HSR Tier List - Honkai Star Rail Character Rankings v3.6

Our HSR tier list is updated with each game version update, approximately every 6 weeks. We also perform temporary updates when new characters are introduced or significant game mechanics changes occur.

For data sources, we comprehensively analyze real-world performance across three major modes: Memory of Chaos (MoC), Pure Fiction (PF), and Apocalyptic Shadow (AS). We reference full-star clear data and team compositions, evaluate character adaptability across different team systems, and consider performance fluctuations under varying version mechanics. All ratings are assessed by an experienced team of players.

Our evaluation involves multiple dimensions including character configuration, team composition, and investment requirements. To ensure consistency and fairness, we have established detailed evaluation rules. If you want to understand specific evaluation standards, please check our Rating Rules section for complete explanations.

Our ratings prioritize objective character strength, team adaptability, and mode performance. Usage rate data serves as a reference but is not a decisive factor, as some niche yet powerful characters may be underestimated due to lower awareness. Ratings are completely unaffected by character popularity, appearance, or story prominence.

Specifically, our rating basis consists of: real-world data (full-star clear rate, clear speed, applicable scenarios), theoretical calculations (damage expectation, resource efficiency, team system completeness), and version adaptability (alignment with current version mechanics). We reassess all characters with each version update—new characters do not receive inflated ratings simply for being 'new,' and old characters maintain their ratings if they remain strong.

The Overall Strength ranking displays a character's average performance across all three modes, suitable for players who want to quickly understand a character's overall strength—especially recommended for newcomers.

Mode-specific rankings target different characteristics: Memory of Chaos (MoC) focuses on single-target boss battles, requiring high-burst single-target damage dealers and damage amplification supports; Pure Fiction (PF) emphasizes group enemy clearing, demanding powerful AOE capabilities; Apocalyptic Shadow (AS) features dual-boss hybrid combat with complex mechanics, better suited for versatile all-around characters.

Usage recommendations: If you're stuck in a specific mode, check the corresponding ranking to strengthen your team; if you want to build a jack-of-all-trades character, prioritize those with high overall rankings and strong performance across all three mode-specific rankings; if you're a pulling enthusiast, prioritize new characters with T0 and T0.5 overall rankings. Note that some characters excel in a single mode but have lower overall rankings—for example, Herta excels in Pure Fiction but performs moderately in Memory of Chaos and Apocalyptic Shadow.

We use Tier brackets to denote character strength levels:

• T0: Extremely high strength, excellent value retention, version meta-defining characters

• T0.5: Strong in current version, considerable strength, solid performance

• T1: Decent strength, serviceable

• T2: Has some strength but non-mainstream positioning or transitional role

• T3: Mid-tier strength, can be selectively invested

• T4 and below: Not recommended for investment or pulling unless for favorites

We use this tiering system rather than traditional S/A/B to more precisely reflect the gaps between characters. For example, T0.5 sits between T0 and T1, indicating 'close to top tier but not quite there.' Overall rankings consider a character's holistic performance across three modes, while mode-specific rankings focus on strength in individual modes.

For low-Eidolon and F2P players, the core principle when using this HSR tier list is: prioritize building complete teams, as a full system significantly boosts strength. Don't fixate solely on individual character rankings—consider team completeness. For instance, pulling multiple T0 DPS units but lacking supports may still result in low damage output; conversely, prioritizing a complete 'Main DPS + Support + Sustain' team will be more effective than simply chasing high-ranked characters.

F2P players are recommended to prioritize versatile supports and full-mode strong damage dealers to establish stable team systems. Some 4-star characters at max Eidolons are also competitive with low-Eidolon 5-stars and worth investing in. If you already have complete teams and the new character isn't a version-breaking T0, consider waiting for reruns to save Stellar Jades.

This HSR tier list is suitable for all players. Newcomers can understand overall character strength to guide pulling decisions; casual players can quickly identify characters worth investing resources in; endgame players can reference mode-specific rankings to strategically strengthen teams; low-spenders and F2P players can avoid pulling underperforming characters and optimize resource allocation; data enthusiasts can make precise comparisons based on rankings.

Usage recommendations for different player types: Beginners should focus only on Overall T0-T1 rankings, prioritizing completion of one team; casual players should check the overall ranking plus mode-specific rankings for their weak areas to patch gaps; endgame players should review all three mode-specific rankings to configure specialized characters for each mode. For players with favorite characters, you can also build supporting systems around those favorites to maximize their value—tier lists are merely references, and gameplay experience matters equally.

The variance is extremely significant, which is precisely why we provide mode-specific rankings. Different characters may perform drastically differently across modes. For example, Herta performs excellently in Pure Fiction (PF), excelling at group AOE, but struggles against single-target bosses in Memory of Chaos (MoC) and Apocalyptic Shadow (AS), resulting in an overall T2 ranking—yet she can function as a T1 character in Pure Fiction mode.

Take another example: Feixiao performs outstandingly in Apocalyptic Shadow with good mechanic alignment, but performs relatively moderately in Memory of Chaos and Pure Fiction. If you're specifically stuck in Apocalyptic Shadow, Feixiao is an excellent choice. In contrast, characters like Tribbie who rank top in all three modes are truly versatile T0 characters and most worth pulling.

It's crucial to note that all these performances are highly correlated with the specific mechanics of each mode rotation. Therefore, the general principle is: pull new over old, unless filling out team systems. New characters are often better adapted to current version mechanics, while old characters—even former T0s—may decline due to mechanic shifts. Unless you lack a specific role (e.g., healer or shielder), prioritize new characters.

Yes, we update with each version (whenever new characters are introduced). Old character ratings may change for three reasons:

First, impact from new characters. New main DPS may displace old main DPS from team slots, and new supports may provide better damage amplification—for instance, when a powerful support debuts, ratings for similar supports may correspondingly decrease.

Second, version mechanic changes. Memory of Chaos, Pure Fiction, and Apocalyptic Shadow mechanics differ each rotation—for example, one rotation may emphasize Weakness Break, another may favor Break Effect. Some characters excel under specific mechanics but perform mediocrely when rotations change. For instance, when Apocalyptic Shadow emphasizes Imaginary DMG, Imaginary characters' ratings temporarily rise.

Third, environmental meta shifts. When players discover powerful combinations, related characters' ratings increase; when certain counter-relationships weaken, character ratings decrease.

Our update mechanism: comprehensive reassessment of all characters during major version updates; localized adjustments to related characters when new characters debut; temporary hotfix updates when game mechanics undergo significant changes. We recommend rechecking the HSR tier list after each version update to avoid making decisions based on outdated information.