As I dive into my third year of playing Honkai: Star Rail, I've come to appreciate characters that aren't necessarily damage powerhouses but still contribute immensely to team success. Pela, the Intelligence Officer of the Silvermane Guards, has become my secret weapon in tackling challenging content. While she might not be the flashiest choice, her ability to strip enemy buffs while dealing consistent Ice damage has proven invaluable.

Building the Perfect Pela in 2025

I remember when I first pulled Pela back in 2023 - I almost benched her because I didn't understand her potential. Fast forward to 2025, and she's become a staple in several of my team compositions. The key was finding the right build to maximize her unique skillset.

Let me walk you through how I've optimized my Pela for the current meta:

Relics: Focusing on What Matters

For Pela's relics, I've found two main approaches that work exceptionally well:

  1. 4-piece Thief of Shooting Meteor: This has become my go-to set. The Break Effect boost and additional damage against enemies with Weakness Break is perfect for Pela's debuffing role.

  2. 4-piece Musketeer of Wild Wheat: When I need more consistent damage output, this set provides the Effect Hit Rate and ATK% that helps Pela land her debuffs more reliably.

I've experimented with mixed sets too, but the 4-piece bonuses are too valuable to ignore.

Planar Ornaments: Enhancing Her Strengths

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When it comes to Planar Ornaments, I've tried several combinations:

  1. Pan-Cosmic Commercial Enterprise: My current favorite for Pela. The Energy Regeneration Rate boost means more ultimates, which equals more team-wide debuffs.

  2. Fleet of the Ageless: Great for boosting Pela's Break Effect and Effect Hit Rate, ensuring her debuffs land consistently.

  3. Firmament Frontline: Glamoth: The newest addition to my collection. This set provides an incredible boost to Pela's damage against debuffed enemies - which is basically all enemies when she's on the field!

  4. Rutilant Arena: A solid alternative when I need more speed to ensure Pela moves before my DPS characters.

Light Cones: The Game-Changer

The right Light Cone makes a world of difference for Pela. After two years of playing, I've collected several options:

Premium Options (Gacha Light Cones)

  1. Resolution Shines As Pearls of Sweat: This 5-star Light Cone is tailor-made for Pela. It boosts her Effect Hit Rate by 40% and grants the entire team a 15% ATK increase when she uses her skill.

  2. In the Night: Increases Break Effect by 32% and provides a 24% damage boost against enemies with Weakness Break.

  3. Good Night and Sleep Well: My personal favorite. It boosts Pela's Effect Hit Rate by 24% and increases the entire team's damage against debuffed enemies by 12%.

  4. Memories of the Past: A solid option that increases Pela's SPD and Effect Hit Rate.

  5. Before the Tutorial Mission Starts: Increases Pela's Effect Hit Rate and provides Energy Regeneration.

F2P-Friendly Options

Not everyone has the luxury of pulling 5-star Light Cones. These options have served me well:

  1. Void: My go-to F2P option. The Effect Hit Rate boost is exactly what Pela needs.

  2. Fermata: Increases SPD and Effect Hit Rate, helping Pela move faster.

  3. Chorus: A solid 3-star option that boosts Effect Hit Rate by 16%.

Traces: Prioritizing for Maximum Impact

Pela's Traces define her combat capabilities. I've maxed all of hers, but if you're resource-limited, here's how I'd prioritize:

  1. Frostbite (Ultimate): Absolutely critical. This applies an ATK reduction to all enemies, which can be the difference between survival and defeat in tough fights.

  2. Zone Suppression (Talent): Her signature ability that removes buffs from enemies. I've saved countless runs by removing enemy shields and damage reduction buffs.

  3. Frost Shot (Basic Attack): While not her primary damage source, upgrading this improves her overall contribution.

Team Compositions That Shine

Over my years of playing, I've found several team compositions where Pela truly excels:

My Go-To Nihility Team

  • Acheron (Main DPS)

  • Pela (Debuffer)

  • Silver Wolf (Defense Shredder)

  • Fu Xuan (Tank/Damage Reduction)

This team is absolutely devastating against bosses. Pela and Silver Wolf strip away defenses while Acheron delivers massive damage. Fu Xuan keeps everyone alive through the toughest hits.

Balanced Approach

  • Jingliu (Main DPS)

  • Pela (Debuffer)

  • Bronya (Buffer)

  • Luocha (Healer)

This has been my reliable team for most content in 2025. Jingliu delivers consistent damage, enhanced by Bronya's buffs, while Pela strips enemy defenses. Luocha ensures we stay healthy throughout longer battles.

F2P-Friendly Option

  • Dan Heng (DPS)

  • Pela (Debuffer)

  • Natasha (Healer)

  • Serval (Sub-DPS/Lightning application)

I started with a team similar to this, and it's still effective for newer players. The elemental diversity helps against various enemy types.

People Also Ask

Is Pela still viable in the 2025 meta?

Absolutely! While newer characters have been released, Pela's unique ability to strip buffs remains valuable. The meta has actually shifted more toward debuffers with recent boss designs.

Should I pull for Pela's signature Light Cone?

It depends on your resources. While her signature Light Cone is excellent, several 4-star options perform nearly as well. I'd prioritize getting the character first, then worry about optimizing her Light Cone later.

How does Pela compare to newer Nihility characters?

Newer characters might have flashier kits, but Pela's straightforward debuffing remains effective. She's more specialized in buff removal, while newer characters often combine debuffing with other roles.

Final Thoughts

After using Pela for nearly two years, I can confidently say she's one of the most underrated characters in Honkai: Star Rail. Her ability to control enemy buffs creates opportunities that raw damage dealers simply can't match.

What's your experience with Pela? Have you found other builds or team compositions that work well? The beauty of this game is how different playstyles can lead to success.

I'm curious to see how HoYoverse will continue to develop characters like Pela who don't rely on massive damage numbers but instead bring unique utility to the table. In a meta often dominated by DPS checks, having a character that can fundamentally alter how enemies function is refreshing.

Until next time, may your Warps be lucky and your battles victorious! 🌟❄️