Understanding Budget Cyrene Teams in Honkai 3.7
Here's the thing about budget Cyrene teams – they're not actually budget in the traditional sense. You're still pulling for a 5-star character, after all. But once you've got her? That's where the magic happens.
Definition and Core Principles
Budget Cyrene teams maximize this 5-star Ice Remembrance support's potential using exclusively 4-star teammates and equipment. Think of it as premium performance without the premium price tag (well, mostly).
Cyrene summons a memosprite called 'Demiurge' that provides team buffs and triggers ally Ultimates. Her Recollection system needs 24 points for the first Ultimate – then just 12 for subsequent ones. The points generate through ally actions, which creates this beautiful rhythm once you get it down. Trailblazer (Ice) gives you a head start with +6 Recollection points in mono-Remembrance setups.
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Investment Requirements
The magic number for budget teams? 180+ SPD. This triggers Causality in Trichotomy, giving you +20% team damage plus +2% Ice RES penetration per excess SPD point (up to 60). It's not negotiable – hit this threshold or watch your clear times suffer.
HP requirements are equally important: 4000+ minimum, though 5000+ is where things really click. Your memosprite's effectiveness scales with this, and Zone True DMG output depends on it.
Character levels get interesting here. Cyrene needs level 80 with maxed Skill traces – no shortcuts. Your 4-star supports? Level 70-80 with key traces at 8-10 works perfectly fine. Total credit investment hits 3,888,100 just for Cyrene's traces, plus supporting costs. Relic farming... well, budget yourself 2-3 months targeting 2-piece Messenger Traversing Hackerspace and 2-piece Sacerdos' Relived Ordeal for that crucial +12% total SPD.
Priority order: SPD > CRIT > HP substats. Everything else is luxury.
Expected Performance Benchmarks
Here's where budget teams really shine – they achieve 85-90% premium performance with 15-20% faster MoC clears versus traditional 4-star compositions. Why? True DMG bypasses defensive calculations entirely. No DEF shred needed, no elemental weakness requirements.
MoC 12 completion typically takes 5-7 cycles (premium teams manage 3-4). But here's the kicker – that performance gap narrows significantly in AoE content where the Zone effect scales beautifully. Each ally instance adds +12% of original damage as True DMG.
Key metrics to watch: first Ultimate within 2 turns, sustained True DMG output, consistent ally Ultimate cycling. Nail these three, and you're golden.
Best 4-Star DPS Options for MoC 12
Top Tier 4-Star DPS Characters
Herta absolutely dominates AoE scenarios. Her Erudition path synergizes perfectly with True DMG Zone – every follow-up attack triggers additional True DMG against grouped enemies. It's beautiful to watch when it all comes together.
Dan Heng brings single-target Hunt damage with follow-up mechanics that maximize True DMG conversion through multi-hit basic attacks and skills. Solid, reliable, gets the job done.
Now, if you've got Dan Heng • Imbibitor Lunae (and yes, I know he's technically 5-star, but hear me out), his Enhanced Basic Attack creates numerous True DMG instances within Zone. Makes him the premium budget option – an oxymoron that somehow works in practice.
The beauty of Cyrene support? All these characters require minimal investment when backed by her buffs.
Build Recommendations
Here's where conventional wisdom goes out the window. Your 4-star DPS should prioritize damage amplification over traditional CRIT builds. Why? Cyrene provides +50% CRIT Rate during Ultimate and +25% team CRIT Rate baseline. You're already covered.
Focus instead: CRIT DMG, ATK%, damage bonus stats.
Herta builds: 4-piece Eagle of Twilight Line for action advance, or mix 2-piece Musketeer (+12% ATK) with element sets. Stats priority: ATK% body, SPD feet, element DMG sphere, ATK% rope.
Dan Heng builds: 4-piece Hunter of Glacial Forest against Ice-weak enemies, or 2-piece combinations for flexibility. Target: 2000+ ATK, 150+ SPD, 180%+ CRIT DMG.
Light Cone Alternatives
Hunt options:In the Name of the World (DEF ignore), Swordplay (basic attack damage), Only Silence Remains (debuffed enemy damage). These provide 80-90% effectiveness versus 5-star signatures when superimposed – and that's honestly good enough.
