Blade, a Destruction Path powerhouse, got a significant boost in Honkai Star Rail’s version 3.4 update, solidifying his spot as a top-tier Wind DPS with incredible self-sustain and AoE damage. His ability to scale damage off HP and generate follow-up attacks makes him a beast in endgame modes like Memory of Chaos and Apocalyptic Shadow. This guide, based on the latest data, covers his updated kit, the best gear to equip, and how he fits into teams, highlighting his version 3.4 buffs.

1. Honkai Star Rail Blade Abilities

Blade’s kit centers on HP consumption to generate Charge stacks, which trigger powerful AoE Follow-up Attacks and enhance his damage output. All abilities now scale exclusively off Max HP, with version 3.4 buffs improving his Charge generation, Ultimate damage, and self-sustain.
  • Basic ATK - Shard Sword: Deals Wind DMG equal to 25% of Blade’s Max HP to a single enemy. Version 3.4 Buff: Gains a 10% CRIT Rate bonus, enhancing consistency in high-CRIT builds.
  • Enhanced Basic ATK - Forest of Swords: Consumes 10% of Blade’s Max HP to deal Wind DMG equal to 65% of Max HP to a single enemy and 26% of Max HP to adjacent targets. If HP is insufficient, reduces HP to 1. Does not regenerate Skill Points.
  • Skill - Hellscape: Consumes 30% of Blade’s Max HP to enter the Hellscape state for 3 turns, increasing DMG dealt by 12%, greatly increasing taunt (making Blade more likely to be targeted), and enhancing Basic ATK to Forest of Swords. If HP is insufficient, reduces HP to 1. Does not regenerate Energy or end Blade’s turn. Version 3.4 Buff: Generates an extra Charge stack, boosting Follow-up Attack frequency.
  • Ultimate - Death Sentence: Sets Blade’s HP to 50% of Max HP and deals Wind DMG equal to 90% of Max HP + 72% of HP lost in the current battle to a single enemy, and 36% of Max HP + 36% of HP lost to adjacent targets (HP loss capped at 90% of Max HP, reset after Ultimate). Version 3.4 Buff: DMG multiplier increased (500% ATK → 600% Max HP equivalent), and healing improved (20% → 25% Max HP).
  • Talent - Shuhu’s Gift: When Blade takes damage or consumes HP, he gains 1 Charge stack (max 5, 1 stack per attack received). At 5 stacks, triggers a Follow-up Attack dealing Wind DMG equal to 65% of Max HP to all enemies and restores 25% of Max HP. All Charges are consumed. Version 3.4 Buff: Follow-up Attack gains a 20% DMG bonus, increasing output.
  • Technique - Karma Wind: Consumes 20% of Blade’s Max HP to deal Wind DMG equal to 40% of Max HP to all enemies at battle start. If HP is insufficient, reduces HP to 1. Applies 1 Charge stack.

Key Changes (Version 3.4):

  • Basic ATK: Added 10% CRIT Rate bonus.
  • Skill: Generates an extra Charge stack in Hellscape, increasing Follow-up Attack frequency.
  • Ultimate: DMG multiplier boosted (equivalent to 600% Max HP), healing increased (20% → 25% Max HP).
  • Talent: Follow-up Attack gains a 20% DMG bonus, improving AoE output.
  • Overall: Pure HP-based scaling, enhanced taunt in Hellscape, and better self-sustain make Blade a stronger AoE DPS with faster Charge generation.

2. Blade Build

Best Light Cones

The top Light Cone for Blade is The Unreachable Side (S1, Blade’s Signature), offering 121.15% damage output with high CRIT Rate, HP%, and DMG%, perfectly suiting his HP-scaling kit. Flame of Blood, Blaze My Path (S1, Mydei's Signature) is a close second at 118.29%, boasting the highest Base HP (1375) and Max HP increase, plus extra Charge stacks on Skill or Ultimate use and up to 60% Ultimate DMG boost when Blade has 8334+ HP (post-buffs). It shines in AoE scenarios due to enhanced Charge generation.

