Master the Matrix(s)!

In the ever-expanding world of Etheria: Restart, power isn’t just about your characters—it’s about how you build them. And one of the most crucial systems to understand is Matrix Effects, also known as gear set bonuses. These aren’t just stats on your equipment; they’re the backbone of your strategy, whether you’re crushing PvE bosses or dominating PvP arenas. So if you’ve been wondering how to optimize your gear and get the most out of your team, you’re in the right place.

Let’s dive deep into the Matrix system and break down how it works, what sets are worth hunting, and how to build smarter, not just stronger.

Matrix Effects are essentially your gear set bonuses, unlocked by equipping multiple pieces of gear with the same Matrix tag. These bonuses range from raw stats like Attack or Crit Rate to powerful conditional effects that trigger based on combat events like crits, debuffs, or HP thresholds.

The sets come in different configurations—4, 6, 8, and 12-piece thresholds—and the way you stack them determines how powerful your bonus becomes. The more of the same Matrix Effect you equip, the bigger the reward.

Let’s kick things off with damage dealers. There’s no shortage of sets designed to amplify your offensive output:

• Onslaught – A pure attack percent bonus set. 10% increase at 4 pieces, 25% at 8 pieces. At 12 pieces, you’re looking at a whopping +45% ATK. Straightforward and effective.
• Harvest – A more tactical choice: same ATK bonuses at 4 and 8 pieces (10% increase). Also at 8 pieces, when the target is above 50% HP, you ignore 30% of their DEF. Nasty for opening burst.
• Rage – 4 pieces grants you 10% ATK increase. At 8 pieces it adds bonus damage on crits (extra 12%). Great synergy with crit-reliant characters.
• Momentum – 6 pieces grants 12% Crit Rate. At 12 pieces, you gain 12% Crit Rate and bonus damage based on the number of debuffs or control effects on the target (up to 30%). A dream for DOT and CC teams.
• Keen Eye – A Crit Damage set that at 6 pieces grants Crit Damage increase by 18%. But at 12 pieces, you get the 18% AND it boosts your first three attacks per turn by 25%, 15%, and 5%.
• Fury Edge – A simple but deadly 6 piece set offering 12% Crit Rate and 20% Crit Damage.

Support units get love too, with sets that boost healing, HP, and resistance:

• Wellspring – Basic HP% scaling (up to +45% at 12 pieces). A beginner’s staple.
• Cure – Grants 10% HP at 4 pieces. Combines 10% HP with a 20% healing boost at 8 pieces.
• Evo Guard – High-end set that grants 12% healing effect and 20% Effect RES. Tough to get but worth it.

When it comes to standing tall under pressure, these sets deliver:

• Unbreakable – Perfect for straight tank builds. Gaining up to 45% DEF at 12 pieces
• Bramble – Grants 10% DEF at 4 pieces. Adds a 25% chance to counterattack after being hit at 8 pieces. Great for bruisers and sustain tanks.
• Blood Bath – Grants Effect RES 18% at 6 pieces. 12 pieces reduces excess damage by 60% if you take more than 20% of your max HP in a turn. Combine with Effect RES for survival against nukers.
• Colossus Guard – A 6 piece combo of +25% Defense and +20% Effect RES. Simple and efficient.

In both PvP and PvE, speed kills—or saves. These sets give you the edge:

• Swift Rush – Up to +35% Speed at 12 pieces. Insane for turn-based dominance.
• Bulwark – Grants immunity at the start of each wave. Strong in PvP and against debuff-heavy bosses. User also gets 10% HP at 4 and 8 respectively.
• Strive – Grants 10% Defense at 4 pieces. At 8 pieces it adds a 10% Action Bar boost after being hit. Could be abused on multi tank comps—watch this space!
• Time Weave – Effect Accuracy +18% at 6 pieces and a 35% chance to reduce skill cooldowns by 1 turn each round at 12. Fantastic on control/support units.
• Swift Raid – A 6 piece set offering 15% Speed and 20% Attack. Hybrid aggression at its finest.

Finally, we’ve got the late-game sets that spice things up:

• Battle Will – Grants 10% ATK at 4 pieces. But it gets spicy at 8 with a 20% chance to follow up with another hit after using a skill. Massive value for DPS units with multi-hit skills.
• Ether Plague – A brutal combo of +25% HP and +20% Effect Accuracy. Ideal for tanky debuffers.
• Swift Smite – A hybrid 6 piece bonus offering +15% Speed and +20% Effect Accuracy. Great for control characters that need to go fast and land their skills.

At first, you’ll start seeing gear with just one Matrix effect per piece. But as you progress, two and eventually three effects will appear. That means one gear slot can give you three pieces toward a full Matrix bonus. For example, if all six of your gear pieces have three of the same Matrix symbol, you’re instantly at the 18-mark (though most sets cap at 12).

The real kicker? Rolling your gear. Each piece has up to five upgrade levels: 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15. But each time you unlock a new substat, it uses up a roll—so a piece that starts with four substats is golden. That gives you the full five rolls purely for upgrades instead of substat unlocks. These are your high-roll “perfect” pieces.

Etheria: Restart’s Matrix system strikes a solid balance between accessibility and depth. It’s easy to grasp early on, but there’s tons of potential for theorycrafting and min-maxing as you progress. Whether you’re planning out your next PvP team or grinding gear dungeons for that elusive perfect roll, Matrix Effects will be at the heart of your strategy.