Honkai: Star Rail Character Tier List (Updated 2025)
Are you curious about who is best in Honkai: Star Rail in 2025? Many players choose Acheron for strong Electro damage. Aglaea is picked for great debuffs. Anaxa is chosen for balanced DPS. Aventurine is used as a tough tank. Castorice is picked for strong ice attacks. People in the community vote based on how easy it is to get these characters, how much you need to spend, and how good they are in endgame.
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Acheron: Electro DPS with very good scaling.
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Aglaea: Support and debuffer with huge potential.
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Anaxa: Main DPS with balanced skills and burst.
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Aventurine: Tank that works well in late game.
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Castorice: Ice DPS with strong scaling.
Factor |
Description |
---|---|
Obtainability |
Characters that are easy to get, like 4 stars or those coming soon, are shown more. |
Investment |
Characters that need a lot of team and gear work are rated lower for being harder to use. |
Endgame Performance |
Characters that do well in endgame are rated higher because they help you finish the game. |
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Honkai: Star Rail Tier List
When you look for the best characters in Honkai: Star Rail, you want to know who stands out in every mode. The community ranks these characters based on how well they perform in tough battles, how easy they are to get, and how much they help your team. Let’s break down the top picks by tier so you can see who deserves a spot on your team.
S-Tier
S-Tier characters shine in almost every situation. You can count on them for high damage, strong support, or amazing survivability. These picks often lead the meta and make endgame content much easier. Here’s a quick look at some of the top S-Tier characters and their stats:
Tier |
Character |
HP |
DEF |
ATK |
SPD |
TAUNT |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
S-Tier |
Himeko |
1047 |
436 |
756 |
96 |
75 |
S-Tier |
Clara |
1241 |
485 |
737 |
90 |
125 |
S-Tier |
Natasha |
1164 |
507 |
476 |
98 |
100 |
S-Tier |
Trailblazer [Fire] |
1241 |
606 |
601 |
95 |
150 |
S-Tier |
Acheron |
1200 |
500 |
800 |
102 |
80 |
S-Tier |
Aglaea |
1100 |
480 |
700 |
105 |
90 |
S-Tier |
Aventurine |
1300 |
650 |
600 |
92 |
160 |
S-Tier |
Castorice |
1150 |
470 |
780 |
100 |
85 |
You can see that S-Tier characters have high stats across the board. They bring strong skills and often fit into many team setups. If you want to breeze through Honkai: Star Rail’s hardest content, you should try to get at least one S-Tier character.
A-Tier
A-Tier characters give you great value. They may not always match the raw power of S-Tier picks, but they still help you clear tough stages. Many players use these characters when they don’t have the top picks or want to try different team styles. Here’s how some A-Tier characters compare:
Tier |
Character |
HP |
DEF |
ATK |
SPD |
TAUNT |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
A-Tier |
Sushang |
917 |
418 |
564 |
107 |
75 |
A-Tier |
Dan Heng |
882 |
396 |
546 |
110 |
75 |
A-Tier |
Pela |
987 |
463 |
546 |
105 |
100 |
A-Tier |
Arlan |
1199 |
330 |
599 |
102 |
125 |
A-Tier |
Anaxa |
1080 |
450 |
690 |
104 |
90 |
You might notice that A-Tier characters have slightly lower stats than S-Tier ones. They still offer good speed, attack, and defense. Many of these picks work well with the right team and gear. You can see the difference in stats between S-Tier and A-Tier characters in the chart below:
Tip: A-Tier characters often shine when you pair them with strong supports or use them in teams that match their skills.
B-Tier and Below
B-Tier and lower characters can still help you, especially if you use clever strategies. They might not have the best stats or the widest range of skills, but they can fill important roles in your team. Here’s a quick table to show what makes B-Tier and C-Tier characters different:
Tier |
Characteristics |
---|---|
B-Tier |
Solid candidates for parties, effective in challenging battles with clever play and proper combinations. |
C-Tier |
Effective but limited to one niche, reducing overall utility. |
You might find these characters useful if you enjoy experimenting or if you need a backup for certain fights. Here are some things to remember about B-Tier and C-Tier picks:
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B-Tier characters can effectively support teams in tough battles.
