Honkai Star Rail Tier List (v3.6, Oct 2025)

This article dives deep into the Honkai Star Rail tier list (v3.6, Oct 2025), ranking DPS, support, and sustain picks. We analyze banner info, synergy (e.g., Kafka, Sunday, Robin), and meta shifts, while offering actionable advice. Perfect for players deciding who to prioritize next or how to build their team.

If you’ve ever asked, “Which character should I pull next?” or “Is Kafka still meta?”, you’re in good company. As of Version 3.6, many long-standing picks remain strong, but new faces have shaken up the ownership of the top spots. This Honkai Star Rail tier list reflects endgame utility across Memory of Chaos, Pure Fiction, and Apocalyptic Shadow, with a lens on performance at E0 (no Eidolons), assuming optimal Light Cones and relics.

“Sunday does work incredibly well with her now” — community showcase combining Sunday and Castorice synergy.

Below is my curated ranking, along with in-depth commentary on standout characters, banner timing, and how to use this tier list in everyday decisions.

🧭 Tier Categories & What They Mean

• SS Tier: Meta-defining picks. They perform strongly with minimal specific support and are trusted in nearly all content.
• S+ & S Tiers: Excellent options. May require more investment or precise team composition, but still very powerful.
• A / B / C Tiers: Niche or situational picks. They shine in the right setups or with heavy investment, but often underperform in general content.

🏆 SS & S+ Tier Highlights

These are the characters you can almost always rely on.

Castorice

A durable AoE DPS, Castorice summons Netherwings that consume HP but deal splash damage efficiently. She’s become a go-to for many players building around strong AoE clears.

Feixiao

Consistently a top pick in boss damage builds. Her single-target damage output remains among the best in multiple lists.

The Herta

While new, The Herta is already appearing in SS on lists thanks to powerful kit mechanics and scaling potential.

Phainon

One of the freshest additions shaking the meta. Some creators already classify him in SS thanks to his strong territorial DPS traits.

Sunday

A support/utility role that punches above her weight. Sunday features in SS in some hybrid support lists — she helps with SP generation and synergizes especially well in certain team builds.

Robin

One of the most dependable buffers and support units in the game. Robin continues to make SS across meta evaluations.

Firefly, Boothill, Acheron

These picks frequently appear in SS/S+ consolidations due to their balanced kit (damage + utility).

🔍 S & A Tier: Strong—but with caveats

These characters are still very capable, but require more from your engineering (relics, Light Cones, team comps).

Kafka Honkai Star Rail

Kafka often falls in S Tier — strong in modes where his debuff mechanics shine, but less consistent in raw damage compared to top meta picks.

Sparkle Honkai Star Rail

One of the niche support units. Sparkle shows up as an S or A pick in many tier lists, especially benefiting teams that heavily depend on SP regeneration.

Bronya, Dr. Ratio, Argenti, Tingyun

These make solid S-tier options in appropriate comps. For example, Bronya supports SP economy well; Dr. Ratio brings sustain/damage hybrids.

A Tier: Clara, Jing Yuan, March 7th (Hunt)

Great as options, especially early game or when you lack top-tier picks. But in ultra-endgame content, they may struggle to keep up unless fully built.

📉 B / C Tiers & Lower

Characters here aren’t “bad” — they can still be fun or functional in niche setups.

• B Tier: Himeko, Sushang, Serval, Natasha, Luka, etc. Good budget options or specialized roles.
• C Tier: Some Trailblazer variants, Arlan, Hook — often outclassed by other choices except in particular builds.
• Many tier lists (e.g., Honkai.gg) place these characters lower because their kit lacks flexibility or damage ceiling.

❓ FAQs & PAA Targeting

How do I stay updated with Honkai Star Rail Twitter or Reddit meta discussions?

Follow official game accounts, dev posts, and meta analysis subreddits (e.g., r/HSR or r/SundayMainsHSR). You’ll get early insight on shifts, nerfs, and tier updates.

🔧 Pro Tips / Action Steps

1. Align your pulls with current and upcoming banners. Don’t chase every character—focus on SS / S+ picks you’ll actually use.
2. Start with supports (Robin, Sunday) before stacking multiple DPS. A weak DPS with no supports often underperforms.
3. Test synergy: For instance, Reddit users report Sunday + Castorice combos working well after adjustments.
4. Monitor patch notes / meta shifts. Even a slight buff or nerf can alter tier placements in HSR.
5. Balance your roster: Don’t overspend on one character. Spread resource investment to have fallback options.

📊 Comparison Table: Key Picks

Castorice	SS	AoE DPS, self-synergy	HP cost mechanics
Feixiao	SS	Single-target boss damage	Requires high investment to maximize
The Herta	SS	Versatile kit, rising	Newer pick; consider the risk
Sunday	SS / S+	Support, SP regen	Lower raw damage
Robin	SS	Buffer, utility	Less flashy, high consistency
Kafka	S	Debuff damage	Less reliable in raw DPS meta
Sparkle	S / A	SP support	Depends heavily on comp

🧩 How to Use This Tier List Wisely

• Always pair tier recommendations with your own roster. Don’t ignore a well-upgraded A-tier over an unbuilt S-tier.
• Check your Light Cones & relics. A low-tier character with perfect gear might outperform a high-tier with bad gear.
• Use visuals & videos (e.g., gameplay clips) to test kit behavior. A recorded showcase of Castorice + Sunday, for example, helps you see synergy in action.
• Keep meta awareness—patches or reworks can shift tiers faster than pulling schedules.

✅ Final Thoughts (Personal Note)

When I first saw the latest Honkai Star Rail tier list, I felt that familiar mix of excitement and anxiety—wondering whether what I pulled months ago still matters. But tier lists are tools, not gospel. Use them as guides, not rules. Focus on your favorite characters, build reliable support, test combos, and enjoy the journey more than chasing the absolute top.

May your pulls land you your dream team — and may your next banner surprise you in the best way. Happy Trailblazing!