TL;DR

Arcs are equippable weapon disks in NTE. Each one boosts ATK, adds a substat, and gives a unique passive effect.
There are 5 Arc types: Solid, Liquid, Gas, Plasma, and Synthesis. Each character can only use their matching type.
Arc rarity goes B → A → S. S-Rank Arcs are the ones to prioritize.
S-Tier picks: Ready-Ready, Camellia Society, Day Off, Blow Up the Crowd, Good Boy’s Grand Adventure, Hethereau’s Keeper, Raging Flames, Fluff of Fortitude, Fluff of Ferocity, Youthful Fantasy, and more.
Best free S-Rank Arcs come from Anomaly Commissions — every standard S-Rank Arc can be earned once without pulling.
Arcs with fewer activation conditions rank higher — consistent passive effects beat powerful but narrow ones.
Upgrade your best Arc first. Resources are limited early, so do not spread upgrades across multiple weapons.

Table of Contents

What Are Arcs in NTE?

Arcs are the weapon system in Neverness to Everness (NTE). Instead of swords or guns, your characters equip physical disks that boost their stats and activate powerful in-combat passive effects. Every Arc in the game gives three things:

Base ATK — scales with Arc level
A substat — CRIT Rate, ATK%, CRIT DMG, HP%, or Break Intensity depending on the Arc
A unique passive effect — ranging from team-wide ATK buffs to companion summons, Eclipse zones, and damage-on-Break mechanics

Your choice of Arc directly impacts Break efficiency, reaction damage, team synergy, and overall damage output. Choosing the right Arc for your character is one of the most important progression decisions in NTE — arguably as impactful as the characters themselves.

To understand how to upgrade your Arcs effectively, check out our Awakening System guide for NTE and our guide on how to get Cartridges and Modules in NTE.

Arc Types Explained

There are 5 Arc types in NTE. Each character can only equip the type that matches their kit. Equipping the wrong type is not possible — the game locks incompatible Arcs. Here is a quick summary of which characters use which types:

Solid — used by characters like Nanally, Adler, Esper Zero, Skia, and Mint
Liquid — used by Daffodil, Jiuyuan, and Baicang
Gas — used by Chiz, Contemplative Cat users, and similar characters
Plasma — used by Hathor, Aurelia, and others with Plasma compatibility
Synthesis — used by Fadia, Edgar, Haniel, Sakiri, and other Synthesis-compatible characters

Always confirm your character’s Arc type before investing upgrade resources. Check individual character build pages to verify — our build guides for Nanally, Hathor, Daffodil, Fadia, and Chiz all include Arc type and best-in-slot recommendations.

How to Get Arcs in NTE

There are several ways to obtain Arcs in NTE:

Arc Research Program (Gacha Banner) — the primary source for S-Rank Arcs. You are guaranteed an S-Rank Arc every 60 pulls, and the featured limited signature within 80 pulls worst-case. Pity carries over between banners.
Anomaly Commissions — every standard S-Rank Arc in the game can be earned once for free through Anomaly Commissions. This is the best F2P method to build your weapon collection early.
Hunter Exchange and Events — Tri-Keys can be collected from the Hunter Exchange or events and used to purchase specific Arcs.
City Tycoon Progression — reaching Tycoon Level 21 rewards the Contemplative Cat S-Rank Arc automatically.
Mall Purchase — Your Happiness is Priceless can be bought using Nacupeda Coins from the Mall.

For free Arc sources from commissions, check our guides on the free S-Class Arc Day Off, the Rhythm Master commission (Blow Up the Crowd), and the Deep Blue Sorrow commission (Song of the Whale). For the gacha banner system, see our Scarborough Fair gacha system guide.

Tier List Ranking Criteria

Before diving into the rankings, here is how this tier list evaluates each Arc:

Raw ATK increases rank higher because they require fewer specific Element cycles to activate and consistently deliver strong stat gains across all content types.
Easier activation conditions rank higher. An Arc with a party-wide buff that activates on Ultimate beats an Arc that requires a specific element reaction most players cannot consistently set up.
Versatility beats niche power. Arcs that work well in all scenarios — against mobs, bosses, solo, and team content — rank above those that only shine in very specific setups.
Both F2P and gacha Arcs are ranked so every type of player has clear goals to work toward.

