Honkai: Star Rail

Kafka Best Builds and Rating

★ Updates: 2.1 Summary, Dewlight Pavilion, Clock Studios Theme Park
★ Builds: Acheron, Luocha, Gallagher, Dan Heng, Pela
★ Phase 2: Aventurine, Jingliu, Serval, Lynx, Luka
★ Upcoming Characters: Robin & Boothill
★ Events: Cosmodyssey & Festive Gifts

Honkai Star Rail - Kafka Best Builds and Rating

Kafka is a Lightning Element character in Honkai: Star Rail. Check out Kafka's best builds, teams, Light Cones, Relics, Trace priority, kit, and gameplay guide here!

Kafka Character Overview

Kafka Basic Info and Rating

Star Rail - KafkaKafka Rarity
Element
Path
Tier List Rating
Star Rail - S Overall

Star Rail - S Single Target

Star Rail - S AoE Damage

Ratings are based on E0.

How do you rate Kafka?

SS 26076
Votes
S 803
Votes
A 150
Votes
B 60
Votes
C 223
Votes

Character Tier List

Kafka Base Stats

HP ATK DEF SPD
Lvl. 1 147 92 66 100
Lvl. 80 1086 679 485 100

Should You Pull for Kafka?

Kafka is a DoT damage dealer who is best paired with another DoT character to maximize her utility. Though she could be played as a CRIT DPS or Solo DPS, this will go against her greatest potential.

Pull for Kafka if you need a Lightning DPS and if you enjoy Damage-over-Time gameplay!

How to Get Kafka

Limited Banners
Honkai Star Rail - Nessun Dorma
Nessun Dorma

Kafka was previously available in the Character Warp banner called Nessun Dorma, which has already ended!

Kafka Rerun Banner Guide

Kafka's Best Builds

DoT DPS Build

Base Build
Alternative Cones
Best Light Cone Relics and Ornament
Star Rail - Patience Is All You Need Light Cone Patience Is All You Need
Main Stats Sub Stats
Body: ATK%
Feet: SPD
Sphere: Lightning DMG
Rope: ATK%
SPD ★★★
ATK% ★★
CRIT Rate ★
CRIT DMG ★

This Kafka build specializes in increasing her DoT and Speed so you can maximize her damage and trigger more Skill attacks, which is the main focus of her Kit.

Other than getting SPD and ATK%, CRIT Rate/DMG are also decent substats to get since they can still increase the damage of your non-DoT abilities.

Kafka's Ascension 6 Trace and Effect Hit Rate stat bonuses let you apply her Lightning DoT on enemies reliably, so getting more Effect Hit Rate is not necessary.

However, you may want to increase her Effect Hit Rate if you have her E1 unlocked since it applies a Debuff that increases the DoT that enemies receive. We talk more about this in the how-to-play section below.

Jump to How to Play ▼

Kafka's Best Teams

Kafka F2P Team (Free-to-Play)

DPS Main DPS Support Healer
Star Rail - KafkaKafka Star Rail - Dan HengDan Heng Star Rail - AstaAsta Star Rail - NatashaNatasha

This F2P (Free to Play) Team for Kafka focuses on applying DoT and buffing her Speed. Dan Heng is a good choice for this F2P Team since he can trigger Wind Shear when he triggers shield break, while Asta is also a nice choice since she provides ATK% and Speed buffs while also being able to apply Burn on enemies.

Kafka's DoT Team

DPS DPS Support Healer
Star Rail - KafkaKafka Star Rail - Black SwanBlack Swan Star Rail - Ruan MeiRuan Mei Star Rail - HuohuoHuohuo

A standard Kafka team will require an additional DoT character, one support character, and one healer or shielder.

Though you can just run Kafka with two other DoT units, it won't deal as much damage compared to having a support character who can reduce the DEF stat of enemies.

