HSR Cipher Best Build, Relics, Light Cone and Team!

Cipher, the new 5-star Quantum and Nihility character will arriving in Honkai: Star Rail Version 3.3, is now available for building follow-up ATK synergy and debuffer for Acheron! To maximize Cipher’s potential, follow through this Cipher build guide.In this blog, I will provide the detail guide to help you better build Cipher and enhance your gaming experience!

Cipher Overview

Cipher is a five-star Quantum character, following the Path of Nihility. She is a dual-function support character, capable of both enhancing team damage and providing secondary DPS output. Her skills can weaken enemy resistance, transfer negative effects, and trigger recorded damage via her Finale skill for delayed burst damage. She is a powerful secondary DPS character.Her key features include:

Damage Amplifier: Her Vulnerability and Recorded DMG works as an amplifier to your team’s damage output. The damage done by allies including Cipher will be recorded and can be dealt as True DMG and shared among 3 targets through her Ultimate which is essentially a damage amplification but delayed. Overflow damage will not be recorded.

Defense Penetration:Her abilities weaken enemy defenses, allowing allies' attacks to bypass a portion of their resistance and deal higher damage.

High Action Count: Due to her build requirement, she has a high SPD which makes her act more frequently compared to other supports.

Here is Cipher Basic Introduction:

★Rarity: 5-star

★Combat types: Quantum

★Path: Nihility

★Role: Sub-DPS

Pros	Cons
Dual Role Synergy SPD-to-Crit DMG Relic-Friendly Build Cross-Team Versatility addresses the delayed damage ramp-up pain point inherent in DoT team compositions	Delayed Burst Mechanics Rely on Team DPS Rotation Sync SPD Double-Edged Sword Effect Quantum Specialization Constraints

 

Cipher Trace Priority

Focus on unlocking Cipher's Major Traces first, followed by ability upgrades:

Combat Traces:

1. Basic ATK: Cipher’s Basic Attack should be used as a last-resort. The reason is that you’ll likely want to utilize Cipher’s Skill more frequently. So, don’t rush to use the Basic Attack; save it for when other, more valuable abilities (like the Skill) are already employed.
2. Skill: In most cases, you’ll find yourself using Cipher’s Skill quite often. To achieve the best damage output, prioritize upgrading this Skill as early as possible. The more you can maximize its level, the better it’ll contribute to dealing optimal damage in battles.
3. Ultimate: When paired with the True DMG multiplier, Cipher’s Ultimate has the potential to inflict substantial damage. Given this high-damage capability, it’s a top - priority ability to level up. Focus on enhancing it quickly to make the most of that powerful damage - dealing combination.
4. Talent: Cipher has a high SPD stat. Because of this, after upgrading her Skill and Ultimate, you should level up her Talent next. Doing so will optimize the off-turn damage she can deal through her Follow-up attacks, capitalizing on her speed advantage for extra damage opportunities outside her main action turns.

Trace Priority: Skill = Ultimate >Talent > Basic ATK

Bonus Abilities:

1. Major Trace 1 (Empyrean Strides): When Cipher’s SPD is greater or equal to 140/170, increases her CRIT Rate by 25%/50% which can reduce her needs to build CRIT Rate. Additionally, the damage recorded is increased by 50%/100%.
2. Major Trace 2 (300 Rogues): Cipher will additionally record 8% of non-True DMG the damage done by her allies including Cipher on targets that do not have “Patron” effect. This works best with teams that deal a lot of AoE damage.
3. Major Trace 3 (Sleight of Sky): Increases CRIT DMG by 100% which helps in personal damage while also inflicting the Vulnerability debuff for damage amplification.

