Optimal Archer Build and Team Composition for Honkai Star Rail

Optimal Archer Build and Team Composition for Honkai Star Rail

Creating an effective Honkai Star Rail Archer build can prove to be both rewarding and economical, as Archer himself is a free character. While you might consider equipping him with his signature Light Cone, it’s not the only viable option available. In fact, some of the free Light Cones in HSR can synergize exceptionally well with his abilities, including the one from the current 3. X battle pass. However, assembling a top-tier team for Archer may require careful skill management, particularly without a key supporting character.

In this guide, we will explore the optimal Light Cones, Relics, and team compositions for Archer, ensuring you maximize his combat potential.

Optimal Light Cones for Archer

For players aiming to enhance their Archer’s effectiveness, The Hell Where Ideals Burn is his signature Light Cone. It offers a solid increase of 12% in crit rate. If your party’s skill points exceed six, equipping this Light Cone grants an impressive 40% attack buff after using his skill. As Archer’s primary passive ability allows for an increase in skill points, this enhancement is consistently available during gameplay, especially valuable since Archer can execute his skill multiple times in succession.

If you’re looking for alternatives, consider the free Light Cone Cruising in the Stellar Sea from Herta’s store. It provides an initial crit rate boost of 8% or 16%, which doubles if the target’s HP is below 50%.Moreover, upon defeating an enemy, Archer’s attack can increase by 20% or 40% for two turns. However, this requires consistently defeating enemies, which can be challenging during late-game content against elite foes.

Archer's name reveal screen in HSR
Image credit: HoYoverse

Another noteworthy option is the battle pass Light Cone from the 3. X update, See You At The End. This provides a substantial 24% to 40% increase in crit damage and similarly boosts skill and follow-up damage. For those seeking free options, Final Victor can increase attack by 12% to 20%, eventually providing a Good Fortune stack for every critical hit. Though the effect only lasts for one turn, it is still valuable.

Lastly, Swordplay offers a unique advantage by increasing damage against the same target by 8% to 12% per hit, stacking up to five times. This is beneficial for Archer, who excels in single-target engagements, though it complicates his follow-up attacks if teammates aren’t careful in selecting targets.

Relic Choices for Archer

Relics play a significant role in optimizing Archer’s performance on the battlefield. Against enemies weak to quantum damage, Genius of Brilliant Stars is an excellent choice.

  • Two-piece effect: Increases quantum damage by 10%
  • Four-piece effect: Ignores 10% of the enemy’s defense and an additional 10% if they possess quantum weakness.

As an alternative, Wavestrider Captain can significantly boost crit damage, making it a wise second option.

  • Two-piece effect: Increases crit damage by 16%
  • Four-piece effect: Gains a stack when allies target the wearer. At two stacks, the user can consume them to gain a 48% attack buff post-ultimate.

Although it’s not ideal for Archer due to his non-ultra focus, its potential is still worth considering. If you’re in need of attack buffs, consider combining two pieces of Musketeer and two pieces of Prisoner, or choose Castorice’s Poet of Mourning Collapse for crit rate boosts.

Archer’s Ornaments

While no specific set is tailored for Archer, several ornaments enhance his abilities effectively. For instance, Herta’s Space-Sealing Station provides a 24% attack boost when Archer’s speed reaches 120 or above, a target relatively easy to achieve.

Rutilant Arena can increase crit rate by 8%, enhancing his basic attack and skill damage by 20% when the crit rate exceeds 70%.Meanwhile, the Wondrous BananAmusement Park offers an additional 16% crit damage, even if it cannot utilize the set’s full potential effects.

Archer’s Required Stats

Archer’s design allows him to function with reasonably accessible stat benchmarks. Ideally, aim for an attack stat of 3, 000 or higher, with a crit rate nearing 100% and a crit damage minimum of 150%.

  • Body: Prioritize crit rate, or crit damage if you’re struggling to activate his third major passive.
  • Feet: Focus on attack, as speed isn’t crucial for Archer.
  • Orb: Opt for either attack or quantum damage.
  • Rope: Select attack.

Ideal Team Compositions for Archer

Archer thrives in teams that capitalize on both his damage output and critical rate. One excellent partner is Sparkle, whose crit damage boosts and skill manipulation can elevate Archer’s overall contributions. However, he can perform well even without her assistance.

Other effective companions include:

  • Sunday
  • Bronya
  • Cipher, Silver Wolf, or Pela for defense breaks
  • Ruan Mei for toughness reduction and passive speed enhancements
  • Tingyun for additional damage boosts
  • Hanya for skill point recovery and attack enhancements
  • March 7th for crit damage increases
  • Robin for minor damage and increased follow-up damage
  • Remembrance Trailblazer for crit boosts

Despite not seeing recent usage boosts, Hanya fits excellently in Archer setups due to her Burden effect, which allows allies to recover skill points after two attacks on a marked enemy, all while increasing damage received by that enemy. Furthermore, her ultimate can significantly bolster the attack of a single target.

Archer observing Penacony from a distance in HSR
Image credit: HoYoverse

Tier Ranking of Archer in HSR

Within the HSR tier list, Archer stands as a character of notable strength. He is accessible, simple to enhance, and synergizes well with various characters, whether premium or free. Given his free status, there’s little reason not to incorporate him into your roster while he’s available; he doesn’t heavily rely on additional Eidolons for significant boosts.

For more resources, including codes to enhance your gameplay experience, consider visiting our Honkai Star Rail codes page.

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