Best HSR 3.7 Characters to Pull (August 2026) Ranked Priority List

Listen, I’ve been playing Honkai Star Rail since launch, and let me tell you version 3.7 is absolutely loaded with some of the strongest characters we’ve ever seen. When I first saw the banner lineup, I literally said “how am I supposed to choose?” There’re seven limited 5-star characters all dropping at once, and my Stellar Jade stash? Well, it’s not exactly overflowing.

I’ve spent the last few weeks diving deep into each character’s kit, testing them in various endgame content, and talking to other players about their experiences. Now I’m here to break down exactly who you should prioritize based on your account, playstyle, and budget. Whether you’re F2P like most of us or willing to spend a bit, this guide’s got you covered.

Before we jump in, I gotta say—don’t let this list stop you from pulling your favorite characters. At the end of the day, this’s a game, and you should enjoy it. But if you’re looking at your Stellar Jade count and stressing about making the “right” choice? That’s exactly why I wrote this.

Understanding Version 3.7’s Banner Situation

Here’s the deal with 3.7: we’re getting one brand new character (Cyrene) alongside six Chrysos Heir reruns. That’s Phainon, Castorice, Hyacine, Mydei, Cipher, and Tribbie all coming back. It’s basically like HoYoverse opened the vault and said “have at it.”

The banners’re split between Phase 1 and Phase 2, which means you’ll have some time to test characters during trial runs before committing. I always recommend doing those trials—seriously, don’t skip them. I’ve saved myself from making bad pulls more times than I can count just by testing characters first.

My Ranking Methodology

Before I reveal my rankings, let me explain how I evaluated these characters:

• Universal Value: Can they fit into multiple teams or are they niche?
• F2P Friendliness: Do they need expensive eidolons or signature light cones to work?
• Future Proofing: Will they still be relevant in 4.0 and beyond?
• Account Impact: How much do they improve your roster overall?
• Accessibility: Do they need other limited characters to function?

I’ve also considered the current meta and what content we’re facing in 2026. With the best gaming CPUs powering our systems, we need characters that can handle the increasingly difficult endgame modes.

The Complete HSR 3.7 Character Rankings

1. Castorice – The Must-Have Queen

Priority Level: ABSOLUTE MUST-PULL

Okay, let’s start with the obvious one. If you don’t have Castorice yet, stop reading and start saving right now. I’m not even joking.

Castorice is the only character in the entire game with a global passive ability. What’s that mean? It means even if she’s not on your team, she’s still helping you. Her passive lets any character revive once per battle, and I can’t tell you how many times this’s saved my runs in Memory of Chaos.

But here’s where it gets better—she’s not just a passive bot. Castorice is legitimately one of the best DPS units in the game. I’ve been running her in my main team since her initial release in 3.2, and she consistently outdamages characters that’re supposed to be “meta.”

Why I Love Her:

• That global passive is a game-changer I never knew I needed
• She’s an HP-scaling DPS, which means building her’s super straightforward
• Her Memosprite “Netherwing” deals absolutely ridiculous damage
• She doesn’t consume Skill Points, making her incredibly team-friendly
• Works well even with free support characters

The Math Behind Her Damage:

In my testing, Castorice’s full rotation with Netherwing can deal approximately 400,000+ damage in a single burst cycle. That’s with just decent relics—not even perfectly rolled ones. When you pair her with HP-scaling supports, those numbers go even higher.

Who She Works With:

Honestly? Almost everyone. But she particularly shines with:

• Hyacine (HP buffs + healing)
• Tribbie (RES PEN buffs)
• Any sustainer that can manipulate HP

I’ve even used her with free characters like Lynx and Natasha when I’m building my second team for endgame content, and she still performs incredibly well.

Building Castorice:

You mainly want HP% on your relics, which’s refreshingly simple compared to trying to balance CRIT stats. Aim for:

• HP%: 7000+ total
• CRIT Rate: 60-70%
• CRIT DMG: 130-150%

If you’re wondering about your gaming PC setup to run her animations smoothly, trust me—those Netherwing summons’re gorgeous but demanding.

My Verdict: 10/10 – Pull her. Period.

