Honkai: Star Rail Beginner's Guide

Last updated: April 2025

Welcome, New Trailblazer!

This comprehensive guide will help you navigate the early stages of Honkai: Star Rail, understand core mechanics, and make smart decisions that will benefit your account in the long run.

Game Basics

Combat System

Honkai: Star Rail uses a turn-based combat system with an emphasis on character paths and elements:

Paths: Define a character's role (DPS, Support, Tank, etc.)
Elements: Create weaknesses and strengths against enemies
Turn Order: Determined by Speed stat
Ultimate Energy: Builds up during combat for powerful attacks

Energy & Technique Points

Managing your resources is crucial for exploration and combat:

Trailblaze Power: Regenerates over time, used for domains and rewards
Technique Points: Used for character techniques in the overworld
Ultimate Energy: Builds during combat for ultimate abilities
Skill Points: Used for basic and skill attacks in combat

Pro Tip

Always try to keep your Trailblaze Power below the cap (240) to maximize regeneration. Use it on material domains or Calyx runs when you're close to capping.

Game Modes & Activities

Main Story

Follow the Trailblaze Mission to progress through the story, unlock new areas, and receive substantial rewards. This should be your primary focus early on.

Daily Activities

Complete Daily Training missions, use Trailblaze Power on material domains, and participate in limited-time events for valuable resources.

Simulated Universe

A roguelike mode that offers weekly rewards and Planar Ornaments (special relics). Unlock this as soon as possible for weekly rewards.

Memory of Chaos

The endgame challenge that tests your team building and combat skills. Rewards reset bi-weekly and provide valuable Stellar Jade for pulls.

Character Progression

Character Leveling

Characters gain stats as they level up. Use EXP materials efficiently:

Focus on your main DPS character first (level 80)
Then level supports to 60-70
Only level characters you actively use
World Level increases enemy difficulty but improves rewards

Don't spread resources too thin by leveling too many characters at once!

Progression Priority

Weapon/Light Cone - Biggest single upgrade
Character Level - Base stats and skill unlocks
Talent/Trace Levels - Skill effectiveness
Relic Main Stats - Core stats for role
Relic Set Bonuses - Additional effects
Relic Substats - Min-maxing

Team Building Fundamentals

A balanced team typically includes these roles:

Main DPS

Your primary damage dealer

Characters who:

Deal consistent damage
Have scaling abilities
Often from Destruction, Hunt, or Erudition paths

Examples: Jing Yuan, Seele, Dan Heng IL

Support

Enhances team performance

Characters who:

Provide buffs or healing
Apply debuffs to enemies
Often from Harmony, Abundance, or Nihility paths

Examples: Bronya, Luocha, Silver Wolf

Team Composition Tips

Include at least one character who can break each common shield type
Balance elements to handle various enemy weaknesses
Consider energy regeneration needs (some characters need a "battery")
For most content, a healer is essential
Synergy between characters is more important than individual power

Beginner-Friendly Team

A balanced team for beginners might include: a main DPS (e.g., Jing Yuan), a buffer (e.g., Tingyun), a debuffer/shield breaker (e.g., Pela), and a healer (e.g., Natasha or Bailu).

Resource Management

Stellar Jade

Premium currency for warp banners
Save for characters you really want
Plan around pity system (guaranteed 5★ at 90 pulls)
Consider the 50/50 chance on character banners

Credits

Used for most upgrades and purchases
Farm from daily activities
Sell excess materials when needed
Don't waste on shop consumables

Materials

Character and Light Cone enhancement
Trace upgrades require specific materials
Use the material planner
Farm efficiently with Trailblaze Power

Resource Priority

As a F2P or low-spender, focus on 1-2 main DPS characters and their supporting teams rather than building many characters at once. Quality over quantity!

Warp/Pull Strategy

Honkai: Star Rail has a pity system that guarantees a 5★ character within 90 pulls:

Soft Pity: Increased 5★ rates starting around pull 75
50/50 Chance: First 5★ has a 50% chance to be the featured character
Guaranteed: If you lose the 50/50, the next 5★ will be the featured character
Pity Carries Over: Between same banner types (character to character)

F2P Strategy: Save enough for at least 160 pulls (to guarantee a character) before pulling. Use our Pity Calculator to plan your pulls.

