Black Swan Best Builds and Teams

Black Swan is a Wind and Nihility character in Honkai: Star Rail. Check out this guide for Black Swan's best builds, team comps, relics, light cones, rating, and how to play them here!

Black Swan's Character Overview

Black Swan Basic Info and Rating

Black Swan	Rarity	5-star
	Element	Wind
	Path	Nihility
	Tier List Rating	Overall Single Target AoE Damage

Ratings are based on E0.

How do you rate Black Swan?

Character Tier List

Black Swan Base Stats

	HP	ATK	DEF	SPD
Lvl. 1	147	89	66	102
Lvl. 80	1086	659	485	102

Is Black Swan Good?

Black Swan is one of the strongest DoT units in-game whose game plan is to simply apply Arcana onto enemies. Black Swan's DoT becomes a lot stronger the more Arcana stacks an enemy has accumulated.

Pull for Black Swan if you want to give a huge upgrade to your DoT teams, especially if you have Kafka.

Black Swan's Best Builds

DoT DPS Build

Black Swan needs at least 120% Effect Hit Rate to max out her DMG buff from her Third Bonus Ability. You can equip the Firmament Frontline: Glamoth instead if you have managed to get enough Effect Hit Rate through substats.

Black Swan's DoTs scale on the ATK stat and SPD is useful for letting her act sooner and take more turns in one cycle. If you have Ruan Mei in your party, use an ATK% Sphere on Black Swan as the former already provides a huge buff to the latter's DMG.

Recommended Stat Values

Stat	Recommended Value
Effect Hit Rate	120%
ATK	3000 or above
SPD	135 - 160 SPD should be higher than Kafka's

Black Swan's Best Teams

Black Swan F2P Team (Free to Play)

Sub-DPS	DPS	Support	Healer
Black Swan	Serval	Asta	Natasha

Black Swan will go in tandem with Serval as the two DPS characters in the party. Serval can also provide Shock DoTs with her kit.

Asta is the best free-to-play Support for Black Swan thanks to her SPD and ATK buffs for the entire party.

Black Swan DoT Team

Sub-DPS	DPS	Support	Healer
Black Swan	Kafka	Ruan Mei	Huohuo

Black Swan shines in DoT-centric teams with Kafka as the Main DPS who can trigger her DoTs.

Ruan Mei can increase the party's Break Efficiency and delay the enemies' recovery from Break, which results in them taking in more DoTs before they manage to attack.

Black Swan's Best Relics and Ornaments

All Recommended Relics and Ornaments

Relics	Rating & Merits
Prisoner in Deep Confinement x4	★★★★★ - Best As a DoT unit, Black Swan highly benefits from using the Prisoner of the Deep effect that ignores enemy DEF.
Eagle of Twilight Line x2 Prisoner in Deep Confinement x2	★★★★☆ - 2nd Best Black Swan can use a mix of Prisoner of the Deep and Eagle of Twilight Line to deal a decent amount of Wind DMG to enemies.
Ornaments	Merits
Pan-Cosmic Commercial Enterprise	★★★★★ - Best Pan-Cosmic Commercial Enterprise is the best Planar Ornament for Black Swan as it provides Effect Hit Rate stats and ATK buffs which strengthens her DoTs.
Firmament Frontline Glamoth	★★★★☆ - 2nd Best Firmament Frontline Glamoth increases Black Swan's DMG as long as she has a minimum of 135 SPD.
Space Sealing Station	★★★☆☆ - 3rd Best Space Sealing Station is a good early-game set since it increases Black Swan's ATK and only requires 120 SPD to activate its effect.

Relic List & Guide

Black Swan's Best Light Cones

All Recommended Light Cones

Recommended Light Cones	How to Get
Reforged Remembrance	Limited Gacha
Eyes of the Prey	Gacha
Patience Is All You Need	Limited Gacha
Good Night and Sleep Well	Gacha
Before the Tutorial Mission Starts	Event Exclusive
Incessant Rain	Limited Gacha
It’s Showtime	Forgotten Hall
Fermata	Echo of War Forgotten Hall
Solitary Healing	Herta Store
Resolution Shines As Pearls of Sweat	Gacha

Light Cone List & Guide

Black Swan Ascension and Trace Materials

Total Ascension Materials

Ascension Materials	Total
Extinguished Core	15
Glimmering Core	15
Squirming Core	15
Ascendant Debris	65
Credit	308,000

Total Trace Materials

All Trace Node Materials	Total
Fiery Spirit	15
Extinguished Core	41
Starfire Essence	72
Glimmering Core	56
Heaven Incinerator	139
Squirming Core	58
Past Evils of the Borehole Planet Disaster	12
Tracks of Destiny	11
Credit	3,000,000

Black Swan's Gameplay Guide

DoTs Apply Arcana onto Enemies

When Black Swan is in the party, there is a base chance for enemies to receive the Arcana debuff after getting hit with a DoT. Arcana deals Wind DMG to an enemy at the start of their turn.

