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Honkai: Star Rail

Serval Best Builds and Teams

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♦ New: Tier List maker and community tier list contest!
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Honkai Star Rail - Serval Best Builds and Teams

Serval is a Lightning and Erudition character in Honkai: Star Rail. Check out Serval's best builds, team comps, relics, light cones, rating, and how to play them here!

Serval's Character Overview

Serval Basic Info and Rating

Serval Basic Information
Star Rail - ServalServal Rarity
Element
Path
General Rating Endgame Rating
Star Rail - B Overall

Star Rail - B DPS
Star Rail - C MoC

Star Rail - S PF

Star Rail - B AS

General Ratings are based on E0.
Endgame Ratings are based on enemies and buffs for the current patch.

How do you rate Serval?

SS 5119
Votes
S 1338
Votes
A 841
Votes
B 128
Votes
C 77
Votes

Character Tier List

Serval Stats

Level 1
Level 80
Stat Base Value
HP
(26th)
124
ATK
(8th)
88
DEF
(25th)
51
SPD
(9th)
104
Stat Base Value
HP
(26th)
917
ATK
(8th)
652
DEF
(25th)
374
SPD
(9th)
104

The stats indicated above are Serval's base values. These numbers do not include the character's equipped Light Cone, Relics, or activated Trace nodes.

List of All Character Stats and Rank

Should You Build Serval?

Serval is a Lightning DPS that deals DoT damage through Shock and extends them through her Ultimate. On her own, Serval is only a decent early-game DPS at best, and a bad solo endgame DPS at worst.

Serval however, can be a solid free-to-play unit for The Herta if you have no other option. In that case alone, Serval should be built.

Serval's Best Builds

Serval DPS Build

Base Build
Alternative Cones
Best Light Cone Relics and Ornament
Star Rail - An Instant Before A Gaze Light Cone An Instant Before A Gaze
Main Stats Sub Stats
Body: CRIT Rate or CRIT DMG
Feet: ATK% or SPD
Sphere: Lightning DMG
Rope: ATK%
CRIT Rate ★★★
CRIT DMG ★★★
ATK% ★★
SPD ★★

This build allows Serval to deal more damage through her DoTs and her Ultimate. Pioneer Diver of Dead Waters will enable Serval to deal more DMG against debuffed enemies.

Firmament Frontline Glamoth increases her ATK and directly increases her DMG which is great for her DoTs, Skill, and Ultimate. Just make sure that Serval has at least 135 SPD for the set requirement.

Recommended Stat Values

Stat Recommended Value
CRIT Rate 70% or above
CRIT DMG 140% or above
ATK 2400 or above
SPD 135+

Serval Build For The Herta

Best Light Cone Relics and Ornament
Star Rail - Passkey Light Cone Passkey
Main Stats Sub Stats
Body: Effect Hit %
Feet: SPD
Sphere: Lightning DMG
Rope: Energy Regen
SPD ★★★
CRIT Rate ★★★
CRIT DMG ★★
Effect Hit % ★★

This Serval Build is used specifically for spamming Ultimates to battery The Herta's Ultimate. Serval should have her E2 unlocked for this build to work since the energy gain from Shocked enemies is needed.

Eagle of the Twilight Line is important because it advances Serval forward when she uses her Ultimate. Serval would also need Energy Regen to easily access her Ultimate and Effect Hit Rate to apply Shock on enemies.

Recommended Stat Values

Stat Recommended Value
SPD 160
Effect Hit Rate 67%

The only two stats important for Serval's Build for The Herta are Speed and Effect Hit Rate. Serval should have 160 SPD or as close to it for more turns which lets her access her Ultimate sooner. You can also go with a SPD close to 160, but do keep the SPD Breakpoints in mind.

As for Effect Hit Rate, Serval will need 67% Effect Hit Rate to guarantee to Shock application on enemies.

