Honkai: Star Rail 3.3 Cipher Build Guide: Build, Relic Stats, And More

Quick Guide

• Light Cone: Grab Lies Dance on the Breeze if you can; it’s her best. Resolution Shines as Pearls of Sweat works great for free-to-play.
• Relics: Go for 4-piece Pioneer Diver of Dead Waters with Firmament Frontline: Glamoth for Sub-DPS builds. Genius of Brilliant Stars is solid for Quantum-weak enemies, or mix 2-piece SPD sets/Eagle of Twilight Line for a speedy support setup.
• Stats: Aim for 170–200 SPD, 150%+ CRIT DMG, 39–67% EHR, 2500+ ATK, and 40–45% CRIT Rate (after Empyrean Strides kicks in).
• Teams: Pair her with Acheron (Acheron, Cipher, Pela/Silver Wolf, Fu Xuan/Aventurine) for max damage or Feixiao (Feixiao, Cipher, Robin/Topaz, Aventurine) for follow-up attack teams.
• Trace Priority: Level up Ultimate first, then Skill, Talent, and Basic ATK last. Focus on Empyrean Strides for the CRIT Rate boost.

Best Light Cones

Cipher needs Light Cones that pump up her SPD, CRIT stats, Effect Hit Rate (EHR), and DEF shred to make her debuffs and damage pop. Here’s what works:

1. Lies Dance on the Breeze (5-star, Signature)
   • Boosts SPD by 18–30% and adds "Bamboozle" and "Theft" states, shredding enemy DEF up to 72% (24% per stack, max 3 stacks) at 160+ SPD. If her Skill crits, DEF shred gets even better.
   • Why it’s great: Makes hitting 170 SPD easier (only need 145 from relics). The DEF shred is huge for Acheron teams, and it applies debuffs way faster than 4-star options.
   • Pull it if you’re running Cipher with Acheron or want max debuff power.
2. Resolution Shines as Pearls of Sweat (4-star, F2P)
   • Gives 16–24% DEF shred on Skill and regenerates energy, but can’t reapply DEF shred if the enemy’s already got it.
   • Why it’s solid: Perfect for free-to-play players. Reliable DEF shred and energy regen, though it’s not as fast as her signature. Needs 67% EHR to land debuffs consistently.
   • Use it for budget builds or with another debuffer like Pela.
3. Inherently Unjust Destiny (5-star)
   • Deals about 5% more damage than Resolution Shines but focuses on CRIT stats over SPD.
   • Why it’s good: Decent for Sub-DPS builds, but not as strong for Acheron teams since debuffs don’t apply as often.
   • Use it if you’ve got it but not her signature.
4. We Will Meet Again (4-star)
   • Adds extra damage (up to 96% of Cipher’s ATK) to a random enemy after Basic ATK or Skill.
   • Why it’s good: Boosts Cipher’s own damage, great for Sub-DPS in multi-wave fights.
   • Use it for free-to-play builds focusing on her damage.
5. Boundless Choreo (4-star)
   • Gives 16% CRIT Rate and 48% more CRIT DMG to enemies with DEF shred or Slow.
   • Why it’s good: Works well with Cipher’s debuffs and her Empyrean Strides CRIT Rate boost.
   • Use it with DEF shredders or Slow appliers like Welt.
6. Hidden Shadow (3-star, F2P)
   • After using Skill, next Basic ATK deals 120% of Cipher’s ATK as extra damage.
   • Why it’s good: Cheap option for early-game damage boosts.
   • Use it until you get something better.

Pick this: Lies Dance on the Breeze is the way to go for SPD and debuff power, especially with Acheron. For free-to-play, Resolution Shines as Pearls of Sweat is your best bet.

Best Relics

Cipher’s relics should boost SPD, CRIT DMG, and team damage. Her Empyrean Strides trace gives 50% CRIT Rate at 170 SPD, so focus on CRIT DMG over CRIT Rate.