Trace Priority: Empyrean Strides=300 Rogues＞Sleight of Sky

 

Cipher Light Cones

Selecting the appropriate light cone can greatly enhance Cipher's performance. The following are the prime recommendations designed to match her gameplay approach:

The Best Choice

Lies Dance on the Breez (5-star)

• Increases the wearer's Max SPD by 18% / 21% / 24% / 27% / 30%. After the wearer uses an attack, there is a 120% base chance to inflict the "Bamboozle" state on every enemy target. While under the "Bamboozle" state, enemy target's DEF decreases by 16% / 18% / 20% / 22% / 24% for 2 turn(s).
• If the wearer's SPD is higher than or equal to 170, there is a 120% base chance to inflict the "Theft" state on every enemy target. While under the "Theft" state, enemy target's DEF decreases by 8% / 9% / 10% / 11% / 12% for 2 turn(s). When "Bamboozle" or "Theft" is inflicted repeatedly, only the latest effect inflicted can be active.

This Light Cone provides a dual-phase solution for Cipher's stat optimization:

• SPD Threshold Optimization: Grants flat SPD boosts to help achieve her critical 160 SPD benchmark without excessive relic farming, significantly lowering build pressure.
• Progressive DEF Ignition:
  • Base Effect: Applies 12% DEF shred on debuff application.
  • Enhanced Effect: At 160+ SPD, shred escalates to 24% per stack (max 3 stacks), enabling 72% total DEF reduction - a multiplicative damage amplifier distinct from standard Vulnerability modifiers.

Alternatives

Light Cones	Effect
4-star Resolution shines as pearls of sweat	When the wearer hits an enemy target, if the target is not already Ensared, there is a 60% base chance to inflict the Ensared status. Enemies afflicted with Breached status have their DEF reduced by 12% for 1 turn.
4-star Good night and sleep well	At S5, it gives 24% increased damage per enemy debuff up to 72%.

These Light Cones are the perfect fit for Cipher,which are essential for maximizing her potential.

 

Recommended Pull Configurations

Prerequisites: Players lacking a Nihility support can pull; Players whose teams need multiple Debuff counters can pull; Players who want to use Cipher's Record Value mechanism to play with super large numbers can pull.

Based on resource allocation, we recommend the following Eidolon/Light Cone combinations:

• 0+0 (No Eidolons with Normal Light Cone): No Eidolons is full build, the 4-star 【Resolution shines as pearls of sweat】 provides sufficient 16% defense reduction.
• 0+1: Universal support is sufficient at this level
• 1+1 : A universal sub-DPS option with sufficient budget
• 2+1: An option to improve values with sufficient budget
• 6+1、6+5: Preferred for true enthusiasts with sufficient budget

Signature Light Cone Analysis: Provides 24% AoE DEF reduction and 18% SPD boost, but [In the Name of the World] can serve as a viable substitute.

Eidolons pull recommendations: 1 Eidolons strengthens the core mechanism. Significantly increasing the recorded damage will effectively raise the team’s upper performance limit. It also nicely boosts the damage that Caelus deals through self - sustained attacks. 2 Eidolons enhances the vulnerability-damage value, and 6 Eidolons allows her to fully act as the main DPS

Worried about not having enough resources to pull for Light Cones? Come to LDShop and enjoy your discount HSR top-up!

 

Cipher Relics, Ornaments & Stats,Relic Sets

Relics

Best choice:

Pioneer Diver of Dead Waters

Whether you want her as a Sub-DPS or as a pure fast debuffer for Sub-DPS, Pioneer Diver of Dead Waters is top tier, boosting crit stats and damage when enemies are debuffed. At E0-S0, you'll need extra debuff support to keep it active, but E0-S1 makes it nearly permanent.

• 2-Pc: Increases DMG dealt to enemies with debuffs by 12%.
• 4-Pc: Increases CRIT Rate by 4%. The wearer deals 8%/12% increased CRIT DMG to enemies with at least 2/3 debuffs. After the wearer inflicts a debuff on enemy targets, the aforementioned effects increase by 100%, lasting for 1 turn(s).

Alternatives:

	Messenger Traversing Hackerspace 2-Pc: Increases SPD by 6%
	Sacerdos' Relived Ordeal 2-Pc: Increases SPD by 6%
	Warrior Goddess of Sun and Thunder 2-Pc: Increases SPD by 6%. 4-Pc: When the wearer and their memosprite provide healing to ally targets aside from themselves, the wearer gains "Gentle Rain," which can be triggered up to 1 time per turn, lasting for 2 turn(s). While the wearer has "Gentle Rain," increases their SPD by 6% and all allies' CRIT DMG by 15%. This effect cannot be stacked.

