Introduction to Surface (Beta)
It’s a brand new game using Nikke’s IP and binding to Nikke’s system. Yes, it IS that different from the main Nikke’s game.
Since the game is still on Beta, everything will be wiped after Dec 23, 2025.
Why do I have to care about this new “Beta” gameplay?
Above, we mentioned that surface data will be wiped after a reset, but Nikke’s rewards won’t. There are a lot of rainbow tickets, boxes, Custom Modules chests, gems and even Custom Modules themselves.
Not to mention, Shift Up also introduces a new power-up system, which is currently affected by Surface (beta) only. During the 3rd Anniversary livestream, Shift Up confirmed that after the beta, Hexagon will affect other modes too.
For now, we have 0 information on how this system works besides some small stat gain. Things are expected to be updated after the final release.
Getting used to the interface
When you first go into the game, you will start at “Base” (which there’s a shortcut under the minimap to re-focus here). The map is big, insanely big, so you may find that shortcut handy.
We have marked some buttons below; you want to take a look at how they work first before going into anything.
Produce
Just like the Outpost, Surface also generates resources every minute. There are 4 types of resources on Surface, which you probably don’t even remember their names. These resources have a cap (as you can see, some numbers are in Red). Overflow resources will be stored to a certain point, and everything afterward is lost.
Headquarters
The Headquarters are like a Command Center or Main Hall in other 4x games (Explore, Expand, Exploit, Exterminate). Main upgrades are here. We will go deeper here in another guide. For now, just focus on:
- Form Squad: You need Nikke squads to explore the surface.
- Alva Particle Purification: Increases your Nikke’s stats.
- Upgrade: Some research is locked behind the Building’s level, so eventually you will need to upgrade your buildings.
Supply Depot
The Supply Depot is basically your backpack - it stores your spoils of war there. Notable items are
- Green tube: Heal 1 Nikke to full HP. It can be used when the Nikke is not in battle.
- Red tube: Restore 100% Stamina of a Nikke. It can be used when the Nikke is not in battle.
Management
This interface shows all the bases you have reclaimed from Raptures. Super handy later on because there are a lot of bases and you want to make sure all of your buildings on each base are at max level for the highest income
Notice
This board will store all the changes you have made during your surface exploration. Actually, not used much.
Other Important Information
There are 3 more pieces of important information you need to pay attention to:
Squad Shortcut
This feature is very handy because Surface is HUGE. Your teams will be scattered all over places, hence having them shortcut in here will allow you to reach them faster without scrolling the whole map - such a painful process.
Quests
As you can see, there are 3 quests here. Those quests can be done 3 times a day (Recon Operation) or 21 times a week. It’s because to finish a quest, you need to spend 1 OP Report (notice the 0/21 indicator). This ticket will be given 3 per day, up to 21, so if you are not that free, you can store them and wait till the weekend to clear all of them.
Tips: Do not do any missions before you reach Sector 4. As you can see here, Sector 4 allows you to have better rewards than lower Sectors; therefore, unless your tickets are overflowing soon, just stack them and explore first.
The mission structure is fixed, so you won’t be able to reset the 2 Custom Modules chests. Just accept the quests and finish them.
Trial
Trial is where you gain Nikke’s rewards by doing certain requirements in Surface (beta). There are a lot of them, so just take your time to grind.
Let’s form a Squad
We don’t want to burden you with more knowledge, so for now, you can form a team like this first.
Basic Exploration Team
Mode: Surface || Element: All
Characters
About the team
The first basic exploration team. There are a lot of substitutes here, except Anis - There are currently only 4 Nikkes that gives extra MS non - combat area.
Substitutions
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We will explain more mechanics in other guides. Stay tuned!
