A Grounded Ascent Banner Structure
Phase 3 features Aglaea (Lightning Remembrance) and Sunday (Imaginary Harmony) reruns. Bygone Reminiscence showcases A Grounded Ascent (5-star Harmony) with three rate-up 4-stars: Geniuses' Greetings (Remembrance), Trend of the Universal Market (Preservation), and Dance! Dance! Dance! (Harmony).
Hard pity: 80 pulls (12,800 Stellar Jade max). Base 5-star rate: 0.8% with 75% featured rate-up. Soft pity starts pull 63. For Honkai Star Rail Stellar Jade top up, BitTopup offers secure transactions with instant delivery.
4-Star Rate-Up Mechanics
Four-star Light Cones share rate-up with 4-star characters: Tingyun (Lightning Harmony), Yukong (Imaginary Harmony), Dan Heng (Wind Hunt). Each 10-pull guarantees one 4-star, but your target competes against five other featured items. Targeting specific 4-star to S5 requires massive Jade investment with high variance.
A Grounded Ascent Context
Sunday's signature 5-star Harmony Light Cone. Lv80 stats: HP 1164, ATK 476, DEF 529. At S1: regenerates 6 Energy, provides 15% DMG per Hymn stack (max 3), recovers 1 Skill Point every 2 Skill/Ultimate uses. Understanding this contextualizes whether Dance! Dance! Dance! serves as viable alternative.
Dance! Dance! Dance! Analysis
Specializes in action manipulation for Harmony Path. Passive triggers after Ultimate, advancing all allies' actions by percentage based on Superimposition.
Stats and Superimposition (S1-S5)
Lv80 Stats: HP 952, ATK 423, DEF 396
Superimposition Scaling:
- S1: 16% advancement
- S2: 18% advancement
- S3: 20% advancement
- S4: 22% advancement
- S5: 24% advancement
Each level adds 2% advancement, translating to 4-6% faster turn cycling. S1 to S5 difference: roughly one extra team rotation every 8-10 combat cycles—meaningful in Memory of Chaos and Pure Fiction.
Passive Mechanics
Action advancement reduces allies' Action Value by stated percentage, pulling next turns closer. Triggers after wearer's Ultimate—requires energy management. Harmony supports typically reach Ultimate every 2-3 turns under optimal conditions.
Critical interaction: Stacks multiplicatively with other speed buffs. Pairing with Bronya or Sparkle creates exponential acceleration (diminishing returns apply beyond thresholds).
Optimal Characters
Top-Tier:
- Tingyun: Frequent Ultimate cycling maximizes triggers, accelerates primary DPS
- Yukong: Synchronizes advancement with buff windows for optimal CRIT Rate/DMG timing
- Asta: Combines with speed buffs for extreme turn manipulation in Fire-weak content
Moderate:
- Bronya: Redundant with Skill-based advancement but backup when Skill Points low
- Sparkle: Alternative advancement though Skill remains superior
- Ruan Mei: Lower Ultimate frequency reduces consistency
Situational:
- Hanya: Budget option supplementing Physical vulnerability
- Trailblazer (Imaginary): F2P viable for early-mid game
Comparison to Alternatives
Most 4-star Harmony Light Cones focus on stat buffs or energy vs action manipulation. Closest comparison: Memories of the Past (Break Effect + energy) serves different archetypes.
Five-star options like But the Battle Isn't Over and A Grounded Ascent offer superior stats and comprehensive passives. However, Dance! Dance! Dance! at S5 provides 24% team-wide advancement that even 5-stars don't replicate.
Trend of the Universal Market Deep Dive
Transforms Preservation characters into offensive threats through DEF scaling and Burn application.
Stats Across Superimposition
Lv80 Stats: HP 1058, ATK 370, DEF 396
Trades 53 ATK for 106 HP vs Dance! Dance! Dance!—11% more effective health pool.
DEF Increase:
- S1: 16% | S2: 20% | S3: 24% | S4: 28% | S5: 32%
Burn Application (when attacked):
- S1: 100% chance, 40% DEF as DoT for 2 turns
- S2: 105% chance, 50% DEF DoT
- S3: 110% chance, 60% DEF DoT
- S4: 115% chance, 70% DEF DoT
- S5: 120% chance, 80% DEF DoT
Burn chance exceeding 100% at higher Superimpositions overcomes enemy Effect RES (40%+ endgame).
Passive Mechanics and Damage
DEF increase applies unconditionally. At S5 with 1,500 DEF: +480 DEF—substantial for Aventurine whose Shield/Follow-up damage scale from DEF.
