Honkai Star Rail Archer Guide, Best Builds, Relics, & Teams!

Archer has arrived as a free limited unit in patch 3.4, and he’s quickly proving to be one of the strongest DPS characters in the game. Whether you’re aiming for high damage in Modes like MOC or Apocalyptic Shadow (AS), Archer’s simple yet powerful kit offers huge damage potential without needing his signature light cone right away. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about using Archer effectively, including his abilities, builds, relics, and the best team setups to maximize his damage. Also check out our Honkai Star Rail Chiper Guide for new players in the game.

Who Is Archer?

Archer is a Quantum Hunt DPS unit, the second of this combo type after Seele. His kit revolves around skill point (SP) management and skill spamming, with his damage scaling massively the more times he uses his skill in a single turn. Despite being free, he performs like a high-tier DPS thanks to his strong multipliers and self-sustain mechanics.

Archer’s Abilities and Gameplay Mechanics

1. Skill (Circuit Connection State):

Archer’s skill lets him enter a special state where he can repeatedly use his skill up to 5 times per turn. Each use costs 2 SP, and the damage multiplier increases with each use:

• 1st use: normal damage
• 2nd use: 100% damage buff
• 3rd+ uses: 200% damage buff

This allows Archer to output massive damage if you manage his SP well.

2. SP Economy Is Key:

Since each skill use consumes 2 SP, managing SP is crucial. Archer can self-regenerate SP via his talent and ultimate, meaning he’s less reliant on external SP generation than other DPS.

3. Talent and Follow-Up Attacks:

When allies attack, Archer consumes Charge points to unleash follow-up attacks that deal extra damage and restore 1 SP, helping maintain his skill rotation.

4. Ultimate:

Deals huge damage (1000% ATK) and grants 2 Charge points, which help trigger follow-ups and SP regeneration. This ultimate can be used mid-skill spam to extend Archer’s combo.

5. SP Limit Increase and Buffs:

Archer increases the max SP pool by 2 when on the field and starts with 1 Charge point. He also gains a strong 120% Crit DMG buff if there are 4 or more SP in the pool after allies gain SP.

6. Trace Bonuses:

Archer benefits from Crit Rate, Attack, and Quantum Damage boosts, supporting his aggressive DPS playstyle.

Eidolon Highlights

• E1: Regenerates 2 SP after using skill 3 times in a turn, enhancing SP sustainability.
• E2: Applies Quantum Weakness and resistance reduction on his ultimate, good for single target fights.
• E4: Boosts ultimate damage.
• E6: Regenerates 1 SP at turn start and increases skill damage caps, allowing up to 300% damage multiplier on skills, plus 20% defense ignore.

Eidolons focus on SP regeneration and damage boosts, making him stronger but not complicated to build.

Best Builds and Relics

• Set Choice: The Genius set is the best for Archer due to his fast base speed and the need for sustained Crit and Attack. Poet set’s speed conditions don’t fit him well, but Wavestrider or Scholar sets can work situationally.
• Planars: Use Rutilant Arena or Inert Salsotto, with Rutilant Arena preferred for boosting skill damage. Archer’s playstyle focuses on skills rather than ultimates, so this complements him well.

Stat Priorities:

• Crit Rate (Chest) — Aim for 100% in combat
• Attack (Boots)
• Attack (Orb, usually)
• Attack (Rope) Consider SPD boots only in specific -1 SPD setups (explained below).

Light Cones: Signature or Stellar Sea?

Archer’s signature light cone is The Hell Where Ideals Burn, which offers a permanent ATK buff if you maintain 6 or more SP, plus stacking buffs after each skill use. However, you don’t have to rely on this light cone immediately; it can be earned by pulling on other banners (Saber, Phainon, Sunday).

Other:

• Stellar Sea: Provides up to 80% ATK buff and 16% Crit Rate buff at max stacks.
• Alternative: Phainon’s or Saber’s cones offer kit synergy but require pulling. Stellar Sea is a solid stat stick.

Team Compositions and Synergies

Archer’s performance hinges on proper team synergy to maximize SP generation and skill rotations.

Slot 1: Sparkle or Sunday

• Sparkle: Best support for Archer due to her SP burst and high speed. Ideal minimum speed: 160+ with Eagle set.
• Sunday: Great alternative with her light cone generating extra SP. Preferred in -1 SPD setups where extra turns allow more SP generation for Archer.
• Alternatives: Hanya or Tingyun for free-to-play friendly options offering SP and energy support.

Slot 2: Universal Amps

• Tribbie: Best for AoE and shortening skill rotations, great with dance cones for quick cycles.
• Cipher: Skill-point positive and great for holding ultimates for SP management.
• Silver Wolf: Highest single target damage amp, especially with DEF shred stacking via Quantum set.

Slot 3: Healer

• Gallagher: The go-to healer for SP generation and double turns, essential for consistent SP supply and Quid Pro Quo abuse.
• Alternatives: Luocha, Aventurine, or Hyacine with basic spam for SP and healing, but less optimal.

How to Play Archer Effectively

• SP Management Is Everything:
  Coordinate buffs, debuffs, and SP generation before unleashing Archer’s big combos. Use his ultimate smartly to generate Charge and SP mid-rotation.
• Focus Fire:
  Target specific enemies to maximize follow-up hits and SP regeneration.
• Skill Spamming:
  Aim for 4–5 skill uses per turn with support from Sparkle or Sunday, boosted by Gallagher’s double turns and SP generation.
• Team Rotation:
  Build around fast, consistent SP gain to keep Archer’s skills firing at maximum damage.

Where Does Archer Shine?

• MOC (Mythic Offensive Challenge): Archer’s raw single-target damage is phenomenal, making him ideal for boss fights and elite waves.
• Apocalyptic Shadow (AS): He benefits greatly from modes that provide max SP or energy, allowing for his high skill point rotations.
• PvP/Phantom Forest: Currently less optimal due to high SP costs and setup requirements.

Archer is a free powerhouse who can deliver some of the highest single-target DPS in the game with proper setup. His kit is simple but offers deep gameplay with SP economy and skill spamming. Building him around Sparkle or Sunday, supported by versatile amps and the top-tier healer Gallagher, makes for a deadly team. If you’re looking to dominate the current meta in MOC and AS, Archer is your go-to free DPS.