Serval's Best Teams

Serval F2P Team (Free to Play)

Sub-DPS Main DPS Shielder Healer
Star Rail - ServalServal Star Rail - Dan HengDan Heng Star Rail - Trailblazer (Fire)Trailblazer (Fire) Star Rail - NatashaNatasha

This F2P Serval team focuses on dealing DMG in both single target and AoE situations. Dan Heng can deal with tankier enemies while the Fire Trailblazer and Natasha keep the party alive.

Serval Dual DPS Team

Sub-DPS DPS Support Sustain
Star Rail - ServalServal Star Rail - The HertaThe Herta Star Rail - TribbieTribbie Star Rail - LingshaLingsha

Serval can be used as an effective Sub-DPS to stack up The Herta's Interpretation. Spam Serval's Ultimate to fill up the energy of The Herta's Ultimate.

For this team, we recommend equipping Serval with the Passkey Light Cone, Energy Regen rope, and an Effect Hit Rate body to use her Ultimate frequently.

Alternative Explanation
Star Rail - RobinRobin Support Replacement
Robin can buff everyone's ATK and advance forward the entire party.
Star Rail - SundaySunday Support Replacement
Sunday can advance forward The Herta's turn and provide DMG buffs and energy restoration.
Star Rail - Ruan MeiRuan Mei Support Replacement
Ruan Mei can provide a party-wide DMG buff and increase the Break Efficiency to easily Weakness Break enemies.
Star Rail - TingyunTingyun Support Replacement
Tingyun can provide Energy Restoration and ATK buffs to The Herta.
Star Rail - PelaPela Support Replacement
Pela's Ultimate can decrease enemy DEF and can hit all enemies, which can help build up Interpretation.
Star Rail - Trailblazer (Ice)Trailblazer (Ice) Support Replacement
Remembrance Trailblazer is a free-to-play option that provides a True DMG buff and can advance forward The Herta with Mem.
Star Rail - AventurineAventurine Sustain Replacement
Aventurine can provide shields and can attack all enemies with his Follow-up attacks.
Star Rail - Fu XuanFu Xuan Sustain Replacement
Fu Xuan provides DMG mitigation and her Ultimate can hit all enemies.
Star Rail - HuohuoHuohuo Sustain Replacement
Huohuo can provide AoE healing and restore the energy of all allies.

Serval DoT Team

Sub-DPS DPS Support Flex
Star Rail - ServalServal Star Rail - KafkaKafka Star Rail - Ruan MeiRuan Mei Star Rail - HuohuoHuohuo

Serval can apply the Shock DoT to enemies using her Skill and keep the status on them using her Ultimate. Kafka can trigger the Shock DoT with her Skill.

Ruan Mei can increase Serval's Break Efficiency and delay an enemy's recovery from Break.

Character Merits
Star Rail - AstaAsta Support Replacement
Her A2 Passive allows her Basic Attacks to apply a Burn DoT on a single enemy. This consolidates multiple roles for her through Support, Burn Applicator, and Skill Point Generator.
Star Rail - WeltWelt Support Replacement
Can afflict enemies with Imprisonment at the start of a fight to delay their actions.
Star Rail - BronyaBronya Support Replacement
Amazing buffer for any team. Can buff allies' ATK and CRIT DMG.
Star Rail - TingyunTingyun Support Replacement
Buff allies ATK. Can regenerate Energy for allies to get Sampo or Serval's Ultimate up quickly.
Star Rail - LuochaLuocha Flex Replacement
Luocha can restore the party's HP outside of his turn and can remove a debuff using his Skill.
Star Rail - GepardGepard Flex Replacement
Can apply Freeze to Enemies. He can equip the Light Cone Trend of the Universal Market to apply a Burn DoT that scales off his DEF when attacked.
Star Rail - March 7thMarch 7th Flex Replacement
Can apply Freeze to Enemies using her Ultimate. She can equip the Light Cone Trend of the Universal Market to apply a Burn DoT that scales off her DEF when attacked.

