Tears of Themis Guide: Investigation Tips & Card Collection

## What You'll Learn This **beginner's guide** will walk you through the essential first steps in **Tears of Themis**, from mastering the investigation system to building relationships with the characters, so you can dive into the story with confidence. **Tears of Themis** is a unique blend of **otome game** romance and detective adventure where you play as a rookie attorney. If you're a new player, the mix of **investigation**, card-based debates, and relationship-building can feel overwhelming. This guide breaks down the core mechanics to help you get started smoothly.  ## Before You Start: What You Need to Know Before diving into this **beginner guide**, it's good to understand the basics of what **Tears of Themis** is. Developed by miHoYo (HoYoverse), it's a free-to-play story-driven game. Your goal is to solve cases while deepening bonds with four distinct male leads. The game is perfect for fans of **otome games** who enjoy a good mystery. | Aspect | Details | |--------|---------| | **Genre** | Otome, Detective, Visual Novel | | **Core Loop** | Investigate → Gather Evidence → Debate → Unlock Story | | **Key Systems** | Story Cases, Card Collection (Gacha), Character Affinity | | **Cost** | Free with In-App Purchases | ## Step-by-Step: Your First Week in Stellis City Follow these steps to establish a strong foundation in your first few days of playing **Tears of Themis**. ### Step 1: Complete the Tutorial and Main Story The game does an excellent job of teaching you the ropes. Pay close attention during the initial cases. - **Follow the Guide**: The tutorial will introduce you to crime scene investigation, evidence analysis, and the card debate system. Don't skip it. - **Focus on Main Story**: Progress through the main story episodes. This is your primary source of experience, currency, and, most importantly, the captivating narrative that defines **Tears of Themis**. - **Auto-Play is Your Friend**: For story segments you've already read, use the auto-play feature to save time while still earning rewards. ### Step 2: Understand the Investigation & Debate System This is the core gameplay of solving cases in this **otome game**. It has two main phases. 1. **Investigation Phase**: You'll examine scenes, gather clues, and interview witnesses. - Tap on highlighted areas to find evidence. - Combine logical pieces of evidence to form conclusions. 2. **Debate Phase**: You confront suspects using your collected evidence in a card-based battle. - Your "cards" are arguments, represented by SR or SSR cards of the male characters. - Match the card's type (Logic, Empathy, Intuition) to the opponent's weakness to deal more damage. - Use skills and build decks with cards that have good synergy.  ### Step 3: Get to Grips with Card Collection and Building Your deck's power is crucial for winning debates in later cases. - **How to Get Cards**: Primarily through the **gacha system** (called "Invitations"). Use your free S-Chips or Tears to pull for new cards. - **Prioritize SSR & SR Cards**: These are the most powerful. Don't worry about getting them all at once; a team of strong SR cards can carry you far. - **Upgrade Your Cards**: Use resources to level up your cards, upgrade their skills, and "evolve" them to unlock higher level caps and new artwork. This is key to increasing your overall power. ### Step 4: Build Relationships with the Characters The heart of this **otome game** is your connection with Artem, Luke, Vyn, and Marius. - **Visit Their Personal Stories**: Unlocked by reaching certain affinity levels, these stories provide deep character background and romantic moments. - **Increase Affinity**: You raise affinity by: - Using their cards in debates. - Completing their personal story chapters. - Giving them gifts found during investigations. - Interacting with them in the "Consulting" room. - **Check Messages and Calls**: The game's chat system is a fantastic, immersive way to build relationships. Respond to their messages and answer calls!  ### Step 5: Manage Your Resources Wisely As a free-to-play player in this **beginner guide**, resource management is essential. - **S-Chips**: The premium currency. Use them primarily for pulling cards. Be cautious about spending them on stamina refills early on. - **Stamina (AP)**: Needed to play story cases and certain tasks. It regenerates over time. Plan your play sessions around it. - **Daily and Weekly Tasks**: **Always complete these.** They are your most reliable source of S-Chips, experience, and upgrade materials. This is the best habit you can form as a new player. ## If Something Goes Wrong: Common Beginner Hurdles Here are solutions to typical problems new players face when learning **how to play**. ### Problem: "I'm stuck and can't win a debate!" - **Solution**: Your deck power is too low. Go back and: - Grind previous cases for upgrade materials. - Level up and evolve your strongest SR cards. - Ensure you're matching card types to the debate opponent's weaknesses. ### Problem: "The gacha system hasn't given me good cards." - **Solution**: This is normal. The game is designed to be playable with SR cards. Focus on building a balanced team with the SRs you have. Save your S-Chips for a banner featuring a character you really like. ### Problem: "I'm overwhelmed by all the menus and currencies." - **Solution**: Focus on one tab at a time. For your first week, concentrate only on: 1. Main Story (Themis Affairs) 2. Daily Tasks 3. Card upgrade screens Ignore event tabs and advanced features until you're comfortable with the basics. ## You're All Set! By following this **beginner's guide**, you've laid the groundwork for a rewarding experience in **Tears of Themis**. You now understand the core loop of **investigation** and debate, know how to strengthen your cards, and have started **building relationships** with the characters. Remember, **Tears of Themis** is a marathon, not a sprint. Enjoy the story, savor the character interactions, and tackle cases at your own pace. Log in daily, do your tasks, and you'll find yourself growing stronger and more immersed in the world of Stellis City with each passing day. Now, go solve some cases!