Understanding the Standard Banner Selector System
The Express Gift event grants one free standard 5-star character, saving 90 pulls worth of stellar jade. Claim it via Travel Log during the event period. Selection is permanent once confirmed.
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Available Characters
Seven options: Himeko, Bronya, Bailu, Clara, Yanqing, Welt, Gepard.
Himeko (Erudition DPS): Level 80 stats - 1047 HP, 756 ATK, 436 DEF, 96 SPD. Specializes in AoE follow-up attacks.
Bronya (Harmony support): Level 80 stats - 1241 HP, 582 ATK, 533 DEF, 99 SPD. Provides action advancement and damage amplification.
Others underperform in Pure Fiction's multi-target environment.
Strategic Timing
Selector available through May 14, 2025. Delay if needed to assess natural acquisitions from standard pulls and lost 50/50s. However, players struggling with Pure Fiction stage 4 should select early for immediate clear rate improvements. Pure Fiction resets every Monday at 04:00 server time on six-week cycles.
Pure Fiction Mode Requirements and Meta Analysis
Pure Fiction unlocks after Youci's Clever Decor quest. Requires two teams of four characters each. Emphasizes wave-clearing efficiency and multi-target damage.
Scoring System
Stage 4 thresholds: 40,000 (1★), 50,000 (2★), 60,000 (3★) points. Scoring heavily rewards rapid enemy elimination across waves.
Wave 1 features 20 minor enemies - each defeat contributes 5% boss HP damage. AoE characters like Himeko simultaneously damage multiple enemies, accelerating completion within the five-round limit.
Grit mechanic: 2 points per DoT stack (caps at 100) triggers Surging Grit - enemies take 50% increased damage, deal -35% damage, gain +50% speed. Synergizes with Himeko's burn application and follow-up cycling.
Stage 4 Enemy Compositions
November 24, 2025 - January 5, 2026 rotation features 3-5 targets per wave. Optimal for Erudition path AoE multipliers.
Himeko's Victory Rush triggers follow-up attacks when any enemy's weakness breaks, generating up to three charges dealing 140% ATK AoE damage (Level 10). Creates cascading break effects in multi-enemy scenarios.
F2P Himeko teams clear stage 4 in 8-10 cycles. Premium comps achieve 7-8 cycles.
2026 Meta Shift
Content increasingly favors multi-target specialists. Pure Fiction and Apocalyptic Shadow variations incorporate wave mechanics penalizing single-target teams.
Single-target supports like Bronya face diminishing returns when damage distributes across multiple AoE sources. Self-sufficient AoE dealers gain value as content rewards independent action cycling over coordinated burst windows.
Himeko E1 Deep Dive
Eidolon 1 Childhood grants 20% speed for two turns after triggering Victory Rush. At 135 speed breakpoint, the 20% increase provides +27 speed (162 total).
E1 Mechanics
Speed buff activates upon using any Victory Rush charge, including the starting charge. Enables two consecutive turns in zero-cycle (before enemies act).
Combined with Technique Incomplete Combustion (10% Fire damage vulnerability for two turns), E1 Himeko executes Skill → Ultimate → Follow-up before enemies move.
Two-turn duration creates near-permanent uptime when continuously triggering follow-ups against grouped enemies.
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Damage Comparison: E0 vs E1
E0 produces 183,934 damage vs single target, 545,398 vs three targets. E1 doesn't increase per-action damage but dramatically improves action frequency.
In stage 4, E1 generates 15-20% more total actions vs E0. Translates to 2-3 additional Ultimates and 4-6 extra follow-ups = 180,000-220,000 additional total damage.
Gap widens with break effect scaling. A2 trace Starfire applies Burn (50% chance, two turns, 30% ATK DoT). A4 trace Magma increases Skill damage 20% vs Burned enemies. Faster cycling = more Burns + higher Magma uptime.
Break Effect Synergy
Himeko's Skill (Level 10): 200% ATK primary, 90% ATK adjacent. Consistent toughness damage across targets.
