Kafka is a limited 5-star Nihility character with the lightning damage type. She is a DPS character who excels at DoT. Lore-wise, she is a member of the Stellaron Hunters and has so far played a big role in the main story of Honkai Star Rail. She is a clear fan favorite due to her style and looks, while also being a DoT queen.
Her kit recently received a massive buff, brining her back into relevance. If built correctly, she can form the strongest DoT team in the game. Here is the best Kafka build to get the maximum damage output from her kit.
Note: updated HSR Kafka build and kit on August 13, 2025
Honkai Star Rail Kafka Banner and Release Date
Kafka was released in August 9, 2023 in Honkai Star Rail. She is one of the oldest 5-star limited characters in the game and has appeared a total of 4 times on the banner so far. Here is the latest information on Kafka’s latest banner in Honkai Star Rail:
Kafka Banner Honkai Star Rail
| Banner | Featured Characters | Date and Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Nessun Dorma (Current) | Kafka Arlan Asta Hook | August 13, 2025 – September 2, 2025 |
| Indelible Coterie | Kafka Black Swan Robin Moze Asta Luka | September 10, 2024 – October 2, 2024 |
| Nessun Dorma | Kafka Hook Natasha Sushang | January 17, 2024 – February 5, 2024 |
| Nessun Dorma | Kafka Luka Sampo Serval | August 9, 2023 – August 29, 2023 |
HSR Kafka Character Overview: Basic Info and Stats
| Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Rarity | 5-Star |
| Path |  The Nihility |
| Element |  Lightning |
| Attack | 679 |
| Defense | 485 |
| HP | 1087 |
| Speed | 100 |
| Energy | 120 |
| Voice Actors | English: Cheryl Texiera Japanese: Shizuka Itō Korean: Sa Moon Young Chinese: Xu Hui |
| General Rating |  |
| Pure Fiction Rating |  |
| Memory of Chaos Rating | |
| Apocalyptic Shadow Rating | |
Is Kafka Worth Pulling? Pros and Cons
Kafka is currently the only character that makes DoT teams a viable option. She can consistently trigger DoTs on enemies due to her new updated kit. This makes her an absolute must-have if you want to use a DoT team in Honkai Star Rail.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| DoT Enabler | Requires a DoT DPS |
| Good Lightning DPS | DoT is still not the meta |
| Follow-up attacks trigger DoT | – |
However, DoT is still the same as before and unless they change how DoT works in the coming versions, she won’t be that effective compared to other powerful units in the game. You should only pull Kafka if you want to invest in a DoT team in Honkai Star Rail.
Kafka’s Best Builds in Honkai Star Rail
Kafka’s new updated kit has also brought changes to her best build in Honkai Star Rail. She now works more as a DoT support than a straightforward DPS. Her Light Cone and Relic options have also seen some changes in the new build. Here is a quick overlook of Kafka’s best build in Honkai Star Rail:
Type Information Light Cone 
Lies Dance on the BreezeRelic 
Prisoner in Deep ConfinementPlanar Ornament 
Revelry by the SeaTeam 
Main Stats Body: Effect Hit Rate
Boots: Speed
Sphere: Lightning Damage Boost
Rope: ERR%Sub Stats Speed > ATK% > Effect Hit Rate % > Speed
Now, Kafka has a decent amount of options when it comes to her builds. The above build is only her best option, but some of her alternatives can be equally strong. The following sections include all of Kafka’s best and alternative Light Cones, Relics, Planar Ornaments and stats.
HSR Kafka’s Build: Best Light Cones and Alternatives
| Name | Rarity | Value |
|---|---|---|
Lies Dance on the Breeze | 5-Star | Best |
 Before the Tutorial Mission Starts | 4-star | Great |
 Those Many Springs | 5-Star | Great |
 Patience is All You Need | 5-Star | Good |
 Holiday Thermae Escapade | 4-star | Good |
 Eyes of the Prey | 4-star | Decent |
 Fermata | 4-star | Decent |
Kafka’s new best Light Cone is Lies Dance on the Breeze, which is the signature Light Cone of Cipher. This is due to her new updated kit, which puts more relevance to her Speed and number of turns taken than straight up damage. This Light Cone increases Kafka’s speed by a lot, making it the current best in-slot option.
Alternatively, the 4-star Light Cone Before the Tutorial Mission Starts can be equally good on Kafka, especially at Superimposition 5. Other than that, you can also use Those Many Springs and Patience is All You Need on her.
For more 4-star options, you can go for Holiday Thermae Escapade, Eyes of the Prey and Fermata.
Should I Get Kafka’s Signature Light Cone?
No, Kafka’s signature Light Cone is no longer her best option, so there is no point of getting it for her. Kafka is now more reliant on Speed and benefits based on the number of attacks she takes. Furthermore, her signature Light Cone is also not the best option for other 5-star Nihility units, so getting it would be a waste of Stellar Jades. Instead of wasting Stellar Jades, check our Honkai Star Rail codes list and refill your Stellar Jades stocks instead.
