What is influence

[Knife]

I have checked the codex in game and searched the web but I can;t figure out what influence even does.

[WallaceTheSane]

It adds more enemy types to that specific biome. It doesn't do much else ATM, but Devs want to add to it so it feels more meaningful.

[Ashmore[The Slormancer]]

Influence affects the charging speed of the Nether Charge as well as the chances of obtaining Pure stats on Nether items in the Netherworld. So it only matters once you reach the very endgame. :)

[Knife]

I'm at trial 1 and I need 50 influence to progress. Seems odd to make us do that if we don't need it till later in the game. It's also a pretty hard thing to farm even if you have a bonus to gaining. Any tips on how to farm it faster?.

[Cuira]

A good tips is to diversify the biomes where you fight. Each biome have its individual influence level, and the higher the level is, the more points you need to level up.
The trial 1 ask you 50 influence in total, not in one singular biome.