Why We're Pitting ‘A Thankless Coronation’ Against F2P 5★ Cones in MoC 11-12
Look, comparing Saber's sig to free-to-play options isn't just nitpicking—it's about real choices for your roster. A Thankless Coronation pumps +36-72% CRIT DMG, then Ult drops +40-80% ATK (which doubles to +80% x2 at ≥300 Energy) plus +10% Max Energy regen. Flip side: F2P staple On the Fall of an Aeon stacks +32% ATK and adds +24% post-Break DMG at 100% baseline DPS. The sig edges it out at 116.31-120.1% relative DPS.
Hypercarry Saber? Chase the sig. Grinding on a budget? Hit the Herta Shop.
Saber drops on the v3.4 banner (July 11, 2025) through v3.7's end (Nov 5-Dec 16, 2025). For those banners, honkai star rail saber banner top up via BitTopup means low prices, instant delivery, full safety, broad HSR coverage, solid after-sales, and killer user ratings.
Breaking Down ‘A Thankless Coronation’
The Stats and That Wild Kit
At max Lv 80: 582 Base ATK, 953 HP, 529 DEF. Core effect: +36-72% CRIT DMG (S1-S5); Ult hands out +40-80% ATK (+10% Max Energy regen, and an extra +40-80% ATK for 2 turns if you're at ≥300 Energy).
S1 alone? Doubles that +80% ATK post-Ult, supercharging her 1380% ST Ult. Saber mains equip it 93.4% of the time in MoC—overlay to S1 averages 80 pulls (14k Jades at 180 pity). Worth it? In hypercarry, absolutely.
How It Meshes with Saber's Playstyle
Saber runs a 360 Energy Ult with 60% starting, A4 dumping 120 excess, and Core Resonance grabbing 8 Energy per stack from ally Ults/Skills. The sig unlocks Ult spam at ≥300 Energy, netting +16% DPS through CRIT/ATK synergy.
Build it like this: Rack 3-8 stacks pre-Ult. Ult for the buffs and regen. Then Enhanced Basic (+2 stacks) into Skill (8 Energy each, +14% DMG per stack).
Best F2P 5★ Light Cones for Saber
On the Fall of an Aeon – The Herta Shop GOAT
Straight from Herta Bonds: +8-16% ATK (up to 4 stacks/32%), +12-24% DMG after Break. Delivers 100% baseline DPS, averaging 7.38 MoC cycles at E0.
It holds up in F2P squads—47.9% of MoC clears use it. S5 pushes 906k ST Ult damage. Just farm those Bonds.
A Trail of Bygone Blood
Battle Pass exclusive: +12-20% CRIT Rate, +24-40% Skill/Ult DMG. Lands at 95.42-99% relative DPS.
Trails the sig by 1-5%, but pairs great with a CRIT DMG body (82.63% usage rate). Grab it with the monthly pass—no regrets.
Quick Hits on Other Options
Something Irreplaceable S1: 94.9% DPS. Sleep Like the Dead: 95.42% (+20% CRIT Rate, +40% Skill/Ult).
4★ fillers like A Secret Vow S5 (91%, +20-40% DMG vs high HP foes) or The Moles Welcome You (+24% ATK per stack) work too. But stick to Herta > Battle Pass for 95-100% performance.
How We Ran the Benchmarks
E0S1 Saber Build Specs
Averaged 2615 ATK, 63.52% CRIT Rate (33.12% subs +20% innate), 222% CRIT DMG (69.1% subs), base 101 SPD tuned to 135+ (65.71% feet). Traces maxed: Skill/Ult L10, Knight of the Dragon (+20% CRIT Rate), Crown of the Star (+50% CRIT DMG +4% per stack).
Ascension mats: Thief's Instinct x20, Usurper's Scheme x20, Conqueror's Will x14, Borisin Teeth x4, Lupitoxin Sawteeth x12, Moon Rage Fang x15 (385k Credits). Subs prioritize CRIT Rate/DMG > ATK% > SPD.
Formula's straightforward: ATK × Mult × (1+DMG%) × CRIT × RES/DEF. Targets: 80% CRIT Rate cap, 150%+ CRIT DMG, 50%+ Wind DMG.