With Super Break enablers (Ruan Mei, Fugue), frequent attacks maximize proc frequency. E1 speed buff increases toughness depletion rate, triggering more breaks.
E4 Dedication grants additional Victory Rush charge when breaking with Skill (potential five total charges).
Testing Data
E1 reduces clear times by 1.5-2 cycles vs E0 in equivalent teams. Difference between 45,000 points (1★ short) and 52,000 points (2★ secured).
Average builds: 3,141 HP, 3,174 ATK, 948 DEF, 115 SPD, 59% CRIT Rate, 131% CRIT DMG. 135 speed breakpoint requires speed boots or substats - E1 helps reach this without sacrificing offensive stats.
A6 trace Benchmark: 15% CRIT Rate at 80%+ HP. E1's faster cycling triggers this more frequently.
Bronya Assessment for Pure Fiction
Bronya's Skill advances one ally's turn, increasing damage 66% and CRIT DMG 16% (max level). Single-target focus misaligns with Pure Fiction's multi-target requirements.
Action Advance Mechanics
Skill costs one skill point. E1 Hone Your Strength: 50% chance to recover one skill point (one-turn cooldown). Partially mitigates drain but doesn't eliminate it.
E2 Quick March: Skill target gains 30% speed for one turn. Benefits only one character per action.
Pure Fiction stats: 7.6% team adoption, 40,000 average score (barely 1★). Low adoption reflects poor fit for distributed damage.
Skill Point Economy
Optimal Pure Fiction teams need multiple skill point consumers. Himeko operates neutrally (generates one with Basic, consumes one with Skill).
Bronya creates negative economy, requiring Basic usage (wasting action advance) or forcing teammates into Basics. Reduces total team damage.
Harmony supports (Ruan Mei, Robin) provide team-wide buffs without skill point costs. Better Pure Fiction choices.
Single-Target Buffs Underperform
Bronya's hypercarry design excels in Memory of Chaos (concentrated burst vs single bosses). Pure Fiction rewards total team damage across waves.
Advancing Himeko provides value, but opportunity cost (field time + skill points) outweighs benefit. Second damage dealer or universal buffer contributes more.
Action economy issue: Bronya's actions don't damage enemies. In five-round encounters, every non-damaging action represents lost damage unless enabling increases exceeding 100% of another character's contribution.
Head-to-Head: Himeko E1 vs Bronya
Damage Per Action
Himeko E1 at 162 speed: 8-9 actions across five rounds. Each cycle includes Skill/Ultimate plus follow-ups.
At 3,000 ATK: ~540,000 from Skills/Ultimates + 420,000 from follow-ups = 960,000 total (excluding CRIT/defense).
Bronya's contribution: Advancing Himeko E0 adds ~110,000 per action. Across 6-7 actions = 660,000-770,000 enabled damage. Less than E1's self-sufficient output.
Gap widens when Bronya's slot could hold second AoE dealer or universal buffer.
Team Flexibility
Himeko E1 functions independently. Proven teams:
- Himeko + Herta + Robin + Aventurine (dual Erudition)
- Himeko + Topaz + Robin + Aventurine (follow-up synergy)
- Himeko + Fugue + Ruan Mei + Lingsha (Super Break)
All four slots contribute damage or amplification.
Bronya teams sacrifice one slot for enabler role, constraining options.
Investment Return
Bronya advantages: Memory of Chaos and Apocalyptic Shadow single-target bosses where hypercarry excels.
But Pure Fiction provides most generous rewards with most frequent resets = primary stellar jade source. Optimizing Pure Fiction yields greater long-term resources.
4-star Harmony alternatives exist (Asta, Hanya). No 4-star replicates Himeko's Erudition AoE profile.
Support Supremacy Myth
Always prioritize supports holds merit when supports are scarce and damage dealers abundant. HSR doesn't follow this pattern.
