Honkai Star Rail Pure Fiction Tier List

This article ranks the best characters for Pure Fiction, Honkai: Star Rail’s wave-based endgame mode, based on their ability to clear multiple elite enemies and mobs efficiently. You’ll find a tier list, explanations of why certain characters excel, and team-building advice. The rankings reflect the current meta as of Version 2.1 and assume reasonably built characters (Level 80, maxed traces, decent relics).

Formula

The formula used in the calculator above is the basic definition of average pace and speed:

Pace (min/km) = Total Time (minutes) / Distance (km)

Speed (km/h) = Distance (km) / (Total Time (minutes) / 60)

Where:

• Total Time is the time it took to complete the run, in minutes.
• Distance is the total distance covered, in kilometers.
• Pace is the average time per kilometer, expressed in minutes per kilometer (min/km).
• Speed is the average velocity, expressed in kilometers per hour (km/h).

Worked Example

Using the default values from the calculator: Total Time = 50 minutes, Distance = 10 km.

1. Calculate Pace: Pace = 50 min / 10 km = 5.0 min/km.
2. Calculate Speed: Speed = 10 km / (50 min / 60) = 10 km / 0.8333 h = 12.0 km/h.

The calculator outputs a pace of 5.00 min/km and a speed of 12.00 km/h.

What is Pure Fiction?

Pure Fiction is a recurring endgame mode in Honkai: Star Rail, similar to Memory of Chaos but with a different objective. Instead of defeating a single powerful boss, you face four waves of enemies, each wave containing multiple elites and numerous small mobs. The goal is to score as many points as possible by defeating enemies within a set number of cycles (turns). The mode resets every few weeks with new buffs and enemy lineups, so the best characters can shift slightly.

The scoring system rewards both speed and total damage. You earn points for each enemy defeated, and you get a bonus for clearing a wave quickly. To get the maximum rewards (usually 3 stars per stage), you need to reach a certain score threshold, which often requires clearing all waves with a few cycles to spare. This makes area-of-effect (AoE) damage and frequent follow-up attacks extremely valuable.

How the Tier List Works

The tier list below ranks characters based on their performance in Pure Fiction, assuming they are properly built and used in a synergistic team. The tiers are:

• S-Tier: The absolute best. These characters can nearly solo-clear waves or provide irreplaceable support. They are the core of most top-scoring teams.
• A-Tier: Excellent choices. They deal high damage or provide strong utility, and they fit into many team compositions.
• B-Tier: Solid options. They work well in the right team, but have some limitations compared to higher-tier characters.
• C-Tier: Situational or outclassed. They can be used for fun or if you lack better options, but they won’t give you the best scores.

This list is a general guide. The actual best character for you depends on your roster, light cones, and the specific enemies and buffs of the current Pure Fiction cycle.

S-Tier Characters

These characters are the undisputed kings and queens of Pure Fiction. They either clear waves in a single turn or enable their teammates to do so.

• Himeko (Erudition, Fire): Himeko is the queen of Pure Fiction. Her follow-up attack triggers whenever an enemy is broken, and with so many enemies on screen, she procs it constantly. Her ultimate deals massive AoE fire damage, and her talent gives her a damage boost against broken enemies. She is the single best character for this mode.
• Jing Yuan (Erudition, Lightning): Jing Yuan’s Lightning Lord is a powerful follow-up attack that hits multiple times. In Pure Fiction, where enemies die quickly, Lightning Lord often gets to act multiple times, dealing devastating AoE damage. He is slightly slower than Himeko, but his damage ceiling is just as high.
• Argenti (Erudition, Physical): Argenti’s kit is built around dealing massive damage to multiple enemies. His ultimate has a variable cost, allowing him to use a cheaper version for mobs or a stronger version for elites. He also regenerates energy when he hits multiple enemies, so he uses his ultimate very frequently.
• Ruan Mei (Harmony, Ice): Ruan Mei is the best support for Pure Fiction. She increases the team’s damage, speed, and break effect. Her ultimate extends the broken state of enemies, which is crucial for triggering Himeko’s follow-up attacks. She also provides a weakness break efficiency boost, making it easier to break enemies.

A-Tier Characters

These characters are excellent and can be the star of your team if you don’t have the S-tier units. They require a bit more support but are still very strong.

• Kafka (Nihility, Lightning): Kafka’s kit revolves around DoT (Damage over Time) effects. She can detonate all DoTs on an enemy, dealing massive damage. In Pure Fiction, where there are many enemies, she can spread her DoTs and detonate them all, clearing waves quickly. She works best with other DoT characters like Sampo or Luka.
• Blade (Destruction, Wind): Blade is a tanky DPS who deals damage based on his max HP. His follow-up attack hits multiple enemies and heals him. He is not as fast as the Erudition characters, but he is very durable and can sustain himself, making him a safe pick.
• Topaz & Numby (Hunt, Fire): Topaz is a single-target DPS, but her companion Numby has a follow-up attack that triggers when enemies take fire damage. She can mark an enemy to increase the damage they take. While she is not AoE, her follow-up attacks and the fact that she can focus down elites quickly makes her valuable.
• Seele (Hunt, Quantum): Seele’s resurgence mechanic allows her to take an extra turn after defeating an enemy. In Pure Fiction, where there are many weak enemies, she can chain kills and clear waves very quickly. She is a bit more single-target focused, but her speed makes up for it.
• Bronya (Harmony, Wind): Bronya is a top-tier support for any team. She can advance an ally’s action, allowing them to act immediately. She also provides a damage boost and a critical damage boost. She is especially good with Seele or Jing Yuan.