Cavern Relics

1. Pioneer Diver of Dead Waters (4-piece)
   • 2-piece: +12% DMG to debuffed enemies.
   • 4-piece: +4% CRIT Rate, +8%/12% CRIT DMG for enemies with 2/3 debuffs. Doubles after Cipher applies a debuff for 1 turn.
   • Why it’s great: Cipher’s own debuffs (Vulnerability, Weaken) plus teammates like Pela or Silver Wolf keep the 4-piece effect active. The doubled CRIT stats make her a strong Sub-DPS.
   • Use it for Sub-DPS builds or with multiple debuffers.
2. Genius of Brilliant Stars (4-piece)
   • +10% Quantum DMG, ignores 10% enemy DEF (extra 10% for Quantum-weak enemies).
   • Why it’s good: Best when Cipher’s the main damage dealer or against Quantum-weak bosses (like in Memory of Chaos). Beats Pioneer Diver in these cases but falls off otherwise.
   • Use it for Mono-Quantum teams or Quantum-weak content.
3. Eagle of Twilight Line (4-piece)
   • +10% Wind DMG (doesn’t matter), advances action by 25% after Ultimate.
   • Why it’s good: Helps Cipher hit 200+ SPD for more turns, perfect for her fast-paced style.
   • Use it for builds focused on speed and Ultimate spam.
4. 2-piece Mix-and-Match (Messenger Traversing Hackerspace + Sacerdos’ Relieved Ordeal or Eagle of Twilight Line)
   • Messenger: +6% SPD.
   • Sacerdos: +6% SPD.
   • Eagle: +10% action advance after Ultimate.
   • Why it’s good: +12% SPD makes hitting 170–200 SPD easier without needing perfect relics.
   • Use it for support builds where speed is everything.

Planar Ornaments

1. Firmament Frontline: Glamoth (2-piece)
   • +12% ATK, +12% DMG at 160+ SPD.
   • Why it’s great: Cipher hits 160 SPD easily (120 base + Light Cone + relics), making this a reliable damage boost for her and the team.
   • Use it for most builds since it’s easy to farm and works everywhere.
2. Duran, Dynasty of Running Wolves (2-piece)
   • Boosts DMG with follow-up attack stacks, ramps up faster in FUA-heavy teams.
   • Why it’s good: Great with Feixiao, Dr. Ratio, or Aventurine, but needs time to stack.
   • Use it in follow-up attack teams for bigger damage.
3. Izumo Gensei and Takama Divine Realm (2-piece)
   • +12% ATK, +12% CRIT Rate if an ally shares the same Path.
   • Why it’s good: Decent for Nihility teams with Acheron or Pela, but less flexible than Glamoth.
   • Use it in Acheron or Nihility-heavy setups.

Main Stats

• Body: CRIT DMG (best, since Empyrean Strides gives CRIT Rate) or EHR (for debuffs with Resolution Shines).
• Feet: SPD (shoot for 170–200).
• Planar Sphere: Quantum DMG Boost.
• Link Rope: Energy Regeneration Rate (more Ultimates) or ATK% (more Sub-DPS damage).

Substats Priority

1. SPD: Get to 170 minimum for Empyrean Strides, ideally 200+ for extra turns.
2. CRIT DMG: Aim for 150%+ since she gets 50% CRIT Rate from her trace.
3. ATK%: Boosts Skill, Ultimate, and FUA damage. Try for 2500+ ATK.
4. EHR: 39–67% to land debuffs, especially with Resolution Shines.
5. CRIT Rate: Only if you’re below 40–45% after Empyrean Strides (70% total is good).

Pick this: 4-piece Pioneer Diver of Dead Waters + Firmament Frontline: Glamoth is the go-to for Sub-DPS Cipher. Swap to Genius of Brilliant Stars for Quantum-weak enemies, or use 2-piece SPD sets/Eagle of Twilight Line for a speed-focused support build.

