Endgame & Modes 8 min read · Updated Oct 18, 2026

Silver Palace — Hotel Catalysts Guide

Master the 166 alchemy reagents in Hilbert's Hotel. Understand Base, Refined, and Synthesis tiers, learn how Reshape and Reform work, and draft powerful Character-Bound Catalysts for Red Rose, Argos, and Cinderella.

By GachaDex Editorial · Guide writers ← All guides (Silver Palace)
Key Takeaways
  • Hotel vs. Reactor Catalysts: Hotel Catalysts (166 total) are temporary roguelike buffs inside Hilbert's Hotel; Reactor Catalysts (17 total) are permanent gear stones slotted outside of combat.
  • Three Catalyst Tiers: 59 Base Catalysts (Lv. 1–3) upgrade into 50 Refined Catalysts via Reform, and pairs of Refined Catalysts forge into 57 game-breaking Synthesis Catalysts.
  • Reshape vs. Reform: Reshaping levels up a Base Catalyst from Lv. 1 to Lv. 3 to increase raw numbers; Reforming evolves it into a brand-new Refined Catalyst form.
  • Drafting Directives: Lock in a Synthesis pair early, avoid spreading drafts across too many low-tier Base stones, and prioritize Character-Bound Catalysts for your main on-field DPS.
01

What are Hotel Catalysts? (Hotel vs. Reactor)

Hilbert's Hotel Catalysts (or Hotel Catalysts) represent the primary combat-draft mechanic in Hilbert's Hotel. Every time you clear a combat chamber or visit the mid-run Supplies Shop, you draft or buy these reagents using Hilbert's Hotel Vouchers.

There are 166 Hotel Catalysts in total, each themed around real-world alchemical minerals, salts, and metallic transmutations. Unlike static stat sticks, Catalysts interact directly with combat mechanics - transforming skill rotations, eliminating resource costs, or unleashing screen-wide elemental reactions.

02

The 3 Catalyst Tiers: Base, Refined & Synthesis

Every Hotel Catalyst operates along a strict 3-tier evolutionary chain:

  • Base Catalysts (59 Total): Your starting draft pool. Most Base Catalysts begin at Lv. 1 and can be leveled up to Lv. 3 via Reshape to scale their base percentages (e.g., Fuming Sulphur grants a 20% hit chance to detonate 3 Burning Sparks for 180% AoE Ignis DMG; Raw Mercury grants a 5% hit chance to restore 20% Max HP).
  • Refined Catalysts (50 Total): Instead of an ordinary 'Level 4', a Base Catalyst undergoes Reform to transform into an evolved Refined Catalyst with a new name and heightened triggers (e.g., Fuming Sulphur evolves into Molten Sulphur, doubling the proc chance from 20% to 40%; Immaculate Gold evolves into Wrought Gold).
  • Synthesis Catalysts (57 Total): The pinnacle buffs of Hilbert's Hotel. Forged automatically when you assemble two specific Refined Catalysts from different alchemical chains (e.g., combining Molten Sulphur + Fulgurite Copper creates Calcined Copper, which preserves both parent effects while unlocking an explosive cross-trigger synergy).
  • Storage Pool Expansions (+4 Catalysts): Unlocking Storage Upgrade I & II in the Membership Privileges tree permanently introduces Corrosive Salt, Plagioclase Crystal, Phantom Quartz, and Black Agate into your draft pool.
Tier ClassificationTotal CountAcquisition MethodMax Level / EvolutionCore Example
Base Catalysts59 ReagentsCombat Drafts & ShopLevels 1 → 3 (Reshape)Fuming Sulphur, Raw Mercury
Refined Catalysts50 ReagentsEvolved via ReformTransmuted FormMolten Sulphur, Wrought Gold
Synthesis Catalysts57 ReagentsForged via Refined PairPinnacle Synergy FormCalcined Copper (Molten Sulphur + Fulgurite Copper)
Storage Expansions4 Bonus ReagentsMembership Tree NodesAdded to Draft PoolCorrosive Salt, Black Agate
03

Upgrade Mechanics: Reshape vs. Reform

Upgrades are handled at the Supplies Shop or via rest doors through two distinct systems:

Reshape (Level Scaling)

Spends Hotel Vouchers to advance a Base Catalyst from Lv. 1 to Lv. 3. Each level amplifies base damage multipliers, trigger chances, or recovery ceilings without altering the fundamental mechanic.

Reform (Evolution)

Transmutes a max-level Base Catalyst into its Refined counterpart. This completely alters the card art, elevates the perk tier, and qualifies the stone for Synthesis forging.

04

Catalyst Bindings: Universal, Attribute & Character-Bound

Always check the binding tag on a Catalyst card before drafting it:

  • Universal / No Binding (77 Catalysts): Can be triggered by any teammate via universal combat actions like Critical Hits, Parries, Executions, or Tactical Assaults.
  • Reactor Attribute Bound (20 Catalysts): Locked to one of the elemental Reactor Attributes (Ignis, Glacies, Fulmen, Gravitas, Radiatio, or Alba). Only draft the attribute(s) your current squad uses.
  • Character-Bound (69 Catalysts): Only work for one specific character on your team and do nothing for the other three. In exchange, they completely overhaul how that character plays:
  • Red Rose: Cuts Ultimate DMG by 50%, boosts Skill DMG by +225%, and lets her generate and spend Rose Petals to deal 40% of her Max HP as bonus DMG.
  • Argos: Cuts Ultimate DMG by 50%, boosts Charged Attack DMG by +400%, and unlocks a 2nd and 3rd stage on his Charged Attacks.
  • Ashley ("Cinderella"): Increases Ultimate Charge Efficiency by +225%, Ultimate DMG by +225%, and Ultimate Speed by +100%.
05

Drafting Strategy & Synthesis Forging Directives

Follow these 3 tactical drafting directives to guarantee consistent 12-floor clears:

  • 1. Lock in a Synthesis Pair Early: Scout your first two combat drafts for Base Catalysts that share a known Synthesis recipe. Dedicate all early Vouchers to Reshaping and Reforming those specific stones.
  • 2. Prioritize Your On-Field Carry: Because your active carry accounts for ~80% of damage and screen time, draft Character-Bound Catalysts for your lead carry before drafting off-field utility.
  • 3. Pass on Unmatched Attributes: Never take an Attribute-Bound Catalyst unless your primary carry or high-frequency Tactical off-fielder matches that exact element.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Character-Bound Catalysts drop for characters not on my team? +

No. The draft engine only surfaces Character-Bound Catalysts matching operatives currently present in your active 4-character squad.

Do I lose the benefits of Refined Catalysts when merging them into Synthesis? +

No. The resulting Synthesis Catalyst keeps both parent Refined buffs active while granting an extra synergistic perk.

How are the four hidden Catalysts unlocked? +

Corrosive Salt, Plagioclase Crystal, Phantom Quartz, and Black Agate are unlocked via Storage Upgrade I & II in the Membership Privileges skill tree.

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