Character Merits
Star Rail - GuinaifenGuinaifen DPS Replacement
Guinaifen is a great alternative for Black Swan especially against enemies who are weak to Fire. Guinaifen can also increase the DMG taken by an enemy.
Star Rail - SampoSampo DPS Replacement
Sampo can increase the enemy's DMG taken by DoTs and is especially useful for inflicting Weakness Break on enemies who are weak to Wind.
Star Rail - LukaLuka DPS Replacement
Luka is a DoT unit that can replace Black Swan if you're up against an Elite enemy with a Physical Weakness. He's capable of high single-target DMG and can remove enemy buffs.
Star Rail - ServalServal DPS Replacement
Though not a true Nihility character, Serval can add more Lightning damage and DoT for the team.
Star Rail - Silver WolfSilver Wolf Support Replacement
Silver Wolf is your support alternative if you don't have Ruan Mei and if you need Weakness Break for the party. Though her implant debuff requires a bit of RNG, it can be somewhat controlled through proper team comp planning.
Star Rail - PelaPela Support Replacement
Pela is a great alternative for Silver Wolf, especially if you need to apply a DEF debuff on multiple enemies.
Star Rail - TingyunTingyun Support Replacement
Tingyun is generally just a great buffer for any damage dealer, including DoT characters like Kafka.
Star Rail - BronyaBronya Support Replacement
Though DoTs can't CRIT, Bronya still provides incredible utility by enabling Kafka to take more actions per turn and while giving a DMG% buff.
Star Rail - GallagherGallagher Healer Replacement
Gallagher can provide an ATK reduction debuff with his Enhanced Basic ATK. He can also heal the team as long as an ally attacks the debuffed enemy.
Any Abundance or Preservation Characters Healer Replacement
Any Defensive support characters like Luocha, Gepard, or Natasha can be good Alternatives for Huohuo. All you need is someone to keep the team alive.

Kafka's Best Relics and Ornaments

Relics Rating & Merits
Prisoner in Deep Confinement Prisoner in Deep Confinement x4 ★★★★★ - Best
- Gives Kafka the highest DPS increase out of all other Relics.
- Increases Kafka's DoT DMG and gets stronger if there are a lot of DoTs applied on an enemy.
Band of Sizzling Thunder Band of Sizzling Thunder x4 ★★★★☆ - 2nd Best
- Increases Kafka's Lightning damage and ATK%.
Band of Sizzling Thunder Band of Sizzling Thunder x2
Messenger Traversing Hackerspace Messenger Traversing Hackerspace x2
★★★☆☆ - Early Game Set
- Increases Kafka's Lightning damage.
- Slightly Increases Kafka's SPD.
Ornaments Merits
Firmament Frontline Glamoth Firmament Frontline Glamoth ★★★★★ - Best
- Provides Kafka with the highest DPS increase out of all other Ornaments, even if you only manage to reach the 135 SPD Breakpoint.
Space Sealing Station Space Sealing Station ★★★★☆ - 2nd Best
- Provides Kafka with a high DPS increase compared to most Ornaments.
- Greatly increases Kafka's ATK%, which improves DoT Damage.

Relic List & Guide

Kafka's Best Light Cones

All Recommended Light Cones

Recommended Light Cones How to Get
Limited Gacha
Limited Gacha
Gacha
Gacha
Starlight Exchange
Echo of War
Forgotten Hall
Limited Gacha
Gacha
Forgotten Hall

The list is arranged by Rarity and Strength from top to bottom.

Light Cone List & Guide

Kafka Gameplay Guide

Back to Kafka Builds ▲

Kafka's Trace Priority

Trace Priority & Explanation
Basic Attack ★★☆☆☆ - Low Priority
Kafka should rarely, if ever, use her Basic attacks. Prioritize this Trace last.
Skill ★★★★★ - Highest Priority
One of Kafka's main sources of damage. Prioritize this equally with her Ultimate.
Ultimate ★★★★★ - Highest Priority
One of Kafka's main sources of damage.Prioritize this equally with her Skill.
Talent ★★★☆☆ - Mid Priority
Triggers once and refreshes after Kafka uses her Skill or Basic Attack. Decent source of damage.

See All Traces ▼

Kafka's Recommended Eidolons

Why We Recommend It
E1 ★★★★★ - Great
Applies a very strong debuff on the enemies which increases the DoT they receive (similar to Sampo's lvl 10 Ultimate). If you are looking for an Eidolon to unlock this should be it.
E2 ★★★★☆ - Good
Straightfoward DoT damage increase for everyone in the party.
E4 ★★★☆☆ - Decent
Increases Kafka's Energy gain, charging her Ultimate slightly faster.
E6 ★★★★★ - Great
Huge personal damage increase for Kafka.

See All Eidolons ▼

Kafka's Talent Effects

If another party member uses a Basic ATK, Kafka will initiate a Follow-up attack on the targeted enemy. This Follow-up attack has a chance to apply a Shock status on enemies.

This Effect only triggers once, but it will refresh after Kafka takes her turn (whether she uses her Basic Attack or Skill).

