Obsidian Knight Shards vs Darksteel
Manage Shards and Darksteel as separate upgrade resources
Official update information describes Shards as resources obtained from Mining and Darksteel as a currency related to equipment-set upgrades. Even though they arrived near the same stage of progression, do not assume they share one balance or one upgrade screen.
This guide is for players who do not know what to do with mined Shards, cannot tell which resource blocks an upgrade, or are deciding whether to collect Shards or Darksteel next.
Differences confirmed by official information
Resource | Officially confirmed | Check in the current game screen |
|---|---|---|
Shards | Obtained from Mining | color or type, balance, destination, required amount |
Darksteel | A new currency related to equipment-set upgrades | upgrade target, cost, balance |
Store update notes do not provide every Shard use, mining rate, required amount, or exchange rule. Use the current screen instead of copying an old number.
Checks before and after Mining
- Record the current Shard types and balances before opening Mining.
- After Mining, identify which type and amount increased.
- Open the upgrade screen and check the exact resource icon it requests.
- Record Shard and Darksteel balances separately.
- Record the resource spent and the value changed by one upgrade.
Pair each resource name with its icon, color, and screen to avoid confusing two balances.
Identify the missing resource
Screen state | Next check |
|---|---|
The intended upgrade is still unavailable after Mining | Required Shard type and current balance |
A set upgrade is unavailable | Darksteel balance and selected set |
The balance appears sufficient but the next node is locked | Prerequisite node, level, or another resource icon |
You cannot tell what was spent | Before-and-after balances and icons |
An old guide shows a different cost | Current app version and current screen |
Check one balance after each upgrade before performing several upgrades in a row.
Confirmed Darksteel sources
Official iOS history lists a Daily Darksteel run and Darksteel rewards from Endless Dungeon. It does not publish current unlock requirements or reward amounts, so read the current map and reward screen.
Farming only a Darksteel source will not solve a Shard requirement. Identify the resource icon on the blocked upgrade first.
Before spending a resource
- Confirm that the requested resource matches the feature you want to improve.
- Record the current balance.
- Select one value to compare after spending.
- Check for another color or prerequisite node.
- Do not use a cost copied from an older version.
Check these details in your current version
- every Shard type and localized name;
- mining rates and amounts by color;
- Pickaxe costs or an optimal stockpile;
- complete Shard and Darksteel costs for every node;
- one best color, element, or node.
Use the current screen for Shard names, mining amounts, Pickaxe costs, node costs, and available branches.
Read next
- Darksteel sources and uses
- Set upgrade trees and Darksteel
- Five Weapon Magic trees
- Ruins of Mourn guide