Broken Keel: How a Shattered Ship Part Makes Your Supports Godlike

In the high-stakes world of Honkai: Star Rail, every squad needs a backbone—those wonderful support characters who keep the damage dealers standing and make them hit like a freight train. But what if your support gets knocked out faster than you can say "technique"? That’s where Broken Keel comes in, a Planar Ornament set so versatile it might as well be duct tape for your team’s defenses and offense. Unlike other relics that demand a PhD to synergize, Broken Keel gently taps your allies on the shoulder and says, "Here, have some free Crit Damage." So, who should wear this shattered beauty? Stick around—the answers might just make your current team blush with envy.

What’s the Deal with Broken Keel?

If you’ve been living under a rock (or just spamming auto-battle), here’s the scoop. Relics are the gear your characters equip, split into Cavern Relics (four pieces give a set bonus) and Planar Ornaments (two pieces). Broken Keel is a 2-piece Planar Ornament that grants 10% Effect Resistance to the wearer. But the real magic? If that Effect Resistance hits 30% or higher, all allies get a 10% Crit Damage boost. Translation: your healer or buffer suddenly turns into a teeny buffer/debuffer hybrid that also makes your main DPS hit like a meteor. Don’t you just love when a ship’s broken steering wheel makes everyone stronger?

Where to Snag This Shattered Treasure

You won’t find Broken Keel in a dusty pawn shop on the Xianzhou Luofu. It’s an Immersion Reward from World 7 of the Simulated Universe, which costs a measly 40 Trailblaze Power. Bring your level 60+ squad and brace yourself for the likes of the Abundant Ebon Deer (yes, that thing still hits harder than a freight train), Stormbringer, and Malefic Apes. Don’t worry—the deer may wombo-combo you, but the loot is absolutely worth it. Pro tip: bring some Effect Resistance already just to mock the game.

The Honor Roll: Best Characters for Broken Keel

Let’s face it, not everyone can slap on a pair of cracked ornaments and become a legend. These ten characters, however, will make you wonder why you ever bothered with other sets.

Trailblazer (Fire)

The Fire Trailblazer is already a shield god: their Skill reduces incoming damage by 40%, and they hand out shields like candy at Halloween. Broken Keel’s Effect Resistance makes them even tankier, while the Crit Damage bonus means their occasional smacks can sting. Who needs a pure tank when your tank also buffs everyone’s crits? Stack Defense on sub-stats and laugh as enemies fail to break your shields.

Yukong

Yukong’s Roaring Bowstrings buff allies’ Attack, and her Ultimate skyrockets Crit Rate and Crit Damage. The problem? She offers zero defensive utility. Broken Keel gives her a defensive edge—Effect Resistance—and slaps an extra Crit Damage bonus on top. It’s like giving a Formula 1 car airbags. Focus on Attack, Crit Rate, and Crit Damage for sub-stats, but keep an eye out for Effect Resistance to trigger the team buff.

Fu Xuan

Fu Xuan’s shtick is turning her team into an unkillable fortress: she shares damage, boosts max HP, and raises Crit Rate. Broken Keel amplifies this by adding even more Crit Rate (wait, no—Crit Damage) and debuff resistance. Because her abilities scale off Max HP, prioritize that in sub-stats. And remember, the higher her own Effect Resistance, the more reliable the Crit Damage buff becomes. So she’s not just a tactician; she’s a tactician with a secret bludgeon.

Bronya

The Supreme Guardian’s Ultimate boosts allies’ Attack and Crit Damage based on her own Crit Damage. Now imagine doubling down with Broken Keel’s 10% Crit Damage boost. It’s like putting a megaphone on a rock concert. Build her with Effect Resistance to trigger the set bonus, then drown her in Crit Damage sub-stats. She’ll be so busted that even Seele will ask for modeling tips.

Huohuo

Huohuo regenerates energy and boosts Attack. Adorable, right? But she doesn’t outright improve survivability. Broken Keel adds a layer of Effect Resistance (bye-bye crowd control) and Crit Damage, rounding her out as a comfy blanket that also punches. All her healing scales off HP, so chase those sub-stats along with Effect Resistance. Your team will survive longer and crit harder—what more could a trailblazer ask for?

Gepard

Gepard normally likes his Belobog of the Architects set, but who says a captain can’t experiment? His Ultimate gives team-wide shields based on Defense, and Broken Keel’s Effect Resistance makes those walls even more obnoxious. The Crit Damage buff turns the occasional basic attack into a cheeky slap. Focus Defense first, then Effect Resistance. He’ll be so sturdy that enemies will unionize.

Tingyun

Tingyun is all about Attack buffs—her Skill and Ultimate shower allies with damage steroids. Unfortunately, she’s about as durable as a wet noodle. Broken Keel’s Effect Resistance shores up that glaring weakness, and the Crit Damage boost pairs perfectly with her existing buffs. Stack Effect Resistance to unlock the bonus, then whatever offensive sub-stats you fancy. Suddenly, the foxian merchant isn’t just a support; she’s a menace.

Asta

Asta’s Charging stacks crank up the whole team’s Attack. With Broken Keel’s Crit Damage cherry on top, your DPS enters a state of pure bliss. She can also benefit from the Effect Resistance, letting her shake off debuffs while stargazing. Sub-stat priority: Effect Resistance to trigger the set, then Speed or HP to keep her alive. After all, a dead navigator can’t call down orbital lasers.

Hanya

Hanya’s Talent and Ultimate buff damage and Speed. Broken Keel broadens her portfolio with Crit Damage and Effect Resistance, turning her from a speed demon into an all-in-one buffet of stats. Her Ultimate partially scales with Speed, so prioritize that alongside Effect Resistance. With this set, she’ll be the MVP of any team—and you won’t even need to bribe her with double overtime.

March 7th

March’s basic attack already packs a passive Effect Resistance boost, making Broken Keel a natural fit if you want to lean into the “I resist everything” fantasy. While other sets like Firmament Frontline Glamoth might serve her better for pure DPS, a resistance-stacked March can keep her allies safe from debilitating statuses. Sub-stats: Effect Resistance and Defense for maximum trolling, or some Attack if you want her counters to sting.

Is Broken Keel Really Worth the Grind?

In a game where support characters often determine whether you clear Memory of Chaos or cry in a corner, Broken Keel is a no-brainer. It transforms any fragile buffer into a sturdy cheerleader who also gives your damage dealers an invisible crit stick. Sure, you’ll spend hours auto-battling that deer, but every time your Seele’s ult crits for an extra 10%, you’ll know it was worth it. So go forth, Trailblazer, and let your supports shine—they deserve that broken keel, and so does your squad.