Other Light Cone Options:

  1. A Secret Vow (S5, 103.54%): Solid for budget builds, with DMG% boosts (25% uptime assumed).
  2. A Trail of Bygone Blood (S5, 100.20%): Decent but less effective since Blade’s Skill deals no damage.
  3. Ninja Record: Sound Hunt (S5, 100%): Accessible F2P option with HP% and CRIT DMG%.
  4. Flames Afar (S5, 96.01%): Okay F2P choice but underwhelming compared to others.

Best Relics

Longevous Disciple (4-Piece) is Blade’s best Relic set, providing 100% DPS increase with CRIT Rate and HP%, perfectly aligning with his kit. If substats are lacking, mix 2-Piece sets like Wavestrider Captain (recommended), Eagle of Twilight Line, or Longevous Disciple (HP +12%) for flexibility.

Planar Ornaments:

  • Bone Collection’s Serene Demesne: Offers HP% and CRIT DMG%, boosting all of Blade’s damage for a 100% DPS increase.
  • Inert Salsotto (97.56%): Enhances Ultimate and follow-up ATK damage, great for AoE fights.
  • Rutilant Arena (97.38%): Boosts Basic ATK damage, a solid alternative if other sets are unavailable.

Stat Focus:

  • Body: CRIT DMG (preferred) or CRIT Rate
  • Feet: SPD (aim for 135+ or 1 SPD faster than booster) or HP%
  • Planar Sphere: Wind DMG or HP%
  • Link Rope: HP%
  • Substats: SPD (until breakpoint), CRIT Rate/DMG, HP%

Recommended Endgame Stats:

  • HP: 6000–7200+
  • DEF: 800–900+
  • CRIT Rate: 80–100%
  • CRIT DMG: 150–180%+
  • SPD: 135+

Build Impact from Changes:

The 3.4 buffs (10% CRIT Rate on Basic ATK, extra Charge stack, 20% Talent DMG boost) emphasize CRIT stats and SPD to maximize follow-up attack frequency. Longevous Disciple and Bone Collection’s Serene Demesne amplify his boosted damage output, while HP% focus supports his scaling and self-healing. Aim for 135+ SPD to sync with boosters like Sunday and 80%+ CRIT Rate to leverage his new CRIT bonuses.

Trace Priority:

  • Skills: Basic > Talent = Skill ≥ Ultimate
  • Major Traces: Cyclone of Destruction (A6) > Neverending Deaths (A4) > Vita Infinita (A2)

3. Blade Team Role

Blade’s updated kit makes him a versatile Wind DPS who excels in AoE-heavy content like Memory of Chaos (T1) and Apocalyptic Shadow (T1), with decent performance in Pure Fiction (T1.5) due to his enhanced follow-up attacks. His Charge-based mechanics and self-sustain let him pair well with supports who advance his actions and amplify damage. The 3.4 buffs make him hit harder and cycle faster, especially with allies who boost HP or shred DEF.

Sample Teams:

  • Premium Blade: Blade (DPS), Sunday (Amplifier), Tribbie/Cipher/Silver Wolf (Amplifier), Hyacine (Sustain)
  • Dual DPS Blade: Blade (DPS), Castorice (DPS), Tribbie (Amplifier), Hyacine (Sustain)
  • F2P Blade: Blade (DPS), Bronya (Amplifier), Ruan Mei (Amplifier), Luocha (Sustain)

Team Role Changes:

The extra Charge stack from his Skill and 20% Talent DMG boost in 3.4 increase his follow-up attack frequency, making him more effective in AoE scenarios. The Ultimate DMG buff (600% ATK) and improved healing (25% Max HP) enhance his sustainability and damage, letting him shine with action-advancing supports like Sunday or Bronya. His synergy with DEF-shredding allies like Silver Wolf is stronger due to his boosted damage output.

Synergy Highlights:

  • Hyacine: Her HP% buffs and signature Light Cone’s damage ticks generate extra Charge stacks, fueling Blade’s AoE follow-ups.
  • Sunday: Provides 100% action advancement and Energy regeneration, boosting Blade’s Ultimate frequency.
  • Silver Wolf: Adds DEF shred and potential Wind weakness implant, letting Blade hit off-element enemies harder.
  • Ruan Mei: Enhances toughness damage, ideal for Apocalyptic Shadow.