Early Game Priorities

Progress Main Story

Complete Trailblaze Missions to unlock game features, areas, and receive substantial rewards. Aim to unlock the Simulated Universe as soon as possible.

Build Your Core Team

Focus resources on 4-6 characters that form a balanced team. Prioritize one main DPS character to carry you through content.

Complete Daily Activities

Never miss Daily Training missions, use all your Trailblaze Power, and participate in all events for maximum resource gain.

Explore Each Area

Find all Treasure Chests, complete Exploration Objectives, and solve puzzles for Stellar Jade and other rewards. Aim for 100% exploration.

Weekly Activities

Complete Echo of War (weekly bosses), Simulated Universe, and Forgotten Hall for valuable rewards that reset weekly.

First Month Goals

Reach Trailblaze Level 50+
Have one main DPS at max level with talents leveled
Complete main story through at least 3 major worlds
Unlock and complete Simulated Universe World 3+
Build a team that can clear Memory of Chaos Floor 4+
Have a basic set of relics with correct main stats for your main team

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Spreading Resources Too Thin

Building too many characters at once will slow your progress. Focus on your core team first.

Ignoring Character Synergy

A team of characters that work well together is stronger than individually powerful characters who don't synergize.

Farming Relics Too Early

Don't heavily farm relics until player level 60+. Focus on character levels, weapons, and talents first.

Wasting Stellar Jade

Avoid spending Stellar Jade on standard banner or resource refreshes. Save for limited characters you want.

Neglecting Daily Activities

Daily missions and using Trailblaze Power are essential for steady progress. Don't let these resources go to waste.

Daily Routine Guide

Efficient Daily Routine (30-60 minutes)

Daily Training (5 min)
Complete all daily missions for Stellar Jade and materials
Use Trailblaze Power (10-15 min)
Farm character/weapon materials based on your current needs
Weekly Bosses (if available) (10 min)
Defeat Echo of War bosses for trace materials
Simulated Universe (15-20 min)
Complete weekly runs for Planar Ornaments and rewards
Events (10+ min)
Participate in any active events for limited rewards

Weekday Focus

Daily missions
Use all Trailblaze Power
Quick material farming
Event participation

Weekend Focus

Weekly bosses
Simulated Universe
Memory of Chaos
Story progression
Exploration

Time Management

If you're short on time, prioritize Daily Training and using Trailblaze Power. These provide the most consistent progress for minimal time investment.

For a more detailed daily farming guide, check out our Daily Farm Guide tool.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Which characters should I reroll for?

A: Rerolling isn't necessary in HSR, but if you do, aim for 5★ DPS characters like Jing Yuan, Seele, or Dan Heng Imbibitor Lunae. Strong supports like Bronya or Silver Wolf are also valuable.

Q: How important are 5★ Light Cones?

A: While 5★ Light Cones provide significant power, matching 4★ Light Cones are often better than off-path 5★ ones. Don't pull specifically for Light Cones until you have a solid character roster.

Q: How do I get more Stellar Jade as F2P?

A: Complete Daily Training, participate in all events, progress through the Simulated Universe, clear Memory of Chaos, find all treasure chests, and complete achievements. These provide a steady stream of Stellar Jade.

Q: Which relics should I farm first?

A: Focus on the sets that benefit your main DPS character first. For most DPS characters, this means farming the Cavern of Corrosion for their optimal set. Check our Farming Guide for specific recommendations.

Q: Should I pull on the standard banner?

A: Only use the free standard tickets you receive from gameplay. Never spend Stellar Jade on the standard banner, as limited characters are generally more valuable and cannot be obtained from the standard banner.

Ready for Your Journey?

Armed with this knowledge, you're now prepared to make smart decisions as you progress through Honkai: Star Rail. Remember that enjoying the game is the most important part!

Check out our other guides and tools to further enhance your Honkai: Star Rail experience:

Farming Guide Relic Scorer Warp Simulator Daily Farm Guide

Last updated: April 2025 | Author: GachaHaven Team