Serval's Best Relics and Ornaments

All Recommended Relics and Ornaments

Relics Rating & Merits
Pioneer Diver of Dead Waters Pioneer Diver of Dead Waters x4 ★★★★★ - Best
Pioneer Diver of Dead Waters is the best set for Serval since she can deal extra DMG on debuffed enemies. Serval can also double the CRIT buffs simply by applying Shock on enemies.
Eagle of Twilight Line Eagle of Twilight Line x4 ★★★★★ - Best for The Herta
Eagle of Twilight Line is the best when used with The Herta since Serval would want to spam her Ultimates and get her turns as soon as possible.
Scholar Lost in Erudition Scholar Lost in Erudition x4 ★★★★☆ - 2nd Best
Scholar Lost in Erudition is also great for Serval since it gives her CRIT Rate and increases the damage of her Skill and Ultimate.
Band of Sizzling Thunder Band of Sizzling Thunder x4 ★★★☆☆ - 3rd Best
Band of Sizzling Thunder is good for Serval since it increases her overall DMG and provides ATK, which increases her DoT damage.
Ornaments Merits
Firmament Frontline Glamoth Firmament Frontline Glamoth ★★★★★ - Best
Firmament Frontline Glamoth provides Serval with ATK and a direct DMG increase as long as she meets the minimum 135 SPD requirement.
Sprightly Vonwacq Sprightly Vonwacq ★★★★★ - Best for The Herta
Sprightly Vonwacq is great for Serval - The Herta teams since it provides Energy Regen and advances Serval's first turn.
Sigonia, the Unclaimed Desolation Sigonia, the Unclaimed Desolation ★★★★☆ - 2nd Best
Sigonia, the Unclaimed Desolation is best used in content where you fight waves of enemies like Pure Fiction. This Ornament increases Serval's CRIT DMG for every enemy taken down, and the buff remains until the end of combat.

Relic List & Guide

Serval's Best Light Cones

All Recommended Light Cones

Light Cone Why We Recommend It
Star Rail - An Instant Before A Gaze Light Cone An Instant Before A Gaze ★★★★★ - Best
An Instant Before A Gaze is the best Light Cone option for Serval since it increases her Ultimate's DMG based on her max Energy. It also increases her CRIT DMG, which increases her overall DMG even more.
Star Rail - Passkey Light Cone Passkey ★★★★★ - Best with The Herta
An S5 Passkey is the best for Serval when paired with The Herta since this allows her to restore additional Energy when she uses her Skill.
Star Rail - Before Dawn Light Cone Before Dawn ★★★★☆ - Great
Before Dawn is a great Light Cone for Serval since it boosts her CRIT DMG, Skill, and Ultimate DMG. However, Serval won't be able to use the Somnus Corpus effect since she doesn't have a Follow-Up Attack.
Star Rail - Night on the Milky Way Light Cone Night on the Milky Way ★★★★☆ - Great
Night on the Milky Way is a great Light Cone for Serval since it increases her ATK and boosts her DMG when she inflicts Weakness Break on an enemy. To fully utilize this Light Cone, however, there needs to be multiple enemies in the battle. This Light Cone shines in modes like Pure Fiction.
Star Rail - Eternal Calculus Light Cone Eternal Calculus ★★★☆☆ - Good
Eternal Calculus is also a good option for Serval since it increases both her ATK and SPD as long as she attacks multiple enemies. This Light Cone shines in modes like Pure Fiction with multiple enemies per wave.
Star Rail - Geniuses Geniuses' Repose ★★★☆☆ - Good
Geniuses' Repose is a good 4-Star Light Cone for Serval since it increases her ATK and provides a CRIT DMG buff when she defeats an enemy.
Star Rail - The Day The Cosmos Fell Light Cone The Day The Cosmos Fell ★★★☆☆ - Good
The Day The Cosmos Fell is a good F2P option for Serval. She can easily get the CRIT DMG buff by attacking multiple enemies with their Weaknesses. This Light Cone shines in modes like Pure Fiction with multiple enemies per wave.

