Black Swan Build Guide, Abilities, and Best Teams
Honkai: Star Rail's Black Swan is an elegant soothsayer with an air of mystery - and a special talent for damage over time (DoT) attacks. This 5-star Wind character of the Nihility Path is also affiliated with the Garden of Recollection, a faction that worships the Aeon of Remembrance.
From the best Light Cones and Relics to the best teams, these are our recommendations for the best Black Swan build, plus everything else you might want to know about Honkai: Star Rail character Black Swan.
How to Get Black Swan
Black Swan was released on February 6, at the start of Honkai: Star Rail version 2.0. As a 5-star character, she’ll be featured on her personal Character Event Warp banner. You can exchange one special star rail pass to get one “warp”; one chance to obtain Black Swan. If you’ve missed her banner, you’ll have to wait for a rerun banner in the future.
Black Swan Stats
| Black Swan ✧✧✧✧✧ | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Path: | Nihility | ||
| Element: | Wind | ||
| Role: | DPS | ||
| HP | 147 (lvl 1) - 1086 (lvl 80) | ||
| ATK | 89 (lvl 1) - 659 (lvl 80) | ||
| DEF | 66 (lvl 1) - 485 (lvl 80) | ||
| SPD | 102 (lvl 1) - 102 (lvl 80) | ||
Black Swan Abilities
- Basic Attack: Deals Wind DMG equal to 30% of Black Swan’s ATK to a single enemy, with a 50% base chance of inflicting 1 stack of Arcana. If the target has Wind Shear, Bleed, Burn, or Shock applied to them, each respectively has a 50% base chance of inflicting 1 extra stack of Arcana onto the enemy.
- Skill: Deals Wind DMG equal to 45% of Black Swan’s ATK to a single enemy and any adjacent targets. There’s a 100% base chance to inflict 1 stack of Arcana to the attacked enemies and a 100% base chance to reduce their DEF by 14.8%, lasting for 3 turns.
- Ultimate: Deals Wind DMG equal to 72% of Black Swan’s ATK to all enemies and inflicts Epiphany on them for 2 turns. Enemies affected by Epiphany take 15% more damage in their turn, and their Arcana effect is regarded as Wind Shear, Bleed, Burn, and Shock effects. In addition, when their Arcana effect is triggered at the beginning of the next turn, the Arcana stacks are not reset. The stack-saving effect can be triggered up to 1 time during Epiphany’s duration, and its charges are replenished when Epiphany is applied again.
- Talent: Every time an enemy target receives DoT at the start of each turn, there’s a 50% base chance to inflict them with Arcana. While afflicted with Arcana, enemy targets receive Wind DoT equal to 96% of Black Swan’s ATK at the start of each turn, with each stack of Arcana increasing this DMG multiplier by 4.8% (up to 50 stacks), then Arcana resets to 1 stack. When Arcana deals DMG at the start of an enemy’s turn, Black Swan triggers additional effects based on the number of Arcana stacks inflicted on the target: if there’s 3 or more stacks, deals Wind DoT equal to 72% of Black Swan’s ATK to adjacent targets with a 50% base chance of inflicting 1 stack of Arcana on adjacent targets. In case of 7 or more stacks: enables the current DoT dealt this time to ignore 20% of the target’s and adjacent targets’ DEF.
- Technique: At the start of the next battle, there is a 150% base chance to inflict 1 stack of Arcana to each enemy. For each successful application of Arcana, inflict 1 additional stack on the enemy, repeating until Arcana fails to be inflicted. For each successive application of Arcana, the base chance of success is equal to 50% of the base chance of the previous successful infliction of Arcana on that target.
Black Swan’s Basic Attack and Skill are somewhat alike: both deal a humble amount of direct Wind damage and have a chance to inflict the Arcana status effect on the opponent. The Basic Attack has a 50% base chance to inflict Arcana on a single opponent, with an additional 50% base chance for each DoT (damage over time) effect, while the Skill has a 100% base chance to apply Arcana on all three targets (and lower their Defense as a nice bonus). In other words, the Skill is best used against multiple smaller enemies, while the Basic Attack is great against a stronger opponent already suffering from multiple status effects.
