leveling, the Awakening System provides character upgrades through duplicate gacha pulls. Awakening unlocks powerful passive abilities and combat enhancements (A1 through A6) plus two milestone bonuses. Unlike character leveling, Awakening requires duplicate character copies rather than farmable materials.
Additional Progression Systems
City Tycoon Level
The City Tycoon system tracks the player's progress in owning and developing properties across Hethereau. This is a separate progression track from character leveling, but it has direct rewards. Reaching City Tycoon Level 18 unlocks the S-Rank Cosmos character Chiz for free, without any gacha pulls required.
Character Bond
Characters have a bond level that increases through interaction and spending time with them. Characters with bond level 4 or higher can be placed in properties (apartments, businesses) around the city for special interactions and bonus effects.
Key Currencies
Currency | Use | Source |
|---|---|---|
Fon | General endgame currency for materials and upgrades | Circle Bounty, Anomaly Commissions, endgame activities |
Purchase S-Class Arcs (25 per Arc) | Gameplay activities and milestones |
Equalized Content
One notable feature of NTE's progression design is the Pink Paws Heist competitive dungeon, which equalizes all characters with fixed stats regardless of player progression. In this mode, even a Level 1 character with no equipment performs identically to a fully built character. This gives newer players access to competitive endgame content while progression-dependent content rewards players who invest in leveling and gear.
Pre-Launch Note
Neverness to Everness launches on April 29, 2026. Specific details about maximum character level, exact material requirements, and whether a formal ascension or breakthrough system exists have not been confirmed in pre-release sources. The information in this article is based on beta test data from the Containment Test and Co-Ex Test and will be updated after launch.