NTE Arc Tier List – S Tier (Meta-Defining)

These are the best Arcs in NTE at launch. They deliver the highest combination of damage output, utility, and ease of activation. Any S-Tier Arc you own should be the first one you invest upgrade resources into.

Ready-Ready (Plasma – S-Rank)

Ready-Ready is widely considered the strongest general-purpose Arc in NTE at launch. It provides massive ATK% buffs for your entire team while adding consistent off-field follow-up damage. It fits perfectly into auto-attack and quick-swap playstyles, and is the best-in-slot Arc for Nanally. Because its buffs benefit the whole team rather than just the equipped character, it has broad value across almost any team composition you build.

Camellia Society (Synthesis – S-Rank)

Camellia Society stacks CRIT DMG every time your HP drops without taking direct damage, building up to four stacks. It also unlocks Arc: Silent Garden, which triggers random high-damage Incantation bursts including Harsh Rebuke and Incessant Nagging. If you play aggressively and manage risk well, this Arc delivers explosive damage potential. It is the signature Arc for Serenetti boss farm characters and Synthesis DPS builds. See the Haniel build guide and Edgar build guide for recommended Synthesis users.

Day Off (Solid – S-Rank)

Day Off provides a huge flat ATK boost of up to 50% at max refinement. It also creates a 40-second Eclipse zone where defeating enemies restores 6–10 Ultimate Energy per kill, up to 5 times per cooldown. If your team revolves around frequent Ultimate usage, Day Off is one of the strongest tools in the game. It is also one of the most accessible S-Rank Arcs — see our guide on how to get the free Day Off Arc in NTE.

Blow Up the Crowd (Solid – S-Rank)

Blow Up the Crowd delivers strong off-field ATK buffs for your active character while stacking Psyche DMG through Basic Attacks. It is an excellent fit for Psyche-focused damage dealers and fast-swap compositions. Its dual-layer buff system rewards consistent damage application and smart rotation timing. It is the best free Arc for Haniel and strong for any Psyche DPS build. Earn it for free by completing the Rhythm Master Anomaly Commission.

Good Boy’s Grand Adventure (Gas – S-Rank)

Good Boy’s Grand Adventure is the premier team support Arc in NTE. It boosts Charge Efficiency and provides a large team-wide ATK increase after the wearer casts an Ultimate. This bonus grows even further if enemies are under control effects when the Ultimate lands. For teams that apply crowd control regularly or rely on Ultimate cycling, this Arc adds more team damage than almost any other support option in the game.

Hethereau’s Keeper (Solid – S-Rank)

Hethereau’s Keeper boosts both ATK% and damage dealt to bosses, and also summons a companion called Officer Whisker who continuously attacks enemies based on a portion of your ATK. The combination of sustained off-field damage and boss-slaying bonus makes this an excellent choice for players who push through high-level Anomaly Hunts and boss encounters regularly. Its value scales significantly in longer fights.

Raging Flames (Plasma – S-Rank)

Raging Flames is a high base ATK Plasma Arc with CRIT DMG as its substat — one of the strongest stat combinations in the game. It has the highest base ATK of any Plasma Arc at 666, making it an excellent raw stat option for any Plasma DPS character. Earn it for free by completing the Ride Assault Anomaly Commission. It is especially strong on Hathor.

Fluff of Fortitude (Plasma – S-Rank)

Fluff of Fortitude increases damage output as enemy HP decreases, reaching up to 52% increased damage at max stacks against low-HP targets. This makes it one of the most flexible and universally powerful DPS Arcs available — it requires no elemental cycle setup, no teammate condition, and no specific mechanic to activate. Just deal damage, watch enemies fall, and hit harder. One of the best options for any Plasma DPS who lacks a signature Arc.

