Is Jing Yuan Still a Top Pick in Honkai Star Rail for 2026
You might wonder if Jing Yuan still holds his ground in Honkai Star Rail for 2026. The answer is yes—Jing Yuan Good describes him well. You get a strong five-star unit who shines in teams that need high AoE damage. He fits the Erudition path, uses the Lightning element, and calls on Lightning Lord for extra hits. You will find him effective against groups and Lightning-weak enemies. Before you invest, think about how he matches your playstyle and what your roster needs most. At Bahomu, we provide the best insights and gear to enhance your trailblazing journey.
Jing Yuan Good in 2026
AoE and Single-Target Damage
You want a character who can clear waves and still hit hard on bosses. Jing Yuan Good means you get both. His kit focuses on area-of-effect (AoE) damage, but he does not ignore single-target threats. When you use his skill, Rifting Zenith, you hit all enemies with Lightning damage. This move also powers up his Lightning-Lord, which is the real star of his kit.
Here’s a quick look at his main abilities:
|
Skill Name |
Type |
Energy Regeneration |
Weakness Break |
Damage Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Rifting Zenith |
AoE |
30 |
AoE: 30 |
Deals Lightning DMG equal to a percentage of Jing Yuan's ATK to all enemies and increases Lightning-Lord's Hits Per Action for the next turn. |
|
Prana Extirpated |
Talent |
0 |
Single Target: 15 |
Summons "Lightning-Lord" which deals Lightning DMG equal to a percentage of Jing Yuan's ATK to a random single enemy and adjacent enemies. |
You will notice that Lightning-Lord acts as a summon. It attacks every few turns and spreads damage across all enemies. This means you keep up the pressure, even when you focus on one target. Jing Yuan Good for both AoE and single-target fights.
Let’s break down how Lightning-Lord works for you:
|
Feature |
Details |
|---|---|
|
Summon Duration |
Permanent until defeated |
|
Action Value |
Acts every 3 team actions |
|
Damage Distribution |
Hits all enemies for significant damage |
|
Scaling Factor |
100% of Jing Yuan's ATK |
You do not have to worry about Lightning-Lord vanishing unless enemies defeat it. This summon keeps your damage rolling, especially in longer battles. You can boost its attack speed and hit count with the right team setup. Jing Yuan Good means you get a reliable source of Lightning damage, no matter the enemy lineup.
Performance in Memory of Chaos & Pure Fiction
You want to know if Jing Yuan Good holds up in the toughest content. The answer is yes. In Memory of Chaos and Pure Fiction, he stands out among Erudition characters. You can see his success rates:
-
Jing Yuan averages 6.04 cycles at E0 with a 65.27% usage rate.
-
At E1, he averages 5 cycles with a 19.17% usage rate.
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His E1 upgrade boosts his AoE power, especially in stages with many waves.
You get strong results even at E0, which means you do not need heavy investment to see Jing Yuan Good in action. He shines in teams that can support his Lightning-Lord. For example, Sunday can advance Lightning-Lord’s turn, letting you deal more damage faster. If you pair him with Tingyun, Bronya, Pela, or Silver Wolf, you boost his attack, crit, and debuff enemies for even higher numbers.
Tip: Place Sunday’s speed just below Jing Yuan. This way, Sunday can help Lightning-Lord attack more often, making your runs smoother and faster.
Jing Yuan Good fits well in the current meta. He brings steady, high AoE damage and does not fall off in single-target fights. You can clear high-level content without worrying about him becoming outdated. If you want a reliable Lightning Erudition unit, Jing Yuan Good remains a top pick for 2026.
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Strengths and Weaknesses
Key Strengths
You get a lot of value from Jing Yuan if you want a strong AoE damage dealer. He stands out because of his Lightning-Lord summon. This summon brings powerful follow-up attacks that hit all enemies, making your team clear waves faster. His skills and ultimate stack up damage, and when you reach the max stacks, Lightning-Lord deals huge hits. You can boost his damage even more with support characters like Tingyun or Sparkle. They help Jing Yuan use his ultimate more often, which means Lightning-Lord attacks more and your team’s damage goes up.
Here’s a quick table to show how his strengths help your team:
|
Strengths |
Impact on Teams |
|---|---|
|
AoE DPS |
Clears groups of enemies quickly |
|
Lightning-Lord Summon |
Adds extra attacks and spreads damage |
|
High CRIT Rate |
Makes his hits stronger and more reliable |
Tip: If you use Huohuo, you can remove debuffs from Jing Yuan. This keeps Lightning-Lord’s damage high and your runs smooth.