Light Cone List & Guide

Serval's Gameplay Guide

Back to Serval Builds ▲

Serval's Trace Priority

Trace Priority & Explanation
Basic Attack ★★★☆☆ - Low Priority
Skill and Ultimate has better DMG; mainly used for SP generation.
Skill ★★★★☆ - High Priority
Decent AoE DMG with Shock application; Prioritize if in a DoT team.
Ultimate ★★★★★ - Highest Priority
Main source of DMG that extends Shock duration.
Talent ★★★★☆ - High Priority
Increases Serval's overall DMG against Shocked enemies.

See All Traces ▼

Serval's Recommended Eidolons

Why We Recommend It
E1 ★★★☆☆ - Decent
Makes her Basic Attacks do AoE. Her Basic Attack should rarely be used, but is useful if she's acting as a Sub-DPS and if you need SP.
E2 ★★★★☆ - Good
Generates energy when attacking an enemy inflicted with Shock, which helps Serval with her Ultimate spam playstyle.
E4 ★★★★☆ - Good
Ultimate can 100% inflict Shock on enemies, which is good for DoT teams.
E6 ★★★★☆ - Good
Furtherly increases DMG against Shocked enemies. A great boost to Serval's overall DPS.

See All Eidolons ▼

Deal Strong Lightning DoT

Star Rail - Serval can deal a lot of Lightning AoE DMG through her Skill

Serval specializes in dealing strong Lightning AoE DMG to multiple enemies and can give Shock to enemies to deal damage over time with her Skill.

Ultimate Extends Shock

Star Rail - Serval

Serval's Ultimate can not only deal a huge chunk of DMG but can also extend the Shock duration of enemies affected by it. Use the Ultimate if the Shock effect will end on the current turn.

Defeat Enemies to Increase ATK

Mania, an unlockable ability at Character Ascension 6, allows Serval to increase her ATK by 20% for 2 turns after she takes out an enemy.

Ideally, you would want to defeat an enemy before using her Ultimate for optimal DMG.

Serval's Traces (Skills and Kit)

Active Abilities

Level 1
Level 6
Level 8
Level 10
Trace Scaling and Explanation
Basic ATK Roaring Thunderclap: Deals Lightning DMG equal to 50% of Serval's ATK to a single enemy.
Skill Lightning Flash: Deals Lightning DMG equal to 70% of Serval's ATK to a single enemy and Lightning DMG equal to 30% of Serval's ATK to enemies adjacent to it, with a 80% base chance for enemies hit to become Shocked for 2 turns. While Shocked, enemies will take Lightning DoT equal to 40% of Serval's ATK at the beginning of each turn.
Ultimate Here Comes the Mechanical Fever: Deals Lightning DMG equal to 108% of Serval's ATK to all enemies. Enemies already Shocked will extend the duration of their Shock state by 2 turn(s).
Talent Galvanic Chords: After Serval attacks, deals additional Lightning DMG equal to 36% of Serval's ATK to all Shocked enemies.
Trace Scaling and Explanation
Basic ATK Roaring Thunderclap: Deals Lightning DMG equal to 100% of Serval's ATK to a single enemy.
Skill Lightning Flash: Deals Lightning DMG equal to 105% of Serval's ATK to a single enemy and Lightning DMG equal to 45% of Serval's ATK to enemies adjacent to it, with a 80% base chance for enemies hit to become Shocked for 2 turns. While Shocked, enemies will take Lightning DoT equal to 62% of Serval's ATK at the beginning of each turn.
Ultimate Here Comes the Mechanical Fever: Deals Lightning DMG equal to 144% of Serval's ATK to all enemies. Enemies already Shocked will extend the duration of their Shock state by 2 turn(s).
Talent Galvanic Chords: After Serval attacks, deals additional Lightning DMG equal to 54% of Serval's ATK to all Shocked enemies.
Trace Scaling and Explanation
Skill Lightning Flash: Deals Lightning DMG equal to 122.5% of Serval's ATK to a single enemy and Lightning DMG equal to 62% of Serval's ATK to enemies adjacent to it, with a 80% base chance for enemies hit to become Shocked for 2 turns. While Shocked, enemies will take Lightning DoT equal to 80% of Serval's ATK at the beginning of each turn.
Ultimate Here Comes the Mechanical Fever: Deals Lightning DMG equal to 162% of Serval's ATK to all enemies. Enemies already Shocked will extend the duration of their Shock state by 2 turn(s).
Talent Galvanic Chords: After Serval attacks, deals additional Lightning DMG equal to 63% of Serval's ATK to all Shocked enemies.
Trace Scaling and Explanation
Skill Lightning Flash: Deals Lightning DMG equal to 140% of Serval's ATK to a single enemy and Lightning DMG equal to 60% of Serval's ATK to enemies adjacent to it, with a 80% base chance for enemies hit to become Shocked for 2 turns. While Shocked, enemies will take Lightning DoT equal to 104% of Serval's ATK at the beginning of each turn.
Ultimate Here Comes the Mechanical Fever: Deals Lightning DMG equal to 180% of Serval's ATK to all enemies. Enemies already Shocked will extend the duration of their Shock state by 2 turn(s).
Talent Galvanic Chords: After Serval attacks, deals additional Lightning DMG equal to 72% of Serval's ATK to all Shocked enemies.

