Calm, alluring, and deadly, Kafka is a key character in Honkai: Star Rail. Here’s everything to know about unlocking her, Kafka’s lore, and more.

Honkai: Star Rail remains a popular title and Kafka one of the most memorable characters. When you first enter the game, you get to play as Kafka. However, it is not until the Nessun Dorma banner in version 1.2 that you can unlock her permanently. Read on for everything we know so far about the character and unlocking Kafka in Honkai: Star Rail.

Kafka in Honkai Star Rail (Image via HoYoverse)
Kafka in Honkai Star Rail (Image via HoYoverse)

How to unlock Kafka in Honkai: Star Rail

Kafka's banner is now in Honkai Star Rail version 1.2. In the banner, Kafka has a 50% boosted drop rate, so if you've been a fan of Kafka so far in the story, now is the time to spend those Stellar Jades.

If you do unlock Kafka you've been blessed, as she is one of the best characters in the entire game. Make sure to start collecting her Ascension Materials asap.

Kafka will has her own banner in the Honkai Star Rail 1.2 update (Image via HoYoverse)
Kafka will has her own banner in the Honkai Star Rail 1.2 update (Image via HoYoverse)

The Nessun Dorma banner features the following characters:

  • Kafka (5-star) - Lightning
  • Luke (4-star) - Physical
  • Sampo (4-star) - Wind
  • Serval (4-star) - Lightning

All four characters have a 50% boosted drop rate.

Who is Kafka in Honkai Star Rail?

In the current game, players get introduced to Kafka during the tutorial and opening story. She battles Voidrangers and chats with Silver Wolf about the Stellaron. Honkai: Star Rail also highlights Kafka's ultimate, which is Twilight Trill. Later, she wakes up the Trailblazer and implies that they should know her.

Kafka waking up Trailblazer (Image via HoYoverse)
Kafka waking up Trailblazer (Image via HoYoverse)

"All you need to know is that I'm leaving, and you will be left all alone on this space station. From now on, you needn't think about your past or doubt yourself," Kafka says. "I must leave now. Listen: someone will come and find you very soon, just go with them. You won't remember a thing except me."

She then leaves the Trailblazer, who wakes up after some time to meet March 7th and Dan Heng.

Kafka using Caressing Moonlight (Image via HoYoverse)
Kafka using Caressing Moonlight (Image via HoYoverse)
Upcoming and key characters in Honkai Star Rail version 1.4

Honkai: Star Rail Kafka's lore and ultimate

In addition to having a calm demeanor and alluring voice, Kafka is deadly in combat. The opening cinematic implies that she plays the violin. Meanwhile, the tutorial highlights some moves such as her Twilight Trill ultimate, Caressing Moonlight skill, and Midnight Tumult basic attack. She also represents the Lightning element in Honkai: Star Rail.

Kafka's ultimate Twilight Trill making a big first impression in Honkai Star Rail (Image via HoYoverse)
Kafka's ultimate Twilight Trill making a big first impression in Honkai Star Rail (Image via HoYoverse)

According to Kafka official biography, Kafka "likes collection coats." She is also a Stellaron Hunter, a trusted member of Destiny's Slave Elio, and wants to achieve Elio's envisioned future. Kafka is on the International Peace Corporation's wanted list as well.

Kafka's abilities

Name
Type
Description
Basic Attack Midnight TumultDeals 50% of Kafka's ATK as Lightning DMG to a target Enemy.
SkillCaressing MoonlightDeals 70% of Kafka's ATK as Lightning DMG to a target enemy and 25% of Kafka's ATK as Lightning DMG to enemies adjacent to the target.

If the target enemy is already taking DoT, immediately deals equal to 100% of all current DoT effect the enemy has.
UltimateTwilight TrillDeals 38% of Kafka's ATK as Lightning DMG to all enemies. There is a 100% base chance for enemies to be Shocked and immediately take DMG equal to 82% of received DMG.

When Shocked, enemies receive 64% of Kafka's ATK as Lightning DoT at the start of their turn.
TechniqueMercy is Not ForgivenessImmediately attacks the enemy. After entering battle, deals 50% of Kafka's ATK as Lightning DMG to a random enemy.

In addition, all enemies have a 100% base chance of being Shocked for 3 turn(s). While Shocked, enemies will take 50% of Kafka's ATK as Lightning DoT at the start of each turn.
TalentGentle But CruelAfter an ally uses Basic ATK on a Shocked enemy, Kafka immediately deals 75% of her ATK as Lightning DMG to that enemy.
This effect can only be triggered once per turn.
Kafka's abilities (List via honkai-star-rail.fandom.com)

Kafka in Chapter 3: Xianzhou

After being introduced to Kafka in the prologue, your next encounter with Kafka is in Chapter 3. This is the final chapter in version 1.0 of Honkai: Star Rail. Kafka appears as a hologram on the Astral Express and talks to your party about Stellaron activity being recorded in Xianzhou Luofu. During this chapter, you get to hunt for Kafka herself.

After arriving in Xianzhou Luofu, you will begin a hunt for Kafka (Image via HoYoverse)
After arriving in Xianzhou Luofu, you will begin a hunt for Kafka (Image via HoYoverse)

Kafka in other Honkai games

Honkai: Star Rail is the third Honkai game where a version of Kafka has made an appearance. Kafka made her debut in MiHoYo's Houkai Gakuen 2, also known as Guns Girl Z. She was later added to MiHoYo's Honkai Impact 3 as part of collaboration. In both games, her backstory was as a gloomy writer who was used to smiling at others and feeling sad for the weak.

Kafka in Honkai Impact 3 (Image via HoYoverse)
Kafka in Honkai Impact 3 (Image via HoYoverse)

That's all for now. Stay tuned on esports.gg for more Honkai: Star Rail news and updates.