Jingliu vs Topaz: Unveiling the Ultimate Honkai Impact Showdown!
Discover the latest Honkai Star Rail update and explore the potential of Jingliu and Topaz These newly introduced characters offer exciting DPS options for players Find out which one to pull for based on their roles, builds, strengths, and weaknesses Make an informed decision between Jingliu and Topaz for an epic gaming experience!
Honkai: Star Rail's version 1.4 update introduces two new 5-star playable characters: Jingliu, Topaz, and Numby. These additions provide players with the opportunity to diversify their character roster and explore fresh playstyles. Alongside these new characters, the update also introduces a new 4-star character named Guinaifen. Furthermore, an existing character, Seele, makes a return to the game. With all these options to consider, players may find it challenging to decide where to invest their resources in future patches.
In this particular update, selecting between the 5-star characters may be less overwhelming as their roles are somewhat similar. However, subtle nuances set them apart, adding complexity to the decision-making process. Generally, all these characters excel as Main DPS, although their playstyles differ significantly. Since Seele is already an existing character, this guide primarily focuses on Jingliu, Topaz, and Numby, outlining the factors players should consider when determining whether to acquire them. By considering these factors, players can save valuable resources in Honkai: Star Rail and make a more informed choice.
Jingliu Or Topaz and Numby In Honkai: Star Rail
Jingliu joins the game as an Ice Destruction character, while Topaz and Numby opt for the Hunt path and utilize the Fire element. Both paths focus on DPS roles, making the choice between these characters dependent on personal playstyle preferences, existing invested characters, and elemental preferences.
It's important to recognize that previous game patches have introduced more DPS characters, with fewer characters focused on support roles. This could influence players to refrain from obtaining either of these characters. However, both characters possess their own merits and are worth pulling overall. It is necessary to consider the specific advantages and drawbacks associated with each character to make an informed decision. Players can evaluate these factors to determine if a character aligns with their preferences and playstyle.
Roles
In terms of being a Destruction-type character, Jingliu shows similarities with Dan Heng Imbibitor Lunae and Blade as they all have the ability to deal AoE damage. However, Jingliu stands out from them due to her unique gameplay mechanics. Unlike Blade who drains her own HP, Jingliu boosts her attack power while draining HP from her allies. This creates interesting synergy opportunities, especially with characters that can benefit from this mechanic. If players wish, they can even pair her with Blade.
Additionally, despite having AoE potential, Jingliu focuses more on single-target DPS compared to other Destruction characters. Another notable distinction is that her primary source of damage comes from her Skill rather than her Basic ATK. Nonetheless, she remains skill-point efficient as she can accumulate stacks through her Skill and Ultimate, which then allow her to enter an enhanced state. This enhanced state strengthens her Crit Rate and ATK, making her incredibly powerful when active.
Contrary to other characters, Topaz and Numby form a cohesive unit that specializes in single-target attacks and follows the Hunt path. Numby is largely responsible for their damage output, functioning similarly to Jing Yuan's Lightning Lord as a follow-up attack. However, Numby operates on its own turn order and has a different base speed than Topaz. Unlike Jing Yuan's Lightning Lord, Numby has the ability to move forward and unleash multiple attacks in a single turn when employed strategically.
Furthermore, Topaz's skill benefits the entire team when using follow-up attacks, not limited to herself alone. This allows her to effectively synergize with other team members who excel in follow-up attacks, contributing to an overall enhancement in the team's synergy.
Both of these characters possess substantial damage-dealing capabilities individually and can fit into versatile team compositions. However, similar to many other characters in Honkai: Star Rail, including specific supporting characters in their team compositions can significantly enhance their potential. Therefore, before deciding to pull for these characters, players should carefully consider whether they have suitable support characters that align with the aforementioned descriptions available for their team compositions.
Builds
Both characters have limitations in terms of their ideal relics, which is common for DPS-focused characters. Unlike support characters, DPS characters heavily rely on maximizing specific stats such as Crit DMG, Crit Rate, Speed, or ATK. Luckily, Jingliu naturally has a high Crit Rate boost, and Topaz and Numby provide a Crit DMG increase buff. This allows players to prioritize other stats more easily.
