TOP 9 NEWBIE-FRIENDLY 4-star CHARACTERS (v3.4)

 

TOP 9 NEWBIE-FRIENDLY 4-star CHARACTERS (v3.4)

Review the 4-star characters suitable for beginners in Honkai：Star Rail up to v3.4 — those versatile and cost-effective “4-star MVPs”.

All 9 of these 4-star characters are highly worth building. With exceptional versatility, they effectively bridge team gaps during transitional phases.

NO 9. March 7th (Hunt)

Unlock March 7th via event. Event-free E6. Top-tier in Feixiao teams.

Skill Kit:

-Apprenticeship skill boosts master’s SPD

-Self-sufficient SP generator

-Triggers follow-ups/extra Break DMG based on master’s Path

Flex Role: Solid buffing sub-DPS for early-game when lacking DPS/supports.

Recommended Light Cones:

-LC: Swordplay ★ Cruising the Stellar Sea ★ River Flows in Spring

Swordplay (4-star)

For each time the wearer hits the same target, DMG dealt increases by 8% / 10% / 12% / 14% / 16% , stacking up to 5 time(s). This effect will be dispelled when the wearer changes targets.

Cruising the Stellar Sea (5-star)

Increases the wearer’s CRIT Rate by 8% / 10% / 12% / 14% / 16% , and increases their CRIT Rate against enemies with HP percentage 50% or less by an extra 8% / 10% / 12% / 14% / 16% . When the wearer defeats an enemy, their ATK is increased by 20% / 25% / 30% / 35% / 40% for 2 turn(s).

River Flows in Spring (4-star)

After entering battle, increases the wearer’s SPD by 8% / 9% / 10% / 11% / 12% and DMG by 12% / 15% / 18% / 21% / 24% . When the wearer takes DMG, this effect will disappear. This effect will resume after the end of the wearer’s next turn.

-Teammates: Feixiao, Yunli

Teammate

March 7th Synergy Reasons

Feixiao

• Taunt + Shield improves survivability
• Freeze control creates a safer output environment
• Synergy with Vulnerability effects

Yunli

• Taunt + Shield improves survivability
• Freeze control supports close-range combos
• Counterattacks add extra synergy

NO 8. Natasha

Natasha (Day-1 4-star healer) remains viable early-game:

-Low investment + debuff cleanse

-Can battery Phainon

-Decent transitional pick until 5-star sustains

Recommended Light Cones:

-LC: Time Waits for No One ★ Post-Op Coversation ★ Shared Feeling

Time Waits for No One (5-star)

Increases the wearer’s Max HP by 18% / 21% / 24% / 27% / 30% and Outgoing Healing by 12% / 14% / 16% / 18% / 20% . When the wearer heals allies, record the amount of Outgoing Healing. When any ally launches an attack, a random attacked enemy takes Additional DMG equal to 36% / 42% / 48% / 54% / 60% of the recorded Outgoing Healing value. The type of this Additional DMG is of the same Type as the wearer’s. This Additional DMG is not affected by other buffs, and can only occur 1 time per turn.

Post-Op Conversation(4-star)

Increases the wearer’s Energy Regeneration Rate by 8% / 10% / 12% / 14% / 16% and increases Outgoing Healing when they use their Ultimate by 12% / 15% / 18% / 21% / 24% .

Shared Feeling (4-star)

Increases the wearer’s Outgoing Healing by 10% / 12.5% / 15% / 17.5% / 20% . When using Skill, regenerates 2 / 2.5 / 3 / 3.5 / 4 Energy for all allies.

-Teammates: Phainon, Castorice, Mydei

Teammate

Natasha Synergy Reasons

Phainon

• Sustained healing supports Ashen state
• Cleanses debuffs to maintain combat rhythm

Castorice

• Team-wide healing sustains on-field presence
• Cleanses vulnerabilities, burns, and other debuffs

Mydei

• Glass-cannon type that relies on healing for survival
• Backline synergy + consistent sustain

NO 7. Lynx

Budget sustain option:

-Lower investment than 4-star Preservation

*Note: 4-star shields struggle to prevent one-shots*

-Reliable healing if DPS/supports are durable

-BONUS: Taunt effect draws enemy aggro

-Solid transitional survival pick for new players

Recommended Light Cones:

-LC: Warmth Shortens Cold Nights ★ Post-Op Coversation ★ Shared Feeling

Warmth Shortens Cold Nights (4-star)

Increases the wearer’s Max HP by 16% / 20% / 24% / 28% / 32% . When using Basic ATK or Skill, restores all allies’ HP by an amount equal to 2% / 2.5% / 3% / 3.5% / 4% of their respective Max HP.