Black Swan’s Talent provides a great way to apply Arcana passively, as long as you ensure that enemies receive DoT at the start of their turn. At that same moment, they will also receive extra damage based on the number of Arcana stacks. If the Ultimate is active, enemies will receive more damage and their Arcana stacks won’t be reset, leading up to even better damage in their next turn. The Ultimate also turns the Arcana effect into DoT damage, which means that DoT damage bonuses and other DoT-based effects will be triggered. Black Swan’s Technique is a great way to help you build Arcana stacks at the start of battle.
Beware that Black Swan’s abilities come with a base chance, not a fixed chance. This means that the target’s resistances may significantly reduce the actual hit chance - so a 100% base chance doesn’t guarantee that the Arcana stack will land. We’ll explore the hit chance further in the Black Swan build guide below.
Black Swan Traces
- Viscera’s Disquiet (bonus ability Ascension 2): After using the Skill to hit a single target enemy that has Wind Shear, Bleed, Burn, or Shock, each effect has a 65% base chance respectively of additionally inflicting 1 extra stack of Arcana.
- Goblet’s Dredges (bonus ability Ascension 4): There’s a 65% base chance to inflict 1 stack of Arcana when an enemy enters battle. Every time an enemy target receives DoT during a single attack by an ally, there’s a 65% base chance for the target to be inflicted with 1 stack of Arcana, stacking up to 3 times during 1 single attack.
- Candleflame’s Portent (bonus ability Ascension 6): Increases this unit’s DMG by an amount equal to 60% of their Effect Hit Rate, up to a maximum DMG increase of 72%.
The list above details Black Swan’s Bonus Trace Abilities. Viscera’s Disquiet and Goblet’s Dredges increase the number of Arcana stacks applied to enemies, which is always good to have - beware that Goblet’s Dredge depends on Black Swan’s allies though. Candleflame’s Portent simply improves Black Swan’s damage based on her Effect Hit Rate stat - which will be the most important stat in your Black Swan build.
While upgrading the active abilities’ Trace levels, prioritize Black Swan’s Talent, as it greatly improves Arcana’s damage multiplier as well as the base chance of applying an Arcana stack whenever an opponent takes DoT damage. Improve the Basic Attack and Ultimate next, as they will improve Arcana’s base chance and Epiphany’s damage increase respectively. Although the Skill is an important ability, its Trace levels only improve its direct damage and Defense debuff - it should be upgraded eventually, but it’s not as urgent.
Black Swan’s minor stat Traces grant her extra Effect Hit Rate, Wind Damage, and Attack. Although all three stats are helpful, unlocking the Effect Hit Rate will make it much easier to get a great Black Swan build, so focus on that.
Black Swan Eidolon Levels
| Eidolon Level | Name | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seven Pillars of Wisdom | While Black Swan is active in battle, enemies in the Wind Shear, Bleeding, Burning, and Shocked states respectively have their Wind, Physical, Fire, and Lightning Resistance reduced by 25%. |
| 2 | Weep Not For Me, My Lamb | When an enemy afflicted with Arcana is downed, there is a 100% base chance of inflicting 6 stacks of Arcana on adjacent targets. |
| 3 | As Above, So Below | Skill Lv. +2, up to a maximum of Lv. 15. Talent Lv. +2, up to a maximum of Lv. 15. |
| 4 | In Tears We Gift | While in the Epiphany state, enemy targets' Effect Resistance is reduced by 10%, and Black Swan regenerates 8 Energy at the start of their turn or when they are defeated. The Energy Regeneration effect can only trigger up to 1 time while Epiphany lasts. The trigger count will reset after the enemy is inflicted with Epiphany again. |
| 5 | Linnutee Flyway | Ultimate Lv. +2, up to a maximum of Lv. 15. Basic ATK Lv. +1, up to a maximum of Lv. 10. |
| 6 | Pantheon Merciful, Masses Pitiful | When Black Swan's teammates attack enemy targets, Black Swan has a 65% base chance of inflicting one stack of Arcana on the target. Each time Black Swan inflicts Arcana on an enemy target, there is a 50% fixed chance to additionally increase the number of Arcana stacks afflicted this time by 1. |
All of Black Swan’s Eidolon Levels are great, but Eidolon Level 6 is quite overpowered as it places an insane amount of Arcana stacks on opponents. Eidolon Level 1 is also quite useful, as it makes enemies much more vulnerable to every incoming attack (provided you’ve got the corresponding Elements on your team). Eidolon Level 2 is especially good when facing several tough opponents at once, and Eidolon Level 4 will help you generate Energy faster, which also makes it a bit easier to get a good Black Swan build.
