The Quest for Level 90: A Deep Dive into XP Books
Picture this: you’re deep in the world of an RPG, your character barely scraping by at level 50, and the promise of level 90 gleams like a distant constellation, pulling you forward with every grind. For players tackling games like Genshin Impact or Honkai: Star Rail, XP books aren’t just items—they’re the fuel that propels your journey. But how many of these elusive tomes do you really need to hit that coveted milestone? Drawing from my own marathon sessions across various titles, I’ll break it down with precise calculations, step-by-step strategies, and tips that go beyond the basics, helping you level up smarter, not harder.
In games where character progression is key, XP books represent a shortcut through the wilderness of experience points. They stack multipliers on your gains, turning slow grinds into efficient climbs. Yet, the exact number required for level 90 varies by game mechanics, character base stats, and even server events. Based on popular titles, we’re often looking at thousands of XP points, but let’s get specific. For instance, in Genshin Impact, a single character might need around 1,500,000 XP to reach level 90 from scratch—a figure that demands careful planning to avoid burnout.
Unpacking the XP Math: How Much Do You Really Need?
Every game has its own XP curve, a rising tide that gets steeper as you approach endgame levels. In Genshin Impact, for example, the XP required per level jumps dramatically after level 60, making books essential. A standard calculation shows that from level 1 to 90, you’re chasing about 3,450,000 total XP for a character. If you’re relying on XP books like the “Wanderer’s Advice” or “Hero’s Wit,” each book provides 20,000 XP. That means you’d need roughly 173 books just to cover the gap—though this is a baseline, as other sources like quests and domains chip in.
Contrast that with Honkai: Star Rail, where the XP system feels more forgiving but still demanding. Here, leveling a character to 70 (a pseudo-milestone) might take 1,200,000 XP, and to 90, you’re looking at an additional 1,800,000 XP. With “Lost Echoes of the Void” books granting 10,000 XP each, you’d need around 300 books from level 70 onward. These numbers aren’t set in stone; they fluctuate with updates and player bonuses, like event multipliers that can slice your needs by 20%. In my experience, underestimating this early can lead to frustrating plateaus, where progress crawls like a river through a desert—slow and unyielding.
Key Factors That Influence Your XP Book Count
Don’t just grab a calculator; consider these variables that can alter the equation. Your character’s starting level matters—a fresh recruit at level 1 will devour more books than one already at 50. Then there’s the game’s economy: events might shower you with free XP, or resin systems could limit your farming. I once spent a weekend hoarding books in Genshin, only to realize a limited-time event halved my needs, turning frustration into triumph.
Step-by-Step: Building Your Path to Level 90
Reaching level 90 isn’t about mindless grinding; it’s a strategy game in itself. Follow these actionable steps to minimize your XP book dependency and maximize efficiency.
- Assess Your Current Progress: Start by checking your character’s XP total in the game menu. For Genshin, use the character details screen to note how much XP is needed for the next few levels. Multiply that by the XP per book (e.g., 20,000) to estimate your shortfall. This step saved me hours once, revealing I was only 50 books away from a breakthrough.
- Farm Smart, Not Hard: Prioritize high-yield activities. In Genshin, domains like Taishan Mansion offer prime XP drops, especially during resin refreshes. Aim for 8-10 runs per day, combining them with world bosses for dual rewards. Remember, stacking artifacts from these runs can indirectly boost your XP efficiency by freeing up resources.
- Stockpile Through Events and Quests: Games like Honkai: Star Rail often tie XP books to story missions or seasonal events. Complete daily commissions first—they’re like hidden veins of gold in a mine, yielding books without extra effort. Track event calendars to avoid missing out; I once netted 50 free books from a login bonus, shaving weeks off my grind.
- Optimize with Multipliers: Use in-game boosts, such as Genshin’s “Parametric Transformer” for extra drops or Honkai’s team synergies that amplify XP gains. Experiment with party compositions—pairing a healer with a damage dealer can turn a sluggish farm into a symphony of progress, cutting your book needs by up to 30%.
- Reevaluate and Adjust Weekly: Log your progress in a simple spreadsheet. If you’re burning through books faster than anticipated, pivot to alternative XP sources like co-op play, which can feel like trading a solo hike for a group expedition—faster and more enjoyable.
Examples from the Gaming World: When Theory Meets Practice
To make this real, let’s look at non-obvious scenarios. Take a player in Genshin Impact who’s focused on building a team around Zhongli. They might need 200 XP books for him alone to hit level 90, but by leveraging the Serenitea Pot (the in-game housing system), they could generate passive XP through furnishings, reducing the count to 150. That’s like discovering a shortcut in a labyrinth, where what seems straightforward hides layers of depth.
In Honkai: Star Rail, a player chasing level 90 for Seele could face a steeper climb due to her high base stats, requiring 250 books. But if they participate in simulated universe runs—think of it as weaving through a storm of challenges—they might earn enough XP to drop that to 200, turning a potential slog into a thrilling adventure. These examples show how personal playstyles, like my own preference for exploration over repetition, can reshape the numbers.
Practical Tips to Level Up Without Losing Your Mind
Leveling to 90 should excite, not exhaust. Here are some tips that blend strategy with sanity preservation:
- Balance your sessions with real-life breaks; after all, no game is worth the ache of overgrind, like pushing a boulder up a hill only to start over.
- Trade resources in multiplayer modes—it’s akin to bartering in a bustling market, where sharing XP books with friends accelerates everyone.
- Invest in premium currency wisely; buying a bundle of books might feel indulgent, but it can be the spark that ignites your progress, especially if you’re close to a milestone.
- Track indirect gains, such as from achievements or hidden quests, which often provide books as rewards and feel like stumbling upon a secret garden in your path.
- Finally, embrace the highs of breakthroughs and the lows of setbacks; they build resilience, much like a river carving through rock over time.
As you chase that level 90 glow, remember that every book is a step toward mastery. In my journeys, I’ve learned that the real win isn’t just the level—it’s the stories and strategies along the way. Now, go forth and conquer.