An in-depth explanation of the unwritten rules when playing Blade in Honkai Star Rail

Honkai: Star Rail introduced Blade to the game, featuring a unique mechanic where his damage output increases as his HP decreases. He stands as the pioneer of this particular character archetype within Honkai: Star Rail. However, there is no necessity to concern oneself with keeping Blade on the brink of death, as that is not the optimal approach for maximizing his potential. While he can still be paired with a healer, it is advisable to avoid pairing him with a shielder.

Blade's skill and subsequent normal attacks unleash greater damage in response to incoming hits, rather than being triggered by lower HP levels. This sets him apart from Hu Tao in Genshin Impact, and it is crucial to highlight this significant distinction, particularly considering the considerable number of Honkai: Star Rail players who migrated from Genshin Impact. Blade accumulates the amount of health he loses as a beneficial factor, without any drawbacks to receiving healing, unlike Hu Tao.

Honkai: Star Rail's Blade's Kit

Regarding Blade's abilities, the essential aspects to prioritize for leveling are his skill and normal attack. However, as a damage-dealing character, it is advisable to aim for leveling up all his attributes as much as possible. For players facing resource constraints and needing to follow a specific order, it is recommended to alternate between upgrading his skill and normal attack, as these two components synergize closely with each other.

Blade was introduced alongside brand-new relic sets that greatly enhance his abilities. The Longevous Disciple set, with its 2-piece bonus, increases maximum HP, while the 4-piece bonus grants critical rate when the wearer's HP decreases, making it a perfect fit for Blade's playstyle. In terms of Planar sets, both Rutilant Arena and Fleet of the Ageless cater to his requirements, and the choice ultimately depends on the player's specific needs. If players have already obtained sufficient critical rate through sub-stats, they should consider opting for the additional HP boost offered by Fleet of the Ageless. On the other hand, Rutilant Arena serves as a much-needed DPS boost, compensating for any lacking critical rate that Blade may require.

Blade's self-draining ability highlights the importance of having a dedicated healer in the team. While his passive skill provides some self-healing and his burst skill sets him to half HP (which can be beneficial if players have fallen below that threshold), there are certain situations where external healing becomes a blessing for the player. Blade's team compositions can cater to various requirements, but they generally follow a consistent pattern: Blade as the primary damage dealer, accompanied by a support unit, a harmony unit, and an open slot.

With the recent addition of Fu Xuan and Lynx, a distinctive team composition for Blade has emerged in popularity. Players who have obtained the master diviner will discover an unexpected synergy between her and Blade. Normally, shield-bearing units are not ideal for Blade, as he relies on taking damage for his abilities to thrive. This poses a challenge when paired with preservation units that provide shields, as it impedes his gameplay. However, Fu Xuan breaks this pattern as the first preservation unit who does not offer a shield. Instead, she distributes damage evenly among the team, allowing Blade to benefit from his kit without hindrance.

Lynx's ability to increase max HP greatly complements Blade's strengths. This becomes even more significant when acknowledging that prior to her arrival, there wasn't an ideal support character specifically tailored to Blade's unique playstyle. While Bronya was a good option overall, she did not possess the same specialization for HP scaling units. However, with Lynx now providing both healing and max HP buffs, the dynamics have shifted. Players can eagerly anticipate exploring the synergies between these new characters and witnessing how their Blade ascends to new levels of power.

Blade, as a damage-dealing character, has a comprehensive skill set in which all abilities hold significance. However, his skill and normal attack should be prioritized. Being a destruction-oriented unit, enemies will naturally be inclined to target him. Hence, pairing Blade with a character that provides abundance, or an excess of resources, will ensure his safety. It is worth noting that Blade's concern lies in the cumulative damage inflicted upon him, rather than the specific level of his current HP.

Honkai: Star Rail is currently accessible on both PC and mobile devices, and it is set to be released on PS5 starting from October 11th.