Which 5-Star Standard Character Should You Choose?Which 5-Star Standard Character Should You Choose?

As a seasoned gamer with countless hours spent battling mythical creatures and saving the realm, let me share my insights on these characters from the game.

As a gamer here, let me share some exciting news! We’ve got an exclusive time-limited event happening right now – grab a free 5-star standard character while you can! This event runs until the close of version 3.2, so there’s no need to worry about rushing. However, if you happen to forget about it later, it would be wise to claim your reward promptly.

Which 5-Star Standard Character Should You Choose?

Which 5-Star Standard Character Should You Choose?

When it comes to Express Gift in Honkai: Star Rail, there’s a selection of highly-rated characters to pick from, including Himeko, Welt, Bronya, Gepard, Clara, Yanqing, and Bailu. Although newer characters may have taken over some of their functions, these characters are still valuable, particularly in end-game content.

TiersCharacters
First Tier ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Himeko, Bronya, Clara
Second Tier ⭐⭐⭐⭐Gepard, Bailu
Third Tier ⭐⭐Welt
Fourth Tier ⭐Yanqing

Himeko (AoE DPS)

Which 5-Star Standard Character Should You Choose?

ProCon
A regular in Pure Fiction game mode with her AoE attacksCan’t be relied on single-target content
Have 2 builds to choose from: Crit-based DPS or Super Break DPSHer damage output is suppressed if enemies can’t be (weakness) broken
Have a high base ATK stats compared to other characters

If you’re finding yourself short on common characters, a top pick could be one who excels in situations where many standard characters fall short. When the game initially launched, Himeko might not have garnered much attention from metagame enthusiasts due to the scarcity of AoE content. However, with the introduction of Pure Fiction game mode, Himeko has emerged as a dominant figure in this arena, thanks to her powerful Area of Effect attacks. If you’re in need of an AoE damage dealer, Himeko should be at the top of your list.

Which 5-Star Standard Character Should You Choose?

EidolonEffects
E1 (My Childhood)⭐After “Victory Rush” is triggered, Himeko’s SPD increases by 20% for 2 turn.
E2 (Convergence) ⭐Deals 15% more DMG to enemies whose HP percentage is 50% or less.
E3 (Poised)Skill Lv. +2, up to a maximum of Lv. 15. Basic ATK Lv. +1, up to a maximum of Lv. 10.
E4 (Dedication) ⭐When Himeko’s Skill inflicts Weakness Break on an enemy, she gains 1 additional stack of Charge.
E5 (Aspriation)Ultimate Lv. +2, up to a maximum of Lv. 15. Talent Lv. +2, up to a maximum of Lv. 15.
E6 (Trailblaze!) ⭐Ultimate deals DMG 2 extra times, each of which deals Fire DMG equal to 40% of the original DMG to a random enemy.

If you’ve got Himeko at level E0 and considering upgrading her to E1, it’s essential to understand that her performance can vary depending on the situation. In case Himeko is used alongside a buffer unit and her Speed stat is boosted, she might outrun her supporting units.

Welt (Debuffer & Sub/Hybrid DPS)

Which 5-Star Standard Character Should You Choose?

ProCon
Flexible role (can debuff enemies while also dealing decent damage)Slowing enemies is not suitable for certain teams or contents
Frequent Slows and Imprisonments towards enemiesBounce Skill is unreliable in AoE content

Initially upon its release, Welt was broadly accepted due to his numerical values being suitable for the Simulated Universe and Memory of Chaos. However, as MoC has expanded, enemy health values have risen significantly and the challenge level has increased noticeably, leaving his damage output appearing quite modest. His role as a Sub-DPS within a team is now overshadowed by numerous other Sub-DPS characters who offer additional debuffs and higher damage, particularly those specialized in buffing or debuffing (which are currently popular choices in the game’s meta). In summary, his recommendation priority isn’t very high at this point.

Which 5-Star Standard Character Should You Choose?

