What is the best Light Cone for Kafka?

Along the Passing Shore is the closest fit on the data: it is a 5-star Nihility Light Cone with 635 base ATK at level 80, and its passive acts on ATK. Boundless Choreo is the best 4-star alternative.

Which relic set should Kafka use?

Band of Sizzling Thunder. Its 2-piece bonus is: Increases Lightning DMG by 10%. Its 4-piece bonus is: When the wearer uses their Skill, increases the wearer's ATK by 20% for 1 turn(s).

Which Planar Ornament should Kafka use?

Firmament Frontline: Glamoth. Its 2-piece bonus is: Increases the wearer's ATK by 12%. When the wearer's SPD is equal to or higher than 135/160, the wearer deals 12%/18% more DMG. Planar Ornaments have no 4-piece bonus; the sphere and the rope are the whole set.

Kafka, Lightning Nihility character | Honkai: Star Rail

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Stellaron Hunters

Kafka Build

Build guide · Honkai: Star Rail

LightningNihilitySub DPS

English voice: Cheryl Texiera

The best Kafka build in Honkai: Star Rail (Version 4.6) is Before the Tutorial Mission Starts with Eagle of Twilight Line. Updated November 5, 2026

Abilities Traces Materials Eidolons

Where these rankings come fromThe light cone order, relic sets and stat priorities on this tab are prydwen.gg’s, measured in play and rephrased. Relative damage figures are ratios against the bottom of each ranking, not absolute numbers, and each one holds only for the superimposition and team its row states. Everything else (base stats, passive text, material totals) is read from the game’s own data.

Light cones

7 ranked

Before the Tutorial Mission Starts, 4★ Nihility Light Cone | Honkai: Star Rail

BISBefore the Tutorial Mission Starts

Ranked first at S1

476

Base ATK · lv 80

953 HP331 DEF

Patience Is All You Need, 5★ Nihility Light Cone | Honkai: Star Rail

#2Patience Is All You Need

Ranked #2 at S1

582

Base ATK · lv 80

1058 HP463 DEF

Lies Dance on the Breeze, 5★ Nihility Light Cone | Honkai: Star Rail

#3Lies Dance on the Breeze

Ranked #3 at S1

582

Base ATK · lv 80

953 HP529 DEF

Those Many Springs, 5★ Nihility Light Cone | Honkai: Star Rail

#4Those Many Springs

Ranked #4 at S1

582

Base ATK · lv 80

953 HP529 DEF

Resolution Shines As Pearls of Sweat, 4★ Nihility Light Cone | Honkai: Star Rail

#5Resolution Shines As Pearls of Sweat

Ranked #5 at S5

476

Base ATK · lv 80

953 HP331 DEF

Relics

3 sets

CoreEagle of Twilight Line

Buffed Kafka operates best as more of a DoT support character focused on activating her numerous DoT triggers as many times as possible in a fight. 4P Eagle of Twilight line is currently the set that aligns with this playstyle, giving Kafka's ease of access to her Ultimate in many of the scenarios endgame has to offer.

2PCIncreases Wind DMG by 10%.

4PCAfter the wearer uses their Ultimate, their action is Advanced Forward by 25%.

Also works

Planar ornaments

Sphere and rope · 2-piece only

CoreLushaka, the Sunken Seas

When playing Kafka in the DoT support role, it's often more beneficial for the overall team's damage for her to play with a supportive Planar over an offensive one. This is especially true when it comes to Lushaka. Because of the additional Energy it provides, Kafka can use her Ultimate more often.

2PCIncreases the wearer's Energy Regeneration Rate by 5%. If the wearer is not the first character in the team lineup, then increases the ATK of the first character in the team lineup by 12%.

Also works

Main stats

Ultimate · 120 energy

Body: Effect HIT Rate = ATK%
Feet: Speed
Planar Sphere: Lightning DMG >= ATK%
Link Rope: Energy Regen Rate > ATK%

Substat priority

Highest first

1Effect Hit Rate (Until 75%)Best
2SPD
3ATK%

Trace priority

Level in this order

#1
Ultimate = Skill
Max first
#2
Talent
Then
#3
Basic
Next

Major traces, best first: Torture (A2) > Thorns (A6) > Plunder (A4)

Best Eidolons

E3 and E5 raise levels only

E1Da Capo
E2Fortississimo
E3Level bump
E4Recitativo
E5Level bump
E6Leggiero

E1
Da Capo
Game text
When using an attack, has a 100% base chance to increase the DoT taken by the target by 30% for 2 turn(s).
E2
Fortississimo
Game text
While Kafka is on the field, DoT dealt by all allies increases by 33%.
E4
Recitativo
Game text
When an enemy target takes DMG from the Shock status inflicted by Kafka, Kafka additionally regenerates 2 Energy.
E6
Leggiero
Game text
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.

