Thoma’s Fiery Ascension: A 2026 Guide to Maxing Out Genshin Impact’s Loyal Retainer

Of all the four‑star characters in Teyvat’s ever‑expanding roster, Thoma has quietly held his ground as the ultimate “fixer” since his debut. Fast‑forward to 2026 and the pyrotechnic househusband remains a staple in Hu Tao teams, a godsend for shield‑starved wanderers, and a surprisingly spry sub‑DPS when built with care. But before he can chain together blazing collapses and perfectly timed parries, every Traveler must first navigate the interminable grind of ascension materials, talent books, and weekly boss drops. Buckle up—this guide breaks down every Mora, mushroom, and Menacing Pearl needed to drag Thoma from level 1 obscurity to level 90 glory.

The first hurdle is the most predictable: experience books and Mora. Thoma is no exception to the iron law of Genshin progression—strapping him to the top requires a veritable library of Hero’s Wit and a small nation’s treasury. Pushing from level 1 to 90 will consume roughly 421 purple experience tomes and over two million Mora, give or take a few ley line blossoms. Toss in the additional costs for ascending at each threshold, and your wallet will feel lighter than a Hilichurl’s mask collection. Veteran players who’ve hoarded since the Inazuma era might shrug, but newer recruits in 2026 would do well to park their teapot realm on Mora‑producing duty for a week.

🔥 The Pyro Ascension Gauntlet: Gems, Pearls, and Spores

Once Thoma hits level 20, the real scavenger hunt begins. The Vision‑bearing retainer requires Agnidus Agate—the universal pyro ascension gem—and a stack of Smoldering Pearls, which drop exclusively from the Pyro Hypostasis. This cubic hot‑head still resides on Kannazuka Island, and while the fight hasn’t changed much since 2021, the Hypostasis remains a masterclass in dodging explosions. In 2026, a well‑built Hydro catalyst like Neuvillette or even the ever‑reliable Xingqiu can extinguish its fiery core before it gets any ideas. Expect to shell out 30 to 40 resin per kill, so plan your Fragile Resin stash accordingly.

Beyond boss loot, Thoma demands a steady supply of Treasure Hoarder Insignias and a peculiar Inazuman delicacy: Fluorescent Fungus. Insignias are the bread‑and‑butter of any open‑world murder‑spree—Treasure Hoarders still loiter around ruins in Mondstadt, Liyue, and Inazuma, so a dedicated route can net hundreds in an afternoon. Fluorescent Fungus, on the other hand, is the patience‑testing gatekeeper. These glowing mushrooms dot the mist‑shrouded Tsurumi Island, but until the fog‑dissipating quest chain is completed, gathering them is a recipe for frustration. Even in 2026, the “Through the Mists” questline remains mandatory, so new players should prioritize it before farming. Pro tip: bring Gorou’s passive or use the interactive map to mark a loop; the mushrooms respawn every 48 hours, and Thoma will devour 168 of them to hit the final ascension.

📜 Talent Tomes and the Hellfire Dilemma

A max‑level Thoma with underwhelming talents is like a Kamera without film—technically functional but deeply unsatisfying. To transform his shield blasts and plunging attacks into spectacles of pyro devastation, you’ll need to feed him Teachings/Guide/Philosophies of Transience, obtainable from the Violet Court domain on Kannazuka Island. Availability hasn’t shifted since 2021: Monday, Thursday, and Sunday are your only windows. Stockpile condensed resin and bring a cryo squad—the domain’s ice‑immune enemies once tormented early players, but in 2026, the likes of Wriothesley or even a well‑fed Ayaka can breeze through.

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Talent level 7 and above introduces the true bottleneck: Hellfire Butterflies, a drop from the weekly La Signora boss fight. Since Natlan’s release in 2025, Hoyoverse added a few extra weekly challenges, but La Signora remains the sole source of this moth‑winged torture currency. You’ll need 18 Hellfire Butterflies to max all three talents—assuming average RNG, that’s roughly 12 to 15 weeks of relentless signora‑pummeling. And if you’re aiming to crown Thoma (because a dedicated retainer deserves no less), triple Crowns of Insight are non‑negotiable. In 2026, crowns flow more freely from events, the Sakura Tree, and the occasional battle pass, but they’re still rare enough to demand a moment of soul‑searching before you commit.

💰 The Full Shopping List (A Cheat Sheet)

For the spreadsheet warriors, here’s the condensed haul required to take Thoma from timid newcomer to maxed‑out menace:

Material	Quantity (approx.)	Source
Hero’s Wit	421	Ley Lines, events, teapot
Mora	2.1+ million	Ley Lines, quests, teapot
Agnidus Agate (all rarities)	1 Sliver, 9 Fragments, 9 Chunks, 6 Gemstones	Pyro bosses, conversion
Smoldering Pearl	46	Pyro Hypostasis
Treasure Hoarder Insignias (all grades)	18 Silver, 30 Bronze, 36 Golden?*	Treasure Hoarders worldwide
Fluorescent Fungus	168	Tsurumi Island
Transience Scrolls (Teachings/Guide/Philosophies)	9 green, 63 blue, 114 purple?*	Violet Court (Mon/Thu/Sun)
Hellfire Butterfly	18	La Signora (weekly boss)
Crown of Insight	3	Events, Sakura Tree, etc.

Asterisks denote values that vary slightly by stat sources; the message is “a lot.”

🛡️ Is It Worth It in 2026?

The meta has ballooned since Thoma first landed in 2021. Fontaine’s HP‑manipulation quirks and Natlan’s phlogiston shenanigans haven’t rendered him obsolete—in fact, his consistent pyro application and second‑strongest‑in‑the‑game shield (once C6) still carve a niche in Vaporize and Melt setups. Players who pulled Hu Tao back in the Liyue days will find him indispensable, and fans of the Kamisato household simply enjoy his personality. The grind is daunting, yes, but watching Thoma’s burst sweep across a crowded Abyss chamber while his shield shrugs off a Maguu Kenki slashes? That’s the Teyvat dream.

So clear the fog, farm those fungi, and stockpile your dreams—Thoma’s loyalty is well worth the investment, even in 2026.