EidolonEffects
E1 (Legacy of Honor)After Welt uses his Ultimate, his abilities are enhanced. The next 2 times he uses his Basic ATK or Skill, deals additional DMG to the target equal to 50% of his Basic ATK’s DMG multiplier or 80% of his Skill’s DMG multiplier respectively.
E2 (Conflux of Stars)When his Talent is triggered, Welt regenerates 3 Energy.
E3 (Prayer of Peace)Skill Lv. +2, up to a maximum of Lv. 15. Basic ATK Lv. +1, up to a maximum of Lv. 10.
E4 (Appellation of Justice)Base Chance for Skill to inflict SPD Reduction increases by 35%
E5 (Power of Kindness)Ultimate Lv. +2, up to a maximum of Lv. 15. Talent Lv. +2, up to a maximum of Lv. 15.
E6 (Prospect of Glory)When using Skill, deals DMG for 1 extra time to a random enemy.

If you’ve got E0 Welt and he’s previously invested, his E1 performs well and serves as a solid choice since the effects of other Eidolons are dependent on specific situations, making them merely decent in general terms.

Bronya (Buffer)

Which 5-Star Standard Character Should You Choose?

ProCon
Great offensive buffs that are still viable even todaySP-negative, and may affect certain teams with DPS who also requires lot of SP
100% Action Advance on Skill, making it easier to build DPS with no SPDSkill’s 1 turn buff doesn’t work well with some damage dealers
Most of her Eidolons actually works well

Bronya remains highly valuable in both past and present gameplay metas. While Sunday may excel with advanced summoning actions that are expected to dominate in Amphoreus 3.0, it doesn’t diminish Bronya’s worth. There are numerous other Damage Per Second (DPS) characters, such as Jing Yuan (Summoner DPS), who complement Bronya effectively. If you don’t possess either Bronya or Sunday, it’s strongly suggested to consider adding Bronya to your team.

Which 5-Star Standard Character Should You Choose?

EidolonEffects
E1 (Hone Your Strength)Using Bronya’s Skill has a 50% fixed chance of recovering 1 Skill Point. This effect has a 1 turn cooldown.
E2 (Quick March)When using Skill, the target ally’s SPD increases by 30% after taking action, lasting for 1 turn.
E3 (Bombardment)Ultimate Lv. +2, up to a maximum of Lv. 15. Talent Lv. +2, up to a maximum of Lv. 15.
E4 (Take by Surprise)After an ally uses Basic ATK on an enemy with Wind Weakness, Bronya immediately launches a follow-up attack on the target, dealing Wind DMG equal to 80% of Bronya’s Basic ATK DMG. This effect can only be triggered 1 time per turn.
E5 (Unstoppable)Skill Lv. +2, up to a maximum of Lv. 15. Basic ATK Lv. +1. up to a maximum of Lv. 10.
E6 (Piercing Rainbow)The duration of the DMG Boost effect placed by the Skill on the target ally increases by 1 turn(s).

Bronya’s E1 improvement is fantastic, outshining her E0! Keep in mind that she lacks SP positively due to frequent skill usage. Upgrading to E1 offers a solution by granting one Skill Point each time Bronya activates her skill, albeit with a 50% chance. This is more beneficial than nothing.

Gepard (Shielder)

Which 5-Star Standard Character Should You Choose?

ProCon
Strong teamwide shieldsStruggle to keep the team alive against boss that deals single-target damage
SP positive as you mostly uses his Normal ATK instead of SkillRelies too much on Ultimate to create the teamwide shield
Has greatly increased aggro and self-revive passive

In the game Honkai: Star Rail, the number of Shielder units is limited, so some Trailblazers might keep an eye on Gepard. Whether you’re a new player or not, you may have noticed the similarities between Gepard and Aventurine (another Preservation unit). To be honest, Gepard is quite good, but it lags significantly behind Aventurine because the latter finds it easier and more consistent to create shields. One of the best teams for Gepard includes Acheron, with the Trend of the Universal Market LC (unless you have Jiaoqiu).

