Yao Guang — Honkai Star Rail Character Guide

Overview

First of the Elation Path, providing teamwide RES PEN, DMG Vulnerability, and free Aha Instants via Ultimate. Scales up dramatically with more Elation teammates but offers solid general utility even without them.

Elation Path support who deploys a Zone sharing her Elation stat with the team, generates Punchline consistently via Basic ATK and Skill, and triggers free Aha Instants via Ultimate. Her Certified Banger state enables Great Boon — extra Elation DMG procs on every ally attack, doubled when the attack consumes SP. Manages a 180-Energy Ultimate cycle fueled by a 30-Energy Basic ATK and Energy Regen investment, then delivers teamwide All-Type RES PEN and a free Aha Instant with fixed Punchline that does not consume the team's stored Punchline.

Key Mechanics

• Elation DMG scales with the Elation stat (replacing DMG%) and Punchline — ATK has no effect on Elation DMG. CRIT Rate and CRIT DMG still apply to Elation DMG, making them Yao Guang's primary personal damage stats after SPD.
• Zone uptime is critical — it shares 20% of Yao Guang's Elation to all allies. The Zone lasts 3 of Yao Guang's turns, so higher SPD means more frequent recasting but also faster expiration. Maintaining consistent Skill usage every 3 turns is required.
• The 180 Energy Ultimate cost is the main gating factor. Basic ATK restoring 30 Energy (same as a Skill) is the primary mitigation. Energy Regen from planars (Lushaka, Vonwacq) and Signature LC are important for reaching Ultimate every 3-4 turns.
• Great Boon procs (from Talent during Certified Banger) trigger on every ally attack, doubled when SP is consumed. This makes Yao Guang particularly strong with SP-consuming DPS characters like Archer and Imbibitor Lunae, as each of their attacks triggers 2 instances of Elation DMG.
• Aha's SPD on the action order scales with the SPD of Elation characters in the team. Faster Yao Guang (and other Elation teammates) means more frequent natural Aha Instants, creating a positive feedback loop with SPD investment.

Best Yao Guang DPS Pairings

Evanescia (S+), Silver Wolf LV.999 (S), Sparxie (S)

Yao Guang Investment Priority

1. E1 — Best first target for Elation teams. 20% DEF ignore applies to all Elation DMG from the entire team, and the doubled Punchline baseline (40 vs 20) means more Consumed Punchline stored for future Certified Banger states.
2. LC S1 — Signature solves both major weaknesses at once — SPD enables 200 SPD breakpoint for 3 turns in 150 AV and speeds up Aha, while Energy Regen helps reach the 180 Energy Ultimate 1 turn earlier.
3. E2 — Zone grants 12% SPD (key for AV optimization and Aha speed) and 16% Elation teamwide. Strong if pursuing 200 SPD breakpoint, but less urgent if your build already syncs cleanly with Silver Wolf LV.999 — get signature first unless already at SPD threshold.

Yao Guang Relics and Stat Targets

Recommended: Diviner of Distant Reach with Lushaka, the Sunken Seas

Stat targets: SPD 160-200+, CRIT Rate ~100% in-combat, CRIT DMG 90%+ pre-combat

Main stats: Body: CRIT Rate > CRIT DMG · Feet: SPD · Sphere: HP% / DEF% · Rope: Energy Regen

Best Yao Guang Light Cones

• When She Decided to See (Best in Slot): Signature LC addressing both of Yao Guang's core weaknesses. The 30% SPD increase at S5 (18% at S1) enables the 200 SPD breakpoint for 3 turns in 150 AV and accelerates Aha for more frequent Instants. Energy Regen Rate helps reach the costly 180 Energy Ultimate 1 turn earlier. Also grants "Great Fortune" on combat entry and Ultimate use (3 turns), buffing all allies' CRIT Rate by 10% and CRIT DMG by 30% at S1, boosting Elation DMG procs.
• Mushy Shroomy's Adventures: Best accessible option. After using Elation Skill, increases all enemies' Elation DMG Taken by 10% at S5 for 2 turns — a stacking Vulnerability debuff specifically for Elation DMG. Provides 20% Elation main stat at S5. Zero value in non-Elation teams. Obtainable from the Forgotten Hall store. Functional budget option though it does nothing for the high Energy cost problem.
• Today's Good Luck: Alternative 4-star with CRIT Rate main stat and stackable Elation buff. Increases Elation by 12% per stack at S5 up to 2 stacks (24% total), but requires building stacks which delays value. CRIT Rate benefits personal Elation Skill damage via A4's 60% CRIT DMG bonus. Generally less impactful than Mushy Shroomy's team Vulnerability debuff, but usable when the store option is unavailable.
• Sneering: Budget fallback that increases Elation during Aha's Instant turns. The conditional uptime (only active during Aha Instants) makes it inconsistent compared to always-on options. Provides no help with the 180 Energy cost or base SPD. Only use if Mushy Shroomy's Adventures and Today's Good Luck are both unavailable.

Yao Guang FAQ

Who works best with Yao Guang in HSR?

Yao Guang's best team options include Evanescia, Silver Wolf LV.999, Sparxie. StarGuide rates teammates by role and composition fit so the recommendation reflects how the character is actually played.

What relics should Yao Guang use?

Yao Guang's recommended relic setup is Diviner of Distant Reach with Lushaka, the Sunken Seas, with stat targets around SPD 160-200+, CRIT Rate ~100% in-combat, CRIT DMG 90%+ pre-combat.

What is the best light cone for Yao Guang?

When She Decided to See is the top listed light cone for Yao Guang. Signature LC addressing both of Yao Guang's core weaknesses. The 30% SPD increase at S5 (18% at S1) enables the 200 SPD breakpoint for 3 turns in 150 AV and accelerates Aha for more frequent Instants. Energy Regen Rate helps reach the costly 180 Energy Ultimate 1 turn earlier. Also grants "Great Fortune" on combat entry and Ultimate use (3 turns), buffing all allies' CRIT Rate by 10% and CRIT DMG by 30% at S1, boosting Elation DMG procs.

How should I invest in Yao Guang?

Yao Guang's first listed investment priority is E1. Best first target for Elation teams. 20% DEF ignore applies to all Elation DMG from the entire team, and the doubled Punchline baseline (40 vs 20) means more Consumed Punchline stored for future Certified Banger states.

Important Notes

• 180 Energy cost means roughly 1 Ultimate every 3-4 turns at E0 without Energy Regen investment or Signature LC — plan rotations accordingly.
• Full Elation potential requires at least one other Elation character. General buffs (RES PEN, Vulnerability) carry standalone value, but dedicated supports like Tribbie are often stronger for non-Elation teams.
• Zone lasts 3 turns (counts down at start of Yao Guang's turn) — consistent Skill usage is required to maintain buffs, which can strain SP economy despite A4 recovery.
• A2 SPD-to-Elation conversion starts at 120 SPD (+30% base) and caps at 320 SPD (+230% bonus Elation). Reaching meaningful breakpoints requires heavy SPD investment or Signature LC.