Fluff of Ferocity (Synthesis – S-Rank)

Fluff of Ferocity stacks CRIT DMG with every critical hit, up to 10 stacks, each adding to CRIT DMG for 10 seconds. For high-CRIT builds that land crits consistently through fast attacks, this Arc amplifies damage output significantly. It is a strong option for Synthesis DPS characters who already invest heavily into CRIT Rate. Check the Sakiri build guide and Esper Zero build guide for Synthesis characters who benefit from this Arc.

Youthful Fantasy (Liquid – S-Rank)

Youthful Fantasy is a Liquid Arc with a 30% ATK substat — one of the cleanest stat lines for any Liquid character. It is particularly strong on Daffodil and Jiuyuan. Earn it for free by completing The Book of Post-Adolescence Anomaly Commission in New Herland. For Liquid character builds, check out the Jiuyuan build guide and Baicang build guide.

Eternal Waltz (Synthesis – S-Rank)

Eternal Waltz is a unique defensive S-Rank Arc that provides a significant Max HP increase (up to 32%) along with a Mental DMG boost after each Ultimate cast. It is particularly valuable for tankier Synthesis Espers who scale with Mental damage and need to survive sustained fight pressure. If you are running a survival-focused Synthesis build, this is the go-to option.

Fluff of Finesse (Gas – S-Rank)

Fluff of Finesse rewards skilled play — every Critical Dodge grants the wearer a stacking damage bonus up to 3 stacks. Players who are confident in their dodge timing and consistently land Critical Dodges will find this Arc delivers strong sustained damage. It is a great alternative for Gas characters who do not have access to a signature Arc.

Fluff of Fleetness (Liquid – S-Rank)

Fluff of Fleetness builds ATK% every second while the wearer is the active character, up to 5 stacks. The stacks reset the moment you switch characters. This makes it best suited for main DPS Liquid characters who stay on-field for extended periods rather than quick-swap compositions. Strong on Daffodil in extended fight windows where you can sustain on-field time safely.

Song of the Whale (Plasma – S-Rank)

Song of the Whale’s passive, Deep Blue Sorrow, restores 30% HP each time you finish off a Broken enemy (30-second cooldown). It is the best free Arc for Aurelia and pairs excellently with Break-focused builds. In longer fights with frequent Break phases, the sustain it generates keeps your team in the fight without needing to pull back. Earn it for free through the Deep Blue Sorrow Anomaly Commission.

Contemplative Cat (Gas – S-Rank)

Contemplative Cat is a CRIT DMG substat Gas Arc and is earned by reaching City Tycoon Level 21 — making it one of the most accessible S-Rank Arcs in the game for active players. Its passive boosts Cosmos DMG based on how many Fons you hold, up to 10 stacks. For Cosmos-element Gas characters, this Arc can deliver very strong damage output in the late game when your Fons reserves are high. Check our City Tycoon guide for how to reach Level 21 efficiently.

Your Happiness is Priceless (Solid – S-Rank)

Your Happiness is Priceless gives a straightforward 25% ATK increase after casting an Ultimate. It is a simple, clean buff with no complex activation conditions and high CRIT Rate as its substat — making it one of the most reliable general DPS Arcs available. It can be purchased from the Mall using Nacupeda Coins, which are earned once per day by visiting Nacupeda’s Pool near Davidia Avenue in Illusion Town.

NTE Arc Tier List – A Tier (Strong With the Right Setup)

These Arcs are reliable performers that carry you comfortably through story content, daily activities, and early endgame. They typically have slightly more specific activation conditions than S-Tier Arcs, but deliver strong value when those conditions are met consistently.

Umbrella (Synthesis – A-Rank)

Umbrella provides a solid DEF and HP boost along with stronger shields when your HP is high. If survivability is your priority for a Synthesis character, this is one of the best defensive picks available. It is the go-to A-Rank option for survival-focused Synthesis users before obtaining an S-Rank alternative.

Shiny Days (Plasma – A-Rank)

Shiny Days increases Break Intensity and deals extra damage to Broken enemies. It fits perfectly into teams that focus on staggering enemies and capitalizing on the Break damage window. For Plasma characters in Break-oriented teams, this is a strong A-Rank bridge until a better option is available. Pairs well with Aurelia.