Which 5-Star Standard Character Should You Choose?

EidolonEffects
E1 (Due Diligence)Base chance for Gepard’s Skill to Freeze enemies increases by 35%.
E2 (Lingering Cold)After an enemy Frozen by Gepard’s Skill is unfrozen. their SPD is reduced by 20% for 1 turn.
E3 (Never Surrender)Ultimate Lv. +2, up to a maximum of Lv. 15. Basic ATK Lv. +2, up to a maximum of Lv. 15.
E4 (Faith Moves Mountains)When Gepard is in battle, all allies’ Effect RES increases by 20%.
E5 (Cold Iron Fist)Skill Lv. +2, up to a maximum of Lv. 15. Basic ATK Lv. +1, up to a maximum of Lv. 10.
E6 (Unyielding Resolve)When his Talent is triggered, Gepard immediately takes action again and restores extra HP equal to 50% of his Max HP.

As a fan, I’d say, “I find Gepard’s Eidolon quite decent overall, but it’s his E4 that truly shines by boosting the entire team’s Effect Resistance. In the heat of battle, especially against tough new enemies who often debuff your characters, this team-wide resistance increase is a game-changer for end-game content. However, setting such a high standard can be challenging, so let’s talk about his E1. This skill grants a 100% base chance to freeze enemies whenever it triggers. While you might not use his skill frequently due to saving SP for DPS and buffers, having this skill on standby is a clutch move when you have extra SP or Gepard needs more Energy for his shield.

Clara (Counter DPS)

Which 5-Star Standard Character Should You Choose?

ProCon
High damage ceiling even in the current contentNot suitable against slow enemies or enemies that attack single-target
Works well both in single-target and AoE scenariosDamage output has a degree of variance
Most of her damage is outside of her turns meaning she makes great use of buffs
Easy to build as she doesn’t need to focus on SPD

Regardless of Yunli taking on the role as the new Counter DPS, Clara remains a significant figure in end-game content. Because Clara doesn’t require Speed (SPD), you should concentrate on enhancing her Attack (ATK) and Critical stats to achieve optimal damage. However, there is a drawback: her damage is not tied to her turns but rather triggered by enemy attacks. Unlike Gepard, Clara does not have inherent increased aggression; instead, she depends on Dance at Sunset LC or teammates like March 7th and Lynx, who can boost aggression. If you’re in need of a DPS character, Clara is the ideal choice.
(Priority) Rating: 5/5 Stars

Which 5-Star Standard Character Should You Choose?

EidolonEffects
E1 (A Tall Figure)Using Skill will not remove Marks of Counter on the enemy.
E2 (A Tight Embrace)After using Ultimate, ATK increases by 30% for 2 turns.
E3 (Cold Steel Armor)Skill Lv. +2, up to a maximum of Lv. 15. Basic ATK Lv. +1, up to a maximum of Lv. 10.
E4 (Family’s Warmth)After Clara is hit, the DMG taken by Clara is reduced by 30%. This effect lasts until the start of her next turn.
E5 (A Small Promise)Ultimate Lv. +2, up to a maximum of Lv. 15. Talent Lv. +2, up to a maximum of Lv. 15.
E6 (Long Company)After other allies are hit, Svarog also has a 50% fixed chance to trigger a Counter on the attacker and mark them with a Mark of Counter. When using Clara’s Ultimate, the number of Enhanced Counters increases by 1.

If you possess Clara, it’s advisable to opt for her E1 as it eliminates the bothersome mechanism where her Skill conflicts with Mark of Counter. If you already own E1, then consider getting E2, as it’s equally beneficial!

Yanqing (Single-Target DPS)

Which 5-Star Standard Character Should You Choose?

