Game Guides

You want to know which Light Cones are best in Honkai: Star Rail right now. Many players pick Make Farewells More Beautiful because it gives more HP and ignores defense. Along the Passing Shore gives a big boost to Ultimate and normal damage. Life Should Be Cast to Flames helps you get energy back and makes enemy defenses weaker. Baptism of Pure Thought raises CRIT damage and lowers enemy defense. Those Many Springs boosts Effect Hit Rate and makes enemies take more damage. Choosing the right Light Cone can make your team much stronger.

Honkai: Star Rail Light Cone Tier List

You want to know which Light Cones stand out in Honkai: Star Rail right now. This tier list gives you a quick look at the top picks for Version 3.2 (May 2025). You will see 5-star, 4-star, and free-to-play (F2P) Light Cones that many players recommend. The community updates these rankings often, so you can trust that they reflect the current meta.

Tip: S-Tier Light Cones work well with most characters on their path. You should try to get these if you want the best results.

S-Tier Light Cones

These Light Cones give you the highest stats and the best effects. They fit many teams and help you clear tough content. Most S-Tier Light Cones are 5-star, but some 4-star and F2P options also shine.

You should focus on these Light Cones if you want to build strong teams in Honkai: Star Rail. Many top players use them in endgame content.

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A-Tier Light Cones

A-Tier Light Cones give you strong stats and effects, but they may not fit every team. You can use these as great alternatives if you do not have S-Tier options.

• Nowhere to Run (Destruction, 4★): Heals you after defeating enemies. Good for sustain.

• Cruising in the Stellar Sea (Hunt, 5★, F2P): Raises CRIT Rate and boosts damage against low-HP targets.

• Before Dawn (Erudition, 5★): Increases skill and Ultimate damage. Works well for AoE DPS.

• Planetary Rendezvous (Harmony, 4★): Buffs allies with the same element.

• Good Night and Sleep Well (Nihility, 4★): Increases damage based on debuffs on the enemy.

• Moment of Victory (Preservation, 5★): Raises DEF and Taunt. Great for tanks.

You can rely on these Light Cones for most content. They offer good value and work with many characters.

B-Tier and Below

B-Tier and lower Light Cones give you basic stats or effects. You can use them early in the game or if you have no better options. You should replace them when you get higher-tier Light Cones.

• Collapsing Sky (Erudition, 3★): Simple damage boost for basic attacks.

• Darting Arrow (Hunt, 3★): Increases ATK after defeating an enemy.

• Amber (Preservation, 3★): Raises DEF at the start of battle.

• Cornucopia (Abundance, 3★): Boosts healing from skills.

Note: Many players in the Honkai: Star Rail community agree on these rankings. You should check for updates after new banners or patches. The best Light Cones can change when new characters or Light Cones come out.

Destruction Path

Best Destruction Light Cones

You want your Destruction characters to hit hard and survive tough battles. The best Light Cones for this path give you more damage, healing, or both. Many top players choose five-star Light Cones because they offer the highest stats and powerful effects. Here are some top picks:

You should use Along the Passing Shore if you want to clear bosses faster. Nowhere to Run helps you stay alive in long fights. Something Irreplaceable works well if you need both damage and healing.

Tip: Match your Light Cone to your character’s main skill. Some Light Cones work better with physical damage, while others boost fire or other elements.

F2P Destruction Picks

You do not need to spend money to get strong Light Cones for Destruction characters. Several free-to-play options help you progress in Honkai: Star Rail. You can earn these Light Cones from events, shops, or early game rewards.

• Woof! Walk Time! gives you more attack and extra damage if your enemy has bleed or burn. This Light Cone works best for physical or fire Destruction characters.

• Shattered Home helps you deal up to 40% more damage to enemies with more than half their health. You can use this Light Cone to defeat bosses quickly.

• Collapsing Sky offers up to 40% more damage to basic and skill attacks. You do not need to meet any special conditions, so it is a reliable choice for any Destruction character.

You can use these Light Cones to build a strong team without spending money. Try different options to see which one fits your play style.

Hunt Path

Best Hunt Light Cones

Hunt Path characters focus on single-target damage. You want to use Light Cones that boost critical stats and increase your damage against bosses. Many players look for Light Cones that raise CRIT Rate, CRIT DMG, or attack. These stats help you defeat tough enemies quickly.