The Forgotten (Solid – A-Rank)

The Forgotten shifts your stats based on current HP — granting ATK when you are healthy and DEF when you are low. This adaptive mechanic makes it a decent self-sustain option for Esper Zero and early DPS builds. It is a solid A-Rank Solid Arc if you have not yet obtained a better S-Rank option. Check the Esper Zero build guide for more context.

Oraora! (Plasma – A-Rank)

Oraora! rewards aggressive play by increasing damage output with each Basic Attack landed, scaling with your combo pressure. If you prefer constant on-field pressure and maintaining combos, this Arc keeps scaling with your playstyle. It is a reliable A-Rank Plasma option for characters without access to Raging Flames or other S-Rank Plasma Arcs.

Mind Royale (Synthesis – A-Rank)

Mind Royale restores Ultimate Energy through Redirect Skills, allowing you to cycle Ultimates more frequently. For Synthesis characters who use Redirect Skills often and want shorter Ultimate cooldowns, this Arc adds genuine rotation value. Earn it for free through the Reclaim Inspiration Anomaly Commission.

The Good, The Bad, The Bitter (Synthesis – A-Rank)

This Arc provides an HP boost plus increased Mental DMG after Ultimate casts. It is a decent generalist option for Synthesis characters and works as a transitional piece before obtaining Eternal Waltz or Camellia Society.

The Great Thief (Synthesis – A-Rank)

The Great Thief increases Break Intensity by 120 as its substat — one of the highest Break Intensity substats on any A-Rank Arc. For Synthesis characters running Break-heavy builds, this is a competitive A-Rank choice that feeds directly into the Break damage loop.

Time Bandit (Solid – A-Rank)

Time Bandit is a solid transitional Arc for Solid characters before accessing S-Rank options. It provides reliable buffs that function without strict activation requirements, making it a consistent general-use pick for early-game Solid DPS builds.

Call of the Twisted City (Plasma – A-Rank)

Call of the Twisted City works well in Lakshana-focused builds, boosting Redirect and Ultimate power significantly after an Ultimate cast. The additional stacking damage per skill cast rewards players who cycle skills aggressively in Plasma builds.

NTE Arc Tier List – B Tier (Workable but Situational)

B-Tier Arcs are mostly early-game tools. They can carry you through the opening hours of the game but fall behind once S and A-Rank Arcs become available. Avoid investing heavy upgrade resources into these unless they are your only option.

First Step to Success (Solid – B-Rank)

A simple Solid Arc providing a flat ATK buff. Functional at the start of the game but outclassed quickly. Replace it as soon as a better Solid Arc is available.

Real Music (Liquid – B-Rank)

A basic Liquid Arc with a flat ATK increase. Same story as First Step to Success — use it while you work toward better Liquid options like Youthful Fantasy or Fluff of Fleetness.

Be Happy (Gas – B-Rank)

Be Happy offers an HP boost for Gas characters. Survivability-focused but lacks the damage output of higher-tier Gas Arcs. Keep it only if you have nothing else equipped on a Gas character.

Us. (Plasma – B-Rank)

A starter Plasma Arc with a flat ATK percentage. Replace it with Raging Flames, Fluff of Fortitude, or any A-Rank Plasma Arc as soon as possible.

Dangerous Game (Synthesis – B-Rank)

The only B-Rank Synthesis Arc. A placeholder until better options arrive. Prioritize earning Mind Royale from the Reclaim Inspiration commission as your first free Synthesis upgrade.

