HSR Tier List 4.6 (October 2026): Best Characters Ranked

This HSR tier list ranks every Honkai Star Rail character for Version 4.6 (updated October 24, 2026). Filter by role or Path, tap a character for strengths and weaknesses, and see who rose or fell since our v4.0 list.

Updated for Version 4.6 · October 24, 2026

Tap any character to see their role, Path, what changed since v4.0, and strengths and weaknesses.

Green arrow = moved up since our v4.0 list. Red arrow = moved down. NEW = released after v4.0. Rankings blend our own notes with the October 2026 consensus from major HSR tier lists.

Honkai Star Rail Tier List 4.6 by Role

The same ranking as a table, so you can scan it quickly or share it.

Tier	DPS	Support	Sustain
SS	Archer, Ashveil, Aventurine Waveflair, Castorice, Evernight, Himeko Nova, Rin Tohsaka, Silver Wolf Lv.999	Mortenax Blade, Robin Summeretto, Sparkle, Sunday, Tribbie, Yao Guang	Huohuo, Hyacine, Pearl, Permansor Terrae
S+	Acheron, Aglaea, Anaxa, Black Swan, Evanescia, Firefly, Gilgamesh, Hysilens, Kafka, Mydei, Phainon, Saber, Seele, Sparxie, The Herta	Bronya, Cerydra, Cipher, Cyrene, Fugue, Robin, Ruan Mei, The Dahlia, Trailblazer (Elation), Trailblazer (Ice), Welt	Aventurine, Gallagher, Lingsha
S	Blade, Feixiao, Jade, Jingliu, Rappa, Yunli	Jiaoqiu, Silver Wolf	Fu Xuan
A	Argenti, Boothill, Dr. Ratio, Imbibitor Lunae, Jing Yuan, Moze, Topaz	Asta, Pela, Tingyun, Trailblazer (Imaginary)	Gepard, Luocha
B	Clara, Dan Heng, Guinaifen, Herta, Himeko, Hook, Luka, Misha, Qingque, Sampo, Serval, Sushang, Xueyi	Hanya, March 7th (Imaginary)	Bailu, Lynx, March 7th, Natasha, Trailblazer (Fire)
C	Arlan, Yanqing	Yukong	Trailblazer

HSR tier list by role, Version 4.6

What Changed in Version 4.6

Since 4.0, the Elation Path has taken over the top of the meta, and the collab units from Fate/stay night arrived. Here are the biggest moves:

New: Ashveil, Aventurine Waveflair, Himeko Nova, Mortenax Blade, Pearl, Rin Tohsaka, Robin Summeretto, Silver Wolf Lv.999, Evanescia, Gilgamesh, Sparxie, Trailblazer (Elation)
Moved up: Archer (S+ → SS), Yao Guang (S+ → SS), Seele (A → S+), Welt (A → S+)
Moved down: Anaxa (SS → S+), Phainon (SS → S+), The Herta (SS → S+), Feixiao (SS → S), Jade (S+ → S), Rappa (S+ → S), Yunli (S+ → S), Boothill (S → A), Jing Yuan (S → A), Luocha (S → A), Moze (S → A), Pela (S → A), Tingyun (S → A), Topaz (S → A), Trailblazer (Imaginary) (S → A), Bailu (A → B), Clara (A → B), Guinaifen (A → B), Hanya (A → B), Herta (A → B), Himeko (A → B), Lynx (A → B), March 7th (Imaginary) (S → B), Xueyi (A → B), Yanqing (B → C), Yukong (B → C)

How We Rank Characters

Each character is judged on three endgame modes: Memory of Chaos, Pure Fiction and Apocalyptic Shadow. We look at clear speed, how many teams they fit, and how much they need their signature Light Cone or Eidolons. We then check our ranks against the October 2026 consensus from the biggest HSR tier lists, and average the two so one site’s bias doesn’t swing a placement.

SS: defines the meta. Worth your Stellar Jade on rerun banners.
S+: excellent in most content, a step below the top picks.
S: strong in their best team or mode.
A: usable, but needs investment to keep up.
B and C: early-game or niche picks; replace when you can.

Best Picks by Role

Best DPS

Archer, Ashveil, Aventurine Waveflair, Castorice, Evernight, Himeko Nova, Rin Tohsaka, Silver Wolf Lv.999.

Best Supports

Mortenax Blade, Robin Summeretto, Sparkle, Sunday, Tribbie, Yao Guang.

Best Sustains

Huohuo, Hyacine, Pearl, Permansor Terrae.

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FAQ

Who is the best character in Honkai Star Rail right now?

In Version 4.6 the strongest DPS picks are Archer, Ashveil, Aventurine Waveflair, Castorice. For supports, Mortenax Blade, Robin Summeretto, Sparkle are the top choices, and Huohuo, Hyacine, Pearl lead the sustain slot.

Is Phainon still worth pulling in 4.6?

Phainon dropped from SS to S+. He is still a strong Destruction DPS with a full team, but newer limited units now clear Memory of Chaos and Apocalyptic Shadow faster.

Which characters are new since Version 4.0?

12 characters joined the list since 4.0: Ashveil, Aventurine Waveflair, Himeko Nova, Mortenax Blade, Pearl, Rin Tohsaka, Robin Summeretto, Silver Wolf Lv.999, Evanescia, Gilgamesh, Sparxie, Trailblazer (Elation).

How often is this HSR tier list updated?

We review it every patch, usually within a week of a new version or banner phase. The date and version at the top of the tool show when it last changed.

Do I need SS-tier characters to clear endgame?

No. S+ and S characters clear all endgame modes with good relics and the right team. SS units mostly make clears faster and more forgiving.

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