Tips for combat in Honkai: Star Rail

Combat in Honkai: Star Rail is all about using the right attacks at the right times, and breaking its turn-based approach so you can catch enemies defenseless. While you might get the basics pretty quickly, there are a few nuances and best practices that can give you an edge. Here are a few tips to help you win more battles in Honkai: Star Rail.

Team composition is key in Honkai: Star Rail, since successful battles often rely on having the right damage types on-hand to exploit enemy weaknesses. You'll want well-balanced teams that can deal heavy damage while also supporting and healing your squad. That makes it a good idea to put more than one team together.

Having different combinations of characters allows you to swap your squad before you enter battle so you can handle a tough foe, rather than get pummeled while your characters fight at a disadvantage.

When you're exploring the world in Honkai: Star Rail, you have two options in addition to your sprint button: one for standard attacks and one for a Technique attack. You have limited Techniques when you're exploring, as indicated by Technique Points circles next to the button. You can use a Technique once for each filled circle.

Hitting an enemy lets you initiate combat, but hitting them with a Technique – especially one from a damage type they're weak to – gives you an advantage at the start of the battle. If you can do it, it's always worthwhile to start a battle with a Technique and begin with your best foot forward.

Because Honkai: Star Rail uses turn-based combat, you don't get the opportunity to dodge or deflect attacks that you do in other, more action-oriented games. That means that when an opponent attacks, there's not much you can do but take the hit on the chin. The trouble here is that damage to your characters can pile up quickly, and you can't use healing items until you're out of combat.

That makes it a good idea to get strong defensive Path of Abundance and Path of Preservation characters and add them to your teams. You'll want to make extensive use of their abilities to shield and heal your squad so you can stay in the fight longer.

Ultimates essentially give your team extra turns, since they can be used anytime once they're charged, without consuming a turn. You can use an Ultimate as soon as it’s ready so it can begin charging again, but be careful about your timing.

Some Ultimates can be great for setting up a teammate for a big attack or saving the team from disaster. For example, you might want to hold off using an Ultimate that will Break an enemy until the turn of your strongest damage-dealer, so they can take full advantage against a defenseless foe. Analyse how Ultimates can synergize with the rest of your team and you can make them even stronger.