Swgoh farming flowchart
Light Side and Dark Side nodes are the most plentiful in the game, and as such it's easy to get overwhelmed trying to determine where your focus should be. There has to be a balance between shard farming and gear farming in order to progress meaningfully. Including the three bonus energy payouts, you generate 375 energy per day. Until otherwise indicated, I recommend focusing on 15 hard node attacks per day before moving on to gear. Those 15 hard node attacks can be 5 each on 3 different nodes, 15 attempts on a single node with some attempt refreshes via crystals, or anywhere inbetween.
Note that even in the first couple characters recommended here, nodes may be a bit deep into the game. If you aren't yet at those nodes, then using allies as you're able, you should try to reach those nodes as quickly as possible to start working on those character farms. Earlier in the game, you may also find yourself needing to focus a little more on gear to reach later nodes recommended in this process. That's perfectly fine. Just maintain focus on getting to those later nodes sooner, rather than later. As an added benefit, this will unlock many nodes needed for gear, early in the farming process.
Note that even in the first couple characters recommended here, nodes may be a bit deep into the game. If you aren't yet at those nodes, then using allies as you're able, you should try to reach those nodes as quickly as possible to start working on those character farms. Earlier in the game, you may also find yourself needing to focus a little more on gear to reach later nodes recommended in this process. That's perfectly fine. Just maintain focus on getting to those later nodes sooner, rather than later. As an added benefit, this will unlock many nodes needed for gear, early in the farming process.