UPDATE 16/12/2024: We have updated this page with additional information on Gepard’s best team compositions, light cones, ascension materials, and what order to prioritize his Traces in.
Ultimate Guide to Honkai: Star Rail Gepard Build
The ideal Honkai: Star Rail Gepard build transforms the Silvermane general into an impenetrable shield that safeguards your entire party, potentially eliminating the necessity for a healer. Although Gepard underperformed slightly in our initial tier list mainly due to his lack of offensive capability, his defensive strengths are unmatched.
Understanding Gepard: A Preservation Path Tank
Gepard is a 5-Star character rooted in the Path of Preservation and wields the Ice element. Unlike traditional damage-focused characters like Marth 7th, Gepard excels as a tank. While he can deal respectable damage through his skill, it is his ultimate skill that proves to be the cornerstone of his utility by providing shields to all allies, with strength determined by his defense.
Optimal Gepard Light Cones
5-Star Light Cone
The Moment of Victory is Gepard’s signature light cone, perfectly designed for his tank role. This light cone enhances the wearer’s defense and increases the likelihood of enemy targeting, while also boosting the effect hit rate. This ensures that skills, including Gepard’s own, are more likely to apply freeze—a potent status effect.
4-Star Light Cones
Consider Landau’s Choice as your go-to 4-star option; it similarly bolsters defense and enemy focus. This Is Me! is another excellent choice, enhancing both defense and damage after using an ultimate. You could also explore Day One of My New Life, which not only improves Gepard’s defense but also enhances the damage resistance of all allies upon entering battle.
3-Star Light Cone
For a 3-star option, Amber stands out. It provides a standard defense boost, and the effect doubles if Gepard’s HP falls below 50%. Alternatively, Defense can restore HP post-ultimate, which is beneficial if you lack a healer.
Top Gepard Relics
Choosing the right Relic set for Gepard can significantly enhance his tanking capabilities.
- Guard of Wuthering Snow: Ideal for a Gepard without a healer.
- Two-piece effect: Reduces damage taken by 8%.
- Four-piece effect: At below 50% HP, it regenerates 8% of max HP and 5 energy at the start of a turn.
- Knight of Purity Palace: This set elevates his defense.
- Two-piece effect: Increases defense by 12%.
- Four-piece effect: Shields created by Gepard absorb 20% more damage.
Best Gepard Ornaments
The Belobog of the Architects ornament is exceptionally suited for Gepard, increasing his defense by 15% and potentially doubling this buff if his effect hit rate exceeds 50%.
When selecting stats for Gepard, prioritize the following:
- Body: Defense %
- Feet: Speed
- Sphere: Defense %
- Link Rope: Energy Regen Rate
Prioritizing Gepard’s Traces
The key to maximizing Gepard’s efficiency lies in prioritizing his Ultimate, which is central to providing shields for the team. After this, focus on leveling his Skill.
The leveling order should be as follows:
- Ultimate
- Skill
- Talent
- Basic Attack
Essential Ascension Materials for Gepard
To advance Gepard from Level 1 to Level 80 in Honkai Star Rail, gather the following Ascension Materials:
- 15x Silvermane Badge
- 15x Silvermane Insignia
- 15x Silvermane Medal
- 65x Horn of Snow
- 308,000x Credits
Recommended Team Compositions for Gepard
As a premier 5-Star defender, Gepard fits into various team compositions centering on Sustain. Pair him with a powerful DPS character such as Seele, Acheron, or Clara to efficiently dispatch foes. Additionally, consider incorporating an Erudition character like Himeko or Jing Yuan.
Support characters such as Tingyun, Bronya, or Asta can enhance energy regeneration and speed. It’s also beneficial not to include a healer, as Gepard’s shields sustain the team effectively.
The Effectiveness of Gepard in Honkai Star Rail
Gepard stands out as the top defender in the game, mainly serving a defensive purpose. While his basic attack may lag behind support characters and his skill offers moderate, single-target damage, it does possess a freezing chance, delivering significant ice damage when triggered.
His ultimate provides a critical shield to the whole team, complemented by a talent that can prevent a fatal strike once in a battle. For energy management, deploy Gepard’s technique before engagements to grant shields right from the start, ensuring team safety as his energy fills.
While his capabilities may seem straightforward, Gepard’s role is invaluable in challenging boss fights, lengthy sessions in the Simulated Universe, or against formidable foes. His presence often negates the need for a healer, allowing for alternative team configurations centered on additional damage output or support roles.
Should You Pull for Gepard in Honkai Star Rail?
As one of the guaranteed 5-stars on the beginner’s banner and a permanent fixture in the standard banner, there’s no rush to secure Gepard immediately. Given the early stage of Star Rail, it could be advantageous to save your Stellar Jade and evaluate the characters that HoYoverse will introduce in the future.
If you have surplus passes, endeavoring to acquire Gepard for your team would be a wise choice. Explore our Honkai Star Rail tier list for additional character insights, and remember to enhance your Equilibrium Level while navigating the Simulated Universe for extra rewards.
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