Best Free Arcs to Get First in NTE

If you are playing without spending on the Arc banner, here are the free S-Rank Arcs worth prioritizing first based on how easy they are to obtain and how broadly useful they are:

Day Off (Solid) — free through the Eclipse event chain. One of the cleanest ATK buffs in the game. Guide: How to Get Day Off Arc.
Blow Up the Crowd (Solid) — free from Rhythm Master commission. Best for Haniel and Psyche DPS. Guide: Rhythm Master Guide.
Song of the Whale (Plasma) — free from Deep Blue Sorrow commission. Best for Aurelia and Break builds. Guide: Deep Blue Sorrow Guide.
Raging Flames (Plasma) — free from Ride Assault commission. Top-tier Plasma with 666 base ATK. Guide: Ride Assault Guide.
Youthful Fantasy (Liquid) — free from The Book of Post-Adolescence commission. Best free Liquid Arc.
Mind Royale (Synthesis) — free from Reclaim Inspiration commission. Excellent for Ultimate cycling. Guide: Reclaim Inspiration Guide.
Contemplative Cat (Gas) — free at City Tycoon Level 21. Strong for Cosmos Gas builds long-term.

Arc Upgrade Priority Tips

Resources in NTE are limited early on. Here is how to make the most of what you have:

Upgrade one Arc at a time. Spreading resources across multiple Arcs wastes upgrade materials. Pick your best Arc for your main DPS and max it out first before touching anything else.
S-Tier Arcs first, always. Even at low levels, an S-Rank Arc with better base stats and passive potential outperforms a fully upgraded B-Rank one past the early game.
Refinement matters for S-Rank Arcs. Getting duplicate S-Rank Arcs refines them (up to Refinement Rank 5), strengthening their passive significantly. Signature Arcs from the banner benefit most from refinement if you are choosing to pull.
Do not dismantle A-Rank Arcs. Even weaker A-Rank Arcs serve as upgrade fodder for Arc leveling via the Mixing system. Keep them unless you are completely certain you have no use for them.
Match type before upgrading. Only invest in an Arc if the character who will use it can actually equip that Arc type. Spending resources on a Liquid Arc for a Solid character is wasted.

For more detail on the upgrade system, read our Awakening System guide.

Best Arcs by Character

Here is a quick reference for the best Arc per character based on current build recommendations:

Nanally — Ready-Ready (signature) / Day Off (free). See: Nanally Build Guide
Hathor — Raging Flames (free S-Rank). See: Hathor Build Guide
Aurelia — Song of the Whale (free S-Rank). See: Aurelia Build Guide
Haniel — Blow Up the Crowd (free S-Rank). See: Haniel Build Guide
Daffodil — Youthful Fantasy (free S-Rank). See: Daffodil Build Guide
Fadia — Camellia Society (signature) / Mind Royale (free). See: Fadia Build Guide
Chiz — Good Boy’s Grand Adventure / Contemplative Cat. See: Chiz Build Guide
Sakiri — Fluff of Ferocity / Camellia Society. See: Sakiri Build Guide
Jiuyuan — Youthful Fantasy. See: Jiuyuan Build Guide
Baicang — Youthful Fantasy / Fluff of Fleetness. See: Baicang Build Guide
Edgar — Camellia Society / Eternal Waltz. See: Edgar Build Guide
Skia — Day Off / Hethereau’s Keeper. See: Skia Build Guide
Adler — Day Off / Your Happiness is Priceless. See: Adler Build Guide
Mint — Day Off / Hethereau’s Keeper. See: Mint Build Guide
Esper Zero — Day Off / The Forgotten. See: Esper Zero Build Guide

More NTE Guides to Help You Progress

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Final Thoughts

The Arc system in NTE gives every player a clear weapon-building roadmap from day one. The free S-Rank Arcs available through Anomaly Commissions mean you can fully equip your team with powerful weapons without spending a single Tri-Key on the Arc banner. Ready-Ready, Day Off, Raging Flames, Blow Up the Crowd, and Song of the Whale alone can carry you through all story content and most endgame activities.

The key principle to keep in mind is that simpler activation conditions almost always mean more consistent real-world performance. A big passive that always fires beats a bigger passive that requires a specific element cycle you cannot always set up. Focus your upgrade resources on one Arc at a time, prioritize S-Tier options, and match type before investing.

As new characters and content arrive in future updates, this tier list will evolve. Check back for updates as the meta develops, and keep an eye on new Anomaly Commissions for additional free weapons added to the pool.