Honkai: Star Railfeatures classic MiHoYo visuals mixed with a tactical twist on traditional turn-based combat. Players join the star-traveling Astral Express, chugging between worlds on their journey as Trailblazers. In the first major world the crew stations at, Jarilo-VI, players are immediately thrown into combat.

Honkai Star Rail: 10 Best DPS Characters, Ranked

If you’re looking to add some damage dealers to your team in Honkai Star Rail, these are the characters you should consider.

Things get worse for the team before they come face-to-face with the major boss of the world: Cocolia.

Honkai Star Rail Best DPS Characters

How To Defeat Cocolia (Stage 1)

By now, the crew of the Astral Express has toppled their fair share of difficult battles, including Cocolia’s loyal head-of-guard,Gepard, but nothing has prepared the team for the battle against Cocolia. Her first form, however, is deceptively simple.She is weak to lightning, quantum, and fire damage types, but this first form does not necessarily require a party full of her weaknesses to topple it.

Any team should be able to dish out chunks of damage at a regular clip, even if they cannot drain Cocolia’s shield. After this version falls, however, comes the big battle (and one that can be challenged repeatedly for rewards later as anEcho of War). Do not forget to bring along a healer if the party is not filled with characters able to drop Cocolia’s shield. The lengthier ensuing battle may consume a considerable amount of healing. Natalia is a pretty useful F2P character.

Cocolia’s Echo

How To Defeat Cocolia, Mother Of Deception

Here is where the real challenge begins, especially when first crossing blades with Cocolia in the story. Fortunately, players are pushed into a party selection screen to adjust the party with a catch:the Trailblazer is a mandatory addition in this phase of the fight. Since Cocolia, Mother of Deception retains the same weaknesses as before, this should be beneficial (as the Trailblazer unlocks their fire damage type and uses their trial mode in battle, meaning the character may be more powered up than they already may be). The battle begins with just the physical damage type Trailblazer before unlocking the preservation path. Once that happens, the trial version is available and the rest of the party can be brought in.

Keeping a healer in the party is vital, and, if stuck with F2P characters, a powered-upDan HengorServalwill help. Characters with high defense are useful, too, particularly in the first fight with the Mother of Deception, as she is capable of dealing massive damage.If desperate,March 7thcan be useful as a shield spammer, since she innately counter-attacks any enemy that damages an ally with her shield. Cocolia has two health bars able to absorb a ton of damage, so be careful to heal and attack in moderation. Conservation in this first attempt is key, as most players will likely not be overpowered for this battle.

Cocolia Mother of Deception Stance

The good news is that during the initial battle, the party gains access to the Engine of Creation attack. As characters utilize their basic attack or skill, the bar fills (much like the Path Resonance in the Simulated World). Trigger this ability as soon as it’s charged every time to deal significant damage to Cocolia and any additionalLances of Eternal Freezeshe may have summoned.These ice Lances temporarily disable her weaknesses, so the party cannot chip away at Cocolia’s shield until the Lances are dispersed. Future iterations of Cocolia, Mother of Deception as seen in her Echo of War battle include the Engine of Creation from the onset. Use this as often as possible, too, to topple her. In both scenarios, a strong Fire character is extremely useful in vanquishing the Ice Lances and Cocolia’s shield, and the Trailblazer’s ultimate deals excellent AoE Fire damage to all enemies. Additionally, their shield skill will taunt Cocolia while increasing defense, making them a useful addition that is F2P. Whittle away her shield and health bar before bringing her down for good.

Cocolia, Mother Of Deception’s Skillset

Bone-Shattering Cold

Deals Ice damage to one target. This is essentially her basic attack.

Icy Rain of Annihilation

Deals Ice damage to the entire team.

Heartless Annihilator Call

Summons the Lances of Eternal Freeze, which protect Cocolia from taking weakness damage.

Genesis Chord

Deals Imaginary damage and imprisons its target, which slows down the ally by 50% for one turn.

Harbinger of Annihilation

This is the first step in a greater ability. It will lock onto a single target, preparing its next attack (Soulrend Coldstream). Using Trailblazer’s skill to taunt Cocolia will have her focus her attention on them, saving other allies from this attack. Breaking her shield will also cancel the lock on and charge.

Soulrend Coldstream

Deals incredible damage (nearly three times normal damage) to the locked-on target with a 100% chance to Freeze them, too, which skips a turn.If Bronya is in the party, her upgraded skill can remove one status ailment for the ally she targets, which would eliminate Freeze and allow that character to have a turn.

The Creation’s Prelude

This is a one-turn charge for Last Choir of Genesis. Again, breaking Cocolia’s shield will stun her out of the cast.

Last Choir of Genesis

Deals approximately double Imaginary damage to the entire team. Shields will help absorb some of this damage, and using Natalia’s special before or after to preserve life will also help.

Creator’s Resolve

When Cocolia changes to a different phase, Cocolia’s speed increases and she deals Imaginary damage.

Best Party Compositions

With that, Cocolia, Mother of Deception should fall eventually. She can absorb a significant amount of damage, so the early encounter could turn into a battle of attrition.If the base party is weak or right around the suggested level, shielding and healing will be of utmost importance. Mix in the Engine of Creation as the gauge fills, and Cocolia should face defeat on the first attempt. If her Echo of War is too simple, remember to change the difficulty level before engaging in combat.

Next:Honkai Star Rail: Every Healer And Shielder, Ranked

Honkai Star Rail