Some of the top choices include Baptism of Pure Thought and Cruising in the Stellar Sea. Baptism of Pure Thought stands out because it increases your CRIT DMG and lowers enemy defense. This Light Cone works well for characters who rely on critical hits. Cruising in the Stellar Sea also gives a strong CRIT Rate boost, especially when enemies have low HP. You can use this Light Cone to finish off bosses or elite enemies faster.

Before Dawn is another strong option. It increases your skill and Ultimate damage. Many Hunt Path characters benefit from this effect, especially if you use their skills often. Swordplay can also work well, but you need to collect several copies to unlock its full power.

Tip: Try to match your Light Cone to your character’s strengths. If your character has high CRIT DMG, choose a Light Cone that boosts CRIT Rate.

F2P Hunt Picks

You do not need to spend money to get strong Hunt Path Light Cones in Honkai: Star Rail. Some free-to-play options give you great value and help you clear difficult content. The table below shows two of the best F2P choices:

Cruising in the Stellar Sea is a favorite for many players. You can get it from the Herta Shop, so you do not need to rely on luck. Swordplay gives a big damage boost, but you need patience to collect enough copies. Both Light Cones help your Hunt Path characters shine in battles.

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Erudition Path

Best Erudition Light Cones

You want your Erudition characters to deal massive area-of-effect damage. The right Light Cone can boost your stats and help you clear waves of enemies faster. Many players look for Light Cones that increase CRIT DMG, skill damage, or Ultimate power. You can see the top choices in the table below. These Light Cones rank high in recent tier lists and work well with most Erudition units.

Night on the Milky Way and Before Dawn stand out for their high CRIT DMG and skill boosts. An Instant Before A Gaze and Yet Hope Is Priceless also give strong damage bonuses. You should use these Light Cones if you want your Erudition characters to shine in tough battles.

Tip: Try to match your Light Cone to your character’s main attack style. Some Light Cones work better for follow-up attacks, while others boost Ultimate damage.

F2P Erudition Picks

You do not need to spend money to get strong Light Cones for your Erudition team. Several free-to-play options give you great value and help you progress in Honkai: Star Rail. You can find these Light Cones in shops, events, or through gameplay rewards.

• The first Light Cone increases CRIT DMG by up to 60%. It also boosts skill and Ultimate damage by up to 30%. When you use a skill or Ultimate, you gain Somnus Corpus, which increases follow-up attack damage by up to 80%. This Light Cone works best for Erudition characters who use follow-up attacks often.

• The second Light Cone also raises CRIT DMG by up to 60%. It increases Ultimate damage based on your character’s max energy, up to 180 points. This Light Cone is ideal for characters with high energy cost Ultimates, such as Argenti, Qingque, and Jade.

You can use these Light Cones on most Erudition characters. Here at Bahomu, we know many players recommend them because they are easy to get and offer strong effects. Try different options to see which one fits your team best.

Harmony Path

Best Harmony Light Cones

Harmony Path Light Cones help you boost your whole team. You want to pick Light Cones that give strong buffs and help your allies do more damage. The best Harmony Light Cones make your team stronger and help you win tough battles.

Here is a table of top Harmony Path Light Cones and what they do:

You should use Past Self in Mirror if you want the best buffs for your team. This Light Cone works well with most Harmony characters. Memories of the Past is a strong 4-star choice. It helps you get more energy and break enemy shields faster. But the Battle Isn't Over gives you more skill points and energy, which helps your team use skills more often.

Tip: Try to match your Light Cone to your team’s needs. If you want more energy, pick Memories of the Past. If you want to boost all damage, choose Past Self in Mirror.

F2P Harmony Picks

You can get strong Harmony Light Cones without spending money. Some 4-star Light Cones give great support and are easy to get from events or shops.

• Memories of the Past: You can earn this Light Cone from the Herta Shop. It gives you more energy and helps you break enemy shields.

• Carve the Moon, Weave the Clouds: This Light Cone gives random buffs to your team. You can get it from the Light Cone Event Warp.

• Dance! Dance! Dance!: This Light Cone boosts your allies’ actions. You can get it from the standard banner or events.

These Light Cones help your Harmony characters support your team. Try different options to see which one fits your play style. You can build a strong support team even if you do not have 5-star Light Cones.

Nihility Path

Best Nihility Light Cones

You want your Nihility characters to control enemies and boost your team’s damage. The best Nihility Light Cones help you land debuffs, shred defenses, and increase your speed. Many top players use five-star Light Cones for their strong stats and effects. You can see the top choices below:

• Lies Dance on the Breeze gives you 18% more speed and up to 24% defense shred. You can use this Light Cone to move faster and weaken tough enemies.