B-Tier Characters

These characters are good, but they have some limitations in Pure Fiction. They are often single-target focused or require specific team setups to shine.

• Jingliu (Destruction, Ice): Jingliu is a powerful DPS, but her kit is more focused on single-target and small AoE. She can still deal good damage, but she struggles to clear waves as fast as the Erudition characters. She is a good choice if you lack other options.
• Dan Heng IL (Destruction, Imaginary): Dan Heng IL is a massive damage dealer, but his attacks are mostly single-target or small AoE. He is also very skill-point hungry, which can be a problem in a mode where you need to use skills frequently. He is outclassed by the top-tier characters in this mode.
• Yanqing (Hunt, Ice): Yanqing is a single-target DPS who relies on his follow-up attack. He can be good against elites, but he struggles with mobs. He is a decent pick if you have no other Ice DPS.
• Herta (Erudition, Ice): Herta is a free character who has a follow-up attack when enemies fall below 50% HP. In Pure Fiction, this triggers often, but her damage is lower than other Erudition characters. She is a budget option.
• Serval (Erudition, Lightning): Serval is a good AoE DPS, but she is outclassed by Jing Yuan and other 5-star Erudition characters. She is a decent free-to-play option.

C-Tier Characters

These characters are not recommended for Pure Fiction unless you have no other options. They are either too single-target focused or their damage is too low.

• Arlan (Destruction, Lightning): Arlan’s kit requires him to be at low HP, which is risky and not ideal for a mode where you need to survive multiple waves.
• Hook (Destruction, Fire): Hook is a single-target DPS with a burn effect. She is not good at clearing mobs.
• Physical Trailblazer (Destruction, Physical): The Physical Trailblazer is a decent single-target DPS, but they are outclassed by almost every other character in the game.

How to Build a Team for Pure Fiction

Building a team for Pure Fiction is different from building a team for Memory of Chaos. Here are some tips:

1. Focus on AoE: You need at least one character that can deal damage to multiple enemies at once. Erudition characters are the best at this.
2. Use Follow-up Attacks: Characters with follow-up attacks (Himeko, Jing Yuan, Topaz, Blade) are extremely valuable because they can deal damage without using skill points.
3. Bring a Support: A good support like Ruan Mei or Bronya can significantly increase your team’s damage output. Even a healer or shielder can be useful to keep your team alive.
4. Consider the Elemental Weaknesses: Each Pure Fiction stage has enemies with specific elemental weaknesses. Try to build a team that can break those weaknesses to trigger Himeko’s follow-up and deal extra damage.
5. Don’t Forget About Speed: Speed is important to get more turns, but it’s not as critical as in other modes. Focus more on damage and utility.

Common Mistakes and Misconceptions

Here are some common mistakes players make when trying to clear Pure Fiction:

• Using Single-Target DPS: Characters like Seele and Yanqing can work, but they are not as effective as AoE characters. If you use them, make sure you have a strong AoE character to clear the mobs.
• Ignoring the Buffs: Each Pure Fiction cycle has a special buff that changes the way you play. For example, one buff might increase follow-up attack damage, while another might give energy. Make sure you read the buff and build your team around it.
• Not Building ER (Energy Regeneration): Many of the best Pure Fiction characters rely on their ultimate. Building an energy regeneration rope or using characters like Tingyun can help you use your ultimate more often.
• Forgetting to Break Enemies: Breaking enemies is crucial for triggering Himeko’s follow-up and for dealing extra damage. Use characters that can apply weakness break efficiently.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Himeko really the best character for Pure Fiction?

Yes, Himeko is widely considered the best character for Pure Fiction due to her follow-up attack that triggers on enemy break. Since Pure Fiction has many enemies, she procs this constantly, dealing massive AoE damage. She also has a strong ultimate that hits all enemies. Her only weakness is that she is less effective against single targets, but that is rarely a problem in this mode.

Can I use a team without a healer or shielder?

Yes, you can, especially if you have characters like Blade or Himeko who can sustain themselves. However, if you are struggling to survive, it is better to bring a healer or shielder. The main goal is to clear waves quickly, so if you can do that before your team dies, you don’t need a healer.

What is the best F2P team for Pure Fiction?

A strong free-to-play team could be Herta (Erudition), Serval (Erudition), Asta (Harmony), and Natasha (Abundance). Herta and Serval provide AoE damage, Asta boosts speed and attack, and Natasha heals. This team can get you through most Pure Fiction stages, but you may need to adjust based on enemy weaknesses.

How often does Pure Fiction reset?

Pure Fiction resets every two weeks, alternating with Memory of Chaos. Each reset brings a new buff and a new enemy lineup. The tier list can shift slightly depending on the buff, but the top characters generally remain strong.

Do I need to level my traces and relics to max?

To get the highest scores, yes. You should have your main DPS characters at level 80 with maxed traces and good relics (at least +12, ideally +15). Supports should be at least level 70 with their key traces leveled. The difference between a well-built and a poorly-built character is huge in this mode.

What is the best light cone for Himeko in Pure Fiction?

The best light cone for Himeko is her signature, “Before Dawn,” but if you don’t have it, you can use “The Seriousness of Breakfast” (a 4-star light cone) or “Geniuses’ Repose.” These provide crit stats and damage boosts that are very useful for her.

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in t | Finish time | min | 50 | 0
in d | Distance | km | 10 | 0
out pace | Average pace | min/km | t / d | 2
out speed | Average speed | km/h | d / (t / 60) | 2