Post-Op Conversation(4-star)

Increases the wearer’s Energy Regeneration Rate by 8% / 10% / 12% / 14% / 16% and increases Outgoing Healing when they use their Ultimate by 12% / 15% / 18% / 21% / 24% .

Shared Feeling (4-star)

Increases the wearer’s Outgoing Healing by 10% / 12.5% / 15% / 17.5% / 20% . When using Skill, regenerates 2 / 2.5 / 3 / 3.5 / 4 Energy for all allies.

-Teammates: Phainon, Castorice, Mydei

Teammate

Lynx Synergy Reasons

Phainon

• Off-field healing aligns with Ashen mechanics
• Debuff cleansing improves survivability

Castorice

• Team healing supports sustained DPS and utility
• Grants Tenacity to reduce interruption

Mydei

• Sustained healing + mitigation extends uptime
• Frequent healing supports on-field presence

NO 6. Asta

She has high early priority:

-Her team-wide SPD buff is universally applicable

-Unlike Tingyun’s energy-restricted kit

-Functions as plug-and-play support when lacking buffers

Recommended Light Cones:

-LC: Memories of the Past ★ But the Battle Isn’t Over ★ Carve the Moon, Weave the Clouds

Memories of the Past (4-star)

Increases the wearer’s Break Effect by 28% / 35% / 42% / 49% / 56% . When the wearer attacks, additionally regenerates 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 Energy. This effect cannot be repeatedly triggered in a single turn.

But the Battle Isn’t Over (5-star)

Increases the wearer’s Energy Regeneration Rate by 10% / 12% / 14% / 16% / 18% and regenerates 1 Skill Point when the wearer uses their Ultimate on an ally. This effect can be triggered once after every 2 uses of the wearer’s Ultimate. When the wearer uses their Skill, the next ally taking action (except the wearer) deals 30% / 35% / 40% / 45% / 50% more DMG for 1 turn(s).

Carve the Moon, Weave the Clouds (4-star)

At the start of the battle and whenever the wearer’s turn begins, one of the following effects is applied randomly: All allies’ ATK increases by 10% / 12.5% / 15% / 17.5% / 20% , all allies’ CRIT DMG increases by 12% / 15% / 18% / 21% / 24% , or all allies’ Energy Regeneration Rate increases by 6% / 7.5% / 9% / 10.5% / 12% . The applied effect cannot be identical to the last effect applied, and will replace the previous effect. The applied effect will be removed when the wearer has been knocked down. Effects of the same type cannot be stacked.

-Teammates: Kafka, Aglaea, Anaxa

Teammate

Asta Synergy Reasons

Kafka

• Speed boosts enable frequent DoT triggers
• ATK buff enhances DoT-based skills

Aglaea

• Faster action cycle for more frequent shields/support
• ATK buff strengthens sub-DPS output

Anaxa

• Speed buff smooths out combo rotation
• ATK buff amplifies burst damage

NO 5. Hanya

-SP generator + SPD/DMG boost

-Low execution demand

-Prime F2P pick if lacking 5-star Harmony

-Post-v3.4: Top support for Phainon

Recommended Light Cones:

-LC: But the Battle Isn’t Over ★ Dance! Dance! Dance! ★ Carve the Moon, Weave the Clouds

Dance! Dance! Dance! (4-star)

When the wearer uses their Ultimate, all allies’ actions are Advanced Forward by 16% / 18% / 20% / 22% / 24% .

But the Battle Isn’t Over (5-star)

Increases the wearer’s Energy Regeneration Rate by 10% / 12% / 14% / 16% / 18% and regenerates 1 Skill Point when the wearer uses their Ultimate on an ally. This effect can be triggered once after every 2 uses of the wearer’s Ultimate. When the wearer uses their Skill, the next ally taking action (except the wearer) deals 30% / 35% / 40% / 45% / 50% more DMG for 1 turn(s).