For Jingliu, the most suitable relic set would be the "Hunter of Glacial Forest" 4-piece set. This set not only enhances her Ice DMG but also further boosts her Crit DMG after using her Ultimate. It complements her kit effectively, especially since the 4-piece effect can also apply to her Skill for 2 turns, matching well with her extended skill duration. With the help of Tree Traces, Jingliu can increase her Crit Rate and Crit DMG significantly, even if players haven't been fortunate with obtaining ideal relic stats.
As for planar ornaments, players should aim to obtain the "Rutilant Arena" set for Jingliu. This set not only increases her Crit Rate but also grants a damage boost to her Skill when her Crit Rate reaches 70%. Reaching this threshold shouldn't be too difficult, especially considering Jingliu's self Crit Rate buff. This allows players to achieve it even if they haven't been lucky with their relic stats, particularly when the damage modifier is most crucial.
Jingliu has access to a wide variety of F2P and Gacha light cones, including her signature light cone, which is not only beneficial for her but also for other Destruction characters. This light cone offers long-term value with its useful effects, easily obtained by other characters. It is definitely worth considering.
For Topaz and Numby, the optimal relic set is the "Firesmith of Lava-Forging." Unlike Jingliu's "Hunter of Glacial Forest" set, this set's 4-piece effect does not synergize completely with Topaz and Numby and is generally weaker, mainly increasing Fire damage for the next attack. This means that players may need to farm better relics in the future if more suitable sets are introduced in upcoming patches. However, players who have already been farming the other available set for Imaginary characters, such as Dan Heng Imbibitor Lunae or Welt, may already have optimal pieces from this set, making it easier to build Topaz. To further increase the damage of Topaz's follow-up attacks, players should use the "Inert Salsatto" set for the planar ornament. The Crit Rate requirement for this set is lower at 50% compared to the 70% required by Rutilant Arena, making it easier for players to reach the threshold. Topaz naturally gains a decent amount of Crit Rate from this relic set and her trace tree, making it quite achievable.
Furthermore,
Strengths and Weaknesses
can significantly enhance her Critical Rate and damage output, while also increasing the damage caused by subsequent attacks. However, unlike Jingliu's light cone, Topaz's light cone is tailor-made for her and may not provide as much benefit to other Hunt characters. As a result, players may want to explore alternative light cone options, whether they are 4-star or 5-star, in order to conserve resources, especially if they have long-term value in mind.
It is important for players to have realistic expectations when using Jingliu and Topaz & Numby, as both characters offer engaging gameplay and strong abilities, but also have their weaknesses.
Jingliu's Strengths and Weaknesses:
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Topaz's Strengths and Weaknesses:
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Verdict: Pulling Jingliu vs Topaz and Numby
Both Jingliu and Topaz & Numby are DPS characters, but they may not be essential for players who want to save resources. They do not offer completely unique abilities and there are already existing options for their respective elements, so they can be easily substituted when new DPS characters are added.
However, players who are attracted to their character design, lore, or find their gameplay mechanics enjoyable should still consider pulling for them. There are other factors to consider when making this decision:
Players should pull for Jingliu if:
They are interested in a versatile Ice DPS character that primarily deals Single Target with access to AoE capabilities.
Do not possess the Puller, Blade, or Imbibitor Lunae cards, or lack sufficient DPS characters for development.
Possess a proficient healer like Luocha, capable of maintaining the HP reduction caused by Jingliu.
Are looking for a skill-point neutral character since they have heavy skill point reliant characters (like Bronya) for their team composition.
Players should pull for Topaz and Numby if:
If they particularly enjoy follow-up attack playstyle.
If they have readily built follow-up-oriented characters, or can easily build them on short term.
Don't require AoE capabilities for their next DPS character.
Not entirely interested in Mono-Fire team compositions.
Honkai: Star Rail is now available on Android, iOS, and PC. A PlayStation version is in development.