None of these Eidolon Levels are essential for a good Black Swan build though. Instead of upgrading an Eidolon Level, consider spending your special star rail passes on Black Swan’s signature Light Cone: Reforged Remembrance.
Best Black Swan Build
Here's an overview of the best Light Cones, Relics, Planar Ornaments, and stats for your Honkai: Star Rail Black Swan build.
Best Black Swan Light Cones
| Lightcone Name/Rarity | Light Cone Ability | How to Obtain | Notes | |
| Reforged Remembrance ✧✧✧✧✧ | Increases the wearer's Effect Hit Rate by 40-60%. When the wearer deals DMG to an enemy inflicted with Wind Shear, Burn, Shock, or Bleed, each individually grants 1 stack of Prophet, stacking up to 4 times. In a single battle, only 1 stack of Prophet can be granted for each type of DoT. Every stack of Prophet increases the wearer's ATK by 5-9% and enables the DoT dealt to ignore 7.2-10% of the target's DEF. | Gacha weapon banner | Offers the best Effect Hit Rate, but beware that you’ll need several DoT types to make use of the second bonus. | |
| Before the Tutorial Mission Starts ✧✧✧✧ | Increases the wearer's Effect Hit Rate by 20-40%. When the wearer attacks enemies that have reduced DEF, regenerates 4-8 Energy. | Event | Amazing Effect Hit Rate and can help out with Energy Regeneration - but beware of the Defense reduction requirement. | |
| It's Showtime ✧✧✧✧ | When the wearer inflicts a debuff on an enemy, gains a stack of Trick, with each stack increasing the wearer’s DMG dealt by 6-10%, stacking up to three times. This effect lasts for 1 turn. When the wearer’s Effect Hit Rate is 80% or higher, increases Attack by 20-36%. | Gacha weapon banner | With enough Effect Hit Rate, you’ll get a permanent 20-36% extra attack power. |
The best Light Cone for your Black Swan build is the 5-star Reforged Remembrance, which offers the massive Effect Hit Rate boost she needs. The second effect will greatly improve Black Swan’s damage, but beware that she’ll need to attack enemies suffering from different types of DoT to trigger it.
The best 4-star Light Cone for your Black Swan build is Before the Tutorial Mission Starts, as it offers nearly as much Effect Hit Rate as the signature Light Cone. As Black Swan may reduce enemy Defense using her Skill, she can trigger the Energy bonus even without help from allies. It's Showtime is a good alternative though, as you’ll likely be able to hit the Effect Hit Rate threshold using your Relics and Planar Ornaments, thus gaining an extra damage bonus.
Best Black Swan Relics
| Relic Name/Rarity | Relic Set Effect | How to Obtain | Notes | |
| Prisoner in Deep Confinement - Cavern Relic | 2pc: Increases Attack by 12%.
4pc: For every DoT the target enemy is afflicted with, the wearer will ignore 6% of its DEF when dealing DMG to it. This effect is valid for a max of 3 DoTs. | Cavern of Corrosion - Fyxestroll Garden | As most targets will suffer from DoT’s when Black Swan attacks, this fits her kit perfectly. | |
| Pan-Cosmic Commercial Enterprise - Planar Ornament | 2pc: Increases the wearer's Effect Hit Rate by 10%. Meanwhile, the wearer's ATK increases by an amount that is equal to 25% of the current Effect Hit Rate, up to a maximum of 25%. | Simulated Universe | Extra attack bonus based on Effect Hit Rate. | |
| Firmament Frontline: Glamoth - Planar Ornament | 2pc: Increases the wearer's ATK by 12%. When the wearer's SPD is equal to or higher than 135/160, the wearer deals 12%/18% more DMG. | Simulated Universe | Good if you’ve got a very high Speed stat rather than Effect Hit Rate. |
The best Relic set for your Black Swan build is the 4-piece Prisoner in Deep Confinement set, as it allows her to ignore 18% of the opponent’s Defense if they’re suffering from at least three DoT effects. As Black Swan’s Ultimate counts Arcana as DoT’s, and she’ll team up with DoT characters, it’s easy to trigger the full bonus.
