Gilgamesh, the King of Heroes from the Fate/stay night collaboration, arrives in Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.4 as a free 5-star Lightning Destruction character. He functions as a high-damage AoE carry who ramps up through team synergy, building an "Interest" gauge from ally actions to unlock powerful Skill spam and extra turns. His kit shines with strong DEF ignore on Skill, Ultimate damage amplification from ally Ultimates, and excellent synergy with Saber for devastating joint follow-up attacks.

This guide covers his kit overview, best builds, teams, trace priority, Eidolons, and pre-farming tips as of early July 2026.

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Kit Overview and Core Mechanics

Gilgamesh starts battles conservatively but quickly transforms into a dominant force.

  • Basic Attack: Halfhearted Blow
    Deals Lightning damage to a single target.
  • Skill: Gate of Babylon
    Deals strong Lightning damage to the main target and adjacent enemies while granting "King's Acknowledgement" (DEF ignore, around 30-37.5% for 3 turns). This becomes his primary damage tool once activated.
  • Ultimate: Enuma Elish
    Massive AoE Lightning damage to all enemies plus multiple bouncing hits to random targets. Scales excellently with buffs.
  • Talent: "Amuse Me to the Fullest"
    Ally Ultimates grant Gilgamesh "King's Burden" (+40-50% Ultimate damage for 3 turns).
    Other allies' actions grant him "Interest" points (1 per action). Each point increases his SPD by 10%.
    Reaching 10 Interest for the first time activates "Interest Piqued!" state. In this permanent state, he can only use his Skill. Using the Skill resets his Interest, allowing him to rebuild for another cycle. This creates a rhythm of building Interest through the team then unleashing Skill barrages.
  • Saber Synergy Talent
    Combined attacks between Gilgamesh and Saber build a tally. At 8 attacks, they trigger a powerful joint follow-up attack dealing heavy Lightning and Wind damage to all enemies. Gilgamesh gains Interest points, Saber gets Energy and an Ultimate damage boost.
  • Technique: Enkidu
    Pre-combat setup that stuns enemies in a dimension and grants initial Interest points plus damage on battle entry.

Bonus Traces provide team-wide ATK and CRIT DMG buffs (scaling with teammates' max Energy), Interest-based CRIT DMG for himself, and Energy overflow mechanics.

Gilgamesh rewards teams with frequent Ultimates and actions. He excels in content with multiple enemies thanks to his Blast and AoE capabilities.

Best Light Cones

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  • Signature (Best-in-Slot): I Am As You Behold
    Increases ATK and Energy Regeneration Rate. Ultimate damage scales with Energy consumed. Grants a team-wide CRIT DMG buff on combat start or Ultimate use. Perfectly tailored to his kit and team support role.
  • Strong Alternatives:
    • A Thankless Coronation: High CRIT DMG and ATK buffs on Ultimate (especially good if he has high max Energy).
    • On the Fall of an Aeon (F2P from Herta Shop): Stacking ATK on attacks and break damage bonus. Reliable and accessible.
    • A Trail of Bygone Blood (Battle Pass): CRIT Rate and Skill/Ultimate damage boost.
    • A Secret Vow (S5): General damage increase, stronger against higher HP enemies.

Prioritize the signature if pulling on his banner, but the F2P and Battle Pass options perform very well.

Best Relics and Planar Ornaments

Relic Sets

  • Scholar Lost in Erudition (4-piece): Best overall. +8% CRIT Rate and strong boosts to Skill and Ultimate damage. Matches his playstyle perfectly.
  • Genius of Brilliant Stars (4-piece) or 2+2 mixes: Viable if focusing on DEF ignore or other synergies.
  • Eagle of Twilight Line: Situational for action advance after Ultimate, useful in Saber teams.

Planar Ornaments

  • Cosmic Life Sciences Institute: Top choice. Damage bonus scaling with excess Energy (great for his high-Energy play).
  • Inert Salsotto: Solid for CRIT Rate and Ultimate/Follow-up damage.
  • Izumo Gensei and Takama Divine Realm or City of Myriad Forms: Good alternatives for ATK or team buffs.

Stat Priority

  • Body: CRIT Rate
  • Feet: SPD (for faster Interest building) or ATK%
  • Planar Sphere: Lightning DMG Bonus
  • Link Rope: ATK% (Energy Regen Rate is a strong alternative)

Substats: CRIT Rate > CRIT DMG > ATK% > SPD > Energy Regen Rate

Target endgame stats around 2400+ ATK, 70-80%+ CRIT Rate (with buffs), and 140%+ CRIT DMG.

Recommended Teams

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Gilgamesh performs best as a hyper-carry or dual-carry with Saber.

Premium Team (Recommended):
Gilgamesh + Saber + Mortenax Blade (or Sunday/Tribbie) + Huohuo

This maximizes the joint follow-up attacks, frequent Ultimates for King's Burden, and strong sustain/buffs. Huohuo provides Energy and healing.

F2P-Friendly / Alternative:
Gilgamesh + Saber + Asta or Tingyun + Lynx or March 7th (Preservation)

Focus on characters who act often or provide Energy to accelerate Interest gain.

Hypercarry Variant:
Gilgamesh + strong supports like Robin, Ruan Mei, or Sparkle + sustain.

Tune SPD carefully so Gilgamesh acts after key allies to maximize Interest from their turns.

Trace Leveling Priority

  1. Talent (core mechanics and Interest system)
  2. Ultimate (main nuke)
  3. Skill (primary damage in Piqued state)
  4. Basic Attack (least important)

Level Major Traces in this order: Hero's Hauteur > Hegemon's Strife > Epic's Opening.

Eidolons

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Gilgamesh is strong at E0 (especially as a free unit).

  • E1: Expands DEF ignore to the team and adds Energy regen after Skill. Big power spike.
  • E2: Starts with Interest points and gains more on Ultimate. Improves Skill damage.
  • E6: Massive Ultimate improvements, team RES PEN, and "Golden Rule" stacks for even stronger bursts. Worth chasing for dedicated mains.

Pre-Farming Materials

Ascension Materials: Extinguished Core, Glimmering Core, Squirming Core, Thunder Strum.

Trace Materials: Four Phases Crossing the River to Check the King, Sixen King-Rook Fork, Omnicolor Fool's Own, Guardian's Lament, plus the above cores.

Tracks of Destiny: 8 for full traces.

Farm the appropriate Cavern and Calyx domains in advance. Gilgamesh uses standard Destruction and Lightning resources.

Gameplay Tips

  • Use Technique before tough fights for free Interest and initial damage.
  • Prioritize ally Ultimates to stack King's Burden before his big bursts.
  • In "Interest Piqued!" state, focus on Skill spam for consistent Blast damage.
  • Pair with Saber for the joint follow-up fireworks in AoE scenarios.
  • Monitor Energy and Interest to time Ultimates for maximum value.

Gilgamesh brings flashy, high-ceiling gameplay with strong team synergies. As a free 5-star, he is an excellent addition for most accounts, especially Fate fans or players needing a new Lightning DPS.

Update your builds after full release and testing, as minor kit adjustments can occur. Enjoy ruling the battlefield as the King of Heroes!