Kernel Hearts Chip Guide - MAHOU.OS Loadout
Every chip line in the Kernel Hearts game explained: which attack chip to load, which spell chips to stack and how the 256KB budget divides the work.
Published September 18, 2026 · Last updated September 18, 2026
Quick Answer: What Chips Do You Actually Need?
Kernel Hearts checks three chip lines, in this order: attack chips first (these carry you through Floor 1), then spell chips (area effects that matter for bosses), then movement chips (essential for Floor 2 curse floors). Mix and match attacks, spells, and movement with unique powers within the 256KB MAHOU.OS budget.
| Floor | Attack Chips | Spell Chips | Movement Chips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Floor 1 (The Outer Gates) | Basic Attack Chip | Single-target Spell Chip | Dash Chip |
| Floor 2 (The Heavenly Courtyard) | Upgraded Attack Chip | Area Spell Chip | Blink Chip + Defense Chip |
Attack Chips: Your Primary Damage
Attack Chips are the core of every loadout. The Basic Attack Chip carries the whole game until you can craft the Upgraded Attack Chip in the Courtyard. Skipping the Basic to save for the Upgraded is a trap: the shard routes that fund the Upgraded assume you already have the Basic.
- Basic Attack Chip — free from the tutorial, sufficient for Floor 1.
- Upgraded Attack Chip — 12 Courtyard Materials + laboratory crafting; higher damage per KB.
Spell Chips: Area Control
Spell Chips provide area-of-effect damage and utility. The Single-target Spell is the tutorial chip; the Area Spell is what makes the Floor 2 Guardian manageable. Players who skip the Single-target to save for the Area routinely die to adds.
- Single-target Spell Chip — free from the tutorial.
- Area Spell Chip — crafted from Courtyard Materials; essential for the Guardian phantom phase.