Carve the Moon, Weave the Clouds (4-star)

At the start of the battle and whenever the wearer’s turn begins, one of the following effects is applied randomly: All allies’ ATK increases by 10% / 12.5% / 15% / 17.5% / 20% , all allies’ CRIT DMG increases by 12% / 15% / 18% / 21% / 24% , or all allies’ Energy Regeneration Rate increases by 6% / 7.5% / 9% / 10.5% / 12% . The applied effect cannot be identical to the last effect applied, and will replace the previous effect. The applied effect will be removed when the wearer has been knocked down. Effects of the same type cannot be stacked.

-Teammates: Phainon, The Herta, Anaxa

Teammate

Hanya Synergy Reasons

Phainon

• Generates Skill Points to maintain rotation
• ATK buff enhances DoT and skill scaling

The Herta

• Accelerates follow-up attacks and stacking
• ATK buff boosts AoE follow-up damage

Anaxa

• Skill Point regen supports combo flow
• ATK buff empowers burst turns

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NO 4. Herta

Herta (Day-1 4-star DPS) — #4 spot justified:

-Rare top-tier F2P carry in Pure Fiction

-Guaranteed Stellar Jade income as budget specialist

-No team buffs unlike supports

-Must-build if lacking PF-ready units

Recommended Light Cones:

-LC: The Birth of Self ★ Before Dawn ★ Eternal Calculus

The Birth of Self (4-star)

Increases DMG dealt by the wearer’s Follow-up ATKs by 24% / 30% / 36% / 42% / 48% . If the current HP percentage of the target enemy is below or equal to 50%, increases DMG dealt by Follow-up ATKs by an extra 24% / 30% / 36% / 42% / 48% .

Before Dawn (5-star)

Increases the wearer’s CRIT DMG by 36% / 42% / 48% / 54% / 60% . Increases DMG dealt by the wearer’s Skill and Ultimate by 18% / 21% / 24% / 27% / 30% . After the wearer uses Skill or Ultimate, gains Somnus Corpus. Upon triggering a Follow-up ATK, consumes Somnus Corpus, and increases DMG dealt by Follow-up ATK by 48% / 56% / 64% / 72% / 80% .

Eternal Calculus (5-star)

Increases the wearer’s ATK by 8% / 9% / 10% / 11% / 12% . After using an attack, for each enemy target hit, additionally increases ATK by 4% / 5% / 6% / 7% / 8% . This effect can stack up to 5 times and last until the next attack. If there are 3 or more enemy targets hit, this unit’s SPD increases by 8% / 10% / 12% / 14% / 16% , lasting for 1 turn(s).

-Teammates: The Herta, Jade

Teammate

Herta Synergy Reasons

The Herta

• Damage boosts perfectly align with follow-up playstyle
• Crit boosts improve AoE burst and wave-clear

Jade

• Amplifies follow-up damage, boosting burst turns
• Crit buffs synergize with Jade’s scaling for better finishing power

NO 3. Tingyun

Tingyun (OG 4-star MVP) renaissance incoming:

-Phainon’s best 4-star support

-Synergizes perfectly with S-tier LC “Dance! Dance! Dance!”

-Batteries allies + boosts DMG/bonus hits

-Future-proof & versatile — prime investment now

Recommended Light Cones:

-LC: Dance! Dance! Dance! ★ But the Battle Isn’t Over ★ Carve the Moon, Weave the Clouds

Dance! Dance! Dance! (4-star)

When the wearer uses their Ultimate, all allies’ actions are Advanced Forward by 16% / 18% / 20% / 22% / 24% .

But the Battle Isn’t Over (5-star)

Increases the wearer’s Energy Regeneration Rate by 10% / 12% / 14% / 16% / 18% and regenerates 1 Skill Point when the wearer uses their Ultimate on an ally. This effect can be triggered once after every 2 uses of the wearer’s Ultimate. When the wearer uses their Skill, the next ally taking action (except the wearer) deals 30% / 35% / 40% / 45% / 50% more DMG for 1 turn(s).

Carve the Moon, Weave the Clouds (4-star)

At the start of the battle and whenever the wearer’s turn begins, one of the following effects is applied randomly: All allies’ ATK increases by 10% / 12.5% / 15% / 17.5% / 20% , all allies’ CRIT DMG increases by 12% / 15% / 18% / 21% / 24% , or all allies’ Energy Regeneration Rate increases by 6% / 7.5% / 9% / 10.5% / 12% . The applied effect cannot be identical to the last effect applied, and will replace the previous effect. The applied effect will be removed when the wearer has been knocked down. Effects of the same type cannot be stacked.