E1 Effect Hit Rate Requirement

Kafka's E1 applies a debuff on enemies that increases the DoT they receive by 30%.

This debuff only has a 100% base chance to be applied on enemies, meaning you will need 67% Effect Hit Rate if you want to guarantee this debuff applies on any enemy that's level 75 and above.

It's generally not worth it to sacrifice an ATK% Body piece to get this amount of EHR, so try to make-do with what you can through substats instead.

Kafka's Skill Effects

Kafka's Skill deals AoE Lightning damage to enemies. If an enemy has a Damage-over-Time effect (like Shock or Wind Shear) currently applied, the effect of the DoT will trigger be triggered.

Kafka's Ultimate Effects

Kafka's Ultimate deals DMG to all enemies and applies Shock. If enemies are already shocked, then the Shock status will immediately trigger and will receive additional Lightning DoT each turn.

Kafka's Technique Effects

Kafka's Technique causes her to deal Lightning damage in an AoE around her with a chance of inflicting Shock on them which will last for 2 turns.

Kafka Traces (Skills and Passives)

See Trace Priority ▲

Active Abilities

Level 1
Level 6
Level 8
Level 10
Trace Scaling and Explanation
Basic ATK Midnight Tumult: Deals Lightning DMG equal to 50% of Kafka's ATK to a single enemy.
Skill Caressing Moonlight: Deals Lightning DMG equal to 80% of Kafka's ATK to a target enemy and Lightning DMG equal to 30% of Kafkais ATK to enemies adjacent to it. If the target enemy is currently receiving DoT, all DoTs currently placed on that enemy immediately produce DMG equal to 60% of their original DMG.
Ultimate Twilight Trill: Deals Lightning DMG equal to 48% of Kafka's ATK to all enemies, with a 100% base chance for enemies hit to become Shocked and immediately take DMG from their current Shock state, equal to 80% of its original DMG. Shock lasts for 2 turn(s). While Shocked, enemies receive Lightning DOT equal to 116% of Kafka's ATK at the beginning of each turn.
Talent Gentle but Cruel: After an ally of Kafka's uses Basic ATK on an enemy target, Kafka immediately launches 1 follow-up attack and deals Lightning DMG equal to 42% of her ATK to that target, with a 100% base chance to inflict Shock equivalent to that applied by her Ultimate to the attacked enemy target for 2 turns. This effect can only be triggered 1 time per turn.
Trace Scaling and Explanation
Basic ATK Midnight Tumult: Deals Lightning DMG equal to 100% of Kafka's ATK to a single enemy.
Skill Caressing Moonlight: Deals Lightning DMG equal to 120% of Kafka's ATK to a target enemy and Lightning DMG equal to 45% of Kafka's ATK to enemies adjacent to it. If the target enemy is currently receiving DoT, all DoTs currently placed on that enemy immediately produce DMG equal to 67.5% of their original DMG.
Ultimate Twilight Trill: Deals Lightning DMG equal to 64% of Kafka's ATK to all enemies, with a 100% base chance for enemies hit to become Shocked and immediately take DMG from their current Shock state, equal to 90% of its original DMG. Shock lasts for 2 turn(s). While Shocked, enemies receive Lightning DOT equal to 175.8% of Kafka's ATK at the beginning of each turn.
Talent Gentle but Cruel: After an ally of Kafka's uses Basic ATK on an enemy target, Kafka immediately launches 1 follow-up attack and deals Lightning DMG equal to 91% of her ATK to that target, with a 100% base chance to inflict Shock equivalent to that applied by her Ultimate to the attacked enemy target for 2 turns. This effect can only be triggered 1 time per turn.
Trace Scaling and Explanation
Skill Caressing Moonlight: Deals Lightning DMG equal to 140% of Kafka's ATK to a target enemy and Lightning DMG equal to 52.5% of Kafka's ATK to enemies adjacent to it. If the target enemy is currently receiving DoT, all DoTs currently placed on that enemy immediately produce DMG equal to 71.3% of their original DMG.
Ultimate Twilight Trill: Deals Lightning DMG equal to 72% of Kafka's ATK to all enemies, with a 100% base chance for enemies hit to become Shocked and immediately take DMG from their current Shock state, equal to 95% of its original DMG. Shock lasts for 2 turn(s). While Shocked, enemies receive Lightning DOT equal to 224.8% of Kafka's ATK at the beginning of each turn.
Talent Gentle but Cruel: After an ally of Kafka's uses Basic ATK on an enemy target, Kafka immediately launches 1 follow-up attack and deals Lightning DMG equal to 115.5% of her ATK to that target, with a 100% base chance to inflict Shock equivalent to that applied by her Ultimate to the attacked enemy target for 2 turns. This effect can only be triggered 1 time per turn.
Trace Scaling and Explanation
Skill Caressing Moonlight: Deals Lightning DMG equal to 160% of Kafka's ATK to a target enemy and Lightning DMG equal to 60% of Kafka's ATK to enemies adjacent to it. If the target enemy is currently receiving DoT, all DoTs currently placed on that enemy immediately produce DMG equal to 75% of their original DMG.
Ultimate Twilight Trill: Deals Lightning DMG equal to 80% of Kafka's ATK to all enemies, with a 100% base chance for enemies hit to become Shocked and immediately take DMG from their current Shock state, equal to 100% of its original DMG. Shock lasts for 2 turn(s). While Shocked, enemies receive Lightning DOT equal to 290% of Kafka's ATK at the beginning of each turn.
Talent Gentle but Cruel: After an ally of Kafka's uses Basic ATK on an enemy target, Kafka immediately launches 1 follow-up attack and deals Lightning DMG equal to 140% of her ATK to that target, with a 100% base chance to inflict Shock equivalent to that applied by her Ultimate to the attacked enemy target for 2 turns. This effect can only be triggered 1 time per turn.