HSR Kafka Build: Best Relics and Alternatives
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
Prisoner in Deep Confinement | Best |
 Eagle of Twilight Line | Great |
 Band of Sizzling Thunder | Decent |
Prisoner in Deep Confinement is still the best Relic for Kafka, as it increases her DoT damage. However, due to her new updated kit, the Eagle of Twilight Line is also a viable option and may be a better pick for veteran players.
The 25% action forward after using Ultimate from the Eagle of Twilight Line relic effect is extremely good on Kafka, letting her take more turns. The more turns she takes, the more DoT she can trigger with her attacks on enemies.
Other than that, the Band of Sizzling Thunder always remains a decent option on Kafka. However, the Lightning damage increase is only useful if you are playing her in a Hypercarry team, instead of a DoT team.
HSR Kafka Build: Best Planar Ornaments and Alternatives
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
Revelry by the Sea | Best |
 Lushaka, the Sunken Seas | Great |
 Firmament Frontline: Glamoth | Good |
When it comes to Planar Ornaments, Revelry by the Sea is still the best DPS option for Kafka. It increases Kafka’s DoT damage, making it worthwhile to use on her. However, Lushaka, the Sunken Seas can be an equally good option if you want faster Energy Regeneration on Kafka.
Other than that, the Firmament Frontline: Glamoth always remains a good pick for fast characters. So, Kafka can use it pretty well with her new enhanced kit being more catered towards speed.
Recommended Stats for Kafka in HSR
| Stat | Recommended Value | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | 150+ | High |
| Effect Hit Rate | 75% | High |
| ATK | 3000 | High |
Speed is currently the most important stat for Kafka. You want to have a high Speed on Kafka so that she can consistently trigger the DoT on enemies, increasing the damage output by a lot.
Next, you need to make sure to hit 75% Effect Hit Rate to apply Shock on enemies consistently and also trigger her A4 ability. Finally, focus on building her ATK as it scales her entire kit.
Honkai Star Rail Kafka’s Best Teams
Kafka is the best and only DoT enabler in Honkai Star Rail. She is an absolute must-pick for DoT teams, however, she is not limited to it. Although you can use any Sustain with Kafka, Gallagher remains the perfect choice because of his SP positive nature. Here are all of Kafka’s best team options in Honkai Star Rail.
Kafka’s Stacked DoT Team
| DPS | Support | Support | Sustain | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Hysilens | Kafka | Black Swan | Gallagher | Best |
With Hysilens’s release, Kafka’s new best team will feature both Hysilens and Black Swan to maximize DoT damage. In this team, Kafka will mainly act as a support for Black Swan and Hysilens, triggering the DoT applied by them on the enemies to deal damage.
Kafka Swan Team
| DPS | Support | Support | Sustain | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Black Swan | Kafka |  Ruan Mei | Gallagher | Great |
The Kafka-Swan team also remains as strong as before, even getting a slight buff with Kafka’s new enhanced kit. Pair Kafka and Black Swan together and use a Harmony support to maximize their damage output. Ruan Mei is the best option for this team as she buffs Speed and Break Damage, but Robin and Tribbie can also be alternatives.
Kafka’s Generalist DoT Team
| DPS | Support | Support | Sustain | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Kafka | Black Swan |  Sampo | Gallagher | Great |
For a Generalist DoT team, you can play with Kafka, Black Swan and Sampo. However, Sampo must have his Eidolon 4 to make this team viable. Otherwise, you are better off with a Harmony support instead.
Kafka’s Hypercarry Team
| DPS | Support | Support | Sustain | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Kafka |  Tribbie | Ruan Mei | Gallagher | Good |
Now, Kafka is not limited to DoT teams and can also play as a Lightning DPS hypercarry. Pair Kafka with Tribbie and Ruan Mei to get the best out of her kit as a hypercarry DPS.
Kafka’s F2P Team
| DPS | Support | Support | Sustain | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Kafka |  Asta | Sampo | Gallagher | Decent |
Kafka’s F2P team is not that strong, but it is better than nothing. Pair her with Asta to increase her Attack and Speed and use Sampo as the other DoT unit. Gallagher is the F2P sustain in the game, so he remains unchanged.
Honkai Star Rail Kafka’s Kit: Traces and Eidolons
Kafka received multiple changes to her kit in Honkai Star Rail. Here we have updated all her changes, so take a look at her new kit.