ProCon
Best against Ice-weak enemies (obviously)Exclusively single-target and have troubles to keep up with end-game content with many enemies in one wave
Requires very heavy investment and a Shielder to even have a chance of dealing damage

As much as I love Yanqing’s character development when he’s fighting against Hoolay in the Trailblaze Mission, still can’t deny how it didn’t mirrored his kit in the game. Yanqing is a Hunt character which mean he’s a single-target DPS. These kind of DPS isn’t bad per se (I mean, look at Feixiao), but Yanqing is on a whole other level.
To put it nicely, he’s decent. He needs to avoid taking damage to keep his Soulsteel Sync up or his damage will drop significantly. In other words, he needs a working shielder (Aventurine is his best friend) to prevent himself being hit by enemies. Even with that, his damage is not enough in the current end-game content where the enemies have humongous HP pool, especially since his main output is from Ultimate and you’ll have a hard time getting Energy. Maybe choose him if you already got everyone else? But if not, choose other character please.
(Priority) Rating: 1⭐/5⭐

Which 5-Star Standard Character Should You Choose?

EidolonEffects
E1 (Svelte Saber)When Yanqing attacks a Frozen enemy, he deals additional Ice DMG equal to 60% of his own attacks.
E2 (Supine Serenade)When Soulsteel Sync is active, Energy Regeneration Rate increases by an extra 10%.
E3 (Sword Savant)Skill Lv. +2, up to a maximum of Lv. 15. Basic ATK Lv. +1, up to a maximum of Lv. 10.
E4 (Searing Sting)When the current HP percentage is 80% or higher, Ice RES PEN increases by 12%.
E5 (Surging Strife)Ultimate Lv. +2, up to a maximum of Lv. 15. Talent Lv. +2, up to a maximum of Lv. 15.
E6 (Swift Swoop)If the Ultimate’s buffs are still in effect when an enemy is defeated, their duration is extended by 1 turn.

In Yanqing’s unique profile, it’s worth noting that his E4 significantly boosts his Ice Resistance Penetration. If you get very close to this value, I extend my sympathies.

Bailu (Healer)

Which 5-Star Standard Character Should You Choose?

ProCon
Consistent reactive healing and damage reductionLacking a cleanse in her healing which is a massive downside
Has a revive mechanic, which can come in clutch in dire situations.Other than healing and a one-time revival (unless you have E6), she didn’t provide anything else

Initially, when the game was new, defeating Bailu was seen as victory since there were hardly any healers other than Natasha. However, in today’s game, there are numerous healers available, offering more than just healing, such as cleansing – a capability that Bailu lacks. In the present content, most enemies can impose debuffs on your characters, making cleansing an essential feature when battling them. If you don’t have any other healers, Bailu is still beneficial to your team, but it would be wise to pray if you’re up against a boss with debuff abilities.
(Priority) Rating: 3/5 Stars

Which 5-Star Standard Character Should You Choose?

EidolonEffects
E1 (Ambrosial Aqua)If the target ally’s current HP is equal to their Max HP when Invigoration ends, Bailu additionally regenerates 8 Energy for this target.
E2 (Sylphic Slumber)After using her Ultimate, Bailu’s Outgoing Healing increases by an additional 15% for 2 turns.
E3 (Omniscient Opulence)Skill Lv. +2, up to a maximum of Lv. 15. Talent Lv. +2, up to a maximum of Lv. 15.
E4 (Evil Excision)Every healing provided by the Skill makes the recipient deal 10% more DMG for 2 turn(s). This effect can stack up to 3 time(s).
E5 (Waning Worries)Ultimate Lv. +2, up to a maximum of Lv. 15. Basic ATK Lv. +1, up to a maximum of Lv. 10.
E6 (Drooling Drop of Draconic Divinity)Bailu can heal allies who received a killing blow 1 more time(s) in a single battle.

As a fan, I’d say, “Experiencing Bailu, her Energy Crystal 1 (E1) is quite decent, albeit situational. If your characters tend to be overhealed, which can happen frequently, it transforms into Energy.

Read More

2024-12-05 17:56