Basic ATK is maxed out at Level 6.

Technique and Bonus Abilities

Trace Scaling and Explanation
Technique Mercy Is Not Forgiveness: Immediately attacks all enemies within a set range. After entering battle, 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).
Bonus Ability Thorns: The base chance for target enemies to get Shocked by the Ultimate, the Technique, or the Talent-triggered follow-up attack increases by 30%.
Stat Bonus:
1. Max HP +6.0%
2. Effect Hit Rate +8.0%
Bonus Ability Plunder: If an enemy is defeated while Shocked, Kafka additionally regenerates 5 Energy.
Stat Bonus:
1. ATK +6.0%
2. Effect Hit Rate +6.0%
3. ATK +6.0%
Bonus Ability Torture: When the Ultimate is used, enemy targets will now receive DMG immediately from all currently applied DoT sources instead of just receiving DMG immediately from the currently applied Shock state.
Stat Bonus:
1. Effect Hit Rate +4.0%
2. ATK +4.0%
3. Max HP +4.0%

Kafka's Eidolons

See Recommended Eidolons ▲

All Eidolon Resonance Effects

E1 Da Capo
When the Talent triggers a follow-up attack, there is a 100% base chance to increase the DoT received by the target by 30% for 2 turn(s).
E2 Fortississimo
While Kafka is on the field, DoT dealt by all allies increases by 25%
E3 Capriccio
Skill Lv. +2, up to a maximum of Lv. 15. Basic ATK Lv. +1, up to a maximum of Lv. 10.
E4 Recitativo
When an enemy target takes DMG from the Shock status inflicted by Kafka, Kafka additionally regenerates 2 Energy.
E5 Doloroso
Ultimate Lv. +2, up to a maximum of Lv. 15. Talent Lv. +2, up to a maximum of Lv. 15.
E6 Leggiero
The Shock inflicted on the enemy target by the Ultimate, the Technique, or the Talent-triggered follow-up attack has a DMG multiplier increase of 156% and lasts 1 turn(s) longer.