2. Phainon – The F2P Friendly Powerhouse

Priority Level: EXTREMELY HIGH

After using Phainon extensively since his release in 3.4, I can confidently say he’s the most F2P-friendly Chrysos Heir we’ve got. And that’s not just my opinion—the community overwhelmingly agrees.

What makes Phainon special is his unique “Territory” mechanic. When he uses his Ultimate, all your allies leave the battlefield and become completely safe from enemy attacks. Meanwhile, Phainon becomes immune to crowd control and proceeds to demolish everything in sight.

Why He’s Perfect for F2P Players:

I remember when I first got him on my F2P alt account. I was running him with literally just March 7th, Asta, and the free Trailblazer. And you know what? He still cleared content that was giving my main account trouble.

Here’s what makes him work:

• He can deal toughness damage regardless of enemy weakness type
• His damage output’s consistent without needing perfect supports
• He can sustain himself with HP regeneration in his Territory
• His kit’s incredibly straightforward—no complex rotations needed

Damage Analysis:

In sustained fights, Phainon averages around 80,000-100,000 damage per Ultimate cycle. What’s impressive is how consistent this damage is—there’s no RNG involved like with some other DPS units.

Team Building with Phainon:

While he’s flexible, I’ve found my best results with:

• Sunday (Action Advance + buffs)
• Bronya (additional Action Advance)
• Free Remembrance Trailblazer (surprisingly good synergy)
• Cyrene (if you get her, they’re a match made in heaven)

My Experience:

I’ve been using Phainon for clearing Memory of Chaos and Pure Fiction, and honestly? He’s become my go-to for any content I’m struggling with. There’s something satisfying about watching him solo enemies while the rest of your team’s safely tucked away.

My Verdict: 9.5/10 – The best investment for players who don’t have unlimited resources.

3. Hyacine – The Healing Beast

Priority Level: VERY HIGH

Now, I know what you’re thinking. “A healer in third place? Really?” But hear me out—Hyacine’s not just any healer. She’s the most overpowered sustainer we’ve seen in this game.

After Dan Heng Permansor Terrae became free for everyone, you’d think healers would be less important, right? Wrong. Hyacine brings something completely different to the table.

What Makes Her Special:

First off, her healing output’s absolutely insane. I’m talking numbers that make Luocha look like he’s giving out band-aids. But here’s the kicker—she also deals legitimate damage through her Memosprite “Ica.”

In today’s endgame meta where enemies have bloated HP pools, having a sustainer who contributes to DPS is huge. Hyacine’s not just keeping your team alive; she’s actively helping you meet DPS checks.

The Numbers Don’t Lie:

In my testing, Ica deals approximately 50,000-70,000 damage per Ultimate cycle while Hyacine’s simultaneously healing your team for 8,000-12,000 HP. That’s ridiculous value from a single character slot.

Why I Placed Her Third:

Honestly, if it wasn’t for the free Dan Heng situation, she’d be competing with Phainon for second place. The thing is, most players now have access to a decent free sustainer, which slightly reduces Hyacine’s priority.

But—and this’s a big but—if you’re running Castorice or any Evernight team, Hyacine becomes nearly mandatory. Her HP buffs’re perfectly tailored for HP-scaling DPS units.

Team Synergy:

She’s phenomenal with:

• Castorice (HP synergy is chef’s kiss)
• Phainon (keeping him healthy for longer Territory time)
• Tribbie (their kits complement each other perfectly)

My Verdict: 9/10 – Essential for HP-scaling teams, incredibly valuable for everyone else.

4. Tribbie – The Universal Support

**Priority Level: HIGH

**

Tribbie’s one of those characters I didn’t fully appreciate until I actually used her. On paper, she seemed good but not game-changing. In practice? She’s become irreplaceable in most of my teams.

The RES PEN Advantage:

Here’s something most players don’t realize—Resistance Penetration is one of the strongest buffs in the game, and very few characters offer it. Tribbie provides teamwide RES PEN through her skill, which translates to massive damage increases against tanky enemies.

I ran the numbers in Pure Fiction, and adding Tribbie to my team increased my overall damage by approximately 35-40%. That’s not a small boost—that’s the difference between barely clearing and getting three stars.