Basic ATK is maxed out at Level 6.

Technique and Bonus Abilities

Trace Scaling and Explanation
Technique Good Night, Belobog: Immediately attacks the enemy. After entering battle, deals Lightning DMG equal to 50% of Serval's ATK to a random enemy and all enemies have a 100% base chance to become Shocked for 3 turns. While Shocked, enemies will take Lightning DoT equal to 50% of Serval's ATK at the beginning of each turn.
Stat Bonus:
1. CRIT Rate +5.3%
2. CRIT Rate +2.7%
Bonus Ability String Vibration: At the start of the battle, immediately regenerates 15 Energy at the beginning of battle.
Stat Bonus:
1. CRIT Rate +4.0%
2. CRIT Rate +4.0%
3. Effect Hit Rate +6.0%
Bonus Ability Rock 'n' Roll: Serval's Skill has a 20% increased base chance to Shock enemies.
Stat Bonus:
1. CRIT Rate +2.7%
2. Effect Hit Rate +4.0%
3. Effect RES +4.0%
Bonus Ability Mania: Upon defeating an enemy, Serval's ATK increases by 20% for 2 turns.
Stat Bonus:
1. Effect Hit Rate +8.0%
2. Effect RES +6.0%

Serval's Eidolons

See Recommended Eidolons ▲

All Eidolon Resonance Effects

E1 Echo Chamber
Basic ATK deals Lightning DMG equal to 60% of the Basic ATK's DMG to a random enemy adjacent to the Basic ATK target.
E2 Encore!
Every time Serval's Talent is triggered to deal additional DMG, she regenerates 4 Energy.
E3 Listen, the Heartbeat of the Gears
Skill Lv. +2, up to a maximum of Lv. 15. Basic ATK Lv. +1, up to a maximum of Lv. 10.
E4 Make Some Noise!
Ultimate has a 100% base chance to apply Shock to any enemies not currently Shocked. This Shock has the same effects as that applied by her Skill.
E5 Belobog's Loudest Roar!
Ultimate Lv. +2, up to a maximum of Lv. 15. Talent Lv. +2, up to a maximum of Lv. 15.
E6 This Song Rocks to Heaven!
Serval deals 30% more DMG to shocked enemies.

