Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.0 introduces major changes to Light Cone evaluation. With the new Elation stat, Punchlines, and Aha Instants, old assumptions about ATK scaling and Follow-Up Attack (FUA) cones no longer hold.
If you’re building Yao Guang, Sparxie, or any Elation-focused team, this guide covers:
- Correct scaling mechanics
- S-Tier and A-Tier 5★ cones
- Best 4★ / F2P picks
- SPD and SP Limit optimization
- Pro tips for rotations, energy management, and endgame content
🔍 Big Correction: Elation ≠ ATK | 🛑 FUA Cone Warning | 🧠 Elation Scaling | 🏆 Light Cone Tier List | 🎥 Sparxie Video Guide | 📌 SPD & SP Limit | ⚡ Energy Management | 🎯 Pull Recommendations | ❓ FAQ
🔍 The Big Correction: Elation is NOT Just ATK
Many guides still claim that Elation damage favors raw ATK. This is incorrect.
Key facts about Elation in 4.0:
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Scales primarily from the Elation Stat, not raw ATK
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Behaves like a Super Break mechanic — ignores Elemental DMG% and generic “DMG Dealt” buffs
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Can Crit, making Crit DMG extremely valuable
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SPD and DEF Ignore often provide more value than pure ATK
Practical takeaway: Only cones that boost Elation, SPD, Crit, DEF Ignore, or SP-related mechanics are truly optimal.
🛑 Don’t Be Fooled: FUA Cones Won’t Work
Many players assume old FUA cones like Worrisome or Blissful (Topaz’s signature) are strong for Elation comps.
Reality check:
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The Playable Path of Elation is a separate mechanic from the old Simulated Universe FUA system
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FUA cones do not provide the Elation stat
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Using FUA cones instead of dedicated Elation cones can result in 30–40% damage loss compared to Mushy Shroomy’s Adventure
⚠️ Always check if a cone directly enhances Elation or related mechanics before investing resources.
🧠 How Elation Damage Actually Scales
Priority stats for 4.0 Elation teams:
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Elation Stat – Primary damage source
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SPD – Turns + Elation conversion (especially Yao Guang)
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Crit DMG – Amplifies Elation damage on Crit
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DEF Ignore – Crucial for Sparxie
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Skill Point (SP) management – Enables max-value Aha Instants
Generic ATK% cones no longer guarantee top-tier damage.
🏆 HSR 4.0 Light Cone Tier List
🌟 S-Tier: Signature Cones
When She Decided to See (5★ – Support, Yao Guang)- +18% SPD
- +12% Energy Regen
- Team gains +10% Crit Rate / +30% Crit DMG when triggered
- Energy restored at wave start
Why S-Tier: SPD converts into Elation, boosts turn order, and amplifies team crit output.
Dazzled by a Flowery World (5★ – DPS, Sparxie)- +48% Crit DMG
- Increases SP Limit
- Each SP spent increases DEF Ignore for Elation damage
Why S-Tier: Maximizes burst Aha Instants, solves Elation DEF limitations, and boosts overall DPS.
💎 A-Tier: Strong Premium Options
Cones offering high Crit DMG, SPD, or secondary SP benefits. Less efficient than S-Tier but competitive for hybrid teams. Traditional Harmony cones do not scale well with Elation.
👑 F2P King: Mushy Shroomy’s Adventure (4★)
- Increases Elation Stat
- Enemies take +10% Elation DMG for 2 turns
- Obtainable via the “Furbobo Freebies” exploration quest in Planarcadia
Why it’s amazing: Best non-gacha cone for Elation comps, consistent uptime, and directly amplifies the mechanic.
⚖ Situational / Niche Picks
- Today’s Good Luck (4★) – Boosts Crit Rate and Elation per skill use
- Lingering Tears (3★) – Crit DMG bonus when Punchline ≥10
- Sneering (3★) – Increases Elation on Aha Instant
🎥 Sparxie 4.0 Build Guide (Video)
This video provides a visual breakdown of Sparxie's multi-hit "Engagement Farming" mechanics and how they interact with the new 4.0 relic sets:
📌 Expert Mechanics: SPD & SP Limit
🔁 SPD Threshold (Yao Guang)- SPD above 120 converts into Elation bonus
- Target ~160 SPD for comfortable scaling; 200 SPD is viable for endgame builds
- Double-dip effect: more turns + more damage
- SP Limit increase allows banking SP during dry phases
- Enables Max-Value Aha Instants, consuming 8 SP instead of 5
- Required to "one-shot" 4.0 Memory of Chaos bosses
📊 Quick Reference: Elation Substat Priorities
| Character | Primary Stat | Breakpoints / Thresholds | Substat Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yao Guang | SPD / Elation | 160+ SPD, target 200 for max Elation bonus | SPD > Crit Rate > Effect RES |
| Sparxie | Crit / SP synergy | High ATK to trigger A2 Elation conversion | Crit DMG > Crit Rate > ATK% |
Pro Tip: Avoid Elemental DMG% Spheres; they provide zero benefit for Elation. Use SPD, Crit, or Elation% instead.
⚡ Energy Management
- Yao Guang’s Ultimate triggers Aha Instant manually
- Pair with energy regen units or relics for consistent 2-turn rotations
- Essential for keeping Elation uptime high
🏆 Summary of Top Picks
S-Tier (Signatures):
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When She Decided to See (Yao Guang)
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Dazzled by a Flowery World (Sparxie)
A-Tier (Premium):
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Cones with high Crit DMG or SPD
F2P King:
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Mushy Shroomy’s Adventure
Situational:
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Today’s Good Luck
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Lingering Tears
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Sneering
🎯 Pull Recommendations
| Player Type | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| F2P | Mushy Shroomy’s Adventure |
| Low Spender | Pull only if main Elation DPS |
| Dolphin | Worth for Sparxie |
| Whale | Signature cones maximize ceiling |
| Not building Elation | Skip |
❓ FAQ (Pro-Level)
- Q: Does Elation scale with ATK%?
A: No, Elation scales primarily from the Elation stat. - Q: Can Elation Crit?
A: Yes, Crit DMG is extremely valuable. - Q: Do Elemental DMG% buffs increase Elation damage?
A: No, they do not provide bonus damage. - Q: Is signature Light Cone mandatory?
A: No, Mushy Shroomy’s Adventure can compete with paid cones for F2P players. - Q: How important is SPD for Yao Guang?
A: Critical — every point above 120 converts into additional Elation bonus.
🏁 Final Verdict
HSR 4.0 Light Cones are no longer just about rarity or ATK%. Optimal builds focus on:
- Elation Stat
- SPD conversion
- DEF Ignore
- Crit DMG
- SP economy and rotations
Mushy Shroomy’s Adventure ensures F2P viability, while S-Tier signature cones deliver peak performance. Prioritize synergy and rotation efficiency — flashy multipliers without proper stats are worthless in the new meta.
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