Should you pull for Cipher or Aglaea in Honkai: Star Rail Version 3.3 Phase 2 banner

Cipher brings a new spin on damage amplification by storing and redistributing team-wide damage as true damage, perfect for multi-phase bosses and burst-focused teams!
Aglaea is a high-speed DPS who thrives in multi-wave and single-target fights alike, offering consistent damage output and strong self-sustain mechanics!
While Cipher elevates team damage through follow-ups and stored burst, Aglaea shines as a straightforward, reliable damage dealer who doesn’t need heavy support to perform!

Honkai: Star Rail is introducing the Phase 2 banner, featuring Cipher and Aglaea in Version 3.3. HoYoverse released a dual banner featuring one newly released character and one re-run character.

We will assess each character’s strengths and qualities in the future meta of the game and advise on who you should prefer to pull from the two playable characters. Phase 2 Banners will go live on the 11th of June, 2025, and will last till the 1st of July, 2025.

Why should you go for Cipher in HSR version 3.3

Honkai: Star Rail Phase 2 banner introduces Cipher, the much-anticipated 5-Star Quantum Nihility character in Version 3.3. Cipher is a Quantum Nihility unit specializing in damage amplification and true damage mechanics.

True Damage Burst Potential: Cipher converts stored damage into true damage through her Ultimate, bypassing DEF and resistances, making her incredibly useful in high-difficulty content and boss fights with damage mitigation.
Teamwide Damage Amplifier: Her ‘Patron’ mechanic records a portion of enemy damage, enabling the entire team’s DPS to be condensed and frontloaded later, enhancing overall burst windows.
Synergizes with Many DPS Units: Cipher fits well with high-damage DPS units, especially those who deal massive damage in short bursts.

Honkai: Star Rail Cipher Pre-Farm Guide — Image via HoYoverse

Speed Scaling Rewards Investment: She benefits greatly from speed-based builds. Reaching certain speed thresholds increases her damage recording cap, encouraging aggressive SPD stacking.
Strategic Playstyle: Her gameplay emphasizes planning and timing, offering satisfying payoff for players who enjoy more tactical, delayed-damage mechanics.
Works Well in Multi-Phase Battles: Because her recorded damage carries over between enemy waves/phases, she excels in Memory of Chaos and boss fights where enemies shift forms or reinforcements arrive.

Why should you go for Aglaea in HSR version 3.3

Aglaea, is a 5-Star Lightning Remembrance unit in Phase 2 of Version 3.3. She is a fast-paced Lightning DPS unit and the first ever Remembrance path damage dealer. She’s built for players who enjoy speed-tuned rotations, high CRIT stats, and explosive single-target or AoE damage when set up correctly.

Fast, fluid DPS: Aglaea is one of the fastest characters in the game, with speed breakpoints around 135–161 SPD for optimal rotations.
Powerful Supreme Stance damage: Her main burst window hits extremely hard, especially when supported by CRIT DMG buffers or turn-advance units.
Scales well with top-tier supports: She synergizes perfectly with CRIT/turn advance supports.

Honkai: Star Rail Aglaea — Aglaea in HSR (Image via HoYoverse)

Flexible Light Cone options: While her signature Light Cone is strong, she works well with accessible options like Sweat Now, Cry Later, Geniuses’ Repose, or Reminiscence.
Unique Remembrance DPS: As the only DPS on the Remembrance path, she can take advantage of gear, sets, and team comps designed for a niche few.
High skill ceiling: For players who enjoy optimizing SPD, CRIT, and timing, Aglaea offers rewarding gameplay and great endgame potential.

Who should you pull for in HSR version 3.3 Phase 2

If you’re trying to decide between Cipher and Aglaea in Honkai: Star Rail version 3.3 Phase 2, it depends on whether you’re looking for a scaling, strategic true damage sub-DPS (Cipher) or a fast, self-sufficient Lightning DPS who thrives in speed-tuned teams (Aglaea).

If you want a more technical but rewarding unit, I’d recommend pulling for Cipher. She’s not only fun to play, but she also scales incredibly well with strong teams. Her unique Tally mechanic lets her “record” teamwide damage and unleash it later as true damage, which makes her amazing in multi-wave fights and against tanky bosses. I love how she adds a layer of delayed burst that feels super satisfying to time perfectly. Plus, the universal team-wide vulnerability from her A6 is just a huge value.

But if you just want a sleek, no-nonsense Lightning DPS who zooms through turns and dishes out serious damage, then I’d recommend Aglaea. I love how fast she is, one of the quickest DPS units in the game, and she really shines when you have Sunday or a turn advance setup. Her Supreme Stance hits like a truck, and she’s all about stacking CRIT Rate, CRIT DMG, and speed to keep up pressure.

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