HSR Tier List: Best Honkai: Star Rail Characters by Role
By Febilla Saswira · Published
This Honkai: Star Rail tier list covers Version 4.6, Phase II, with banner information reviewed on 29 October 2026. The rankings are an editorial guide to roles and team fit, not a complete hands-on test of every character or an official HoYoverse ranking.
A tier list is a decision aid, not a rule. Enemy line-ups and seasonal buffs can move a character up or down in a specific mode. A well-built lower-tier character with the right teammates can outperform a higher-tier character in the wrong encounter.
Quick summary
The strongest current accounts are built around flexible modern damage cores and top-tier amplifiers. Pearl is a leading sustain for Elation teams, while Hyacine and Huohuo remain valuable sustain options. Yao Guang, Tribbie, Robin • Summeretto, and Mortenax Blade are among the strongest amplifiers for their matching archetypes. For damage, Evanescia, Castorice, Evernight, Himeko · Nova, and other modern specialists are strong choices when their teams and endgame modes align.
For the current banners, pull Pearl if your Elation roster needs its dedicated sustain and you understand that specialisation. Consider Mortenax Blade if his Fire/Nihility kit completes a team you already own. Do not pull only because a character appears in SS tier; team completion has more value than an isolated top-tier unit.
How to read the rankings
- Endgame performance: results and usefulness across Memory of Chaos, Pure Fiction, and Apocalyptic Shadow.
- Team flexibility: how many strong teams can use the character without forcing one narrow roster.
- Investment: performance at E0 with accessible Light Cones compared with performance that depends on Eidolons or a signature Light Cone.
- Role value: damage, amplification, action economy, weakness interaction, cleansing, healing, shielding, and survival.
- Current patch: Version 4.6 mechanics, enemies, and official Phase II banners.
DPS tier list
| Tier | Character | Why |
|---|---|---|
| SS | Evanescia | Outstanding modern damage ceiling when supported by her preferred team. |
| SS | Castorice | Powerful endgame carry with strong scaling and broad encounter value. |
| SS | Evernight | High current-patch performance and excellent synergy in her best archetype. |
| S | Himeko · Nova | Strong damage and valuable multi-target coverage. |
| S | Phainon | Reliable carry with strong specialised teams. |
| S | Silver Wolf LV.999 | High-value damage option when her mechanics match the enemy line-up. |
| S | Sparxie | Strong specialist whose value rises in teams built around her mechanics. |
| A | Anaxa | Competitive with correct supports, but less universal than the top group. |
| A | Yunli | Counter-focused damage remains useful against aggressive enemies. |
| A | Dan Heng · Imbibitor Lunae | Still capable, but team and skill-point demands reduce flexibility. |
| B | Seele | Can clear content with investment, though newer carries usually offer easier output. |
Sub-DPS and specialist tier list
| Tier | Character | Why |
|---|---|---|
| SS | Mortenax Blade | High-value Fire/Nihility specialist and current Phase II rerun. |
| S | Cipher | Strong secondary damage and utility in compatible teams. |
| S | The Dahlia | Enables high-performing archetypes and contributes meaningful team damage. |
| S | Black Swan | Excellent in damage-over-time teams when paired with the right core. |
| A | Topaz & Numby | Useful follow-up specialist, but roster fit matters. |
| A | Jade | Strong in multi-target content and Pure Fiction. |
| A | March 7th · The Hunt | Accessible secondary damage with flexible team use. |
| B | Sampo | Functional four-star option for damage-over-time teams, but outscaled by premium choices. |
Support and amplifier tier list
| Tier | Character | Why |
|---|---|---|
| SS | Yao Guang | Top current amplifier with exceptional value in matching teams. |
| SS | Tribbie | Flexible team amplification and strong endgame usefulness. |
| SS | Robin • Summeretto | Premium team support with powerful offensive tempo. |
| SS | Mortenax Blade | Provides key Nihility utility and team value beyond personal damage. |
| S | Robin | Strong universal offensive support for many follow-up teams. |
| S | Ruan Mei | Still one of the most useful break and generalist supports. |
| S | Sunday | Excellent hypercarry support with strong action and damage amplification. |
| A | Sparkle | Valuable for skill-point-heavy and hypercarry teams. |
| A | Bronya | Strong action advance and buffs, balanced by skill-point demands. |
| A | Pela | Accessible defence reduction keeps her relevant as a four-star. |
| B | Asta | Useful speed and attack support for new accounts, but less powerful than premium choices. |
Sustain tier list
| Tier | Character | Why |
|---|---|---|
| SS | Pearl | Current premier Elation sustain and a strong specialist in Version 4.6. |
| SS | Hyacine | Excellent survival and team utility across difficult endgame stages. |
| S | Huohuo | Healing, cleansing, energy, and attack support remain broadly useful. |
| S | Aventurine | Strong shields and excellent fit for follow-up teams. |
| S | Lingsha | Comfortable healing and break-oriented utility. |
| A | Fu Xuan | Reliable mitigation and account comfort, though some newer teams prefer other utility. |
| A | Gallagher | One of the best four-star sustain choices, especially for break teams. |
| A | Lynx | Accessible healing and cleansing for accounts without premium sustain. |
| B | Gepard | Can still protect a team, but limited utility and older mechanics reduce his ranking. |
| B | Natasha | Usable early-game healer who is usually replaced as the roster grows. |
Best four-star characters
Do not ignore four-stars. Pela offers defence reduction, Gallagher combines sustain with break utility, Tingyun remains a useful battery and damage buffer, Qingque can deal strong Quantum damage with enough investment, and March 7th · The Hunt provides accessible secondary damage. Lynx is a practical cleanser and healer for accounts without a premium sustain.