Numerous universal buffers exist (Robin, Ruan Mei, Sparkle) plus accessible 4-star supports. Specialized AoE dealers remain scarce - Himeko is one of three Erudition 5-stars in standard pool.
Damage dealer eidolons often provide greater improvements. Himeko E1 20% speed = 15-20% more actions. Bronya E1 skill point recovery only partially mitigates negativity without increasing fundamental value.
Optimal Himeko E1 Teams
Best-in-Slot
Himeko + Herta + Robin + Aventurine: Dual Erudition with universal buffs. Herta follow-ups trigger at <50% HP, synergizing with Himeko's AoE. Aventurine sustains + debuffs.
Himeko + Topaz + Robin + Aventurine: Follow-up focus. Topaz's Numby triggers attacks + vulnerability. Robin grants bonus attacks when allies use follow-ups.
Himeko + Fugue + Ruan Mei + Lingsha: Super Break. Ruan Mei boosts break efficiency + delays. Fugue enables Super Break scaling. Lingsha sustains + contributes break damage.
Budget 4-Star Options
- Asta: Speed buffs + attack (replaces Robin, no energy regen)
- Gallagher: Break damage + healing (replaces Aventurine, lower defense)
- Pela: Defense shred + damage amp via Ultimate debuff
- Tingyun: Attack buffs + energy (single-target focused)
F2P comp: Himeko + Herta + Asta + Gallagher. Achieves 8-10 cycle stage 4 clears.
Rotation Optimization
Opening: Technique → Skill (target with most adjacent enemies) → Ultimate (3+ grouped) → Follow-ups (auto). E1 activates after first follow-up.
Target Fire-weak enemies centrally positioned for maximum Skill adjacent hits.
Reserve Ultimate energy when wave has 1-2 enemies and next spawns 3+. Maximizes AoE value vs fresh groups.
Light Cone and Relics
Best: Night on the Milky Way S1 (attack buffs per enemy + energy regen)
Alternatives:
- Today Is Another Peaceful Day (energy regen)
- Seriousness of Breakfast (damage + attack)
Relics: 4pc Firesmith or Ashblazing Grand Duke + 2pc Inert Salsotto
Main stats: Body (CRIT Rate/DMG), Feet (Speed to 135), Sphere (Fire DMG%), Rope (ATK%/Energy Regen)
Substats: CRIT Rate, CRIT DMG, Speed, ATK%
135 speed enables two-turn zero cycling. E1's 20% buff makes this achievable without sacrificing offensive feet stats.
Alternative Standard Characters
Himeko vs Herta
Herta (4-star Erudition): Follow-ups trigger at <50% enemy HP. Synergizes with Himeko bringing enemies into range.
But Herta's 4-star status makes her readily available via standard pulls and shop. Don't waste selector on her. Players lacking Himeko entirely prioritize her. E0 owners gain more from E1 than acquiring Herta.
Why Others Fall Short
Gepard: Shielding only, no offense. Free sustain (Gallagher, March 7th) adequate.
Welt: Slow debuffs, limited damage. Single-target focus, skill point heavy.
Yanqing: Single-target Ice CRIT specialist. No AoE, conditional buffs hard to maintain.
Clara: Counter-attack specialist. Performance depends on enemy patterns, inconsistent.
Eidolon Priority (Pure Fiction)
- Himeko E1 - Direct performance boost
- Bronya E1 - Skill point recovery
- Clara E1 - Counter damage (limited application)
- Gepard E1 - Effect resistance (minimal impact)
- Welt E1 - Talent boost (marginal)
- Yanqing E1 - CRIT DMG (no AoE)
- Bailu E1 - Healing (unnecessary)
For Memory of Chaos focus, Bronya E1 tops list.
When Bronya Is Better
Memory of Chaos and Single-Target
Players struggling with MoC due to insufficient single-target damage benefit from Bronya's hypercarry enablement. Action advance allows underbuilt dealers to output damage via repeated cycling.
Accounts with Seele, Jingliu, Imbibitor Lunae but lacking Harmony supports should prioritize Bronya.
