Honkai Star Rail Kafka Build Guide (Updated 2025)

1. Honkai Star Rail Kafka Abilities

Kafka’s kit is built around triggering Shock and other DoTs while amplifying team damage. Her Basic ATK deals Lightning DMG up to 130% of her ATK to a single enemy, now with a 10% Effect Hit Rate bonus (new in 3.4). Her Skill deals Lightning DMG up to 280% of her ATK to a single enemy and adjacent targets, with a 100% base chance to apply Shock (DoT equal to 290% of her ATK over two turns, up from 260%). It also triggers all DoTs on the primary target, dealing 80% of their original damage (up from 70%).

Her Ultimate is an AoE attack dealing Lightning DMG up to 480% of her ATK to all enemies (increased from 400% in 3.4), with a 120% base chance to apply Shock (DoT equal to 350% of her ATK over two turns, up from 320%). It triggers all DoTs on all enemies, dealing 100% of their original damage (up from 80%). Her Talent triggers a follow-up attack dealing Lightning DMG up to 200% of her ATK to a single enemy when an ally applies a DoT, now with a 15% DMG bonus (new in 3.4). Her Technique applies Shock to all enemies at battle start, dealing 50% of her ATK as DoT for one turn.

Key Changes (Version 3.4):

• Basic ATK: Added 10% Effect Hit Rate bonus.
• Skill: Shock DoT increased (260% → 290% ATK), DoT trigger damage boosted (70% → 80%).
• Ultimate: DMG multiplier increased (400% → 480% ATK), Shock DoT buffed (320% → 350% ATK), DoT trigger damage boosted (80% → 100%).
• Talent: Follow-up attack gains 15% DMG bonus.
• Overall: Higher DoT damage, better trigger efficiency, and improved Effect Hit Rate make Kafka a stronger DoT support and DPS.

2. Kafka Build

Best Light Cones

The top Light Cone for DoT support Kafka is Lies Dance on the Breeze (S1), offering the highest team damage with 24% DEF shred on all enemies from her Basic ATK or Skill, plus SPD% to hit 170 SPD breakpoints. For E4+ Kafka, Patience Is All You Need (S1) becomes best-in-slot, adding Shock DoT, DMG%, SPD%, and Energy regeneration via extra Shock applications.

Other Light Cone Options:

1. Those Many Springs (S1): Grants 60% Effect Hit Rate and 24% DMG Vulnerability (requires 120% EHR), but less reliable against bosses. Better on Jiaoqiu or Black Swan.
2. Holiday Thermae Escapade (S5): Applies 16% DMG Vulnerability, with lower EHR needs than Those Many Springs.
3. Good Night and Sleep Well (S5): Boosts Kafka’s personal damage with DMG% for debuffed enemies, ideal for DPS-focused builds.
4. Eyes of the Prey (S5): F2P option with Effect Hit Rate and DMG%, good for budget builds.

Special Light Cones:

• Before the Tutorial Mission Starts (S5): Enables Ultimate spam with 8 Energy per attack when paired with DEF reduction (e.g., Black Swan), allowing ATK% Body builds.
• Solitary Healing (S5): Boosts Energy in AoE modes like Pure Fiction, great for Ultimate spam against killable enemies.

Best Relics

Eagle of Twilight Line (4-Piece) is Kafka’s best Relic set, enhancing her DoT support role with action advancement on Ultimate use, ideal for frequent DoT triggers. If substats are lacking, mix 2-Piece sets like Warrior Goddess of Sun and Thunder (recommended), Messenger Traversing Hackerspace (SPD +6%), Pioneer Diver of Dead Waters (DMG to debuffed enemies +12%), or Band of Sizzling Thunder (Lightning DMG +10%).

Special Relic Sets (DPS-Focused):

• Prisoner in Deep Confinement (4-Piece): Boosts Kafka’s personal DoT damage with ATK% and DEF ignore for shocked enemies, but less team damage in DoT comps.
• The Ashblazing Grand Duke (4-Piece): Grants 36% ATK from her follow-up attack’s six DMG instances, great for DPS builds.

Planar Ornaments:

• Lushaka, the Sunken Seas: Provides 5% Energy Regeneration and boosts the first ally’s ATK, ideal for DoT support.
• Revelry by the Sea (DPS-Focused): Maximizes Kafka’s personal damage.
• Firmament Frontline: Glamoth (DPS-Focused): Increases ATK% with high SPD, a solid alternative.
• Pan-Cosmic Commercial Enterprise: Helps reach 75% Effect Hit Rate if needed.

Stat Focus:

• Body: Effect Hit Rate (support) or ATK% (DPS)
• Feet: SPD (aim for 160+)
• Planar Sphere: Lightning DMG or ATK%
• Link Rope: Energy Regeneration or ATK%
• Substats: Effect Hit Rate (until 75%), SPD, ATK%

Recommended Endgame Stats:

• HP: 3000+
• DEF: 900+
• ATK: 2500–3000+
• Effect Hit Rate: 75% (120% for Those Many Springs)
• SPD: 160+

Build Impact from Changes:

The 3.4 buffs (higher DoT damage, 100% Ultimate trigger efficiency, 10% EHR on Basic ATK) reduce Kafka’s Effect Hit Rate needs to 75% for core abilities, letting you stack ATK% and SPD for faster rotations. Eagle of Twilight Line and Lushaka maximize her Ultimate uptime, while Lies Dance on the Breeze enhances team damage with DEF shred. For DPS builds, Prisoner or Ashblazing Grand Duke capitalize on her boosted follow-up attack.

Trace Priority:

• Skills: Ultimate = Skill > Talent > Basic
• Major Traces: Torture (A2) > Thorns (A6) > Plunder (A4)

3. Kafka Team Role

Kafka’s updated kit makes her a versatile DoT support and DPS, excelling in DoT-heavy teams for Pure Fiction (T1) and Memory of Chaos (T1.5), with strong performance in Apocalyptic Shadow (T1.5). Her ability to trigger all DoTs with her Ultimate and Skill, combined with 3.4’s increased damage and trigger efficiency, makes her a core enabler for DoT comps. She pairs best with other DoT appliers and amplifiers to maximize team damage.

Sample Teams:

• Premium Double DoT: Kafka (DPS), Black Swan (Support DPS), Tribbie/Cipher/Ruan Mei (Amplifier), Huohuo/Hyacine/Gallagher (Sustain)
• F2P DoT: Kafka (DPS), Sampo (Support DPS), Ruan Mei (Amplifier), Gallagher (Sustain)

Team Role Changes:

The 3.4 buffs (100% Ultimate DoT trigger, 15% Talent DMG bonus, higher Shock DoT) make Kafka a more reliable DoT trigger, especially in AoE scenarios. Her improved Effect Hit Rate reduces build constraints, allowing more offensive stats. She now excels in both single-target (with Cipher) and AoE fights (with Tribbie), boosting her flexibility in endgame content.

Synergy Highlights:

• Black Swan: Her stacking Arcana DoT synergizes perfectly with Kafka’s triggers, forming the backbone of DoT teams.
• Jiaoqiu: Adds another DoT and damage amplification, supporting Prisoner set triggers.
• Ruan Mei: Boosts DoT frequency with action delay and enhances toughness damage for Apocalyptic Shadow.
• Tribbie: Provides high AoE amplification and personal damage, ideal for Pure Fiction.