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C-Tier characters have limited utility due to their niche roles.
When you build your team in Honkai: Star Rail, you should focus on S-Tier and A-Tier characters first. If you want to try new strategies or fill a gap, B-Tier and C-Tier picks can still help you out.
Note: These rankings reflect community votes and how well each character performs in major game modes like Memory of Chaos and Pure Fiction. The meta can change, so keep an eye out for updates!
Roles Breakdown
You will notice that every character in Honkai: Star Rail fits into a special role. These roles help you build strong teams and clear tough stages. Let’s look at how each role works and which characters stand out.
Path |
Role Description |
---|---|
The Hunt |
Focuses on dealing damage to enemies. |
The Destruction |
Specializes in breaking enemy defenses. |
The Erudition |
Deals area damage to multiple targets. |
The Remembrance |
Provides buffs and support to allies. |
The Nihility |
Inflicts debuffs on enemies. |
The Harmony |
Enhances team performance through support abilities. |
The Preservation |
Protects allies with shields. |
The Abundance |
Heals and restores health to teammates. |
DPS
DPS characters bring the firepower. You want these picks to hit hard and finish fights quickly. Castorice stands out as a top choice because you get big damage without needing lots of upgrades. Some other DPS characters, like Dan Heng, Sushang, and Hook, can help you early on, but they don’t always keep up in endgame battles. If you want to clear the hardest content, focus on strong DPS picks that can handle tough enemies.
Tip: Try pairing your DPS with supports who boost their attack or speed. You’ll see even bigger numbers!
Support
Support characters make your team stronger. They give buffs, remove debuffs, or help control the fight. You’ll find paths like The Harmony and The Remembrance offer great support skills. Aglaea is a popular pick for debuffing enemies and boosting your team’s damage. Good supports can turn a close fight into an easy win.
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Buffs: Increase attack, defense, or speed.
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Debuffs: Lower enemy stats or slow them down.
Sustain
Sustain keeps your team alive. These characters heal, shield, or protect you from big hits. Paths like The Preservation and The Abundance focus on shields and healing. Aventurine is a strong tank who can take lots of damage and keep your team safe. Natasha is a reliable healer who helps you recover after tough battles.
Note: If you want to survive longer fights, always bring at least one sustain character.
Game Modes
Not every character is good in every mode. Each mode in Honkai: Star Rail needs different skills and teams. Let’s look at Memory of Chaos, Pure Fiction, and Apocalyptic. We will see which characters do well.
Game Mode |
Key Characteristics |
Top Characters |
---|---|---|
Memory of Chaos (MoC) |
Blast and single-target damage matter most. AoE helps sometimes. |
Firefly, Acheron, Aglaea |
Pure Fiction (PF) |
AoE damage rules. Single-target skills help less. |
Ruan Mei, Castorice |
Apocalyptic Shadow (AS) |
Breaking shields and single-target attacks are key. Enemies resist debuffs. |
Fu Xuan, Aventurine |
Memory of Chaos
You need characters who hit hard with single-target or blast attacks. Firefly, Acheron, and Aglaea are top picks. Ruan Mei and Aventurine are also used a lot. Here are the usage rates for the most popular characters:
Tip: If you have Ruan Mei or Firefly, you can clear hard stages faster.
Pure Fiction
Pure Fiction gives rewards for beating waves of enemies fast. AoE damage is best here. You want characters who hit all enemies at once. Some top picks are:
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Argenti
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Acheron
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Black Swan
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Kafka
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Himeko
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Herta
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Jingliu
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Seele
DPS characters with AoE attacks help you win quickly. Jade and other buffers make your team stronger.