Arcana Bonus Effects

Arcana can also provide additional effects depending on the number of Arcana stacks an enemy has.

No. of Stacks	Effect
3+	Deals Wind DoT to adjacent targets and has a base chance of applying 1 bonus Arcana stack on Adjacent Targets
7+	Arcana DoTs ignore a set percentage of the target and adjacent targets' DEF.

Basic ATKs Apply Extra Arcana Stacks

Black Swan's Basic ATKs can also apply Arcana stacks onto enemies. If the enemy is inflicted with Wind Shear, Bleed, Burn, or Shock DoTs, each respectively has a chance of applying an extra Arcana stack.

Skill can Apply Arcana and Reduce DEF

Black Swan's Skill deals Wind DMG to a single enemy and adjacent targets and has a chance to apply Arcana and DEF Reduction to the attacked enemies.

Ultimate Inflicts Epiphany on All Enemies

Black Swan's Ultimate will deal Wind DMG to all enemies and apply the Epiphany effect onto them. Enemies affected with Epiphany deal increased DMG on their turn and the Arcana stacks will count as Wind Shear, Bleed, Burn, and Shock.

On top of that, if Arcana is triggered at the start of an enemy's turn, the stacks will not reset.

Technique Applies Arcana at the Start of Combat

After using Black Swan's Technique, enemies have a base chance to be inflicted with Arcana repeatedly until it fails to be applied.

Black Swan's Trace Priority

Combat Traces

Trace	Priority & Explanation
Basic Attack	★★★☆☆ - Medium Priority Black Swan's Basic ATKs should be upgraded last since it contributes the least DMG given to an enemy. It's still important to upgrade this Trace to increase the chances of applying more Arcana stacks.
Skill	★★★★☆ - High Priority Upgrading Black Swan's Skill will strengthen the DEF debuff applied to enemies.
Ultimate	★★★★☆ - High Priority Increases the DMG taken by enemies at the start of their turn, which lets them take more DoT DMG in the process.
Talent	★★★★★ - Highest Priority Upgrading Black Swan's Talent simply increases her Arcana DMG, which is an essential part of her kit.

Bonus Abilities

Trace	Priority & Explanation
Viscera's Disquiet	★★★★★ - Highest Priority This allows Black Swan to inflict an extra Arcana stack with her Skill on enemies affected with other DoTs.
Goblet's Dredges	★★★★★ - Highest Priority Enemies now have a chance to be inflicted with Arcana upon entering combat. Enemies can also gain Arcana stacks simply by receiving a DoT from an allied unit.
Candleflame's Portent	★★★★★ - Highest Priority This Bonus Ability significantly increases Black Swan's overall DMG based on the current amount of Effect Hit Rate she has.

Black Swan's Traces (Skills and Kit)

All Abilities and Effects

Trace	Scaling and Explanation
Skill	Decadence, False Twilight: Deals Wind DMG equal to 45% of Black Swan's ATK to a single target enemy and any adjacent targets. At the same time, there is a 100% base chance of inflicting 1 stack of Arcana on the target enemy and the adjacent targets. Additionally, there is a 100% base chance of reducing the DEF of the target enemy and the adjacent targets by 14.8%, lasting for 3 turn(s).
Talent	Loom of Fate's Caprice: Every time an enemy target receives DoT at the start of each turn, there is a 50% base chance for it to be inflicted with 1 stack of Arcana. While afflicted with Arcana, enemy targets receive Wind DoT equal to 96% of Black Swan's ATK at the start of each turn. Each stack of Arcana increases this DMG multiplier by 4.8%. Then Arcana resets to 1 stack. Arcana can stack up to 50 times. Only when Arcana causes DMG at the start of an enemy target's turn, Black Swan triggers additional effects based on the number of Arcana stacks inflicted on the target: When there are 3 or more Arcana stacks, deals Wind DoT equal to 72% of Black Swan's ATK to adjacent targets, with a 50% base chance of inflicting 1 stack of Arcana on adjacent targets. When there are 7 or more Arcana stacks, enables the current DoT dealt this time to ignore 20% of the target's and adjacent targets' DEF.
Ultimate	Bliss of Other World's Embrace: Inflicts Epiphany on all enemies for 2 turn(s). While afflicted with Epiphany, enemies take 15% increased DMG in their turn. Additionally, if enemies are also inflicted with Arcana, they are considered to be simultaneously afflicted with Wind Shear, Bleed, Burn, and Shock. After Arcana causes DMG at the start of each turn, its stacks are not reset. This non-reset effect of Arcana stacks can be triggered up to 1 time(s) for the duration of Epiphany. And the trigger count resets when Epiphany is applied again. Deals Wind DMG equal to 72% of Black Swan's ATK to all enemies.
Technique	From Façade to Vérité: At the beginning of the next battle, there is a chance to inflict a stack of Arcana on each enemy. If Arcana is successfully inflicted on any enemy, this effect will be repeated on the affected enemies until it fails to inflict Arcana on any of them. The re-trigger chance of inflicting Arcana will be lowered with each successful Arcana inflicted on the target. Stat Bonus: 1. ATK +4.0% 2. ATK +8.0%
Basic ATK	Precipience, Silent Dawn: Deals Wind DMG equal to 30% of Black Swan's ATK to a single target enemy, with a 50% base chance of inflicting 1 stack of Arcana on the target. Additionally, when attacking a target that suffers Wind Shear, Bleed, Burn, or Shock, there is respectively a 50% base chance of inflicting 1 extra stack of Arcana on the target.
Bonus Ability	Viscera's Disquiet: After using the Skill to hit an enemy that has Wind Shear, Bleed, Burn, or Shock, each of these debuffs respectively has a 65% base chance of inflicting 1 extra stack of Arcana. Stat Bonus: 1. Wind DMG +3.2% 2. ATK +4.0% 3. Effect Hit Rate +4.0%
Bonus Ability	Goblet's Dredges: When an enemy target enters battle, there is a 65% base chance for it to be inflicted with 1 stack of Arcana. Every time an enemy target receives DoT during a single attack by an ally, there is a 65% base chance for the target to be inflicted with 1 stack of Arcana. The maximum number of stacks that can be inflicted during 1 single attack is 3. Stat Bonus: 1. ATK +6.0% 2. Wind DMG +4.8% 3. ATK +6.0%
Bonus Ability	Candleflame's Portent: Increases this unit's DMG by an amount equal to 60% of Effect Hit Rate up to a maximum DMG increase of 72%. Stat Bonus: 1. Effect Hit Rate +6.0% 2. Wind DMG +6.4%

