Slightly ahead of schedule as using some pre-launch data, our Honkai Star Rail Kafka build should help you prep for this character's future release. Designed to deal high amounts of Shock damage, the mysterious Kafka synergises well with other DoT-focused units. With the right relics, her damage output can deal with the toughest bosses.
To optimise Kafka’s build, you'll want to focus on increasing her lightning damage, crit rate, and crit damage. Getting her signature Light Cone is the biggest upgrade you can get for her damage, as it boosts her DoT attacks significantly.
For even more, consider checking out our Honkai Star Rail banners list to know when your favourite character is coming to the game. We also have a breakdown of the best Honkai Star Rail relics to help you choose which relics you want to start farming.
How to get Kafka in Honkai Star Rail
Though you'll see her right at the start of the game alongside Silver Wolf, you won't get a chance to pull for Kafka until Honkai Star Rail 1.2 update. Save up until then and you might just have a chance.
The best Honkai Star Rail Kafka build
The following build is for Kafka. You can find more Honkai Star Rail builds on our dedicated hub page.
Best Light Cone for Kafka
Patience is All You Need is Kafka’s signature Light Cone, and it boosts the damage to enemies inflicted by DoT effects. It is one of the most overpowered Light Cones, in the game as it boosts not only Kafka’s damage but also other characters who can apply DoT effects.
Patience is All You Need
The wearer deals 16% more DMG to enemies inflicted with DoT. For every attack, increases the wearer's SPD by 4%, up to five times. Meanwhile, enemies receiving attacks take 20% more DoT for one turn.
If you do not have access to the Patience is All You Need Light Cone, you can use other Light Cones that align with the path of Nihility. However, her signature Light Cone is much stronger than any other option in the game that other options pale in comparison.
Best relics for Kafka
Kafka’s skill can be spammed very frequently, which makes Band of Sizzling Thunder an excellent choice. The relic set boosts her attack stat as soon as she uses her skill, which amplifies her DoT effects even further.
Band of Sizzling Thunder
- 2-Piece Bonus: Increases Lightning DMG by 10%.
- 4-Piece Bonus: When the wearer uses Skill, increases the wearer's ATK by 25% for one turn(s).
The Band of Sizzling Thunder relic set does not have any viable alternatives. Until you are able to farm a five-star set, you can consider using the four-star variant of the same set instead. Weekly bosses can also drop Band of Sizzling Thunder relics, which makes it easy to obtain a full set.
- Read more: Our Honkai Star Rail tier list
The stats you should be looking for in your relics are the lighting damage bonus, crit rate, and crit damage. You want to have a high enough crit rate to ensure you deal consistent damage to your enemies with your DoT effects.
click to enlargeWhat are Kafka’s abilities?
| Skill | Description |
|---|---|
| Basic Attack | Deals Lightning DMG equal to 50% of Kafka's ATK to a single enemy. |
| Skill | Deals Lightning DMG equal to 70% of Kafka's ATK to a single enemy and Lightning DMG equal to 25% of Kafka's ATK to any adjacent enemies. If the main target enemy is currently receiving DoT, all DoTs currently on that enemy will immediately apply DMG equal to 100% of their DoT DMG Multiplier. |
| Ultimate | Deals Lightning DMG equal to 36% of Kafka's ATK to all enemies, with a 100% base chance for enemies hit to become Shocked and immediately take DMG equal to 80% of the original DMG received. Shock lasts for 3 turn(s). When Shocked, enemies receive Lightning DoT equal to 60% of Kafka's ATK at the beginning of each turn. |
| Talent | After an ally uses Basic ATK on a Shocked enemy, Kafka immediately deals Lightning DMG equal to 75% of her ATK to that enemy. This effect can only be triggered once per turn. |
| Technique | When using a Technique to enter battle, deals 50% of Kafka's ATK as Lightning DMG to a random enemy. At the same time, all enemies have a 100% base chance to be Shocked for 3 turn(s). While Shocked, enemies will take 50% of Kafka's ATK as Lightning DoT at the start of each turn. |
| Trace 1 | When Kafka uses her Basic ATK on a Shocked enemy, the Shocked state immediately deals DMG equal to 40% of Kafka’s ATK. |
| Trace 2 | If an enemy is defeated while Shocked, Kafka additionally regenerates 10 Energy. |
| Trace 3 | Shocked enemies deal 20% less DMG to Kafka |
What are Kafka’s Eidolons?
| Eidolon Level | Effect |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | When Kafka is attacked, there is a 100% base chance of inflicting Shock on the attacker. This Shock state has the same effect as that applied by Kafka's Ultimate. |
| Level 2 | Kafka's Talent can trigger 2 time(s) each turn. |
| Level 3 | Skill Lv. +2, up to a maximum of Lv. 15. Basic ATK Lv. +1, up to a maximum of Lv. 10. |
| Level 4 | After Kafka uses her Ultimate, instead of enemies immediately receiving DMG from the Shock state, enemies will now immediately receive DMG from all currently applied DoT sources. |
| Level 5 | Ultimate Lv. +2, up to a maximum of Lv. 15. Talent Lv. +2, up to a maximum of Lv. 15. |
| Level 6 | When Kafka's Talent is triggered for the first time in a battle, the DMG dealt increases by 120% and enemies immediately receive DMG from Shock equal to 100% of the original DoT DMG Multiplier. |
Kafka gains a lot of damage from her Eidolons, but if you are not looking to invest heavily into a single character, she works well without any Eidolons. Her first Eidolon gives her a massive damage boost, as it makes the Shock application a lot more consistent. Kafka is an excellent Lightning character who gets better with investment. While her early game impact might not be as high, unlocking her Traces gives you a massive boost.
If you are planning to pair her with an on-field DPS, we have a Honkai Star Rail Silver Wolf build that you should check out. We also have a collection of Honkai Star Rail codes in case you want some extra Stellar Jades for summons.
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