Gear basics: Arcs, Cartridges & Modules
How the three gear families fit together and what to prioritize on a new Esper.
In-game sourced
In Neverness to Everness your power comes from three gear families that slot onto each Esper: Arcs, Cartridges, and Modules. Understanding what each one does keeps you from wasting upgrade materials on the wrong slot early in Hethereau.
The three families
- Arcs are your primary weapon-class gear. They define your main attack pattern and carry the largest share of raw offense, so an Arc upgrade is usually the single biggest power jump.
- Cartridges are tunable inserts that shape how an Arc behaves. Swap a Cartridge to lean into burst, sustained pressure, or element generation without rerolling the whole weapon.
- Modules are support pieces that grant stats and set bonuses across your party of three. Matching Module sets is where build identity really comes from.
What to prioritize first
- Level one Arc to a comfortable breakpoint before spreading materials thin.
- Pick Cartridges that match the element you want that Esper to feed into the Esper Cycle.
- Save Module rerolls for after you know your final team, since set bonuses reward commitment.
Common mistakes
Do not over-invest in a starter Arc you will replace, and do not chase every glowing drop. A clean two-set Module bonus plus one strong Arc beats a pile of mismatched rarities. Rotate gear between Espers as your party composition settles.