Black Swan's Eidolons

Recommended Eidolons

	Why We Recommend It
E1	★★★★★ - Amazing Enemies will have their Elemental RES reduced as long as Black Swan is active and they're affected by DoTs.
E2	★★★★★ - Amazing Best stopping-point for spenders. When an enemy is downed, other targets adjacent to it will receive Arcana stacks. This increases Black Swan's AoE capability.
E4	★★★☆☆ - Good Black Swan regenerates energy at the start of an enemy's turn or after defeating an enemy.
E6	★★★★☆ - Great Enemies have a chance of receiving Arcana from allies attacking and increases the chance to implant extra Arcana stacks onto enemies.

All Eidolon Resonance Effects

E1	Seven Pillars of Wisdom While Black Swan is active in battle, enemies afflicted with Wind Shear, Bleed, Burn, or Shock will have their corresponding Wind, Physical, Fire, or Lightning RES respectively reduced by 25%
E2	Weep Not For Me, My Lamb When an enemy target afflicted with Arcana is defeated, there is a 100% base chance of inflicting 6 stack(s) of Arcana on adjacent targets.
E3	As Above, So Below Skill Lv. +2, up to a maximum of Lv. 15. Talent Lv. +2, up to a maximum of Lv. 15.
E4	In Tears We Gift While in the Epiphany state, enemy targets have their Effect RES reduced by 10%. And at the start of their turn or when they get defeated, Black Swan regenerates 8 Energy. This Energy Regeneration effect can only trigger up to 1 time while Epiphany lasts. And the trigger count resets when Epiphany is applied again.
E5	Linnutee Flyway Ultimate Lv. +2, up to a maximum of Lv. 15. Basic ATK Lv. +1, up to a maximum of Lv. 10.
E6	Pantheon Merciful, Masses Pitiful When an enemy target gets attacked by Black Swan's allies, Black Swan has a 65% base chance of inflicting 1 stack of Arcana on the target. Every time Black Swan inflicts Arcana on an enemy target, there is a 50% fixed chance to additionally increase the number of Arcana stacked this time by 1.

Additional Black Swan Information

How to Get Black Swan

Limited Banners
Ripples in Reflection

Black Swan was previously available in the Character Warp banner called Ripples in Reflection, which ran from Feb. 06, 2024, until Feb. 29, 2024.

Black Swan Banner Schedule and Rates

Background and Voice Actors

Voice Actor	EN: Arryn Zech JP: Hitomi Nabatame
Faction / Affiliation	Garden of Recollection

Black Swan's In-Game Lore

Faction	Garden of Recollection
Background	A Memokeeper of the Garden of Recollection. An indolent and mysterious soothsayer. "Remembrance" of men are hers to heed, threads of fate are hers to tug.

Honkai: Star Rail Related Guides

▶︎ All Playable Characters

Characters by Rarity

Character Rarity
★★★★	★★★★★

Characters by Path

Character Paths
Destruction	Hunt	Erudition	Harmony
Nihility	Preservation	Abundance

Characters by Element

Character Elements
Fire	Ice	Lightning	Wind
Quantum	Imaginary	Physical

All Wind Characters

Wind Characters
Bronya	Dan Heng	Blade
Sampo	Huohuo	Black Swan