Need speed? Go for Messenger Traversing Hackerspace and Sacerdos' Relived Ordeal. This two-piece combo helps hit the 170 plus SPD threshold or even 200 plus, though it sacrifices some personal damage.

For a pure debuffer build, Eagle of Twilight Line is ideal.

 

Ornaments

Best choice for ATK Multiplier Team (Acheron/Feixiao):

Firmament Frontline: Glamoth

2-Pc: 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.

It provides both SPD and healing output bonuses. The healing bonus has a SPD requirement, but with Cipher's own SPD, she can fully benefit from this effect. This ornament is a perfect fit for Cipher.

Duran, Dynasty of Running Wolves

2-Pc: When an ally uses a Follow-up ATK, the wearer gains 1 stack of Merit, stacking up to 5 time(s). Each stack of Merit increases the DMG dealt by the wearer's Follow-up ATKs by 5%. When there are 5 stacks, additionally increases the wearer's CRIT DMG by 25%.

Best choice for Quantum Team:

Lushaka, the Sunken Seas

2-Pc: Increases the wearer's Energy Regeneration Rate by 5%. If the wearer is not the first character in the team lineup, then increase the ATK of the first character in the team lineup by 12%.

Penacony, Land of the Dreams

2-Pc: Increases wearer's Energy Regeneration Rate by 5%. Increases DMG for all other allies with the same DMG Type as the wearer by 10%.

Prioritize based on attack or damage-boosting attributes, with support as the main focus.

Main / Sub Stats

• Body: CRIT DMG 
• Feet Main: SPD
• Planar Sphere: Quantum DMG Boost
• Link Rope: ATK
• Sub Stats: SPD＞CRIT%+CRIT DMG＞ATK ＞EHR

 

Recommended Stat Values

When it comes to building Cipher, there are a few key stat goals you'll want to hit. Speed is everything for her. 170 is the bare minimum. And if you're going fully spammed to buff, then aim for 200 or more.Just stack speed stats while ensuring 200 SPD in combat.

Stat	Recommended Value
SPD	200+
Crit Rate	40-50%
Crit DMG	150-200%
EHR	38%

 

Cipher Teams

1. Acheron Team (E0S1 Cipher required for comfort usage)

Main DPS	Sub DPS	Support	Sustain
Acheron	Cipher	Jiaoqiu	Gallagher
		Pela
		Silver Wolf

Cipher fits into several team synergies, but her impact really depends on whether you're running her with her signature light cone. In Acaron teams, Cipher's frequent debuffs make her a strong enabler for building Nihil stacks.But to truly replace Pella or compete with Jiao Q, you'll need her signature LC. Without it, her debuff uptime just isn't quite enough to keep up with the pacing Aaron demands.  

2.Feixiao Team:

Main DPS	Sub DPS	Support	Sustain
Feixiao	Cipher	Tribbie	Aventurine
		Robin

In Fei Xiao teams, though, Cipher's value skyrockets. Her multi-hit attacks and follow-ups synergize perfectly, keeping the combo chain going.Plus, she stacks Deaf Shred alongside Feixiao, giving your main DPS even more breathing room to punch through enemy defenses.

Cipher can still slot into other teams and characters like Aga or Casto Ree, but isn't as impactful as units like Sunday or RMC. Cipher is in a weird spot. She's flexible and stylish, but heavily reliant on investment.

 

Conclusion

Cipher is a stylish felinefeatured character. She's fast, precise, and built to debuff. Walking the path of nihility and wielding the quantum element, she thrives on weakening enemies and punishing them for every debuff she lands.If you're eyeing her, aim for E0S1 and run Pioneer Plus Glamoth for generalist builds. Just don't expect her to carry fights alone.

Looking to quickly boost Cipher's strength and fully unleash her potential to enhance your overall team power? Head over to LDShop now for fast, secure, and discounted Honkai: Star Rail top-ups! With secure transactions and great deals, LDShop will help you build a top-notch team with Cipher!