Cipher is one of the best Follow-up attack support and sub-DPS characters in Honkai Star Rail. She can easily apply debuffs on enemies, and her Ultimate deals True Damage based on a percentage of total damage dealt by allies on an enemy. This makes Cipher strong against elite enemies and bosses when using her best build and team comps. If you wish to add Cipher to your roster, then check out this guide to learn the best Cipher build in Honkai Star Rail.
Honkai Star Rail Cipher Build
Cipher is the next big Nihility unit in Honkai Star Rail. Even though her kit is not focused on DoT, she can still be a tremendous Follow-up Attack Sub-DPS and Support when built correctly. So, here is the best Cipher build in Honkai Star Rail:
- Relic: Pioneer Diver of Dead Waters (4-piece)
- Planar Ornament: Firmament Frontline: Glamoth
- Main Stats: Crit Damage (Body), Speed (Boots), Quantum Damage Boost% (Sphere), Attack% (Link Rope)
- Light Cone: Lies Dance on the Breeze (5-star), Resolution Shines as Pearls of Sweat (4-star)
- Team: Feixiao, Cipher, Robin, Aventurine
Cipher is not limited to the above build. If you want more options for Cipher’s build, then continue reading the sections below.
HSR Cipher Build: Best Relics
- Pioneer Diver of Dead Waters (4-piece)
- Genius of Brilliant Stars (4-piece)
- Sacerdos’ Relived Ordeal and Messenger Traversing Hackerspace (2-piece each)
Pioneer Diver of Dead Waters is the best relic for Cipher in Honkai Star Rail. This relic increases damage dealt by Cipher based on the number of debuffs applied to the enemy target. As Cipher can constantly apply debuffs, this relic is almost perfect for her.
Other than that, Genius of Brilliant Stars is another good option to boost the Quantum damage output of Cipher. The 4-piece effect of this relic also allows Cipher to ignore 20% of enemy defenses if they have Quantum weakness and 10% of the defenses if they don’t.
If you are building for more speed, then the two-piece combination of Sacerdos’ Relived Ordeal and Messenger Traversing Hackerspace remains the best option in Honkai Star Rail, giving a 12% Speed boost.
HSR Cipher Build: Best Planar Ornaments
- Firmament Frontline: Glamoth
- Duran, Dynasty of Running Wolves
- Inert Salsotto
When it comes to Planar Ornaments, Firmament Frontline: Glamoth takes a slight lead over other options for Cipher. This Planar Ornament increases the Attack % of the character and further increases the Damage Dealt if the wearer’s speed is higher than 135/160.
Duran, Dynasty of Running Wolves is a close second for Cipher’s Planar Ornament. It increases the Follow-up attack damage dealt by the wearer for each Follow-up attack performed by the allies (max 5 stacks) and additionally increases the wearer’s Crit Damage by 25% once they complete 5 stacks in their turn. This makes Duran the ideal Planar Ornament for Follow-up attack teams.
Other than that, you can always use the old and reliable Inert Salsotto for extra Crit Rate on Cipher.
HSR Cipher Build: Main and Sub Stats for Relics
- Body: Crit Damage% > Crit Rate%
- Boots: Speed
- Planar Sphere: Quantum Damage%
- Link Rope: Attack% > ERR%
- Sub-stats: Speed (above 170) > Crit Rate (above 50%) > Crit Damage (above 150%) > Attack% > Effect Hit Rate
When it comes to main and sub stats, you have to build Cipher for Speed. Aim to get at least 170 Speed Breakpoint on Cipher, which will give her a lot more opportunity to apply debuffs on enemies.
Other than that, focus on Crit Rate and Crit Damage to increase her damage output, followed by Attack % to scale her abilities. You don’t need Effect Hit Rate on Cipher, but getting it won’t be terrible either.
Honkai Star Rail Cipher: Best Light Cones
- Lies Dance on the Breeze
- Resolution Shines as Pearls of Sweat
- Good Night and Sleep Well
- Before the Tutorial Mission Starts
- It’s Showtime
Lies Dance on the Breeze is the best Light Cone for Cipher, which makes sense as it is her Signature Light Cone. This Light Cone increases her Speed and allows her to decrease enemy defenses by an additional 24% after attacking them, making it a really good Light Cone.
If you are looking for a 4-star Light Cone, then Resolution Shines as Pearls of Sweat is a clear favorite. This Light Cone allows the equipped character to ensnare more effectively, also decreasing the ensnared enemies’ defense by 12% for 1 turn.
Other than that, Good Night and Sleep Well, Before the Tutorial Mission Starts, and It’s Showtime are also decent 4-star Light Cones for Cipher.
Honkai Star Rail Cipher Best Teams
- Feixiao FUA: Feixiao, Cipher, Robin, Aventurine
- Acheron Debuff: Acheron, Cipher, Jiaoqiu, Lingsha
- Cipher FUA: Cipher, Tribbie, Topaz, Robin
- Mono Quantum: Seele, Tribbie, Cipher, Aventurine
The best teams for Cipher will always be Follow-up attack focused. She can be an incredible sub-DPS and support for Feixiao teams, greatly increasing the number of Follow-up attacks made by her each turn. Cipher is the perfect replacement for Hunt, March 7th, and Topaz in Feixiao teams.
After Follow-up attack teams, Cipher is good for Acheron teams. She fills the third Nihility unit for Acheron, potentially replacing Welt and Pela. Her attacks apply debuffs on enemies, which is perfect for recharging Acheron’s Ultimate.
Other than that, Cipher can act as a main DPS as well, with a Follow-up attack team focused around her. In this team, you can pair Cipher with Tribbie, Topaz, and Robin to get the maximum damage output. Either Tribbie or Robin can be replaced by a Sustain in this team.
Finally, Cipher also works in Mono Quantum teams. These teams are still best for defeating Swamp Disasters and any game mode where there is an influx of The Swarm.
So, that’s it. Now you know how to properly build Cipher in Honkai Star Rail. Have more questions for Cipher’s build? Ask us in the comments below.