• Along the Passing Shore offers 36% Crit DMG, 24% general damage, and 24% Ultimate damage. This Light Cone works well if you want to deal big hits with your skills.

• Patience Is All You Need boosts your damage by 24% and raises your speed by up to 14.4%. You can use this Light Cone to act quickly and hit harder.

• Incessant Rain increases your Effect Hit Rate and Crit Rate by 12%. It also makes enemies take 12% more damage. This Light Cone helps you land debuffs and finish fights faster.

• Resolution Shines As Pearls of Sweat applies the Ensnared effect. You can use this Light Cone for sub-DPS roles that focus on weakening enemies.

• Boundless Choreo works well if your team already shreds enemy defenses. You can use it in special team setups.

Tip: Try to match your Light Cone to your character’s main skill. Some Light Cones work better for damage-over-time teams, while others boost debuff success.

F2P Nihility Picks

You do not need to spend money to get strong Nihility Light Cones. Several free-to-play options help you control battles and boost your team’s power. You can earn these Light Cones from shops or events.

• Before the Tutorial Mission Starts gives you up to 40% Effect Hit Rate. You also gain extra Energy when you attack enemies with reduced defense. This Light Cone works well for characters like Pela, Silver Wolf, and Jiaoqiu.

• Good Night and Sleep Well boosts your Effect Hit Rate and damage-over-time effects. You can use this Light Cone with Sampo, Kafka, Black Swan, or Guinaifen for strong DoT teams.

You can build a powerful Nihility team with these Light Cones. Try different options to see which one fits your play style. Many players use these F2P picks to clear tough content without spending money.

Preservation Path

Best Preservation Light Cones

You want your Preservation characters to protect your team and stay strong in battle. The best Light Cones for this path focus on boosting defense, increasing Effect RES, and helping your tanks absorb damage. Many top players use these Light Cones to keep their teams safe during tough fights.

Here are some top-performing Preservation Light Cones:

• Moment of Victory: Raises your DEF and increases the chance of being attacked. You also take less damage. Aventurine and Gepard use this Light Cone well.

• Texture of Memories: Increases Effect RES and gives a shield when you take damage. This Light Cone helps you resist debuffs and survive longer.

• Landau’s Choice: Makes enemies target you more often and reduces damage taken. Tank characters like March 7th benefit from this Light Cone.

• Day One of My New Life: Boosts DEF and increases Effect RES for your whole team. You can use this Light Cone to protect everyone.

• She Already Shut Her Eyes: Increases Max HP and Energy Regeneration. You get a damage boost when your HP drops. Fu Xuan uses this Light Cone best.

• This Is Me!: Reduces damage taken by allies and heals them at the start of battle. Early-game players find this Light Cone very helpful.

Tip: Choose a Light Cone that matches your character’s role. If you need more defense, pick Moment of Victory. If you want to resist debuffs, try Texture of Memories.

F2P Preservation Picks

You do not need to spend money to get strong Preservation Light Cones. Several free-to-play options help you build a solid defense for your team. You can earn these Light Cones from shops, events, or gameplay rewards.

• Amber: Boosts DEF at the start of battle. You can use this Light Cone early in the game.

• Day One of My New Life: Available from the Herta Shop. It increases DEF and Effect RES for your team.

• This Is Me!: Heals allies and reduces damage taken. You can get this Light Cone from events or standard pulls.

Try different F2P Light Cones to see which one fits your team. You can keep your team safe and progress through tough content without spending money.

Many players recommend Day One of My New Life for new accounts. It gives your team extra defense and helps you resist enemy debuffs.

Abundance Path

Best Abundance Light Cones

Abundance Path characters help your team survive. You use them to heal and support everyone during tough battles. These characters keep your team healthy and ready for the next fight. Many players choose Abundance Path Light Cones for their strong healing and support effects.

Here are the top Light Cones for Abundance Path:

You should use Time Waits For No One if you want to boost healing and keep your team alive. This Light Cone increases your healer’s max HP and healing power. It also helps your team deal more damage by keeping everyone healthy. Echoes Of The Coffin works well if you want to support your team’s speed and energy. This Light Cone gives your party more attack and speed after you use your ultimate. It also helps your team recover energy faster.

Tip: Abundance Path Light Cones work best with healers like Bailu, Luocha, and Huohuo. You can use these Light Cones to make your team much stronger in long battles.

F2P Abundance Picks

You do not need to spend money to get good healing Light Cones. Many free-to-play options help you keep your team safe. You can earn these Light Cones from shops, events, or early game rewards.