Manual play (+15-20% DPS over auto), Ult-focused (280% ATK AoE +10x110% ST, 1380% single-target).
Relics: 4pc Wavestrider Captain (104.92% perf, 75.2% usage: +16% CRIT DMG 2pc, +48% ATK on Ult); 2pc Eagle alt (97.10%). Planars: Inert Salsotto (+15% Ult at 50%+ CRIT Rate); F2P Rutilant Arena (+20% Basic/Skill at ≥70% CRIT Rate).
Teams: Premium Saber+Sunday (98.19%)+Huohuo (93.52%)+flex (8.22 cycles). F2P: Saber+Trailblazer+Tingyun+Lynx/Gallagher (10 Energy/2 turns).
Need a boost for MoC grinds? BitTopup's honkai star rail memory of chaos recharge delivers low prices, fast service, secure txns, full coverage, top support, and rave reviews.
Head-to-Head Ult Damage Breakdowns
The Raw Numbers Don't Lie
Sig S1: 116.31-120.1% relative. On the Fall S5: 100%. Trail S5: 99%. Something Irreplaceable S1: 94.9%. E0 Fall S5 clocks 906k ST Ult; sig stacks +80% ATK x2 on top.
Clear Speeds and Cycle Counts
Sig: 7.71 cycles. F2P: 7.38-8 cycles. E2 sig drops to 6.69 (+22% DMG). Premium team: 8.22 cycles.
Sig pushes 3★ clears quicker; F2P E0 holds viable with 15-25% uplift in hypercarry setups.
Rotation Guides That Actually Work
Maxing A Thankless Coronation
- Pre-pull Technique (+35% ATK, +2 stacks).
- Ally Ults for 3-8 stacks (8 Energy apiece).
- Mana Burst (SP recovery, Advance).
- Skill (8 Energy, +14% DMG/stack).
- Ult (≥300 Energy: regen + double ATK).
- Enhanced Basic (+2 stacks) > Skill.
Manual nets +15-20% DPS. Dodge Energy overflow—it's a killer.
F2P Tweaks
Same core loop, but lean into Break for On the Fall. Post-Ult, Enhanced Basic first. Hit 134+ SPD breakpoint. Skip ER Rope.
F2P Real Talk: When It Shines (and Pitfalls)
On the Fall or Trail hit 100% baseline in sustain teams (Trailblazer harmony vibes). 47.9% E0 clears prove it.
Avoid these traps: >80% CRIT Rate (cap's 60-80%). Energy overflow before Skill. SPD under 134. Auto-play (-15-20% DPS). Sig? Ult spam guaranteed.
(Editor's take: I've seen too many Sabers flop on auto—manual's non-negotiable for top clears.)
Real-World Proof: Clears and Benchmarks
F2P Saber (On the Fall S5)+Trailblazer+Tingyun+Gallagher: 7-8 cycles, 24 Energy/rotation.
Premium: Saber (sig)+Sunday+Huohuo+Tribbie at 8.22 cycles ST Ult. Across 25k accounts, avg 33.12% CRIT Rate subs.
Pull or Pass? My Advice
Sig's a 116% uplift priority (beats E1) for hypercarry. F2P Herta On the Fall S5 keeps E0 viable.
Future-proof: F2P for v3.7+; sig scales to E6 (233% DMG).
FAQ
Is ‘A Thankless Coronation’ worth pulling for Saber in HSR MoC?
Yes—116-120% DPS uplift, 7.71 cycles vs F2P 7.38. E0S1 sweet spot.
What are the best F2P 5★ light cones for Saber hypercarry?
On the Fall of an Aeon S5 (Herta, 100%); A Trail of Bygone Blood S5 (Battle Pass, 99%).
How much DPS does Saber lose using F2P cones in MoC 11-12?
16-20% vs sig; still clears 7-8 cycles E0.
Can F2P players 3-star MoC 11-12 with Saber?
Yep, 47.9% E0 with On the Fall S5; Trailblazer+Tingyun+Lynx.
Best team for Saber with A Thankless Coronation in Memory of Chaos?
Saber+Sunday+Huohuo+flex. F2P: Trailblazer+Tingyun+Gallagher.
HSR MoC 11-12 clear times with F2P Saber builds?
7.38-8 cycles; sig at 7.71.
