I'm a newbie, so bear with me.
Yesterday, I reached 'depth 4' ('crossroads of adventure' or something like that) and it served as a checkpoint (any time I'd decide to hit the same gate again, I'd start there, which was nice since I could save up energy and not waste it on the earlier levels). Today, when I took the same gate, I had to start from 'depth 1' again, which kinda sucked. So, my question is, how do these 'checkpoints' actually work? Are they reset every time I log out?
Adding on to the above comment, it should be noted that tier 2 and 3 clearance will be ONLY for that specific gate. For example, if you were to gain tier 2 clearance in the Onyx Queen gate, you would be able to start from there. All of the other gates you will start off in Haven. Once you have tier 2/3 clearance, it will last forever.
Not quite. Once you get clearance for Tier 2 by meeting the gear requirements, you can hop straight down to Moorcroft on any gate and start at T2. It will, however cost you 200 crowns to do so on any gate for which you have not cleared T1. If you clear T1 on any gate, you can then skip to T2 without having to pay the charge.
It should also be noted that when a new gate appears you will have to start from tier one again to remove the tier fee from tier two, and clear tier two to remove the fee for tier three.
There are no checkpoints..
You ALWAYS start from Haven..
But once you got Tier 2 clerance, you can jump right down to Tier 2.
Same goes for Tier 3
The only thing goodwith the terminals is that you may swich your equips, to better suit the next Stratum, and buy recepies.