Honkai Star Rail Clara Guide: Best Builds and Teams in 2025

In the vast universe of Honkai Star Rail, few characters have maintained their relevance quite like Clara. As we move through 2025, this Physical Destruction path character continues to be a formidable force in the meta, particularly with the recent introduction of her new light cone "Clara ft. Cyrene." But what makes Clara such an enduring powerhouse in the game? Let's dive into her unique mechanics, optimal builds, and team compositions to maximize her counter-attack potential.

Understanding Clara's Counter-Attack Mechanics

Clara's gameplay revolves around a unique counter-attack system that makes her both an offensive powerhouse and surprisingly durable. At the core of her kit is her robotic companion Svarog, who marks enemies that attack Clara with a "Mark of Counter" and retaliates with powerful Physical damage.

What sets Clara apart from other DPS characters is that most of her damage occurs outside her turn through these counter-attacks. This passive damage dealing makes her incredibly efficient with buffs and allows her to deal consistent damage throughout battles.

Her key mechanics include:

• Talent (Because We're Family): Reduces damage taken by 10% and allows Svarog to counter-attack enemies that hit Clara

• Skill (Svarog Watches Over You): Deals AoE Physical damage to all enemies, with doubled damage to enemies marked with a Mark of Counter

• Ultimate (Promise, Not Command): Increases Clara's damage reduction, boosts her chance of being targeted, and enhances Svarog's counter-attacks for 2 turns

Have you ever wondered why Clara remains relevant despite newer characters being released? The answer lies in her unique position as both a tank and a DPS unit, allowing her to fill multiple roles simultaneously.

Optimal Builds for Clara in 2025

As we navigate through 2025, Clara's build options have expanded, but some remain particularly effective:

Light Cones

1. Dance at Sunset (Best in Slot): This limited light cone dramatically increases Clara's counter-attack damage while also boosting her CRIT DMG and ensuring she draws enemy attacks.

2. Something Irreplaceable: A strong standard banner alternative that increases ATK and provides healing and damage bonuses when Clara is hit.

3. On the Fall of an Aeon: Increases CRIT Rate and Max HP while boosting damage after being attacked.

4. Under the Blue Sky: A free-to-play option from Herta's Store that increases ATK with attacks and boosts damage after triggering Weakness Break.

Relic Sets

1. Quantum Set (New Meta): Increases Quantum DMG by 10% and provides CRIT Rate bonuses if Clara's SPD is below certain thresholds, which is perfect given her naturally low 90 base SPD.

2. Champion of Streetwise Boxing: Increases Physical DMG by 10% and stacks ATK bonuses when Clara attacks or is hit.

3. Messenger Traversing Hackerspace: Increases Max HP by 12% and provides CRIT Rate stacks when hit, synergizing perfectly with Clara's playstyle.

Planar Ornament

1. Inert Salsotto: Increases follow-up attack damage and provides CRIT DMG bonuses, perfect for Clara's counter-based playstyle.

2. Space Sealing Station: Increases CRIT Rate and boosts Ultimate and follow-up attack damage.

Main Stats Priority

• Body: ATK%

• Feet: ATK%

• Planar Sphere: Physical DMG%

• Link Rope: ATK% or Energy Regeneration Rate

Substats Priority

CRIT RATE = CRIT DMG > ATK% > HP%

Would you like to know a secret about building Clara? Unlike many DPS characters, she actually benefits from staying at her base SPD (90), as this ensures enemies act before her, triggering more counter-attacks!

Best Team Compositions for Clara

Clara thrives in teams that can keep her alive while maximizing her counter-attack potential. Here are some of the most effective team compositions in the current meta:

Clara Counter-Attack Team

• Clara (Main DPS)

• Tingyun (Support)

• Huohuo (Healer)

• Ruan Mei (Support)

This team focuses on buffing Clara's counter-attacks while ensuring she stays alive to continue dealing damage. Tingyun provides ATK buffs and Energy, Huohuo offers healing and cleansing, while Ruan Mei extends buffs and increases vulnerability.

F2P Friendly Option

• Clara (Main DPS)

• Dan Heng (Sub-DPS)

• Natasha (Healer)

• March 7th (Shield)

This more accessible team keeps Clara protected with Natasha's healing and March 7th's shields while Dan Heng provides additional damage output.

Clara's Performance in Endgame Content

In 2025, Clara continues to excel in various endgame content:

• Memory of Chaos: Rated A+ tier, Clara performs exceptionally well in multi-wave encounters where her counter-attacks can continuously trigger

• Pure Fiction: S tier performance, as her counter-attacks can bypass many of the mode's mechanics

• Apocalyptic Shadow: A tier, though her performance can vary depending on enemy composition

One interesting observation is that Clara's effectiveness can vary significantly based on enemy behavior. She struggles against enemies that attack infrequently or are immune to taunts, but dominates against aggressive multi-attacking foes.

The Clara and Cyrene Connection

With the recent release of "Clara ft. Cyrene," players have gained access to a powerful synergy between these two characters. Cyrene's abilities complement Clara's counter-attack playstyle by providing additional buffs and enhancing Physical damage output.

This pairing has quickly become one of the most sought-after team compositions in the current meta, demonstrating Clara's continued relevance in the game's evolving landscape.

Conclusion

As we progress through 2025, Clara remains one of Honkai Star Rail's most unique and powerful characters. Her counter-attack mechanics, combined with her durability and consistent damage output, make her a valuable addition to any account. Whether you're a new player or a veteran, investing in Clara continues to be a worthwhile endeavor.

With the right build and team composition, Clara can carry you through most of the game's content, proving that sometimes the best offense is a good defense—especially when that defense hits back with the force of a supernova!

Have you built your Clara yet? What team compositions have you found most effective? The counter queen awaits your command in the vast railway of the stars.