Cover-Credits:
The new banners released in Honkai Star Rail’s recent update 1.2 include Nihility based characters like Kafka and Luka. While several players are pulling Kafka for the powerful DoT (Damage over time) effects on enemies, many are left wondering if Luka is worth pulling in Honkai Star Rail since he is also a DoT character. Let us look at whether or not Luka is worth pulling in Honkai Star Rail and how he synergizes with Kafka and others.
Honkai Star Rail: Is Luka worth pulling?
The first step in understanding whether Luka is worth pulling in Honkai Star Rail is to look at his abilities and what effects they grant. Luka is a new 4-star Physical unit from the Path of Nihility. He relies on dealing DoT damage to characters and applies the Bleed status on enemies since he is a Physical unit. His Fighting Will talent gives him extra damage against enemies inflicted with bleed when he gets enough stacks. His Skill called Lacerating Fist also has a high chance of inflicting the Bleed status on enemies. His Bleed effect from the Physical element is one of the strongest type of DoT in the game. So if you’re looking to build a team around damage-carry units like Himeko, consider pulling Luka as a sub-DPS with good utility. Consider pairing Luka alongside Natasha, Silver Wolf, and Sushang for a powerful Physical DPS team. Natasha’s basic attack can help spread the Bleed Status when she isn’t healing.
Luka also works great if you pair him with Kafka, Sampo, and Luocha. The first three all have complimenting abilities, while Loucha is there to keep the team alive. Luka can be used to recover Skill Points and trigger Kafka’s Talent with his Enhanced Basic Attacks. Sampo’s Skill and Luka’s ultimate also increase the damage taken by enemies over time. Luka is definitely worth pulling if you’re looking for a DoT Sub-DPS who also gives you a fair chunk of utility.
Luka Abilities in Honkai Star Rail
Basic Attack - Direct Punch: Deals Physical DMG equal to 50% of Luka’s ATK to a single enemy.
Basic Attack - Sky Shatter Fist: Consumes 2 stacks of Fighting Will. First, uses Direct Punch to deal 3 hits, with each hit dealing Physical DMG equal to 10%–22% of Luka's ATK to a single enemy target. Then, uses Rising Uppercut to deal 1 hit, dealing Physical DMG equal to 40%–88% of Luka's ATK to the single enemy target.
Skill - Lacerating Fist: Deals Physical DMG equal to 60%–132% of Luka's ATK to a single enemy target. In addition, there is a 100% base chance to inflict Bleed on them, lasting for 3 turn(s).
Ultimate - Coup de Grâce: Receives 2 stack(s) of Fighting Will, with a 100% base chance to increase a single enemy target's DMG received by 12%–21.6% for 3 turn(s). Then, deals Physical DMG equal to 198%–356.4% of Luka's ATK to the target.
Talent - Flying Sparks: After Luka uses his Basic ATK "Direct Punch" or Skill "Lacerating Fist," he receives 1 stack(s) of Fighting Will, up to 4 stacks. When he has 2 or more stacks of Fighting Will, his Basic ATK "Direct Punch" is enhanced to "Sky-Shatter Fist." After his Enhanced Basic ATK's "Rising Uppercut" hits a Bleeding enemy target, the Bleed status will immediately deal DMG for 1 time equal to 68%–88.4% of the original DMG to the target. At the start of battle, Luka will possess 1 stack of Fighting Will.
Technique – Anticipator: Immediately attacks the enemy. Upon entering battle, Luka deals Physical DMG equal to 50% of his ATK to a random single enemy with a 100% base chance to inflict his Skill's Bleed effect on the target. Then, Luka gains 1 additional stack of Fighting Will.
Luka Light Cones
Luka’s signature light cone is Resolution Shines as Pearls of Sweat. Its signature perk is Glance Back which states the following:
When the wearer hits an enemy and if the hit enemy is not already Ensnared, then there is a 60% base chance to Ensnare the hit enemy. Ensnared enemies' DEF decreases by 12% for 1 turn(s).
Honkai Star Rail 1.2: Luka Eidolons
E1 – Fighting Endlessly: When attacking a Bleeding enemy, Luka’s DMG dealt increases by 15% for 2 turn(s).
E2 – The Enemy is Weak, I am Strong: If Skill hits an enemy with Physical Weakness, gain 1 stack(s) of Fighting Will.
E3 – Born for the Ring: Skill Lv. +2, up to a maximum of Lv. 15. Talent Lv. +2, up to a maximum of Lv.15.
E4 – Speed Determines the Victor: For every stack of Fighting Will obtained, increases ATK by 5%, stacking up to 4 time(s).
E5 – The Spirit of Wildfire: Ultimate Lv. +2, up to a maximum of Lv. 15. Basic ATK Lv. +1, up to a maximum of Lv. 10.
E6 – A Champion’s Applause: When Enhanced Basic ATK’s Sky-Shatter Fist hits a Bleeding enemy target, then every Direct Punch used by this Enhanced Basic ATK will cause the target to be immediately dealt damage equal to the original Bleed damage, 8% of the original DMG for 1 time.
