There is a plethora of characters in Honkai: Star Rail (HSR), each with their own individual roles, paths, and elements. One of the seven elements that you’ll eventually come across is Ice, which you can also find in Genshin Impact, the other major HoYoverse gacha game. The main difference here is that in HSR, you can freeze enemies without needing to combine two other elements. There are a total of 5 characters with the Ice element in HSR, and they’re crucial for certain teams and line-ups. Here’s everything you need to know about the Ice element and how to maximize its potential.
What Is the Ice Element and Ice Damage in Honkai: Star Rail?
The Ice element in HSR activates the Ice Weakness Break in any enemies that are vulnerable to Ice DMG, like Flamespawns, Stormbringers, and Vagrants. Weaknesses are randomly decided during each encounter, so always be sure to double-check the icons above your enemies’ heads at the start of a battle. After dealing enough damage to a character that’s weak to Ice, you’ll break their toughness meter and put them in a Broken State, rendering them vulnerable to all types of damage other than Ice.
The best part about the Ice Element in HSR is that it freezes the enemy after proccing the Ice Weakness Break. Frozen enemies are prevented from taking an action, are dealt additional damage equal to the Base Break DMG at the start of their next turn, and their next action is delayed by 50% after unfreezing.
Ice Element Relic Sets
Currently, there is 1 Relic set in-game that you can use with your Ice element characters. This set will help increase their damage, but it isn’t necessarily the best relic set for your character. Some characters might benefit more from Relic sets that are related to their Path, like March 7th.
Hunter of Glacial Forest
The Hunter of Glacial Forest Relic set can be obtained from the Cavern of Corrosion at 2-5 star rarities. It can also be found in Treasures, Echo of War, and by synthesizing Relics.
- 2-Piece Set Bonus: Increases Ice DMG by 10%
- 4-Piece Set Bonus: After the wearer unleashes their Ultimate, their Crit DMG increases by 25% for 2 turn(s).
The Hunter of Glacial Forest Relic set is made up of the following individual Relic pieces:
- Hunter’s Artaius Hood
- Hunter’s Lizard Gloves
- Hunter’s Ice Dragon Cloak
- Hunter’s Soft Elkskin Boots
Ice Element Characters in Honkai: Star Rail
There are currently 5 characters in Honkai: Star Rail who deal Ice damage. 3 of them are 4-star characters, and 2 of them are 5-star characters. There are both support and DPS Ice characters, so you’ll be able to incorporate them into almost any team comp. The first one is given to everyone as soon as they start the main quest, so you’ll already be familiar with one of these characters.
1. March 7th (4-Star)
March 7th is one of the first characters you unlock and is a great support character. March 7th offers a way to shield your allies from incoming damage, and her ultimate damages every enemy on the field and has a 50% chance to freeze them for 1 turn. She will also counterattack any enemies that attack a shielded ally.
2. Pela (4-Star)
Pela deals damage in a utilitarian way and can be useful on almost any team comp. Pela’s skill removes a buff from an enemy and deals 105%-262.5% of her ATK as Ice DMG to a single enemy. Her ultimate deals damage and inflicts Exposed on all enemies. Exposed reduces an enemy’s defense by 30-45% for 2 turns.
3. Herta (4-Star)
Herta is just a pure damage dealer who follows up on your ally’s attacks with her Talent. Her skill deals 20% more damage to enemies with 50% or more HP, while her ultimate deals 120%-240% of her ATK to all enemies. Her talent lets her hop in and hit every enemy for 25%-47.5% of her ATK to all enemies whenever an ally’s attack causes an enemy’s HP to drop below 50%.
4. Yanqing (5-Star)
Yanqing is a powerhouse that likes to crit and stay untouched. His ability deals 110%-275% of his ATK to a single enemy, but more importantly, activates Soulsteel Sync. While Soulsteel Sync is active, his talent makes him less likely to be attacked by enemies, his crit rate and DMG are increased, and after attacking an enemy, he has a chance to deal a follow-up attack and freeze an enemy.
5. Gepard (5-Star)
Gepard is a 5-star support character that has the potential to negate damage for your entire team and revive themselves should they be found in a sticky situation. Their skill has a chance to freeze enemies, regardless of whether or not they perform an Ice Weakness Break. Gepard’s ultimate shields all allies for 3 turns for a substantial amount, while his talent revives himself once per battle. His Technique is great for preparing your squad for a tough fight, as it gives everyone a shield for 2 turns.
