Honkai Star Rail Kafka materials guide: Ascension, best build, and more

Honkai Star Rail 1.2's second banner is right around the corner, and it will finally feature Kafka as a playable character. The Stellaron Hunter has appeared in the game on multiple occasions, charming fans with her intriguing personality and charisma. She is expected to be a unique Lightning DPS that unleashes devastating DoT damage thanks to her Nihility Path.

With over 10 days remaining for her banner to arrive, fans might want to pre-farm resources to build her as early as possible. Hence, this article lists all the level-up and trace materials required to completely ascend Kafka.

Disclaimer: This article is subjective and relies solely on the writer's opinion.

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What are the Ascension materials for Kafka in Honkai Star Rail?

Time to start farming mats for Kafka by u/FatFrenchDude in KafkaMains

Similar to other characters in Honkai Star Rail, Kafka will require maximum ascension to unleash her true potential. The list below contains everything you need to farm to get her to level 80:

• 300,000 Credits
• 5x Thief's Instinct
• 15x Usurper's Scheme
• 15x Conqueror's Will
• 65x Shape Shifter’s Lightning Staff

Collect the Thief's Instinct, Usurper's Scheme, and Conqueror's Will by defeating Void Ranger enemies throughout the map. Alternate sources include the Simulated Universe and the Omni-Synthesizer.

Defeat the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus enemy in the Shape of Doom Stagnant Shadow (Image via HoYoverse)

For the Shape Shifter’s Lightning Staff, farm the Shape of Doom Stagnant located in Xianzhou Luofu’s Stargazer Navalia region.

Here is a list containing the resources required to max out all of Kafka's traces:

• Three million Credits
• 18x Obsidian of Dread
• 69x Obsidian of Desolation
• 139x Obsidian of Obsession
• 41x Thief's Instinct
• 56x Usurper's Scheme
• 58x Conqueror's Will
• 12x Regret of Infinite Ochema
• 8x Tracks of Destiny

Defeat Phantylia to obtain Regret of Infinite Ochema (Image via HoYoverse)

You can farm the Obsidian pieces from Bud of Nihility Crimson Calyx, which is accessible from the Traveler’s Log. As for the Regret of Infinite Ochema, it is dropped by the new Phantylia at the Divine Seed Echo of War.

Finally, the Tracks of Destination is obtainable through the Simulated Universe, Nameless Honor, level rewards, and event bonuses.

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How to best build Kafka in Honkai Star Rail?

Image showing the official Kafka artwork (Image via HoYoverse) Ent Ent Ent

Kafka will bring a unique gameplay element to Honkai Star Rail, which will likely shift its meta going forward. Although she is a DoT-based DPS, her primary source of damage comes from her frequent use of Skill and Ultimate. Hence, you should empower the abilities with a proper Relic Set and Planar Ornaments.

Use the four-piece Band of Sizzling Thunder to maximize Kafka’s damage output (Image via HoYoverse)

Ideally, the four-piece Band of Sizzling Thunder will be her best Relic option. The item piece increases her Lightning DMG by 10%. It further boosts her ATK by 20% after she activates her Skill.

Image showing the best two-piece Relic sets for Kafka (Image via HoYoverse)

Alternatively, use two pieces of Band of Sizzling Thunder and Messenger Traversing Hackerspace to build the Stellaron Hunter. The latter provides 6% SPD, which will help her take frequent turns during combat.

Space Sealing Station is the best Planar Ornament for Kafka (Image via HoYoverse)

Regarding Kafka’s Planar Ornament, use the Space Sealing Station, as it increases her ATK by 12%. When her SPD reaches 120 or higher, she will receive an additional 12% ATK bonus from the passive. You can farm the ornament in Simulated Universe World 3 in Honkai Star Rail.

Kafka’s signature Light Cone, Patience Is All You Need, is certainly her best option in Honkai Star Rail. This passive helps her deal more DMG to enemies afflicted with DoT.

Use the Fermata Light Cone for an F2P Kafka build (Image via HoYoverse)

You can also pick up Fermata from the Forgotten Halls shop for an F2P Kafka build. The 4-star Light Cone increases her Break Effect and DMG to enemies afflicted with Shock or Wind Shear effects.