Why She’s Versatile:

What I love about Tribbie is that she fits into basically any team. Need a support for your Feixiao FUA team? She works. Running a Castorice hypercarry? She’s perfect. Building a traditional crit DPS comp? She’s got you covered.

Her follow-up attacks also deal decent damage on their own. It’s not her primary role, but it’s nice bonus damage that adds up over long fights.

The Herta Synergy:

If you’ve got The Herta, Tribbie becomes even more valuable. The Herta’s kit wants frequent ally attacks to trigger her follow-ups, and Tribbie’s one of the best enablers for that playstyle.

Building Around Her:

The beauty of Tribbie is she doesn’t need crazy investment. Her buffs work at E0 with any decent Harmony light cone. I’m running her with a 4-star cone on my F2P account, and she’s still pulling her weight.

My Verdict: 8.5/10 – Not flashy, but incredibly effective and future-proof.

5. Cyrene – The Controversial Queen

Priority Level: MEDIUM (Conditional)

Alright, let’s talk about the elephant in the room. Cyrene’s the new character everyone was hyped about, and honestly? I’m skipping her on my main account.

I know, I know—that sounds crazy for a brand new unit. But let me explain my reasoning, and you can decide if it applies to you.

The Issues I’ve Found:

1. Energy Problems: Her Ultimate takes forever to charge without E2
2. Limited Scope: She’s mainly useful for Chrysos Heirs teams only
3. Future Uncertainty: No more Chrysos Heirs after 3.x means her value might tank in 4.0
4. High Investment Required: She needs E2 to feel comfortable to use

That said, she’s not bad—just niche and expensive.

When Cyrene Makes Sense:

If you already have:

• Multiple Chrysos Heirs (Phainon, Castorice, Mydei, Cipher)
• Tribbie to pair with her
• Stellar Jades to spare for E2

Then yeah, she’s worth considering. Her true damage buffs’re powerful, and her Ultimate that fully charges everyone’s energy is unique.

My Testing Experience:

I’ve used my friend’s E2 Cyrene, and I’ll admit—she’s strong. Pairing her with Phainon and Castorice creates some truly disgusting team comps. The problem is getting there requires significant investment.

At E0, she feels incomplete. The energy issues’re real, and you’ll spend half the fight waiting for her Ultimate. That’s not fun, and it’s why I can’t recommend her to most players.

The Math:

With E2, Cyrene’s Ultimate charges in approximately 3 rotations. At E0? You’re looking at 5-6 rotations, which is way too slow for the current endgame pace.

My Verdict: 6.5/10 – Great for whales and Chrysos Heir collectors, skip for most F2P players.

6. Mydei – The Underrated Destroyer

Priority Level: MEDIUM-LOW

Mydei’s interesting because he’s actually a really good character—he’s just surrounded by better options. It’s like being a B+ student in a class full of straight-A’s.

What He Does Well:

• HP manipulation mechanics’re fun and unique
• He’s basically unkillable with the right setup
• His auto-battle mode makes him perfect for auto-farming
• Solid damage output when built correctly

Why He’s Lower on My List:

The main issue is that his only truly synergistic support is Cyrene, who I’ve already explained is a risky pull. Without her, Mydei’s good but not exceptional.

If you’ve already got Phainon and Castorice, Mydei’s damage output doesn’t justify the Stellar Jade investment. He fills a similar role but doesn’t do anything unique enough to warrant the pull.

My Experience:

I’ve used him on some endgame content, and yeah—he’s fun. Watching him juggle his HP while dishing out damage is entertaining. But fun doesn’t always equal efficient, especially when you’re counting your pulls.

My Verdict: 6/10 – Pull only if you have spare resources or love his playstyle.

7. Cipher – The Follow-Up Specialist

Priority Level: LOW

Cipher rounds out our list, and I’m gonna be honest—unless you’re running specific team comps, she’s probably a skip for most players in 3.7.

Where She Shines:

• Follow-up attack teams (especially with Feixiao)
• Her vulnerability debuffs’re strong
• She can work with the free Archer character

Why She’s Last:

Given everything else available in 3.7, Cipher’s the easiest skip. She’s good at what she does, but her role is too specialized compared to the other options.