Main Weaknesses
Jing Yuan does have some weak spots. His damage drops if you don’t have his signature Light Cone. Many players find it hard to clear tough content with only 4-star Light Cones. If Jing Yuan gets controlled or debuffed, Lightning-Lord’s attacks slow down or stop. You need support units to keep him at his best. Also, newer characters like Kafka and Ruan Mei can outshine him. Kafka, for example, does similar AoE Lightning damage but needs less investment and works better for free-to-play players.
Here are some common criticisms:
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His damage depends a lot on his gear and team.
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Without top gear, he feels weaker than other Lightning DPS units.
-
Newer units can do his job with less effort.
Impact of Powercreep
You might wonder if Jing Yuan Good still holds up with all the new characters. He has aged well because of indirect buffs and better support options. Still, his kit does not match the smooth playstyle or high numbers of the latest units. Characters like Ruan Mei bring more consistent results and quality-of-life improvements. Jing Yuan remains useful, but you will notice he faces more competition now. If you enjoy his playstyle and have the right supports, he can still shine in your teams.
Best Builds and Teams
Relics and Light Cones
You want Jing Yuan to hit as hard as possible. The right relics and light cones make a huge difference. Here are some top picks you should consider:
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The Ashblazing Grand Duke works best for most players. This set boosts follow-up attack damage and gives a big ATK increase when Lightning-Lord attacks.
-
Beast Tamer gives you a big CRIT DMG boost when your summon is active. You get instant power without waiting for stacks.
-
Thief of Shooting Meteor helps with Break Effect and energy regeneration, which means Lightning-Lord gets even stronger after breaking enemy shields.
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Band of Sizzling Thunder increases Lightning DMG and gives an ATK boost after you use a skill.
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Inert Salsotto is great for Crit Rate and boosts both your Ultimate and follow-up damage.
For light cones, Before Dawn stands out. It increases CRIT DMG, skill and ultimate damage, and gives a huge boost to follow-up attacks. Try to get your CRIT Rate above 70%, then balance CRIT DMG. For main stats, look for CRIT Rate or CRIT DMG on the body, SPD or ATK% on the feet, Lightning DMG% on the sphere, and ATK% on the rope.
Team Synergy
Jing Yuan works best with the right teammates. You want supports who boost his attack, help him stay alive, or make Lightning-Lord attack more often. Here’s a handy table to help you build your team:
|
Role |
Recommended Characters |
|---|---|
|
Support |
Tingyun, Bronya, Asta |
|
Sub-DPS |
Seele, Welt |
|
Healer |
Bailu, Natasha |
|
Shielder |
Gepard, Preservation Trailblazer, March 7th |
Pairing Jing Yuan with Tingyun or Bronya gives him more attack and energy. Asta helps with speed, so Lightning-Lord attacks faster. Bailu or Natasha keep your team healthy, while Gepard or March 7th add shields for safety.
Playstyle Tips
You want to get the most out of Jing Yuan in every battle. Here are some tips from top players:
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Focus on leveling up Jing Yuan’s Talent first. This makes Lightning-Lord hit much harder.
-
Use his Skill and Ultimate often. These moves add stacks to Lightning-Lord, making each attack stronger.
-
Items that boost follow-up damage work great with his kit.
-
Try to keep Jing Yuan’s speed high. More speed means more Lightning-Lord attacks and faster battles.
Tip: Keep your supports’ speed just below Jing Yuan’s. This way, they can buff him right before he acts, making every turn count.
With the right build and team, you’ll see Jing Yuan shine in every fight!
Jing Yuan vs Other Top Picks
Lightning DPS Comparison
You want to know how Jing Yuan stacks up against other Lightning characters. Let’s look at the numbers. Jing Yuan brings high single-target and AoE damage. He can clear groups and hit bosses hard. Serval, another Lightning unit, also does well with AoE, but her single-target damage falls behind. Jing Yuan’s energy generation is not great, so you might notice his ultimate takes longer to charge. Serval charges faster and fits into more team setups.
Here’s a quick table to help you compare:
|
Character |
Single-Target DPS |
AoE DPS |
Energy Generation |
Team Flexibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Jing Yuan |
High |
High |
Poor |
Limited |
|
Serval |
Moderate |
High |
Moderate |
Flexible |
If you want raw power, Jing Yuan gives you that. If you want more flexibility, Serval might fit your team better.
