Here’s the Best Standard 5-Star to Pick in Honkai: Star Rail

For a limited time, HoYoVerse is giving all players who log into Honkai: Star Rail a free standard 5-star between Version 2.7 and Version 3.2. While you can pick your favorite character or try to complete your collection, here are our choices for the best standard 5-star.

Which free Honkai: Star Rail 5-star character should I pick?

For starters, if you’re a newer player, you should prioritize whichever one your account is missing. If, for example, you’re happy with your sustain, then you don’t need Bailu or Gepard. Therefore, you’ll need to pick someone like Himeko or Welt instead. Conversely, if you’re a newer player without a serviceable March 7th or Natasha, you can try getting Bailu or Gepard and then build them to help heal or shield the party. In that case, I would recommend Bailu over Gepard, due to Gepard’s many, many faults.

Players with better-off accounts might have a harder time picking. As mentioned earlier, you can choose your favorite character or prioritize someone you don’t have. I, for example, considered getting Yanqing specifically because he’s the only standard 5-star I don’t have. But since Honkai: Star Rail is a game that’s easier or harder depending on what units you own, choosing characters who are useful in the long run might be better.

Here are the best standard 5-star characters to get in Honkai: Star Rail:

• Bronya
  Though a standard character, Bronya can compete with even limited 5-stars when it comes to usefulness. She’s a wonderful universal support who buffs DMG and Crit DMG. She can also use her Skill to move characters up in the turn order, which can either let your attacker deal damage again or usher in a healer to save you from an emergency.
• Clara
  Clara is a DPS and tank who specializes in countering enemy moves. She’s pretty easy to keep easy and she hits really hard too, making it easy for beginners to use and build her, even with limited resources. Depending on your build and what team you put her on, Clara’s usefulness can persist in the later game as well.
• Himeko
  Himeko is an amazing damage-dealer who works well as both DPS or sub DPS. You can build her for straight Crit DMG or Break Effect depending on what teams you want her own or what Relics you have. But the thing that’s strongest about Himeko is her usefulness in multiple modes. While characters like Bronya or Clara might not be ideal in Pure Fiction, that’s where Himeko shines. You can also use her against bosses, in everyday content, and in Simulated Universe.

Honkai: Star Rail is readily available on the PS5, Windows PC, and mobile devices. You have until Version 3.2 to pick your free 5-star in the game.