The best Planar Ornament set for your Black Swan build is the Pan-Cosmic Commercial Enterprise set, but beware that you’ll need a high Effect Hit Rate stat to make this work. If your Black Swan build can hit the 160 Speed stat, you might want to go for Firmament Frontline: Glamoth instead.
Best Stats
- Body: Effect Hit Rate
- Feet: Speed
- Planar Sphere: Wind Damage Boost
- Link Rope: ATK%
- Sub stats: Speed, ATK%, Effect Hit Rate
The most important stat for your Black Swan build is Effect Hit Rate, as it determines her chances of applying a stack of Arcana. Keep in mind that her Basic Attack and Talent start out with a 50% base chance of applying Arcana, which can both be upgraded to a 65% base chance. If we don’t improve Black Swan’s Effect Hit Rate, the real hit chance would become much lower, dropping as far as 40% or 50% against enemies with a high Effect Resistance.
As Black Swan’s damage depends on those Arcana stacks, it’s highly recommended to equip a Light Cone with an Effect Hit Rate bonus, unlock all the Effect Hit Rate minor Trace nodes, use Effect Hit Rate as a main Relic stat, and use the Pan-Cosmic Commercial Enterprise set. Hitting a 120% Effect Hit Rate on your Black Swan build would be ideal, but try to get at least 80%.
To further assist Black Swan in her quest to apply as many Arcana stacks as possible, go for Speed on the Feet Relic slot. It would be great if you could hit the 134 or 147 Speed threshold too. Don’t forget to improve Wind Damage and Attack power on your Black Swan build as well, but ignore Critical Rate and Critical Damage - most of Black Swan’s damage comes from her DoT’s, and DoT effects can’t land critical hits.
Best Teams for Black Swan
The best Black Swan team compositions should feature at least one other DoT DPS, as you need to ensure that enemies take DoT damage at the start of their turn and thereby gain Arcana from Black Swan’s Talent. Characters like Sampo, Luka, Guinaifen, Serval, Himeko, and even Asta come with DoT attacks, but the best one is Kafka, as she can detonate DoT’s before enemy turns.
Black Swan doesn’t work too well with your typical buff support characters like Tingyun and Bronya, as she needs a multi-DPS team focused on DoT (which would make Bronya’s Critical Damage bonus redundant). However, Ruan Mei might be a good option as she improves everyone's damage and adds a team-wide Speed bonus.
Any healer or shielder can work for your Black Swan team, but especially Huohuo, who provides an Energy- and attack boost next to her healing.
With that in mind, here are two of the best Black Swan teams you can get in Honkai: Star Rail:
Black Swan and Kafka Team
| DoT DPS – Black Swan | DoT DPS - Kafka | DoT DPS - Guinaifen | Healer/Buff Support - Huohuo |
Guinaifen applies Burn (Fire DoT) on opponents while Kafka applies Shock (Lightning DoT). The DoTs ensure that Black Swan will inflict plenty of Arcana, which then deals damage upon every enemy turn, and a lot more when her Ultimate is active. While the Arcana stacks count as DoT’s under Black Swan’s Ultimate, Kafka uses her Skill to detonate all the DoT’s currently on her target, causing massive damage. Huohuo keeps the team alive, boosts everyone’s attack, and replenishes Energy.
Black Swan Free-to-Play Team
| DoT DPS – Black Swan | DoT DPS - Sampo | Buff Support - Tingyun | Healer - Natasha |
In this free-to-play Black Swan team, you still need one or two DoT DPS allies. It's very easy to apply DoT with Sampo, so he's a great option especially if you're going with only one DoT ally. Luka and Guinaifen would also be excellent allies for a free to play Black Swan team. As this team would rely more on Black Swan for damage, Tingyun would make a fine support for her. She can also help out with your Energy regeneration. Any healer or shield provider can take up the fourth slot, such as Natasha.