Apocalyptic Shadow's boss design similarly favors single-target amp over AoE.
Early vs Late Game
Early (TL 40-50): Bronya's versatility across content types more valuable. Pure Fiction unlocks later. Enables forgiving team building with limited rosters.
Late (TL 65+): Himeko E1's specialized Pure Fiction performance optimizes endgame clear rates.
Roster Analysis
Select Himeko E1 if:
- Own Bronya or premium Harmony (Robin, Ruan Mei, Sparkle)
- Lack strong AoE for Pure Fiction
- Struggle with stage 4 three-star clears
- Own Himeko E0, want to enhance investment
- Prioritize Pure Fiction rewards
Select Bronya if:
- Own strong single-target dealers lacking supports
- No 5-star Harmony characters
- Struggle with MoC/Apocalyptic Shadow
- Own Himeko E1+ or sufficient AoE options
- Prefer versatile characters
Consider others if:
- Lack sustain (Gepard shields, Bailu healing)
- Need specific role coverage
Resource Optimization
Stellar Jade Value
Standard 5-star eidolons require 90 pulls average (14,400 jade). Selector grants this value.
Limited character acquisition: 180 pulls worst case (28,800 jade). Eidolons provide ~half resource value of new characters, but strong eidolons improving clear rates generate more resources over time.
Himeko E1's 15-20% improvement = more consistent 3★ clears = ~225 jade per cycle (2★ vs 3★ difference). Over 8-10 cycles annually = 1,800-2,250 additional jade.
True value: Using selector prevents needing standard pulls for her, preserving resources for limited characters.
Future-Proofing
HSR endgame emphasizes diverse content. Pure Fiction (AoE), Memory of Chaos (single-target burst), Apocalyptic Shadow (sustained boss damage).
Pure Fiction's generous rewards + frequent resets = logical focus.
Himeko E1 future-proof: AoE perpetually relevant. Low skill point cost ensures viability even with new Erudition releases.
Bronya faces power creep as new Harmony supports introduce specialized capabilities.
Resource Acquisition
Himeko ascension: 15 Extinguished/Glimmering/Squirming Cores, 65 Endotherm Chitin, 308,000 Credits.
Bronya ascension: 15 Silvermane Badges/Insignias/Medals, 65 Storm Eyes, 308,000 Credits.
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FAQ
Is Himeko E1 worth getting from Standard Banner Selector 2026?
Yes for Pure Fiction focus. 20% speed buff enables 15-20% more actions = 1.5-2 cycle faster clears. Generates ~1,800-2,250 additional jade annually via better reward tiers.
What does Himeko Eidolon 1 do?
Grants 20% speed for two turns after using Victory Rush. At 135 speed, adds +27 (162 total), enabling zero-cycle double turns with near-permanent uptime via continuous breaks.
Himeko or Bronya from Standard Banner?
Himeko E1 if you own Harmony supports and prioritize Pure Fiction. Bronya if lacking 5-star Harmony, own strong single-target dealers, or focus MoC. Himeko = specialized Pure Fiction value. Bronya = versatility.
Best Himeko E1 teams for Pure Fiction?
Premium: Himeko + Herta + Robin + Aventurine, Himeko + Topaz + Robin + Aventurine, Himeko + Fugue + Ruan Mei + Lingsha. Budget: Himeko + Herta + Asta + Gallagher (8-10 cycles).
How does Pure Fiction favor AoE?
Awards points for rapid elimination across waves (five rounds). Wave 1's 20 enemies each = 5% boss HP. AoE simultaneously damages multiple targets. Thresholds (40k/50k/60k) reward total team damage over single-target burst.
Best Himeko light cone for Pure Fiction?
Night on the Milky Way (attack per enemy + energy). Alternatives: Today Is Another Peaceful Day, Seriousness of Breakfast. Pair with 4pc Firesmith/Ashblazing + 2pc Inert Salsotto.
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