Honkai Star Rail: Kafka has finally made her appearance in the game! Let’s delve deeper into her character and what she brings to the table. Hint: a whole lot of damage in the DoT area. We’ll be touching on her abilities, light cones, ascension materials, team comps, and more to find out the best way to build her up.
So, if you’re itching to get her just because she’s powerful or simply to add to your team of Stellaron Hunters, here’s what you can look forward to:
What to Expect From Honkai Star Rail: Kafka
As one of the first characters we are introduced to in the game, it feels thrilling to finally get a playable Kafka. We’ve seen her abilities, we know how strong she is, and it’s safe to say that she is one of the most anticipated characters ever to hit the game. Kafka is a Stellaron Hunter with Lightning abilities set under the Path of Nihility.
From what we can tell of her kit, she has some powerful Lightning AoE abilities that can trigger damage over time (DoT) against enemies. Even her basic attacks are absolutely devastating. Her character is a full-on damage dealer with abilities that heavily apply and capitalize on DoT. As such, she would do well in team compositions where she could inflict DoT and with light cones that would boost her speed.
For more in-depth background on her character, you can check out miHoYo’s official HoYoLab post about her.
Honkai Star Rail: Kafka’s Companion Mission
With the new update, you can play through Kafka’s companion mission – Letter From A Strange Woman. Typically, Companion Missions will allow playable characters to visit the Astral Express and for players to know the characters better.
Kafka’s companion mission starts with a text from an anonymous number asking for help and ends with you fighting Yanqing. Be sure to prepare yourself for this battle, as he will be a powerful opponent at about level 76. Throughout the mission, you will be battling enemies and guards, as well as having a chat with Kafka. There’s a whole question-and-answer session; depending on your decision, you will get different achievements.
This companion mission also has optional tasks that you could do, but it will not affect the storyline at all.
Honkai Star Rail: Kafka Abilities
Basic Attack – Midnight Tumult
She deals Lightning damage equal to 50% of her attack on a single enemy.
Skill – Caressing Moonlight
Kafka deals Lightning damage equal to 80% of her attack to a targetted enemy and Lightning damage equal to 30% of her equal attack to the enemies adjacent to it. If the targetted enemy has DoT, all DoTs on that enemy immediately produces damage equal to 80% of their original damage.
Ultimate – Twilight Trill
She deals Lightning damage equal to 48% of her attack to all enemies with a 100% chance for enemies to become Shocked. Enemies will immediately take damage from the Shocked state equal to 80% of its original damage. This state lasts for two turns. While in the Shocked state, enemies will receive Lightning DoT equal to 75% of her attack at the start of each turn.
Talent – Gentle but Cruel
After one of her allies uses a Basic Attack on an enemy, Kafka launches a follow-up attack and deals Lightning damage equal to 60% of her attack on that enemy. There is a base chance of 100% to increase the DoT inflicted by 15% for two turns. However, this effect can only be triggered one time per turn.
Technique – Mercy is not Forgiveness
This Technique allows her to attack her enemies immediately. Upon entering battle, she will deal Lightning damage equal to 50% of her attack to all enemies. Enemies will have a 100% chance to enter the Shocked state for three turns.
Honkai Star Rail: Kafka Light Cones
Patience is All You Need
This is Kafka’s 5-star Light Cone, so it is definitely the best Light Cone that is optimized and tailored for her character. Typically, the Light Cone would also run in the concurrent banner, so if you have Jades to spare, be sure to try your luck.
This Light Cone increases the damage dealt by its user by 24% – 40%. Additionally, the speed of its user increases by 4.8% – 8% up to 3 times after every attack. If you hit an enemy that is not affected by Erode, there is a 100% chance to inflict it on them. Enemies affected by Erode will be considered Shocked and receive Lightning DoT equal to 60% – 100% of the user’s attack at the beginning of each turn.
In the Name of the World
You can get this 5-star Light Cone from the Starlight shop for 600 Undying Starlight. It’s a Welt Light Cone, typically equipped by him. This Light Cone increases its user’s damage on debuffed enemies by up to 40%. Plus, whenever its user uses their skill, the effect hit rate for that attack increases up to 40%, and their normal attack increases up to 40%.
It is a great 5-star and accessible option for those not looking to wish on the event warp banner anytime soon.
Good Night, And Sleep Well
It’s a great 4-star option that is on the same level as Kafka’s 5-star Light Cone. Good Night And Sleep Well allows its wearer’s damage to increase by 12%, stackable up to 3 times for every debuff their enemy has. This effect also applies to any DoT. As Kafka plays well with anything involving DoT, this Light Cone is a great choice to grant her huge amounts of damage.
This Light Cone is typically part of the event warp Light Cone banners, so you might have it in your inventory if you have wished on those banners before. Otherwise, you could just sit and wait till it comes back around. It shouldn’t be too long since it has appeared on two banners so far.
Before the Tutorial Mission Starts
This 4-star Before the Tutorial Mission Starts is an exclusive Light Cone during the 1.1 event featuring Silver Wolf. Chances are, you might already have this Light Cone in your inventory, waiting to be put to use.
This Light Cone increases its wearer’s effect hit rate by up to 40%. When its wearer attacks enemies with reduced defense, the character will regenerate 8 Energy.
Honkai Star Rail: Kafka Eidolons
If you are lucky enough to get multiple Kafkas on the banner (or you whaled), here’s what activating each of her Eidolons gets you:-
Eidolon Level 1: Da Capo
When Kafka’s Talent triggers a follow-up attack, there is a 100% chance to increase the DoT received by the target/enemy by 30% for 2 turns.