Herta options:The Birth of the Self (follow-up damage), Geniuses' Repose (DEF ignore), Make the World Clamor (Erudition bonuses). Pro tip: S5 4-star often outperforms low-superimposition 5-star options. Don't sleep on this.
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Essential Support Characters for Budget Teams
4-Star Harmony Units
Trailblazer (Ice) is your MVP here. Provides +8% Demiurge Max HP to ATK conversion and +36% CRIT Rate to Trailblazer/memosprites after Enhanced Basic attacks. One catch – you need Amphoreus story completion for the Remembrance path.
Investment priorities: max Enhanced Basic trace, 160+ SPD, 2-piece Messenger Traversing Hackerspace with HP%/SPD main stats. Simple, effective, essential.
Asta offers an alternative for non-Remembrance hybrids. ATK% buffs and SPD manipulation, plus Fire element coverage that complements Cyrene's Ice damage nicely. Build focus: Energy Recharge and SPD for Ultimate uptime.
Budget Sustain Options
Lynx leads the 4-star Abundance pack with healing, cleanse, and HP scaling that supports Remembrance mechanics perfectly. Build: HP% main stats (body/sphere/rope), 2-piece Passerby of Wandering Cloud or 4-piece Longevous Disciple. Target: 5000+ HP, 140+ SPD, 150%+ Effect RES.
Natasha provides the free alternative with basic healing and resurrection. Minimal investment needed: HP/SPD substats, 4-piece Longevous Disciple. Gets the job done.
Gallagher brings break-focused sustain with fire element and break efficiency for mixed damage compositions. Interesting option if you're experimenting with hybrid approaches.
Utility Character Roles
Pela deserves special mention – her -40% DEF reduction stacks multiplicatively with True DMG effects. Particularly nasty against high-DEF MoC 12 bosses. Build: Effect Hit Rate for debuff application, SPD for frequent actions, 4-piece Eagle of Twilight Line for action advance.
Silver Wolf enables targeted weakness implantation when available, complementing True DMG approaches in extended encounters. Luxury pick, but effective.
Optimal Cyrene Team Compositions
Physical Damage Teams
Core: Cyrene, Trailblazer (Ice), Sushang/Luka, Lynx.
This leverages Remembrance synergy while maintaining elemental diversity. Sushang provides Hunt-path physical with follow-up potential that generates multiple True DMG instances. Low investment requirements with ATK%/CRIT DMG focus make this accessible.
Rotation: Start with Technique for 30-second freeze and +50% ally SPD. Skill for Zone activation and +3 Recollection. Trailblazer Future stack consumption builds to 24 points. Ultimate within 2 turns. Sustained damage comes from Zone True DMG rather than physical scaling – which is honestly more reliable anyway.
Elemental Synergy Builds
Ice-focused: Cyrene, Trailblazer (Ice), Herta, Lynx.
Achieves +6 starting Recollection from dual Remembrance while providing consistent elemental coverage. Herta's follow-ups trigger multiple True DMG instances with 4-piece Eagle action advance mechanics. Clean, efficient, effective.
Alternative hybrids incorporate Asta (Fire/Ice) or Pela (universal support), sacrificing Remembrance synergy for broader coverage against varied enemy lineups. Sometimes flexibility trumps optimization.
Defensive Oriented Setups
Survival-focused: Cyrene, Trailblazer (Ice), March 7th (Hunt), dual sustain (Lynx/Natasha).
March 7th counter-attacks benefit from True DMG conversion while offering defensive utility. Extends clear times to 8-10 cycles, but provides near-guaranteed success rates. Perfect for learning the mechanics without pressure.
Relic and Light Cone Optimization
F2P Friendly Relic Sets
Victory In a Blink: +24% CRIT DMG and +16% ally damage when memosprites active at S5.
Achieves 88% signature effectiveness, completely free through Forgotten Hall rewards. This is your go-to option.
Memory's Curtain Never Falls alternative: +12% SPD and +16% ally damage after Skill use (86% signature effectiveness). Solid backup choice.
Both require S5 for optimal performance, achievable through 2-3 months consistent Forgotten Hall clears and Herta Store exchanges. Patience pays off here.
4-Star Light Cone Priorities
DPS priorities: Hunt characters use In the Name of the World (DEF ignore), Swordplay (basic attack), Only Silence Remains (conditional damage). Erudition characters optimize The Birth of the Self (follow-up), Geniuses' Repose (DEF ignore), Make the World Clamor (path bonuses). These provide 80-90% effectiveness versus premium alternatives when invested properly.