Apocalyptic
Apocalyptic mode is about breaking shields and surviving strong hits. You need characters who break weaknesses and protect your team. The best choices include:
Character |
Key Abilities |
Role |
---|---|---|
Huohuo |
Heals, buffs, and gives energy to the team |
Sustain and Buffer |
Aventurine |
Shields and helps break enemy weaknesses |
Sustain |
Gallagher |
Boosts break damage, has AoE attacks, and strong basic attacks |
Weakness Breaker |
March 7th |
Flexible support, helps break shields with the right allies |
Versatile Support |
Note: You can change your team for each mode. Try new combos to see what works best!
Updates 2025
New Characters
In 2025, some cool new characters joined the game. These new heroes bring fresh skills and change the rankings. Evernight, Saber, and Archer are now top choices. Each one uses a different element and path, so you have more team options.
Character |
Element |
Path of Action |
Release Date |
---|---|---|---|
Evernight |
Ice |
Remembrance |
September 23, 2025 |
Saber |
Wind |
Destruction |
July 11, 2025 |
Archer |
Quantum |
Hunt |
July 11, 2025 |
Evernight helps your team by giving strong debuffs. Saber does lots of damage and breaks shields fast. Archer attacks quickly with quantum moves for fast wins. These new characters make hard stages easier and give you more ways to play.
Meta Shifts
The meta in Honkai: Star Rail keeps changing a lot. Now, more strong characters are easy for everyone to get. New and old players can build better teams right away. Players are also changing their teams more often.
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The cosmology upgrade links Honkai: Star Rail to other Hoyoverse games.
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You can now pick from more high-rank and special characters.
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Market changes help you choose teams that match your style.
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Future updates will make the game even better for everyone.
Recent buffs and nerfs change how good some characters are. Kafka now does DoT to all enemies, so she is great for damage. Blade’s skills use Max HP, so he lives longer and hits harder. Silver Wolf and Jingliu got new skills that help them in tough fights.
Tip: Try using the new characters and skills. You might find a new favorite for your team!
Evaluation Criteria
Ranking Factors
When you check a Honkai: Star Rail tier list, you might wonder how the rankings are made. Some characters are better because they do more damage, help the team, or stay alive longer. If a character like Seele or Yanqing does a lot of damage, they are ranked high. Some characters freeze or weaken enemies, which helps your team win fights. These helpful skills can change who wins. It is also important if a character can keep their buffs or avoid getting hit. This makes them useful in hard battles. You want your team to have a mix of these things.
Here’s a simple look at how roles get ranked:
Role |
Evaluation Criteria |
---|---|
DPS |
- How much damage they can do with the best gear. |
Support |
- How strong their buffs or debuffs are. |
Sustain |
- How good they are at healing or making shields. |
Endgame Performance |
- How well they do in Memory of Chaos, Pure Fiction, and Apocalyptic Shadow. |
Tip: To move up in the game, use characters who do more than just damage. Pick ones who help your whole team.
Community Votes
You help make the tier list better. When you share your thoughts or vote for your favorite character, you help decide who is best. The community looks at how characters do in real fights, not just their stats. If many players win with a hero, that hero moves up in the list. Sometimes, a new team idea can make a character better very fast. So, try new teams and tell others what works. Your ideas help keep the tier list fair and up to date!
Custom Tier Lists
How to Customize
You don’t have to follow the standard tier list if you want to play Honkai: Star Rail your way. You can make your own tier list that fits your favorite team, playstyle, or even the game mode you like most. Some players love building teams around their favorite characters. Others want to focus on what works best for Memory of Chaos or Pure Fiction. Your choices matter!
Tip: A custom tier list helps you see which characters work best for you, not just what everyone else says.
You can use online tools to build your own list. These platforms let you drag and drop character images, rank them, and share your results with friends. Here are some popular options:
Tool/Platform |
Description |
---|---|
TierMaker |
Make custom tier lists for Honkai: Star Rail (3.6) with 82 character images. |
TierMaker |
Make custom tier lists for all characters (3.7) with 69 images. |
SipSipStefen |
See updated tier lists that match the current meta. |
When you create your tier list, think about your team composition. Some characters do better in certain modes. For example, a healer might shine in Apocalyptic, but a strong AoE attacker rules Pure Fiction. Your playstyle changes how good a character feels. Try different setups and see what fits you best.