• Post-Op Conversation: Increases energy regeneration and outgoing healing. You can get this Light Cone from the Herta Shop.

• Cornucopia: Boosts healing from skills. You can use this Light Cone early in the game.

• Shared Feeling: Restores energy to all allies when you use a skill. This Light Cone helps your team use their abilities more often.

You should try different F2P Light Cones to see which one fits your healer best. These Light Cones help you progress through tough content without spending money. If you use the right Light Cone, your healer can keep your team alive even in the hardest fights.

Abundance Path characters serve as healers and support units. They help your team survive longer and win more battles.

Ranking Criteria

When you look at Light Cones in Honkai: Star Rail, you want to know what makes one better than another. The ranking system uses several main factors. You should pay attention to base stats, special effects, synergy with characters, versatility, and what the community says.

Stats and Effects

Base stats play a big role in how strong a Light Cone is. Higher rarity Light Cones give you more total stats. You can see the difference in this table:

You also need to look at the effects. Some Light Cones boost CRIT DMG, ATK, or healing. Others give special abilities like energy regeneration or defense shred. The best Light Cones combine high stats with powerful effects.

Synergy and Versatility

You should match Light Cones to your characters’ skills. Some Light Cones work best with certain paths or play styles. For example, a Light Cone that boosts follow-up attacks fits characters who use that move often. Versatile Light Cones help many characters and teams.

The general rule is simple:

• 5-star Light Cones give the best stats and effects.

• 4-star Light Cones offer good support and are easier to get.

• 3-star Light Cones are basic and work well early in the game.

Community feedback from sites like Reddit also matters. Players share which Light Cones work best in new updates. You can use this advice to pick the right Light Cone for your team.

How to Get Light Cones

Light Cones play a big role in your progress in Honkai: Star Rail. You can get them in several ways. Each method gives you access to different Light Cones, so you should know where to look.

Gacha and Banners

You can pull Light Cones from gacha banners. These banners change often. Some banners feature powerful five-star Light Cones. You may find limited-time Light Cones that only appear during special events. You need Star Rail Passes or Special Passes to make pulls. Many players save their passes for banners with top-tier Light Cones.

Some Light Cones are exclusive to events or limited-time banners. You may see names like Apocalyptic Shadow, Forgotten Hall, Pure Fiction, and Stagnant Shadow. These Light Cones give unique effects and often boost your team in special ways.

Shops and Events

You can buy Light Cones from in-game shops. The Herta Shop offers strong F2P Light Cones. You earn currency by playing and then trade it for Light Cones. Some shops rotate their stock, so you should check often. You can find gear for all your favorite characters at Bahomu.

F2P Methods

You do not need to spend money to get good Light Cones. You can earn them by playing different game modes. Here are some main ways:

1. Calyxes

2. Caverns of Corrosion

3. Daily Training

4. Echoes of War

5. Forgotten Hall

6. Nameless Honor

Each mode gives you rewards for completing battles or challenges. You can collect Light Cones as you play. Many players recommend focusing on these modes to build your collection.

Tip: Try different methods to get Light Cones. You can mix gacha pulls, shop purchases, and gameplay rewards to strengthen your team.

You can make your team stronger by choosing the best Light Cones for each path. Some top picks are:

• Moment Of Victory: Increases DEF and makes enemies attack you more in Preservation.

• Day One Of My New Life: Gives more DEF and helps everyone take less damage.

Pick Light Cones that fit your characters’ jobs. Build teams that work well together. Players talk about Light Cones a lot online:

Check new tier lists on sites like IGN often. Tell us which Light Cones you like or ask questions below!

FAQ

What is a Light Cone in Honkai: Star Rail?

A Light Cone is special equipment for your characters. It boosts stats and gives unique effects. You match Light Cones to your character’s path for the best results.

How do you get free Light Cones?

You can earn free Light Cones from the Herta Shop, events, and daily gameplay rewards. Some game modes, like Forgotten Hall, also give Light Cones as prizes.

Can you use any Light Cone on any character?

You can equip any Light Cone, but you get the best effects when you match the Light Cone’s path to your character’s path. Mismatched Light Cones only give base stats.

Which Light Cone should you upgrade first?

Upgrade S-Tier Light Cones first. These give the highest stats and best effects. If you do not have one, focus on a strong 4-star or F2P Light Cone that fits your main character.

Do Light Cones stack with other buffs?

Light Cone effects stack with most team buffs and relic bonuses. You can combine them for stronger teams. Always check the effect descriptions for special rules.