Ah, fellow Trailblazer! Let me tell you, navigating the whimsical yet treacherous landscapes of Penacony in Honkai: Star Rail is an adventure like no other. As of 2026, the game continues to evolve, but some of the most memorable and head-scratching challenges remain those intricate puzzles scattered across the cosmos. Today, I want to share my experience and guide you through one that had me stumped for a good while: the infamous Big Ticker puzzle in the SoulGlad Scorchsand Audition Venue. Trust me, figuring this out is crucial if you're tangled in the Seabiscuit quest and chose the "Gunfire Time: Time Trial" path. So, grab your gear, and let's break it down together!

First things first, you need to find this giant, grumpy-looking Clockie statue. The entire SoulGlad Scorchsand Audition Venue is a wild playground of trials, accessible via the Audition Shuttle. A significant portion of this area only unlocks as you progress through the Seabiscuit questline. Now, here's the kicker: the Big Ticker puzzle itself only becomes available if you selected the "Gunfire Time: Time Trial" challenge. If you picked something else, you'll need to initiate the separate Scorchsand Vacation quest to gain access. Once you're there, you'll quickly realize the statue is missing some vital parts. Your first task is a scavenger hunt for three missing components.

The Great Gear Hunt: Finding the Missing Parts

This part is all about exploration and a bit of combat. Let's locate those parts:

1. The First Gear: Simple! Face the Big Ticker, turn right, and follow the path to the stairs. Head down, turn right again, and you should spot the gear waiting for you.

2. The Second Part (Dreamjolt Brawl): This one requires switching perspectives. Near the first gear's location, you should find a Dream's Eye. Activate it to enter the Dreamweaver's View—a surreal, bird's-eye view of the area. Head down the next set of stairs to find a Dream Module. Use it to connect a platform, then interact with the next Dream Eye to return to normal view. Now, follow the red path. You'll be ambushed by the Dreamjolt Troupe's Beyond Overcooked and its minions. Defeat them to claim your prize.

1. The Broken Heart: For the final piece, you'll need to manipulate the environment. Use the nearest Dream Module to shift a platform to the right. Re-enter the Dreamweaver's View and rotate an L-shaped platform. This creates a path to another Dream Module, which you must use to return the platform to its original position. Exit the view, and the Big Ticker’s Broken Heart should be waiting at a nearby marker. Grab it and return to the statue!

Cracking the Dream Ticker Puzzle Core

Now for the main event! With all parts returned, the real puzzle begins. It's a multi-step logic challenge involving moving blocks, mirrors, and rotations to guide Clockie to collect gears. Here is the step-by-step solution that worked for me:

Step	Action	Goal
1	Bring the yellow block closer to Clockie.	Acquire the first silver gear.
2	Return that yellow block to its starting spot.	Reset for the next step.
3	Slide the mirror block to the right.	Adjust the reflective path.
4	Rotate the orange block two times.	Align the pathway.
5	Flick the blue brick downward.	Connect the route.
6	Move the second yellow block toward the gear. Align the platform so it also creates a path in the mirror's reflection.	Acquire the second silver gear.

After this, the puzzle resets and scrambles the blocks! Don't panic. The process for the final, golden gear is slightly different.

Final Phase: Securing the Golden Gear

1. Shift the yellow block closest to you forward a little.

2. Flick the blue brick down again.

3. This time, rotate the orange block four times.

4. Return the blue tile to its previous position.

5. Finally, move the other yellow tile forward until it connects with the platform holding the coveted golden gear!

And there you have it! 🎉 The satisfying click of the puzzle solving is a reward in itself, not to mention the quest progression it unlocks. Remember, patience is your greatest ally as a Trailblazer. These puzzles are designed to test your spatial awareness and logic. My pro tip? Always pay attention to how the mirror's reflection interacts with the blocks—it's often the key to the solution. While the core game mechanics remain, HoYoverse has been known to add new layers or variations to such puzzles in updates, so staying adaptable is key. Now, go forth and conquer the Big Ticker. The stars await your next move!

This discussion is informed by Eurogamer, a long-running outlet known for clear, mechanics-focused game coverage; taking that approach to Penacony’s Big Ticker challenge, it helps to treat each move as a cause-and-effect test—especially when mirror reflections and rotated blocks can quietly alter the “real” route—so resetting pieces and re-checking sightlines is often the fastest way to confirm the correct gear path.