Burn triggers when attacked. At S5 with 1,980 DEF (1,500 base + 480): inflicts 1,584 damage/turn for 2 turns—3,168 total/proc. Multi-enemy encounters with 3-4 attacks/cycle: 9,504-12,672 supplementary damage without action investment.
Burn counts as DoT, benefits from DoT vulnerability debuffs. Doesn't snapshot—recalculates based on current DEF.
Best Characters
Optimal:
- Aventurine: DEF-scaling Follow-ups and Shield gain max value; Burn adds chip damage during counters
- March 7th: DEF-scaling Shield benefits from DEF buff; Burn procs frequently via taunt
Moderate:
- Trailblazer (Fire): F2P accessible, DEF-scaling taunt synergizes adequately
- Gepard: Shield scales from DEF but lacks offensive conversion
Suboptimal:
- Fu Xuan: HP-scaling kit gains minimal DEF benefit
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Preservation Tier List Position
Among 4-stars, competes with Day One of My New Life (DEF + DMG RES) and Landau's Choice (taunt + DMG reduction). Offensive DEF scaling distinguishes it as aggressive tank option.
Against 5-stars like Moment of Victory or Texture of Memories, stat gap pronounced. But S5 offers 80% DEF-scaling Burn that signatures don't provide—niche value in DoT teams.
Head-to-Head Comparison
Direct comparison acknowledges different Paths/roles. Framework centers on roster gaps, meta alignment, resource efficiency.
Statistical Advantage
Lv80 Comparison:
- Dance! Dance! Dance!: HP 952, ATK 423, DEF 396
- Trend of Universal Market: HP 1058 (+106), ATK 370 (-53), DEF 396 (equal)
11% HP advantage provides marginal survivability. 14% ATK advantage translates to 40-60 damage/attack—negligible for Harmony supports.
Superimposition Value:
- Dance! Dance! Dance! S1→S5: 16%→24% (50% relative increase)
- Trend of Universal Market S1→S5: 16%→32% DEF (100% increase), 40%→80% DoT (100% increase)
Trend gains proportionally more from Superimposition. Dance! shows diminishing returns—S1 captures 67% of S5's value.
Path-Specific Value
Harmony depth exceeds Preservation in most rosters. Version 3.8 features multiple Harmony options (Tingyun, Yukong, Asta, Hanya) while Preservation limited to March 7th and Trailblazer (Fire) as F2P.
Preservation Light Cone pool offers fewer specialized options, making Trend's offensive DEF scaling more distinctive. Harmony alternatives provide more functional overlap with Dance!'s niche.
Roster Considerations
Prioritize Dance! Dance! Dance! if:
- Lack action manipulation tools, run speed-tuning teams
- Harmony supports use generic 3-star Light Cones
- Frequently deploy Tingyun/Yukong/Asta in endgame
- Focus on Hypercarry compositions requiring precise timing
Prioritize Trend of Universal Market if:
- Main Aventurine or March 7th without signature 5-stars
- Preservation characters use off-Path Light Cones
- Experiment with DEF-scaling or DoT teams
- Roster lacks offensive Preservation options
Skip both if:
- Own signature 5-stars for primary Harmony/Preservation characters
- Stellar Jade can't afford diluted rate-up probabilities
- Upcoming banners feature must-pull targets
- Operate strict F2P budgets requiring guaranteed characters
Meta Relevance
Version 3.8 Memory of Chaos and Pure Fiction favor action manipulation—Dance! enables faster clears through rotation frequency.
Trend gains value in Pure Fiction's multi-target where Burn hits 3-5 enemies simultaneously. Preservation sees less representation in speed-clear strategies.
Future character releases determine long-term value. Leaked info suggests upcoming Harmony characters in 3.9+, potentially outclassing Dance!. Preservation characters less frequent, giving Trend stable positioning.
Pull Value Calculator
Mathematics of acquiring specific 4-stars on diluted rate-up reveals challenging probabilities.
Expected Stellar Jade Cost
Six featured 4-stars (three Light Cones, three characters) share rate-up—each represents ~16.7% of 4-star acquisitions. Ten-pull guarantees one 4-star per 1,600 Jade.