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Rank characters by how much you enjoy using them.
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Consider their performance in your favorite game mode.
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Share your list with friends and compare strategies.
Custom tier lists make the game more fun. You get to decide who is best for your adventure!
Team Building Tips
Synergy
Building a strong team in Honkai: Star Rail feels like solving a fun puzzle. You want your characters to work together, not just stand alone. When you match abilities, you unlock combos that boost your damage and help your team survive longer. Synergy means your support can buff your DPS, or your healer can keep everyone alive while your tank draws enemy attacks. This teamwork lets you handle tough bosses and tricky stages with less stress.
Here’s how you can build a balanced team:
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Add two DPS characters to cover more enemy weaknesses and deal big damage.
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Use a support character to buff your team or debuff enemies.
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Bring a healer or shielder to keep your team alive during hard fights.
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Try teams with extra healing or shielding if you face long battles.
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Change your lineup based on the enemies—pick The Erudition for groups or The Hunt for single bosses.
Tip: Mix and match your team often. You might find a combo that surprises you!
Resource Investment
You want to get the most out of your resources. Focus on characters who help you clear content and grow your account. Don’t rush to spend on every new banner. Instead, plan your pulls and upgrades.
Best Practice |
Description |
---|---|
Prioritize Characters Over Aesthetic Items |
Spend on characters and upgrades, not just cosmetics. |
Wait for Seasonal Sales or Discounts |
Buy during holiday sales to save resources. |
Spend Your Resources Wisely |
Avoid impulse spending. Align your pulls with your team goals. |
Bundle Up for Savings |
Choose larger bundles for better value per shard. |
Time Your Purchases with Events |
Save for limited banners with top-tier characters or weapons. |
Some characters give you a huge return on investment. For example, Anaxa covers all weaknesses, Acheron deals high damage with little investment, and Mydei can self-revive. These picks help you progress faster and make your team stronger.
Character |
Rarity |
Element |
Path |
Description |
---|---|---|---|---|
Anaxa |
5-star |
Wind |
Erudition |
Covers all weaknesses, great for team flexibility. |
Acheron |
5-star |
Lightning |
Nihility |
High damage, easy to build, speeds up story progress. |
Mydei |
5-star |
Imaginary |
Destruction |
Self-revives, works as DPS and sustain. |
Yunli |
5-star |
Physical |
Destruction |
Strong counter-attacker with big damage. |
SS-Tier |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
Must-pulls for top team performance. |
Note: Investing in the right characters saves you time and resources in the long run.
You can make a strong team with top characters like Hysilens, Cerydra, Bailu, Jing Yuan, and Bronya. Here is what each one does:
Character |
Role |
Key Feature |
---|---|---|
Hysilens |
Damage Dealer |
Uses skills that hurt over time |
Cerydra |
Support |
Gives big buffs to the team |
Bailu |
Healer |
Heals and brings back allies |
Jing Yuan |
Damage Dealer |
Does a lot of damage fast |
Bronya |
Support |
Makes attack and speed better |
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Tier lists get new updates so you know who is best.
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This helps you pick good characters and save resources.
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You can also make your own list to fit how you like to play.
FAQ
Who should you invest your resources in first?
You want to focus on S-Tier characters like Acheron or Aventurine. They help you clear tough stages and make your team stronger.
Tip: Always check for new meta updates before spending!
Can you beat endgame content with only 4-Star characters?
Yes, you can! If you build smart teams and use good strategies, 4-Star characters like Natasha and Pela can help you finish endgame modes.
How often does the tier list get updated?
You see updates every major patch or when new characters release. The community votes and game changes keep the list fresh.
Update Type |
Frequency |
---|---|
Major Patch |
Every 6 weeks |
New Character |
As released |
Community Votes |
Monthly |