Changes from the previous phase
Pearl remains available from the start of Version 4.6, while Mortenax Blade returned on 21 October 2026. A banner phase change does not automatically change every character’s strength. Match your choice to your team, enemies and the mode you want to clear.
Strong team examples
| Team idea | Core | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Elation core | Elation DPS + Yao Guang/Tribbie + flex + Pearl | Pearl provides specialist survival while amplifiers scale the archetype. |
| Modern hypercarry | Evanescia or Castorice + premium amplifier + secondary support + Hyacine | Combines a top carry with stable amplification and sustain. |
| Follow-up team | Follow-up DPS + Robin + Topaz & Numby + Aventurine | Multiple follow-up interactions and strong offensive tempo. |
| Low-spend break team | Break DPS + Ruan Mei + Harmony Trailblazer + Gallagher | Uses an accessible sustain and a proven break-support core. |
Replace characters according to enemy weaknesses and the mode's special rules. Memory of Chaos rewards fast two-wave clears, Pure Fiction rewards repeated multi-target damage, and Apocalyptic Shadow emphasises boss mechanics and toughness interaction.
Current Version 4.6 Phase II banners
HoYoverse's official notice states that Pearl's Version 4.6 banner runs from the update on 28 September 2026 until 10 November 2026 at 15:00 server time. Mortenax Blade's rerun runs from 21 October 2026 at 12:00 until the same end time. The promoted four-stars are Qingque, Xueyi, and Misha. Always confirm the times shown on your own server before spending Stellar Jade.
Top up Honkai: Star Rail at GudangRacun
GudangRacun offers the Honkai: Star Rail Express Supply Pass. Check the product page for the current price, what is included, and available payment methods.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
- Who is the best HSR character right now?
- There is no single best character for every account. Pearl leads specialist sustain for Elation, while top damage and support picks depend on the team and endgame mode.
- How should I read SS, S, A, and B tiers?
- SS characters are leading choices with exceptional current value. S characters are excellent, A characters are strong with the right conditions, and B characters remain usable but have clearer limitations.
- Which four-stars are still worth building?
- Pela, Gallagher, Tingyun, March 7th · The Hunt, Qingque, and Lynx can all provide useful account value depending on your teams.
- Can lower-tier characters clear Memory of Chaos and Pure Fiction?
- Yes. Good relics, correct teams, enemy matching, and seasonal buffs can matter more than one general tier label.
- Who should I pull in the current banner?
- Pull Pearl for an Elation team that needs its specialist sustain. Consider Mortenax Blade if he completes a Fire/Nihility or related team. Otherwise save for a character that fills a clearer roster gap.
- How often does an HSR tier list change?
- Character value can change with new releases, enemy mechanics or game updates. Check the version covered and official announcements rather than treating a tier as permanent.
Sources and methodology notes
- HoYoLAB: Version 4.6 Event Warp Phase II
- HoYoWiki: Robin • Summeretto
- SS–B tiers are conditional editorial assessments, not guaranteed results or official rankings. Compare kits, teammates and modes before spending resources.
- Photo: Anya Juárez Tenorio / Pexels · License