Honkai Star Rail Kafka: Kit Explanation and Level Up Priority
| Trace | Explanation | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Attack | Deals single target lightning damage. | Low |
| Skill | Deals Blast Lightning damage and also triggers the DoT on the attacked enemies. | High |
| Ultimate | Deals AoE Lightning damage and applies Shock on all enemies, while also triggering the DoT placed on them. | High |
| Talent | Kafka launches a Follow-up attack when an ally attacks an enemy. This attack applies Shock on the enemy, equivalent of her Ultimate. | Highest |
| Ascension 2 | When ally’s have a certain Effect Hit Rate, Kafka increases that target’s Attack. | Medium |
| Ascension 4 | Kafka regenerates 5 energy when an enemy is defeated while Shocked. | Medium |
| Ascension 6 | Kafka’s Follow-up attacks can trigger all DoTs applied on an enemy. Also, her Ultimate now restores one triggerable amount of her talent. | Highest |
| Eidolon 1 | Increases the DoT taken by enemy when attacking them. | Great |
| Eidolon 2 | Increases DoT dealt by all allies while she is on the field. | Good |
| Eidolon 4 | Kafka regenerates 2 Energy when an enemy with the Shocked status takes damage. | Best |
| Eidolon 6 | Increases damage multiplier of the Shocked state applied by Kafka’s Ultimate, Technique and Follow Up Attacks. | Good |
Honkai Star Rail Kafka: Traces and Eidolons
| Trace | Details |
|---|---|
| Midnight Tumult (Basic Attack | Single Target) | Deals Lightning DMG equal to 100% of Kafka’s ATK to one designated enemy. |
| Caressing Moonlight (Skill | Blast) | Deals Lightning DMG equal to 160% of Kafka’s ATK to one designated enemy and Lightning DMG equal to 60% of Kafka’s ATK to adjacent targets. If the designated enemy or the adjacent targets are currently afflicted with DoT, all DoTs currently placed on those enemies immediately produces DMG equal to 75% or 50% of the original DMG. |
| Twilight Trill (Ultimate | AoE) | Deals Lightning DMG equal to 80% of Kafka’s ATK to all enemies, with a 100% base chance for enemy targets hit to become Shocked and immediately take DMG from their current DoT debuff(s), equal to 120% of the original DMG. Shock lasts for 2 turn(s). While Shocked, enemy targets receive Lightning DoT equal to 290% of Kafka’s ATK at the beginning of each turn. |
| Gentle but Cruel (Talent | Single Target) | After Kafka’s teammate uses an attack on an enemy target, Kafka immediately launches Follow-up ATK and deals Lightning DMG equal to 140% of Kafka’s ATK to the primary target, with a 100% base chance to inflict Shock (equivalent to that applied by her Ultimate) on the attacked enemy target for 2 turns. This effect can trigger up to 2 time(s), 1 of which can be regained at the end of Kafka’s turn. |
| Mercy Is Not Forgiveness (Technique | AoE) | Immediately attacks all enemies within a set range. After entering combat, deals Lightning DMG equal to 50% of Kafka’s ATK to all enemies, with a 100% base chance to inflict Shock (equivalent to that applied by her Ultimate) on every enemy target for 2 turn(s). |
| Torture (Ascension 2) | When an ally target’s Effect Hit Rate is 75% or higher, Kafka increases that target’s ATK by 100%. |
| Plunder (Ascension 4) | If an enemy target is defeated while Shocked, Kafka additionally regenerates 5 Energy. |
| Thorns (Ascension 6) | After using Ultimate, restores the triggerable count of Talent’s Follow-up ATK by 1. And the Talent’s Follow-up ATK can cause all DoTs debuffs currently on the target to immediately produce DMG equal to 80% of the original DMG. |
| Bonus Stats | HP: 10.0% ATK: 28.0% Effect Hit Rate: 18.0% |
| Da Capo (Eidolon 1) | When using an attack, has a 100% base chance to increase the DoT taken by the target by 30% for 2 turn(s). |
| Fortississimo (Eidolon 2) | While Kafka is on the field, DoT dealt by all allies increases by 33%. |
| Capriccio (Eidolon 3) | Skill level + 2 Basic Attack level + 1 |
| Recitativo (Eidolon 4) | When an enemy target takes DMG from the Shock status inflicted by Kafka, Kafka additionally regenerates 2 Energy. |
| Doloroso (Eidolon 5) | Ultimate level + 2 Talent level + 2 |
| Leggiero (Eidolon 6) | The Shock state inflicted on the enemy target by the Ultimate, Technique, or the Talent-triggered Follow-up ATK has a DMG multiplier increase of 156% and lasts 1 turn(s) longer. |
Honkai Star Rail Kafka Materials
Here are all of Kafka’s materials in Honkai Star Rail so that you can start farming them before you pull for her.
Kafka’s Ascension Materials
| Ascension Material | Total |
|---|---|
| Thief’s Instinct | 15 |
| Usurper’s Scheme | 15 |
| Usurper’s Scheme | 65 |
| Conqueror’s Will | 15 |
| Credit | 308,000 |
Kafka’s Trace Materials
| Trace Materials | Total |
|---|---|
| Obsidian of Dread | 18 |
| Thief’s Instinct | 41 |
| Obsidian of Desolation | 69 |
| Usurper’s Scheme | 56 |
| Obsidian of Obsession | 139 |
| Conqueror’s Will | 58 |
| Regret of Infinite Ochema | 12 |
| Tracks of Destiny | 8 |
| Credit | 3,000,000 |
So, that is everything we currently know about Kafka in Honkai Star Rail. If you have questions about Kafka’s build, kit, materials, or release date, ask us in the comment section.