Expected acquisition:
- S1: 6-8 ten-pulls (9,600-12,800 Jade)
- S2: Additional 6-8 (cumulative 19,200-25,600)
- S3: Additional 6-8 (cumulative 28,800-38,400)
- S4: Additional 6-8 (cumulative 38,400-51,200)
- S5: Additional 6-8 (cumulative 48,000-64,000)
Average luck estimates. Unlucky streaks push costs 30-50% higher. Critical insight: S5 costs 3-4x guaranteed 5-star pity.
Opportunity Cost
Spending 48,000-64,000 Jade chasing S5 sacrifices:
- 3-4 guaranteed 5-star characters (90-pull pity)
- 2-3 guaranteed 5-star Light Cones (80-pull pity)
- 40-50 pulls toward Eidolons
- Safety reserves for unexpected releases
Four-star Light Cones at S1-S3 provide 70-85% of S5 performance. Final Superimpositions offer diminishing returns rarely justifying exponential cost.
Rate-Up Mathematics
Scenario 1: First 5-star (60-70 pulls)
- Expected 4-stars: 6-7 items
- Probability 1+ target: ~65%
- Probability 2+ target: ~25%
- Probability 0 target: ~35%
Scenario 2: Guaranteed 5-star (80 pulls)
- Expected 4-stars: 8 items
- Probability 1+ target: ~75%
- Probability 2+ target: ~35%
- Probability S3+: ~8%
Scenario 3: Dedicated chasing (160 pulls)
- Expected 4-stars: 16 items
- Probability S3+: ~45%
- Probability S5: ~12%
- Guaranteed 5-stars: 2
Optimal strategy: pull for desired 5-stars, treat 4-star Light Cones as incidental bonuses.
F2P Budget Implications
F2P accumulates ~8,000-10,000 Jade monthly. Version cycles provide ~12,000-15,000 Jade/patch. Budget allows one guaranteed 5-star every 1.5-2 versions.
Single S5 attempt (48,000+ Jade) represents 4-5 months F2P income—equivalent to 3-4 skipped character banners.
Light spenders (Express Supply Pass + Battle Pass) gain ~15,000-18,000 additional Jade monthly, providing more flexibility. But even moderate spenders benefit more from guaranteed 5-stars than probabilistic 4-star chasing.
Character-Specific Recommendations
Dance! Dance! Dance! Priority
S-Tier:
- Tingyun: Energy-focused kit cycles Ultimates every 2-3 turns, frequent triggers. Acceleration compounds with ATK buffs for Hypercarry comps.
- Yukong: Synchronizes advancement with buff windows, ensures DPS acts during CRIT Rate/DMG uptime.
A-Tier: 3. Asta: Combines with speed buffs for extreme turn manipulation. Best in Fire-weak content. 4. Hanya: Budget option with Physical vulnerability. Compensates for lower Ultimate frequency.
B-Tier: 5. Sparkle: Skill-based advancement superior, Light Cone redundant in optimal rotations. 6. Bronya: Similar redundancy. Backup when Skill Points restricted.
C-Tier: 7. Ruan Mei: Lower Ultimate frequency reduces consistency. Break Effect focus benefits from other Light Cones. 8. Trailblazer (Imaginary): F2P viable early-game, limited endgame scaling.
Trend of Universal Market Ideal Wielders
S-Tier:
- Aventurine: DEF-scaling Follow-ups and Shield gain max value from 32% DEF at S5. Frequent counters trigger Burn consistently, adding 8,000-12,000 damage/cycle.
- March 7th: DEF-scaling Shield benefits from DEF buff. Taunt draws attacks, maximizes Burn procs.
A-Tier: 3. Trailblazer (Fire): F2P accessible, DEF-scaling taunt synergizes. Elevates performance to competitive endgame.
B-Tier: 4. Gepard: Shield scales from DEF but lacks offensive conversion beyond Burn.
C-Tier: 5. Fu Xuan: HP-scaling kit, minimal DEF benefit. CRIT-focused contributions need Effect RES alternatives.
Alternative Outperformance
Dance! loses value when:
- Teams achieve optimal speed tuning via relics/abilities
- Harmony supports prioritize energy regeneration
- Skill Point economy allows constant Skill-based advancement
- Content favors burst damage over sustained rotation
Trend underperforms when:
- Preservation characters don't scale damage from DEF
- Enemy Effect RES exceeds 60%, preventing Burn
- Teams require max Shield strength over offense
- Single-target bosses reduce multi-target Burn value
Decision Framework
Evaluation Checklist
Step 1: Inventory
- List current Harmony/Preservation Light Cones + Superimposition
- Identify characters using off-Path or 3-star Light Cones
Step 2: Roster
- Count built Harmony characters (Lv70+, adequate relics)
- Count built Preservation characters
- Identify which gain 15%+ performance from target
Step 3: Resources
- Current Stellar Jade reserves
- Expected income before February 12, 2026
- Committed pulls for upcoming banners
Step 4: Value
- Would S1 improve Memory of Chaos clear rate?