Support characters:Meshing Cogs (Energy Recharge), Chorus (team buffs), Shared Feeling (healing amplification). Utility over personal damage every time.
Stat Distribution Guidelines
Cyrene priorities: SPD > HP > CRIT Rate > CRIT DMG.
Targets: 180+ SPD (passive activation – non-negotiable), 4000+ HP (memosprite scaling), balanced CRIT stats. Main stats: SPD feet (mandatory), HP%/CRIT DMG body, HP%/Ice DMG sphere, HP% rope.
Substat priorities: SPD to 180+ breakpoint first, then HP flat/percentage for scaling, CRIT Rate 50%+, CRIT DMG optimization. Requires 2-3 months consistent Cavern of Corrosion farming for SPD-focused sets. Yeah, it's a grind.
MoC 12 Strategy and Rotations
Enemy Analysis
MoC 12 features high-DEF enemies that actually benefit True DMG approaches – finally, content that plays to our strengths!
First half: grouped enemies with moderate HP but high DEF. Perfect for AoE True DMG strategies using Herta compositions. Second half: single-target bosses with extreme DEF values. Dan Heng's sustained damage over time shines here.
Optimal Rotation Patterns
Opening: Technique for 30-second freeze, +50% ally SPD, automatic Zone deployment.
Turn 1: Cyrene Skill (+3 Recollection), ally actions consuming Future stacks. Trailblazer (Ice) provides +6 starting points in mono-Remembrance setups.
Turn 2: Hit Ultimate threshold via Basic Attack (+1) or additional Skill (+3). Ultimate summons Demiurge, provides extra turn, activates ally Ultimates, grants +25% team CRIT Rate.
Subsequent cycles: Enhanced Basic for AoE True DMG. Rinse and repeat.
Timing and Positioning Tips
Zone positioning targets center of enemy formations (AoE scenarios) or boss positioning (single-target). Zone persists 2 turns initially, becomes permanent after Ultimate.
Action economy matters: maximize Future stack consumption during Recollection building. Allies should act immediately after receiving stacks.
SPD tuning: 180+ Cyrene, 140-160 teammates for consistent action order without excessive support investment. Don't overthink this part.
Investment Priority Guide
Character Leveling Order
Cyrene: Level 80, fully maxed Skill and memosprite traces. The Skill provides True DMG Zone (+12% original damage as True DMG per ally instance) – this is where your damage comes from.
Trailblazer (Ice): Level 70-80, Enhanced Basic maxed for memosprite buffs (+8% Demiurge Max HP to ATK, +36% CRIT Rate). Essential synergy piece.
DPS characters: Level 70-80, key damage traces 8-10 (Basic/Skill/Ultimate). Talent traces get lower priority due to True DMG scaling reducing traditional multiplier reliance.
Trace Priority System
Cyrene: Memosprite Skill > Skill > Talent/Ultimate > Basic Attack.
Support characters: Utility traces over damage (Energy Recharge, buff effectiveness, action economy).
DPS characters: Basic > Skill > Ultimate > Talent for consistent improvements while avoiding expensive Talent investments. Smart resource allocation wins long-term.
Eidolon Considerations
Cyrene E0S0 achieves 85-90% premium performance. That's honestly impressive for base investment.
E1: +6 starting Recollection, Ultimate bounces. Nice quality of life. E2: +12 starting Recollection, +24% True DMG buff enabling immediate Ultimate and 0-cycle potential. Game-changing, but expensive.
4-star Eidolons provide better value per pull, particularly Trailblazer (Ice) memosprite synergy enhancements. Strategy: prioritize E0S0 Cyrene with S5 4-star light cone over higher Eidolons with lower superimposition. Math works out better this way.
Common Mistakes and Solutions
Build Errors
Neglecting 180 SPD threshold loses Causality's +20% team damage. I see this constantly – don't be that player.
Solution: Farm 2-piece SPD sets, prioritize SPD substats over CRIT stats. Yes, even over CRIT.
Insufficient HP investment limits memosprite effectiveness.
Solution: HP% body pieces and substats targeting 4000+ HP minimum. Your damage scales with this.