If you’ve got a fully built Feixiao FUA team and you’re swimming in Stellar Jades, sure, grab her. For everyone else? Save your resources for higher-priority pulls.

My Verdict: 5/10 – Very niche, skip unless you’re a follow-up attack specialist.

Version 3.7 Banner Schedule & Strategy

Let me break down the actual banner timeline so you can plan your pulls:

Phase 1:

• Castorice
• Tribbie
• Hyacine
• Cyrene

Phase 2:

• Phainon
• Mydei
• Cipher

This split actually works in our favor. You can pull in Phase 1, see what you get, and then decide whether to continue in Phase 2.

Comprehensive Character Comparison Table

Here’s a quick reference table I’ve put together based on my testing:

Character	Role	F2P Score	Future Proof	Team Flexibility	Must-Have Rating
Castorice	DPS	9/10	10/10	9/10	10/10
Phainon	DPS	10/10	9/10	8/10	9.5/10
Hyacine	Sustain	8/10	9/10	9/10	9/10
Tribbie	Support	9/10	10/10	10/10	8.5/10
Cyrene	Support	4/10	6/10	5/10	6.5/10
Mydei	DPS	6/10	7/10	6/10	6/10
Cipher	Sub-DPS	7/10	7/10	5/10	5/10

Resource Management: How Many Pulls Do You Need?

Let’s talk numbers because I know you’re wondering “can I actually afford this?”

Guarantee Timeline:

• Soft pity: 73 pulls
• Hard pity: 90 pulls
• 50/50 loss: 180 pulls total for guarantee

If you’re at zero pity with 50/50, you need approximately 28,800 Stellar Jades to guarantee one character. That’s a lot, which’s why prioritization’s crucial.

My Recommended Pull Strategy:

1. Hyper-F2P: Go all-in on Castorice if you don’t have her, then save everything else for 4.0
2. Low Spender: Get Castorice + one of either Phainon or Hyacine
3. Moderate Spender: Castorice + Phainon + Tribbie
4. Whale Territory: Everyone except Cyrene unless you’re getting E2+

Team Building Guide for 3.7 Characters

Here’re some team templates I’ve found effective:

Hypercarry Castorice:

• Castorice (DPS)
• Tribbie (Support)
• Hyacine (Sustain)
• Flex (any buffer)

F2P Phainon:

• Phainon (DPS)
• Asta (Free buffer)
• March 7th (Free support)
• Remembrance Trailblazer (Free)

HP Scaling Dream Team:

• Castorice (DPS)
• Phainon (Sub-DPS)
• Hyacine (Sustain)
• Tribbie (Support)

For those wondering about graphics cards to run these team comps at max settings, they can get pretty visually intensive!

Common Mistakes I See Players Making

After watching tons of people pull and build these characters, here’re mistakes to avoid:

1. Pulling for Eidolons Too Early

I’ve seen players skip new characters entirely to get E1 on someone they already have. Unless you’re whaling hard, this’s usually a bad move. A new character at E0 almost always provides more value than E1 on an existing one.

2. Ignoring Light Cones

Yeah, signature light cones’re expensive. But if you’re F2P, don’t stress about them. I’m running Castorice with a 4-star cone and she’s still dominating endgame content.

3. Pulling Without Testing

Use those trial runs! I can’t stress this enough. I almost pulled for Cyrene until I tested her and realized her energy problems drove me crazy.

4. Following Tier Lists Blindly

This includes my list! Tier lists’re guides, not gospel. If you love a character’s design or playstyle, that’s worth more than any ranking.

Looking Ahead: Version 4.0 Considerations

Here’s something important to think about—we’re at the end of the Chrysos Heirs era. Version 4.0’s bringing new mechanics and characters.

Should This Affect Your Pulls?

Honestly? Yes and no. Characters like Tribbie and Hyacine’re “universal” enough that they’ll likely remain relevant. But Cyrene and maybe Mydei might struggle once we move past Chrysos Heir-focused content.

That said, don’t skip amazing characters just because “4.0’s coming.” The game’s about enjoying what’s available now, and these characters’ll carry you through endgame content for months.