Kafka Ascension and Trace Materials

Total Ascension Materials

Ascension Materials Total
15
15
15
65
308,000

Total Trace Materials

All Trace Node Materials Total
15
41
72
56
139
58
12
11
3,000,000

Lvl Basic ATK Ascension Materials
2 Honkai: Star Rail - Obsidian of Dread x3 Honkai: Star Rail - Thief x6 Honkai: Star Rail - Credit x5000
3 Honkai: Star Rail - Obsidian of Desolation x3 Honkai: Star Rail - Usurper x3 Honkai: Star Rail - Credit x10000
4 Honkai: Star Rail - Obsidian of Desolation x5 Honkai: Star Rail - Usurper x4 Honkai: Star Rail - Credit x20000
5 Honkai: Star Rail - Obsidian of Obsession x3 Honkai: Star Rail - Conqueror x3 Honkai: Star Rail - Credit x45000
6 Honkai: Star Rail - Obsidian of Obsession x8 Honkai: Star Rail - Conqueror x4 Honkai: Star Rail - Credit x160000
Lvl Skill, Talent, & Ult Ascension Materials
2 Honkai: Star Rail - Thief x3 Honkai: Star Rail - Credit x2500 - -
3 Honkai: Star Rail - Obsidian of Dread x3 Honkai: Star Rail - Thief x6 Honkai: Star Rail - Credit x5000 -
4 Honkai: Star Rail - Obsidian of Desolation x3 Honkai: Star Rail - Usurper x3 Honkai: Star Rail - Credit x10000 -
5 Honkai: Star Rail - Obsidian of Desolation x5 Honkai: Star Rail - Usurper x4 Honkai: Star Rail - Credit x20000 -
6 Honkai: Star Rail - Obsidian of Desolation x7 Honkai: Star Rail - Usurper x6 Honkai: Star Rail - Credit x30000 -
7 Honkai: Star Rail - Obsidian of Obsession x3 Honkai: Star Rail - Conqueror x3 Honkai: Star Rail - Credit x45000 -
8 Honkai: Star Rail - Obsidian of Obsession x5 Honkai: Star Rail - Conqueror x4 Honkai: Star Rail - Credit x80000 -
9 Honkai: Star Rail - Tracks of Destiny x1 Honkai: Star Rail - Regret of Infinite Ochema x1 Honkai: Star Rail - Obsidian of Obsession x8 Honkai: Star Rail - Credit x160000
10 Honkai: Star Rail - Tracks of Destiny x2 Honkai: Star Rail - Regret of Infinite Ochema x2 Honkai: Star Rail - Obsidian of Obsession x14 Honkai: Star Rail - Credit x300000
Nodes Bonus Stat and Abilities Materials
Ability 1 Honkai: Star Rail - Obsidian of Dread x2 Honkai: Star Rail - Regret of Infinite Ochema x4 Honkai: Star Rail - Credit x4000 -
Ability 2 Honkai: Star Rail - Obsidian of Desolation x4 Honkai: Star Rail - Regret of Infinite Ochema x1 Honkai: Star Rail - Tracks of Destiny x1 Honkai: Star Rail - Credit x16000
Ability 3 Honkai: Star Rail - Obsidian of Obsession x6 Honkai: Star Rail - Regret of Infinite Ochema x1 Honkai: Star Rail - Tracks of Destiny x1 Honkai: Star Rail - Credit x128000
Stat 1 Honkai: Star Rail - Thief x2 Honkai: Star Rail - Credit x2500 - -
Stat 2 Honkai: Star Rail - Obsidian of Dread x3 Honkai: Star Rail - Thief x6 Honkai: Star Rail - Credit x5000 -
Stat 3 Honkai: Star Rail - Obsidian of Desolation x3 Honkai: Star Rail - Usurper x3 Honkai: Star Rail - Credit x10000 -
Stat 4 Honkai: Star Rail - Obsidian of Desolation x3 Honkai: Star Rail - Usurper x3 Honkai: Star Rail - Credit x10000 -
Stat 5 Honkai: Star Rail - Obsidian of Desolation x5 Honkai: Star Rail - Usurper x4 Honkai: Star Rail - Credit x20000 -
Stat 6 Honkai: Star Rail - Obsidian of Obsession x3 Honkai: Star Rail - Conqueror x3 Honkai: Star Rail - Credit x45000 -
Stat 7 Honkai: Star Rail - Obsidian of Obsession x3 Honkai: Star Rail - Conqueror x3 Honkai: Star Rail - Credit x45000 -
Stat 8 Honkai: Star Rail - Obsidian of Obsession x8 Honkai: Star Rail - Conqueror x8 Honkai: Star Rail - Credit x160000 -
Stat 9 Honkai: Star Rail - Obsidian of Obsession x8 Honkai: Star Rail - Conqueror x8 Honkai: Star Rail - Credit x160000 -
Stat 10 Honkai: Star Rail - Obsidian of Obsession x8 Honkai: Star Rail - Conqueror x8 Honkai: Star Rail - Credit x160000 -

Additional Kafka Information

Kafka's Voice Actors

English VA Cheryl Texiera
Japanese VA Shizuka Itoh

Kafka's In-Game Lore

Faction Stellaron Hunters
Background A member of the Stellaron Hunters. A dashing, collected, and professional beauty. Used the enchantment of Spirit Whisper to set up the Trailblazer to absorb the Stellaron.
Her hobby is shopping for and organizing her collection of coats.

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