Once Human runs on a large stack of currencies, and only a couple of them actually drive core progression. The rest sit behind cosmetics, events, the shop, and side systems like Eternaland and Warband play. Knowing which currency does what saves you from hoarding the wrong thing or spending real money you never needed to.
Quick answer: Energy Link and Starchrom are the two currencies you should prioritize. Energy Link covers everyday spending, while Starchrom powers the Wish Machine for weapon and armor blueprints. Everything else is optional or tied to a specific feature.
The two currencies that matter most for progression
Energy Link is the base currency of the game. You use it to buy items, upgrade equipment, level up Mimetics, and cover general costs. It flows in constantly from quests, seasonal tasks, and gameplay rewards. The fastest reliable method is selling loot like gold and silver at NPC settlements, which can net you thousands in a single trip.
Starchrom is the high-value currency behind gear acquisition. You spend it at the Wish Machine to pull armor and weapon blueprints and fragments, or buy blueprints directly from the Blueprint Shop. You earn it from Season Goals, quests, and Territory Purification, where you load Eclipse Cortexes into a Stardust Resonant Filter and defend it against enemy waves to extract the currency.
If you are new, focus on these two first. The sheer number of other currencies feels overwhelming, but most of them only become relevant once you engage with a particular system.
Gear, weapon, and combat currencies
A second tier of currencies feeds directly into weapons, upgrades, and boss rewards. These are earned through play rather than purchased.
| Currency | What it does | How to get it |
|---|---|---|
| Stellar Planula | Buys high-tier weapon upgrades, controllers, and Starchrom Crates at the Stellar Planula shop | Quests, side tasks, Morphic Hunts |
| Controller | Claims rewards from certain Monolith Bosses and other combat content | Missions, events, Stellar Planula shop, exploration |
| Asterisms | Unlocks progress in the Stellar Stairway | Passively from killing enemies, looting crates, and completing tasks |
Season currencies and shop passes
Seasonal play and the Battle Pass generate their own currencies for themed rewards.
| Currency | What it does | How to get it |
|---|---|---|
| Mitsuko’s Mark | Buys loot crates and season-themed items at the Season Shop | Season Goal objectives such as defeating bosses and cooking |
| Silver Key | Buys various items at the Shop’s Redemption tab | Leveling up the Battle Pass |
Cosmetic and appearance currencies
Several currencies exist purely to change how your character and gear look. Crystgin is the only premium one here, and none of them gate you out of actual gameplay content.
| Currency | What it does | How to get it |
|---|---|---|
| Crystgin | Buys weapon and player cosmetics in the in-game Store | Real money at the Top-up Center |
| Cosmetic Token | Buys cosmetic rewards at the Cosmetic Token Shop and exchanges for Colorful Badges | Automatic duplicate cosmetic conversion, Annual Season 1 Loot Crate |
| Colorful Badge | Changes the color of cosmetics | Purchased with Cosmetic Tokens |
| Chrysalis Token | Changes your character’s appearance | Purchased from the in-game Shop |
Note: Cosmetic Tokens come from dismantling duplicate cosmetics you already own, so you rarely need to spend anything to accumulate them over time.
Eternaland currencies
Eternaland has its own economy for crafting, building, and buying island-exclusive items. You reach it through the friends menu, and both currencies come from selling surplus and completing weekly Orders.
| Currency | What it does | How to get it |
|---|---|---|
| Astral Sand | Crafts, builds, buys, and exchanges specific items in Eternaland | Selling items in Eternaland, Weekly Eternaland Shop Orders |
| Astrealite | Buys and exchanges specific items at the Eternaland Shop | Weekly Fishing and Agriculture Orders |
Event currencies
Limited-time and recurring events hand out their own currencies for supplies, mods, and exclusive skins.
| Currency | What it does | How to get it |
|---|---|---|
| Astral Dewlet | Buys health, food, and water recovery items at the Regular Event Shop | Passively earn 20 per day |
| Sproutlet | Buys Stardust, Legendary Mod enhancements, and exclusive skins at Nissa’s Shop | Cargo Scramble and Highway Pursuit events |
| Lightforge Metal | Buys thematic armor sets from Weber | No specific active source currently |
Astral Dewlets have a daily allowance, so log in and claim them from the Regular Event tab even on days you do not plan to play long.
Building and Warband currencies
The last group covers base building and group play. Formula Blueprint Fragments come from recycling duplicate blueprints, while the two Warband currencies feed cooperative and PvP systems.
| Currency | What it does | How to get it |
|---|---|---|
| Formula Blueprint Fragments | Acquires Furniture Blueprints | Disassembling duplicate blueprints at the Designer’s Workstation |
| Warband Credit | Buys items from the Warband Shop | Donating personal items to the Warband Fund |
| Warband Fund | Powers the Stronghold Conquest system | Built up through Warband contributions |
Only Crystgin requires real money, and spending it is entirely optional since it buys cosmetics rather than power. Everything else comes from playing. Start by building up Energy Link and Starchrom, then let the other currencies accumulate as you engage with seasons, events, Eternaland, and Warband content.