Best Teams

Cipher fits in tons of teams, especially ones that love debuffs, follow-up attacks, or Acheron’s Slashed Dream stacks. Here are her best squads:

1. Acheron Hypercarry Team
   • Acheron (Main DPS): Loves Cipher’s constant debuffs to stack Slashed Dream fast.
   • Cipher (Sub-DPS/Debuffer): Drops Vulnerability and True DMG with her Ultimate.
   • Pela or Silver Wolf (Debuffer): Adds DEF shred or elemental weakness for max Pioneer Diver uptime and Acheron damage.
   • Fu Xuan or Aventurine (Sustain): Keeps the team alive; Aventurine’s FUA helps Cipher’s Talent.
   • Why it’s great: Cipher’s signature Light Cone makes debuffs hit twice as hard, perfect for Acheron. Her 40–70% Vulnerability and 24–72% DEF shred make Acheron hit like a truck.
   • Free-to-play swap: Use Guinaifen or Welt instead of Pela/Silver Wolf.
2. Feixiao Follow-up Team
   • Feixiao (Main DPS): Her follow-up attacks trigger Cipher’s Talent like crazy, boosting recorded damage.
   • Cipher (Sub-DPS/Debuffer): Applies Vulnerability and FUA to pump up Feixiao’s damage.
   • Robin or Topaz (Support/Sub-DPS): Robin buffs the team, Topaz adds more FUA and debuffs.
   • Aventurine (Sustain): Shields and throws in extra FUA for Cipher’s Talent.
   • Why it’s great: Cipher’s 40% Vulnerability and fast turns pair perfectly with Feixiao’s FUA spam. Duran ornaments shine here.
3. Dr. Ratio Follow-up Team
   • Dr. Ratio (Main DPS): His FUA triggers Cipher’s Talent and loves her debuffs.
   • Cipher (Sub-DPS/Debuffer): Boosts Dr. Ratio with Vulnerability and DEF shred.
   • Topaz (Sub-DPS): More FUA and debuffs for Pioneer Diver uptime.
   • Aventurine (Sustain): Shields and adds FUA synergy.
   • Why it’s great: Cipher’s debuffs make Dr. Ratio’s consistent damage even stronger, great for Memory of Chaos.
4. F2P Team
   • Qingque (Main DPS): Gets a boost from Cipher’s debuffs in Mono-Quantum teams.
   • Cipher (Sub-DPS/Debuffer): Drops Vulnerability and True DMG.
   • Asta (Support): Speeds up Cipher to hit 170–200 SPD easier.
   • Natasha or Lynx (Sustain): Keeps the team alive on a budget.
   • Why it’s great: Asta’s SPD buff helps Cipher’s relics, and Qingque hits hard with Cipher’s debuffs.

Pick this: The Acheron Hypercarry Team is Cipher’s best spot, especially with her signature Light Cone. If you’re into follow-up attacks, the Feixiao Team is awesome too.

Trace Priority

Focus on Cipher’s damage and debuff skills:

1. Ultimate (Yours Truly, Kitty Phantom Thief!): Maxes out True DMG from recorded damage.
2. Skill (Hey, Jackpot for the Taking): Boosts Quantum DMG, Weaken debuff, and ATK buff.
3. Talent: Improves FUA and recorded damage for her Ultimate.
4. Basic ATK: Last priority, since she doesn’t rely on it much.

Major Traces

• Empyrean Strides (Major Trace 2): Unlocks at 170 SPD, gives +50% CRIT Rate and better tally gains. Get this first for Sub-DPS builds.
• Major Trace 3: Boosts debuffs or damage, level it next.
• Major Trace 1: Least important, save for last.

Materials

To max out Cipher (Level 80, max traces, signature Light Cone), farm these:

Ascension and Trace Materials

• Ethereal Omen, Echoing Wail, Eternal Lament: Get from Black Tide Creature, Divergent Universe, Simulated Universe, or Omni-Synthesizer.
• Darkveil Moonlight: Stagnant Shadow: Shape of Gelidmoon.
• Fiery Spirit, Starfire Essence, Heaven Incinerator: Crimson Calyx (Alchemy Commission) or Embers Exchange.
• Daythunder Anamnesis: Echo of War (Eye of Twilight – Fortress of Dome).
• Tracks of Destiny: Events, Embers Exchange, Nameless Honor, or Simulated Universe Points.

Signature Light Cone (Lies Dance on the Breeze): Fiery Spirit, Starfire Essence, Heaven Incinerator.

Tip: Pre-farm with the Omni-Synthesizer or Embers Exchange to save time.