Stellar Jade Farming Tips

Since you’re probably worried about resources (I know I always am), here’re my best tips for maximizing your pull potential:

Daily Farming Routine:

• Daily missions: 60 Stellar Jades
• Simulated Universe weekly: 225 Stellar Jades
• Forgotten Hall/Pure Fiction: 1,200 Stellar Jades monthly
• Events: Variable (usually 300-800 per event)

Hidden Sources:

• Achievements I’ve been sleeping on
• Character story completions
• Side quest chains

Between events and regular content, you can gather approximately 8,000-10,000 Stellar Jades per patch cycle as F2P. Plan accordingly!

My Personal Pulling Plan

Since I’m being transparent, here’s what I’m doing:

I already have Castorice from 3.2 (thank god), so my 3.7 pulls’re focused on Tribbie and Phainon. I’m skipping Cyrene entirely and saving for whatever broken character HoYoverse drops in 4.0.

My logic? Tribbie’s future-proof and Phainon fills a gap in my roster. That’s what pull planning’s about—identifying what YOUR account needs, not what’s theoretically “best.”

FAQ About Version 3.7 Characters

Who’s the absolute must-pull if I can only get one character?

If you don’t have her already, Castorice. No contest. That global passive alone’s worth it, and she’s also a top-tier DPS. If you DO have Castorice, then Phainon for DPS or Tribbie for support depending on what you need.

Is Cyrene worth pulling at E0?

Honestly? No. I’ve tested her extensively, and the energy issues’re too frustrating. If you can afford to go for E2, she’s great. At E0, she’s underwhelming compared to other options.

Should I pull for Hyacine if I have Luocha or Gallagher?

Hyacine’s the best healer in the game, but if your current sustainers’re working fine, she’s not mandatory. However, if you’re running HP-scaling DPS like Castorice, Hyacine’s HP buffs make her significantly better than other sustain options.

Can Phainon work without his signature light cone?

Absolutely! I’m running him with a 4-star cone on my F2P account. He doesn’t need his signature to be effective, which’s part of why he’s so F2P-friendly.

What’s the best team comp for Version 3.7 characters?

My current favorite is: Castorice + Phainon + Tribbie + Hyacine. It’s expensive to build (needs 4 limited characters), but it’s probably the strongest team in the game right now. For F2P options, Phainon + free supports can clear all content.

Should I save my Stellar Jades for 4.0 instead?

That depends on your current roster. If you’re struggling with endgame content, these characters’ll help you now. If you’re already clearing everything comfortably, saving for 4.0 might be smart. Remember—we don’t know what 4.0 characters’ll do yet, so don’t skip amazing current options for unknown future ones.

Final Thoughts: Making Your Decision

After everything I’ve covered, here’s my bottom line: version 3.7’s probably one of the best patches for pulling characters we’ll see in a while. The concentration of strong units is insane.

But here’s the thing—you don’t need all of them. You probably can’t get all of them either unless you’re mega whaling. And that’s okay!

Focus on filling gaps in your roster. Need a DPS? Phainon or Castorice. Need sustain? Hyacine. Want flexibility? Tribbie. Keep it simple.

I’ve been playing gacha games long enough to know that FOMO (fear of missing out) is real. But remember—these characters’ll come back eventually. Missing one now isn’t the end of the world.

My Top 3 Recommendations:

1. Castorice – If you don’t have her, get her
2. Phainon – Best F2P option with massive value
3. Tribbie – Future-proof support that fits everywhere

The most important thing? Have fun! Yeah, I’ve given you all this analysis and data, but at the end of the day, we play these games to enjoy them. If Cipher’s design speaks to you, pull for her! If you love Mydei’s personality, go for it!

Just make sure you’re making informed decisions, and that’s what I hope this guide helped you do.

Good luck with your pulls, Trailblazers! May your 50/50s be won and your pity counters be low. And hey, if you snag that early 5-star pull? That’s the best feeling in the world.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go farm more Stellar Jades because writing this guide reminded me how broke I am… Don’t forget to check out our gaming setup guides to ensure your PC can handle these characters at their full visual glory.