Overinvestment in personal damage versus support capabilities creates inefficient allocation. Remember – Cyrene functions as support providing team buffs and True DMG enablement. Prioritize SPD, HP, utility stats over traditional DPS configurations.
Team Composition Pitfalls
Insufficient Remembrance characters prevents optimal Recollection generation.
Solution: Incorporate Trailblazer (Ice), prioritize Remembrance synergy over elemental coverage for +6 starting Recollection. The math is clear here.
Mixing incompatible damage scaling dilutes effectiveness. Focus either elemental or physical damage with appropriate supports. Jack-of-all-trades teams usually fail.
Inadequate sustain coverage causes MoC 12 failures despite sufficient damage. Include dedicated Abundance characters like Lynx/Natasha rather than self-sustaining DPS options. Trust me on this one.
Resource Waste Prevention
Premature 5-star light cone investment wastes resources versus maxed 4-star alternatives. Focus S5 4-star before considering 5-star options. The performance difference isn't worth the cost.
Inefficient relic farming targeting perfect substats delays completion. Prioritize main stat optimization and set bonuses over perfect rolls. Good enough is actually good enough here.
Trace investment in low-impact abilities consumes materials without meaningful gains. Focus high-impact traces like Cyrene's Skill and memosprite abilities rather than complete maxing across characters.
Alternative Team Options and Substitutions
Character Replacement Strategies
Asta replaces unavailable Trailblazer (Ice) with ATK% buffs and SPD manipulation. You lose Remembrance synergy but maintain functionality. Decent compromise.
Pela substitutes dedicated DPS in utility compositions with -40% DEF shred amplifying True DMG effectiveness against high-DEF enemies. Sometimes utility beats raw damage.
Gallagher replaces traditional Abundance in break-focused compositions, offering fire coverage and break efficiency alongside healing. Interesting for weakness break strategies complementing True DMG.
Flexible Team Variants
Dual sustain (Lynx/Natasha) maximizes survivability, sacrificing damage for consistency during learning phases. Perfect for getting comfortable with mechanics.
Hybrid elemental teams incorporate multiple damage types through Asta (Fire) and Pela (Ice) for adaptability against rotating MoC content. Flexibility has value.
Speed-focused compositions emphasize action economy through action advance/SPD buffs. Requires higher SPD investment but provides superior clear times when executed properly.
Situational Adjustments
Single-target encounters: Hunt-path DPS like Dan Heng replacing AoE characters.
AoE encounters: Erudition characters emphasizing Herta over single-target alternatives.
Debuff-heavy encounters: Enhanced cleanse coverage through Lynx or Effect RES light cones maintaining functionality against status effects.
Adapt to the content, don't force square pegs into round holes.
FAQ
Can you clear MoC 12 with only 4-star characters in Cyrene teams?
Absolutely. Budget Cyrene teams achieve 85-90% premium performance. Requirements: 180+ SPD Cyrene, Victory In a Blink S5, Trailblazer (Ice) Remembrance support. It's not just possible – it's reliable.
What are minimum stat requirements for budget Cyrene builds?
180+ SPD (Causality passive – non-negotiable), 4000+ HP (memosprite scaling), 50%+ CRIT Rate, 140%+ Energy Recharge. This enables 2-turn Ultimate cycles and effective True DMG scaling.
Which 4-star light cone works best for budget Cyrene?
Victory In a Blink S5: 88% signature effectiveness, +24% CRIT DMG, +16% ally damage when memosprites active. Alternative: Memory's Curtain Never Falls with +12% SPD, +16% ally damage after Skill. Both are completely viable.
How long to build functional budget Cyrene team?
2-3 months consistent farming for relic optimization and light cone superimposition. Character leveling/trace investment: 4-6 weeks with regular material farming. It's a commitment, but worth it.
What's optimal rotation for budget Cyrene teams in MoC 12?
Technique (freeze/SPD buffs) → Skill (Zone/+3 Recollection) → ally Future stack consumption to 24 points → Ultimate (Demiurge/ally Ultimates) → Enhanced Basic cycles for sustained AoE True DMG. Simple once you get the rhythm down.
Can budget teams achieve 0-cycle MoC 12 clears?
Budget teams typically achieve 5-7 cycles, optimized rotations reach 3-4 cycles. True 0-cycle requires E2+ Cyrene with premium compositions – that's outside strict budget definitions. But honestly? 5-7 cycles is perfectly respectable performance.
