The difference between a good run and a bad run in Saros comes down to priorities, and the sooner players figure out how to prioritize their in-run upgrades, the sooner they have more good ones and fewer bad ones. Of course, it depends on what players want out of a specific run in Saros.
When delving into one of Saros' many biomes, players need to quickly decide why they are there: do they want to finish and beat the biome? Do they want to collect a bunch of Lunecite and upgrade the Armor Matrix in Saros? Are they just exploring, or returning for a specific clean-up? The good news is that my priority list, developed after spending way too much time in-game the past few days, is only slightly different for one type of run. Unless otherwise mentioned, consider my priority list universal to any run.
Saros Run Upgrade Priority List
- Halcyon
- Attribute Enhancers
- Integrity & Health OR Lunecite Upgrades
- Guns*
- Artifacts
Yes, if your first move in a Saros run is to max out your artifacts, then I think you are dampening the potential of your run. Once I established this Priority List, I found myself making each run even better—arguably even easier than the Carcosan Upgrades in Saros. The reason it works is because it ensures protagonist Arjun has gains for the next run while buffing the key components of the current run, both in near equal measure.
Now, it should be noted that Saros often forces players to choose between two upgrades: two artifacts, two guns, and so forth. In that case, it becomes what's best for the run on the micro level, but this priority list is best applied overall. While two artifacts are the last priority, for example, be sure to pick one up if it fits, no matter how early in a Saros cycle you are. But if it's a choice between your favorite artifact and Halcyon, always go Halcyon.
GameRant Quiz
1. Halcyon First, Always
While most permanent upgrades are unlocked with Lunecite, some of the best upgrades are locked behind Halcyon, yet Halcyon has two limits players should be aware of. First, there is a limited number of Halcyon in most Saros biomes, and it's entirely possible to go through an entire run without seeing any Halcyon. Because of those two details, no matter how attractive the other option is, always choose Halcyon first to ensure that your long-term growth remains on track.
2. Attribute Enhancers
Second to Halcyon is Attribute Enhancers, which should be chosen over anything except Halcyon. The reasoning here is pretty simple, too. Yes, eventually, there are unlocks so enemies just drop them and there are plenty of ways to get them, but they are the equivalent of free upgrades. Players are limited to how many artifacts they can carry, and obviously they are limited to one Saros Main Weapon and Power Weapon, yet there is no limit on Attribute Enhancers. Unless it's paired against Halycon, always go Attribute Enhancers.
Image via Housemarque
Image via Housemarque
Image via sony Interactive Entertainment
3. Healthmaxxing is the Goal
Rahul Kohli was chosen as Saros' protagonist so that the looksmaxxing would be on par with the healthmaxxing requirements of its gameplay, I am convinced. But in all seriousness, Saros is a game where you don't want to get hit. Unless you are perfect, however, you are going to get hit, so extending the number of hits you can take, however small, goes a long way. As such, this one weaves itself into other choices in-game. If it's between two Attribute Enhancers, always go for Integrity and health. If it's between health and anything lower on this list, always go for health. It's going to drastically change how long you can survive in Saros.
If your goal in a run is to get a lot of upgrades and levels, then prioritize Drive & Lunecite buffs over healthmaxxing.
4. And Then It's Guns
Choosing a stronger gun, if I had to guess, is where a lot of Saros runs go unknowingly wrong. In the context of two guns, higher power is not always the defining factor. If anything, I'd say weapon progression throughout the game is one of its weakest points because nothing really tops Smart Rifles and Eruptor Hand Cannons for me. But that's my recommendation: figure out which guns work best for you, stay within those categories, and simply upgrade strength between the two. Perks and weapon types should determine which guns you prioritize, not raw power, unless* that raw power is just a significant leap.
If a new weapon in Saros is 10 points stronger, then obviously make the swap and hold out hope for another gun later on. But being comfortable with your weaponry should be goal one, while anything above should come before a gun.
5. The Last Priority is Artifacts
I know this may seem strange, but I do not care how good the artifact is: it's not more important than having a good gun you're comfortable with, it's not more important than maxxing your health, it's not more important than free upgrades via Attribute Enhancers, and it's not more important than Halcyon. Players should only take new Artifacts when it's a choice between artifacts, when it's only an artifact, when it's a health artifact (over guns per priority #3), and in those situations only. This may seem counterintuitive because these are the most common upgrades, which also means they are the easiest to pick up in a run.
More than that, although it expands as you play Saros, you are limited to the number of artifacts you can carry. Picking up the wrong artifact can completely bork a run, just like having a good selection of artifacts can help beat a boss in Saros, so do not pick one up to pick one up—if it doesn't vibe with the gameplay set-up you've created thus far, skip it and consider the next one.
Have Fun!
Saros is probably my favorite PS5 exclusive game to date, so while I enjoyed figuring out this priority list (and hope it helps), maybe you don't. Maybe you just want to vibe-run each level; that's totally cool if so. The most important priority in any video game is to have fun because if it's not fun, why bother? H/T to Nintendo's Reggie Fils-Aime.
Saros
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 87/100 Critics Rec: 91%
- Released
- April 30, 2026
- ESRB
- Teen / Blood, Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Housemarque
- Publisher(s)
- Sony Interactive Entertainment