Competition with New Units
New characters enter the game every year. You see units like Kafka and Ruan Mei making waves. They bring smoother playstyles and easier team building. Kafka, for example, deals strong Lightning damage and works well with free-to-play teams. Ruan Mei boosts team damage and helps everyone break shields faster. You might find these new units easier to use, especially if you do not have Jing Yuan’s best gear.
Still, Jing Yuan holds his own. He shines in fights with lots of enemies. His Lightning-Lord keeps pressure on the field. You just need to build your team around him.
Flexibility and Value
You want a unit who fits many roles. Jing Yuan does well as a crowd control DPS. He can clear waves and help your team finish fights quickly. Some newer units offer more flexibility, but Jing Yuan still brings value if you like his playstyle. Check out our detailed Jing Yuan collector's guide for more info.
Check out this table for a quick look:
|
Character |
Flexibility |
Role in Team |
Meta Status |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Jing Yuan |
High |
Crowd Control |
Not Top Tier |
|
Other Units |
Varies |
Various Roles |
Top Tier |
If you enjoy big AoE hits and want a reliable Lightning DPS, Jing Yuan stays a solid choice. He may not be the most flexible, but he gets the job done when you need him.
Should You Invest in Jing Yuan?
Who Benefits Most
You might wonder if Jing Yuan fits your team. If you love big AoE attacks and want a reliable Lightning DPS, Jing Yuan gives you that. You get the most value if your roster lacks strong Erudition units or if you want a character who can clear waves fast. Players who enjoy building teams around follow-up attacks and summons will find Jing Yuan fun to use. If you already have top-tier Lightning DPS like Acheron, you may not need Jing Yuan as much. Many players choose to skip him because newer characters offer better damage and smoother gameplay.
Tip: If you want to try unique team setups or enjoy experimenting with Lightning-Lord mechanics, Jing Yuan can add variety to your playstyle.
Long-Term Value
You want to know if Jing Yuan stays strong over time. He remains a solid pick for AoE content and can handle most endgame challenges. Sunday, an upcoming character, will boost Jing Yuan’s performance, making him even more useful in certain teams. Still, you should think about powercreep. New units like Acheron deal Lightning damage to multiple targets more efficiently. Jing Yuan’s value drops if you chase the highest numbers or want the most flexible teams. If you invest in him, you get a dependable DPS who does not fall off quickly, but you may see other units outshine him in the future.
|
Jing Yuan |
Best For |
Weaknesses |
Future Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|
|
AoE DPS |
Wave clearing |
Powercreep |
Boosted by Sunday |
|
Lightning |
Lightning teams |
Needs support |
Outpaced by Acheron |
Final Thoughts
You have a choice. Jing Yuan brings strong AoE damage and a unique playstyle. He works best if you enjoy his mechanics and want a reliable Lightning DPS. If you want the absolute best or most flexible teams, newer characters might suit you better. Think about your roster, your favorite playstyle, and how much you enjoy using Jing Yuan. If you like what he offers, he’s still worth your investment. If you want top-tier meta picks, you might want to wait for the next big release. 😊
You see Jing Yuan’s value rise in 2026. New support characters help him shine more than before. He stands strong in many team setups and game modes. If you want a reliable AoE Lightning DPS, Jing Yuan is still a good pick. Bahomu is your go-to place for all Honkai Star Rail collectibles.
Think about your roster and playstyle before you invest.
-
Build teams that boost Lightning-Lord.
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Try him if you enjoy big AoE attacks.
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Choose what fits your goals best. 😊
FAQ
Is Jing Yuan still worth building if I have Acheron?
You can still build Jing Yuan. He shines in AoE fights and offers a unique playstyle. If you enjoy his mechanics, he brings value even with Acheron on your roster.
What stats should I focus on for Jing Yuan?
You want to boost CRIT Rate, CRIT DMG, and ATK. Speed helps Lightning-Lord attack more often. Try this priority:
-
CRIT Rate > CRIT DMG > ATK% > Speed
Does Jing Yuan need his signature Light Cone?
You get the best results with his signature Light Cone, Before Dawn. If you do not have it, you can use other options like The Seriousness of Breakfast or Night on the Milky Way.
Who are the best supports for Jing Yuan?
You want Tingyun, Bronya, or Sparkle. They boost his attack and energy. Healers like Bailu or Huohuo keep him safe. Try this team setup:
|
Role |
Best Option |
|---|---|
|
Support |
Tingyun |
|
Buffer |
Bronya |
|
Healer |
Bailu |
Can Jing Yuan clear endgame content solo?
You need a full team for endgame. Jing Yuan deals big damage, but he cannot survive alone. Pair him with supports and healers for the best results.