Serval Ascension and Trace Materials

Total Ascension Materials

Ascension Material Total
12
13
12
50
246,400

Total Trace Materials

All Trace Node Materials Total
12
28
54
42
105
42
12
5
2,400,000

Lvl Basic ATK Ascension Materials
2
Star Rail - Credit Item Credit x4,000
3
Star Rail - Credit Item Credit x8,000
4
Star Rail - Credit Item Credit x16,000
5
Star Rail - Credit Item Credit x36,000
6
Star Rail - Credit Item Credit x128,000
Lvl Skill, Talent, & Ult Ascension Materials
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Nodes Bonus Stat and Abilities Materials
Ability 1
Ability 2
Ability 3
Stat 1
Stat 2
Stat 3
Stat 4
Stat 5
Stat 6
Stat 7
Stat 8
Stat 9
Stat 10

Additional Serval Information

How to Get Serval

Pull From Any Banner

All Limited and Permanent Banners
Honkai Star Rail - Brilliant Fixation
Brilliant Fixation
Honkai Star Rail - Coalesced Truths
Coalesced Truths
Honkai Star Rail - Indelible Coterie
Indelible Coterie
Honkai Star Rail - Back to Fons et Origo
Back to Fons et Origo
Honkai Star Rail - Blossom to the Beyond
Blossom to the Beyond
Honkai Star Rail - A Rainbow onto Twilight
A Rainbow onto Twilight
Honkai Star Rail - Excalibur Excelsior
Excalibur Excelsior
Honkai Star Rail - I Am the Bone of My Sword
I Am the Bone of My Sword
Honkai Star Rail - Birth of a King
Birth of a King
Honkai Star Rail - Red Radiance of Fuyuki
Red Radiance of Fuyuki
Honkai Star Rail - Ripples Rejoined
Ripples Rejoined
Honkai Star Rail - Stellar Warp
Stellar Warp
Honkai Star Rail - Departure Warp
Departure Warp

You can get Serval at a standard rate by pulling from any Warp Banner.

All Gacha (Warp) Banners

Pre-Registration Reward

As a reward for surpassing 3.5 million pre-registrations, players received Serval for free at launch.

List of All Free Characters

Background and Voice Actors

Voice Actor EN: Natalie Van Sistine
JP: Aimi
Faction / Affiliation Belobog

Serval's In-Game Lore

Faction Belobog
Background The free and rebellious eldest daughter of the Landau family, once a close friend of Cocolia, her interests have now led her to become a mechanic.

Honkai: Star Rail Related Guides

Honkai Star Rail - Characters

▶︎ All Playable Characters

Characters by Rarity

Character Rarity
★★★★ ★★★★★

Characters by Path

Character Paths
Star Rail - The Destruction PathDestruction Star Rail - The Hunt PathThe Hunt Star Rail - The Erudition PathErudition Star Rail - The Harmony PathHarmony
Star Rail - The Nihility PathNihility Star Rail - The Preservation PathPreservation Star Rail - The Abundance PathAbundance Honkai Star Rail - The Remembrance PathRemembrance

Characters by Element

Character Elements
Honkai Star Rail Fire ElementFire Honkai Star Rail Ice ElementIce Honkai Star Rail Lightning ElementLightning Honkai Star Rail Wind ElementWind
Honkai Star Rail Quantum ElementQuantum Honkai Star Rail Imaginary ElementImaginary Honkai Star Rail Physical ElementPhysical

All Lightning Characters

Lightning Characters
Honkai Star Rail TingyunTingyun Honkai Star Rail ServalServal Honkai Star Rail KafkaKafka Honkai Star Rail Jing YuanJing Yuan
Honkai Star Rail BailuBailu Honkai Star Rail ArlanArlan Honkai Star Rail AcheronAcheron Honkai Star Rail MozeMoze
Honkai Star Rail - AglaeaAglaea

Comment

14 Anonymous Anonymous 11 months

I mean there is

13 Anonymous Anonymous 11 months

Serval gonna rise again with her very niche Eagle build when The Herta gets released

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