- Does it enable new team comps?
- Can you afford 60-80 pulls without compromising guarantees?
Step 5: Alternatives
- Pulling for A Grounded Ascent regardless?
- Own superior 5-star alternatives?
- Will future banners offer better rate-up conditions?
Player Type Recommendations
F2P (8,000-10,000 Jade/month): Skip dedicated 4-star chasing. If pulling for A Grounded Ascent or Sunday/Aglaea, accept incidental 4-stars. Prioritize guaranteed characters. Use 3-star placeholders (Chorus, Amber).
Light Spenders (23,000-28,000 Jade/month): Consider 60-80 pulls if targeting A Grounded Ascent and lacking adequate Light Cones. Stop at first copy unless exceptionally lucky. Avoid chasing S5 unless all desired 5-stars secured.
Whales: Pull to S5 for collection if desired, but opportunity cost exists. Character Eidolons or signature 5-stars typically provide better progression. Consider waiting for better rate-up conditions.
Skip Conditions
Absolute skip:
- Own But the Battle Isn't Over S1+ or A Grounded Ascent (Harmony)
- Own Moment of Victory or Texture of Memories (Preservation)
- Jade reserves below 14,400 (guaranteed character pity)
- Version 3.9 leaks confirm must-pulls within 6 weeks
- Don't use Harmony/Preservation in current rotations
- Prioritize horizontal (new characters) over vertical progression
Conditional skip:
- Own adequate 4-star alternatives at S3+
- Primary characters already use functional Light Cones
- Can't afford 60+ pulls without compromising goals
- A Grounded Ascent doesn't suit roster
Alternative Acquisition
Four-stars eventually enter standard pool and return on future rate-ups with potentially:
- Fewer competing items (3-4 vs 6)
- Paired with more desirable 5-stars
- During versions with excess Jade after priority characters
Starlight Exchange occasionally features 4-stars for Undying Starlight (from duplicate pulls). Herta's Store offers limited selections for Herta Bonds (unpredictable rotation).
FAQ
Is Dance! Dance! Dance! better than Trend of the Universal Market?
Neither objectively superior—serve different Paths/roles. Dance! excels for Harmony in action-manipulation teams; Trend suits DEF-scaling Preservation. Choose based on roster gaps: Dance! if lacking Harmony Light Cones and run Tingyun/Yukong; Trend if main Aventurine/March 7th without signatures.
Which characters work best with Dance! Dance! Dance!?
Tingyun and Yukong optimal (frequent Ultimates, buff synchronization). Asta strong in Fire-weak content. Hanya budget-friendly F2P. Avoid Ruan Mei (lower Ultimate frequency) or Sparkle/Bronya (redundant action manipulation).
Should I pull for 4-star light cones on A Grounded Ascent banner?
Only if already targeting featured 5-star or character reruns. Dedicated 4-star chasing costs 48,000-64,000 Jade for S5—equivalent to 3-4 guaranteed 5-stars. Treat as incidental bonuses. F2P skip entirely; light spenders afford 60-80 pulls if lacking alternatives.
How many Stellar Jades for Dance! Dance! Dance! S5?
Expect 48,000-64,000 Jade average with six featured 4-stars. Unlucky streaks push 30-50% higher. Each Superimposition: ~6-8 ten-pulls (9,600-12,800 Jade). Final S4→S5 costs as much as guaranteed 5-star pity for only 2% additional advancement—poor value.
Best F2P alternatives to Dance! Dance! Dance!?
Memories of the Past (energy + Break Effect) via standard banner. Chorus (3-star, basic energy) as placeholder. Meshing Cogs (3-star, early energy). For Preservation alternatives to Trend: Day One of My New Life (DEF + DMG RES) or Landau's Choice (taunt + DMG reduction) via standard pulls.
Is superimposing 4-star light cones worth it?
Diminishing returns—S1 provides 60-70% total value, S3 reaches 80-85%, S5 marginal at exponential cost. Prioritize S1 across multiple useful Light Cones over chasing single S5. Only invest higher when: secured all desired 5-stars, suits multiple comps, excess resources after other goals. Most achieve better progression through character acquisition.
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