F2P Account Guide: Building Your First Two Teams
New to Honkai: Star Rail or starting a fresh account? This guide covers the best early investments, free characters, and how to build two capable teams without spending a dime.
Introduction
Building a strong account in Honkai: Star Rail as a free-to-play (F2P) player is entirely possible — you just need to be smart about your resource allocation. This guide will help you build two solid teams that can clear most content, including Memory of Chaos up to floor 10-12.
Early Priorities
1. Level Your Account (Trailblaze Power)
Your first priority should be reaching Trailblaze Level 40+ to unlock higher-tier material domains. Focus your stamina on:
- Character XP books — You'll need thousands
- Credit calyxes — Credits run out fast
- Trace materials — For your main DPS characters
2. Choose Your Main DPS
As a F2P player, you want to invest in characters that stay relevant. Here are your best early options:
| Character | How to Get | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Dan Heng • Imbibitor Lunae | Limited banner | Amazing if you pull him, but wait for his value |
| Himeko | Standard banner/lose 50/50 | Great for Pure Fiction |
| Clara | Standard banner/lose 50/50 | Excellent all-rounder |
| Serval | Free early game | Decent Lightning DPS for early content |
| Herta | Free (Simulated Universe) | God-tier for Pure Fiction |
3. The "Must-Build" 4-Stars
These 4-star characters are worth building even for endgame:
- Tingyun — Best 4-star support in the game
- Pela — Defense shred is invaluable
- March 7th / Natasha — Your early sustain options
- Herta — Pure Fiction queen
- Asta — Speed buffs are always useful
Building Team 1: Your Hypercarry Team
Main DPS + Tingyun/Support + Flex + Healer/Shielder
Example Early Team:
- Main DPS: Clara or whichever 5-star you have
- Support: Tingyun (buff ATK and energy)
- Flex: Pela (defense shred) or Asta (speed)
- Sustain: Natasha (healing)
Building Team 2: Your Second Team
Once you hit Trailblaze Level 40, you'll need a second team for Memory of Chaos. Your options:
Option A: Herta + Serval (F2P Erudition)
- Great for Pure Fiction
- Low investment, high return
- Herta is free, Serval is early game reward
Option B: Physical Trailblazer + Flex
- Your free Physical Trailblazer is decent early
- Replace as soon as you get a better DPS
Relic Tips for F2P Players
- Don't farm relics before TB40 — Use what you get from quests and bosses
- At TB40-50: Farm gold relics but be picky
- At TB50+: Now you can seriously farm
- Use the Synthesizer for your main DPS's head/hands pieces
- 2-piece + 2-piece sets are often better than incomplete 4-piece sets
Light Cone Priority
| Type | Best F2P Options |
|---|---|
| Erudition | The Seriousness of Breakfast, Geniuses' Repose |
| Destruction | A Secret Vow, Under the Blue Sky |
| Hunt | Cruising in the Stellar Sea (Herta shop), Swordplay |
| Harmony | Memories of the Past, Meshing Cogs |
| Nihility | Solitary Healing, Good Night and Sleep Well |
| Preservation | Day One, Landau's Choice |
| Abundance | Shared Feeling, Multiplication |
Final Tips
- Save your Stellar Jade for limited 5-star characters, not standard banner
- Don't build too many characters — Focus on 8 for your two teams
- Use the Herta shop — Cruising in the Stellar Sea and On the Fall of an Aeon are excellent free light cones
- Join events — Even if you're low level, events give huge rewards
- Be patient — HSR is a marathon, not a sprint