Teams

2 teams

Kafka team

Lightning · Damage over timeLeads

Kafka detonates the stacks Black Swan and a third Nihility unit apply, so every slot but the sustain exists to keep a damage-over-time state on the enemy.

Kafka, this characterMain DPS
Black SwanDoT applier
HysilensDoT applier
HuohuoSustain

Aventurine • Waveflair team

Quantum · Elation dual carryStands in for Mortenax Blade

The same "Fervor" engine fed by a Hunt carry and a Nihility unit whose off-turn hits count as attacks, with a Remembrance sustain whose memosprite keeps the counter moving between Waveflair's turns.

Aventurine • WaveflairMain DPS
AshveilHunt carry
Mortenax BladeOff-turn attackeror Kafka
HyacineSustain

All teams, with every replacement

Honkai: Star Rail 5★ Lightning Nihility Sub DPS

Kafka build summary

Updated November 5, 2026

Before the Tutorial Mission Starts tops the light cone ranking for Kafka at S1, ahead of Patience Is All You Need, Lies Dance on the Breeze and Those Many Springs. That order is prydwen.gg's, measured in play and rephrased here; every row of it sits under Light cones below.

Run Eagle of Twilight Line on Kafka, with Sacerdos' Relived Ordeal and Prisoner in Deep Confinement behind it. The planar ornament is Lushaka, the Sunken Seas. Main stats are Effect HIT Rate = ATK% body, Speed feet, Lightning DMG >= ATK% sphere, Energy Regen Rate > ATK% rope. Roll substats in the order Effect Hit Rate (Until 75%) > SPD > ATK%.

Trace priority is Ultimate = Skill > Talent > Basic. The Ultimate costs 120 energy, which is what an Energy Regeneration Rate target has to clear.

The strongest team is Kafka, Black Swan, Hysilens and Huohuo, built around Kafka: Lightning · Damage over time.

Role: Sub DPS / Support
Best light cone: Before the Tutorial Mission Starts
Alternatives: Patience Is All You Need, Lies Dance on the Breeze, Those Many Springs
Relic set: Eagle of Twilight Line
Planar ornament: Lushaka, the Sunken Seas
Main stats: Effect HIT Rate = ATK% body, Speed feet, Lightning DMG >= ATK% sphere, Energy Regen Rate > ATK% rope
Substat priority: Effect Hit Rate (Until 75%) > SPD > ATK%
Trace priority: Ultimate = Skill > Talent > Basic
Best team: Kafka, Black Swan, Hysilens, Huohuo
Ultimate energy cost: 120 energy
Key ascension material: 15× Conqueror's Will
Last updated: November 5, 2026

Kafka build FAQ

What is the best Light Cone for Kafka?: Along the Passing Shore is the closest fit on the data: it is a 5-star Nihility Light Cone with 635 base ATK at level 80, and its passive acts on ATK. Boundless Choreo is the best 4-star alternative.
Which relic set should Kafka use?: Band of Sizzling Thunder. Its 2-piece bonus is: Increases Lightning DMG by 10%. Its 4-piece bonus is: When the wearer uses their Skill, increases the wearer's ATK by 20% for 1 turn(s).
Which Planar Ornament should Kafka use?: Firmament Frontline: Glamoth. Its 2-piece bonus is: Increases the wearer's ATK by 12%. When the wearer's SPD is equal to or higher than 135/160, the wearer deals 12%/18% more DMG. Planar Ornaments have no 4-piece bonus; the sphere and the rope are the whole set.

Kafka Build

Light cones

Relics

Planar ornaments

Main stats

Substat priority

Trace priority

Best Eidolons

Da Capo

Fortississimo

Recitativo

Leggiero

Teams

Kafka build FAQ