To deploy a team in Tracing the Trail: The Shadow of Legend, open the event board, select an unlocked clue, review its hints, then assign at least two Aniimo—including a leader—and deploy. Match the companion Aniimo to the clue area’s preferences to improve the reported grade. Check the lineup’s displayed timer and reward preview before confirming: recalling ends the active investigation, and secondary guides report that an unfinished run does not pay out.
Where to find the investigation board
Open Events and select Tracing the Trail: The Shadow of Legend. The activity sends a team to investigate clues linked to signs of Legendary Aniimo activity. The guide reports a five-clue board, with Nimbus Fields available initially and later clues gated by staggered countdowns. Its reported event calendar ran from 20 September to 9 December 2026 (UTC+8); those dates describe the event window, not a countdown for an individual clue or a guarantee that the event is currently available. AniimoGuide.com and NerdsChalk provide secondary event reporting; use the live client for current availability and screens.
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How to deploy a team
- Choose an unlocked clue. Read that clue’s area report and dispatch hints; do not assume the same team suits every area.
- Fill the party. The event reference describes four party slots and the in-game rule “At least 2 required, lead Aniimo must be deployed.” Use Quick Select if useful, but inspect each selected Aniimo rather than assuming the suggested party is ideal.
- Match the companions to the clue. The reported grade depends on how many of the three companion slots meet that area’s preferences. A high combat level by itself is not the stated basis for a better investigation grade.
- Set the leader deliberately. If the random reward includes a potential increase, the leader is the reported target. Put the Aniimo you want to receive that possible increase in the leader slot.
- Review and deploy. Check the grade, reward preview, leader, and displayed duration after any lineup edits, then confirm deployment.
How clue countdowns and investigation time work
There are two different waits to keep straight: a countdown before a later clue becomes available, and the timer for a team already investigating. The event guide reports staggered clue unlocks beginning after Nimbus Fields; it lists later clues as unlocking 21–24 September 2026. These are historical event-calendar dates, not a live estimate. For an active dispatch, AniimoGuide.com reports a four-hour base duration and a 2-hour-48-minute duration when the squad includes a Prismana Form or Sparkling Aniimo. These are reported examples, not a universal timer: use the duration shown for the team you have selected.
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What grades and rewards are reported
The event guide reports one Irisalis Petal for each completed investigation, with Flux Crystals varying by grade. It also describes a Chance Encounter Gift pool and a separate clue-board progress track. Treat these as guide-reported event rewards and confirm the current preview in the client, especially after a patch.
| Reward or progress | Reported amount or outcome | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Completed investigation | 1 Irisalis Petal | Per completed investigation, as reported by AniimoGuide.com. |
| Grade B | No Flux Crystals | Reported event reward. |
| Grade A | 2 Flux Crystals | Reported event reward. |
| Grade S | 3 Flux Crystals | Reported event reward. |
| Chance Encounter Gift | Random Leader Aniimo Potential +1, 1 Starcryst Essence, 5 Capaseed, or 1 Vein Essence | One possible random gift outcome; the potential increase is not guaranteed. |
| Clue-board progress: 1 clue | 50 Capaseed | Reported milestone reward. |
| Clue-board progress: 3 clues | 75 Capaseed | Reported milestone reward. |
| Clue-board progress: 5 clues | 2 Capafruit | Reported milestone reward. |
A secondary guide warns that an Energy Resonance outcome is not guaranteed and that players cannot choose its stat. The reward preview should therefore be read as a possible pool, not a promise that a specific item or improvement will drop.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to aim for an S grade
Use the preferences shown for the specific clue area: the guide says grade responds to how many of the three companion Aniimo match those preferences. The leader slot matters for the potential-reward target, while the companion matches affect the reported grade. Compare candidate lineups by the grade preview and reward preview, the displayed duration, whether the preferred potential recipient is leader, and how many companions meet the area’s hints. There is no single universal lineup established for every clue.
Rank #2
What happens if you recall early?
Recall ends an active dispatch and frees the team for another arrangement. NerdsChalk reports an observed unfinished run returned no rewards. AniimoGuide.com reports that early recall costs elapsed time only, with no item cost or cooldown. Because these are secondary accounts rather than an official rules page, inspect the in-game confirmation and assume an unfinished run may forfeit its completion rewards before accepting.
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Which details to verify in the live game
- Whether the event and a particular clue are currently available.
- The clue area’s hints and the grade shown for the chosen companions.
- The selected team’s timer and the specific reward preview.
- The leader slot if a possible potential increase is a priority.
- The recall confirmation before ending an unfinished dispatch.
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