Version 3.4 of Honkai: Star Rail introduces Archer, a swift and stylish Physical DPS following the Hunt path. With guaranteed Crits, consistent output, and team-friendly rotation timing, Archer quickly climbed the meta rankings. But is he really better than Physical veterans like Clara and Sushang, or the ever-reliable Dr. Ratio?
In this comparison, we’ll break down Archer’s unique strengths and weaknesses, team synergies, and how he stacks up against these top contenders in both Memory of Chaos (MoC) and Pure Fiction (PF) content.
🧠 Archer Overview – What Makes Him Special?
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Element: Physical
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Path: The Hunt
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Role: Single-target DPS with consistent Crit scaling
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Strengths:
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Guaranteed Crits via Ultimate and Talent
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Minimal Skill Point (SP) consumption
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Excellent synergy with Sparkle, Bronya, and Yukong
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Self-sufficient damage with high uptime
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Archer excels in scenarios that demand burst precision and efficient SP usage. He doesn’t rely on Break mechanics, making him versatile across different team comps.
⚔️ Archer vs Clara – Offense vs Hybrid Defense
| Category | Archer | Clara |
|---|---|---|
| Path | Hunt (Pure DPS) | Preservation (Tank/DPS hybrid) |
| SP Use | Very Low | Moderate |
| Damage Type | Crit-scaling burst | Follow-up counterattacks |
| Role in Team | Burst damage dealer | Sustainer + counter DPS |
| Best Content | Pure Fiction, Boss fights | MoC with aggro mechanics |
Verdict:
Clara remains strong in MoC sustain teams and excels in enemy wave pressure. But Archer outperforms Clara in score-based modes like Pure Fiction due to faster pacing and burst potential.
🗡️ Archer vs Sushang – Crit Consistency vs Break RNG
| Category | Archer | Sushang |
|---|---|---|
| Path | Hunt | Hunt |
| Damage Style | Crit burst, speed scaling | Break-scaling burst with follow-up chance |
| Break Reliance | Optional | High |
| SP Economy | Very low | High (needs frequent skills) |
| Best Content | Pure Fiction, bosses | MoC with Break-reliant teams |
Verdict:
While Sushang remains a Break-focused powerhouse, Archer delivers more reliable performance across all content types. He’s ideal for speed-tuned teams and less dependent on enemy weaknesses.
🧠 Archer vs Dr. Ratio – F2P Friendly or Raw Burst?
| Category | Archer | Dr. Ratio |
|---|---|---|
| Element | Physical | Imaginary |
| Path | Hunt | Hunt |
| Role | Burst Crit DPS | Burst DPS reliant on debuffs |
| Team Needs | Buffers (Sparkle, Bronya, Yukong) | Buffers + debuffers (Pela, Asta, SW) |
| Accessibility | 5★ Limited (new) | Free 5★ (event reward) |
Verdict:
Dr. Ratio still leads in budget builds, especially with weakness implants like Silver Wolf. But Archer wins in raw damage output and ease of setup—especially when Sparkle or Yukong is available.
🔧 Best Archer Teams in 3.4
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Archer / Sparkle / Bronya / Luocha
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High SP refund + double ATK/Crit buffers
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Ideal for MoC and Pure Fiction
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Archer / Yukong / Tingyun / Healer
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Great for speed-tuned Crit comps
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Yukong boosts Archer’s crit + ATK directly
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Mono-Physical: Archer / Robin / Clara / Lynx
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Boosts Archer’s damage in Physical-friendly stages
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Robin’s Harmony support is invaluable
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🧪 So, Is Archer Worth Building in 3.4?
✅ Yes — if you need a fast, low-SP, high-burst single-target DPS for Pure Fiction or boss fights.
Archer’s guaranteed Crits, smooth rotations, and flexible team fit make him one of the best new DPS options in the current meta.
❌ However, players without Sparkle, Bronya, or Yukong may find Archer underwhelming without proper buffers.
🧭 Final Verdict: Archer or the Others?
| Situation | Best Pick |
|---|---|
| Pure Fiction (ST + quick kills) | Archer |
| MoC with aggro-heavy mobs | Clara |
| Break-weak enemies + fast burst | Sushang |
| Budget ST DPS with debuffs | Dr. Ratio |
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