Honkai: Star Rail Best Characters Tier List V3.5
The Honkai Star Rail Tier List V3.5 is our September 2025 list that ranks the best characters in the game as per their performance and utility. Players can use this HSR Tier list to identify the strongest combatants over various roles, including DPS, support, and sustain. Stick with the guide to learn all about the list and build a strategic team to conquer challenging content.
2025-09-03
HSR Best Characters Tier List in V3.5
The HSR character tier list rankings are based on overall performance, adaptability, and investment requirements. Characters who are dependent on specific Eidolons, rare Light Cones, or high-end supports may rank slightly lower, as their power comes with limitations. On the other hand, endgame content such as Memory of Chaos (MoC), Pure Fiction (PF), and Apocalyptic Shadow (AS) also plays a significant role in evaluating their effectiveness.
This Honkai Star Rail characters tier list considers both the raw power and practical usability to help players prioritize characters who offer strong performance. Therefore, the list serves as a valuable guide for players aiming to build the most powerful teams in the current meta.
How Are Characters Evaluated?
The characters in the Honkai Star Rail tier list maker are ranked based on a point system. DPS units have some bias towards AoE-target damage because endgame content emphasizes defeating multiple enemies at once.
| Category | Evaluation Criteria |
| DPS (Damage Dealers) | - Total damage potential with ideal builds.- Consistency of output over multiple turns.- Dependence on specific units for optimal performance. |
| Support | - Strength of buffs or debuffs.- Impact on overall team DPS.- Skill Point (SP) efficiency and uptime. |
| Sustain | - Shielding or healing strength.- Ability to cleanse debuffs.- Extra utility beyond protection. |
| Endgame Performance | - Effectiveness in Memory of Chaos, Pure Fiction, and Apocalyptic Shadow- Reliability in securing 3-star clears across stages |
Key Takeaway: This system balances raw power with adaptability to make sure every role is judged for immediate strength and for long-term value in endgame content.
Tier Breakdown
SS Tier
These are top-tier characters in Honkai: Star Rail who excel with minimal investment and are core pieces in many endgame team compositions. They are highly versatile and rarely fall out of the meta.
S+ Tier
These are powerful characters who shine when equipped with proper builds. While they are very effective, they often need premium Light Cones, Eidolons, or high-end teammates to reach their true potential.
A Tier
Generally, they are good characters with situational strength. They can be great in the proper setups, but are less reliable overall when it comes to more challenging endgame stages.
B Tier
These are below-average performers in their role. They demand significant investment to become viable in late-game content.
C Tier
These are characters with limited utility who are overshadowed by stronger alternatives. Their effectiveness is narrow, and they are rarely recommended for difficult content.
HSR 3.5 Changes and Additions
Version 3.5 introduces impactful updates to the HSR characters tier list, with new characters and mechanics that reshape the meta. Here's a closer look:
Phainon
● Phainon is a physical destruction DPS in the tier list Honkai Star Rail who gains his energy whenever targeted by abilities, rather than traditional energy.
● Once the character is activated, he transitions into Khaslana mode. In that mode, he unleashes devastating damage with a new ability set.
● Phainon becomes extremely powerful when conditions align, but has rigid mechanics that make him a high-risk, high-reward pick.
Archer
● Archer is a Quantum Hunt DPS who thrives on continuous Skill usage. The character strongly benefits from high ATK and Crit DMG stats.
● To work well, Archer requires Skill Point support from teammates who not only use many Skill Points themselves but also help the character gain them.
● He does not rely heavily on SPD but instead is more inclined towards proper SP management and team synergy.
Saber
● Saber is a Wind DPS character in tier list HSR who has a limited five-star Destruction Path.
● She excels in her character, with frequent ultimate usage for high burst damage.
● Her character is equipped with bonus damage based on enemy Break Gauge length, which makes her effective against both single and multiple targets.
● Features Core Resonance as a trait of her kit, which lets her unleash her Ultimate instantly as soon as the stacks are ready.
Jingliu
● Jingliu is an Ice Destruction DPS that has been rebalanced in 3.4 and now scales with HP instead of ATK.
● Her damage is more CRIT Rate-dependent and tied closely to her HP consumption mechanic.
● The changes have made Jingliu a stronger, more consistent damage dealer.
Conclusion
The Honkai Star Rail tier list V3.5 highlights how characters stack up in the current meta, helping players decide where to invest resources. Each character has a unique role to play, including SS-tier standouts like Phainon to situational picks like Archer and Saber.
Remember, the Honkai Star Rail character tier list is a guideline and not a strict rulebook. Smart players can succeed with almost any roster through strategy, timing, and proper synergy. Still, investing in higher-tier characters usually makes tackling endgame content much smoother.
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Star Rail is an epic sci-fi RPG from miHoYo featuring a vast and dangerous universe.