Eidolon Level 2: Fortississimo
When Kafka is on the battlefield, any DoT dealt by allies increases by 25%.
Eidolon Level 3: Capriccio
Kafka’s Skill Level +2, max Level 15. Basic Attack Level +1, max Level 10.
Eidolon Level 4: Recitativo
When an enemy target takes damage from the Shocked status placed by Kafka, she regenerates 2 Energy.
Eidolon Level 5: Doloroso
Kafka’s Ultimate Level +2, max Level 15. Talent Level +2, max Level 15.
Eidolon Level 6: Leggiero
Shock inflicted on enemies by Kafka’s Ultimate, Technique or Talent follow-up attack has a damage multiplier increase of 156% that lasts for 1 turn longer.
Honkai Star Rail: Kafka Trace Level Up and Ascension Materials
Trace Level Up Materials
In order to fully level up Kafka’s Traces, you will need to be farming for the following materials:
- 15 x Obsidian of Dread
- 41 x Thief’s Instinct
- 72 x Obsidian of Desolation
- 56 x Usurper’s Scheme
- 139 x Obsidian of Obsession
- 58 x Conqueror’s Will
- 12 x Regret of Infinite Ochema
- 11 x Tracks of Destiny
- 3,000,000 Credits
Leveling up her Traces will increase the effectiveness of her skills, talents, and abilities on the battlefield. You can get the Obsidian of Dread, Obsidian of Desolation, and Obsidian of Obsession through the Calyx (Crimson) Bud of Nihility located in the Great Mine of the Jarilo-VI map. Either that or simply Synthesize them through Material Synthesis if you have the right parts.
You can get Thief’s Instinct and Conqueror’s Will by defeating Voidrangers in the Storage Zone and Supply Zone of Herta’s Space Station or through fighting in the Simulated Universe. For Regret of Infinite Ochema, you will have to defeat Phantylia through the Echo of War: Divine Seed on Scalegorge Waterscape of the Xianzhou Luofu. Note that you only get three attempts at Echo of War every week.
Lastly, Tracks of Destiny can be obtained as event rewards, the Simulated Universe, and even by completing the Nameless Honor milestones.
Ascension Materials
To fully ascend Kafka to level 80, here’s all that you need to farm:
| Level | Character Ascension Materials |
| 20 – 30 | Thief’s Instinct x 54,000 Credits |
| 30 – 40 | Thief’s Instinct x 108,000 Credits |
| 40 – 50 | Shape Shifter’s Lightning Staff x 3Usurper’s Scheme x 616,000 Credits |
| 50 – 60 | Shape Shifter’s Lightning Staff x 7Usurper’s Scheme x 940,000 Credits |
| 60 – 70 | Shape Shifter’s Lightning Staff x 20Conqueror’s Will x 680,000 Credits |
| 70 – 80 | Shape Shifter’s Lightning Staff x 35Conqueror’s Will x 9160,000 Credits |
Note that the Shape Shifter’s Lightning Staff can be found by completing the Stagnant Shadow on the Stargazer Navalia of the Xianzhou Luofu.
Honkai Star Rail: Kafka Best Relics and Ornaments
Band of Sizzling Thunder
As a character that focuses on DoT, the Band of Sizzling Thunder relic set seems to bring the most value for her. This relic set boosts her damage and attacks heavily, which gives her DoT effects more of a kick.
Here’s what the relic entails:
- 2-piece bonus: increases Lightning damage by 10%
- 4-piece bonus: wearer’s attack increases by 20% for 1 turn after using their skill.
You can get the Band of Sizzling Thunder relic at the Cavern of Corrosion: Path of Holy Hymn located on Cloudford of the Xianzhou Luofu. One run of the Cavern would cost you 40 Trailblaze Power.
In terms of Ornaments, you can consider:
Space Sealing Station
This ornament increases its wearer’s attack by 12% and increases further by 12% when its wearer’s speed reaches 120 and above. This makes it a perfect fit for Kafka as her builds will be focusing more on increasing her speed, attacks, and DoT.
You can get the Space Sealing Station relic by going through World 3 of the Simulated Universe at Herta’s Office on the Herta Space Station. This typically costs 40 Trailblaze Power or 1 Immersifier as it is part of the Immersion Rewards available.
Team Compositions
Sampo, Luka, Luocha
Sampo and Luka are great supports for Kafka as they can inflict status effects on enemies, granting them DoT. This DoT will be capitalized by Kafka, as she inflicts further damage on enemies who have DoT. Luocha is there to keep your team alive.
An alternative would be a team consisting of Silver Wolf and Tingyun as support, but this one does not play much with DoT effects. Silver Wolf would reduce enemy defense, and Tingyun would buff Kafka’s attacks.
Dan Heng, Asta, Natasha
If you are a free-to-play player and don’t have any of the characters above, then you can consider having Dan Heng as your sub-DPS, Asta as Support, and Natasha as your healer. Some other compositions you could try would be Serval as a sub-DPS and Tingyun to replace Asta.
Truthfully, as long as you can have good Support that boosts attacks or DoTs as well as a Healer, you should do fine. Experimenting with team compositions is what makes the game more fun and challenging anyway.
And there you have it! Judging from her kit, it is safe to say that she will make an excellent damage-dealing DPS on the field. May this guide point you in the right direction or at least give you an idea of how to build her character. Plus, if you’re looking for more character guides, we do have a Blade Character Guide up for your band of Stellaron Hunters.