-Teammates: Phainon, Anaxa, Yunli

Teammate

Tingyun Synergy Reasons

Phainon

• Massive ATK boost amplifies DoT damage
• Energy regeneration accelerates Ultimate uptime

Anaxa

• ATK boost enhances burst turns
• Energy boost smooths skill chain

Yunli

• ATK boost strengthens melee multi-hit damage
• Ultimate support maximizes burst potential

NO 2. Pela

Pela + “Resolution” LC = near-perma AoE DEF shred:

-Outperforms some 5-star in AOE scenarios

-Paired with 4pc Wind set for hyper-speed rotations

#1 budget Nihility for Acheron teams (rapid debuff stacking)

Recommended Light Cones:

-LC: Resolution Shines As Pearls of Sweat ★ Before the Tutorial Mission Starts ★ Incessant Rain

Resolution Shines As Pearls of Sweat (4-star)

When the wearer hits an enemy and if the hit enemy is not already “Ensnared,” then there is a 60% / 70% / 80% / 90% / 100% base chance to “Ensnare” the hit enemy. “Ensnared” enemies’ DEF decreases by 12% / 13% / 14% / 15% / 16% for 1 turn(s).

Before the Tutorial Mission Starts (4-star)

Increases the wearer’s Effect Hit Rate by 20% / 25% / 30% / 35% / 40% . When the wearer attacks DEF-reduced enemies, regenerates 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 Energy.

Incessant Rain (5-star)

Increases the wearer’s Effect Hit Rate by 24% / 28% / 32% / 36% / 40% . When the wearer deals DMG to an enemy that currently has 3 or more debuffs, increases the wearer’s CRIT Rate by 12% / 14% / 16% / 18% / 20% . After the wearer uses their Basic ATK, Skill, or Ultimate, there is a 100% base chance to implant Aether Code on a random hit target that does not yet have it. Targets with Aether Code receive 12% / 14% / 16% / 18% / 20% increased DMG for 1 turn.

-Teammates: Acheron, Castorice, Mydei

Teammate

Pela Synergy Reasons

Acheron

• DEF reduction boosts Ultimate burst damage.
• Buff removal suppresses enemy enhancements

Castorice

• DEF shred improves team-wide damage
• Dispel interrupts enemy rotation

Mydei

• DEF debuff + Crit synergy enhances burst
• Control + buff removal creates safer combat

NO 1. Gallagher

Best 4-star sustain if no 5-star:

-SP-positive + Break machine

-Team-wide heal + cleanse

-Fits any comp (DoT/Follow-Up)

-Dominated meta for 12+ months — still top-tier

Recommended Light Cones:

-LC: Quid Pro Quo ★ Post-Op Coversation ★ Warmth Shortens Cold Nights

Quid Pro Quo (4-star)

At the start of the wearer’s turn, regenerates 8 / 10 / 12 / 14 / 16 Energy for a randomly chosen ally (excluding the wearer) whose current Energy is lower than 50%.

Post-Op Conversation (4-star)

Increases the wearer’s Energy Regeneration Rate by 8% / 10% / 12% / 14% / 16% and increases Outgoing Healing when they use their Ultimate by 12% / 15% / 18% / 21% / 24% .

Warmth Shortens Cold Nights (4-star)

Increases the wearer’s Max HP by 16% / 20% / 24% / 28% / 32% . When using Basic ATK or Skill, restores all allies’ HP by an amount equal to 2% / 2.5% / 3% / 3.5% / 4% of their respective Max HP.

-Teammates: Castorice, Firefly, Anaxa

Teammate

Gallagher Synergy Reasons

Castorice

• Boosts ATK and Crit Rate for stronger sustained DPS
• Energy regeneration accelerates skill uptime

Firefly

• ATK buff strengthens burst damage
• Provides crowd control to support Firefly’s skills

Anaxa

• ATK boost enhances burst combos
• Increases energy regen for uninterrupted combos

Final Tip: Focus on Gallagher/Tingyun/Pela first for maximum ROI.

Build Herta when tackling Pure Fiction.

These units will carry your account through early-mid game while saving resources for future 5-star pulls!

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