Character Evolution

**Character Evolution** is a process by which a Construct or Compositer can increase their class rating (Rank).

All playable characters in *Punishing: Gray Raven* have a default class rating of B-Rank, A-Rank, or S-Rank. However, they possess the ability to raise their rating by consuming a preset number of their corresponding **Inver-Shards**. In doing so, they will gain access to powerful new passive skills as well as substantial increases to their base stat multipliers.

## Evolution details

A character can be evolved by activating ten separate circuits on a special board. This board can be accessed through the Evolve option in Character Training.

Each circuit requires a preset number of shards in order to activate; this value is dependent on the Construct's or Compositer's current Rank. Activating all ten circuits on the board will prompt the user to complete the Evolution and raise the character's Rank by 1 (this will consume Cogs as well).

Required shards for Evolution are as follows:

* Evolution from B-Rank to A-Rank: 1 shard per circuit, up to 10 shards for completion.
* Evolution from A-Rank to S-Rank: 2 shards per circuit, up to 20 shards for completion.
* Evolution from S-Rank to SS-Rank: 3 shards per circuit, up to 30 shards for completion.
* Evolution from SS-Rank to SSS-Rank: 9 shards per circuit, up to 90 shards for completion.
* Evolution from SSS-Rank to SSS+-Rank: 18 shards per circuit, up to 180 shards for completion.

Upon successful Evolution, a Construct or Compositer will gain increased base ATK, DEF, HP, and CRT multipliers. Additionally, they will unlock a new skill depending on the Rank achieved.

* B -> A -Rank will unlock the character's Leader passive skill.
* A -> S -Rank will allow the user to begin increasing the level of the character's Class-Specific (Attacker/Tank/Support) passive skill beyond level 1.
* S -> SS -Rank will unlock their first special passive skill.
* SS -> SSS -Rank will unlock their second special passive skill.
* SSS -> SSS+ -Rank will unlock their third and final special passive skill.

## Obtaining Inver-Shards

Inver-Shards for any given character can be acquired in a number of manners.

The most prominent method for shard acquisition is through Research & Development. Any time the user obtains a duplicate Construct or Compositer, it will automatically be converted into a preset number of shards. The number of shards received is dependent on the default Rank of the character obtained.

* B-Rank: 6 shards
* A-Rank: 18 shards
* S-Rank: 30 shards
	+ Compositers, despite being S-Rank, will reward 18 shards due to their low pity threshold.

Shards can also be purchased in the Pain Cage shop in exchange for Phantom Pain Scars. Note that S-Class Construct shards have a total purchase limit of 30 through this method. Compositer shards cannot be acquired this way, and can instead be purchased through the Command Bureau shop with United Achievement Points.

For B-Rank and A-Rank Constructs, shards can additionally be obtained as drops. In a character's Interlude, a special resource collection stage can be accessed through the "Switch to Challenge" option. Entry count in these stages is limited daily and completing any given stage will reward one shard per clear.

One shard for Nanami - Storm can also be acquired through the Cumulative Progress Rewards feature in Pain Cage each week.