Summary
Honkai: Star Railfeatures a dynamic meta that evolves with each new inclusion to the roster. Jade is one of the newest additions, and has already begun to shake up the game in a number of interesting ways. However,Jade’s best team compositionsspecialize pretty heavily into what is already dominant, and this may run the risk of alienating other previously viable strategies.
Follow-up attacks are one of the most important features of combat inHonkai: Star Rail, and many teams are already designed around exploiting this mechanic. In fact, follow-up teams have only become more popular over time, with new characters such as Robin and Aventurine contributing hugely to the strategy. However, other new characters don’t fit this mold, and Jade is about to emphasize this fact.
Jade’s Inclusion in Honkai: Star Rail Could Render Other New Characters Irrelevant
Follow-Up Attacks Already Dominate Honkai: Star Rail Team Compositions
Much of theappeal behindHonkai: Star Raillies in players hoping to obtain their favorite characters, but not all characters are created equally. Though there isn’t any kind of competitive game mode,Star Railis certainly not devoid of a good challenge. The late game especially, as well as any number of events, require players to apply the utmost care when building their teams.
Follow-up attacks occur under unique conditions for each character that has one, and they are each powerful tools in their own right. A well-timed follow-up attack can be combined with other system mechanics to ensure the player’s turn extends long enough to deal maximum damage. The key to doing this lies in saving an ultimate for the right moment, and using weakness break to delay enemy turns. Though each character may have an ultimate or be able to break an enemy’s weakness, not everyone can launch a follow-up attack.
For this reason, some characters are simply excluded from very popular team compositions. Follow-up attacks were already one of the keymechanics inHonkai: Star Rail’s combat, and this fact has only become more pronounced thanks to recent additions. Robin is perhaps the prime example of this phenomenon, as she creates a mutual benefit between herself and follow-up attack characters. Likewise, Aventurine and Topaz are just two of the many recent characters who have a powerful follow-up attack at their disposal.
Some of Honkai: Star Rail’s Newest Characters Could Become Obsolete
Even older characters such as Herta and Himeko manage to dominateHonkai: Star Rail’s Pure Fiction game mode. By contrast, other characters with real seniority in the game are starting to see less use over time. It’s only natural that some characters would be victims of power creep, especially in a live service game. However, it’s the effect on even new characters that is the far larger reason for concern.
Bronya is one of the few characters who has kept up withchanges toHonkai: Star Rail’s metaover time. Even so, this is mostly thanks to the advent of characters such as Boothill, who benefits greatly from her signature ability. Firefly is another recent addition, and she has had a similarly large impact on the game. However, popular characters such as Boothill and Firefly may fall off quickly thanks to Jade.
Boothill and Firefly are extremely powerful on their own, but do not have follow-up attacks within their kit. This pretty much takes them off the table for anyone who wants to run any number of the best team compositions. Even if someone simply enjoys a character like Robin and wants to include her for that reason, they would still have to run against their better judgment if they wanted to team her up with Firefly.Every character inHonkai: Star Railhas their place, but the array of teams they can each fit in is rapidly shrinking.
It’s natural for some characters to rise to the top, and this holds true for team composition as well. However, follow-up attack teams have had their heyday for quite some time now, all while excluding other popular characters. Jade’s kit hugely benefits these already powerful teams, and will continue to benefitHonkai: Star Rail’s future characters, meaning the game’s priorities likely won’t change any time soon.
